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Then, strange things began to unfold. The adopted daughter role was played excessively well, Chapter 143.

The world of Bellatu’s Shadow was one where dark magic and evil spirits existed.

Evil spirits were entities that acted similarly to demons, utilizing the dark hearts of humans to form contracts and wield physical power.

Humans could gain great strength through contracts with evil spirits, but over time, they would gradually be taken over by the evil spirits.

There were various ways to exorcise evil spirits, but the most certain method was to accurately identify the spirit’s identity and recite the incantation it feared. The incantation Viola recited was an exorcism chant to banish the “Wilderness Evil Spirit.”

Then, a voice echoed. “So, you picked up something ridiculous from somewhere.”

The evil spirit laughed with a snicker. It sounded as though many people were speaking at the same time.

It had low voices chuckling, while simultaneously piercing high-pitched giggles rang out.

‘Ugh, so scary.’ Viola had to control her inner feelings. The evil spirit was, in a way, akin to a ghost.

No matter how strong-hearted Viola was, ghosts are terrifying.

Hearing the snickering laughter made her confidence wane.

‘Could it be the Wilderness Evil Spirit?’

The chant was specifically for banishing the “Wilderness Evil Spirit,” so it wouldn’t work on other spirits. ‘No.’

This was the evil spirit that had appeared alongside Dexial. The evil spirit contracted with Dexial was the “Wilderness Evil Spirit.”

The moment faith wavered, the exorcism incantation would lose its power.

“Snicker, care to try reciting the incantation again?”

“Remove the shadow and face the light.”

Viola showed no signs of panic. A chuckling voice rang out.

“That’s a shame. I’ll kill you here.”

A black haze began to sway ahead. Soon, it took on a human form and approached closer.

Selbin gulped.

“What’s that?”

The evil spirit grew stronger by consuming the dark hearts of humans. Anxiety, depression, fear, terror.

All of these added strength to the evil spirit. “Don’t react.”

“I’m scared.”

Selbin firmly believed Viola, as if she were the sky. Thanks to that unwavering faith and trust, the “Wilderness Evil Spirit” could gain no power. “Selbin will close her eyes and just wait for sister’s words!”

It was a powerful conviction that was hard to comprehend rationally. Meanwhile, the “Wilderness Evil Spirit” was burning up inside. The incantation made its mind whirl.

However, outwardly it continued to cackle and laugh. ‘This has happened many times before!’

But humans are fragile. That’s why they can’t help but doubt. The moment doubt arises, the power of the exorcism incantation shatters.

The black haze gathered and transformed into a long whip-like shape.

“I’ll kill you.”

The black whip wrapped around Viola’s body and began to constrict. Selbin had blocked all sensations and closed her eyes, so she didn’t know what situation Viola was in.

Viola was scared, but she calmed her heart.

‘If a truly dangerous situation arises, I can just call Pongpong.’

She still had one last resort. There was no reason to panic or be afraid just yet. “Does it hurt?”

The evil spirit cackled with laughter. It continued to intimidate her.

“I will kill you?”

“As much as I want.”

Reflecting back, the “Wilderness Evil Spirit” wasn’t as incredibly dangerous as Heron or Medea. Having faced them, Viola thought,

the “Wilderness Evil Spirit” wasn’t nearly as terrifying as it might seem.

Viola grinned and said,

“Arge was jealous of Halcon, the great hero of the continent and a long-time friend.”

Meanwhile, the black whip tightened its hold on Viola, but it wasn’t greatly painful. Even without unrolling a curtain of water, it was still manageable.

Viola was even a little surprised.

This wasn’t solely due to Viola’s physical abilities, but rather thanks to the excellent artifacts (dress) she was wearing.

Louis Varten’s treasure certainly lived up to its worth.

Breathing was uncomfortable, but it was not too torturous.

Viola continued speaking.

“Jealousy soon turned into hatred. Eventually, Arge drowned in madness, and Halcon, with tears in his eyes, beheaded Arge. On that day, you were born.”

The blood that seeped from Arge’s neck flowed into the temple, giving birth to the “Wilderness Evil Spirit.” She had read the novel multiple times.

She clearly remembered the contents of the setting book.

‘No matter what actions or words the Wilderness Evil Spirit takes to conceal the truth, Viola would remain unfazed.

“No!!!”

Countless voices blended together to scream. “The Black Temple, this is where you were born. Thanks to it, you gained such great power, right?”

The evil spirit found it hard to exert physical strength. Especially now, when its contractor, Dexial, had been defeated.

“No! No! No! No!!!”

It couldn’t even borrow Dexial’s body. Yet, the spirit still revealed itself and created a whip to bind Viola.

“So you are indeed the Wilderness Evil Spirit.

Without a doubt.”

Viola spoke confidently without the slightest tremor. “Remove the shadow and face the light. Wilderness Evil Spirit.”

The evil spirit couldn’t shake Viola. Kiyahhh!

It screeched and vanished into a pile of ashes.

*

Sheilan’s bangs fluttered in the breeze.

The blades of grass wrapped around his body and twirled.

At that moment, he was not a disguised coachman but Viola’s mentor, Sheilan, the assassin of the Eastern Continent.

