Youngest 105

Episode 105

The count straightened his spine and swallowed hard.

The tracking mage was staying in one of the Ipsen mansions prepared by Count Camellan, in accordance with the imperial command.

Leviathan had secretly ordered the count to investigate that bedchamber.

“The security was extremely tight, but it’s not as if he stays cooped up in the mansion all day.”

Ssshhh. Hastily copied notes were placed on the table.

“I wrote down the mage’s memos exactly as they were left. Please take a look.”

“……”

“He disguised himself as a regular guest and approached Lady Rubian in the maze garden. I don’t know what he was so eager to confirm, but the examiner verified it as well, so it’s certain—”

In that moment—crack—the papers were thoroughly crumpled.

“He approached Rubian somewhere I didn’t know about?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Count Camellan wiped the cold sweat from his brow. The atmosphere, which had been genial enough for jokes, instantly turned sharp and uncomfortable.

‘It was reported at yesterday’s banquet, too, that he showed undue attention to Rubian.’

Leon’s report surfaced in Leviathan’s mind.

“And now, the portal won’t return because of a malfunction, huh…”

Leviathan muttered through clenched teeth.

“D-don’t worry too much, Your Grace. At any rate, there’s nothing more he can do now, and Your Grace leaves for Zelox tomorrow…”

The count’s muttering voice faded into the distance.

‘Don’t worry?’

Leviathan sneered inwardly.

The count could never know.

Just how utterly a single moment of malice from a mage could overturn a life.

He might know, but never as deeply and painfully as Leviathan did.

Rosetta had been attacked by the very mage she had saved out of kindness.

Such people they were. Especially the so-called high-ranking mages of the kingdom—the filthiest of the lot.

Leviathan clenched his fist tight.

“That mage. Where is he staying now?”

He could not relax his vigilance for a single instant when it came to the mage. Lest everything he had built come crashing down.

---

“Goodbye, My Lady!”

I waved my hand gently.

In my hand was a braided knot, tied with colorful cords.

“Thank you for teaching me another knot today.”

And a new knotting technique at that!

“Not at all. I’ll miss you, Rubian.”

Sortie hugged me softly, whispering.

I grew a bit stiff; it had been a long time since I’d become friends with another girl like this.

“May I write to you?”

“As much as you like!”

I nodded with a wide smile.

I was scheduled to return to Zelox tomorrow. So this was farewell with Sortie and Licht.

“May I write, too?”

“Yes, of course.”

Licht flashed me an easy smile and shook hands lightly.

‘He’s back to his usual easygoing self now that he’s away from Khalid and those swords.’

Khalid, who had spent so much time bickering with Licht, had been hauled off to the training grounds by Grandpa and Void, who happened to be practicing nearby.

Thanks to that, the inexplicable war between those two was at least in a lull for now.

‘Neither of them are really the brawling type… How did it come to this?’

They’re the same age—they’d be great friends if they just got along.

I sighed inwardly, but smiled brightly nonetheless.

“It’s a shame I didn’t get to see Olivia, but I’m glad I met both of you here in Ipsen!”

Of course, there had been some unpleasant events.

Still, aside from Khalid, I had gained something myself.

Friends my own age!

“Aw, I’ll miss you, Rubian.”

Sortie pouted, fiddling with my fingers.

“If you just stayed a little longer here… Oh!”

Just then, the girl froze, as if turned to ice. A large shadow had been cast behind me.

A familiar hand tapped the crown of my head. I leaned my head back, grinning.

“Dad! When did you come down?”

“Just now.”

Dad raised his eyebrows slightly, then turned to look at Sortie and Licht.

“No need to ask if you had a good time, I suppose.”

“Why not?”

“Could only hear your excited voice the whole time. The whole mansion was ringing with it.”

Dad pretended to block both his ears, as though in distress.

“What? No way! I wasn’t that loud—”

“See, even now. My ears hurt.”

“… You came down here just to tease me!”

“What other reason could I have?”

Dad, you’re asking for it! Why are you like this!

I smacked his side playfully.

Standing at a slight distance, Count Camellan couldn’t stifle his laughter any longer and chuckled quietly.

“You’ve grown quite comfortable now, I see.”

Dad and I both looked at the count.

“What do you mean?”

By now, Titi had crept behind the count for cover. At least she wasn’t crying anymore—that was some progress.

“I mean how you address him. When I first met you in Ipsen, it seemed awkward for you to call him Father.”

The count’s gentle gaze turned to me.

Oh, right… he’s right.

“I guess I do adapt pretty quickly…”

I replied shyly, fidgeting my toes. Dad chimed in with a mock exclamation, but I paid no mind.

Soon, the carriage arrived.

“Well, I’ll be off first. See you again, Rubian!”

“Goodbye, Licht!”

Licht bowed politely and boarded the carriage with his attendants.

“Titi, come. You should say your goodbye to the Duke properly.”

“…Y-yes, ma’am.”

