The Strongest Brother Lost His Memory
Chapter 95

* * *

Julian’s eyes snapped open.

“Mm-mmgh!”

There was no way to know how long he’d been unconscious.

His hands and feet were tied, and a gag was stuffed in his mouth.

“Mmgh! Mmmph!”

He cursed through the gag, wriggling his hands.

The knot around his wrists came undone in an instant.

Now free, he quickly removed the gag.

“That bastard... Tries to act all professional at kidnapping but can’t even tie a damn knot properly...”

Julian untied his ankles in a flash and shot to his feet.

His head spun a little from having been out cold for so long, but his body felt fine.

He wasn’t sure how long he’d been unconscious, but he didn’t feel bad at all.

“What the hell... why do I feel so damn refreshed?”

He furrowed his brows and muttered,

“It’s probably divine power or something...”

Back when he lived in a rural village, he’d once received a blessing from a priest—and this felt similar.

Despite lying there with no nutrition for who knows how long, he felt like he’d just taken a short nap. That meant someone had pumped an enormous amount of divine power into him.

He looked around. It was that dump of a theology library.

No one had come while he was out cold.

“That bastard... Of course he was loafing around in a library no one uses. No wonder all the books were boring as hell.”

But this wasn’t the time to complain.

Julian rushed out of the theology library.

His memories hadn’t returned—but now he knew the truth.

That guy, Yuta Orgon—the one with the gleaming blond hair and green eyes...

That guy had told his past self where Rosie was, and even saved him just before death.

And that guy... is probably about to die soon. For Rosie.

Julian didn’t know the full details, but the idea of Yuta dying without Rosie knowing about it left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Bastard... Trying to hog all the glory and the tragic nobility for himself... Like hell I’m letting that slide. I’m the coolest big brother in the world to that kid.

Julian dashed across the Academy courtyard. He had to get to the Count’s estate and tell them everything.

He racked his brain and headed for the stables.

Shit... What do I do? Ask to borrow a carriage? Just steal a horse? Dammit, last time I came here by carriage so I don’t even know the roads that well.

Just then—

“...Julian Noart?”

Someone spoke to him, eyes full of disbelief.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

It was Theo Noart, picking out a horse at the stables.

“Oh, Theo!”

Julian beamed and threw his arms around him.

“Perfect timing! I have to get to the Count’s estate right now. Lend me a horse!”

“Hey! What the hell?!”

Theo shoved him away in disgust, clearly furious.

“Why the hell would I lend you a horse? And I’m heading to the Count’s estate too, for your information.”

“Huh? Why? You said you’d never step foot there again.”

“It’s for Rosie’s birthday party. If I leave now, I’ll make it in time.”

“Oh, sweet. That works out great.”

Julian casually climbed onto the horse Theo had just picked out.

“I was confused about the road, but if I go with you, it’s all good! Let’s ride!”

Theo blinked at him in stunned silence, then sighed and rubbed his forehead.

“Just so you know—since you’ve really lost your memory—I was not close to you. At all.”

Then he mounted another horse and took the reins.

“Let’s just go. And don’t talk to me if you can help it. Please remember—we were not friends.”

“Let’s go, go, giddy up!”

“...God, I never want to be friends with you.”

Theo gave a full-body shudder and took off. Julian followed right behind him.

* * *

Meanwhile, at the Magic Tower.

“Tower Master, I’m heading out.”

Ethan, robed and ready, bowed to the Tower Master.

“Honestly, I don’t really want to leave the Tower. But it’s Rosie’s birthday party, so I have to go.”

He pushed his glasses up with a smile.

“The spot next to Rosie is my spot. I have to show up and surprise her. And...”

As he climbed into a carriage, he murmured with a grin,

“I’ve got some good news to share with her too. Seriously, I’m so pumped.”

* * *

The Grass Divine Beast

Zahid rode hard the entire way on Fire.

Fire was far faster than any horse.

In the end... I told her too late.

He muttered inwardly, racing faster than the wind.

I could’ve just told her sooner...

That Rosie’s divine power no longer soothed him.

It wasn’t a big deal—so why had he kept it to himself?

