Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 168

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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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“Typically, one enhances their body, or learns to project aura outward, but the child you’re raising probably….”
The child I’m raising? Are they talking about Aster? What else could she possibly have? With her innate mana-sensing ability, becoming an aura user at such a young age, firing aura like a beam against the anemone monsters, and possibly even harboring genius-level potential in language—what other talents could this prodigy possibly possess? Is she actually a genius?
“So she can do both body enhancement and aura manifestation. In terms of mages, you’d call that dual or triple casting capability. But I’ve never seen an aura user with both abilities before. She must be incredibly strong even without weapons, right? Exceptionally fast runner?”
“Yes! Aster runs faster than a horse for up to 500 meters!”
“Good grief, what kind of monstrous child is this.”
Exactly my point! What on earth is Aster?!
The essence of Serena’s explanation was that since aura and mana operate on the same principle, she could control Aster’s output from the sidelines. Together, Aster and Serena could completely clear this ruin. I welcomed that prospect—it would save me a fortune in cleanup costs.
“Then I’m counting on you both. Aster, listen well to what Serena says.”
“Yes, Young Lady.”
Yes, she’s always been obedient with her responses. On impulse, I whispered to Serena that if Aster ever disobeyed, she could be motivated with food rewards.
“Then I’ll go attend to other matters. Please make sure Serena doesn’t get lost.”
“Don’t you worry about that, my daughter.”
Sage seemed intent on reassuring me, grasping Serena’s hand and lifting her up to demonstrate. And apparently irritated at being treated like an elderly person by Papa, Serena rubbed her fist against Papa’s chest.
…Tch, it really does seem like inviting trouble is a characteristic trait of those with brain-type affinities.
Anyway, that wasn’t the important part. I needed to find a pen and notebook immediately to write down everything I’d just heard. A face-to-face lecture from an elderly 8-Circle Archmage was a stroke of fortune I couldn’t easily come by.
I zoomed off on the Segway toward Dorothy. I apologized for being late due to our conversation, and Dorothy told me to board the carriage without worry.
“Oh, it looks full. I can just ride the Segway.”
“These girls are fine. They can manage on their own.”
At Dorothy’s signal, unmistakably Edanelli women emerged and clung to the sides of the carriage. What was this—like firefighters riding out on a fire truck in some Bollywood film?
Speaking of Bollywood, I realized I hadn’t danced in ages and wanted to see something exciting. The Rocksburg Cultural Promotion Committee wanted to stage a play about my journey to the Tower of Trials to rescue Glen. What if I asked them to make it a musical instead? With group choreography and songs and dances that were really hip and hop.
“Give me the vehicle. I’ll place it on top of the carriage.”
“Oh, thank you.”
While my mind was wandering, one of the three red-haired girls in the carriage—the one who looked most mature and had a sweet, charming smile—took the Segway from me. I climbed into the carriage, glanced at the girls, and asked Dorothy a question.
“Are these the famous adopted daughters of yours, Dorothy?”
“Famous, I don’t know, but they’re certainly the rotten ones in our household.”
That’s quite harsh language. They all seem kind and spirited.
When I expressed my honest impression, the girls giggled and chattered that the Young Countess was right. And they gossiped about me extensively among themselves.
Was this the shawl sister of “the evening air is blocked”? Janet was so furious she nearly ran away from home. After seeing nothing but mother-like figures all day, seeing someone this intellectual-stoic-sexy makes you drool. And so on.
Their skill at putting someone on a pedestal and then tearing them down was remarkable. They were absolute gossips.
“Quiet. None of you need next month’s allowance, right?”
I couldn’t very well scold someone else’s children, so I just stood there sweating nervously, but Dorothy silenced them with a single sentence.
…Money really is everything. The power of money is supreme.
“Sorry. The girls grew up wild, taking after someone.”
Well…, they must take after you, Dorothy. Who are you trying to blame right now? I haven’t forgotten how you threw flowers at the Royal Council meeting, or how you rolled tobacco in paper and lit it up. Don’t underestimate my memory.
“By the way, what brings Duke Edanelli all the way here?”
And what’s that Santa Claus gift sack doing there? There’s no Christmas in this world, is there?
“Ah, well….”
“You’ll understand once you see it for yourself!”
“This is something you need to witness with your own eyes.”
“We all abandoned our work just to follow along and see!”
Hmm, listening to Dorothy’s children singing in unison like this, something truly exciting must have happened. I decided to follow their lead and stepped down from the carriage that had arrived at the Main Building.
“Hmm….”
There was definitely an Entrance Hall here at our house. But it’s gone now.
This is how many times the Entrance Hall has been destroyed? I hurried inside, and Dorothy followed, slinging a bundle wrapped in red velvet fabric over her shoulder. The moment I stepped through the door, a set of wailing cries erupted from somewhere.
“Siiiiister! Sister! Are you alright! How is your health! I heard you were bedridden for days! Sister, please don’t die! Waaaah!”
