I acted far too convincingly as an adopted daughter. 154th chapter. “W-well, if you ask me that…”

I never expected to be sent such a precious Silver Star Medal. Furthermore, to think I would be returning it.

Yet, I answered calmly on the surface. “I didn’t expect that you would insist on the condition of returning the Silver Star Medal. It seems like a mistake on Father’s part.”

“A mistake?”

Selina’s eyes went wide. “Are you sure it’s okay to say that to Duke Heron?”

“My father is a logical person. It’s fine to point out something that is logically wrong. Don’t you think this act is illogical, Lady Selina?”

“That is true.”

“Therefore, I can question my father about what is right and wrong.”

Selina’s suggestion to scout Viola was beneficial for her, yet, to refuse by depleting the ‘Silver Star Medal’ was an excessively unreasonable response.

“Even if you know that in theory, there aren’t many who could directly question Duke Heron.”

Selina smiled brightly. Everything about her pleased me.

‘A child with beliefs in action.’

Viola had acted when they were blocking the terror at the Forget-Me-Not Ball. She also took action to save the beggar gang from the Magic Tower.

She truly deserved to be recognized as the next ruler of Winter Castle.

“What if the reason isn’t sufficiently rational? What would Young Noblewoman Viola think?”

“……..”

You can discern right from wrong. But what next? Various thoughts flashed through Viola’s mind.

‘Should I really confront him?’

If it were the original Duke Heron from the novel, that could have been the right answer. However, the Duke in the novel changed. “I will hug him.”

“…Huh?”

That was an answer Selina never expected. “Hug him?”

“The fact that my father did something so illogical means there must be an irrational reason behind it.”

Viola thought she vaguely understood that reason. “It means father needs a family.”

In truth, Heron did not want to send Viola away. His honest feelings were that he didn’t want to send a thirteen-year-old child to a distant land to get entangled in court intrigue.

“And so, I think I would be happy.”

Selina gazed at Viola without saying a word. She couldn’t take her eyes off her for a while.

I felt a lump in my throat for some reason.

‘Happy.’

I could never have imagined such words coming from the Iron-Blooded Princess Viola. ‘I didn’t see this other side of her.’

Selina was relatively well aware of Viola’s growth. As for how strong she was, perhaps she understood more thoroughly than Viola herself.

The Viola Selina knew was a strong child, true to the Iron-Blooded Princess.

‘When I first met Duke Heron, she asked me to truly become her family.’

That seemed to be true. This child needed a family, and Heron responded to that wish. ‘That’s the scarier part.’

While earning respect and admiration from people solely through abilities and achievements is easy, gaining hearts is challenging.

Selina thought so.

She had done just that herself,

‘But winning hearts is difficult.’

Heroes are gathering around Viola. They weren’t just grouping because of her potential and growth.

‘They have given their hearts to Viola.’

Selina smiled wryly as she placed the ‘Oath Stone’ into her desk drawer. “It seems I won’t be able to use this.”

“It’s a great opportunity to reclaim the Silver Star Medal.”

“I don’t want to reclaim it.”

After being momentarily bitter, Selina quickly smiled brightly again. “I want to win over Young Noblewoman Viola’s heart.”

* ‘Has she given up on the scouting?’

For almost an hour, Selina hadn’t mentioned scouting. She just asked about Viola, and Viola continued a comfortable conversation as if talking with a friend or older sister.

“What’s been on Young Noblewoman Viola’s mind lately?”

“Well….”

Viola had come to meet Selina not only to refuse the scouting but also for another reason. She was grateful for the opportunity to be asked this.

“Go on. I may be older than you, but I hope you can consider me a comfortable older sister. I’d be delighted if you could call me that in private. Can you do that for me?”

Having said that, Selina chuckled as if she felt foolish. “But calling you ‘older sister’ might be a bit much, right?”

“Thank you for granting me that honor, older sister.”

Viola held all of Ah-rin’s memories. Selina appeared to be in her late twenties or early thirties, while Viola had lived almost thirty years, including Ah-rin’s life.

Thus, calling Selina an older sister didn’t feel particularly uncomfortable.

‘Huh?’

Selina was smiling with an unprecedented warmth. ‘She really likes it, huh?’

Did the novel’s Selina have such a setting?

Viola couldn’t recall any.

‘There was not a character who called Selina ‘older sister’ at all.’

So such a scenario had never played out. It felt like she had discovered a hidden setting of the character.

It felt pretty good.

Like finding treasure.

‘This is truly a fanfic that writes itself!’

Viola felt pleasantly buoyed, and the atmosphere between them became amiable. In this warm ambiance, Viola spoke up.

“You know about the organization that planned the terror at the Forget-Me-Not Ball, right?”

“I know.”

The once formal Selina began speaking casually to Viola. This meant she was opening her heart.

