~Chapter 39~
I had once told Khalid in passing.
That the surest way for me to escape the Kingdom’s exploitation and the Magic King’s chains was to kill the King.
From then on, Khalid gritted his teeth, saying he would kill the Magic King for me.
Just like when I cut his chains in the cave and gave him freedom.
“Not possible. You’re… still too young.”
“Ha. Is that why you came here?”
A short laugh slipped out.
“Sorry, master. From now on, I’m going to speak a little coldly.”
“Not too coldly…”
“Why Duke Jebert?”
His cold voice dropped.
“I know the Duke hates mages. But he’s not crazy enough to kill another country’s king for no reason, is he?”
“…”
Honestly, I couldn’t blame Khalid for reacting this way.
‘He doesn’t know that if left alone, the Magic King will definitely reveal his true nature.’
For now, the Magic King was still pretending to be good.
Arcadia was an island isolated on the sea.
If it clashed with the continent, the Kingdom would lose. So the King played nice on the surface while secretly waiting for a chance to swallow the continent.
Even if he was being criticized now for the child soldier issue.
‘World conquest! What a childish dream.’
That was why he wanted black mages too. He probably thought war was a good opportunity.
‘He even ordered me to capture a black mage.’
But Uncle Leviathan killed them all, ruining it. Serves him right!
Anyway, the Magic King would cause trouble on his own. As long as Uncle survived until then, that was enough.
“Silent again…”
Khalid stared at me, rolling his eyes, then lowered his head.
“Just once, I really want to look inside your head.”
“That’s not allowed…”
Too many secrets.
Then he suddenly raised his head.
“Even so, I’ll kill the Magic King. Because he’s what made you suffer.”
“Fine, fine. Then train hard.”
Train well and later team up with Uncle!
I swallowed those words and laughed. Seeing Khalid’s face soften, I also removed the soundproofing spell.
It was almost time for Hazel to come upstairs saying dinner was ready.
“Good. Now I have a goal.”
Khalid spoke firmly.
“Goal?”
“Leviathan Jebert.”
“…?”
“I’ll have to surpass him first.”
No, that’s not it!
“If he’s the strongest and the one you rely on, then I’ll become even stronger than him.”
The boy’s eyes burned with determination.
‘Is this… the Part 2 male lead’s goal?’
Khalid bit his lip and glanced at me.
“And I have a feeling… that person will give me a really hard time.”
Looking worried about the future, Khalid stayed serious for a long time.
Well… life in the Order with Uncle wouldn’t be easy, that’s true.
But if not that…
What else?
That evening, at the dining room.
Khalid was invited to dinner as my friend.
“Huh? Even Grandpa?”
As soon as I entered the dining hall, I saw all three Jeberts together.
It was rare, since Grandpa usually ate separately in the annex.
Strange indeed.
I sat with Khalid. At the head sat Uncle, opposite him were Grandpa and Void.
“Father…?”
Void called, staring blankly at Uncle.
“Yes.”
“I think I’m seeing things right now.”
“Probably not.”
Void blinked, then turned his head sharply.
Even while still slicing meat and vegetables for me, his hands never stopped.
“So you brought another new guest from the capital? But when…?”
Swoosh. A plate of neatly cut steak slid in front of me.
Khalid, sitting next to me, laughed.
You also think it’s absurd that the young lord is serving me food, right?
Yeah… I know.
“That’s not it.”
“Then…!”
“Shut up and eat your bread!”
“Mmmpf.”
Grandpa, cutting five steak pieces at once, shoved white bread into Void’s mouth.
Void’s cheeks puffed up. He looked up at Grandpa as if he had so much to say.
“Grandpa…”
“Eh?”
Clack. Grandpa put down his knife and looked at him. His thick brows shook.
Void’s shoulders shrank back slightly.
“What’s with that look? Are you already a teenager?! No wonder… you hardly come to eat with your poor old grandpa anymore!”
“But when I did come, you weren’t sick at all!”
Seems Uncle had sometimes called Void over for meals when he was away.
Of course, Void found Grandpa very uncomfortable…
“This won’t do! We need a bonding period. After dinner, let’s take a light walk up the northern mountain!”
“Mmmpf! N-no!”
Void struggled as more meat was stuffed into his mouth. Grandpa’s lips twitched happily.
…He’s enjoying this. Today’s sacrifice is you, Void.
“Stop watching and eat.”
Thud. A neatly cut piece of bread was placed on my plate.
“Oh, thanks.”
I glanced at Khalid, popped the bread into my mouth.
‘This kid really isn’t shy.’
Eating with strangers for the first time yet acting like it’s his own home…
He’s amazing in many ways.
“So no one is going to explain what he is?!”
At last, Void exploded, pointing at Khalid.
“Ruby! You explain!”
Chewing bread, I swallowed and answered.
“He’s my friend.”
“What…?”
“Friend.”
Void tilted his head with question marks all over his face. What’s that look?
Has he never heard the word “friend” before?
‘Oh no… maybe he’s like Uncle, with no friends?’
Despite my worry, Void just blinked blankly, looking soulless.
After that, only the clinking of dishes filled the room.
Clink. Khalid set down his fork. Looking over, I saw he’d already finished and was wiping his mouth.
His plate was neatly cleared.
Perfect table manners.
‘Well, he might be reckless sometimes, but at least he learned manners properly.’
…Wait. Where did he even learn that?
“You actually managed to live in a marketplace-like place, Ruby.”
“…”
“Even though you hate noisy things.”
Someone shut that clueless mouth.
“What did you say, brat.”
Grandpa slammed down his utensils. Uncle just drank his wine, not looking at anyone.
Khalid stood up.
“Thank you for the meal.”
At least he gave a normal farewell.
I thought he’d leave right away, but instead, Khalid pointed at my fork, where a green pepper was awkwardly stuck.
“But she hates these. Could you change the recipe—”
“Ahaha.”
I started sweating and elbowed Khalid’s side.
“You… you’re just freeloading, so why are you talking so much!”
And I was just about to drop that pepper too. Now they’ll know!
“Uncle! Grandpa! I’ll handle this kid myself—”
“Enough. Your arrogant tone and eyes… I can’t let it pass.”
Grandpa slammed down his utensils.
“This brat also needs some mental training on the northern mountain!”
“So it really was mental training!”
Void’s mouth dropped open.
“I refuse.”
“What?!”
But the arrogant Khalid’s mouth didn’t stop.
Grandpa’s eyes blazed hotter.
The tension in the room rose dangerously. Only Uncle, at the head of the table, continued eating calmly.
