The Way To Protect The Female Lead’S Older Brother [EN]: Chapter 38

Jeremy flinched at Deon’s question.

Before he could offer an excuse, Deon spoke, his words a condemnation that seemed to know everything without needing an answer, delivered without the slightest hesitation.

“You’re still acting without thinking. It would be merely ‘cute’ if you were only a little empty-headed, but everything you do is just pathetic.”

Roxana’s observation that the Agrische family didn’t display much affection for one another seemed accurate. Even now, Deon’s eyes held no warmth for his half-brother.

Equally enraged, Jeremy shouted back, “What are you talking about? Why did this even happen in the first place? You were the one who ordered me to take out Sana’s toys without permission!”

Deon’s brow furrowed slightly.

He appeared to contemplate something for a moment before casting a cold gaze at Jeremy.

Then, he muttered, seemingly to himself, “Mother has been up to something interesting.”

However, he didn’t elaborate, immediately shifting his gaze. His eyes fixed on Cassis.

His pupils flickered momentarily, lingering on Cassis’s neck.

“So, he’s Roxana’s dog.”

A clear sneer appeared on Deon’s lips.

“A noble of the Azure, so infatuated with a woman that he acts like a dog in heat—certainly a rare sight.”

Hearing those words, Jeremy gritted his teeth. He seemed to recall something he had momentarily forgotten.

“Come to think of it, there were some search dogs we dealt with at the border recently.”

Cassis’s face stiffened at the words that followed, as if he had suddenly remembered something.

“They seemed to be loyal henchmen of Fedelian, who came to find their lost master. They were more persistent than I thought, so dealing with them was quite annoying.”

The temperature of the air surrounding Cassis plummeted instantly.

A bluish vein slowly bulged on the back of his hand holding the spear.

“Are you…”

Cassis began, his eyes never leaving Deon.

“Are you telling me, to my face, that you killed my family members with those hands?”

A dense chill began to swirl around them.

It felt as if one wrong step would result in being cut by the sharp energy. Even Jeremy momentarily stopped moving.

The small clanging sound of the restraints activated to the third stage.

His limbs became heavy, as if weights were attached. A pain like needles piercing deep into his skin flowed through his veins.

But Cassis couldn’t feel the pain.

Deon stared at Cassis and tilted his head.

Soon, a smile that didn’t suit the situation appeared on his face.

“I just sent them ahead to where their master will be going soon, so why do you ask?”

All expression vanished from Cassis’s face. The hand that had been gripping the spear shaft as if to break it slowly loosened.

However, the golden eyes staring at Deon sharpened even more.

*Thwack!*

As a natural consequence, Cassis’s body shot towards Deon like a released spring.

* * *

*Clang!*

Deon raised his arm and deflected the sharp spear tip that was thrusting toward him.

During the brief exchange, they were able to gauge each other’s skills to some extent. Cassis quickly twisted his arm and aimed for Deon’s right side again.

*Kieeeek!*

If the monster hadn’t rushed in at that moment, Cassis might have been able to cut Deon’s side.

But unfortunately, the monster’s poisoned stinger was aimed at Cassis, forcing him to twist his body to avoid the attack.

Not missing the opportunity, a fierce attack flew in from directly in front of him.

Cassis stepped on the tail of the approaching monster and used the recoil to step back.

Simultaneously, as Deon’s arm swung, the monster’s bodily fluids splattered on the floor.

Cassis glanced down. Blood was flowing from the shoulder he had injured from Deon’s blow before killing the monster.

Deon was leisurely standing and shaking off the spear soaked in the monster’s bodily fluids. Cassis’s gaze returned to him.

“Good eyes.”

It was a short time, but he could still tell.

Deon was clearly holding back and toying with Cassis.

In the first place, it was impossible for the two to compete equally because of the restraints on his limbs that restricted his strength.

“Knowing when to back down—unlike the other dogs Roxana keeps—you have some cleverness.”

The ‘other dog of Roxana’ that Deon mentioned was referring to Jeremy.

The fire in Cassis’s eyes grew fiercer at Deon’s words.

“You don’t seem to have any intention of killing me. Why?”

He seemed ready to rush at Deon, but unexpectedly, Cassis didn’t move.

“Your disposal is not my responsibility.”

The rough, boiling heat made his insides feel raw. He wanted to kill Deon with his own hands right now.

“So, you lured me here?”

“You’re not a complete idiot. My subordinates, who are diligently preparing traps up ahead, will be disappointed.”

But Cassis knew that he had to stop here now.

Turning around and leaving was the wisest course of action. No matter how much his insides burned and how angry he was, he had to do so.

“Sana…!”

At that moment, a faint voice from nearby pierced his eardrums.

For some reason, the voice and the name it contained were not unfamiliar.

Cassis and Deon’s gazes moved in the direction of the voice.

The surrounding scenery belatedly came into view.

Broken glass shards, the corpses of dead monsters, fallen people, and bloodstains were scattered haphazardly on the floor. People dealing with the still-living monsters were also visible.

Behind them was a round, arched glass greenhouse.

But one side of the wall was broken, and the dead body of Carantul was hanging halfway there in a limp state.

The corpses of monsters could also be seen inside the broken glass. Next to them were several large birdcages of unknown use.

For some reason, people were trapped inside. They were screaming or behaving strangely, as if they were in a panic.

*What is this?*

Finally, a woman came into view in Cassis’s frowning eyes.

“Sana!”

She was searching for someone amidst the chaos.

The woman’s face was so similar to Roxana’s that it was clear that the two were mother and daughter.

“Is that child… could she be dead?”

“I heard Sana brought in some toys. Can I see them too?”

“Ashil…”

Moreover, he had heard that voice once before, on the day he came out of the underground prison.

She also seemed to have found Cassis and Deon, and stopped walking.

*Come to think of it, the tea party Roxana attended was held in the greenhouse. Is that why she’s looking for her daughter?*

*Kieee!*

At that time, one of the remaining monsters approached Deon from behind.

Cassis turned his body, intending to leave the place while Deon dealt with the monster.

But Cassis was stopped by Deon’s subsequent actions.

Instead of attacking and killing the monster, Deon lured it elsewhere.

Surprisingly, the direction was where the woman who had been looking for Roxana was standing alone until just now.

“What…!”

Cassis couldn’t help but be shocked.

The dry, red eyes silently stared at Cassis.

Just like Jeremy in the room, it was a look that demanded some action from him. But this was much worse.

The monster that found Roxana’s mother began to rush towards her. There was no one else around to help her.

*Kiek!*

Deon stood still, as if he didn’t care if she died.

In the end, Cassis had no choice but to grit his teeth and run towards where the monster was heading.

“Hey! What are you doing right now?”

Jeremy was standing behind Deon, wondering when he had arrived. He also seemed to have witnessed what had just happened.

Fortunately, Cassis wasn’t too late, and the monster’s movements were slowed down.

“I thought you were crazy, but are you really insane! Are you planning to kill Sana’s mother?”

Jeremy shouted at Deon, as if he was beyond dumbfounded.

But Deon ignored him and moved towards where Cassis and the monster were.

“You’re really crazy…”

Jeremy stared at him with a disgusted look.