Youngest 039

Episode 39

I once mentioned it to Khalid in passing.

If I wanted to break free completely from the Mage King’s oppression, after being exploited by the kingdom, the surest way would be to get rid of the king.

Ever since then, Khalid had vowed through gritted teeth to kill the Mage King himself.

As if he were saying he’d grant me freedom, just as I’d broken his chains and set him free in that cave.

“No. You’re… still too young.”

“Hah. Is that why you came here?”

A short, derisive laugh escaped him.

“Sorry, master. I’m going to speak bluntly now.”

“Just… don’t be too blunt….”

“What about the Duke of Zevert?”

His cold tone cut through the air.

“I know the Duke hates mages. But he’s not so insane he’d kill the king of another country for no reason.”

“……”

Frankly, I couldn’t blame Khalid for reacting this way.

‘He doesn’t realize the Mage King will show his true colors eventually and become the real villain if left unchecked.’

For now, the Mage King was still pretending to be virtuous.

Arcadia was an island isolated on the sea.

Even if it severed ties with the continent, it was the kingdom that would lose out. That’s why the king wore a mask of civility while secretly waiting for a chance to swallow this continent whole.

Though right now he was being condemned for the child soldier incident.

‘World domination! What a childish dream.’

That’s probably why he wanted to capture the Dark Mage, too. Honestly, he must have thought the outbreak of war was just what he needed.

‘The order he gave me was “Capture the Dark Mage.”’

But that all went up in smoke when Mister Leviathan killed him. Serves them right!

In any event, the Mage King would get himself into trouble soon enough—as long as Mister stayed alive until then, that was all that mattered.

“There you go, clamming up again….”

Khalid watched me closely, rolling his eyes, then dropped his head with a heavy sigh.

“I really wish I could peek inside your head, just once.”

“That’s a firm no…”

Because there are too many secrets….

Just then, his head jerked up.

“Still, I’ll be the one to kill the Mage King. Because he’s what tormented you.”

“All right, all right, then train hard.”

Grow strong and cooperate with Mister later!

I stifled the words I couldn’t say aloud, grinning instead. As I saw Khalid’s expression soften, I also released the mute spell.

It was just about time for Hazel to come upstairs and announce dinner.

“Good. Now I have a goal.”

Khalid spoke with determination.

“A goal?”

“Leviathan Zevert.”

“…?”

“He’s the one I have to surpass first.”

Wait, that’s not quite right…

“If you rely on him because he’s the strongest, then I’ll just have to become even stronger than he is.”

The boy’s eyes blazed with fighting spirit.

Somehow, it felt like I’d just set up a new goal for a second lead character…

Khalid chewed his lip, then glanced sideways at me.

“And I just feel like… that man is going to make my life very difficult.”

Worried for the future, Khalid didn’t let go of his grave expression for a long time.

Well… living in the knights’ order with Mister wouldn’t be easy, I suppose?

And if it’s not that, then…

What else is there?

---

That evening, in the dining room.

Khalid was invited to dinner as my friend.

“Huh? Grandfather’s here too?”

The moment I stepped into the dining room, I ran right into the three generations of Zevert.

Grandfather usually ate separately in the annex, so sharing a meal with him was rare.

It was unusual.

I sat down with Khalid. At the head of the table sat Mister, with Grandfather and Void seated opposite him.

“Father…?”

Void stared blankly at Mister, calling to him with a dazed expression.

“Yes.”

“I must be seeing things right now.”

“Probably not.”

Blinking rapidly, Void snapped his head away.

Slice, slice, slice. As always, the hand slicing my steak and vegetables didn’t pause for a moment.

“So, did you bring a new kid from the capital again? But when…?”

Slide. A mouthwatering plate of steak was pushed in front of me.

Seated at my side, Khalid snorted with laughter at the spectacle.

You find it odd for the young lord to be serving food at dinner too, don’t you?

Yeah… I get it.

“That’s not it.”

“Then what…!”

“You rascal, stop babbling and eat your bread!”

“Mmff.”

Grandfather, who was simultaneously cutting up five pieces of steak, stuffed a white roll into Void’s mouth.

Cheeks bulging, Void looked up at Grandfather with a face full of words unsaid.

“Uh… Grandfather.”

“Eh?”

Thud. At Void’s call, Grandfather set down his knife. His thick eyebrows wobbled energetically as he glanced at the grandson seated next to him.

At the sight, Void’s shoulders subtly edged away.

“What’s with that look? Are you going through puberty already?! No wonder… hardly ever coming to eat with a sick old man!”

“You weren’t sick at all when I came by!”

It seemed Mister Leviathan often called Void over for meals whenever he wasn’t in the main house.

Of course, Void clearly felt uncomfortable around Grandfather…

“That’s it! We’re starting a relationship improvement period. After dinner, let’s take a light stroll on the northern mountain!”

“Mmmph! No, no—mmph!”

Void tried to spit out the meat stuffed into his mouth again, wriggling in protest. Grandfather’s lips twitched.

…He’s enjoying himself. Poor Void, you’re today’s sacrificial offering.

“Stop gawking and eat.”

Thud. A perfectly sliced piece of bread landed on my plate.

“Oh, thanks.”

I popped the bread in my mouth, glancing at Khalid.

‘He really isn’t shy at all.’

Having dinner with people he just met, yet acting as if he belongs here…

Impressive, on multiple fronts.

“So, is there really no one here willing to explain who he is?!”

In the end, Void exploded, pointing at Khalid as he banged on the table.

“Ruby! You tell me!”

Munching my bread, I swallowed and replied.

“He’s my friend.”

“What…?”

“My friend.”

Void tilted his head, a question mark on his face. Why that reaction?

Has he never even heard the word “friend”?

‘Wait… is he friendless like Mister?’

Despite my concern, Void merely blinked with a blank, hollow expression.

After that, only the occasional sound of cutlery clinking filled the air.

Clink. Next to me, Khalid set his fork down. When I looked over, he’d already finished his meal, dabbing his lips with a napkin.

A modestly empty plate.

Impeccable table manners.

‘Sometimes he’s reckless, but at least he learned etiquette well.’

…Hmm? Come to think of it, where did he learn that…?

“Pretty impressive, the way you got by in a marketplace like this, Ruby.”

“…”

“Even though you hate noisy places.”

Can nobody shut that tactless mouth?

“What did you say? You impudent little brat.”

Grandfather slammed his cutlery down. Mister, without glancing over, just sipped his wine.

Khalid stood from his seat.

“Thank you for the meal.”

Well, at least his parting was polite.

I thought he’d just leave, but Khalid, standing for a moment, pointed at the bell pepper caught awkwardly on my fork.

“But she hates these. Could you change the recipe…?”

“Haha.”

I awkwardly elbowed Khalid in the ribs, sweating.

“You talk too much for someone getting a free meal!”

And I was just about to drop that bell pepper! Now they’ve seen!

“Mister! Grandfather! I’ll look after him, so—”

“Enough. That arrogant tone, that look in your eyes—I can’t tolerate it any longer.”

Grandfather slammed his cutlery down with a thump.

“That impudent brat needs a good round of discipline on the northern mountain too!”

“So it was discipline after all!”

Void’s jaw dropped.

“I don’t want to.”

“What was that?”

But the brazen boy Khalid’s mouth wouldn’t be silenced.

Grandfather’s eyes blazed even brighter.

Tension brushed the air, yet only Mister, seated at the head, continued his meal with perfect composure.