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045: Adopted Daughter Role Was Done Too Well

“Could it be a mission to kill Duke Jackal of the Storm Blade?”

This mission, summarized as ‘Eye of the Storm,’ was one of the top five worst choices according to Han Ah-rin. Viola was also aware of the recent trends in the news.

Jackal had published several columns in the local newsletter.

[The privileges granted to Winter Castle must be abolished.
While I respect the warriors of Winter Castle, this policy is wrong.
The Bellatu Duke House is following a narrow-minded and wrong path to satisfy personal desires.]

The reason was that the Central Continent’s Monarch had announced the ‘Golden Road,’ a trade route connecting to Winter Castle.

In that process, the youngest princess of Bellatu gained a fortune worth several billion Dalias.

Thus, Jackal’s argument certainly held weight.

[At that time, the youngest princess of Bellatu was only seven years old.
The citizens speculated by throwing in 200 million Dalias, an amount they could scarcely touch in their lifetime.
This is an illegal transaction using a name.]

The content of the newsletter brought feelings of deprivation and loss to many people.

Moreover, public opinion arose that the Bellatu Duke House had illegally amassed wealth through greedy and wrongful means.

Viola let out a sigh.

“Different from the original, but similar.”

In the original story, Jackal causes trouble for a different reason. That won’t happen for at least another three years.

“Things have hastened and changed, yet the Duke House still gets into trouble.”

Though the details changed, the significant flow did not.

The author’s settings seemed not to change easily.

“Right. You’re aware of the recent developments on the continent?”

“I’m aware.”

“Therefore, I’ve received orders to kill Jackal.”

“Then Father will be pointed as the culprit?”

“Does it matter?”

Medea tilted her head.

At that moment, Viola quickly nodded.

“Of course, it doesn’t matter.”

What’s it to anyone? As long as there’s no physical evidence… Medea must have thought that way too.

“Though my sister is kind and warm… she forgot she’s a Bellatu.”

Here, only one thing was important.

“It must be without a shred of evidence.”

Viola recalled the essence and characteristics of this world that she had momentarily forgotten.

“Right. Don’t forget. I’m in the world of ‘Shadow of Bellatu.’”

Viola lay alone in bed, organizing her thoughts.

‘I never imagined this incident would come so swiftly.’ She thought of Jackal.

In the work, Jackal is portrayed as a proud leader of Storm Fortress.

If Winter Castle is the northern shield protecting humanity from ‘the place where the eye shines,’ then Storm Fortress is the defensive bastion guarding the Empire from ‘the canyon of barbarism.’

“He was famous for possessing a sturdy temperament that would break rather than yield.”

Once, a high official of the Empire had come to him, offering bribes to get his son into the Storm Fortress’ Storm Corps.

[“I do not accept illegal solicitations or bribes.”

“Are you disregarding my sincerity?”

“I’m not disregarding; I’m merely following the laws and principles. If you repeat such words one more time, I’ll consider it an affront to my honor and that of Storm Fortress.”]

If it weren’t for Selina, the minister of the Empire, Jackal would have faced severe disadvantages.

In any case, Jackal was no one who would tolerate injustice, despising acts that broke principles to an extreme, and was depicted as someone who always trained and improved himself.

“Just once. The time to give up the principles of life has to be now.”

If the overall flow of the novel was the same, Jackal wouldn’t be writing columns of his own volition.

External forces had interfered.

At this point, no one knew. But the reader, Han Ah-rin, was well aware.

The next day, the morning sun rose.

Today, the sky was exceptionally high, and sunlight shimmered with a golden richness.

Viola visited the annex.

“Uncle.”

“Huh? Why?”

Hixson was meditating.

He continued to concentrate without opening his eyes.

“You’re friends with Duke Jackal, right?”

“Yeah.”

Hixson slowly opened his eyes.

“Why? Were you told to kill Jackal?”

“Are you going to give me such a mission?”

In any case, this mission was top secret.

At the very least, the existence of the ‘mission to kill Jackal’ must be kept hidden. Even from Hixson.

“The target is Duke Jackal, the Storm Blade. How could a kid like me kill him?”

Hixson, seated cross-legged, looked at Viola.

Three years had been enough for Hixson to become a completely different person, staring at Viola for some time.

“It seems you have something to say.”

“I’ve been diligently studying Duke Jackal.”

“And?”

“He doesn’t seem like the sort of person to publish columns that slander or persecute Winter Castle. He’s not greatly interested in the continent’s political situation either.”

“Well, that’s uncertain. His personality is quite peculiar.”

Viola unfolded the newsletter she held in her right hand.

There was a column by Jackal along with his photo.

“I just see your face when I look at this picture, Uncle.”

“I’m much better looking, you know?”

“You really think so?”

“Of course.”

“I’ve heard martial artists should know themselves. You don’t seem like a martial artist, Uncle. You lack self-objectivity.”

“Is that something to say so seriously?”

Hixson exaggeratedly covered his eyes.

“Sad, isn’t it?”

Although he was joking, Hixson genuinely felt sad.

Though Hixson was impervious to other people’s words, Viola was different.

To Hixson, Viola was his heart-born daughter.

He felt like an incompetent dad being criticized by his daughter.

“Anyway, if I were Duke Jackal, I wouldn’t write a column like this.”

“Then?”

“I’d lead the Storm Corps and formally protest at Winter Castle. I’d try to confront the princess and find out the truth.”

