---

The light began to emerge in the world. I had played the role of an adopted daughter way too well, Chapter 196.

Officially, the groom, Sheilan, waited while biting their nails.

‘When on earth are they coming out?’

I knew that the flow of time in there was quite different from this world. But could it really take this long? Six months had already passed since countless heroes entered the “Sacred Ground of the Ancient Warriors.”

In other words, it had been a total of one year and six months since Viola entered the “Sacred Ground of the Ancient Warriors.”

Sheilan had consulted with Heron to prepare for potential ambushes or variables and was now waiting with a makeshift shelter set up at the entrance of the “Sacred Ground of the Ancient Warriors.”

‘Is today just another letdown?’

For six months, they had been eating and sleeping here. They certainly were in rough shape, but that didn’t matter. Today wasn’t too cold.

Without needing to sleep in the shelter, they decided to lean against a tree and rest.

The sunrise broke the horizon.

The dim sunlight tickled Sheilan’s face, and they suddenly opened their eyes.

‘Huh?’

They hurriedly got up. ‘Someone is coming…!’

From within the “Sacred Ground of the Ancient Warriors,” someone was approaching. ‘It’s not just one person!’

There were several people. The presence of multiple figures could be felt.

The space opened up.

The world within was bright.

From that bright world, an incredibly bright light burst forth.

Sheilan instinctively raised a hand to shield their eyes.

‘They are coming out!’

It was so bright that they appeared to be shadows. Black objects flickering like shadows were approaching.

They sensed a familiar aura.

‘This powerful energy is from Duke Heron!’

The heroes who had headed to the “Sacred Ground of the Ancient Warriors,” including Heron, were returning. “What about Viola?!”

Sheilan forgot all about their appearance and ran toward Heron. Fortunately, Heron had the “Jinan,” and even in his shaggy state, he recognized who Sheilan was.

“He’s still breathing.”

“What do you mean by that?!”

“How much time has passed?”

“Six months. But where is my precious and small disciple?!”

Sheilan hurriedly searched for Viola. Heron looked back.

Sheilan’s gaze followed Heron’s.

Jeremy and Bichen were carrying something that resembled a stretcher made of woven leaves.

There lay Viola’s cold body.

Viola was lying next to Tundra.

Seeing the lifeless Viola made Sheilan’s gaze grow cold.

“What is going on here?”

Even though it was Heron in front of them, that didn’t matter. ‘I must give a proper answer. After all, you are the father of my disciple.’

The father returned without saving his daughter? That daughter is Viola? Sheilan would never forgive that father.

But then, Zeno stepped forward. “I froze her.”

Zeno had rapidly frozen her using cold mana. After harshly training to create Strawberry Ade with ice mana, he had perfectly frozen both Viola and Tundra.

“So, why?”

“It was the best option.”

Sheilan listened to Zeno’s words for a moment. They were able to gather the general situation.

Tundra and Viola had struck the ‘final blow’ together and lost consciousness.

Despite countless clerics pouring their sacred powers into them, the two hadn’t recovered, so they decided to freeze them before it was too late to buy some time.

“My disciple can come back to life, right?”

“I’ll make it happen.”

Sheilan barely concealed her rage, taking a deep breath. She spoke to the duke.

“My disciple must live, Duke.”

Normally, Heron might have frowned at such a statement. It was too rude to say to the Lord of Winter Castle.

But Heron didn’t question Sheilan’s attitude. He respected that Sheilan had been sleeping rough here for six months waiting for Viola.

Understanding Sheilan’s feelings, he didn’t scold him.

Instead, he promised.

“My daughter will definitely survive.”

His daughter had promised. She would be back soon.

She wouldn’t go anywhere, leaving behind her crybaby dad.

Thus, Heron bit his lips and thought inwardly.

‘Please keep your promise.’

* The world changed rapidly.

The royal family officially mentioned ‘Heat Wind’ and announced the extinction of ‘Bahakarun.’

The world was swept up in a festive atmosphere.

‘The Place Where the Eye Shines is no longer shining. The monsters also disappeared.

The Place Where the Eye Shines, which was a habitat for the monsters and could not be occupied by humans, had now transformed into fertile land.

The Winter Castle was no longer the Winter Castle.

“Moreover, the royal palace treats the honorable clerics with respect as clerics.”

The existing clerics did not recognize the newly formed clerics. So Lady Selina devised a clever plan. The clerics belonging to the temple.

The clerics belonging to the royal palace.

They began to treat them as two separate categories.

Ordinary people now gained sacred powers and became clerics of the royal palace, starting to exert influence over others.

