Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 199

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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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“This… the Largol invasion isn’t as serious as we thought.”
Exactly as I suspected.
Father spoke first, and I nodded in agreement. If it were merely a war between two nations, we could have found our own path to survival.
But Celin harbors malice toward us, and she’ll align with the Pope to influence the Zoroab Religion’s movements. Even without magic, this would become a tremendous source of power for her. Since the Pope of the Zoroab Religion holds greater authority than the Emperor, if the Orthodox Church moves to annihilate Rocksburg, we’ll have no recourse.
On top of that, Lucilucil murdered Marius using Glen’s staff and then pinned the blame on Rocksburg. If the Pope himself stokes the flames, we’re as good as dead.
“For now, we conceal this fact to avoid giving King Laios any leverage.”
Hmm… yes, that’s true.
If not just Lucilucil but even the Prophet of the Zoroab Religion is targeting Rocksburg, King Laios will weigh our value on the scales and deliberate. The Zoroab Religion is that terrifying. Even those who oppose the Largol Imperial Family are believers of the Zoroab Religion.
“William, when will Nimerian reinforcements arrive?”
“Will Brown, have you heard from Prod and Diana?”
“The Nimerian forces have already joined with Noctram, and once they reach the Capital tomorrow, they’ll use the railway to reach the battlefield quickly. Prod refused the position of co-lord and demanded the rank of semi-noble with greater compensation. Diana will inherit the lordship in the future, but she refused to become a member of the nobility.”
These two made choices that were true to form, yet they’re remarkably stubborn. I tried to secure positions for them out of consideration. Why do they kick away the fortune that rolled into their laps?
As for Diana… well, judging by her usual conduct, I doubt she’d ever fit in among the nobility anyway.
“So all we need to do is kill Celin! If she can’t use magic with Sage’s restraint, a woman like that isn’t even worth a single punch! I’ll go take care of it right now!”
There she goes again with her reckless talk. I was just thinking about grabbing her arm and twisting it, but someone else took action. Father didn’t twist Mother’s arm, but he gripped her shoulder firmly and spoke the truth.
“Duchess of Rocksburg. If not now, then… now is precisely when I must say this.”
“What, what is it? Eddie getting serious like that… Eddie really is handsome when he’s serious. I need to look after Rosie for a while, so if you keep pushing like this, it’s really hard for me.”
“Listen well. You’re excellent at practical matters, but in every other regard, you’re truly foolish.”
“…Eddie?”
“Fatally foolish. When I first met you, I thought a goldfish had transformed into a person.”
“Hey, Eddie? There are a lot of people here, and Rosie is here, and Rosie’s husband is here too. Do you really need to say such things?”
“You lack understanding of ordinary human nature, you have no common sense, you’re foolish, you can’t improvise, and you’re easily swayed by honeyed words. I cannot possibly let you go alone. To utilize you, Duchess, in the right place at the right time, either I or Rosalite must accompany you, or at minimum two commanders are necessary. Since this is important, I’ll say it again. I hope you’ll take it to heart. You are, truly and deeply, foolish.”
“Eddie is mean!”
Wow, Eddie was really harsh. How could he say so boldly what I’ve kept hidden deep in my heart? There must be twenty years of pent-up resentment mixed in there, right? Otherwise, Father wouldn’t insult someone so directly… though actually, he does this often with the King.
“Rosie!”
Ah, now he’s switched targets to me. He wants to be comforted that he’s not foolish, I suppose. But I am Rocksburg. We show no mercy to another’s stupidity.
“The Duchess is foolish. You should acknowledge it. If you had any sense, would you have dragged out the Celin matter for over sixty years?”
“Ugh, ugh, Rosie, bringing that up is too cowardly of you.”
“What can I do? It’s the truth.”
At my words, Father nodded with an irritated expression, Glen agreed with an apologetic look, and everyone else subtly lowered their heads, each finding something to fault in themselves.
“Since we must continue celebrating today, let’s reconvene at this time tomorrow.”
“I agree!”
Right, Father never speaks incorrectly. What’s the use of us deliberating among ourselves? We need to bring in Lam, the dark magic specialist, and conduct our discussion with Serena, who has greatly contributed to this crisis, in attendance.
When Leon and I enthusiastically shouted our agreement and cheered, Sage frowned and grumbled that Rocksburg was thinking of dancing even in this situation. After living in our house for so long, he still doesn’t understand the excellence of dance. In that case, I must take the initiative myself.
“Papa. Shall we go dance? You must become my partner.”
“Ahem, well. If the Daughter is asking… I suppose I have no choice.”
Pretending reluctance while actually pleased. The discussion was postponed as I took Sage’s hand and went out humming merrily, when someone who was slow to realize finally noticed the peculiarity in the titles being used and tilted their head in confusion.
“But Sage, why do you call my daughter ‘daughter’? Rosie’s father is Eddie. Why are you ‘Papa’?”
Well… that’s a rather complicated matter, you see… If I were to explain it now, I’d miss my chance to dance. So I shall make my escape.
“Jack Brown, carry Papa and run over here.”
“Hauling around an old geezer comes with an extra fee, I’m afraid.”
“Jack Brown, Papa’s feelings are hurt.”
“Don’t elderly gentlemen have a rather distinctive odor about them?”
Were you trying to soften the blow with that phrasing, or were you just stating facts plainly? Either way, this seems like it’s turned into quite the disaster. Papa sniffed at himself with a troubled expression, looking as though he might burst into tears at any moment.
This won’t do—I need to escape quickly. I’ll whisk him away and blast some rousing music to distract him.
“You brat! You should learn to respect your elders! I’ll pay the extra fee, but you’re banned from wearing a gas mask for the next month!”
“What?! I have freedom of speech, don’t I?!”
“Respecting your elders is a separate matter!”
One must know how to serve and honor the elderly, yet here was this youngster spouting off without a shred of sense. I scolded Jack sharply and hurried the dejected Papa to the Dance Hall. The others seemed rooted in place, listening to the Duke’s grievances about everything that had accumulated from Papa’s remarks over the evening, but objectively speaking, none of it was my fault—so I decided to enjoy the night regardless.
Dancing, eating, drinking, and chattering merrily under the brilliant lights as we discussed the fates of Aleine and Largol. We joked that if Aleine fell, Four Spans would become the last princess of a fallen nation, and I even took a few punches for it.
Having partied as though today were Aleine’s final night, what I earned the next day was, as expected, a hangover from hell.

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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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