Translator: Nox

Ch#53

* * *

“Didn’t you sleep last night?”

I blurted out. Khalid, with his oddly prickly expression, raised one eyebrow obliquely.

“I slept fine.”

“No, you didn’t. That’s exactly the face of someone who stood watch all night.”

As I narrowed my eyes and approached, Khal subtly turned his head away.

“Duty.”

“…….”

“It’s because of the shift change.”

He was brushing it off.

Well, obviously he was playing with his animal friends.

‘I’ll let it slide.’

I glanced at the squirrel perched demurely on top of Khal’s head. The squirrel, munching on an acorn, met my eyes and tilted its head.

“Hee, so cute.”

“……Yeah.”

“Huh?”

“Here.”

Khalid quickly handed me a scroll. Peeking inside, it was a newly acquired blueprint.

I hurriedly tucked it inside my clothes so the other senior knights in the training grounds wouldn’t see.

“But anyway, Maddox won’t even budge on ordinary blueprints anymore.”

“Tch, so picky.”

That was right. Lately, magical artifact production had hit an unexpected snag.

“Ruby, big trouble. I’ve been tamed by the stimulating taste of the blueprints you gave me, so now my heart doesn’t race for anything less. I’m completely corrupted……”

It was Maddox, addicted to dopamine. He was barely holding on for now, but it seemed like the limit would come soon.

“Just two more to go…… One we can somehow manage with this blueprint.”

The remaining one was the problem.

Hmm, I crossed my arms and thought for a moment.

Khalid tapped his wooden sword on the ground and said indifferently.

“Don’t rush too much. The tracking mages are quiet. Oh, speaking of which……”

“Yeah?”

“A Bamilion outpost mage has moved.”

Outpost mage? As I slightly opened my mouth, Khalid added while recalling.

“That’s the one, right? The mages permitted to live in other countries.”

“Yeah, you remember. They’re stationed at key outposts and called outpost mages.”

“Such a fancy name, anyway.”

Mages could basically only live in their kingdom. But some, with the king’s permission, could relocate to other countries.

In fact, aside from humanitarian issues with boy soldiers, mages with exceptional power were generally well-treated wherever they went.

Plus, the mage corps had performed notably in this war, so even more so.

‘Jebeurt hating mages is a bit unusual.’

Of course, there was a reason for the hatred.

Anyway, outpost mages lived in other countries and provided necessary magical assistance there.

And smoothly procured what Arcadia needed—information, supplies, anything.

‘Since Arcadia is an isolated island.’

That’s how they maintained ties to the continent.

I stroked my chin thoughtfully.

“But I thought Bamilion only had mages in the east and south……?”

“East side.”

Bamilion had low mana density, so few outpost mages. And those were the lowest ranks.

‘East means…… that guy.’

Maybe he could solve Maddox’s dopamine addiction……?

“But how did you even know about the eastern mage? Did your scouting summons return?”

“Well……”

Khal subtly avoided my gaze and scratched his cheek. My sharp eyes narrowed.

“You’re…… not overusing magic, are you? What if you get found out as a mage and dragged to the kingdom?”

As I said it a bit sullenly, a sharp glint flashed in his gray-blue eyes.

“Then I’ll just kill them all.”

“There you go with the bravado again……”

Come to think of it, would Khal get middle school syndrome too?

I hope it’s not bad…….

“Got it! I’ll think about what to do.”

I glanced at Khalid, who was already holding my wrist and sharing mana, then stood up abruptly.

“Where to?”

“To…… no. Ah, it’s tea time with Dad.”

If I miss dessert time, he gets subtly sulky, and it’s miserable later. No skipping allowed.

Khalid pondered my words briefly, put on his bracelet, and straightened his back.

“Hey, Ruby.”

“Yeah?”

“How about telling the truth about your gender at least?”

“What?”

I quickly looked around. “No one’s here,” Khalid whispered lowly.

“You said you’re staying here forever. Forget being a mage—even hiding that you’re a girl, how long can you keep it up?”

