35 - The Youngest is Hiding a Lot
35
“Understood. You said he’s the son of a healer? I’ll send a letter since I have acquaintances there.”
Borbel packed his medical bag. He was about to leave when he suddenly turned back as if something had occurred to him.
“Come to think of it, I heard Rubian made medicine using herbs?”
“Yes. He learned by watching and doing.”
It was a miraculous medicine that had broken the hearts of the knights, as well as the Old Duke’s heart, which was as hard as diamond.
“Is there a problem?”
“No, not at all. The idea of making ointment into a patch was quite creative, and the effect is excellent. The same goes for the bruise ointment using Avelita Herb. I was honestly surprised.”
Leviathan’s eyebrow twitched. His body, which had been leaning against the backrest, naturally leaned forward.
“Well, I heard there’s an ointment in some kingdom that heals injuries overnight… Anyway, Rubian seems to have considerable skills.”
Borbel muttered, stroking his chin, but only two words were etched in Leviathan’s ears.
Considerable skills, creative idea…
“Your Excellency? Why do you have that expression?”
Borbel frowned, looking at the duke who was deep in thought.
“So… Ruby is…”
Hoo, a deep breath drawn from the pit of his stomach.
He looked like he was steeling himself for something.
“On the genius side?”
“Eh, I don’t think it’s quite that… Ugh.”
Borbel’s knees buckled as he tried to give his honest opinion. He turned to see Adolf standing there with a benevolent smile.
“Adolf?”
“There was a fly buzzing around, so I took care of it.”
“……”
A gaze that seemed to shoot out flames.
‘Do you only want to live until here?’
It was as if he could hear the voice in his head.
Oh, I see.
Borbel, whose dream was to live a long and healthy life, quietly shut his mouth.
“Ahem, ahem. So, about that… If Rubian is interested in herbal medicine, I was wondering if I could teach him a little?”
“You?”
“Yes. Since he has basic knowledge of herbal medicine, it would definitely be helpful if he studied healing arts with it.”
“Hmm.”
Leviathan narrowed his eyes. Borbel, reading the meaning of that gaze, cleared his throat loudly.
“O-Of course, if there are any herbal blending methods passed down in Rubian’s village, I was thinking of asking about them a little… Would that be alright?”
Iosia was a place where various minority groups came together to form a nation.
The medical knowledge unique to each tribe, passed down from generation to generation, had more secrets than what was revealed to the world.
“You’re too transparent, Borbel.”
“W-Well, if we get close, he might let me examine his body…”
“Alright, that excuse was good.”
Leviathan pondered briefly before nodding.
“If Ruby says it’s okay, then do so. But don’t force it.”
“Of course. Absolutely!”
Whose kid do you think he is? How dare you.
Borbel retreated, wiping away cold sweat.
Leviathan, on a roll, ordered him to find out about the owner of the herb shop as well.
He was strangely excited.
Not because the child was a genius.
But because he felt he could let him do what he wanted in this north.
And if he had talent on top of that, wouldn’t that be the icing on the cake?
After roughly finishing his paperwork, Leviathan headed to the knight order. It was about time to prepare for the spring subjugation campaign.
“Haa… Seriously. When she runs up to me calling me ‘Daddy,’ it’s so cute.”
His steps, about to enter the armory, came to a sudden halt.
“Wow, even the portrait is no joke.”
“Heh. The clothes are so cute. My sister-in-law’s skills are still top-notch. I need to get some fabric information from her.”
The voices of young knights, polishing their swords, continued. It seemed to be a gathering of the few fathers in the knight order.
“I want to go home early and see my daughter~”
“I really wonder how such a treasure came from me. I think I used up all my luck in my life.”
In the north, girls were precious.
It was a place where children themselves were rare, but even then, only boys were born, strangely enough.
Was it a divine arrangement, since it was a harsh place where they had to fight Magical beasts day and night?
It was an unknowable matter.
In any case, girls, who were relatively few in number, were all cherished. It was customary not to make them do harsh work if possible.