It was probably because he’d gotten used to Rosie always taking care of him, without fail, at just the right moments.

“Zahid, take my divine power. Don’t forget this feeling and stay obsessed with me. Even if you’re surrounded by calming agents at the duchy, I want you to always miss me.”

Her face always lit up with satisfaction whenever she gave him divine power. He just couldn’t bring himself to tell her the truth.

Maybe it was because of that dream he kept having lately.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

“Zahid... Why am I never any help to you? I really want to be of use to you...”

A blurry, adult woman’s voice whispering with aching sorrow.

Every time he woke from it, his chest hurt.

And when he saw Rosie wanting to help him, he couldn’t bring himself to speak.

I was going to tell her when I left the estate, but then that strange girl showed up...

Chloe Noart.

Just thinking about her made his stomach turn.

The fact that she was eyeing his place as Rosie’s fiancé—that alone was infuriating.

...Ha.

Sure, the engagement with Rosie had been forced, and he’d planned to call it off the moment they came of age.

But now, the thought of anyone else touching that engagement made him furious.

With those chaotic thoughts swirling, he arrived at the Orgon Duchy.

Smaller than other grand ducal estates, but warm and elegant.

The garden bloomed with all sorts of beautiful flowers, and the red roof was covered with ivy vines.

The Duchy of Grass—Orgon.

He’d visited once long ago with his parents when he was a child.

“Oh my, such a handsome boy. Should I call you grandson? I hope you’ll treat me comfortably.”

The Duke of Orgon was a frail old woman.

Gentle, calm, and wise, with a soft head of white hair.

He remembered the spotted rabbit curled up in her lap too.

“This child is afraid of fire. Naturally—she’s the Divine Beast of Grass. And of course, Fire wouldn’t get along with the Divine Beast of Water.”

The tiny, timid Divine Beast had stared at him from the old duchess’s lap with big black eyes.

That rabbit was now the one delaying her choice of Yuta.

Apparently, the duchess hadn’t put up any real protest when the Temple forced Yuta on her as an adoptive heir.

People assumed she’d grown too old and weak to resist anymore...

She was so wise. Has she really aged so much in just a few years...

As Zahid dismounted, a butler who remembered him rushed over.

“Duke Dyfenril?! You didn’t send word you were coming—”

“I know it’s a bother. Sorry about that. I’ll just greet the Duchess and head out, so don’t worry. Is she in?”

“Ah... I’m afraid...”

The butler looked nervous.

“She just took her medicine and fell asleep. She usually sleeps deeply for a few hours afterward...”

“That’s fine.”

Zahid replied blankly, thinking it actually worked out.

“Then can I see Assistant Yuta—I mean, the Young Duke?”

“Yes, I’ll take you to the parlor. He should be along shortly.”

Without asking further, the butler escorted Zahid inside.

As expected.

Zahid thought as he made his way to the parlor.

Coming in person was worth it.

No one else could’ve been faster than him.

It was a sudden visit, so the parlor was empty.

“Lord Yuta will be here soon. I’ll bring some tea.”

“Thank you.”

Zahid intentionally dropped Rosie’s letter on the table, then excused himself to the restroom.

So that Yuta would naturally find it while he was gone.

Of course, Yuta probably wouldn’t just read someone else’s letter carelessly. So Zahid even pulled part of the letter out of the envelope.

To Lord Yuta—this is Clara. Just now, I received orders to eliminate Rosie Trian.

Hah... It’s so blatantly sloppy.

He knew it looked suspicious to anyone—but there was no other choice.

Even if he realizes it’s a trap, this is the only way.

Zahid washed his hands slowly on purpose.

To make it all line up with Rosie’s birthday, there’s no time to build a more elaborate, natural-looking trap.

Realistically, Yuta had no ties to the Noart estate.

Unless he came along with his close junior, ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) Theo, using the party as an excuse—there was no real reason for him to show up without raising suspicion. The limitations were unavoidable.

But if it seems too off, I’ll just come up with a backup plan...

But Zahid didn’t need a backup.

When he came out of the restroom, Yuta was already rushing out in a panic.

And clutched tightly in his hand—was that sloppy letter.