Eiran was reminded of the orphanage that had burned down before his transmigration. He didn't want to compare this incident with that one, but deep down, a small part of him was suspicious.
However, Eiran didn't have the time to dwell on that suspicion because his mind was immediately filled with worry for Runi. He didn't know whether his brother was inside the house or not. To find out, Eiran rushed straight into the house, which was nearly engulfed in flames.
"I can't let Runi get hurt now that I'm here!" Eiran gritted his teeth and entered the blazing sea of fire.
The fire raged violently, mercilessly. Eiran could feel the heat burning his skin as he passed through the charred hallways. He quickly made his way toward the place where Runi had been earlier.
Virella's house was massive. Eiran had to walk through long corridors, forcing him to go deeper into the house to reach the room where Runi had been staying.
Thick black smoke began to fill the air, and Eiran had to run while covering his nose with one hand. Even so, he couldn't stop coughing as the smoke filled his lungs.
"Runi! Answer me if you're here!" Eiran started shouting for Runi.
The fire devouring the house worsened. Eiran could hear the sound of cracking wood above that could collapse at any moment. Just in case, Eiran summoned his Shield.
Finally, he arrived at the hallway leading to the room where Runi was. Yes, Eiran saw Runi there, but something shocked him, leaving a strange feeling in his heart.
Runi stood in the middle of the long hallway, his hand engulfed in flames, choking Virella. Eiran could see Virella was still alive, especially when their eyes met.
He saw Virella reaching out to him, silently begging for help with a pleading expression. But Runi ignored it and continued to burn her body.
"Runi, watch out!" Eiran rushed toward Runi as the wooden ceiling above him began to collapse.
Runi's body jolted in shock upon hearing his brother's voice. Instinctively, he released his grip on Virella's charred neck and turned around to see Eiran.
Swiftly, Eiran grabbed Runi's arm and pulled him away before the collapsing ceiling could crush his head.
"Brother, are you—"
"You're going to explain everything to me. But right now, we have to get out of here." Eiran spoke with a serious expression, making Runi shrink back in fear.
Time was running out as the fire spread throughout the house. Eiran pulled Runi's arm and headed to one of the large windows in the house. The glass had already shattered into pieces from the previous explosion.
Eiran only had to kick it to break the remaining frame. He carried Runi through the window, and they quickly escaped the scene.
After seeing what Runi did to Virella, Eiran could more or less guess who had started the fire. That's why he hurried to get them out before anyone realized the house was burning.
Fortunately, Eiran chose a window located toward the back of the house, so the crowd in front wouldn't see them escape. If they were caught there, both he and Runi would surely be suspected.
"Brother, I can explain," Runi said, tugging at Eiran's sleeve.
"Be quiet. Tell me everything once we're somewhere safe." Eiran kept glancing behind to make sure they weren't being followed.
Eventually, Eiran brought Runi to the quiet outskirts of Lysvarin, dragging his brother into a nearly empty restaurant.
After settling into the farthest seat in the restaurant, Eiran finally looked at Runi, demanding an explanation.
"So explain to me what you were doing just now," Eiran said with a serious face. He had to be firm, his brother had just killed someone.
"That bitch—"
Eiran's eyes widened when he heard how Runi referred to Virella. Runi noticed immediately and covered his mouth with his small hand.
"I mean, Virella told me you left me there and completely handed me over to her." Runi began explaining, fiddling with the hem of his shirt.
"And then?" Although Eiran had many questions, he wanted Runi to finish explaining first.
"She … that Virella," Runi said, starting to burst in anger, lifting his head and glaring sharply at Eiran, but quickly calming down and bowing his head again.
"She tortured me, forced me to keep using my magic. She also took me to a strange place, full of people, and made me show them my powers." Runi continued in a rush.
"Just like before, she planned to sell me. I got angry and lost control," Runi added, ending with sadness. "I thought you had really left me with that devil woman," he said softly.
Eiran let out a heavy sigh. He didn't expect Virella to deceive him like this.
"Damn it, that woman really tricked me." Eiran ruffled his hair in frustration.
"Runi, believe me, I would never leave you like that, especially not hand you over to a devil like her," Eiran said, trying to explain the situation to Runi.
"I know. You wouldn't have left this bracelet behind if you were really going. But I waited there for almost two weeks, and you never came!" Runi finally shouted at Eiran.
Eiran could see faint traces of flame at Runi's fingertips, no wonder he had burned down an entire house while out of control.
"Yeah, I know it's my fault. I had to go to Frosthollow to pay off that crazy woman," Eiran replied helplessly. He knew he was in the wrong.
"I'm sorry, Brother. Because of me, you had to do that," Runi said, guilt washing over his face.
"You don't need to apologize. I just want you to trust me. I didn't even know you had magic powers," Eiran replied with a small smile.
Runi's expression instantly changed to panic. It was too late for him to hide his powers from Eiran now.
"I promise I won't do it again!" Runi nodded eagerly.
Eiran gently patted the top of Runi's head. Now that his brother was with him again, he could finally feel at ease. Just as he intended earlier, Eiran thought about ordering them some food.
But while they were chatting casually and waiting for their meal, Eiran saw someone he recognized through the restaurant's window.
Instinctively, Eiran pulled Runi down to hide under the table. He occasionally peeked through the large restaurant window to see if the person was gone.
"What's wrong, Brother?" Runi tilted his head, confused.
"They're here. The people who chased us in the forest," Eiran answered, his expression tense.