‘Especially making a daughter a knight… It’s almost taboo.’
To raise her with great care and then let her roll around on a battlefield soaked in blood?
No parent would make such a decision unless they were crazy.
That was why female knights were rare in the knight order. Other territories might be different…
“Alright, alright, we, the ‘Northern Knights with Daughters’ meeting, shortened to ‘Daughter-Fool Association,’ will collect this month’s dues.”
“What exactly did you shorten?”
…There was such a meeting?
Leviathan tilted his head slightly.
“Hey, you guys. Play quietly. Don’t let it show in front of His Excellency, even by accident.”
The low voice that followed was Leon’s.
He had been diligently polishing his sword next to those fools until now.
“Of course. Bragging about my daughter in front of His Excellency…”
“Are you crazy?”
The knights spoke in bitter tones.
“……”
Leviathan leaned against the wall. For some reason, it became even more difficult to reveal himself…
“So, Brad, you’re transferring to the capital knight order?”
“…Yeah. I’m sorry.”
“What are you sorry for?”
“Having a child made me selfish. I want her to live in a safer environment. I’m really sorry to you guys…”
“It’s okay. It’s better to go to the capital than to hear Magical beast cries every day.”
“Yeah, I would have moved if I had the means.”
The knights’ voices of low consolation could be heard.
‘So that’s why Leon said he needed to reinforce the manpower.’
Most of those who had started a family and had children tended to move to the capital townhouse.
Of course, their income would be halved, but in return, they would buy their family’s safety and peace of mind.
“……”
It’s really getting harder to go out there?
Leviathan eventually decided to postpone the preparations for the campaign. He swallowed a sigh and turned around.
For some reason, he wanted to see Rubian.
“Where could he be?”
He moved his feet without hesitation.
\ \ *
Bang.
I abruptly threw open the door to the Magic Stone shop.
“He’s not here.”
Khalid Liork was nowhere to be found.
“Oh my, you startled me.”
The employee who had been dozing off at the counter woke up with a start.
“Boss? What brings you here without notice?”
It was an employee I had temporarily hired because I couldn’t always be stationed here. Of course, the Magic Stone shop wasn’t doing well, so the salary came out of Uncle’s pocket…
“Is there any Magic Stone you need?”
“No. Not today. But have you seen a pitiful and handsome boy wandering around here, lost?”
“A boy? I haven’t seen him.”
So he didn’t even stop by here.
“Tch.”
I underestimated him too much. Well, if he blocked me once, what’s stopping him from doing it twice?!
As I was stomping lightly on the floor, the employee cautiously looked at me.
“Boss, is there something you don’t like…? Sales are always bad, but the cleaning isn’t bad.”
“……”
I couldn’t become a malicious boss who just showed up to vent stress.
I forced a smile and pointed to a box tucked away in the corner.
“You’re always doing a great job. Please send one more box of those purple Magic Stones. And if that pitiful and beautiful boy I mentioned shows up, please contact me.”
Hearing his reply that he understood, I left the store.
“Hazel! I’m done with my errand…”
My words couldn’t continue to the end. It was because I found the knife-wielding maid leaning against the carriage and skillfully twirling a jackknife in one hand.
“……”
Never… Let’s not ask Hazel to cut my hair.
“Rubian! Are you done with your errand?”
“Uh-huh…”
Hazel, approaching with a bright smile. The way she used her wrist to put the jackknife away was so natural that I lost my words again.
“I’m just asking in case, but why the knife…?”
“Oh, I was just bored.”
The maid’s face, smiling in the sunlight, looked even more dignified today.
Uncle, I think there’s a top talent for the knight order here?
“Shall we go back?”
“Yes, Miss.”
“Huh, why are you suddenly using honorifics…”
I got into the open carriage with a sullen face. No, I was about to get in.
“Huh?”
My hand shot up without me realizing it at the familiar silhouette in the distance.
“Grandfather!”
“Oh my, my squishy booger!”
