Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 116

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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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In any case, when I was sixteen and at my peak, he was observing the stars as usual when he discovered a crater he’d never seen before. The impact was quite substantial, and if something had collided, there should have been a meteor shower the night before, but there were no signs of it. Based on the traces, considerable time had passed, so he reported it to the higher-ups just in case.
And the executives of the Magic Tower Alein Branch, including Sage, went into an uproar. They thought That Woman, who had been quiet for decades, had caused another inexplicable accident, and word even reached the True Magic Tower.
“Who is That Woman?”
“A woman who nearly destroyed civilization three times over. Do you really want to get involved?”
“No.”
I made a mistake. Please don’t tell anyone. I’m already overwhelmed with my own affairs.
Since I genuinely didn’t want to get involved in Sage’s business, I pretended not to know and asked what connection That Woman had to Sage’s memories.
“I went and confronted her about what she’d done.”
“Yes.”
“I lost.”
“…Yes.”
“My memories were tampered with, and I was abandoned on the street.”
“…I see.”
“When I collapsed recently, some of my memories returned, but when my magic responded to That Woman’s mana, the spell completely unraveled.”
Oh… yes… well… you’ve been through quite an ordeal.
In any case, Sage confidently stated that the sword buried in the basement was likely That Woman’s doing, so he needed to stay here and conduct research.
Watching Sage act as though he’d entrusted me with the living expenses and research costs for his stay here, I organized my thoughts.
That Sword was connected to my regression. Sage insisted That Woman had planted it and wanted to investigate it thoroughly.
Should I then confess my regression to Sage and ask for his cooperation? No. Whether I tell him or not, Sage wants to proceed with his research, so revealing my secret would actually be a loss. It’s a foolish judgment with significant risks. Besides, he already wants to capture Ram Bart, dissect her, and examine her inside and out just because she’s a Dark Mage. There’s no guarantee I’d come out unscathed.
Now that his memories have returned, Sage is untrustworthy. I’ll just watch and wait.
“I understand. I’ll cooperate.”
“…Really?”
“Of course. Isn’t this work for humanity?”
He brought up stars and the flow of time on a grand scale—this was clearly a major incident that would cause problems worldwide if not addressed. When I smiled gently and said I’d be happy to help for the sake of people, the Security Chief looked at me with a suspicious expression.
“Don’t lie, kid. I’ve lived here for the past few years and know exactly what kind of person you are.”
“…”
“You wouldn’t step up for something with no benefit to you. What are you scheming?”
Ugh… it’s not working. Thanks to his recovered memories, it seems he’s actually developed some skepticism.
“I’m hurt, Sage. Are you saying you want me to squeeze the Duke’s Household for living expenses?”
“That would actually be easier. I can pay whatever money you want.”
“Then pay for everything—all the food, lodging, entertainment, research, broken items, and collapsed buildings at our house up to now.”
“…”
“I’d need to draw up a detailed estimate, but it comes to roughly five million Alein gold coins. If you bring platinum coins, I’ll give you a discount.”
Sage muttered that even selling all his real estate wouldn’t cover that amount. Why would he pick a fight over money with someone from Rocksburg of all places? It would be different if Sage were a direct descendant of the Edanelli side rather than Noctram.
In any case, compromise between us seemed impossible, so I decided to pull out my trump card. Turning away, I squeezed my eyelids shut and summoned a reddish glow, recalling that day when I regressed on the eve of my marriage to the Third Prince, and forced out tears.
Even now, thinking about it makes me cry from the injustice. Oh, I should only cry a little, but this is going to be full-on sobbing. What do I do? Never mind, let’s just go with it. I’ll just act extremely sad.
“Papa! Don’t you trust me that much?!”
“No, wait, Papa—”
“You told me to call you Papa! You said I’m your daughter! My daughter! You were so affectionate about it!”
Oh goodness, what kind of wedding did I orchestrate? The Third Prince said he’d preserve his chastity before marriage, so I waited for the wedding without even touching lips once. All I could think about was the honeymoon, nothing but the honeymoon! Every single day I pinched my own thighs until they bruised!
“Just because I’m becoming a daughter, you’re saying I shouldn’t even wish to live with Papa and serve him filially? Are you saying daughters can’t be dutiful?”
“No! That’s not it at all! Of course not!”
Ah, I’m almost there. Just a little more push.
Once I’d finished loading my performance, I whipped my head around to look at Papa, tears streaming down my face. Sage seemed startled by my appearance.
“I only wanted to help because I was grateful to Papa for making me your daughter, because I loved being cherished by you!”
“Y-yes, Rosalite! I hadn’t considered your feelings! You’re my daughter! My one and only daughter!”
Sage sprang from his seat and embraced me tightly, crying along with me.
Thank you for being such an easy mark, Papa. You really are the best at falling for it.
“Then, just as before, I’ll cover your living expenses. Whenever you investigate the sword and discover something, please submit a report. You can use the Duke’s Household forms like you do for your regular research reports.”
“Of course! You’re already involved in Magic Tower affairs anyway—you have the right to know that much!”
“And while your memory’s returned, please help me with raising my circles and teach me guided magic, and explain how to do double casting.”
“Double casting is a matter of talent—there’s nothing I can do about that!”
Tch. So it really was a talent issue. No wonder I couldn’t manage it no matter how hard I tried.
After concluding the vague negotiations about investigating the sword and Sage’s continued stay at the Duke’s Mansion, I carefully soothed the apologetic Sage, who kept crying about feeling sorry for only receiving my help, and sent him back to the laboratory before taking my seat.
Lam was still writing her reflection, and Aster looked like he had no thoughts whatsoever. Sensitive information had been exchanged, but with these two, it should be fine. Neither of them had the motivation or the capacity to remember what happened today.
The real problem was how to explain the sword that suddenly appeared in the Annex Basement and Sage, who would continue investigating it. One word from Father telling people to keep their mouths shut, eyes closed, and ears deaf would settle it, but since Sage was involved, I wasn’t sure if Father would obey me so readily… I suppose I had no choice but to win over William.
“Rosalite.”
“Hmm?”
If I asked Father not to interfere with Sage’s work and to cooperate, he probably wouldn’t listen even if it killed him. While I was mulling over various strategies, Lam, who had been diligently writing her apology for marking territory in the Duke’s Mansion, spoke to me.
“Is that man perhaps very stupid?”
“What?”
“Then why didn’t he notice that Rosalite was faking tears?”
That’s because… Sage has emotional intelligence just as high as his IQ…
I explained it in terms she could understand, but Lam still didn’t grasp it, so I told her to just keep writing her reflection.
I should contact William through the on-duty servant. It seems like I should confide in him to some extent.

