I had once told Khalid in passing.
That the surest way for to escape the Kingdom’s exploitation and the Magic King’s chains was to kill the King.
After that, Khalid gritted his teeth, saying he would kill the Magic King for .
Just like when I cut his ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ chains in the cave and gave him freedom.
“Not possible. You’re... still too young.”
“Ha. Is that why you ca 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 bla Khalid for reacting like that.
‘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 at 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 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 , 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 the one who 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 ti for Hazel to co 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 beco 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 .
“And I have a feeling... that person will give a really hard ti.”
Looking worried about the future, Khalid stayed serious for a long ti.
Well... life in the Order with Uncle wouldn’t be easy, that’s true.
But if not that...
What else?
That evening, in 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 at and vegetables for , 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 .
Khalid, sitting next to , laughed.
You also think it’s absurd that the young lord is serving food, right?
Yeah... I know.
“That’s not it.”
“Then...!”
“Shut up and eat your bread!”
“Mmmpf.”
Grandpa, cutting five pieces of steak 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 trembled.
Void’s shoulders shrank back slightly.
“What’s with that look? Are you already a teenager?! No wonder... you hardly co to eat with your poor old grandpa anymore!”
“But when I did co, you weren’t sick at all!”
Seems Uncle had sotis called Void over for als 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 at 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, then popped the bread into my mouth.
‘This kid really isn’t shy.’
Eating with strangers for the first ti, yet acting like it’s his own ho...
He’s amazing in many ways.
“So no one is going to explain who 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, 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 sotis, 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.”
Soone shut that clueless mouth.
“What did you say, brat.”
Grandpa slamd down his utensils. Uncle just drank his wine, not looking at anyone.
Khalid stood up.
“Thank you for the al.”
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 those eyes... I can’t let it pass.”
Grandpa slamd down his utensils.
“This brat also needs so ntal training on the northern mountain!”
“So it really was ntal 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.
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