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“Adopted Daughter: Role Overdone” Chapter 134

Viola nodded.

“What’s the proposal?”

“To take my cherished student, one must pay the price.”

Cherished, huh? Viola wanted to say that but held back.

“If you kiss my foot and beg sincerely, I might consider it.”

Viola despises receiving kisses on her feet. Not only does she dislike receiving, but she hates giving even more.

Even for Prince Jeremy, it would be unpleasant, but for Master Sirson, it was even more so.

In that moment, Zeno thought,

“If I lose my feet, I can’t receive the kiss.”

Zeno’s eyes sank deeper as they fixed on Sirson’s ankle.

It was thin enough to cut easily.

Meanwhile, Viola could easily read Sirson’s thoughts. “Sirson is a man driven mad by ambition.”

He’s someone who fills his self-esteem with praise from others. If it weren’t for that ambition, he might have become a far superior Master of the Magic Tower.

“He probably wants the world to know that I’ve kissed his foot in respect.”

Viola pondered. She was risking her life daily, walking on thin ice, so could she not kiss that foot?

…But then again, ‘No, that’s still not right,’ and doubt arose.

“Why? Don’t you want to?”

Sirson proposed a compromise. “How about changing the suggestion a bit? Would it be acceptable to publish this in the newsletter?”

He even said it was fine not to actually kiss. They just needed to report that “Princess Viola kissed the foot of Master Sirson.” ‘Sure, that should be fine.’

In this world, kissing someone’s foot is an act of respect and reverence. Regardless of personal character, a Master of the Magic Tower held enough social status to deserve respect.

“It’s not an incredibly strange notion.”

If it meant securing Elcina, then it seemed like a worthwhile deal. Up to this point, at least. However, not every situation turns out the way Viola wants. The editorial and reporting departments of the newsletter became very busy.

“Latest news concerning Princess Viola has been updated!”

Mercenary King Kaiser. Baby Deer Mercenaries.

Black Hixson.

With their appearance, Viola suddenly became the hottest topic on the continent.

Numerous newsletters began covering Viola.

“A report from the 6th Magic Tower has come in.”

“What’s the report about?”

“It states that Princess Viola showed respect by kissing the foot of Master Sirson.”

The editor of “Monarch Paper,” one of the most famous newsletters in the Monarch Empire, frowned. “Is that all?”

“Yes, that’s it.”

The editor wasn’t pleased. “What’s the big deal about a Master receiving a kiss?”

Such occurrences wouldn’t really make waves. While it was clear Princess Viola was rising to fame, without a compelling narrative, this wouldn’t qualify as a scoop.

“That old man seems to want to show off as much as he can.”

“It seems so. He’s obsessed with honor, so it’s understandable…”

The editor smacked his lips. “If it were the other way around, it would have been a huge issue.”

If Master Sirson had kissed Princess Viola’s foot, a much better picture would be painted. That would have blown up into a much bigger story.

The journalist, Yuliton, responsible for this coverage, carefully opened his mouth.

“Editor, if you allow me, I could add a narrative to the incident.”

“What kind of narrative?”

“I have some ideas about why Princess Viola kissed the Master’s foot.”

Yuliton was an able journalist who could see the deeper layers of events. “Are you aware of the rumors surrounding Princess Viola?”

“That she drinks blood? That she has already beheaded hundreds? Is that the kind of thing you’re talking about?”

“Of course, but…”

There were indeed many dark rumors about Viola. But there were also other stories. “They say she possesses the talent of a demon yet has the heart of an angel. Based on that, we could weave a narrative. It would explain why the Iron-Blooded Princess kissed the Master’s foot…”

The editor’s eyes widened. The scent of a scoop was starting to waft in.

Even the same event could change entirely depending on which aspects were highlighted and how they were presented.

“You know about the Beggar Gang from the Magic Tower, right?”

“Isn’t that just a rumor?”

The Magic Tower is a closed off place, and not many could visit it. Very few knew the inside details, and only rumors about the “beggars” were floating around.

“But now, there are indeed beggars who have made their way out of the tower, right? We can finally confirm their existence!”

The little ball Viola had thrown into the air was starting to grow larger. “Look at the timing. Princess Viola, accompanied by Black Hixson, the Mercenary King, and Baby Deer Mercenaries, has approached the Magic Tower. Also, the Chief Butler Carlton from Bellatu has reportedly made an appearance. They possess enough power that it wouldn’t be surprising for them to start a war!”

The editor gulped. Upon reflection, it seemed true.

“So Princess Viola sought out the Magic Tower even at the risk of war.”

Even Yuliton, the one saying this, found the fact less crucial. “And she sincerely pleaded. That even the beggars of the Magic Tower deserve the right to live like human beings. She asked that they be released.”

The editor’s head erupted with a scoop alert! The editor continued,

“She sincerely tried to persuade them, and if that didn’t work, she planned to risk war?”

