Seongguk – Siblings

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“…He’s my brother, but he’s scary.”

“Scary? Saying that hurts my feelings, you know.”

Ian frowned, and Annie nudged his side with her elbow.

“Hey, that’s why it’s even better. Now I have you as my reliable backup.”

‘As expected, it’s really convenient to have a brother at times like this.’

The fact that Ian was willing to help even knowing the whole situation was incredibly good news for Annie.

“But are you really okay with this, even though it’s a very dangerous and difficult task? You know too, right?”

Trying to save Lena was the same as confronting the Pope head-on.

Ian, who was helping her, would surely be considered an enemy by the Pope’s side.

Of course, she trusted Ian completely, but Annie still had some fear that things might go wrong.

But, contrary to Annie’s worries, Ian looked confident.

“Don’t worry. I’m affiliated with the Magic Tower. Unless they’re going to start a war with the Magic Tower, they won’t be able to touch me easily. Besides, if things get tough, I can just use force.”

“Hmm… You’d know more about this than I would. I’ll trust you for now.”

“It’s not like I’m saying I’ll go and rescue your friend right away anyway. I’m just saying I’ll help with the investigation. I’ll find out the details of the situation first and then let you know the results.”

“Thank you. I’ll definitely repay this kindness.”

“I’m doing this because you asked, but there’s also a negotiation going on between the Holy Kingdom and the Magic Tower. If it’s really true that the Pope framed her, it would be a great help to me too. So don’t feel too burdened.”

“Okay!”

Ian stroked Annie’s head as she nodded vigorously.

“Then what should I do first? I have no idea how to help Lena… Actually, I don’t even really know what’s going on.”

“Promise me just one thing first.”

“Promise…?”

“As compensation for helping you with this, leave the Hero Party.”

“Ah….”

Annie felt that what was coming had finally arrived.

‘So things are going as I expected after all.’

Annie’s skills and talents were far inferior to Lena and Jade.

She hadn’t been a burden so far, but if a little more time passed, she definitely wouldn’t be able to provide proper help in battle.

She had even clearly realized that she could lose her life in an instant the day she encountered the Demon in the Dungeon.

‘Right. I only joined the Hero Party temporarily in the first place.’

It was time to leave the Hero Party now.

But.

Annie couldn’t bring herself to open her mouth.

‘If I leave the party… I won’t be able to see them for a long time.’

In the future, the Hero Party would be heading to even more dangerous places. If that happened, there would be no way for Annie, who would have to return to the Academy, to meet them.

Annie’s true feelings were shouting that she didn’t want to part with her friends.

After hesitating for a while, Annie finally made a decision.

“…I don’t want to leave.”

“Sigh….”

Ian sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose at Annie’s answer.

“Annie, you should be glad I’m not getting angry. What were you thinking, going with the Hero in the first place? Fighting Demons is not child’s play. I’m glad you met me now, at least. Otherwise, you might have lost your life in vain.”

“I couldn’t help but join the Hero Party. So many things have happened since the Academy. And Jade and Lena are really good friends…”

“Ha, ‘good’ friends? Are you talking about those crazy bastards?”

“Crazy bastards? Why are you suddenly cursing without even meeting my friends! Don’t you think you’re looking down on other people too much?”

Annie couldn’t stand it even if it was her brother insulting her friends.

“Calm down. I’ve already met The Hero.”

“Oh, really? Then you should know better. Jade is The Hero himself. He works hard, even risking his life to save someone. And Lena is really wise and kind. More than words can describe.”

“Hmm. Considering that, I saw a strange sight, you know.”

“…Strange? What did you see?”

“It’s a bit hard for me to say. I found them engaging in lewd acts in the garden.”

“Huh?”

Could it be that Jade and Lena had sex outdoors…?

Annie was speechless.

‘If that’s the case, I’m embarrassed that I praised you guys….’

Even if they liked each other, having sex outside…

Since that was their first meeting, Annie understood why the strict and fastidious Ian disliked Jade and Lena.

Annie hurriedly defended them. She couldn’t let her friends’ image be ruined like this.

“If what you’re saying is true, then Jade and Lena did something wrong. But they went through a lot of hardships before they got together. Since it’s a love that came about like that, wouldn’t it be okay for them to enjoy a little deviation once in a while…?”

“It doesn’t end there. That Hero even attacked me. I can’t let you hang out with guys like that.”

“Well, that’s because you said something that looked down on him at first glance. If you meet again and talk, you’ll understand. I guarantee that Jade and Lena aren’t strange.”

“Hmm….”

But Ian didn’t seem to have any intention of changing his mind.

‘I didn’t want to do this…’

‘Oh well, whatever.’

“Brotheeer, pleeease….”

Annie began to rub her cheek against Ian’s arm.

“Huh? If you’re the brother I respect, you can give them a chance, right?”

“Okay, so let go of this and talk.”

“No. I’m never letting go until you promise!”

“Ugh….”

Faced with his sister’s surprise aegyo, Ian eventually crumbled.

“Alright. Let’s discuss this again after everything is over. I need to talk to your friends too.”

“Haa….”

‘Thank goodness.’

Annie was relieved that he said he would put it off for now.

It wasn’t that the problem was solved, but it was better than being forced to part with her friends.