◇ ◆ ◇

I met with William early in the morning and went together to the site where the sword had appeared. I informed him only that Sage’s memories had returned, that the Magic Tower was pursuing some dangerous woman, and that this sword was connected to her. I argued that this was ultimately the Magic Tower’s affair and we shouldn’t get involved, then requested that he impose a no-entry restriction for unauthorized personnel.
William examined the ominous sword embedded in the Annex Basement and agreed with my reasoning. He determined this was a matter the Magic Tower should take responsibility for, then requested a no-entry order for the Annex Basement from the Duke.
If Will Brown said it, not only would the Duke comply, but even William and Brown would crumble at his word. Since Will Brown was an object of fear to the Brown brothers from John to Asterion, the no-entry order spread smoothly throughout the Mansion.
Our household members were already optimized at avoiding unnecessary complications with full force, and now that Will Brown had added his word, the situation was essentially settled.
After I managed to have Sage investigate the sword without interference from others, I found myself spending more time with him.
Once work was finished, I would immediately seek out Sage to check on the investigation’s progress and receive instruction. I learned meditation tricks and the principles of guided magic, and honestly, every single day was thrilling and enjoyable. I felt like I’d reach the third circle soon, and my mood was excellent.
One day, while I was following Papa around day and night like that, the Duke summoned me to his office. I requested that since I wanted to discuss something with Sage during my lunch walk, he keep his business brief. Father frowned terribly and threw a bundle of papers at me.
“What is this?”
I picked up the crumpled bundle and unfolded it, confirming it was a resort catalog. With its glittering gold shine, it appeared to be the Edanelli Casino Town catalog.
“Take a vacation.”
“Pardon? Why should I when things are so busy?”
“Go if I tell you to.”
It seemed I was going on vacation whether I liked it or not.
Father’s proposal was sudden, but the explanation that followed was logical.
Soon there will be Dorothy Edanelli’s inauguration as Duke. The heir couple and Asterion will attend representing Rocksburg, and while we’re at it, take a reward vacation and return.
I get to have fun, Asterion insisted he must take a reward vacation with me even if it killed him, so that condition is met too, and Rocksburg can’t be absent from Dorothy’s inauguration ceremony, so that can be handled all at once. From every angle it was a perfect plan, yet strangely I felt uneasy.
Perhaps it was a resistance born from the conviction that nothing in this world could be entirely good.
“If you dislike it, I’ll go instead.”
“No, I’ll go! I’ll do my best and return!”
Ah, what does uneasiness matter when playing is the best thing?
I accepted the Duke’s orders and returned to my office humming cheerfully. When I announced the reward vacation plan heading to Edanelli Casino Town, everyone felt quite uneasy, but ultimately the desire to have fun won out and they cheered.
Since we needed attendants, several servants including Lily and Violet had to accompany us. Those gathered in the office chatted excitedly about what to wear and what to do for fun.
Ram Bart, who had stepped out for a brief rest from the Printing House, was among them, but since we were already short-handed and the Duke would be busy, I couldn’t take the copier along.
I explained the reason and told her apologetically that Ram couldn’t come with us. The woman cursed Rosalite terribly, then ran out of the office in tears.

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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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