Chapter 57

Agenor claims he doesn't care about his father, but at least he calls him 'father.'

Belus tilted his head.

"I don't have a dad."

Oh.

...The eldest is being disrespectful.

'But I understand.'

Our father did nothing for us.

When other uncles and aunts were protecting their children and building their power, he just stood by and ignored us.

From the moment we were born, he was indifferent to everything we did.

Being the eldest, he must have been neglected for a longer time than us.

"Every time you go around in circles, I'll just say it straight."

"..."

"I want to observe you."

"Why?"

"Just."

For the first time, a hint of life appeared on Belus's face.

"Sometimes, I want to support you."

"What?"

In that instant, I saw a glimmer of kindness beneath Belus's cold expression.

'What am I thinking?'

Am I seeing things? Belus and kindness? Even a passing anchovy would laugh at that.

"I was quite impressed by you at the family meeting. I don't think I could have done that when I was your age. That's why I came to see you again. I want to see if you're someone worth supporting."

Lies, this is a blatant lie.

'Is this guy going to support me?'

I'd believe a seahorse doing a somersault before I believe this.

For reference, he's the guy who fought me until his face was broken and still didn't surrender.

His surrender wasn't an admission of defeat.

It was more like he suddenly changed his mind after being beaten to a pulp.

I remember Belus's immense determination towards the family head very well.

He's usually the calmest and most composed person, but once he gets a wild look in his eyes, he becomes a madman that even I can barely handle.

He's the perfect example of the saying that a quiet person becomes even more terrifying when they lose control.

Instead of being flustered, I smiled slightly. I had a lot to say, but I composed myself.

"I see. Big brother."

I replied calmly and stepped forward.

Then I grabbed Belus's hand.

He flinched but didn't pull away.

"Actually."

I smiled as brightly as I could.

"I want to be friends with you, big brother."

My voice was soft and gentle.

For a moment, the eldest's hand, which I held, trembled slightly.

His expression also became momentarily strange.

"And, you know, I have something I want to talk about. Can you lend me your ear for a moment?"

Belus frowned but slowly leaned down to lend me his ear.

I tiptoed and pressed my lips to his ear, then smiled.

"It's a transparent bluff, eldest."

I put my feet down, took a step back, and smiled.

Eldest, do you think I don't know your intentions?

"Support me sometimes? Really?"

"…Yeah. So?"

"Then can you swear it by the sea?"

I tried to cross my arms, mocking him.

Can't do it? Can't do it? This Shikya.

Where are you spouting such nonsense?

"…You're cunning."

"What are you talking about? Who's the one pulling a useless trick?"

At that moment, a fist flew towards me, and I dodged it as if I had been waiting for it, then grabbed his wrist.

"You're saying your moves are shallow. Just like this attack."

"It's not an attack. I just wanted to pet my little sister."

"Ha, ha."

But Belus is different from that Baiyan guy.

As soon as I grabbed his wrist, he smoothly slipped out of my grip.

I clicked my tongue in my mind.

Seeing him calmly and carefully speak and then throw a punch, I thought, 'This guy is still a kid.'

The 'Belus' I know is a much more thorough and ascetic person.

Anyway...

'The age difference is the problem. The age difference!'

The age gap between the eldest and me is very, very significant.

I frowned and took a step back.

A stream of water splashed where I had been standing.

The water formed a puddle and then disappeared, as if it wasn't an attack.

"That's true. It must have seemed like a useless trick."

Belus agreed nonchalantly.

"But I did come here to talk. I would have liked the opportunity to fight, but if you're weaker than me, it would have been over. I'm not interested in one-sided violence."

"..."

"But now, I'm a little genuinely curious."

"Curious about what? Let's just see each other one last time today?"

I shook my head and took another step back.

But Belus opened and closed the hand that I had grabbed, then smiled slightly.

"Are you going to the Dragon Festival this year?"

I stopped, looking for a weakness. What?

"Grandma and I are quite close. I was there when she heard the report."

I blinked and flinched.

Wait, wait. That...

"Um, I've become interested in you. I lost. I genuinely want to follow you."