Youngest 089
by CristaeEpisode 89
Bang! Bang! From early morning, the sound of celebratory fireworks boomed through the air.
No wonder—the highlight of the Verdant Festival, the children’s competition day, had dawned!
“Finallyyy!”
I opened my eyes wide and hurried to get ready.
Instead of the cumbersome dress I’d worn on the day of the prayer, I chose comfortable clothes fit for activity, put on my mask, and together we all headed for the competition hall.
The enormous arena was swarming with people.
“Wow, is this the spear and sword arena?”
“That’s mostly what it’s used for. But now, it’s just a competition hall.”
Father gripped my hand tightly as he explained.
The crowd was a bit overwhelming at first, but I quickly grew accustomed to it.
When walking with Father, people all seemed to avoid my gaze.
‘Gasp, public opinion about Zevert… Could it really be that bad?’
Was it because I made such a fuss at the chapel yesterday?
‘This is terrible, it really is.’
Worrying hard, I headed to sit in the nobles’ section. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the imperial dais where His Majesty the Emperor sat.
“His Majesty is dining.”
“Ah, that’s Licht.”
I spotted a familiar face following behind the emperor.
Licht, dressed in dazzling attire, looked at me and flashed a bright smile. He looked even finer than he had yesterday, in yet another splendid outfit.
Hello!
I was about to greet him, when someone grabbed my wrist from beside me.
“Don’t wave your hand recklessly. People might get the wrong idea.”
“Huh?”
It was Khalid standing next to me.
“More precisely, don’t wave your hand around so freely. That’s too precious to waste.”
“Now I’m even more confused.”
Still…
‘So cool, my friend.’
All decked out in the Order’s uniform, sword hanging at his side, Khalid looked every bit the perfect little knight—golden epaulettes, a neatly draped cape over one shoulder, a precisely fashioned sword—truly flawless.
‘But why are the young ladies all glancing back at him?’
They peeked timidly and blushed, whispering to each other.
A quick glance back, cheeks reddened, hushed murmurs.
Granted, Khalid was certainly good-looking enough that you might want to keep looking.
‘But what is this feeling?’
I tilted my head in puzzlement.
Just then, Khalid pulled back his lips into a smile.
“This is annoying.”
“What is?”
“The stares.”
“My point exactly!”
I nodded enthusiastically.
“So that’s what’s annoying!”
“Why would it be, for you?”
“Well…”
I trailed off.
Because the girls… seem to be smitten by you?
Wait, no. That’s… a bit weird!
“Then why are you annoyed, Khalid?”
Confused, I asked absentmindedly.
“Because even with your face covered…”
Khalid froze just as I had, stuck on the same thought.
“…….”
A brief silence.
“That’s enough.”
Father turned my head with a slight twist. When I looked back, I saw him glaring, eyebrows raised in clear displeasure.
“You two really shouldn’t talk for too long.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know. Just because.”
I was about to argue that there was no such thing, but then a long, imposing blast from a horn filled the surroundings.
“Wowww!”
Bang, bang!
At the same time, celebratory fireworks went off in wild succession, while flower petals and colored paper fluttered through the air.
I poked my head out and saw Asha, eyes dull like a dead fish, setting off the magical fireworks launcher. He resembled a corporate worker worn out by too much overtime.
“The competition’s begun!”
My heart thudded as I gazed straight ahead.
“Before we begin the main events of the Verdant Festival, His Majesty will deliver a commemorative address.”
Well, of course.
No event is complete without a speech from someone important.
I nodded to myself, watching the imperial dais. Next to Licht, princes not much older than him were sitting with bored faces.
“Beloved sprouts of Babylon.”
The Emperor’s soft, deep voice resonated throughout the hall.
‘He looks so dignified from here.’
In the tearoom, he’d just seemed like a kindly uncle.
The Emperor smiled gently and continued.
“The Babylon Verdant Festival is an occasion to thank the goddess for granting us this fresh, new season. It is also a festival for the budding shoots who are our future. I hope each and every one of you will have a meaningful and happy time.”
Hm, that’s a good speech! I prepared to clap.
“Waaah… ah?”
But the Emperor’s lips parted again, so I had to stop.