Though he was retired, he still operated in the field today. “How should I kill you?”

The cowardly Sheilan lost his nerve. In the eyes of the frightened Sheilan, there were no emotions.

At his feet lay a dark magician sprawled out. “P-please, spare me.”

“The request is misplaced.”

Sheilan had no intention of forgiving Dexial. “You should’ve asked to be killed quickly, not to be spared.”

“Please, just spare my life… hu, huff.”

“Then why did you touch my disciple?”

Dexial reached out toward Sheilan’s ankle, pleading as though he were begging.

Chomp!

He grabbed Sheilan’s ankle.

At that moment,

Dexial released something poisonous from within.

“Uweeeek!”

It was the deadly poison Dexial had carried for emergencies. A last-ditch measure for when the opponent was caught off guard.

‘Die, you bastard!’

However, that last resort couldn’t even break through Sheilan’s blade of grass. The leaves moved as if they had their own life, blocking Dexial’s trick.

Sheilan didn’t flinch at all.

Instead, he muttered in a languid voice. “My disciple is correct.”

What is correct remained a mystery, but Viola was indeed correct. She intended to kill a rightful target.

That was an unjust act.

“I am the just mentor.”

So, he decided to punish him. Now, he was no longer cowardly Sheilan but Mentor Sheilan.

Just as the sharp-edged leaves were about to pierce Dexial’s neck, Zeno’s voice rang out.

“Princess has decided to spare him for now. We might need to extract some information.”

“Is that so?”

Sheilan gently scratched his cheek. With languid eyes, he looked down at the dark magician beneath him.

“But when it comes time to kill, I will be the one to do it.”

Zeno smiled broadly. “Understood. Please make sure he dies painfully.”

“Huh? Are you angry?”

“I am not angry.”

“You are angry.”

“I am not angry. However, the author tried to kill my lord.”

A chilling aura seeped from Zeno’s lips as he spoke calmly. Sheilan replied.

“I’ll make sure to kill him as painfully as possible.”

Having heard that calm yet horrific conversation, Dexial fainted. “How terrible!”

From Selbin’s perspective, a magic show unfolded. She blocked all senses, and when she opened her eyes, the evil spirit had vanished.

Selbin gazed at Viola with sparkling eyes, unable to hide her admiration.

“Selbin will become just like sister. Will you rule over Bellatu?

I’ll rule over Brandia too!”

Viola, hiding her uneasy feelings, patted Selbin’s head to move past the situation. ‘That was luck.’

She had information as a reader and was confident in it. Information and confidence.

If either had been absent, it could have been dangerous.

Viola scanned the spot where the Wilderness Evil Spirit had been.

The Wilderness Evil Spirit had turned to ash and disappeared.

‘Since the Wilderness Evil Spirit is gone, Dexial won’t be able to exert any power either.’ Although Dexial was already subdued by Sheilan and couldn’t do anything, Viola wasn’t aware of the outside matters. ‘Huh?’

It seemed like luck had struck once. Then, consecutively that luck came in. ‘It’s a Black Troll, isn’t it?’

There it was, a black troll with two heads. The troll was a monster with exceptional regeneration powers.

In other words, a monster with a persistent life.

It seemed to have survived the cleanup of the Wilderness Evil Spirit. ‘It’s almost dying.

While it has immense regenerative abilities, it must have sustained severe injuries from the Wilderness Evil Spirit.

Its condition was pretty bad.

‘It should be easy to perform a swearing ritual.’

It was gruesome to be soaked in blood, but some things just had to be done. Selbin watched Viola with an expectant expression on her face.

Viola wielded the Grass Sword and severed the troll’s neck.

Wow! Sister is the best! With Selbin raising her thumb high, Viola felt a bit burdened and averted her gaze, summoning Pongpong.

Pongpong.’

Pongpong gathered the splattered droplets of blood into one mass. Viola reached for the mass, hiding her feelings of discomfort.

Pop!

Just like a water balloon bursting, blood exploded.

Viola got splattered with that blood.

She held her breath, worried about the stench of blood.

‘There’s no smell.

This artifact prevents contamination and purifies the stench of blood in real time, providing Viola with clean air.

Thanks to that, she didn’t feel nauseous at all.

“Princess Viola of Bellatu solemnly swears to enter a pact with Prince Bichen of Bellatu.”

The swearing ritual also concluded successfully. Selbin was overjoyed to be a witness to this historic moment.

Seeing that, Viola felt an inexplicable sense of foreboding. ‘Though it’s all over now.’

It was odd. ‘Strangely, the luck is too good.

When luck is this great, something usually happens. A feeling of unease crept up.

‘Am I missing something?’

Thinking back, she felt like there was something. Suddenly, one thought flickered through her mind.

‘Is it currently…!’

She looked around. ‘It’s over. The last remaining Black Troll has been defeated, and now there are no monsters left here.

And the “Wilderness Evil Spirit,” which was born here, has been obliterated. Two conditions she hadn’t even considered upon arriving here were suddenly fulfilled.

It was the condition to summon the ruler of the first floor of the Black Temple.