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Chapter 115: She Became Too Good at Playing the Adopted Daughter

‘You want me to teach you the principle of the Storm Blade?’

The Storm Blade is a sword technique practiced by the Palail Family, utilizing the energies of wind and the pathos of mana. Naturally, only direct descendants of the Palail line and a select few who have been personally taught within the family could master the Storm Blade.

Teaching the Storm Blade to someone else was simply unthinkable.

“Of course, I’m not asking you to teach me everything.”

Viola took Jeremy to the training grounds and first demonstrated the Grass Sword.

What she showed was an embodiment of ‘Luck.’

Watching the grass swirl and dance through ‘Luck,’ Jeremy’s eyes sparkled.

“This martial arts technique is from the Eastern Continent, and I thought it would blend well with the principles of the Storm Blade. Just teaching the very basics will suffice. It’s a level that the branch members and training disciples can pay to learn.”

There were indeed two versions of the Storm Blade. One was the true Storm Blade learned by direct lineage and closest allies of the Palail Family. The other was a slightly weaker version practiced by branch members and training disciples.

“Of course, just because they pay doesn’t mean anyone can learn it.”

Even with diminished power, the Storm Blade remained the Storm Blade. It was a secret technique of the Palail Family, their pride, and dignity.

Even if it was a sword taught to branch members and training disciples, it wouldn’t be just any simple lesson.

Only those with deep connections, loyalty, or who have worked long within the Palail Family could learn the Storm Blade.

Jeremy calmly replied, “I need to think it over.”

“Alright. Call me back once you’ve sorted out your thoughts. You can contact me through Zeno.” Upon returning to the lodging, Jeremy slumped onto the bed.

‘Asking for the teachings of the Storm Blade. How incredible that Bella’s adopted daughter, who could learn the Bellatu techniques anytime, is coveting the Storm Blade.’

‘What should I tell Father?’

In truth, the moment Viola made the suggestion, Jeremy had already made up his mind.

He intended to show his utmost sincerity to Viola and was ready to accept her proposal immediately.

However, he hesitated due to concerns about the Palail Family and his father, Jackal.

‘It could be seen as betraying the family.’

The Storm Blade was the treasure of the Palail Family.

Taking that treasure away could be seen as theft.

Even if it wasn’t the ‘true Storm Blade,’ he still needed the permission of the head of the family.

But obtaining that would take too much time.

He had come to sincerely apologize to Viola.

And he promised to protect her.

Though it wasn’t an official promise made with Viola, he promised it in his heart.

To prevent the emergence of a second Muelan.

He vowed to show his determination.

‘You can’t start taking everything you want while overly calculating principles and rules.’

That wasn’t the proper attitude for someone making an apology.

An apology needed to be sincere.

Jeremy recalled his father’s teachings.

“Act according to what you believe is right, even if it harms you and your family.”

‘To ignore what you believe is right is the true shameful act.’

“I hope you won’t be a son to be ashamed of.”

His father always emphasized his beliefs.

He said that as a noble, one must have righteous beliefs.

And that righteous belief is one that acts.

“Father, I’m acting according to your teachings.”

The next day, Jeremy sought out Viola.

“I will teach you the Storm Blade.”

*

A week passed.

Sheilan had long since given up on being surprised.

Calmly, he asked, “Disciple, what did you just do?”

“I applied another force to the Grass Sword.”

“What kind of force?”

“It’s a secret.”

Viola also knew well that she had made a rather awkward request. So, she didn’t mention that Jeremy had taught her the Storm Blade.

“Is that so?”

“Are you angry?”

“No, there’s absolutely no reason to be angry.”

In truth, Sheilan had adapted very well to life in Bellatu.

He was beyond mere adaptation; he was extremely satisfied.

The work-life balance was perfect.

His only job was to teach Viola, and all necessary living arrangements, including room and board, were provided.

Not to mention, the salary was hefty.

It felt like a paradise on earth, and he didn’t want to leave the Bellatu estate.

“Even if I were angry, I’d choose not to be.”

“Hmm?”

“I’ve become a well-fed pig.”

Someone once said there’s no business that doesn’t bow to money.

His grand aspirations to showcase the greatness of the Grass Sword shattered in the comforts of life and in front of Viola.

‘Even if I don’t do it, Princess Viola will do it, anyway.’

Viola’s pace of accomplishment was anything but human.

It wouldn’t be long before the fame of the Grass Sword would resonate throughout the continent.

In any case, since Viola would handle it, he decided to simply enjoy a comfortable life and prepare for retirement.

The Eastern Continent’s Assassin, Sheilan, had retired after finishing his first mission.

“Hey. The 5th Prince is coming.”

“Indeed.”

Bichen, who had been traversing the mountains and fields claiming to bring back the head of a Twin-Headed Ogre, returned.

Having gone several days without bathing, Bichen looked quite disheveled.

“Someone might mistake you for a beggar.”

“Hehe.”

Bichen’s body was smeared with blood. The black, dried blood indicated just how fierce the battle he had endured.

“Twin-Headed Ogre. I did it.”

He brought out the head from the pocket dimension.

Thud!

The immense head of the monster fell to the ground.

“Mm, mmhm.”

