Youngest 180
by CristaeEpisode 180
Leviathan was listening to Leon’s report in the knights’ headquarters.
Once again, there had been sightings of a small pack of magical beasts.
“This time, it’s in the eastern Hedden region of the capital. Fortunately, Yujen happened to be nearby, so he headed there immediately.”
“On his way back… You’ve all had it tough.”
“There aren’t many of them, so it shouldn’t be too difficult. So…”
Leon, who had been delivering his formal report with a stony face, trailed off. Leviathan caught his meaning and gave a brief smile.
“All right. We won’t mention it to Rubian.”
Leon nodded, his expression a little lighter.
Ever since Delmon of the knights had died, Rubian had become excessively worried, even at news of small deployments.
‘There’s been an increase in magical beast appearances. And near residential areas at that.’
Leviathan marked a red symbol on the large map spread atop the table as he pondered.
Recently, the Empire had seen frequent magical beast outbreaks. What had begun around southern villages now reached as far as the capital.
‘These days, Zelox is actually safer.’
That was thanks to the protective barrier encircling all of Zelox—the one Ruby had created and carved into the bell of the watchtower.
In any event, the empire had increased its security forces and raised its alert level to the highest state in preparation for further attacks. There had been painful losses like Delmon, but so far, nothing catastrophic had occurred.
‘Though because of that, a good number of troops have been diverted from tracking the Mage Kingdom…’
Leviathan tapped his finger on the desk.
‘The mages seem to be stirring, plotting in secret.’
Was it truly a mere coincidence, this irregular pattern of magical beast appearances?
‘I’ve only suspicions for now.’
His violet eyes flashed.
“What about developments in the Mage Kingdom?”
“As yet, no significant movements have been detected.”
A new exploratory vessel was to be dispatched in extreme secrecy soon. Leviathan briefly considered whether to accompany the expedition himself.
“What about Allen?”
“He said he’d return before Khalid, so… I believe he should be arriving soon.”
Leon added, as if the thought just occurred to him.
“Ah. By the way, Khalid has been assigned to help escort the Kasalia royal family back as he returns.”
“I can already picture the scowl on his face.”
“They should reach the outskirts of the capital in four days. Would you like us to send additional support? Since these are state guests, it seems prudent to ensure a proper escort.”
The unusually thorough suggestion made Leviathan chuckle.
“Just say you want Khalid to get some rest.”
“…That’s not it.”
Leon scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
A fellow who’d grown up roughhousing with the knights from childhood—everyone pretended not to care, but treated him as a precocious little brother.
‘I hope the formula Khalid brings back is the right one.’
Leviathan thought.
According to Rubian, only two stelae remained.
One was the one Khalid had gone to find this time, and the other…
“Hm, it’s still uncertain. I’ll need to look into it more.”
So saying, Rubian had clenched her fist, vowing to work even harder on decoding the records.
‘Sending support is really just a pretense—it’s practically a welcome party.’
He recalled Rubian’s bright face as she’d asked about Khalid’s return.
‘If she wants, maybe I could arrange for them to meet a little early…’
Suddenly, reason snapped back into him.
No, why? Why should I help them meet early? Is there any reason? They’re just friends. They can meet later. And what would they do if they met? Just what!
Crack. The pen broke in two in his large hand. Leon stepped back in alarm.
“Your Excellency? Is something wrong? Did an enemy appear…?”
Just then—
“Your Excellency! Your Excellency!”
An adjutant came running in a panic, gasping for breath.
Leviathan, his expression changing instantly, rose slowly from his seat. News delivered this way was rarely good.
“What is it?”
“T-the thing is…”
The adjutant gulped.
“First, please don’t overreact, or—don’t draw your sword, just stay calm and hear me out. Ah, the young lady has…”
Leviathan reflexively reached for his sword, his mind racing through every possibility.
Good grief, that startled me.
What’s with a nosebleed all of a sudden?
