I Will Protect My Brother - Chapter 78

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 78
The answer came from Dorian Raylo, who had maintained his silence throughout.
“Conflagration. The fire that consumes the world. Throughout history, only one person has ever wielded it.”
“Who was that person?”
“Karga!”
Chronos Yeljewa cried out.
“The final flame that guards Rachnar. That monster created by the Transcendent Family Heads five hundred years ago…! It escaped from the detention camp on Riltear Island, which is now sealed, and vanished without a trace!”
Ah, now Luize remembered. He had heard this story from his father when he inherited the position of Family Head.
A guardian born to protect Rachnar in the Age of Blind Stars. Yet one who was demoted to monstrosity before ever being used.
“Though its appearance differed from what the records described, it was unmistakably wielding Conflagration. Standing alone upon this land transformed into a sea of flame! It has returned…! The old prophecy was correct!”
Chronos Yeljewa wiped his tear-stained face with his sleeve.
That prophecy passed down only through Yeljewa and Kirges. Chronos had glimpsed one scene from that prophecy—the one where the Transcendent Families would one day annihilate it.
“Perhaps.”
Yet Luize focused on something else. He asked with a peculiar expression.
“What was its expression like? Its appearance?”
“Its expression couldn’t be pinned down precisely. It seemed to be smiling, yet simultaneously appeared to be weeping—a grotesque expression. But its appearance, its appearance resembled…”
Chronos Yeljewa pressed his left eye with his palm as if in agony.
“It resembled the young Wynack…”
“…!”
A chill ran down his spine. As expected, Whezel’s distinctive intuition had proven entirely correct.
Luize shot to his feet.
“Rosien Wynyak. Was she not beside him?”
“There was no one.”
Chronos shook his head gravely.
“Not only Rosien Wynyak, but there was no one upon the land. That being gazed endlessly only at the sky engulfed in flames.”
Kalian Wynack—perhaps the reincarnation of Karga, or Karga itself—a monster with reason to rampage so violently…
Luize’s gaze returned to Rosien Wynyak’s letter.
“Yeljewa, if the future you witnessed was a Transcendent’s rampage…”
There were only two circumstances under which a Transcendent would lose reason and rampage.
When they could not find the Elixir, or…
‘When they had lost the Elixir!’
“The timing—do you not know the timing?!”
“If I knew that, would I be standing here?! In any case, there’s no time for this. We must depart for Abuye immediately. I’ve already declared emergency martial law across all nations. We must capture that being at once…”
“No! We must find Rosien Wynyak!”
At some unknown time, some calamity would befall Rosien Wynyak.
If Rosien Wynyak died, Rachnar would fall.
The Family Heads reached this simple conclusion, their faces turning ashen.
That day, five Transcendents departed for the Abuye Kingdom with their belongings in hand.
Yet the one who greeted their sudden arrival was only Owen Wynack, wearing a bewildered expression.
“Huh? Kalian and Rosien? Those two went traveling hand in hand.”
“…!”
“He left long ago?”
After three seconds of chilling silence, the intruders erupted in unison.
“Where did he go!!”
* * *
At that very moment, the woman bearing the pursuit of every Transcendent and every absolute god was serenely departing the royal territory of Abuye.
Rosien’s traveling light was minimal. Kalian followed her graceful, measured steps, tracing the path of her Elixir as he asked.
“Where would you like to go, Rosy?”
“Hmm, I’d like to head south. I’ve heard the South Sea is quite beautiful.”
“Ah….”
“Let’s go to Riltear Island.”
The South Sea—and specifically Riltear Island. Kalian’s lips tightened almost imperceptibly.
Riltear Island was a solitary expanse isolated in the heart of the South Sea.
Since ancient times, it had been the seat of the International Court of the Transcendent Families, and the detention camp where those condemned in such trials were imprisoned.
Of course, it had long since been sealed, accessible to no one.
“Do you really want to go there?”
“Yes.”
Rosien was resolute. She adjusted the cord of her hat and cast a sidelong glance at Kalian.
“Why? Don’t you like it, Kali?”
“No, that’s not it at all.”
As if his tension had never existed, Kalian’s expression melted into a smooth smile.
“If it’s somewhere you wish to go, then I’m happy to follow anywhere.”
More than happy, in fact. Neither the Transcendents nor the Stars would ever imagine they would venture there.