“Rosalite! Rosalite, it’s not my fault! It’s all that despicable, odious Asterion’s doing! Please save me! I don’t want to be cast out!”
“Siiiister, don’t die, waaah, big sister!”
I’m not entirely sure, but it seems I’ve triggered Leon’s trauma switch.
I embraced Leon and Janet in both arms, patting them while asking if I was alright, if I was safe, and what had happened. But these two just clung to me and wept, refusing to say anything at all.
In the first place, why are they so filthy? What are those massive stone piles that look like they’re used for pyramid labor, and those hammers?
Apparently, this meant the children were supposed to repair the collapsed staircase in the Main Building’s Ballroom with their own hands. The staircase leading to the second floor had vanished.
Wait, could the Annex Building disappearing also be their doing?
“Who told you to be lazy!”
Just as I was reaching that conclusion, a sharp cracking sound echoed from somewhere. It sounded exactly like a whip cutting through the air, so I looked around, only to find my Father wielding a riding crop and striking the wall with sharp slaps.
“Move! If you don’t construct at least one set of stairs by today, you won’t get any food!”
What is this, some Egyptian labor camp overseer’s declaration? The situation was already strange, but what made it stranger was that Leon and Janet, hearing Father’s roar, wept and returned to their labor.
As Janet dragged a massive marble slab, Leon hammered down on the nails and stair components that had been designed to be assembled with stone blocks, using a wooden mallet. Ah, I see. So they’re stacking them one by one like this to create five stairs.
“Duke Rocksburg! I apologize for the intrusion! Today I’ve come because I wish to discuss a matter concerning my incompetent second daughter!”
Father, who had wielded the whip, turned to leave and return to his duties, but Dorothy called out loudly and stopped him. Father said he had nothing to discuss with Edanelli until the construction was complete, but the moment Dorothy set down the bundle she had brought, his attitude changed entirely.
What Duke Edanelli had brought in that Santa Claus gift sack was a heap of platinum coins packed to the brim. How much was all that? With that money, we could build three more Annex Buildings for our house.
“William, we have a guest. Prepare accordingly.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Right. With that amount of money, he could flip his previous statement like turning over his palm. Without any regard for the Duke’s dignity or anything else, if profit was in front of his eyes, he’d go mad over it. He’s my Father, but truly shameful.
“Let’s talk slowly next time. I’m busy with Janet right now, so I’ll take my leave.”
“Yes, well, I understand roughly.”
“Ugh, how embarrassing. Janet Edanelli, ugh!”
As Dorothy groaned and called her daughters, the sisters who had been teasing Janet as an idiot answered “Yes” and scurried after Duke Edanelli.
Still, seeing them rush over because their daughter caused trouble and try to take her away, it seems she’s being loved and living her life in her own way.
That girl, despite all that, her running away last time, the accidents, and yet? Mother loves her so much, but she won’t stay put at home.
I approached Leon and Janet to confirm whether they had destroyed the Annex Building, and the children answered affirmatively with admirable spirit, so I gave each of them a sharp flick on the forehead—snap, snap.
I had stopped by to report to Father that his daughter had returned home, but seeing the situation, it seemed I needed to have a longer conversation with Dorothy. So I thought I’d briefly visit my Office and then head back to the Annex Building.
Hearing the tremendous crash coming from outside,
‘Die, William Brown’
—I assumed that’s what was happening and headed toward my Office. Without even knocking, I pushed the door open and thrust my face in with a grin, causing Glen, who had been sitting at the desk, to jump up in surprise.
“Rosalite!”
Heh, were you startled, Glen?
I laughed brightly to show him I was in good health, and the man flustered about, attempting to walk without his cane before stumbling forward. I understand you’re happy to see me, but you need to steady yourself first.
“Are you all right? I wanted to stay by your side, but I thought it was more important to respect your wishes, Rosalite.”
“Don’t worry about it. Didn’t I tell you to go? In fact, I would have scolded you if you hadn’t gone to work.”
So don’t cry. I’m fine. There, there.
I held the man close and comforted him as Glen buried his face in my shoulder and scratched at my back. He said he was planning to return to Rohil if there was no news, but… that won’t do. You’re staying here to work. I’d like you to work in the Office for the next six months, even if I go missing. Otherwise, our Territory will fall apart.
“….”
Hmm, now that I think about it… why is there no one in the Office? Luke seems to be busy with his Department Store work. There’s no sign of Violet or Lily either. Could this be… the atmosphere is rather nice, and perhaps I could even expect a semi-rendezvous…
“Sister! Are you here! I heard you’ve returned!”
Right. Yes. Expectations usually shatter when you have them.
I faced Capo, my sister, who burst into the Office while I still held Glen in my arms. The woman asked if she had interrupted at a good moment and whether she should leave now, but the already-ruined atmosphere couldn’t be salvaged.
Still holding Glen, I asked her what business brought her here.
“Ah, that. I infiltrated Theodore’s room in Rohil, you see.”
Her words left me conflicted. First of all, I wasn’t sure where to even begin pointing things out… but kidnapping was a crime.

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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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