“That’s how the situation unfolded, right? During interviews with the beggars of the Magic Tower, they stated that it was Princess Viola who had set them free.”

“Fortunately, the discussion with the Master went well.”

“So we have the narrative that Princess Viola kissed the foot of the Master…”

They exchanged glances and burst into laughter. “What a touching narrative.”

The tale was spun that the Winter Castle’s princess earnestly pleaded with the Master on behalf of the strangers they deemed beggars. Not surprisingly, a scoop hit.

Without Viola’s knowledge.

*

As Viola’s name began to gain reputation, various newsletters started covering her.

Some even reported on her infamous reputation, while others malevolently suggested that the disappearance of Princess Sena a year ago was somehow related to Viola.

“Daring to spread rumors about my dear beloved student, huh?”

Sheilan couldn’t forgive that. Although he was a retired assassin, he decided to briefly return to the field. Fueled by anger, he lost his fear, and an unafraid Sheilan began to rise again as the best assassin.

“One more article like that, and I’ll pluck your eyes out and cut your tongue.”

“Please, just spare me.”

“You’re writing a retraction, right?”

“I’ll do it immediately.”

Sheilan was busy. He went from one troublesome journalist to another, using Viola’s controversy to track down those who stirred up malicious reports.

Some even tried to threaten Sheilan.

A naked middle-aged man, covered only by blankets, shouted,

“I’m the lead journalist of Renonji! I won’t let this slide. I’ll reveal the truth behind Viola!”

“Didn’t I tell you?”

“What, what did you say?”

“You call me the phantom of warnings, right?”

Sheilan was known among the newsletter journalists as the “phantom of warnings.” He did not care for that nickname.

“I’m not some phantom of warnings.”

A smile crept up in his masked lips. “I’m an assassin.”

Thud. With a light sound, a head rolled away.

A fountain of blood shot up.

In Sheilan’s hand was the manuscript.

“Shock! The Sponsorship Relationship between Bellatu’s 6th Princess and the Master!)”

Sheilan’s eyes turned cold.

He looked at the body that had lost its head with emotionless eyes.

In a dull voice, he muttered,

“Why are you messing with my student?”

The night wind blew through the window. “So you die.”

His bangs fluttered. The frightened Sheilan began losing his fear steadily.

Little by little, the author’s settings began to shift.

Neither Sheilan nor Viola knew it.

*

The beggars from the 6th Magic Tower arrived at Winter Castle.

Initially, they were overly terrified, but gradually they began to adapt.

Most of them were skilled artisans. Skills in chimney cleaning, ore refining, weapon maintenance, baking, and more. The beggars of the Magic Tower were artisans who took over tasks that the mages deemed “lowly,” and their presence started to gain recognition in Winter Castle.

The first to receive acknowledgment after being threatened by Viola was Keitarun.

“Oh, it’s clean. Great job.

I’ll come often.”

And he received 5,000 dalia. Keitarun was a master shoeshiner.

His shoeshining skills began to spread by word of mouth. People in Winter Castle recognized the beggars’ skills.

“This is what it means to be alive.”

For the first time, Keitarun felt truly alive. He had been acknowledged for his skills.

There was no longer a need to hide like in the Magic Tower, nor was there the obsession to avoid catching the eyes of the esteemed.

“All thanks to Princess Viola.”

They learned freedom. There weren’t many artisans in Winter Castle.

The natives of Winter Castle mostly grew up to be brave warriors, fighting against monsters that invaded the human lands from the “Place Where the Eye Shines” in various battles, big and small.

So, there were relatively few artisans. The beggars from the Magic Tower filled that gap. In a way, the power of Winter Castle was notably strengthened.

“Brr, it’s cold.”

He blew warm air into his hands.

Despite the chill, Keitarun was happy today as well.

It was 4 AM.

Though no one ordered him, Keitarun purposely woke up early to wait for guests.

Everything was vastly different from the Magic Tower.

He was so happy working that he couldn’t help but hum a tune.

“Do you perhaps shine armor?”

Huh? Who could it be at this hour? Keitarun looked up to see a woman approaching him.

“Whoah!”

His finely tuned instincts, honed from the Magic Tower, activated. “A being of absolute power!”

Without a doubt, an astonishing entity. She had jet-black hair and blazing red eyes, wielding a giant sword, larger than any ordinary man’s.

Though her attire was that of a knight, her demeanor and expressions radiated an elegance and dignity surpassing that of any noble young lady.

“She must be someone incredible.”

This person was undoubtedly different from the people of his world. Keitarun gulped.

He felt it might be rude even to breathe in front of her, so he held his breath and spoke as respectfully as he could. “I will present it with utmost care.”

The moment he resolved to do his best, she asked,

“I have something I’d like to ask about Viola.”

It had arrived. Keitarun thought as much.