His face looking down at me had a somehow reluctant expression.

“You’ll grow too.”

Well…… true.

I’d been growing steadily here, almost surprisingly so.

Of course, still smaller than my peers (infuriating), and compared to Khalid shooting up like bamboo…… just a drop in the bucket.

“Hm.”

I glanced down subtly. The Jebeurt Knight Order uniform with the snarling blue lion. My neatly trimmed hair from last night by Dad.

Like Khal said, I’d grow, but not dramatically…….

“As long as I don’t take off my clothes?”

It was a calm, objective analysis, but Khal grimaced ambiguously with one eye.

“Hmm.”

His voice sounded oddly anxious.

“A cute kid like you would give it away no matter what.”

“Huh?”

“I’m saying a pretty kid like you won’t get caught.”

“Does correcting yourself mean anything?”

“…….”

Ugh. I awkwardly scratched my cheek, feeling embarrassed for some reason.

“Later. Priorities first.”

I’d resolved to confess all my secrets someday, but not right now. I had pressing things to do first.

“The runaway mage is known to be a girl, so once I make a barrier and it’s safe, then. And……”

I gazed at the Duke’s Castle standing like a silhouette in the distance and added.

“Dad’s still hurting so much he hasn’t even visited the baby graves. He needs a bit more time.”

I needed some mental preparation time too.

“Hmm.”

Khalid’s lips twitched, but he added nothing. I hurried off, waving my hand vigorously.

“Anyway, I’m off, Khal! Train hard today! Don’t talk back to the senior knights!”

Khalid reflexively waved back.

“Won’t getting caught like that be worse……”

I, of course, didn’t hear the reluctant mutter as he scratched the back of his head.

* * *

Fun snack time!

Rarely, Grandfather and Void were joining today. Normally, they’d be in intense afternoon training.

Seemed like it was because of that gold-embossed letter Dad was holding.

“As expected, it’s here this year?”

“Yes. Ipson, territory of Count Camellan.”

“Conveniently close.”

“Huh? May I ask what it is, Grandfather?”

Void asked, pushing the cake in front of him far away with a disgusted face.

Void the kid didn’t particularly enjoy desserts, unchildlike.

Come to think of it, he scarfed down bell peppers. Unexpected tastes.

“New Green Festival. It’s around here this year.”

“Oh……. Will you attend?”

“That’s……”

Dad…… no, the one at the head table grimaced with one eye. A sign he wasn’t keen.

Grandfather, sitting beside him, snatched the letter from the table.

“Even the Emperor and Crown Prince coming along? Ha! If we don’t go, they’ll march in.”

Lazy tone. Grandfather, arms slung over the chair back like a thug, turned to the Duke.

“Son. You didn’t skip the victory banquet in the capital, did you? That’s why this mess?”

“Mess, Father? The kids’ ears are rotting.”

Eek. Grandfather quickly covered his own mouth. He eyed the air to scoop up the words, but too late.

“Coco-droplets, forget what you just heard. Got it?”

“First time hearing your voice today, Grandfather.”

Void, you’ll do well in society.

Ahem! Grandfather cleared his throat loudly and shook the letter again.

“The nobles must’ve squawked to see your face! So, what’ll you do? Going?”

“Hmm. Do we have to?”

From the original story, the Empire’s New Green Festival was a major event kicking off the year. Thus, noble families usually all attended.

‘Subtle nerve wars between houses, power displays, political groundwork, etc.’

Jebeurt, naturally, was the exception.

They didn’t care about such things; they were the empire’s top power, great noble, famed sword house.

So Dad rarely attended. Plus, war the last few years.

Grandfather skipped too, citing health.

‘But not this time!’

I was determined to go no matter what.

“Me! I! I wanna go to the festival!”

I shot my hand up, and gazes gathered. My body shrank somehow.

“……N-no? If Dad’s too busy, I can go alone, with, the knight uncles……”

“Leon, pen.”

“Yes, sir.”

The pen moved without a second’s hesitation.

Attending.