I can’t die before the novel even starts chapter 132

Taking a step back, she rummaged in her pocket and held something out to me.

A small, black object processed to look like a star.

Looking like a simple accessory, it was clearly a magic tool.

“Lord Adrian. Use this if you are in danger.”

And it was also a protective item.

As an object used in dangerous situations, it was something that could cause a flash of light or an explosion.

“It’s alright. He’s my Elder Brother, after all.”

“…”

I don’t know how many times I’ve said “it’s alright” since meeting my Elder Brother.

But such words were of no use to her.

She tightly gripped the magic tool in my hand, wearing a solemn expression as if she would rush over immediately at the smallest disturbance.

“Then, the two of you, please have your discussion.”

However, she still didn’t forget her manners, offering a graceful bow to my Elder Brother before slowly walking off in the distance.

Now, all that remained here were my Elder Brother, I, and Aren.

In any case, we would immediately sense anyone approaching nearby.

Only then did the tension in my body completely melt away, and I walked closer to my Elder Brother, facing him.

And I stretched out my hand and said,

“First, I would like you to release the bird.”

For once, he granted my request right away, loosening his tightly clenched hand.

Aren fluttered up and quickly landed on my hand.

The gesture of repeatedly shaking his wings seemed like he was trying to shake off the dirt that had attached to him.

[Because you are my Master’s Elder Brother, your life is spared, you rude fellow!]

“Wow~ our Adrian has become a Valuncio human.”

“Why are you here, Elder Brother?”

“You’re speaking so casually now that the listeners are gone~”

“May I ask why our Elder Brother, who should be in Caldrich, has personally come all the way to a place like this?”

At that, he curled his lips into a crooked smile and instantly vanished from my sight.

“Aren. Keep away.”

[If I judge that you are in danger, I will not stand by!]

As I raised my hand high, Aren flew up high above my head and continued to circle in the air.

Soon, I moved my body too.

The speed of the quick movement, the flowing air matching it, and a strong presence.

Remembering my usual habits, I immediately stretched out my hand.

Clap—!

The sound of our two hands colliding rang out loudly.

I suppose he punched with all his might now that there was no one to watch.

The palm of my hand, which blocked the attack coming for my shoulder, felt numb.

But there was no need for me to be mindful of others either.

I, too, did not stop, quickly extending my opposite fist.

“Oh~ so your body wasn’t completely stiff?”

“I think you’re the one who’s a bit stiff, Elder Brother?”

My extended fist stopped right in front of my Elder Brother’s face.

Even though a strong blow would land if I moved just a little more, he kept a cheerful smile.

“But, you don’t carry a sword around?”

He then lowered his hand and fumbled at my empty waist.

He usually wouldn’t even spar with me.

Was the reason he suddenly attacked because I didn’t have a sword?

“Who carries a sword in a garden, coughs, with them!”

“Is that so? Is that how it is in Valuncio?”

“C-Cough… Ha ha ha! Ah ha ha ha!”

It was an unexpected sneak attack.

That touch, which was strangely good at tickling since childhood, eventually made the laughter I had been holding back burst out.

Once the laughter started, it didn’t stop easily, and even though my stomach hurt, hiccupping sounds escaped.

“It wasn’t a tickle, it was a security check. Imagine a person from Caldrich walking around without a sword.”

“Cough. No, so, how did you get here?”

“I received a report that a suspicious bird had been spotted. When I was observing it, it tried to enter your room.”

[What was that? How dare you call a Divine Beast suspicious! You truly are a rude fellow!]

Aren, who had been circling above our heads and listening to our conversation, shouted loudly.

But… if a cute bird was trying so hard to get into an empty room, one couldn’t help but be curious.

“I tried to check if it was a messenger bird you sent. But it wouldn’t let itself be caught.”

[Of course. Do you think an inferior human can easily catch me?]

“And when it ran away, I followed it and barely managed to catch it.”

[It was because you held a similar aura to my Master that I didn’t attack! Otherwise, you would no longer be a living person the moment you dared to catch me.]

“…”

Listening to their conversation, I could guess what had happened.

Aren seemed to have intended to bring one of my items as proof of his trip to Caldrich.

However, his movement was so suspicious that he didn’t appear to be a common bird, and Elder Brother assumed Aren was a messenger bird.

Given that I had planned to send one for that purpose later, it was a good deduction.

It was just that Aren running away and Elder Brother chasing him led to an unexpected result.

“This bird must have been incredibly fast. How did you catch him?”

“By using all sorts of magic tools.”

“Magic tools?!”

“My younger brother might be in danger; what’s a little magic tool? But after catching him, I saw that there was no note tied to his leg, so this Elder Brother ran all the way here without a break.”

“…Elder Brother.”

Hearing the full story, a surge of emotion welled up in my chest.

Now, my Elder Brother’s face even looked haggard.

To run straight here, even using expensive magic tools, without even having confirmation that something had happened to me.

“But you are…”

Rustle.

“Hm?”

“!”

[Who is there?!]

We both froze simultaneously.

How could none of the three of us have noticed until they got this close?

Cold sweat felt like it was beading on the back of my neck.

If it hadn’t been for the sound of a misstep at the end, we might have unwittingly leaked our plans.

Depending on who the person was, we might have to subdue them immediately.

First, it would be best to check if they had a weapon and then cover their mouth.

I immediately turned my head, mapping out a plan of action in my mind.

“…What is this situation?”

“Oh? Klen?”

The person who appeared before me blew away all my plans and released the tension throughout my body.

“…”

However, his cold demeanor, as if he could spew snowstorms, quickly brought the relaxed tension back, and my body stiffened involuntarily.

I slowly traced the direction of his chilly gaze and looked down at myself.

Elder Brother was right in front of me, in a very close position.

Furthermore, the hand that had scolded me for not having a sword was still resting on my waist.

I hadn’t thought much of it since it happened often.

“Who is he?”

The words that dropped from him were as cold as frost.

Overwhelmed by Klen’s atmosphere, my lower lip trembled as if my mouth had frozen over.

‘Who is he? He’s my Elder Brother.’

Of course, we didn’t look like twins.

But we had the same hair color, and since we were full brothers, even a stranger would notice one or two similar traits.

Did he not recognize that we were brothers based only on our appearance?

‘Ah… come to think of it, Linda wasn’t completely sure either.’

Were we brothers who looked similar yet dissimilar?

Or had he completely dismissed that possibility?

As the moment of stiff silence lengthened, Klen’s expression suddenly twisted into a frown.

My body involuntarily flinched at the harsh atmosphere that was rarely seen on him.

“Klen, this person is… huh?”

Just as I urgently opened my mouth, Elder Brother grabbed my jaw and applied pressure, preventing me from moving.

Fixed by the strong force, I couldn’t speak any further or turn my head. And then,

“Cough?!”

A lip was firmly pressed against my cheek before pulling away.