Chapter 158
Something felt off in the atmosphere. In the role of an adopted daughter, far too well played, Chapter 158
Medea perched on Viola’s bed.
And before her stood Gaia, hunched over like a guilty person. A silence hung in the air for a moment.
“I will go make some Strawberry Ade.”
Gaia was tightly shut-lipped, as if she had received some sort of signal. ‘Sister wouldn’t bully Gaia for no reason, right?’
Viola asked, “Why is Gaia acting like that?”
“Who knows.”
Medea’s gaze shifted to Gaia. Gaia flinched at her look.
She didn’t exactly look the part of the Night Cat’s leader.
In front of the white cold wind Medea, Mother Gaia appeared to be just a pitiable person.
“Viola, be honest.”
“I’ve always been honest with you, Sister.”
Upon hearing this, a faint smile spread across Medea’s face. It was a very slight smile, but Viola didn’t miss it. ‘She’s not really that angry. Just pretending to be a bit upset to create this serious atmosphere.’
Then why? “… So to summarize, you found out that I was looking for the Night Cat and thought Gaia might make some strange propositions or demands, so you created this fearful mood, correct?”
“Yep. Both Gaia and you.
You usually don’t miss a trick, do you? So even the slightest blip in demeanor made me suspicious.”
She made an intimidating atmosphere out of nowhere to ensure Viola and Gaia wouldn’t hide anything.
“Are you perhaps referring to Elder Elbato?”
“I see you know. That’s right.”
Elbato was a famous cleric known as the ‘Light Cleric’ in the past. He got sick of the clerical duties and suddenly retired, vanishing as he hid his identity, and since then, no one had treated him. “Just hear me out.”
“Did you spill my request details to her, Sister?”
Gaia flinched at the question. “I didn’t spill anything; I asked for help. From the beginning, I contacted Elder Elbato through Princess Medea to get help for the butterfly. I figured, naturally, Princess Medea would accept the request.”
She never expected to end up half-kidnapped and brought here, though. She swallowed that part. Viola let out a sigh of relief.
“That’s a relief.”
She could shake off the anxiety that she might have stolen someone else’s turn. If it was Elder Elbato, he would surely be able to save the butterfly.
“However, Princesses.”
Gaia lifted her head, shedding her fearful demeanor from before.
“I’m considering taking a risky bet. Is that alright with you?”
* Gaia had taken many dangerous bets before.
Her not being an exceptional martial artist didn’t stop her from searching for the ‘Old Martial Artist’s Sacred Ground’.
Certainly reckless, but she took the challenge to gather information about it.
No reward comes without risk.
She always bore significant risks.
As a commoner, she had to bet to succeed.
As a result, the ‘Night Cat’ was born, and she became ‘Mother’ of the Unknown Knight Order. ‘There’s a scent.’
She was a risk-taker, and today, she decided to take a gamble. The target she decided to bet on was none other than Viola.
“I’m thinking of providing dangerous information to Princess Viola. Since it’s freshly received information, probably no one in the Empire would know about it.”
Medea smiled brightly and lifted the tense atmosphere entirely. Gaia’s actions indicated one thing.
‘She chose Viola, not me.
In Medea’s eyes, it was the right choice.
Since Gaia made the correct choice, Medea decided to step back a bit.
In the meantime, Zeno returned with three glasses of Strawberry Ade. Gaia hesitated for a moment, glancing around uncertainly.
It worried her that Zeno and Tundra were present in this room.
“It’s okay. They’re my people.”
At those words, Zeno’s hand trembled slightly as he set down the Strawberry Ade, and Tundra’s heart began to race. Their eyes met.
Though unspoken, they were thinking the same thing.
‘Tundra, are you touched?’
‘You too?’
‘Me too.’ Gaia chuckled at the strange atmosphere that had formed in the room. She was quick to notice Zeno and Tundra’s states.
‘Princess Viola completely rules over them.’
Ruling by force is easy. But winning hearts like this is hard. One word from Viola moved the hearts of the Sword Demon and his partner.
“Although it is said that murders have occurred in Winter Castle and that the future has changed a lot, within the Duke’s Mansion, a murder is still troubling?
‘Did Uncle Hixson go mad over the butterfly?’ No way.
Still, he wasn’t that senseless. “I think you, more than anyone, should know why I called it dangerous information, Princess Viola.”
“I know. Acknowledging the fact that your informant has infiltrated the Duke’s Mansion.”
