The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 44

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 44

Chapter Title: Of Course It's Great

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“Of course it's great?”

It was shocking that he'd hesitated to say those words.

'I was the one who first said I wanted to be the youngest!'

Has he completely forgotten? Or does he really think that after living up here in the North, I wouldn't like it and would run away?

'I roughly know what Rosetta and Liam are like in the original story.'

Of course, I had no guarantee they'd welcome me...

'It's okay. I can make a good impression.'

I had no reason to hesitate.

Uncle let out a long breath, as if exhaling air that had been stuck in his chest. His broad shoulders, rigid until now, sank noticeably.

“You were that nervous just to ask that?”

In a way that didn't suit him at all.

“Just that?”

Uncle tapped my nose, his face pale.

“It's the most important thing.”

Clang, clang, clang. At that moment, a loud clatter of dishes rang out from nearby. I turned to see Hazel transporting the tray, tears and snot streaming down her face.

“H-Hazel?”

“Ugh... Thank goodness, thank goodness...”

Hazel couldn't even string words together.

The other nearby maids chuckled awkwardly. “Ohoho, what a girl.” They chopped the back of Hazel's neck with the sides of their hands.

Isn't that a vital spot?

But the super-strong maid paid no mind, wiping away her tears and swapping out the ruined cake plate. Even Adolph the butler, watching, wore a pleased smile.

“Hehe.”

I couldn't help but laugh.

Was it that joyful when I said I'd stay here? Their faces lit up that much? Would everyone else be happy too?

'Void and Grandfather and the head chef and Butler Morris, and all the knight seniors...'

My arm suddenly went limp as I excitedly counted them off on my fingers in my head.

“...”

“Ruby? What's wrong?”

Uncle Leviathan, seated across from me, squeezed my cheek.

“Your face is all puffed up in a pout again.”

It hit me how many there were already.

The number of people I'd lied to.

And every one of them was so thrilled...

“Shut your mouth again.”

“Uwaa, nooo.”

“Ugly duckling beak.”

It stung my heart so very, very much.

Uncle chuckled and pulled me into a tight hug. In that warm embrace, I thought to myself.

'It's okay.'

It's okay.

Don't panic.

I'm good at hiding things, so I can hide these feelings too.

'The barrier... I need to hurry!'

The only way to shake off this heavy guilt was that one thing. Protecting the people who cared for me—with my own hands.

“Your crown's warm again.”

Protecting this uncle.

Nestled safely in his solid arms, I stealthily covered the top of my head.

“You're not planning to stir up trouble, are you?”

“Of course.”

His purple eyes, fixed on me, were as gentle and warm as ever.

Khalid trudged along the ramparts.

“Here again today?”

“Yeah, whatever.”

“Damn, kid, why so diligent?”

The burly knights ruffled the boy's hair teasingly. Khalid stiffened awkwardly and smoothed it back down.

'Are all Northerners like this?'

Not only did they casually cross personal boundaries, they dragged you right into theirs as naturally as breathing.

Honestly, it wasn't entirely welcome.

'If not for Ruby.'

He would've beaten them down and bolted long ago.

“Look at that glare. Gonna piggyback you like Delmon? Huh?”

“Aigoo, scary. Thought you were a magic beast and nearly subjugated you.”

“...Aren't you going?”

Ignoring the knights' teasing laughter, Khalid headed up to the ramparts proper.

A subtle tension always hung over the walls. Even the knights trading idle banter stiffened up unconsciously here.

'So that's the "bell".'

Khalid thought, gazing up at the tall watchtower.

“What's this magic stone?”

“Barrier Stone! We're gonna turn it into a magic tool and embed it in the wall.”

“Putting a barrier around Zelox?”

“Yep! To keep out anyone coming with bad intentions!”

To flee the instant a tracking mage detects them?

'Overkill for that.'

Plus, mess it up and it advertises a mage's presence here.

'It'll be deactivated normally, so no issue... But Ruby couldn't possibly not know that.'

Khalid halted.

Ah, so the barrier has another purpose.

“Cal, patrol the walls and check if any bells need repairs!”

