Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 111

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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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It took time, but I eventually managed to pull myself together. The realization that I had no choice but to regain my composure seemed to work wonders—sometimes sheer willpower carries us through.
I could work normally again, but those around me clearly saw otherwise. Perhaps because Father and I had been wandering about in a daze for so long, my attendants treated me with unusual kindness and arranged for me to take on as little work as possible.
I was more than happy to accept their goodwill and played along with their consideration, and today, having apparently heard news of my scattered mind, Sage arrived at my office laden with various contraptions.
“Rosalite! Rosalite, my daughter, look at this! I brought a few things to play around with!”
That’s far more than just a few, Papa.
I rose from my seat to greet Sage warmly, regardless of how he kicked the office door open. I was curious about what sort of toys he’d brought, and I figured it was time to take a break from work and have a look.
After suggesting the children take a rest period, I sat on the sofa across from Sage with Glen tucked under one arm, and we examined the contraptions together. As Glen and I huddled close to inspect the devices, Sage looked between us and chuckled with approval.
“You two always have such wonderful harmony together, no matter when I see you.”
“When the Prince is so lovely and affectionate, how could our harmony be anything but good?”
“That’s true enough. I wept when you married, loath to let you go, but where else could I find such a virtuous and proper bachelor? You mustn’t let him slip away—hold him close.”
“What bachelor are you talking about? He’s a married man now. My husband.”
“Ah, that’s right. Yes, he’s a married man.”
Why is this man fidgeting again?
I held the squirming Glen firmly and picked up what looked like a walkie-talkie. One was unmistakably a walkie-talkie no matter how I examined it, while the other resembled some sort of hearing aid. When I asked what it was, Papa launched into an explanation with complete confidence.
“The festival that comes around once every ten years is approaching, isn’t it? Since you’ll be providing commentary, I created something that allows you to communicate even when separated by distance.”
Oh, oh wow… a moment in the advancement of human civilization.
From his explanation, it seemed the communication range had limitations, but this was unmistakably a walkie-talkie. If we mass-produced these and delivered them to Noitram, which was obsessed with warfare, continental unification wouldn’t be far off.
“Papa, is mass production possible with this?”
“And if you install speakers in the plaza so your voice can reach far and wide, wouldn’t many of the Territory’s residents be able to enjoy the festival? I put some thought into it.”
“Papa, is mass production possible with this?”
“Why are you so fixated on mass production?”
“So, is mass production possible with this?”
I’m being serious right now—speak clearly.
When I opened my eyes wide, Papa mumbled quietly that it wasn’t possible. He explained that creating even one functional prototype required a thousand failures and took an additional year, which made me feel both disappointed and relieved.
Well, peace is paramount anyway. Even if war broke out, I’d be comfortably working in the Capital, but it’s the common people who would suffer and die.
“I apologize for the late words. Papa, you truly are a genius.”
“That’s right! When were you going to say that!”
“From the front, from the side, from behind—you’re a genius! A genius among geniuses! An inventor for the ages! Already a genius just for wielding magic, but with a brilliant mind too—a multi-talented genius! And handsome on top of it! Wow! Better than Leonardo da Vinci! A paragon of genius!”
“Hahahaha! Stop it, Rosalite! Papa’s embarrassed! I don’t even know who this Leonardo fellow is!”
Having thoroughly flattered Sage, I seized the moment while he was in good spirits and pulled out a bundle of gold coins from the safe, setting them on the table with a decisive thunk.
I was right not to return the tribute money coming from my son. Days like this do come around. He’s truly a filial child.
“Just make ten of these for me, Papa.”
“Hahahaha! Whether it’s ten or twenty, I’ll make them! Hahahaha!”
“Wow, Papa truly is a paragon of genius.”
Having secured his promise, I gave a perfunctory round of applause and then examined the walkie-talkie, narrowing my eyes to peer at its interior. But the components were so small I couldn’t make out what was what. Even if I looked, I doubted I’d understand.
“But how is this supposed to work? A rechargeable mana crystal would be too large to fit inside.”
Even if one were used, the mana would deplete before long and it would cease functioning. For my part, I could allocate mana from my own circle, so the commentary side wasn’t a concern, but the commentary box where Father sat posed a problem. How we’d transmit our exchanges to the plaza would also be an issue.
“Don’t worry. For that day, I’ll be your battery.”
“…!”
I gasped in astonishment at Papa’s words. What had he just said? A Seventh Circle Grand Archmage offering to serve as a wireless charger for a local festival? For me?
“Papa…! I’m so moved, I don’t know what to say…!”
“Just enjoy yourself. That’s what being a father means.”
“Sob! Papa!”
“Rosalite!”
We called out to each other and sprang from the sofa, launching into a polka on the table. Sage had been staying at our house so long that he’d become quite the dancer. There was no greater satisfaction than this.
“I’m so happy that Papa came tumbling into our home! This doctor is overflowing with joy!”
“I’m so glad I met you too! No one describes me as accurately as you do!”
As if that were such a difficult task.
I declared I could say it a hundred times, a thousand times over, and danced to the applause of the office staff.
Our dancing scattered all the toys, but Lily and Violet would pick them up anyway.
After finishing the dance, I offered my thanks to Sage. As his breathing steadied and his surroundings came into focus, he searched for the absent figure who’d been clinging to me like glue.
“By the way, where is that creepy, strange one who was stuck to you?”
“Asterion is preparing for the Beauty Pageant.”
Even with Sage’s vague phrasing, I understood perfectly and informed him of Leon’s whereabouts, adding that Jack had also taken leave for the preparations.
Since the pageant promised danger, both of them had to be cautious.

