I played the role of an adopted daughter far too well. Chapter 46
The nickname ‘Storm Blade’ was bestowed upon Jackal because his momentum and sword energy were as powerful and sharp as a storm.

Viola could clearly understand in this novel what a ‘storm-like momentum’ was.

The mana storm created by Medea and Jackal was utterly deadly.

“What a gentle expression for a reaper here to kill me.”

“I’m a diplomatic envoy. I’m not sure what you’re talking about, dear Sir Jackal.”

Medea, drawing her sword, respectfully bowed her waist.

Both knew each other’s purposes and intentions exactly.

Yet, they tacitly pretended not to know.

“As the head of Storm Fortress, I welcome the princesses of Bellatu. As a welcoming gesture, I would like to share sword exchanges with Princess Medea.”

“Anytime you wish.”

Viola swallowed hard.

‘Am I going to lose my limbs if I step in recklessly?’

It really felt like it could happen.

It felt as if some monstrous creature was staring at her.

‘But I must gather my courage.’

I was terrified to death, but I didn’t show it on the outside.

This was what I had learned over three years.

Not to reveal my true feelings.

‘If I step between their momentum… I’ll truly die.’

No matter how talented and deadly a child like Viola might be, she was still just a ten-year-old.

It was absurd to step into the momentum emanating from two characters described as near omnipotent in the story.

‘Still, I believe. It’s the author’s setting!’

Viola took a step forward.

I was so scared.

Cold sweat was streaming down.

‘Ah, I don’t know, miss. I can’t see anything.’

I just started walking with my eyes closed.

Since seeing nothing with my eyes wasn’t helping at all.

Honestly, it felt better to walk with my eyes shut.

Hixson, watching from behind, slightly frowned.

‘Viola?’

Should I grab Viola?

It’s dangerous.

But I couldn’t step in.

Viola had insisted before starting.

“Uncle, if I don’t ask for help, just stay quiet and wait for me.”

“Uncle, do you believe in me?”

“Then, when I ask for help, please protect me.”

Got it?”

I decided to watch a bit longer, as Viola suggested.

Until she asked for help.

Medea, with her sword drawn, conducting the welcoming ceremony of Storm Fortress, also noticed Viola’s movements.

‘Viola! What are you doing!’

Right now it was a battle of momentum.

The intangible mana emanated from both sides, trying to encroach upon each other’s space and territory.

Although invisible, the space between Medea and Jackal was like a strait of death.

The youngest was stepping toward that space.

‘She couldn’t possibly not feel this momentum!’

What was she doing?

It was reckless.

This wasn’t a sword pressure that a ten-year-old could withstand.

But withdrawing this momentum wasn’t an option either.

The moment the momentum tilted to one side, the outcome would be decided.

In a split second, Jackal’s sword would touch her neck.

As the 1st Princess of Bellatu, I could not allow such a defeat.

But…’

If I don’t gather my momentum, Viola will get hurt.

Light wounds began to form on Viola’s skin.

‘Ugh, it, it stings!’

It felt like poison had touched her skin during the welcoming gala.

It was as if dozens of sharp blades were scraping against her tender skin.

Medea was conflicted.

I needed to withdraw my momentum.

The Storm Blade wouldn’t withdraw first.

The one at a disadvantage was herself.

Seeing the red wounds being engraved across Viola’s delicate skin made her heart ache.

‘No.

But Viola was then following her own path.

What Viola thought and dreamed was unknown.

But Viola was a Bellatu.

Bellatu was choosing her own path and walking down it.

‘Instead, I must respect Viola Bellatu.’

At that moment, Jackal was the first to withdraw his momentum.

In the battle of mana that had been tense and closely contested, Jackal was defeated.

“Cough.”

A reverse storm hit Jackal’s chest.

It was an opening.

Normally, I should have rushed in for the kill at this moment.

Yet Medea did not swing her sword.

“Why didn’t you wield your sword?”

“Didn’t the Storm Blade show consideration for me first? Thank you for considering my younger sister. In practical terms, it’s my defeat.”

Viola swallowed three times.

‘Wow… I really thought I was going to die.’

It felt like walking between dancing maniacs with swords.

One wrong move, and my neck would go slice! Just like that, vivid feeling.

It was almost hallucinating.

Concealing her trembling heart, Viola bowed.

“Thank you for letting your momentum down, Sir Jackal.”

Jackal nodded as if it was nothing and looked at Viola, speaking.

“You acted recklessly, Princess Viola.”

“That reckless act was graciously overlooked by you.”

“If I hadn’t let my momentum down, the princess would have been severely injured.”

Viola straightened her back.

Standing tall, she looked Jackal in the eyes.

“I believed you were someone’s father.”

“……”

At that moment, Jackal’s body jolted.

“I know Sir Jackal has a son around my age.”

Jackal was portrayed as a knight who loved children.

His cold logic loses its strength in front of children.

“So I thought you wouldn’t hurt me.”

“That’s reckless.”

Jackal sheathed his sword.

It wasn’t the right atmosphere to mix swords with Medea.

Viola had set that tone.

“I’ll formally introduce myself. I’m White Bellatu, Viola.”

*

Viola’s party was led to the annex of Storm Fortress.

It wasn’t as large and comfortable as the annex of Winter Castle, but it was still sufficiently excellent for a short stay.

Medea spoke.

“Sir Jackal is right. That was reckless.”