“Turning the bells themselves into magic tools? But where're you making them?”

“We've got plans~”

Whatever.

The boy dropped further speculation. He couldn't predict all of Rubian's schemes anyway—and if trouble arose, he'd handle it.

So for now, just help her get it done.

Cal sighed deeply and climbed to the watchtower to inspect the bell. It gleamed spotlessly—no repairs needed.

'At night, have some animals crack it.'

Fondling the bracelet on his wrist, the boy thought indifferently.

Bang!

Rubian kicked open the forge door.

“Uncle! Here to pick out pretty metal scraps!”

Khalid, trailing behind, quietly closed the door she'd battered open.

“Oh, you're finally here.”

Maddix the blacksmith rose, tapping the floor with his hammer. A hint of delight softened his bored expression.

“You know, right? This is our secret... Uncle and Grandpa would hate it if they found out. I wouldn't be able to come anymore...”

Rubian sidled up shyly, twisting her body as she whispered. Maddix bent down awkwardly.

“Truth is, I love it a ton... weapons.”

At her whisper, hand over her mouth, the blacksmith's bronze arm muscles twitched convulsively.

“Cal.”

Crunch.

“Shield.”

Flex.

“Y'know, stuff like that.”

Madness flickered in Maddix's eyes for an instant.

“Ha! Can I file a report to the capital? Kids should be frolicking in a forge brimming with dreams and hope—not cooped up studying in some gloomy castle!”

Crazy about weapons.

Khalid thought flatly, scanning the surroundings.

It was a massive forge.

Rubian's magic stone shop was right next door. No doubt she'd used that as her excuse to come out today too.

“Quenching! Uh? Pouring molten metal!”

“Hehe, nah, don't wanna do that.”

Rubian laughed awkwardly and waved it off.

“Anyway, today we're playing in the finishing workshop!”

Her chubby little finger pointed to the small annex where they polished armaments.

“Then I guess I'll have to join you...”

“Oing? Aren't you busy, Uncle?”

“Flies are buzzing around, don't you know... Heuk.”

Right then, Rubian thrust her hand out toward Maddix. In her small palm sat a tightly rolled scroll.

Khalid's eyebrow twitched up from where he watched behind her.

“Th-this is...!”

“Yep, new blueprint. A gift-slash-bribe!”

“Why on earth give me a gift and bribe...?”

“Um. For keeping my playtime here a secret?”

“I'll serve you faithfully to the end.”

No sooner had Rubian grinned than the blacksmith snatched the scroll with frantic eagerness. Sighs burst from his lips nonstop as he scanned it.

“Huh, huuuh... This blueprint... Balancing it like this? Using these materials that way—ha, brilliant... Eh? But...”

Maddix scowled fiercely.

“The important parts aren't visible... Ru-Ruby? Don't tell me.”

“Yeees. Looks like they used glow-in-the-dark ink on the key sections so not just anyone can see.”

“So... I have to peer at this alone in a pitch-black basement?”

“Heuk, your face is boiling over right now.”

“Furnace-hot.”

Maddix's eyes glittered with raw desire.

“But Ruby, where do you even get stuff like this?”

“This kid!”

Rubian whipped around, jabbing a finger at Khalid lurking behind her.

Caught by her beaming smile, Khalid slyly averted his gaze.

“That arrowhead of a boy, standing there like a rampart and stealing glances at your face?”

“...”

You crazy bastard.

“Correction. Those eyes are pure bastard sword. Watch yourself.”

The blacksmith clutched the blueprint to his chest, hunching protectively.

“Hehe. This kid earned a bunch of blueprints as payment way back! Right, Cal?”

Rubian stomped hard on Khalid's instep. He mumbled along vaguely.

“Eh. Picked 'em up wandering various countries.”

“Aha. So this little punk's the blueprint hookup...”

Maddix narrowed his eyes to slits, rummaged noisily somewhere, then dumped a streak of red dye across the floor.

“We serve you with utmost devotion as well. Right this way—to the workshop.”

Red carpet treatment? Rubian muttered under her breath, face a touch queasy.