“That’s right.”
Transmitting dangerous information. If one can grasp the time the information was obtained and the movements of those surrounding it, they could identify who the Night Cat’s spy is.
Thus, it was a big gamble for the Night Cat. They judged that the advantage gained from delivering the information outweighs the danger.
“Do you know who committed the murder?”
“In the end, the lion devoured its mother.”
Viola was in shock for a while. She felt she understood why Isabella had resorted to such extreme measures.
‘It’s a distortion I created.
It was because of Viola herself.
“Prince Bichen loved his mother, Isabella. In the end, he lost the one he loved. That, combined with the blood’s intensity, became the powerful Sheilan who halted the carriage.
“Whoa, whoa.”
Up ahead, a small town was engulfed in flames. Countless people had died.
Sheilan remained vigilant, looking ahead.
“Scary.”
Someone with a horrifically chilling aura was approaching. The terrified coachman Sheilan asked,
“Are you Prince Bichen, or not? The one influenced by Bahakarun has eyes blackened and tears of blood flowing down.”
Blackened eyes.
Blood streaming from those eyes. “People refer to this as ‘Contamination.'”
‘Bichen is contaminated.’
“Contaminated humans lost their selves and ultimately became blood-crazed madmen.”
“Viola, do you think your blood is fragrant?”
Viola bit her lip. ‘Bahakarun’s influence is starting to intensify.’
Bahakarun was sealed beyond dimensions, “in a place untouched by light.” That seal would still be effective.
He was the Emperor at the moment of this world’s conclusion. Winter Sword Master H was the first head of Bellatu’s family, while the Lava Giant Brickta was the first head of Brandia’s family.
“Bahakarun was sealed and trapped somewhere in the dimensional rift.
The four heroes were not intact. Only the White Dragon Paila survived.”
The White Dragon Paila mourned the loss of her friends and stayed in the human world. Later she married a human and proliferated offspring, which became the Mariantu Ducal House. Words went that the Emperor of the Monarch Empire and the Three Great Ducal Houses banded together to seal Bahakarun.
In the latter part of the novel, ‘Heat Wind’ and ‘Death’ succeeded in drawing some of Bahakarun’s power, plunging the world into chaos.
‘In the novel, Viola defeats Heat Wind and Death, ultimately ruling over Bellatu.’
That was the homework Viola had worked through in the novel. That homework showed itself before the current Viola. Medea drew her great sword and stepped forward.
“Bichen, this is unbelievable.”
Medea glared at Bichen. She knew he was not himself.
‘This hurts.’
Today, I might have to slay my brother. Medea steeled her resolve.
“Since I started learning the sword, I vowed never to cut down my family.”
“I hope you don’t interrupt, Sister, hehe.”
“However, today, I may break that promise. Withdraw your intent to kill.”
“Please.”
Bichen, who had been chuckling, suddenly shouted. “I told you not to interfere!”
In that moment, shockwaves erupted. The horses screeched in terror, and Sheilan struggled to calm them down.
Bichen disappeared from sight.
‘Where did he go?’
And the sound of steel clashing echoed. The sounds of swords clashing.
‘I can’t see anything.’
Nothing was visible. The flashes of sword light from the two flickered, after which shockwaves blew out.
‘Water’s veil.’
Viola summoned Pongpong and unfurled a veil of water. Just in case, she protected Gaia as well. Pongpong loudly shouted while covering Viola and Gaia’s bodies.
“Pong is magnificent!”
The water veil had always protected the wicked Hela until the end. Viola decided to trust in Pongpong’s power and said to Gaia.
“It’s Bahakarun.”
“Bahakarun?”
Gaia thought for a moment and then realized. “Could it be that Bahakarun from the founding mythology?”
She too realized. “It resembles a story from legends.
But that’s still a myth…” It was hard to dismiss this situation as a myth. ‘Princess Medea is struggling.’
It was impossible. How can Bichen possess powers stronger than Medea?
“That’s not a myth.”
“It’s true.”
“How did you know right away?”
“I’ve read a lot of books.”
It was true. However, Gaia nodded, interpreting it as a suggestion to study more. Current Viola had no desire to become the ruler of Winter Castle.
She hadn’t until now and wouldn’t in the future.
“Are you aiming to become a hero of the world?”
“I don’t have such grand ambitions.”
Her only goal was mere independence. Living slenderly and long was Viola’s creed.
“But you made Bichen like that.”
