Youngest 025
by CristaeEpisode 25
“Mister?”
At some point, Mister was standing behind me.
His eyes blazed fiercely.
“That damned Leviathan bastard…”
All of a sudden?
“Rubian, hasn’t His Excellency ever given you any allowance?”
Even Sir Leon knelt on one knee, pressing for answers.
What on earth are they talking about?
Unaware that my thoughts had slipped out as a sigh, I stared in bewilderment at the two men, who seemed to have lost their minds.
“What is it you want! Hm?”
“Pardon?”
“What is it you want so much that your ears are drooping! Out with it, now!”
Mister beat his chest and roared.
So—something I want?
“Hurry and tell us, Rubian. It’s an order from your senior.”
Why is even Sir Leon acting this way?
Just then, the shop door creaked open and a familiar face stepped inside.
“Keep your voices down. They’re echoing all the way outside. It’s embarrassing, honestly.”
“Mister!”
Overjoyed, I dashed over.
Leviathan placed his hand firmly atop my head.
He’d said he was visiting the knighthood, and today he looked impressive as ever, clad in light armor.
“I heard you were nearby, so I dropped in just in case—what have you gotten yourself into this time?”
“I haven’t caused any trouble!”
Really, I haven’t! Not yet, anyway!
While I beamed up at him, he narrowed his eyes at me.
“Your Excellency, you’re here.”
Sir Leon greeted through gritted teeth.
It somehow sounded more like, “Yuur Eghshelenchy, yew’re h’ere…”
“…Your eyes look somewhat insolent, Leon.”
“You’re mistaken.”
Leviathan cocked his head, puzzled.
At that moment, a fist the size of a cannonball came flying. Leviathan, naturally, dodged it with ease.
“You rascal!”
“What’s wrong now?”
“You haven’t even given the child an allowance! What are you thinking?”
Utter silence fell.
“…Pardon me?”
A reply came, lagging behind like a broken doll.
“The child’s desperate to buy something, but she can’t, because she has no money! Just look—she’s all frantic about it!”
Thud, thud. But it was Mister stomping his feet.
“No, that’s, um, that’s not really…”
Of course, there was something I wanted!
But how on earth did they know!?
“Ah, my blood pressure…”
Mister gripped the back of his neck, staggering a little.
“Is it true?”
Leviathan crouched down suddenly, gazing into my face.
“There’s something you wanted?”
A faint look of anticipation crossed his face, making my response awkward and hesitant.
“W—well, there’s something, but, I mean, it’s not like I absolutely need it right this minute…”
“Tell me. What is it?”
“Uh…”
“Ruby.”
His insistent voice left me with no choice but to raise my finger.
Six pairs of eyes inside the shop followed the tip of my finger intently.
“Over there, right here…”
I timidly pointed to a shelf.
“–From here to over there?”
My finger traced a long path.
Since I was asking, wouldn’t it be nice to have it all, if possible…
“…”
For a moment, Leviathan said nothing.
Was that too much?
“No, actually, it’s really just this one…”
“Fetch the owner.”
At that, Leviathan abruptly stood up.
Yes, sir! Sir Leon moved like lightning. Mister was scratching his chest, claiming it tickled.
Soon the shop owner, returning from a break, rushed in, flustered. And Leviathan said to his face,
“I’ll buy this entire store. Name your price.”
“Y—y—Your Excellency?”
“I have no taste for buying cheap things. Make it expensive.”
Wait… what?
I went in as a customer and came out as the owner…
“…”
Rustle. I stared blankly down at the deed planted inside my bag.
At last, the deed to the shop was forced into my hand.
“If you just send a chest of violet magic stones to the palace, that will suffice?”
“Uh, yes, that’s right.”
The shop owner asked, and I answered dazedly.
Having unwittingly become the shop owner, I was granted the right to dispose of magic stones however I wished—a right even Leviathan himself could not contest…
“I never knew you liked stone ornaments.”
“Ahaha… they’re beautiful…”
‘I really only needed the violet magic stones!’
Of course, I did wish I could have green ones, and red ones, and, if possible, blue magic stones as well.
‘Well, I suppose there’s nothing to be done.’
After all, refusing a gift is not polite.
With truly no other choice, I signed the documents.
Since I had no intention of using the other stones, I simply asked for a bit of the violet stock from the warehouse to be sent.
“Small-minded, aren’t you!”
Mister clicked his tongue in disapproval beside me.
Leviathan was giving the shop owner detailed instructions.
Sort the magic stones to ensure none are tainted with poison, pay attention to the packaging so a child can handle it easily…
A little overwhelmed, I slipped out, leaving Leviathan and Sir Leon behind.
“Is there somewhere else you want to stop by?”
Mister followed me out and asked.
“Um, actually…”
Just then—
“Ahaha! Grandpa! That tickles!”
With a delighted laugh, a little handcart rumbled by.
On the driver’s seat sat a kindly merchant and a small child who looked to be his grandson.
“Oho, you rascal. Don’t touch the reins…”
At that very moment, the child, playing with his hands, yanked the reins forcefully. The cart, which had been moving straight, lurched violently.
“Watch out!”
The cart spun out of control.
Startled, Mister grabbed me and pulled me to safety.
Though the event happened in a flash, I couldn’t help but think how naturally I’d be protected by him.
After all… Mister was bigger and sturdier than any mountain.
But contrary to my expectations, that large frame wavered helplessly.
“Mister!”
“Urgh.”
With a thud, we rolled across the ground.
“Oh my, are you all right? I’m so sorry! What should I do!”
The merchant hastily brought the cart to a stop and ran over, panic-stricken.
“Child, dear, are you all right?”
Mister, who had fallen in the dirt, quickly turned to check on me. Though I’d landed squarely on my bottom, his shielding had spared me any real harm.
“Ah, that was startling. I’m fine.”
Calmly, I dusted myself off and stood up.
“But you, Mister—”
“Damn it all…”
His fist clenched in the dirt. Veins stood out angrily on his reddened brow.
“Damn this wretched body.”
Mister’s jaw was set tight.
“What happened?”
Leviathan emerged from the shop.
There I was, awkwardly upright beside the sprawled Mister; the merchant was sweating bullets as he begged forgiveness, and the child, frightened, was close to tears.
Leviathan quickly assessed the situation.
“Leon.”
Sir Leon, who had been with Leviathan, swiftly stepped forward to take charge, organizing the merchant and calming the scene.
“Father, please—let me help you up—”
“Take care of the kid!”
With that, Mister leapt to his feet. His broad form trembled slightly with suppressed frustration.
“I’m going back!”
He shouted, and his large frame receded into the distance. I stood rooted to the spot, staring blankly after him.
“Mister, do you think he’s angry…?”
A warm hand gently landed atop my head.
“He’s not angry with you, so don’t worry. More importantly, are you all right?”
“Mm-hm. Just got my clothes a bit dirty.”
“Let’s go. You said you had some clothes on order.”
“Well, yes, but…”
My eyes kept drifting to the place where Mister had disappeared.
‘He didn’t meet my gaze.’
“Damn this wretched body.”
As though he were some kind of criminal.
My heart felt heavy.