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His body was trembling like a puppy soaked in the rain. She has mastered the role of an adopted daughter excessively. Chapter 176

Tundra heard all of Viola’s words.

As soon as he heard those words, Tundra’s heart started racing as if it would explode. He opened his mouth. “Could it be…?”

As he was about to speak, something unpleasant obstructed him in front. It was an unfamiliar creature with red hair.

It was blocking Viola’s view, so he pushed it aside.

The creature was pushed out helplessly. “Were you speaking with me in mind?”

It seemed that everything Viola had said was pointing right at Tundra. And that made him happy. “……….”

Viola fell silent for a moment. She was pondering how to get rid of the psychopath, and upon reflection, it seemed she had pointed directly at Tundra.

‘Isn’t it funny to deny it now?’

Ha. I don’t know.

Whatever will be, will be.

“Okay.”

“I’m glad it’s your taste, Princess.”

Tundra smiled as if he possessed the entire world. ‘Seriously, is this something to be that happy about?’

Viola felt that something was slightly off about this world. Just then, Zeno asked. “Isn’t it your taste to have a butler capable of making strawberry ade that could be granted the title of master?”

Sheilan and Medea chimed in. “How about a brave assassin from the Eastern Continent, Master?”

“How about a knight closest to the heir of Bellatu, who has been granted a star?”

Hela put the finishing touch. “How about a rich man?”

Viola nearly nodded vigorously. In the world of “Shadow of Bellatu,” the soul of capitalism that had possessed her nearly knelt before money, but fortunately, that catastrophe did not occur.

Viola did not particularly respond to their nonsense.

They were clearly of the mindset asking a child, ‘Do you like mom or dad better?’

“Anyway, what’s certain is that Prince Kirael is not to my taste. I’ve made my intentions clear, so I’d like you to leave now…”

Prince Kirael?”

Meanwhile, Kirael was still in shock. The one who had caused the shockwave was none other than Tundra. ‘Did he just push me away?’

It was a trivial movement, like shooing away a bug. Kirael tried to evade that touch.

How dare he lay hands on my body?

In fact, he was even planning to retaliate. But he could not. ‘The moment that man’s hand touched my body, my body froze.

Tundra hadn’t even summoned mana, yet his own mana succumbed to Tundra’s mana.

This had never happened even during my sparring sessions with my mother.

Tundra’s back could be seen.

His shoulders were extremely broad, and a large presence was felt now.

It felt like a massive rock was right in front of him.

“Princess Viola, I’d like to make one suggestion, how about it?”

* Viola pressed her throbbing head against her pillow and lay down on the bed.

‘Sigh.’

There was definitely something wrong, somehow. Kirael’s suggestion was absurd.

‘I want to duel with the author. If possible, I prefer a real sword. If I lose, I’ll cleanly admit defeat and tear the marriage contract. Kirael wanted to duel Tundra.

‘Instead, if I win, Young Noblewoman Viola will marry me. What do you say?’

Viola contemplated for a moment. Although she could not remember all of Kirael’s background, she felt that Tundra would not lose to Kirael.

Rather, it seemed more certain to put an end to it this way.

So she asked Tundra what he thought, and he accepted with the words, ‘Anything you wish for.’ Thus, the duel was established.

‘They call it a duel, but it’s no different from a fight.’

I’ve got the heatstorm issue to deal with too. There seems to be a lot of personal business piling up.

Anyway, the sun rose again today. The duel time was noon.

The duel between the two gathered unusual attention.

Although Sister Medea and Sister Hela who were there might be fine, why on earth was the Mercenary King Kaiser, who was busy with the southern gate defense, here?

‘Even our busy father…’

Duke Heron, who used to be hard to encounter even once, was also present. Elcina, who had been a dropout of the 6th Magic Tower and was extraordinarily gifted as a great mage, was also there with them.

For reasons unknown, Bichen was smiling widely while holding a dagger smeared with deadly poison.

‘Since Sister Hela is here, is it natural for Ersa to accompany her…’

Ersa, Hela’s butler. In other words, the Sword Demon came to watch too.

“Hey, Tundra. If you lose, I’ll kill you.”

Tundra nodded at the murderous words from his master. “I cannot lose.”

His gaze fell on the ‘marriage contract’ held in Kirael’s right hand. It seemed he would shred that contract with just a glance.

Sheilan, who had changed his profession to coachman, mumbled lazily from atop the branch of a great tree.

“Don’t worry, Hixson, I still don’t have the leisure to marry my disciple off.”

His piercing gaze was directed at Kirael. Tundra wouldn’t lose, but if he somehow did, he was ready to step in.

“If the partner for marriage disappears, you can’t get married, can you?”

Sheilan grinned. At the same time, Zeno, who was to mediate the duel, announced the start of the duel.