That detention camp was one of the very few places in Rachnar where the Stars’ gaze could not reach.
Kalian suppressed his unease and interlaced his fingers with Rosien’s hand.
“Shall we go then, Rosy?”
* * *
The briny scent of the sea filled every breath drawn into my lungs. Seagulls cried overhead, wheeling through the sky.
I surveyed with interest the small village of Casanos in the South Sea.
‘This is where the only passage to Riltear Island begins.’
Watching the waves crash against the harbor, I felt a faint chill run through me.
‘So criminals were once imprisoned at the bottom of that sea?’
At this point, I should reiterate just how exacting the Transcendents truly are.
The International Court resembles the Continental Conference in that all Transcendents attend, but unlike the Conference, which convenes regularly every five years, it is summoned irregularly.
The trials are held in isolated locations inaccessible to ordinary people. Their proceedings are classified.
Even mighty nations like Delpiam or Abuye cannot demand that the Transcendent Families disclose the contents of the International Court.
Then who stands before that tribunal?
Naturally, the Transcendents themselves stand first. Next come disciples of the Transcendent Families who have committed crimes.
It is rare for ordinary people to be dragged before the court. The probability that an ordinary person without any power could inflict meaningful harm upon a Transcendent or Transcendent Family is extraordinarily low.
From what I know, only one ordinary person has ever been executed at Riltear.
Rozentia Renos.
With ninety-nine percent certainty, the woman from my past life.
I unconsciously rubbed my left shoulder. The five dots embedded in my shoulder blade began to ache.
The painting that hung in the Kirges Observatory depicted a guillotine.
Goosebumps spread from my shoulder to my neck. They’d even severed her head!
But regardless, I would have had to visit that place eventually. Not just me—Kalian as well.
I peered out at the sea through the round window of the tavern.
“The waves are rough. Even for us, crossing the sea in a small boat would be impossible, wouldn’t it?”
“If you fall in, I’ll fish you out.”
Kalian responded playfully.
Shortly after arriving in this small village, we’d ducked into a seaside tavern for a quick meal.
We planned to stay at the inn above for several days, waiting for the waves to calm.
Soon the food arrived. True to the coastal setting, the table was laden with pasta heaped with seafood and steamed fish dishes.
Kalian reached for his utensils first.
“I’ll take care of it from here.”
I watched as he skillfully separated the meat from the shells.
He didn’t need to eat, yet he knew how to prepare food.
After all, it had been me who’d carefully sliced meat and separated shells and flesh for him until now. He could have learned by watching me, or perhaps…
He might still retain memories from before.
Memories from when he was ‘human.’
“There. All done.”
Kalian pushed the steaming plate of pasta toward me. The pungent aroma of garlic, clams, and spices mingled together, stirring my hunger.
Plump scallops and squid, tender shrimp, lobster claw meat, and scattered green basil leaves—my mouth watered just looking at it.
But I couldn’t very well feast on such delicacies alone.
Kalian calmly reached for his utensils.
“Let me dig in—”
“Brother, you don’t have to eat.”
I stopped Kalian, who was twirling pasta onto his fork. He quickly shook his head.
“No, I’m hungry too.”
“Your meals aren’t like that.”
Though it’s been a while since I’ve mentioned it, I’m quite perceptive.
At the very least, I never miss how Kalian puts food in his mouth, chews a few times for show, then swallows it straight down his throat.
I also know that he later empties it all out secretly behind my back.
After all the effort I’ve put into managing his diet, and he does this. Fool.
If he hates it, he should just say so.
Instead of picking up my fork, I stood and walked around the table, sitting down beside Kalian.
“Brother, eat with me.”
“…?”
Kalian’s eyes widened like saucers, bewildered—because I’d leaned over and kissed his left cheek.
“Rosy…?”
Kalien seemed quite startled—his cheek twitched ever so slightly. I quickly added more to hide my embarrassment.
“There’s a required number of contacts and duration each day, right? That’s what they say about human Elixir.”
“Ah…”
“I still don’t know what type you are yet, but…”
Kalien nodded blankly, and a faint blush rose to both his cheeks.
“Th-thank you.”
“Mm.”
Suddenly, everything felt awkward.
‘I’ve done this so many times before—why am I feeling embarrassed about it now…?’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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