Youngest 035

Episode 35

“I understand. You mentioned he’s the son of a healer, correct? Since I have some acquaintances remaining there, I’ll try sending a letter.”

Borbel packed his medical bag. As he was about to leave, he suddenly turned back as if something had just come to mind.

“Come to think of it, Lord Rubian is said to have made medicine using herbs, yes?”

“That’s right. Apparently, he learned by watching over the shoulder.”

It was a miraculous remedy that not only won over the hearts of the knights but even broke through the diamond-hard heart of the old marquis.

“Is there a problem?”

“No, not at all. Turning the ointment into patches was a rather creative idea, and the effect was excellent. The bruise salve utilizing Abelita Herb as well. Honestly, I was surprised.”

One of Leviathan’s eyebrows arched. The body that had been reclining against the chair leaned forward involuntarily.

“Well, they say there’s an ointment in some kingdom that heals injuries overnight… In any case, Lord Rubian seems quite skillful.”

Borbel muttered as he stroked his chin, but only two words stuck in Leviathan’s ears.

Skillful, creative…

“Your Excellency? Why do you have that expression?”

Borbel frowned as he saw the duke lost in thought.

“So after all… Ruby is…”

A deep breath drawn up from the depths.

There was a look of resolve on his face.

“A genius, perhaps?”

“Huh, I wouldn’t go that fa—urk.”

Borbel’s knees buckled just as he was about to give his candid opinion. Whipping around, he saw Adolf standing there with a gentle smile.

“Adolf?”

“There was a fly on you, so…”

“….”

It felt as if sparks were shooting from his eyes.

‘Do you want your life to end here?’

Borbel almost heard the inner thoughts loud and clear.

Ah, so that’s how it is.

Borbel, who hoped for a long and prosperous life, quietly shut his mouth.

“Ahem, so, about what I was saying… If Lord Rubian is interested in herbalism, perhaps I could teach him a little?”

“You?”

“Yes. Since he already has some basic knowledge, I’m sure studying healing along with herbalism would help him greatly.”

“Hm.”

Leviathan narrowed his eyes. Reading the meaning in that gaze, Borbel coughed loudly.

“O-of course, if there are any traditional herb recipes passed down in Lord Rubian’s village, I’d like to hear about them, if only a little… Is that not permitted?”

Eosia was a nation made up of many minority groups.

Each tribe passed down its own unique medical knowledge—there was more that remained secret than had ever been revealed to the world.

“You’re a bit too transparent, Borbel.”

“W-well, if I befriend him, maybe he’ll let me treat him…”

“Yes, that excuse was fine.”

Leviathan pondered briefly and then nodded.

“If Ruby is amenable, go ahead. Just don’t push him.”

“Of course. Naturally!”

Who dares meddle with a child I brought?

Mopping the cold sweat from his brow, Borbel withdrew.

Then Leviathan, on a roll, ordered him to look into the herb shop owner as well.

He was oddly excited.

Not because the child might be a genius.

But because, here in the north, maybe he could let him do as he pleased.

And if he happened to have talent as well, all the better.

Having finished most of his paperwork, Leviathan made for the knights’ quarters. It was about time to start preparing for the spring campaign.

“Haaah… Really. When she ran up to me shouting ‘Daddy,’ she was just so adorable.”

He stopped dead in his tracks as he approached the armory.

“Wow, even the portrait is no joke.”

“Man, look at those cute clothes. Your wife’s skill is as good as ever. Tell me where you got the fabric next time.”

The voices of young knights tending their swords carried through the air. It seemed they formed a small group—a rare association of fathers among the knights.

“I can’t wait to be off duty and go home to see my little girl~”

“I honestly don’t know how I produced such a treasure. I must have used up all my luck in this life.”

Girls were precious in the north.

Children in general were rare, but for some mysterious reason, almost only boys were born here.

Perhaps it was the will of the gods, since this was a harsh land where they had to fight magical beasts day and night.

No one understood the reason.