As if Kirael and Tundra had vanished, suddenly they clashed.

Whoosh~!

A massive shockwave hit, accompanied by a strong wind.

Kirael quickly pulled his body back.

“Cough.”

It was just a single clash, but Kirael instinctively felt defeat. A trickle of blood flowed from his lips. “To become my master’s partner.”

Tundra swung his sword widely. His sword was cloaked in mana. To Kirael’s eyes, it felt like a gigantic sword charging at him.

It was as if one arrow was flying towards him.

The arrow was aimed right at his neck.

“Surpass me first.”

Bang! A tremendous explosion resonated.

“I’ll stop here.”

Soon, a chill spread around. Zeno stepped between Tundra and Kirael.

Sizzle—

Tundra’s sword began to freeze.

Tundra and Zeno.

The ground Kirael stood on began to freeze too.

Breath misted from the three of them.

Tundra retrieved his frozen sword.

“How unfortunate.”

“Well, murder isn’t allowed in Winter Castle.”

Zeno smiled as he retrieved his sword. Ice crystals formed on his sword but soon crumbled into powder. Kirael coughed again and collapsed there.

He knelt on one knee, looking up at Tundra.

It was a complete defeat. Old man Elbato, once known as the Miracle Cleric, came forward to heal him.

Even Viola was shocked by the result.

‘I knew Tundra had gotten stronger, but…’

I never expected it to be to this extent. In fact, everyone present was astonished by Tundra’s abilities. Only Heron remained unfazed. Though Tundra’s power was impressive, to him, it was only natural.

‘If it’s my daughter’s partner sword, it must be that capable.’

If it couldn’t even reach that level while speaking of a partner sword, he would have chopped off their head long ago. Fortunately, Tundra displayed feats worthy of his title as partner sword.

‘Still, I can breathe a little easier now.’

In the meantime, he gave Tundra a sharp glare. But seeking something more than a partner sword, Tundra said, “To become a partner, you must surpass me.”

So Heron thought too. ‘You too must surpass me.’

Meanwhile, Viola approached Kirael. She snatched the marriage contract from the shocked Kirael.

Kirael said.

“Please don’t tear it.”

“A promise is a promise.”

“I know. I won’t bring up marriage proposals to Young Noblewoman Viola again.”

Ah. Thank goodness. Viola’s heart felt at ease— not really.

“Why though?”

“Because you’re sexy.”

“Huh?”

“The noblewoman’s partner sword.”

Viola felt like she had just been hit on the head. “Tundra?”

“I’ve never met a man stronger than me. At least not around my age.”

……But?” “I like someone who can overpower me.”

Kirael’s gaze spoke volumes. Whether they were male or female.

Anyone who could overwhelm him would be welcome.

“So, I want to covet your partner sword.”

Viola sighed. “I can’t stop you from wanting Prince Kirael’s heart, but…”

Viola’s eyes turned to Tundra. Just as Tundra sent blind trust towards Viola, it was mutual.

“It’ll probably be hard.”

“Why?”

Tundra answered instead. He pulled out a book from an alternate dimension and tossed it to Kirael.

“The answer is in there. The third line of the second page.”

Kirael frowned. ‘The Psychology Report of Partner Dogs that must be known by a partner?’

It was what they called “Partner Report.” Kirael opened the book.

‘The third line of the second page.

[The world of a partner dog is filled only with their owner. There’s no room for other trivial things. If there is, it’s only snacks.]

“You’re less than a snack.”

Kirael kicked it away in anger.

*

The duel disguised as a fight was completely over.

Heron concluded.

“There should be no further chatter regarding marriage. If another marriage proposal comes up, it would be an insult to everyone present who witnessed your duel.”

Heron glanced at the top of the tree. He spoke as if to be heard by someone.

“If such a disgraceful event occurs, as the lord of Winter Castle, I will not hesitate to carry out a public execution within Winter Castle.”

Sheilan nodded. Responding very softly. “Disgrace is bad. I’ll kill them. I will.”

Meanwhile, after the duel, Elder Elbato requested an audience with Viola. “Viola, could you spare a moment?”

The impression and atmosphere were very different from when they met in Karenna. His tone had softened significantly. “Is it an urgent matter?”

I’d like to take a break. She hid that thought. Viola had to uphold the image of the Iron-Blooded Princess in front of these people.

Elbato nodded.

“Yes, it’s urgent.”

As if it had been prearranged, Elcina stood next to Elbato. Elcina spoke.

“There’s something I must tell the noblewoman.”

Viola tilted her head. “The Miracle Cleric and the once-genius of the 6th Magic Tower. Both of their combinations feel rather strange, don’t you think?”

Clerics and Mages hold each other in contempt. Their combination didn’t fit.

Elbato continued.

“It’s a very strange combination, so I thought I’d tell you a very strange story.”