At first, it wasn’t like that. He was just a budding assassin mad about blood.
To survive, Viola poisoned and manipulated Bichen.
“Bichen has always been sincere with me.”
The way he expressed that was just a bit odd; still, Bichen had always been on Viola’s side. A boy who had nothing to fear in the world feared being hated by Viola.
Though he grew up receiving twisted love, he became a boy with true affection.
“I needed a family.”
I wished I had family. People who could always be on my side.
Those who could be my fence, and those I could be a fence for.
I had always longed for such people. Bichen was one of them.
The Heat Wind and Death had contaminated Viola’s family.
“Tundra.”
He stood right beside Viola as though waiting for her command. Viola opened her mouth.
“I told you to live my life.”
“Yes.”
Han Ah-rin’s life. Viola’s life.
I couldn’t tell what my true life was.
But for now, I decided to live Viola’s life. Viola resolved to protect her family.
“Kill Bichen.”
The author had set that up directly. “Those influenced by Bahakarun’s vile energy cannot return to their original selves.
Those tainted must endure terrifying pain within their collapsing ego.”
Voices echoed in Viola’s ears. -It hurts so much. -Viola. Viola bit her lip. ‘Ointments won’t be of use.
They couldn’t heal.
The only thing Viola could offer now was a peaceful death.
“Teacher, help Tundra as well.”
Sheilan asked back without much fear. “Are you sure?”
“Please.”
“If it’s your request.”
A breeze infused with greenery began to sweep in. Then Zeno said, “Princess, please don’t cry.”
Viola wasn’t crying. Yet Zeno thought she was. A white chill began to cover the surroundings.
The ground and wind froze solid.
Zeno couldn’t bear to see Viola sad.
He resolved to cut away anything that caused her sorrow.
Viola concentrated her mind.
Her eyes turned red.
‘Now I see.
Medea and Bichen were fighting.
Medea’s breath had grown ragged.
Tundra joined in, delivering a dominating slash.
Bichen, who had aimed his dagger at Medea’s neck, hurriedly recoiled it.
“I’ve come to fulfill my disciple’s request.”
Sheilan’s dagger aimed at Bichen’s side. A wound opened in Bichen’s side.
Simultaneously, Zeno thrust his thin sword.
That chilly weapon aimed directly for Bichen’s heart.
Bichen performed a somersault, dodging that sword.
Marguerite petals, infused with the miraculous water ‘Arena’, turned purple.
Drawing upon the true strength of his dagger, he recited.
“The purple blood flower shall bloom and cover all that is dear.”
Viola’s dagger repeatedly struck Bichen’s body. Injury marks began to sprout across his body.
Bichen screamed in agony.
‘It hurts too much.’
But that was only for a moment. “If you’re careless, you can’t do anything.”
Bichen swung his dagger. Several strands of Viola’s bangs were snipped away.
Three swords were embedded in Bichen’s body.
Medea’s and Tundra’s great swords.
Zeno’s dagger.
Bichen had taken on the three swords while targeting only Viola.
“Aw, what a shame.”
One of Sheilan’s arms was severed. Thanks to Sheilan, Viola could continue living.
Zeno quickly picked up the arm, froze it, and tucked it into the space pocket. It was a swift move for reattachment.
“I have to kill Viola. I want to kill her, heh.”
Bichen crumpled to his knees. Covered in blood, Bichen spouted the same lines as in the novel.
Since childhood, Bichen had always wanted to kill Viola and engage in a bloodbath competition.
It was a setting established by the author.
Even now, Bichen wanted to kill Viola, repeating lines similar to those in the book.
As if that was Bichen’s predetermined fate.
Viola bit her lip.
‘I don’t want this.’
This was not what she wanted. She disliked moving according to the author’s setup.
In the original story, Viola kills Bichen.
Neither Viola nor Bichen desired this situation. ‘This is not it.’
Just as Viola had her own way of living, Bichen must have his own way as well. At least, this wasn’t the way she believed Bichen should live.
“Bichen should live his own life.”
Not as the character Bichen. But as the person Bichen.
“I will save you.”
The person Viola was not scripted by the author. There was no setting for Viola to be the ‘abandoned orphan Han Ah-rin.’
The setup of modern reincarnation in <Shadow of Bellatu> didn’t exist either.
Current Viola was a Viola not painted by the author.
In other words, Viola was the greatest variable in this world.
‘I am the greatest variable.’