“The Heat Wind. They seem to be secretly active across the continent. They also appear to be adept in magic, and surely they’re connected with high-ranking officials in the Empire. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have remained so elusive.”

“I loathe Heat Wind.”

“Why is that?”

“Because their methods are excessively cowardly and inhumane.”

They employ strong martial artists to manipulate and exploit someone’s love. Black Hixson was one. Storm Blade Jackal was another, and Sword Demon Ersa was the same.

Although not detailed in the novel, there were numerous victims.

“Lady, you are well aware of the Duke Brandia’s youngest daughter’s affection for Viola, right?”

“I know. I’m well aware that that youngest daughter, Young Noblewoman Selbin, is completely smitten with Viola. I hear she’s head over heels for her. Is that right?”

“Yes, for now.” Viola smiled awkwardly. “Anyway, that child was also attacked.”

She detailed the events that occurred inside the Black Temple. “…And that’s how it went.”

“I knew there was a dark magician named Dexial, but I didn’t know the backstory.”

“Dexial is affiliated with the dark magic organization called ‘Death.’ Their insignia consists of two skulls.”

“Right, I’m aware that those with a two skull insignia are active all over the continent.”

There are at least hundreds of dark magic organizations on the continent, and it was difficult to keep track of them all. Still, Selina accurately recalled that name.

“I think they were called Death.”

“They aren’t very large and haven’t committed any serious crimes yet… so you are aware of them?”

Despite Death being in its early days, Selina knew about it already. That was remarkable prowess.

At that moment, Viola realized again.

‘This is not where I belong.’

Although Selina currently regarded her favorably, at any moment, Viola’s own mask could be lifted. She needed to escape before her facade was completely revealed.

‘Anyway.

I concluded.

“The methods of Death had certain similarities with Heat Wind.”

“You’re suggesting they targeted the youngest daughter of Brandia, right?”

Heat Wind preys on those loved by strong martial artists. Like Hixson’s daughter, Jackal’s son, or Ersa’s daughter.

The greater the love, the larger the hole left in the heart.

They cleverly exploited that void to ruin individuals. “Uncle Hixson became an invalid after losing his daughter. If a similar incident were to occur, what state would Duke Brandia be in?”

“Are you implying there’s a connection between Death and Heat Wind?”

“Yes, it’s merely a hypothesis.”

In truth, I saw it in the novel. Death and Heat Wind were one entity.

Though they operated separately until the latter part of the novel, their true identity was revealed in the final chapter.

Significant damage would occur to the Empire.

“They exploit the love that people have for one another.”

Viola stared intently at Selina. Selina could read the look in Viola’s eyes.

Their gazes connected.

“Could it be…?”

“Correct. There’s one person who loves you, Lady Selina, more desperately than his own life.”

Sword Master Nelak. He loved Selina more than his own life and lived for her.

Seeing Selina’s expression turn serious, Viola slurped down her Strawberry Ade.

‘Ah, this is the taste.’

Heat Wind and Death had originally been the ‘Invisible Sword.’ They had quietly amassed power until the latter part of the novel and then burst forth in a single strike.

‘The Invisible Sword is terrifying, but once it starts showing itself, it’s no longer scary.’

Viola hadn’t committed any grand deeds. She simply linked the situations so that the absolute figures of this world would start to take an interest in ‘Death’ and ‘Heat Wind.’ ‘This should be enough.’

If they failed to recognize it, that was one thing. Once they recognized it, the situation would change drastically. Moreover, if they thought it could be related to Sword Master Nelak, it was certain that Lady Selina would move like a storm.

‘They say you should take care of sickness in its early stages.’

The Strawberry Ade was exceptionally delicious. I felt a step closer to my happy independence.

*

At the same time, Medea was searching for somewhere alone.

A place where a drinking party had erupted since midday.

Countless people mingled together, chattering noisily as they drank beer.

As Medea entered, all eyes turned towards her.

“Wooooah!”

A group of men whistled. It was rare to find a woman as beautiful as Medea even in the Empire’s capital.

Men and women alike couldn’t take their eyes off her.

“Hey there, miss, are you alone?”

Some waved their hands, pretending to know her, and others tried to outdo one another offering to buy her drinks. Medea spoke softly.

“Bring me the Black Butterfly within ten seconds.”

Her small voice found its way into everyone’s ears. Though it was a delicate and precise use of mana, those here did not recognize that level of power.

Some of them approached Medea, cracking cheap jokes. Three burly men surrounded her.

“How about we have a hot time since it’s broad daylight?”

“Your older brothers can make it enjoyable for you.”

One drunken man imitated a wolf with an “Awwoooo~” and leered at Medea. Medea simply stood silent.

The three men seemed to be on a high from that. They casually rested their hands on Medea’s shoulder.

“Don’t worry, pretty lady. It’s fine to be scared.”

“Come on now, let’s go to our room.”

“You’ll have a good time.”

Medea finally spoke. “Ten seconds have passed.”