“Recognizing Elbato as a miracle cleric, we award him the Silver Star Medal.”

Elbato’s remains were well taken care of and his funeral was held.

Conducted seriously at a royal level, the funeral lasted an impressive 12 days and attracted millions of mourners.

It was the highest number of mourners in history.

“Also, the royal family will award the Iron-Blooded Saint for her remarkable achievements during this expedition with the Golden Cross Medal.”

The Golden Cross Medal didn’t exist before. It was created solely for Viola.

It had more privileges than the Silver Star Medal and was a token almost equal in power to that of the Emperor.

In fact, the Emperor had hesitated a bit about issuing the ‘Golden Cross Medal.’ A medal that granted nearly the same power as the Emperor’s.

Historically, it was an unprecedented situation.

The one who comforted the Emperor’s unease was Lady Selina.

“Does that child appear to wield omnipotent power?”

“Not really.”

“I trust your sight, Your Majesty. And I trust my sight as well. If the two of us have reached the same conclusion, I can trust it even more.”

Selina smiled sweetly. “I believe Viola is more than deserving of the Golden Cross Medal.”

And five years passed. Nearly seven years had gone by since Viola first headed to the “Sacred Ground of the Ancient Warriors.”

Countless bards spread the songs of the “Sacred Ground of the Ancient Warriors.”

Many events that were close to reality were passed from the mouths of the citizens of the Empire. There were many protagonists in the stories, but without a doubt, the number one protagonist was Viola Bellatu.

The Iron-Blooded Saint. The citizens of the Empire praised Viola.

The public opinion was that the peace enjoyed now was thanks to Viola.

Unbeknownst to Viola’s own intentions, her fame began to surpass even that of the Emperor.

“It’s the first time I’ve felt uneasy about someone surpassing my fame.”

“Me too. If it weren’t for Viola, I might have sent the Unknown Knight Order to attempt an assassination on him.”

Because it’s Viola. That’s why it was okay. Her spirit of sacrifice deserved to be recognized and revered.

Nelak chuckled softly.

“Then it seems like the world might end.”

“True. That’s a fair point.”

Countless heroes moved for Viola. Those forces could easily topple a nation. Plus, they were now receiving fervent support and praises from the citizens. Even without that intention, sending an assassin could potentially mean the end of the Empire.

“The Golden Road will be completed soon.”

At that time, Viola had purchased territories for the Golden Road. Now, the value of that land had increased thousands of times.

Viola was not just rich; she had become astronomically wealthy.

“Based on that astronomical profit, Princess Hela has established the Terra Guild as the leading guild in the Empire.”

Construction, distribution, trade, manufacturing, health, medicine, etc. The Terra Guild was no longer simply a guild.

Hela referred to the Terra Guild as the “Terra Group.”

They had extended their reach far beyond being just a guild.

It became a saying that nothing could be done in the Empire without going through the Terra Group.

“If Viola puts her mind to it, she could even become the Emperor.”

If she awakens, that is.” Selina smiled broadly. “How about we pass the Emperor’s throne to Viola if she awakens?”

“I have seriously considered that option.”

Nelak and Selina had lived for the Empire. They would continue to do so.

With Viola, the Empire would undoubtedly prosper even more.

“Then we could retire to a quiet countryside and spend our days in peace. I think that wouldn’t be such a bad idea.”

“That may be true, but…”

This time, Nelak chuckled softly. “That wouldn’t be possible.”

“Why not?”

“The bonds surrounding Viola are too strong.”

Heron would absolutely not let Viola be sent to the capital. “There are too many people wanting to be by Viola’s side. I doubt Viola would be able to shake them off and ascend to the throne.

By the way, will Viola ever awaken?”

“It’s certain she hasn’t died.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Just a gut feeling.”

“That’s not like you.”

A considerable amount of time had passed since Viola collapsed. Selina suddenly seemed to remember something.

“If it weren’t for the Clumsy Elcina of the Magic Tower, she might have died long ago.”

In the past, Viola had saved Elcina. Elcina had gained new life thanks to Viola.

That Elcina had saved Viola. The device maintaining Viola’s life was created by Elcina.

It was a new invention that cleverly combined sacred power and magic.

Selina opened the window and looked up at the night sky.

“I have a feeling that Viola will wake up tomorrow.”

“Is that also a gut feeling?”

“It is a bit of both.”

Revealing her innermost thoughts. “It’s also the wind.”

Just then, the night wind brushed past Selina’s bangs. Tonight, the moon was exceptionally bright.

It felt like a day when a miracle was about to happen.

And that day, a miracle occurred.

Through a child with Miracle Mana.