Estimated reading time: ~6 minutes
Chapter 69
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「Son-in-law, what are you daydreaming about?」
I snap back to reality at Sensei’s voice, having been lost in thoughts of past dungeon explorations.
「Sensei…」
「I understand.」
Ever since we stepped into the clan, I’ve been sensing a faint but somewhat decadent smell.
As we’re led to the room where the clan master is supposed to be, that smell grows much stronger.
We advance into the room. There, I see a boy lying on a bed and a young man sitting on a chair beside it.
The young man, who would normally have refined features, is now deeply fatigued and utterly exhausted. The dark circles under his eyes evoke sympathy.
The young man is holding the bedridden boy’s hand, clasping it with both of his own as if making a wish.
I look at the boy on the bed. The face visible above the covers would likely resemble his brother’s refined features when healthy, but now his cheeks have sunken so much that there’s barely a shadow, and he seems devoid of any vitality.
The boy’s forehead is dotted with beads of sweat as he breathes heavily, gasping 「Haa… haa…」
An elderly servant trembles, muttering, 「How pitiful.」
A female servant lets out an uncontrollable sob.
Though they’d never admit it, they all know.
The boy doesn’t have much time left.
The smell emanating from his body, rapidly losing its life force.
The gloomy, depressing atmosphere surrounding everyone, including the brother.
In Japan, we’d describe this sensation as the lingering scent of death.
The sorrow of those mourning an impending death, and the regret of those about to die.
The true identity of the smell permeating the clan was indeed the scent of death.
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One of the country’s top clans, Vienetta, is led by Chloe Tesoro as the clan master.
Supporting him as vice-master is his younger brother, Chloa Tesoro.
The slender brothers, with their sweet beauty that could easily be mistaken for women, are incredibly popular among the daughters of high-ranking nobles. They even have their own fan clubs. Moreover, as the leaders of a clan that eagerly takes on not just noble requests but also common ones, they are immensely popular among adventurers as well.
While their origins are unknown, their refined manners and conduct have led to whispers that they might have once been nobility themselves.
Now in his late twenties, the elder brother Chloe is said to have debuted as an adventurer at the tender age of fourteen, while also caring for his sickly and young brother Chloa.
Though he’s now the master of a major clan, he struggled when he first became an adventurer. However, he refused to be defeated by obstacles such as poverty and caring for his sickly brother, and rapidly rose to prominence.
Eventually, he became a party leader and climbed to the rank of S-class adventurer. But he wasn’t satisfied with just that and continued to support and encourage his party members. As a result, both the party and its members truly reached S-rank status.
By that time, there wasn’t anyone in the field who didn’t know the name Chloe Tesoro.
His younger brother Chloa also showed talent as an alchemist, building a solid reputation and supporting his brother Chloe.
Thus, the fame of the two brothers became firmly established.
Gradually, Chloe, known for his kindness and popularity, gathered young boys and girls who admired him but had struggled as adventurers, forming numerous parties.
If you were to ask the average adventurer about Chloe’s best quality, they would mention his combat abilities, of course, but even more so his eye for talent and his ability to recognize people’s potential and use them effectively.
In other words, Chloe had an innate foresight.
The parties Chloe formed and trained with these young boys and girls all quickly grew into famous parties.
Eventually, pushed by multiple famous parties that admired him, the clan Vienetta was born. Chloe became the master, and his brother Chloa the vice-master.
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「Anon, you’re here again? It’s pointless no matter how many times you come. I need to stay by Chloa’s side.」
「Don’t be so dismissive, Chloe.」
The exchange between the two is that of close acquaintances.
「You’re here about the Sealed Domain again, aren’t you? Wanting us to send clan members? I’m sorry, but everyone in the clan, including myself, is busy.」
So this is what they mean by ‘no way in.’
「Busy, huh? I’ve done my research. Six parties from Vienetta should be within range to make it to the battle in the Sealed Domain.」
Chloe clicks his tongue at Anon’s pursuit.
「This is why I don’t like you. Those six parties you mentioned? I’ve asked them to look for ways to save Chloa. So they can’t go to the battle.」
At Chloe’s blunt refusal, his brother Chloa, who had been barely conscious until now, slightly opens his eyes. He speaks, as if mustering all his strength.
「Brother, please… help them.
We… our clan… have always… reached out… to those in need. That’s… what we’ve… been doing… all this time.」
He manages a weak smile at his brother Chloe, as if to say, 「Right?」 Then he loses consciousness again.
「You haven’t given up, have you?」
The question sounds impolite.
But I know Anon isn’t the type to simply provoke people.
「Guh!! Of… of course not!!」
「Then,」
Anon quietly asks the enraged Chloe.
「Then why are you here?」
It’s a question that strikes at the core.
「That’s…」
He falls silent after that, covering his face with both hands.
His voiceless cry echoes through the room.
I understand Chloe’s feelings all too painfully.
He can’t move.
When humans are filled with conflicting emotions, they become paralyzed.
In one sense, he believes in the possibility of his brother’s recovery, that a means to save him will be found. But in another sense, he might be here to be present for his brother’s final moments.
「Chloe, I’m sorry. I went too far. I just wanted to confirm that you hadn’t given up.」
「What… are you trying to say…?」
Chloe wipes his eyes and asks Anon.
「I’ve brought a way to save Chloa,」 Anon continues.
「So,」 he adds,
「I want you to trust me, and them.」
Anon bows his head, pleading.
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