“It wasn’t reckless. As White Bellatu, I acted considering everything.”

“What things did you consider?”

Viola sensed.

This question was likely a test regarding the youngest.

‘I must answer well.’

If not, Medea would definitely be greatly disappointed.

“First, I was certain Sir Jackal wouldn’t injure me.”

“And?”

“Secondly, even if Sir Jackal might, I was certain my sister wouldn’t hurt me.”

“Both people who could hurt me wanted to protect me.”

“Why were you so sure?”

“I thought, at least, my sister would cherish me more than victory in a welcoming ceremony.”

“Why?”

“Because if I were her, I would.”

Viola looked at Medea with unwavering eyes.

Medea’s deep gray and Viola’s purple eyes clashed.

Instead, Medea’s eyes wavered.

‘This girl. She’s serious.’

If she were her sister, she would.

Those words were genuine.

And they were strangely touching.

“So what you’re saying is… your actions weren’t reckless, but rather a strategic approach as White Bellatu?”

“Exactly.”

“So what’s your ultimate goal?”

“To solve this incident without killing Sir Jackal.”

Medea tilted her head.

“Killing Sir Jackal is my mission.”

“An extra mission was assigned to me.”

Before coming here, Viola received a command directly from Heron Bellatu.

If Sir Jackal makes a public apology and declares his support for Winter Castle and Bellatu, then it wouldn’t be necessary to kill him.

“Isn’t it more efficient and reasonable to do this than to kill Sir Jackal?”

“That’s true.”

“He’s a wonderful knight and martial artist who strongly protects the Valley of Savagery. If Sir Jackal were gone, the Monarch would definitely request Winter Castle’s cooperation, using the activation of trade routes as an excuse.”

“And he would grant immunity from being a suspect in Sir Jackal’s murder. That would surely weaken the strength of Winter Castle.”

Viola held Medea’s hand.

“Sister. I don’t intend to hinder your mission at all.”

That was also genuine.

If I got in the way, my neck could be cut off.

Viola wanted to live long and thin.

“But it’s not like I can just assassinate him.”

I would wait for the right timing.

And that good timing might not come soon.

Jackal would likely be considering assassination as well.

“I’ll meet with Sir Jackal first.”

*

Tundra’s gaze sank gravely.

“I’ll serve my Lord. I’m like a loyal dog guarding by your side.”

“I’ll serve the princess. I’m her direct butler.”

Zeno smiled broadly.

Tundra and Zeno glanced at each other.

Hostility flared between them.

Viola sighed.

“I can just cover myself with the blanket.”

What the heck is going on?

Why are those two fighting here?

For ten minutes, no less.

Zeno, still grinning, said, “Princess, you always have the habit of kicking off the blanket at around 3:23 AM. I’ve always been by your side, doing my best to prevent any abdominal issues.”

He bowled with courtesy.

“So I would appreciate the honor of serving the princess.”

Tundra openly exuded hostility.

“Why won’t you relinquish the privilege you hold?”

“Isn’t it stranger to give up privileges?”

“Do you not think that temporarily giving up the privileges you usually enjoy is an obligation of the privileged?”

“I don’t agree with such an obligation, Tundra.”

Viola shouted sharply.

“Both of you, out!”

Zeno and Tundra were kicked out of Viola’s room.

*

The next day, morning broke.

As dawn approached.

Viola headed to the training ground of Storm Fortress with Hixson.

Slash! Slash!

I could hear shouts from afar.

It seemed the knights of Storm Fortress were training.

Viola sat down on a bench set up at one end of the training ground and waited.

Until their training was finished.

At last, Jackal, leading the training, finally laid down his sword and wiped the sweat with a towel.

He approached Viola.

“Princess Viola is an early riser.”

“I wanted to see the might of the Storm Group at least once.”

After exchanging greetings, Jackal extended his right hand.

“I didn’t properly introduce myself yesterday in the confusion, Sir Hixson.”

“We aren’t exactly happy to see each other, are we?”

Hixson said gruffly as he shook Jackal’s hand.

Although the greeting was rough, there was a hint of mutual fondness.

“Are you still training from 4 AM?”

“Indeed.”

Hixson shook his head in disbelief.

“I detest people who live meticulously like you. How can a human be like this? Are you a machine?”

“I heard you became a recluse, but you seem fine?”

“Ah. That’s thanks to her.”

Jackal’s gaze landed on Viola.

I wonder why Viola came here.

Why did she jump into such a perilous place yesterday?

And what does it mean that she helped Jackal recover?

“It can’t just be the genuine reason of wanting to tour the Storm group, can it? Why did you seek me? And what did Sir Hixson mean by that?”

Viola hopped off the bench.

Jackal immediately knelt on one knee to meet Viola’s gaze.

“Sir Jackal knows Hixson Uncle’s past, right?”

…I know. My deepest regrets.”

Let’s get to the point.

“Doesn’t it sadden you?”

“What do you mean?”

She spoke freely about matters treated as ‘top secret’ in the novel.

“Your son has gone missing.”

“……I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Somehow, it feels very similar to Hixson Uncle’s situation. These kinds of things frequently happen across the continent.”

Powerful main and supporting characters.

The kidnapping of beloved family members.

The absence of evidence left behind.

“I want to help you, Sir Jackal. As White Bellatu.”

And she added one more thing.

“Because there shouldn’t be more sad people like my Uncle.”

The words ‘my uncle’ stirred Hixson’s heart.