The Strongest Brother Lost His Memory-Chapter 51

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That evening.

Grandfather returned from the Imperial Palace.

Julian, he said, was still there—His Majesty had detained him for a bit longer.

“Rosie!”

I was pacing nervously at the main gate, and the moment I spotted him, I rushed over and clung to him.

“What happened, Grandfather?”

“Well, while the Temple tried to deny everything and play dumb... Cecil died.”

“...What?”

“Utterly absurd—she was hit by a carriage during transport.”

It was obvious. The Temple had cut off its tail.

“His Majesty didn’t even order proper medical treatment. She died painfully. The Temple claimed it was the sole act of a rogue priest and drew a line.”

As he explained, Grandfather picked me up and held me.

“Still, for a black magician to be discovered within the Temple... His Majesty was furious. He ordered them to tighten internal security, so they’ll have to stay quiet for a while.”

I nodded once and looked up at him with a smile.

“I’m just so glad you’re safe, Grandfather.”

Because the Temple moved faster than they had in the previous timeline, the problem of Grandfather’s death had already been resolved.

Now, Julian could take his time growing under Grandfather’s protection.

And now...

I hugged his neck tightly as I thought,

I’m just really, truly grateful Grandfather is alive.

Everyone always said he was a cold-blooded man with no compassion.

That he wouldn’t hesitate to discard even his children or grandchildren if they lacked ability.

But after spending a few days around him...

He had a lot of anger buried deep, yes, but he didn’t seem like someone who was rotten to the core the way people claimed.

And frankly, his children were so incompetent that he had to be merciless.

“Rosie,” Grandfather said quietly.

“I was a slave who cleaned the laboratories. That’s how I knew exactly what kinds of horrors happened in that place.”

He spoke like an old man recalling something from a distant past, his voice tinged with sorrow.

“To think a place that preaches mercy, love, empathy, and understanding... could...”

I listened silently, without interrupting.

“I was so afraid of those experiments that I risked my life to run away.”

“Oh...”

“I told people the Temple was conducting human experiments, but no one believed me.”

Grandfather slowly closed his eyes.

“The Temple sent people after me. I fled on a smuggling ship. And I swore to myself then—”

His slow, measured voice quivered with fury.

“That I’d survive. That I’d live to bring the Temple down. A place that insane should never be worshipped like that.”

I knew what came after that.

He struggled through every hardship, built his business, earned wealth, climbed his way up.

He bought a noble title just to expose the Temple’s corruption—but even the Imperial family couldn’t do anything against them.

“...And to think the experimental subjects weren’t even slaves but wretches...”

Grandfather hugged me even tighter.

Hot tears fell down his scarred cheek.

“While I was climbing up here with my convictions and thirst for revenge—leaving even my family behind—the one who was subjected to it all was none other than my granddaughter...”

I gently raised my hand and wiped away his tears.

“No, Grandfather.”

And then I said firmly,

“You made it all the way here—that’s how we were able to deal a blow to the Temple this time.”

Grandfather gazed at me quietly.

Then he burst out laughing and rubbed his cheek against mine.

“When I’m with you... I feel like I’ve become someone truly remarkable.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

His eyes scanned the wide Count’s estate as he held me in his arms.

“I’m old now, and the Temple is still standing strong.”

That was true.

The Noart Count Family still wasn’t strong enough to take them on.

Even the Imperial family and the Four Grand Duchies couldn’t do anything about the Temple.

Maybe opposing them this openly was like throwing an egg at a boulder.

And Grandfather likely understood that more than anyone.

‘He’s not wrong.’

The Temple had never really cared about the Noart Family, even though Grandfather openly opposed them.

They would say things like, “We extend mercy even to the unfaithful,” and gain favor with the public.

‘They knew the family would collapse on its own once Grandfather died, thanks to his useless heirs.’

But everything changed when Julian appeared.

He grew strong almost instantly and became Grandfather’s biggest support. At this rate, he would become a serious threat to the Temple.

‘And didn’t Zahid say that around this time, even His Majesty the Emperor had taken a liking to Julian? The Temple probably didn’t like the idea of young Julian gaining power.’

In other words, the Noart Family had become a real thorn in the Temple’s side.

They couldn’t openly persecute us because of their public image—so they moved in secret.

‘In the previous timeline, the moment the Temple decided to take the Noarts down, both Grandfather and Julian died... They’re terrifying opponents.’

Grandfather spoke in a quiet, lonely voice.

“But even after I made it this far, my children grovel just to protect worthless things...” freēnovelkiss.com

According to him, the title of Count and all this wealth existed for one purpose—to destroy the Temple.

But after observing his relatives for a few days, he realized they had long forgotten that.

“All they want is to stay in my good graces. They don’t care about the Temple.”

He sighed heavily, looking devastated.

“Sometimes I wonder what all this was for.”

“...Grandfather.”

“But for the first time... I feel like someone like me, a former Temple slave, is actually facing the Temple head-on.”

Far in the distance, the raven flag of House Noart fluttered in the wind.

A symbol Grandfather personally chose to represent his resolve to stand against the Temple.

“It’s all thanks to you.”

“Yes, Grandfather. So please promise me.”

I spoke while still in ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) his embrace.

“There are still so many wretches like me trapped deep in the Temple. Please do everything you can for them. You can attend the Great Nobles’ Council now, right?”

“Of course.”

Grandfather replied without hesitation.

“I promise, Rosie. I, Caliban Noart, will do everything in my power.”

I smiled and nodded.

“Rosie,” he said, his voice turning firm.

“You may be in more danger from now on. Much more than when Julian was keeping you hidden in the annex. Are you ready for that?”

“Of course, Grandfather.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck confidently.

Dusk was falling.

A single star appeared in the violet sky above us.

“No matter how much I lack... I’ll become a proud granddaughter of the Noart Count Family.”

A warm breeze brushed gently past our hair.

“Grandfather, thank you for listening to my request.”

“What are you talking about? You’re the one who saved my life.”

He laughed heartily. I murmured, “Zahid too...” but he pretended not to hear it.

“Is there anything you need? I want to give you something!”

“Hmm... That seashell bracelet was really pretty. If you ever go to the seaside again, please make me another one.”

“Don’t talk about cheap junk! What kind of granddaughter values sincerity over price? Huh? Is that all my life was worth?! Just wait! Tomorrow morning, the most expensive bracelet in the Empire will be delivered to your room!”

“Heehee...”

Even though he was shouting, it didn’t scare me anymore.

Smiling bashfully, I hugged his neck tighter and said,

“If there’s ever anything I can do to help, please tell me, Grandfather.”

He smiled kindly and replied,

“You silly thing... What could a twelve-year-old granddaughter possibly do to help me... Actually, there is something.”

...Wait, what, already?!