Sortie curtseyed, nervously clutching her skirts.

“Goodbye, Your Grace.”

“Safe travels, My Lady.”

His voice was as gruff as ever, but Sortie somehow seemed reassured and smiled softly.

As she carefully climbed into the carriage, Sortie suddenly spun around as if she’d remembered something.

“Oh, right! Rubian! Are you coming to the Academy next year?”

The air froze at her careless question.

“A…cademy?”

Dad turned his head slowly to look at me, as if he’d been struck by something wholly unexpected.

What’s with that reaction?

“The Academy… the one with all students in the dormitories…?”

It was a surprising question from a father who already had two sons at that very Academy.

The count smiled brightly, oblivious.

“Come to think of it, if you transfer to Rieta, you’ll be attending at the same time. It would be nice for you two to be friends there…”

“Go. Go on. Hurry up and go.”

Dad hastily stuffed the count into the carriage himself, even closing the door.

“Y-Your Grace?”

“Don’t put ideas in my daughter’s head.”

“What on earth are you—!”

“Depart.”

Heee! The horses reared up and sped away.

Wow, they’re fast! This is fun! Goodbye, Rubiaaan!

Sortie’s gleeful voice rang out like a distant echo, then faded away for good.

“Goodbye, Titi…”

I waved quietly at the carriage as it disappeared from sight.

Once we were alone, an awkward silence crept in.

Dad stood where he was, glancing at me from time to time.

“Dad.”

I kept my gaze forward as I spoke in a low voice.

“What’s school… like?”

“…What?”

His broad shoulders gave a slight twitch.

I’d never considered going to the Academy, not with my problems with magic.

“What’s it like… to live in a dorm?”

“Ruby, Rubian—”

His reaction—

“Why are you already talking about going away? Don’t even dream about it. I mean—not that you shouldn’t have dreams, but…”

“Heh.”

This is too funny!

---

That evening.

“Huh? Isn’t Dad eating with us?”

I tilted my head as soon as I entered the dining room.

The only ones at the table were Void and Rosetta.

Grandpa was off to the hot springs, so he’d eat there. As for Liam, well, I wasn’t counting on him.

Void unfolded his napkin and replied.

“Father’s having his meal separately. Don’t just stand around, come sit. Tonight’s southern-style fish dish!”

“Huh? But he’s here in the mansion, so why…?”

Gosh, did I tease him too much earlier?

‘He must be sulking!’

For a moment, I wondered how I should go about appeasing a sulking father.

“He’s probably busy preparing for the trip tomorrow. Mom sent up his meal, so don’t worry—come here, Rubian.”

“Ah…”

I nodded and sat down at the table.

Come to think of it, since we wouldn’t be coming back to Ipsen for a while, there must be a lot he needs to wrap up.

‘Still, I always wish we could eat together.’

I nibbled at the edge of my spoon as I pondered.

Well, we can eat together once we’re back in Zelox!

Soon, a plump, savory fish dish was brought out, perfectly seasoned.

“Yay.”

Void demonstrated his honed swordsmanship on the food, expertly deboning the fish so I wouldn’t bite into a single bone.

Rosetta clapped her hands with pride at her son.

“Is it good?”

“Delicious!”

“Because someone cut it up for you?”

“Void did!”

Ahem. Void puffed up, looking pleased with himself.

Amid the lively meal, I couldn’t help but review tonight’s plan in my mind.

My final objective here!

‘Before leaving, I must uncover who the “fourth one” is.’

Filled with resolve, I made quick work of the fish before me and even polished off dessert.

“That was wonderful, thank you!”

I put my spoon down and gave a big, grateful bow.

Afterward, I brushed aside Void, who tried pestering me to play cards, checked if Liam was still alive somewhere, then enjoyed a hot bath.

I told everyone I’d go to bed a bit early, so Mom helped me into the new pajamas she’d bought.

“Goodnight, Ruby.”

Smooch, smooch.

Buried under the covers, I received a gentle kiss from Mom on my forehead. Slightly embarrassed, I rubbed my head where she’d kissed me.

“Goodnight, Mom.”

She smiled, glanced around my room once more, and left.

“Young Lady, rest well! If you need anything, just ring the bell.”

“Okay. Sleep well, Hazel!”

When even Hazel left with her lamp, my room was instantly shrouded in darkness and silence. Dad must have been truly busy—there wasn’t so much as a strand of his hair all evening.

Blink, blink.

I counted the patterns on the ceiling, forcing myself not to fall asleep.

Tonight was a crescent moon.

Maybe the faint moonlight, but the room felt darker than usual.

‘Is this late enough now?’

I counted to one hundred, then quietly got up.

Just in case, I peeked out the door. All clear.

“All right…”

Without hesitation, I strode to the table.

Inside a clear glass box rested the pale green herb!

Tonight, I was going to use this herb to find out whether the mage from my dreams was really “the fourth one.”