Youngest 112

112
“Of course. Didn’t you say the kingdom always proclaims ‘We’ve caught them’ to the outside world when they halt a search?”

He was right.

That was how the kingdom boasted a so-called 100% arrest rate for fugitive mages. It reinforced their authority externally and exerted internal pressure.

“More importantly, they failed to search the North.”

“That’s true… but hm. I think the Mage King spread word of the search ending to make me and those around me let our guard down.”

The boy’s eyes narrowed slightly.

I understood the Mage King’s methods well. I also knew he would never give up as long as he had knowledge of what was in my mind.

“So won’t he be moving secretly behind the scenes…?”

“…Ah, secretly.”

Kal gave a crooked smile.

He fell into brief thought, then murmured, “Allen… he’ll have to take care of it.”

Who’s Allen?

I kept pressing the cool towel to my swollen eyes, but didn’t ask further.

“At any rate, it’s true the kingdom’s momentum has waned for now… so I need to get things done while I can!”

I clenched both fists, full of determination.

“I’ll absolutely find a way to erase it!”

Luckily, the ‘seventh’ in my dream wasn’t as young as I was.

‘He looked to be about twenty years old.’

Maybe even younger.

Which meant, in other words, I still had some time.

‘I am Rubian Zevert.’

I repeated the fact to myself once more.

‘I’ll be a child unashamed of that name.’

I would protect my father and this duchy. Only I, who held the key to change, could do it.

I was no longer powerless as I was in my previous life.

I was no longer that child who wept under an orphanage’s blanket, watching Leviathan die.

‘I will defeat the Mage King with my own hands.’

Not my father—me.

‘So… please wait for me, Father.’

Until I have shed the shackles of the crest, and at last my blade is pointed at the Mage King’s throat.

Until I rise up, step by step, above the desolate past you gave me and move forward whole.

Sword Planted on the Ruins.

I felt as if, at last, I understood the title of that novel.

Ch.11

Kal and I spoke about the crest.

About where to begin my investigation, whether the knowledge in my mind still refused to answer, and so on.

As we bounced endless questions with no answers, there came a light knock and the door opened.

“What are you doing here?”

My father’s sharp eyes twitched upon spotting Kal. He strode in without hesitation.

“Aren’t you going to pack? You’ll be left behind.”

Ah, that’s right—today is the day we leave Ipsen!

The day to return to Zelox.

“We’re not leaving until the afternoon, are we?”

“Oh, talking back to me now?”

A big hand ruffled Khalid’s hair into a mess. Kal grumbled and stepped back with a dissatisfied face.

But he didn’t get far before he stopped dead—because a huge shadow fell across his back.

“Kaaa-al—”

A beast-like voice, sing-song yet menacing.

Even a fearless boy like him froze, just for now, like ice.

“Didn’t I tell you not to barge into my granddaughter’s room…?”

“…Just… for today…”

Creak, creak.

Khalid retreated, stiff as a wind-up doll.

“In the future, you’d better… ah, restrain—”

“You rascal.”

Grandfather, eyes gleaming, tucked the boy under his arm by the head.

“Go fetch Void and Liam! Let’s all roll around the training hall together!”

“…I’m, I’m going right now!”

In the end, Khalid dodged Grandfather’s rough caresses and fled the room at a run.

“See you, Ruby!”

He didn’t forget to wave goodbye to me.

“Bye, Kal…”

I waved gently back.

That boy… really has it tough in all sorts of ways.

Grandfather clicked his tongue, disappointed, then turned his head with a snap.

His gaze landed right on me.

“Where’s my little snot? Where’s my snot?”

He flailed in the air, searching. I thought our eyes had met… Was I mistaken?

“Grandpa, I’m over here…”

I raised my hand quietly. At last, Grandfather grinned and lifted me high into his arms.

“Huh? Not my little carp?”

“Hey!”

Outrage!

“Why are you teasing me!”

I slapped at his shoulder in protest, making him break into a deep laugh.