“This festival of ours began NN years ago with the words of Emperor Halibis…”
“…….”
Ah, the type who loves to give long speeches, like a headmaster.
Still, as a remarkably patient child, I listened dutifully with my hands clasped.
“—And through such a process, it was not until the era of Emperor Ozel, who pacified the south, that the Verdant Festival became established as we know it today. It was all in the hope that our beloved children would grow up fair and healthy. Now, then…”
“Ha, it’s finally starting.”
I stretched my hands out to clap once more.
“So then, how did the name ‘Verdant Festival’ come about…”
“…….”
Roughly a millennium seemed to pass.
Whew, that was something. Licht’s father…
I shook my head. If an attendant hadn’t interrupted, the Emperor’s speech might have lasted until next year.
Meanwhile, a healthy color returned to the faces of children who had been turning ashen.
“Did you see the card in person?”
Because at that moment, the grand prize was finally revealed.
A hero collectible card, on display atop the dais, radiated a magnificent presence.
“It’s no joke.”
“Even the thickness of the card was different. As expected of the Verdant Festival edition.”
Excitement surged in waves. Truly the dream and hope of every child on the continent…
“Why do kids want that so badly…”
Father pressed a hand to his forehead, looking troubled. Heh heh. It’s cute to see him embarrassed.
“I want it, I want it…!”
Just like the other children, I bounced up and reached out my hand. The moment I did, I met Void’s eyes.
“Void, did you see? The real thing was amaz—”
“Haah.”
Void let out a long, exasperated sigh.
“Alright, alright.”
“What now?”
“You look at me with eyes like that and expect me not to give in?”
What’s with him?
“Fine, I’m already caving. No way I could ever refuse you, honestly.”
“…But I haven’t even said anything yet.”
“Exactly. How do you control people with your eyes alone, without saying a word? If you want the card that badly, I’ll yield to you.”
Once again, Void and I seemed to be speaking different languages.
Truthfully, my interests had already shifted beyond the card…
Just then—
One of the organizers stepped onto the dais.
“I’m sure you’ve all heard of the regrettable incident at Ipsen. His Majesty has added a new first-place prize to the competition, as a gesture of comfort and encouragement.”
A stir swept through the crowd.
With a short gesture from the Emperor, a page brought forth a box wrapped in red velvet.
When the cloth was drawn away, a transparent glass case was revealed, and inside sat a single herb root that looked precious and mystical even at a glance.
“Huh? Is that—!”
Several people let out short exclamations, faces uncertain.
The Emperor smiled gently.
“Some of you know it, I see. Yes, this is what the Academy’s herbology professor recently brought me: the so-called ‘Memorial Herb.’”
A buzz rose among the audience.
“As you all know, it’s an herb renowned for enhancing focus and memory.”
“Wow, just as I thought!”
The children seemed indifferent, but the parents’ eyes gleamed sharply.
“Just one dose, and your next term’s Academy grades are guaranteed! The stuff of legend!”
Huh? What is this, some snake oil?
Truly, a legendary claim.
But then again, Memorial Herb was a coveted treasure, reserved only for offering to the Emperor. Even a fortune would not easily buy such a herb, so the rumors had naturally grown.
‘So that’s why the herbology professor was at the palace.’
Never mind the quiz contest—it was to present this.
I gazed at the luminous blue root: dangling root-like whiskers, a straight stem reminiscent of ginseng.
‘If you win the Emperor’s herb, that’s surely more glorious than winning money or jewels.’
The pride of the family, perhaps.
It was the perfect prize to turn around a festival threatened by gloom.
“Ruby, your eyes are blazing.”
“Huh?”
“My daughter’s eyes are literally on fire.”
Father nudged my forehead.
“Did you need that herb? You should have told me sooner.”
“No, that’s the Emperor’s herb… It’s incredibly rare…”
“Enough.”
“…….”
“Just tell me if you want it or not.”
Oh wow, that confidence.
The composure of someone who appears to lack for nothing in this world.
“I do want it a bit, but it’s fine.”
“Hm?”
“It’s right there in front of me. I’ll just win it for myself!”
The area around me grew quiet.
I only said it softly… but why did it feel as if my voice echoed all around me?