Hixson summoned a memory of Jackal.

“Hmm. That’s true to his character.”

This way was unlike Jackal.

His method was to confront the offending party directly.

“This feels less like a protest and more like public agitation.”

“Hmm.”

“And Duke Jackal probably knows a lot about your father.”

“True. We’ve fought shoulder to shoulder several times. We didn’t care for each other, though.”

“Would Duke Jackal think it’s just 20 million Dalias that your father tried to illicitly gain?”

“Just 20 million?”

Hixson chuckled.

Most ordinary people hadn’t even touched 10 million Dalias.

20 million was certainly a huge amount.

But Viola’s words weren’t incorrect either.

‘How very Bellatu.’

She was Bellatu, the daughter of the Empire’s strongest duke.

It’s strange for Bellatu to cower at 20 million Dalias.

Rather, saying ‘It’s just 20 million’ was far more fitting for Bellatu.

“Do you think Duke Jackal felt that way?”

“No, not at all.”

“Isn’t that odd?”

Viola tapped the photo in the newsletter with her finger.

“You said this picture reminded you of your uncle?”

“Yeah.”

“Didn’t you also hear that Duke Jackal has a young son?”

Hixson’s expression stiffened.

*

Medea didn’t resort to tricks.

She sent an official document stating her intention to visit Storm Fortress.

The magically delivered document was approved within a day, and a visit delegation led by 1st Princess Medea was assembled.

Viola stared into the mirror, lost in thought.

“To officially visit and kill? That’s so Bellatu.”

The 1st Princess Medea was indeed coming.

Even the Storm Blade Jackal wouldn’t be unaware of Bellatu’s intentions.

“Jackal welcomes, even knowing all that.”

A blade openly aimed to stab.

And a shield openly aimed to block.

It would become a battle between the two. That was how it was in the original story.

“I must prevent this.”

This incident would sever ties with Jackal’s family, the Palail Family.

The Palail Family would rapidly grow later on.

Jeremy, one of the main supporting characters, known as the ‘Prince’ or ‘Little Storm,’ would lead the Palail Family to become a formidable enemy of the Bellatu Duke House.

“Viola, the leading lady, nearly died numerous times too.”

Even the 1st Princess Medea nearly died.

In any case, she would become a very dangerous enemy.

That had to be stopped.

“I cannot allow my rosy future to be ruined!”

Knock, knock.

With the sound of knocking, Zeno entered the room.

Zeno’s reflection appeared in the mirror.

He smiled brightly at Viola.

“Your Highness’s escort is my duty, Your Highness.”

“I know, but Zeno, you’re in a precarious position. You’re wanted in the Empire.”

Viola designated her butler Zeno, along with Tundra, as her official escort.

Zeno seemed displeased with that.

Viola turned to Zeno, meeting his gaze.

Though Zeno continued to smile, there was an undercurrent of discomfort.

“Storm Fortress is different from Winter Castle. It’s much closer to the Empire’s heart.”

Zeno was the one who had massacred over twenty knights of the Empire.

He was also a wanted man.

So, this time, they needed the help of Seivan, a master of disguise.

“No matter how much help Seivan provides, it’s not omnipotent.”

“……”

“I don’t care if you recklessly get embroiled in trouble. But if that damages my reputation or restricts my actions, I will hold you accountable and behead you.”

“I’m not afraid of being beheaded, Your Highness.”

Ah, of course, he is.

He was the same Zeno who had once asked, ‘Shall I cut your head off?’

That memory gave her chills.

“I’m scared.”

? “Huh?”

Zeno’s eyes twitched minutely.

The distinct Bellatu was reflected in his eyes, those violet eyes of the Iron-Blooded Princess.

“I don’t want to lose my capable butler. So follow my orders.”

Zeno stood there dazed for a while before placing his right hand over his left chest.

He bowed slightly, replying.

“I will obey your command, Your Highness.”

The following day, three carriages departed from Winter Castle.

The destination was the southern part of Winter Castle.

Between the canyon of barbarism lay the Storm Fortress.

Even after crossing through the transit gate, they had to drive for a while longer.

Inside the carriage, Viola gazed out the window.

‘This continent is indeed vast.’ She couldn’t quite grasp just how expansive it was.

She only sensed an ambiguously vast feeling.

And a week later.

The delegation from Bellatu, led by Medea, arrived at the Storm Fortress.

They passed a narrow and rugged path barely wide enough for one carriage.

The enormous fortress positioned between the canyons of barbarism.

Before it waved the golden lion flag, symbolizing the Bellatu Duke House.

Boo~!

The sound of a horn echoed, and the giant iron gates began to slowly open.

“Welcome, 1st Princess Medea. And 6th Princess Viola.”

From within the gates, a solitary figure clad in heavy armor walked out.

It was Jackal, the leader of Storm Fortress.

In Jackal’s hand was a long sword shimmering with a blue hue.

The tension in the air was palpable.

Medea smiled brightly and pulled a massive sword out of a spatial pocket.

“It’s been a while, Duke Jackal.”

The dueling energies clashed in the air, and a whirlpool began to form around them.

Viola swallowed hard.

‘What a drastic turn of events!’

It looked as if a fierce sword fight might commence at any moment.

‘Just the pressure alone could shatter me.’

The absolute beings of this world had come face to face.

Even the smallest mistake could lead to death.

‘I must do my best, just like I have the past three years.’

She had done well for the last three years.

Today, she resolved to do even better.