“Keep your nose pinched and your head down. You’ll be fine.”
“Mmph.”
I pressed my handkerchief firmly to my nose and flicked away the drops that fell onto my clothes.
“Your Highness, could you fetch a carriage?”
“Y-yes, I’ll have one prepared immediately.”
Licht hurried off at once.
“Kkuuuung.”
“Titi, don’t drink my blood. Just let it run out.”
I raised my eyes to look up at Liam as my voice came out sharper than intended.
His tall frame, the neatly kept black hair as always, the glasses that made his sharp features seem even colder.
‘He may be a bit odd, but…’
He really had a universally good-looking face.
“It’s alright, little fairy. Don’t worry.”
“I know. I’m really fine.”
It’s just a nosebleed.
I was only startled because suddenly everyone was staring at me.
‘Whew, still, I’m glad my brother was here.’
I leaned into Liam, who stood steadfastly at my back, feeling a wave of relief. I heard his teeth grit.
“I used to get nosebleeds all the time. It really does happen when you’re tired. But I don’t understand why you’re tired. If you eat well and sleep well, you shouldn’t have them. So does that mean my sister hasn’t been eating and sleeping properly? That can’t be. There’s no way. Who do I complain to about this?”
Shudder, shudder.
What was that? An earthquake?
My whole body felt like it was vibrating.
“B-brother, c-c-calm down.”
“It’s alright, little fairy. I used to get nosebleeds all the time. It really happens when you’re tired. But I just don’t get why you’d be tired… If you eat and sleep well…”
This was bad.
Brother’s lines were looping.
I rode back to the duchy in a wide carriage that Licht had arranged, with my brother at my side.
I’m not sure who spread the word, but the manor was—
—in an uproar because of me.
“Hurry, hurry, don’t just stand there—!”
“Hot water! Clean towels!”
Is someone giving birth?
Servants were running in every direction, and even Mother hastily returned from her outing to check on me.
“Rubian, you could have just told us you were tired.”
“I didn’t really feel tired, though…”
I sat on my bed, having changed clothes.
Sniffing, I caught the faint metallic tang in my nose again.
Hazel, hands trembling, lifted my blood-stained handkerchief. The other maids wore looks of horror.
“Where is Miss Borbel? Where is she!?”
“Girls, it’s time. Time to cast off these maid uniforms. Go out, sweep up all the medicines in the capital, and find every physician you see. Dismissed.”
“Permission to dismiss denied!”
I tried with all my might to stop them, but there was no way to halt the maids (how did they vanish so quickly!) who had already dispersed like mist!
“It was just a few drops of blood! It’s even stopped now!”
“A few drops? You were dripping.”
Mother, who had been quietly listening, smiled gently at Liam’s retort.
“Ruby, could you write down the names of everyone you met today for Mother?”
“…And if I do?”
“In accordance with our family precepts, I’ll take care of them—hmm, I mean, resolve the matter. Blood for blood. You remember, don’t you?”
Mother wiped the blood-red skin around my nose as she smiled brightly. What shimmered in her blue eyes was… flame?
“It’d have to be a double nosebleed, at the very least, right?”
“I didn’t get hit by anyone…!”
Mother’s radiant smile almost made me write down the First Prince’s name right then and there, but I restrained myself in a rare moment of conscience.
At that moment, Liam, rummaging through his bag, produced a strange, murky green potion.
“Here, drink this first.”
“What is it?”
“A new medicine formulated from magical beast materials. In recent trials, it worked wonders on fatigue. Even the palace physicians envy it—it’s that good.”
I narrowed my eyes.
“Full ingredients, please.”
“A proprietary blend of magical beast excrement, genitals, and viscera in a 2:1:3 ratio—”
“Rejected!”
I’d rather have a nosebleed!
As I was about to shout, the door banged open as if it might break.
“Rubian.”
“Father?”
Father strode in, face utterly pale.