The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 53

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 53

Chapter Title: The New Green Festival

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"Didn't you sleep last night?"

I asked casually. Khalid, with his oddly prickly expression, raised one eyebrow.

"I slept fine."

"No, you didn't. That's exactly the face of someone who stood watch all night."

As I narrowed my eyes and stepped closer, Cal subtly turned his head away.

"Duty."

"......"

"It was because of the shift change."

He was brushing it off.

Well, obviously, he must've been playing with his animal friends.

'I'll let it slide.'

I glanced at the squirrel perched demurely on top of Cal's head. The squirrel, munching on an acorn, met my gaze and tilted its head.

"Hee, so cute."

"......Yeah."

"Huh?"

"Here."

Khalid quickly handed me a scroll. Peeking inside, it was a new blueprint he'd obtained.

I hurriedly tucked it inside my clothes so the other senior knights in the training grounds wouldn't see.

"But man, Uncle Maddix won't even budge on decent blueprints anymore."

"Tch, getting picky."

Indeed. Lately, magic tool production had hit an unexpected snag.

"Ruby, big trouble. I've gotten hooked on the stimulating blueprints you gave me, and now my heart doesn't race for anything less. I've completely fallen......"

It was Uncle Maddix, addicted to dopamine. I'd barely managed to distract him for now, but it felt like the limit was approaching soon.

"Just two more to go...... One we can somehow make with this blueprint."

The other one was the problem.

Hmm. I crossed my arms and thought for a moment.

Khalid tapped his wooden sword against the ground and said indifferently.

"Don't rush it. The Tracking Mages have gone quiet. Oh, speaking of which......"

"Yeah?"

"A Babylon Stationed Mage has made a move."

Stationed Mage? I opened my mouth slightly, and Khalid racked his memory before adding.

"That right? The mages permitted to live in other countries."

"Yeah, that's it. They're stationed at key points, so they're called Stationed Mages."

"Acting all fancy, as usual."

Mages were basically only allowed to live in the kingdom. But some, with the king's permission, could relocate to other countries.

In fact, separate from the kingdom's humanitarian issues with boy soldiers, mages with their extraordinary power were generally well-treated wherever they went.

Plus, the mage unit had performed admirably in this war, so even more so.

'House Jebert hating mages is the unusual one.'

Of course, there was a reason for that hatred.

Anyway, Stationed Mages lived in other countries and provided magical assistance as needed there.

And in turn, they smoothly procured whatever Arcadia required—information, supplies, anything.

'Since Arcadia is an isolated island.'

That's how they maintained ties to the continent.

I stroked my chin thoughtfully.

"But I thought Babylon only had mages in the east and south......?"

"East side."

Babylon had low mana density, so it had few Stationed Mages. And even those were handled by the lowest ranks.

'East means...... that guy.'

Maybe he could solve Uncle Maddix's dopamine addiction?

"But how do you know about a mage in the east? Did your scouting familiar return?"

"Well......"

Cal averted his gaze and scratched his cheek. My sharp eyes narrowed.

"You...... aren't overusing magic, are you? What if you get found out as a mage and dragged to the kingdom?"

I said it a bit sullenly, and a sharp glint flashed in his gray-blue eyes.

"Then I'll just kill them all and come back."

"There you go with the bravado again......"

Come to think of it, would Cal get middle school syndrome too?

I hope it's not bad......

"Got it! I'll think about what to do."

I suddenly noticed Khalid gripping my wrist and sharing mana, then stood up abruptly.

"Where to?"

"Un...... No. Ah, it's tea time with Dad."

Missing dessert time makes him sulky later, which is miserable. Attendance strictly mandatory.

After mulling my words, Khalid put on his bracelet and straightened his back.

"Hey, Ruby."

"Yeah?"

"How about telling the truth about your gender, at least?"

"What?"

I quickly looked around. "No one's here," Khalid whispered lowly.

"You said you'd stay here forever. Forget being a mage—even hiding that you're a girl, how long can you keep that up?"