In any case, with girls being relatively fewer in number, everyone cherished them. It was customary not to give them hard tasks, if it could be helped.

‘Especially making a daughter into a knight… that’s almost taboo.’

To dote on a child only to send her to spill her blood on the battlefield?

What parent but a madman would choose that path?

That scarcity of female knights was why there were so few in the order. Other territories might differ, but here…

“All right, time to collect dues for this month’s ‘Association of Northern Knights With Daughters’—in short, ‘Doting Dads Club.’”

“What exactly did you shorten there?”

…There was such a group?

Leviathan’s head tilted in curiosity.

“Hey, you lot. Keep it down. And don’t let it show in front of His Excellency.”

That quiet warning was Leon’s voice.

He must have sat doggedly beside those buffoons up until now, tending his sword.

“Of course. Bragging about daughters in front of His Excellency….”

“Are you insane?”

The knights’ replies were rueful.

“….”

Leviathan leaned against the wall. Somehow it felt all the harder to reveal himself now….

“So, Brad, are you really transferring to the Capital Knights?”

“…Yeah. I’m sorry.”

“What are you sorry for?”

“It makes you selfish, having a child. I just want to let her live in a safer place. I really am… sorry, guys.”

“Don’t be. Better to move than have her listen to magical beasts howling all night.”

“Yeah, if I could afford it, I’d move too.”

The knights’ low voices offered comfort.

‘So that’s why Leon said he needed to reinforce the ranks.’

Most who started families and had children eventually relocated to the capital townhouses.

Of course, their earnings would be cut to a quarter, but in exchange they bought security for their families and peace of mind.

“….”

It really had become even harder to walk in there.

Leviathan finally decided to delay his preparations for the campaign. He turned away with a sigh.

For some reason, he wanted to see Rubian.

“Now, where might he be?”

He strode off without hesitation.

---

Bang.

I flung open the door to the magic stone shop.

“He’s not here.”

Khalid Riorc was nowhere to be found.

“Oh my, you startled me.”

The clerk, who had been dozing behind the counter, sprang up in alarm.

“Boss? What brings you here without notice?”

He was a temporary hire, since I couldn’t always be present. Of course, with business at the magic stone shop not doing too well, his salary came out of Mister’s pocket…

“Is there a particular magic stone you need?”

“No, nothing today. But have you seen a pitiful, handsome boy wandering around the neighborhood, looking lost?”

“A boy? I haven’t seen any such person.”

So he hadn’t even stopped by here.

“Damn.”

I’d underestimated him. Well, a guy who blocked me once could certainly do it again!

As I stomped my foot and glowered, the clerk glanced at me anxiously.

“Boss, is there something that displeases you…? Sales are always slow, but cleaning’s not bad today, at least.”

“….”

I couldn’t be the kind of tyrannical boss who just showed up to vent stress and leave.

I forced a smile and pointed to the box stashed in the corner.

“Thank you for your work. Please send out just one more crate of those purple stones. And if you see a sorrowful, beautiful boy such as I described, let me know.”

I left the shop after a reply of assent.

“Hazel! I’m done he—”

My words trailed off. I’d spotted the knife-wielding maid leaning against the carriage, deftly spinning a jackknife in her hand.

“….”

Absolutely… never ask Hazel to cut my hair.

“Miss Rubian! Are you finished?”

“…Yeah.”

Hazel approached with her face shining brightly. She slipped the jackknife away with such a smooth wrist snap I found myself at a loss for words again.

“Just asking, but… what’s with the knife?”

“Oh, my hands were just idle.”

The maid’s smiling face in the sunlight looked more valiant than ever today.

Mister, I think you’ve got the knights’ number one draft pick right here.

“Shall we head back?”

“Yes, Hazel.”

“Gasp, why so formal all of a sudden…?”

With an awkward face, I climbed into—or tried to climb into—the open carriage.

“Huh?”

I couldn’t help but wave at a familiar silhouette in the distance.

“Grandpa!”

“Oh ho, my sweet little dumpling!”