The Strongest Brother Lost His Memory-Chapter 113

Meanwhile, a letter arrived for Ethan.

Rosie, I’ll be waiting.

You don’t need to say goodbye. I get to see you every day, remember.

If people want updates on you, they’d better be nice to me.

Ethan’s handwriting radiated pure confidence.

Publicly, the story would be that I had demonstrated magical talent and was therefore accepted into the Magic Tower.

Of course, Ethan’s letter wasn’t the only one I’d received. Yuta, now traveling far away alone, had also sent a letter—still spelling “Antata” and “Theol” wrong.

Be careful, Rosie.

The High Priest is practically losing his mind trying to find you. The next-generation child was supposed to appear long ago.

So be extra careful. A single moment of carelessness can spark suspicion.

In short: don’t just fake it—fully commit.

By the way, children born with a lot of divine power often struggle to learn how to read. I had a hard time too.

It’s apparently because of confusion with the ancient [N O V E L I G H T] language, which they can instinctively read from birth.

That... might explain why it had been so hard for me to learn letters.

The method for reading the ancient tongue wasn’t taught publicly. Even mid-level priests supposedly couldn’t read it.

Even the Temple only taught basic conversational use of the language to nobles—there were no actual textbooks for it.

It’s well known that you learned to read late, Rosie. That worries me.

Don’t forget—the Temple’s eyes reach even into the Magic Tower. Don’t do anything even slightly risky.

This was a matter of life and death. Of course I had to be cautious.

For the next few years, I wouldn’t be able to show my face in public.

No banquets, no social events, not even birthdays for my grandfather or brothers.

To keep people from growing suspicious, I had to act like I was completely obsessed with magic.

Sending letters too often, just because I missed people—that was out of the question. freeweɓnovel~cѳm

So obviously... I have to break up with Zahid too.

It would be ridiculous to enter the Magic Tower under the pretense of magical obsession while still maintaining an engagement.

Not like Zahid’s the clingy type anyway...

Just thinking of Zahid, always barking about how he couldn’t trust people, made me chuckle.

Ugh. No, this isn’t funny.

I stopped smiling and pouted.

If Zahid falls for another girl while I’m stuck in the Tower, I won’t sleep for three months and ten days straight...

Still, sleepless nights fueled by anger and jealousy were better than dying and sleeping forever.

Once I’d finished getting ready for the banquet, I slowly stood.

There was one last thing I had to do before it all began.

Time to use my Divine Beast’s power properly today.

I’d already arranged for the various ducal families to bring the Divine Beasts—those I now commanded—to the imperial banquet.

I’m no longer a powerless apprentice.

Wearing my mask, I headed for the imperial palace, already teeming with guests.

* * *

Zahid arrived at the palace wearing a pitch-black mask. Since anonymity was required, he hadn’t brought Fire with him.

Timing-wise... I should meet with Rosie first.

The time the Emperor had requested was during the height of the banquet—meaning Zahid still had time to kill.

But no matter how much he wandered around the palace, Rosie was nowhere to be found. Instead, someone casually called out to him.

“Hey, aren’t you Zahid—”

It was Ray, standing beside Athena.

Zahid didn’t even look at him properly. He replied with a scowl.

“Get lost. I was trying to ignore you.”

“So it is Zahid Dyfenril.”

Even after searching all around Ray, Zahid still couldn’t find Rosie anywhere.

Eventually, he lashed out at Ray in frustration.

“You should’ve masked your Divine Beast or something. What kind of third-ranker can’t even follow instructions? Idiot.”

“Why’re you picking a fight with your own ally? And you failed the entrance exam, remember?”

“Whatever. Have you seen Rosie?”

“Obviously. Wait—you haven’t seen her yet?”

Ray teased, grinning like he was thoroughly enjoying himself.

“I actually had a prearranged promise with her. We agreed I’d bring Athena and attend with her.”

Something about that rubbed Zahid entirely the wrong way, and he turned away immediately.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Ray smirked and called after him:

“Rosie looked really cute today. Want a hint? You might need one—since you did flunk the entrance exam. Oh, and during Ellaine, I’m holding one of Rosie’s hands. Just so you know.”

“Shut up. We’re dancing together.”

“You do realize we’re kids, right? The only dance we’re allowed to do is Ellaine. You really are hopeless, entrance-flunker...”

Zahid casually stomped backward onto Ray’s foot and quickly melted into the crowd.

What the hell? He said he’d find me for sure...

For a second, he even considered summoning Fire to help locate her.

This is exactly what I expected.

Zahid grit his teeth.

She was the one who said she’d find me. But the one pacing nervously, totally unsettled the whole night... is me.

And there was nothing he could do about it.

He checked the garden where the children were gathered, then even the terrace where the adults mingled—but she was nowhere to be found.

Then, on the terrace, he witnessed something unusual.

“Oh ho... My health isn’t great, but Liri wanted to see people...”

A crowd had gathered around Duke Orgon, who had brought his rabbit Divine Beast using a cane.

It wasn’t often one got to see the shy rabbit Divine Beast, after all.

Clearly, Duke Orgon had no intention of hiding his identity.

Why even bother wearing a mask if you’re going to be like that? What is wrong with all the Divine Beast masters...

Still, Zahid peeked around, hoping Rosie might be nearby—but no luck.

There’s no way... no way I wouldn’t recognize Rosie.

Looking around frantically, Zahid suddenly realized he was feeling a bit... anxious.

Where the hell... where is she?

Then ding, dong—the clock tower rang.

It was time for his appointment with the Emperor.

He couldn’t delay any further. And come to think of it, he hadn’t made any concrete plans with Rosie anyway.

Seriously... I’m the only one freaking out.

Zahid sighed and headed toward the appointed location. He’d meet the Emperor first, and search for Rosie afterward. That was the more definite arrangement.

Ah...

The sky was overcast. Dark clouds gathered.

Is it going to rain?

The air was heavy with moisture.

* * *

The Emperor of the Empire, Calliona, was dressed as a man. No one would recognize her like this.

She was tall and broad-shouldered to begin with, so passing as male wasn’t difficult.

Wearing every bit of money she could scrape together, she looked like a clumsy noble brat attending a banquet for the first time.

A wig of short hair, a leopard mask—the disguise was perfect.

...Not like there’s anyone I really wanted to spend the banquet with anyway.

No one from the Noart family was supposed to attend.

That afternoon, the host had privately received the final guest list—to get a general sense of attendance for the event.

The Noart Count Family had responded that Rosie Noart and Ethan Noart were entering the Magic Tower, and therefore the entire household would be absent.

So RosieRosie’s got talent for something dreadful like magic... Julian must be devastated.

Julian had said “RosieRosie” so often that even the Emperor had started thinking of her that way without realizing it.

Magic of all things—an isolating path where people often vanished into obsessive research.

If pre-amnesia Julian had known about this, he probably would’ve cried for three days and nights.

“All right.”

Calliona shook off thoughts of Julian and slipped a small box into her pocket, whispering secretly:

“Let’s go.”

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