Youngest 177
by Cristae177
Click. Clack.
Khalid, out of habit, loosened and fastened the golden ringed bracelet on one wrist as he walked slowly forward.
“That monster bastard…”
Allen, in a hurry, pulled a waterproof sheet from his breast pocket and wrapped it around his shoes, muttering under his breath.
Allied Forces?
They can go to the dogs.
This battle was nothing more or less than a hunting ground for that brat’s rapid growth. While Khalid single-handedly cut down a hundred magical beasts, the remaining reinforcements managed, by pooling their efforts, to slay barely ten.
That wasn’t all. Even the last giant beast, which had slumbered deep within and hadn’t been subdued for centuries—tantamount to a living legend—he dispatched alone, without any help from the support troops.
‘Of course, Liam Zevert’s strategy guide played its part.’
Liam Zevert, who was churning out research papers at the academy like a madman, had heard about the battle and sent a tactical manual outlining the traits of the local magical beasts.
Their habits, weaknesses, and strategies for defeating them were detailed within, surely a great help in the fight.
‘Yet this level of destructive power… Ha, is he a magical beast himself?’
Has that bastard finally become one of the beasts?
At this rate, is he going to surpass even Leviathan Zevert?
“Huh…”
Two monsters on this land.
And I’m on their side?
Allen smiled contentedly.
“Khalid niiiim!”
Bless this long, thin life.
Feeling grateful even for the ache in his prosthetic eye, Allen quickly chased after Khalid.
Khalid had gone deeper into the cave and was now examining a gravestone exuding an eerie aura.
“Hm. Still never listens to a word I say—such consistency,” Allen muttered, but Khalid only stared intently at the inscription on the stone.
Finally, he could go back.
He could see Rubian.
That was the only thought that ruled him.
He lit a flame with magic and began to copy the inscription on the stone using a pen imbued with mana.
“Is that it? The formula the princess was looking for or something? Let me see, let me see… I want to—”
At that moment, Khalid looked up. His expressionless eyes regarded Allen as if he were just another rock along the path.
“Get lost. Don’t block the light.”
“Ha, you little bastard—why is every part of you so well developed except your manners?”
Grumbling, Allen stepped aside.
‘Could this truly be the unlocking formula?’
It was so complex he couldn’t be sure.
‘…It does seem to be a type of dispelling formula.’
If so, then perhaps there was a chance after all.
Please, let it be something that would help Rubian.
“Hey, hey. How long has it been since you last saw the princess? Huh? Over a year and a half? Nearly two?”
Allen laughed softly.
“I wonder how she’ll react when she sees you. I still visit the duke’s house now and then and get to see her. Hey, the princess has grown really beautiful. Cute and pretty. She hasn’t gotten much taller but… Whoa!”
A small stone suddenly dropped onto the endlessly chattering man’s forehead.
“Hey! That hurt, you bastard!”
“Will you shut up on your own, or should I make you?”
“You already did—what are you asking for?!”
Khalid grinned at an angle.
“Don’t pass judgment so easily. It’s annoying.”
“I prefer living an autonomous life. Next time, say it with words, please.”
He meant it as a joke, but received no reply.
But he was used to it. Allen yawned languidly and glanced up.
He was struck by Khalid’s expression—it looked even more serious than during battle.
‘More focused than when he fights.’
Ah, that handsome brat.
No, his whole physique was out of the ordinary.
‘Remember when he stood next to Duke Zevert? I was astonished at how quickly he’d caught up.’
“When he was little, he was as cute as a younger brother…”
Feeling a sudden wave of nostalgia, Allen sniffed.
Broadened shoulders, taut muscles honed in fierce battle. The straight line of his neck and his sharp jaw made him appear both a hardened warrior and an elegant, delicate noble. It was an uncanny charm.
“What do you think the princess will say when she sees you? Cry with joy? Laugh? Run up and hug you? That would be amazing.”
As usual, Allen threw meaningless words into the air—but surprisingly, Khalid answered.
“…She’d probably just run up.”
“Hm?”
“And kick my shins.”
His low voice echoed off the cave walls.
“…? Did you leave her with unpaid debts or something?”
“What an idea.”
Khalid gave a short, derisive laugh and returned his focus to the stone.
“I left her with nothing but another note.”
But truly, he couldn’t bear to say farewell to her face.
“She’ll probably blow up at me.”
Then I’ll just have to get down on my knees.
As if making a vow, Khalid stroked the last bracelet he wore.