Ultimately, Bichen succeeded in hunting the Twin-Headed Ogre, and as soon as he gave the gift to Viola, he collapsed in exhaustion.

Seeing that, Sheilan felt not shock but a sense of relief.

‘It seems Princess Viola isn’t the only monster.’

It was said the 5th Prince was 13 years old.

To hunt a Twin-Headed Ogre at 13.

That was something unimaginable in the Eastern Continent.

Of course, he likely didn’t do it alone.

The butler, presumably, was not in a clean state either.

It seemed the butler and the 5th Prince had combined their efforts to take down the ogre.

‘Regardless, the Disciple is completely unfazed by all this.’

How normalized must this be for him to not be surprised at all?

So, Sheilan decided to also stop being surprised.

He chose to accept this nonsensical world.

What did it matter if it was nonsensical?

They provided meals and paid a generous salary.

That was more than enough.

‘Long live the sweet job!’

However, contrary to Sheilan’s thoughts, Viola was quite troubled.

‘Did he really bring back a Twin-Headed Ogre?’

How could someone hunt an ogre at 13 years old?

Especially a Twin-Headed Ogre.

‘Isn’t that even stronger than Sister Medea at that age?’

Medea had a feat of defeating a pack of Ash Wolves at 13.

With that accomplishment, she became an 8th-grade knight.

Ogres act independently, yet they were still a much stronger species than Ash Wolves.

Even with the butler’s help, a 13-year-old boy like Bichen shouldn’t be able to hunt such a monster.

‘What a headache…’

It seemed that Bichen was growing stronger and faster than ever compared to the original work.

‘This is troubling.’

As her family members grew stronger, wouldn’t Viola need to display even more exceptional abilities herself?

Otherwise, she would be left behind.

Despite having done well until now, it would mean she had to do even better.

Just as Bichen, who had briefly fallen asleep, opened his eyes wide.

“Vi! O! La!”

Bichen, worn out, looked like he had fully recovered his strength in an instant.

It was truly an extraordinary recovery.

“Stinky. Go away.”

At that, Bichen looked deeply hurt but then burst out laughing.

Bichen’s physical recovery was as absurd as his mental resilience.

In no time, his wounds healed.

“A duel, right?”

“Yeah. With Selbin Brandia.”

“I fought that guy?”

“When?”

“A few days ago.”

Viola tilted her head.

‘You fought?’

If characters like Bichen and Selbin fought, it would have been mentioned at least.

At least at this age, Bichen had never fought Selbin.

‘Ah…!’

He mentioned it was a few days ago. That meant the time he left to hunt the Twin-Headed Ogre.

Selbin was probably on his way here for a duel, and they must have encountered each other along the way.

“How did it go?”

“Hmm. Among the 9-year-olds I’ve met, I think he was the second strongest.”

Bichen chuckled.

Viola began to feel an involuntary tension at that display.

“The second strongest?”

The characters in the story keep getting stronger.

That itself meant variables were increasing.

Yet to hear there’s a 9-year-old who’s stronger than Selbin.

‘There was never such a 9-year-old in the story!’

Viola was unaware.

The first 9-year-old Bichen spoke of was none other than Viola herself.

*

Selbin was extremely excited.

The Duke of Brandia, like Bellatu, only moved a minimal number of personnel.

It was an expression of confidence that they didn’t need protector knights.

Selbin walked along the mountain path alongside her uncle, Poltois.

“Uncle, will I be stronger than Bichen when I turn 13?”

She extended her right hand.

Whack!

With a sound, the head of a goblin that ambushed her burst apart.

“You’ll become stronger. As long as you work hard.”

“Okay.”

Selbin dusted off her fists.

Goblins’ blood splattered everywhere.

“That brother said so. The 9-year-old Princess Viola is stronger than me.”

“That’s what Bichen said, so there’s no need to take it too seriously. Viola is a White Bellatu, so there must be limits to her power.”

“I’m so excited. I hope she really is stronger than me. I like having a strong sister.”

She had been dying to see Medea.

With this opportunity, she decided to duel Viola and also meet Medea.

With big dreams and an excited heart, Selbin arrived at Winter Castle.

“Me! Me! Starting with the Egg Tart!”

She tasted a new world.

“Ughh!”

She scrunched her face and held her cheeks with both hands.

Her body trembled.

It felt as if heaven had entered her body.

“I love it!”

Her ability to pronounce was a bit slurred as her mouth was stuffed with Egg Tart.

She pointed at her forehead with her finger.

“This is the True Forehead of Truth.”

Having tasted paradise, she soon began to pout.

“Why can’t I eat more than two?”

“You just ate four, counting mine.”

“I’m sad now.”

Tears welled up in Selbin’s big eyes.

With teary eyes, she stood up with a disappointed heart.

“Let’s come again tomorrow, Uncle.”

“Alright.”

For a week, Selbin ate Egg Tarts every day and showcased the True Forehead of Truth daily.

And finally, the day of the duel arrived.

Selbin and Poltois arrived at the Duke’s Mansion.

The Duke was currently on an expedition to the ‘Place Where the Eye Shines’, and the person waiting to greet Selbin and Poltois was Duchess Isabella.

“Welcome. Thank you for coming such a long way.”

However, Duchess Isabella unexpectedly brought up a strange topic.