His face looking down at me had a somehow dissatisfied expression.

"You'll grow too."

Well...... true.

Since coming here, I'd grown so much it was amazing I hadn't before.

Of course, I was still smaller than my peers (infuriating), and compared to Khalid shooting up like bamboo...... like a bird's blood.

"Hm."

I glanced down subtly. The Jebert Knights' uniform with the snarling blue lion. My neatly trimmed hair from last night courtesy of Uncle.

As Cal said, I'd grow, but no dramatic changes......

"As long as I don't take my clothes off?"

It was a cool, objective analysis, but Cal grimaced ambiguously with one eye.

"Dunno."

His voice sounded inexplicably frustrated.

"A cute kid like you would give it away no matter what."

"Huh?"

"I'm saying a pretty girl like you can't stay hidden."

"Was there meaning in correcting yourself?"

"......"

Ugh. Somehow embarrassed, I awkwardly scratched my cheek.

"Later. Priorities first."

I'd resolved to reveal all my secrets someday, but not right now. I had pressing matters at hand.

"The Runaway Mage is known as a girl, so once I make a barrier and secure safety, then. And......"

I gazed at the distant black ducal castle silhouetted like a painting and added.

"Dad's still hurting so much he hasn't even visited the baby's grave yet. He needs more time."

I needed time to prepare my heart too.

"Hm."

Khalid's lips twitched, but he added nothing. I hurried off, waving my hand vigorously.

"Anyway, I'm off, Cal! Train hard today! Don't sass the senior knights!"

Khalid reflexively waved back.

"Getting caught like that would be worse......"

I, of course, didn't hear him muttering dissatisfiedly while scratching the back of his head.

Fun snack time!

Rarely, Grandfather and Void were attending today. Normally, they'd be in intense afternoon training.

It seemed because of the gold-embossed letter Dad was holding.

"It's here again this year?"

"Yes. Ipson, the territory of Count Camellan."

"Close by."

"Pardon? May I ask what it is, Father?"

Void asked, pushing the cake in front of him far away with a face full of distaste.

Void the kid didn't particularly enjoy desserts, unlike a child.

Come to think of it, he ate bitter melon without complaint. Surprising tastes.

"The New Green Festival. It's happening nearby this year."

"Oh...... Will you attend?"

"Well......"

Dad—seated at the head table—grimaced with one eye. A sign he wasn't keen.

Grandfather, sitting beside him, snatched the letter from the table.

"The Emperor and princes coming in droves? Ha! If you don't go, they'll barge in."

His tone dripped with weariness. Arms slung over the chair back like a thug, Grandfather turned to the duke.

"Son. You didn't skip the victory banquet in the capital, did you? That's why this mess?"

"Mess, Father? It'll rot our kids' ears."

Gasp. Grandfather quickly covered his mouth. Eager to scoop up the words in the air, but too late.

"Coco droppings, forget what you just heard. Got it?"

"First time hearing your voice today, Grandfather."

Void, that kid. He'll do well in society.

Ahem! Grandfather cleared his throat loudly and shook the letter again.

"The nobles must've squawked to see your face! So, what'll you do? Going?"

"Eh. Why bother?"

From the original story, the empire's New Green Festival was a major event kicking off the year. Thus, noble families usually all attended.

'Noble infighting, power displays, political undercurrents—all happening subtly.'

Of course, House Jebert was exempt from all that.

They didn't need to care; they were the empire's undisputed top power, great noble house, famed sword family.

So Dad rarely attended. Especially these past few years with the war.

Old Duke skipped too, citing health.

'But not this time!'

I was determined to go.

"Me! I! I want to go to the festival!"

I shot my hand up, and gazes converged. I shrank a bit.

"......N-No? If it's a hassle for you, Dad, I can go alone, with the, knight uncles......"

"Leon, pen."

"Yes, sir."

The pen moved without a second's hesitation.

Attendance.