Suddenly he felt a sting on his arm and rolled up his sleeve.
“Hey. Are you hurt?”
“…”
So it seems.
“Well, it doesn’t look too serious. Come here, let me put something on it…”
Looking at the scraped skin for a moment, Khalid quietly pulled his sleeve down.
“It’s fine.”
“Why though?”
“I’ll treat it when I get back.”
“…?”
Why? He’s practically carrying a traveling apothecary’s kit right here.
‘Granted, it’s for me but still!’
Allen narrowed his eyes, as if something occurred to him.
Aha.
‘The sly fox.’
Allen cackled, squatting down beside Khalid. He nudged his shoulder playfully—and was promptly shoved back hard.
“Damn, are you made of steel or something?!”
How can a shoulder be so solid?!
“Quit bothering me and go.”
But Allen didn’t give up.
“You—heh—are you going to confess when you get back?”
Khalid froze.
For a moment, it felt as if the air in the cave was entirely still.
“…Confess what?”
“Confess to the princess. She’s an adult now, isn’t she? Why not?”
Khalid looked at Allen as if he was less than the nearest earthworm.
“Come on, look. King Kassalia is trying to lure you with a countship investment. He’s promising you land. Even back in Babylon you’ll probably get at least a barony. Isn’t that right? You have no reason to hold back anymore!”
“…”
“You’ll be a noble! You’ve had years in the knighthood, you’re socialized, everything’s set!”
Khalid just stared at Allen in silence, his eyes growing wider.
“Don’t tell me…”
“…”
“You’re not still bleating about loyalty or some such nonsense, are you?”
“…”
“Ha! I knew it. How much more do I have to spoon-feed you? Hey! That’s not loyalty, that’s lo—mngh…!”
Whump.
In the end, Khalid used his magic to pin Allen to the cave wall like a piece of cheese.
“Will you shut your mouth yourself, or should I help?”
“You told me to talk before gluing me to the wall—argh! Please! There are magical beasts in here, I want to live!”
“If you’ve got time for nonsense, go back to Babylon first and run some errands for Rubian. I’ll clean up here before I follow.”
“Y-y-yes, Your Mighty Imperial Highness, Khalid, sir, right away, sir…”
Allen barely managed to extract himself from the cave wall.
“Cough, cough. Let me give you a word of advice, rookie.”
Khalid was beginning to wish he could stuff one of the magical beast carcasses into Allen’s mouth.
“The first one to confess wins, you know? And you’ve got nearly two years to make up for! Got it?!”
“Allen.”
“Hm?”
“Are you married?”
Allen blinked stupidly.
“No.”
“Girlfriend?”
“Not at the moment?”
“In the past?”
“…Never really had one?”
Khalid curved his lips in a smile.
Damn it, why am I tearing up?
While Allen sniffled, Khalid jerked his chin toward the mouth of the cave.
“You reek of middle age—get out.”
“As if!”
Middle-aged, when I’m not even married!
Ahh…I burned myself out…
My mother and I had spent the night chatting. It was nearly dawn before I finally drifted off to sleep.
I thought I could sleep longer, but I woke up before noon, washed, ate, and made my way to the imperial palace.
Now that I was living in the capital to attend the academy, visiting the palace had become oddly natural.
Mostly because of the palace archives.
Thanks to Licht, His Majesty had given me special access permission.
“Milady, this way please.”
“Yes.”
Following the attendant, I headed for the palace archives.
The archives were vast, but of course, the areas I had free access to were limited.
Mainly, sections related to ancient records.
Here, I researched the ancient place names connected to the stone pillar. There were also many materials relevant to academy life, so I often stopped in to browse the stacks.
‘Ah, come to think of it, the academy graduation symposium isn’t far off now.’
After this, I’ll have to go to the academy.
Busy, busy.
“Feel free to look around. If you need anything, just let me know.”
The attendant bowed respectfully and withdrew.
I settled comfortably in a familiar corner, surrounded by packed shelves.
‘Today, it might be good to investigate the former names of Zelox in reverse.’
That way, I might be able to decipher whether the final word in this material really means ‘Zelox.’
‘Hmm, maybe I’ll look at that collection.’
Staring at the disorganized shelves, I reached for a book but couldn’t quite get it—and felt a bit disappointed.
“A step stool…”
While I was glancing around searching for one,
“This?”
A large shadow fell over me from behind.
At the same time, a pleasant, clean scent washed over me, and I felt as if I was being gently embraced.