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Today was finally the day the Rocksburg Beauty Pageant, with its 130-year history, would be held.
What an auspicious occasion. A truly momentous day. The fine weather on such a blessed day was itself a blessing, and while we enjoyed ourselves as a family, Uncle Louis and his household remained buried in the work we’d left them—a rare fortune indeed.
My territory’s people, each carrying their picnic baskets and gathering in the plaza, all looked so healthy that this too was cause for celebration.
When I rode my Segway to where the judges and commentators were assembled, my people recognized me and cheered, so I waved back in acknowledgment.
Holding Glen’s waist tightly to fit on the narrow Segway, I heard people calling out that Glen was handsome. I nodded in agreement and asked if they were envious, and they replied they were, wishing us lifelong happiness.
“Please, stop. Rosalite….”
“Why?”
I asked for a reason, but the prince simply covered his face without answering. Come now, your people are curious about your face—you should lift your head and show them. Especially since you’re always working and rarely go outside.
I tried to pull Glen’s hand down, but he resisted stubbornly. This boy was certainly all boy—no amount of force would budge him.
“Fine, fine. I’ll handle the public relations myself.”
“Thank you.”
I circled the plaza waving to my taxpayers, then searched for Father. He was seated at the commentator’s desk at the starting point of the first round, and upon spotting Glen and me, he stood abruptly and extended his hand.
“You didn’t need to come. I’ll take Glen from here.”
“You hold Glen’s hand every day. Let me have some quality time with my son-in-law.”
“Glen is uncomfortable. Please step aside.”
“Glen has never been uncomfortable with me.”
“How can I tell the Duke he’s uncomfortable to his face?”
As I bickered with the Duke while holding Glen’s waist, William strode over and swept Glen up, carrying him away. Seeing him act like that, there was no doubt he was Jack Brown’s father. His problem-solving methods were just as unscrupulous.
“Then I’ll leave the commentary to you. I’ll be at the judges’ table with Glen.”
Tch, this bastard deliberately pulled me in as a relay commentator for this, didn’t he? Even if I haven’t paid back the exchange fees, there’s no way to separate a married couple like this.
But since I was the one who readily accepted the role of relay commentator, there was nothing I could do about it, unfair as it was.
I shot a sidelong glance at Father, who was cheerfully chatting with Glen and handing him snacks, then fitted the equipment Papa had prepared into my ears and took it in hand before heading toward the starting line.
Just you wait—once the pageant ends, I’ll visit Papa right in front of Father and show such devoted filial piety that sesame seeds will scatter everywhere like sweethearts.
I ground my teeth and ran a microphone test, received Father’s response, then signaled the opening ceremony organizers to begin.
The opening address was delivered by the man who traditionally oversaw the operations of the Rocksburg Beauty Pageant, and after keeping his greeting mercifully brief, he passed the turn to the Duke.
Father offered greetings much like my own impressions—that today’s weather was fine and everyone seemed healthy, which was a pleasant sight—then explained the pageant’s rules and precautions.
No violence against ordinary citizens except participants, no looting, and since I’d stationed Public Security Bureau personnel and Duke’s House soldiers throughout every alley, no foolish behavior on my land.
After Father rattled off warnings—or threats, it was hard to tell which—he passed the turn to me, and since I’d already said everything I needed to say earlier, I enthusiastically raised my hands and shouted, “Is everyone ready?”
The participants shouted that they were ready, and the spectators shouted that they were prepared to watch.
Then I should now explain the first challenge—the health and vitality course. The rules for the first challenge prepared by the pageant were quite simple: participants would draw a slip of paper from a box at a designated point to confirm what item they needed to retrieve, then find the item and present it to the judges for verification to pass.
Of course, physical scuffles between participants would be inevitable during the process, and the rules to follow if pageant participants used violence against each other were….
– None!
When I shouted through the radio that there were no rules, cheers erupted among the participants. Some screamed, others laughed uproariously, clearly delighted. Ha, well, none of them seem to be in their right minds anyway.
Having said all there was to say, I gestured to the event coordinator, and the woman rang the starting bell with a loud clang. The moment the competition began, people didn’t even think about finding the box—instead, they started hitting and fighting each other to eliminate rivals.

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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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