“I need to decide what to do now. Tell me everything you know about the situation.”

“Well… You said you knew what happened to Lena, right?”

“It would be more accurate to say ‘what your friend did’ than ‘what happened’…. Anyway, I heard about it. The Great Temple has been turned upside down for the past few days, so there’s no way I wouldn’t know.”

“The reason I came to you was because I received a letter today. I don’t know how she got it to me, but the content was simple. The Pope orchestrated everything, and Lena said she was being framed.”

After that, Annie continued to explain all the information she knew to Ian.

“That’s all I know. I want to ask Jade for help too, but I don’t know if it’s okay.”

“It was good that you didn’t tell Jade right away. It would be difficult to trust him right away from the perspective of someone who was betrayed.”

Annie felt good at Ian’s praise and smiled brightly.

“Hehe, I thought so too.”

“If Lena’s innocence is clear, then you should ask for help. The Hero’s influence is great. Wait here for now.”

“Huh? Where are you going?”

“I’m going to go and meet her in person. It’s more certain to have a conversation with the person involved.”

**

-Creak.

Lucas opened the steel door and went inside.

There, a naked Lena was sitting with her back against the wall.

“Haa, haa…. You’ve come?”

“You don’t mean….”

Lucas found a whitish liquid flowing from Lena’s vagina.

It was evidence that she had had sexual relations with a man.

Lucas hurriedly checked Lena’s condition.

“Damn it. Did someone come while I was away? Are you okay?”

“Yes. A Holy Knight came this time. Well, he was reasonably kind.”

“…I’m sorry. I couldn’t stop them from coming while I was away.”

“I’m getting used to it now, so it’s okay. And thanks to you, Lucas, it’s only ending at this level, so I’m more grateful.”

Lena smiled at Lucas. But contrary to her face, her body was trembling.

At that sight, Lucas clenched his fist tightly.

‘…There’s no way you can get used to it.’

Anyone could see that Lena was pretending to be strong.

It was unfair that she was framed, but she had to be raped countless times by people she didn’t even know.

Moreover, people knew that she was colluding with the Demon.

Therefore, Lena’s treatment was worse than that of prostitutes.

If it weren’t for his help, she might have lost her life in a few days.

Lena’s days must be like hell right now.

“I want to throw everything away and go to the Pope and argue. You’re not someone who deserves to be treated like this….”

“Let’s stop with the depressing stories. Did things go well?”

“Yes. I delivered the letter to Annie, and I confirmed that she contacted someone named Ian. That’s good, right?”

“That’s right. Thank you so much for helping me.”

“Did you know about their relationship from the beginning?”

“Yes?”

“I never dreamed that Annie was the Magic Tower Lord’s disciple’s younger sister. And to think she was staying at the Great Temple.”

Lucas was worried when he first received Lena’s request.

‘You’re telling me to deliver the letter to Annie instead of The Hero?’

‘Yes. It’ll be difficult for Jade to help me right now. I’m worried he might not believe me either.’

‘Hmm. I’m not looking down on Annie, but I don’t think she can help you alone….’

In Lucas’s view, it seemed difficult for Annie to resolve the situation led by the Pope. Rather, she might get caught up in this and be in danger together.

‘Don’t worry and just deliver it to Annie.’

‘…Okay.’

Still, since he had decided to help Lena, Lucas followed her words.

Only after seeing Annie meet with Ian did Lucas understand Lena’s plan.

“Out of curiosity, I inquired about the identity of this Ian person, and he turned out to be the Magic Tower Lord’s disciple. With the help of such a great person, it’s enough to turn the situation around. Did you predict that things would turn out this way?”

“Hehe, that’s a secret. It could be that I did, or it could be that I was lucky.”

“Oh my. It’s amazing that you have the leeway to joke around in this situation.”

Still, Lucas felt relieved thanks to Lena.

-Thud. Thud.

“Wait, I think someone’s coming.”

Lucas hurriedly opened the door and looked outside. And when he recognized the identity of the person walking towards him, his heart sank.

‘Damn it. Why is that person here….’

Lucas bowed to the man first.

“Greetings.”

“Haha, it’s been a long time. I didn’t expect to see Inquisitor Lucas here.”

“I’m honored to see Cardinal Cassius too.”

‘Stay calm. Don’t show that you’re flustered.’

Lucas managed his expression to hide his confused feelings.

As far as he knew, Cardinal Cassius was completely loyal to the Pope.

That meant he was an enemy of Lucas and Lena.

Lucas first tried to figure out why Cassios had come here.

“What brings you here, Cardinal…?”

“Of course, I came to check on the state of the Sinner. It would be a big problem if she was planning something strange like escaping.”

“You don’t have to worry. I’m responsible for managing that bitch Lena.”

“Hmm? Does the Inquisitor also manage the Sinners here?”

‘I have to do well from here on out.’

It was suspicious for Lucas, who was an Inquisitor, to continue staying here.

If he made the wrong answer and was caught helping Lena, it would be the end of him.

“I volunteered for this job separately. I was in charge of the Sinners in the room, so I wanted to see them suffer like this.”

“I see. You must have a great hatred for Sinners. Would it be okay if I went in and talked to her?”

“Of course. Please follow me.”

Lucas led Cassios into the room.