Chapter 333: Chiding the Little Sis

Alice Ashborn was defeated in a millisecond and instantly shrank further, mumbling a meek little, “S-sorry… I wanted to protect you…”

“Haaah…” Kaiden’s sigh lingered in the heavy air. His shoulders eased, though his gaze stayed sharp as he addressed his sister. “Alice, I do appreciate what you tried to do. And I love you dearly, too.”

“!!” Her head snapped up, eyes widening with a blinding brightness, tears instantly forgotten. The chains rattled as she leaned forward as much as the restraints allowed, outright glowing with utmost joy. “R-really? You love me too, big brother?”

Kaiden gave a small nod. “Of course. But listen to me, I’m not that loser nerd going to university to study economics anymore. I’m not helpless. I’m an awakened combatant now, with powers of my own. I don’t need you to act as my valiant knight.”

Hearing his words, Alice’s mood shifted. The girl’s lips pressed together tightly, her eyes trembling with sadness. For a long moment, she was quiet, head bowed dejectedly. His words had struck too deep. But then, with a fragile voice, she found her way back.

“And what if someone accused me?” she asked softly at first, then her voice grew stronger. “What if people said I was a vile alien, a monster, and accused me of many horrible things? Would you take it sitting down? Would you let them spit on my name?”

Not waiting for his response, Alice pushed forward, her words gaining heat with every syllable she uttered.

“That’s right! You’re a hypocrite, big brother!” she accused, cheeks puffing up adorably. “Just because I’m your little sister, I’m supposed to behave like some perfect doll? I have emotions too! And my emotions scream at me to protect you, no matter what, even if you’ve gotten stronger! I would still feel the same even if you became stronger than Mother!”

Her manic red eyes gleamed as she blinked at him, proud and smug, practically wagging her tail. She was far too happy with the points she managed to bring up in her defense.

Kaiden leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. He watched her with a long, quiet stare, the kind that made even the girl who’d faced down all sorts of elite monsters start to fidget. Finally, he leaned forward again, resting his crossed hands against his chin.

“There’s some truth to your words, Alice. If you were attacked, whether physically or smeared with defamation, as I have been, I wouldn’t sit still.”

Alice’s eyes lit up like fireworks, sparkling with triumph. “I knew it!” she burst out, chains clattering as she tried to wiggle excitedly.

But her victory was drowned in an instant, as if an ice bucket had been poured over her head.

“… But,” Kaiden’s voice cut cold, “I wouldn’t go into the streets, screaming about murdering hundreds of civilians. I wouldn’t try to kill awakened humans in broad daylight. What you did, Alice, was the peak of recklessness. You’re like a bull that saw red.”

Her triumphant glow shattered. She bit her lip, eyes watering again as she shrank back against her restraints.

“So no,” Kaiden continued firmly. “I would not do what you have done. If I decided to protect my little sister, I would’ve been a lot smarter about it.”

“!” Alice whimpered, clutching her bound hands as her eyes drooped. “Ggh! When it comes to Big Brother, I just… I can’t hold back…”

Kaiden exhaled through his nose, rubbing at his temple with a wry, weary smile. “Yeah. I noticed.”

“Hehe!” Alice couldn’t help but giggle cutely. Even if she was being seriously reprimanded right now, she was bursting with joy beneath it all. How could she not? For years, she hadn’t met her beloved sibling. These days, she was seeing him more and more! The days ahead seemed very bright to the girl.

Considering that she was currently held in an underground prison for the most dangerous criminals of the United States of America, bound by restraints she had no hopes of shedding, and facing charges that could see her spending the rest of her days either behind bars or forced into military service as a form of repentance, her mood was far too bubbly.

But, well, none of the officers listening in on the talk were surprised. After all, she was the daughter of that woman.

Speaking of… “Where’s Mother?” Kaiden asked. “She doesn’t make such rookie mistakes as letting you go on a rampage.”

“She went to raid a dungeon!” Alice replied instantly. A big, opportunistic smile adorned her lips. “Big brother, I’m home all alone! It’s scary! Can I sleep with you tonight?”

“…” There were so many things wrong with this girl, Kaiden didn’t even know where to begin for a moment.

But he soon found his voice. “Sleep with me? First of all, I’ve already told you that you are too big a girl for that. Second, I’m honestly not sure if you noticed, but you’re under arrest. Father won’t do anything if I know him well enough; he’ll let you rot here, hoping you learn a lesson or two. So the only way you’re getting out anytime soon is if Mother steps in. Third, I’d appreciate it if you behaved a little more reserved while they record your every statement. At this rate, the entire government will think the Ashborns like to keep it in the family or something.”

“Ah! And Mom’s in a dungeon!” Alice yelped as realization dawned on her. Conveniently, her brain totally failed to pick up on his first and third points. “This means I can’t sleep with my big brother tonight…”

“You can’t sleep with your big brother on any night…” Kaiden whispered tiredly, voice full of defeat. Then he corrected himself, “Well, unless Calix or Cassian agrees to it.”

Alice blinked. Once. Twice. Slowly. Her ears must’ve malfunctioned and replayed Kaiden’s words incorrectly.

Then, as the girl realized that wasn’t the case, her entire face scrunched up, looking as if she had just licked the foulest thing on earth. Her nose wrinkled, her eyes narrowed to slits, and her lips twisted into an expression so utterly revolted it could have peeled paint from the walls.

“… What?” she gasped, shaking her head wildly. “Big brother, don’t say such cursed things with that serious voice of yours!”

She began gagging dramatically while thrashing in her restraints. “Those two losers don’t even register as family to me! Obviously, I meant you, big brother Kaiden! You’re my only brother!”

Her cheeks puffed like a hamster, red eyes sparkling furiously as she did her utmost to stomp her bound feet against the floor. “Take it back! Take it back right now! I won’t be able to sleep tonight if you don’t take it back!”

Kaiden just stared at her. Then, at last, his lips transformed into the smallest of dry chuckles.

Hopeless. Completely hopeless.

His girls had told him a dozen times this was not normal. And he knew. He knew it perfectly well. But sitting here, watching Alice puff and whine and pout as if her heart was breaking… he didn’t know what to do. She was far too gone.

But what he did know was simple.

“Separating you from me doesn’t work.”

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