“Kehahaha! I got caught.”

As he took in my face, Grandfather’s eyes grew slightly more serious.

“By the way… I heard an incredible thing happened last night.”

Staying in the annex, Grandfather had only just heard about the midnight commotion.

A sigh, deep and heartfelt, escaped him.

“So, you little thing. Why did you go running off after that bastard for no reason? Thank goodness His Majesty ordered everyone’s lips sealed. You almost got tangled up in something very troublesome.”

Kal had explained that the Emperor smoothed over last night’s events as a sudden magical explosion.

The Duke of Zevert was thus considered injured on the scene, but my name wasn’t even mentioned.

‘Was His Majesty protecting me from scandal?’

His Imperial Majesty… might just be a good person.

“Ugh. I’m sorry…”

I bowed my head in earnest regret.

A lot happened last night, and Mom too… It was true—I’d made my family worry.

Grandfather’s brow furrowed even deeper.

“I didn’t mean you should be that downhearted… No, wait a minute.”

His broad hand pointed straight at Father, who was opening the window himself.

“Strictly speaking, it was his fault for dashing out first! Isn’t that right?”

“No, I was also at fault…”

“Mm-mm. Our Ruby is completely blameless.”

Of course!

Grandfather, having reached his own conclusion, moved in for a bushy mustache attack.

“Kyaaah, you’ll squish my face…!”

Just then, my whole body was swept up.

And landed in a familiar embrace.

“If my daughter’s eyes are about to burst, perhaps you could fetch some ice.”

“So now you’re just ordering your father around, are you.”

And I’m an old man, too!

Grandfather threw a fit, but Father replied with only casual indifference.

“I know. That’s why this is… a health walk, a son’s gift to his elderly father.”

“….”

“How about it? I rather like the idea.”

Anyone could tell he had just made that up.

“Sheesh! Whose child is that, anyway!”

Grandfather stormed out in defeat, unable to bear looking at my swollen eyes a moment longer.

“Morris! Let’s go grab some ice from the cellar!”

“Oh dear, Your Excellency—why would you—!”

“Because it’s for my precious granddaughter!”

Slam.

The door closed. My yellow slippers, dangling on my toes, dropped to the floor with a thud.

Father sank onto the sofa and set me on his knee. Warm spring air filled the room.

“Just look at your eyes. Can you see at all?”

“Geez, you’re teasing me!”

It’s not as if I wanted to cry!

“The sun’s at its peak and here you are just waking up. The youngest’s job is to oversleep, but at this rate, you’ll be reborn as a carp.”

I was about to whack Father on the shoulder, just as hard, but hesitated.

“Dad… your arm?”

“It’s all healed.”

But when I glimpsed the white bandage peeking from under his cuff, my heart twisted all over again.

“Hey… Let me make a salve for you. Something that really works…”

I mumbled, hoping that, if I added only a tiny bit of magic, it would help.

But instead of answering, Father simply looked down at me, long and tenderly.

Then, with a gentle sigh, came a mischievous laugh.

“No thanks. You don’t need to do anything. If I use salve made by my little carp daughter, what if I turn into a carp?”

“I’m not a carp!”

I protested, and Father softly stroked my cheek.

“Rubian.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you remember I told you that if you ever have something to say to your father, you can always come to me?”

Those clear purple eyes fixed on mine.

“…Yes.”

“That holds forever. Any time you need my help, just tell me.”

His voice was low, so gentle, so affectionate. Somehow, it sounded like a promise to wait.

Forever.

I quietly savored that word.

“So right now, stop worrying and just play. Eat plenty, run around outside. Cry sometimes, laugh a lot.”

“…”

“That’s your job. To grow up strong and healthy. Understand?”

His slow, deep voice washed over my ears, curled around my heart, and settled deep inside me.

“Okay.”

I hugged him and replied. For now, just hearing those words was enough.

At that moment, noise erupted outside the door.

“Young masters, the Lord is inside—!”

“Rubyyy!”