I played the role of an adopted daughter too well. Chapter 53: Seven Attacks over three days.

From this, one fact could be gleaned.

Someone did not want Viola, the special envoy of Bellatu, to reach the Seaal Viscount House smoothly.

“Moderately trained assailants.

Not highly trained individuals.

This meant it was not necessary to deploy high-level personnel, and they didn’t want to be caught.”

“They don’t want Bellatu and Seaal to reconcile, yet they’re not sending high-level personnel, indicating the presence of an unknown force.

Such an evil force existed.

In the novel, they referred to themselves as ‘Heat Wind.’

And they were also the group that kidnapped Hixson’s daughter and Jeremy.

Of course, Jeremy, always curious, was kidnapped partly of his own volition…”

The novel described it like this.

“Curious Jeremy willingly submitted to the kidnapping.”

Who could have imagined that such curiosity would completely sever Bellatu from the Palai family?

Anyhow, they wanted to isolate Winter Castle and Bellatu.

That’s why they had destroyed Hixson, who was a reliable comrade of Heron.

“They didn’t send high-level personnel here and instead would send high-level personnel to the Seaal Viscount House.”

I thought I understood what they were planning.

“When we arrive, they will kill everyone at the Seaal Viscount House.”

And then they would pin it all on Viola herself.

‘Heat Wind’ was certainly capable of that.

“When we arrive, they’ll likely kill everyone at the Seaal Viscount House at that exact time.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

“They’ve sent similar-level people to stop us, seven times now. They’re calculating our arrival time.”

“Why?”

“There’s a force that wants Bellatu to be isolated.”

Hixson strongly agreed with that statement.

“There are plenty of people hoping for Bellatu’s downfall. So you’re convinced those guys are scheming?”

“Yes. They are indeed calculating the timing. The problem is whether they can wipe out the Seaal Viscount House exactly at that time. It would be physically challenging, right? Killing that many people is not something that can be accomplished in just a minute or two. If we arrive during that time and manage to catch them in the act, it would cause complications.”

Zeno stared intently at Viola.

The sharp-eyed one seemed to understand why Viola was saying such things.

‘She’s indirectly telling me to be aware.’

Zeno felt unexpectedly pleased.

When Viola chose the White Bellatu two years ago, Zeno had honestly been perplexed.

Seeing someone who fit the role of the Black Bellatu so well opt for the White Bellatu.

However, his thoughts had changed a bit now.

“This White Bellatu is so different from the usual.”

She wasn’t like the previous heirs who had no choice but to choose the White Bellatu due to not being able to become the Black Bellatu.

She was, without a doubt, outstanding as a Black Bellatu, yet her abilities as a White Bellatu surpassed even that.

She was demonstrating that clearly now.

Zeno asked.

“So, they will use other methods to ensure the timing is precise?”

“Right.”

“Can you tell me what those methods might be?”

“Timed poison.”

There were a few types of poison similar in concept to modern-day timed bombs.

They would suddenly spread poison after a certain period, killing the victim instantaneously.

“Among them, there are three types of poison that leave no trace: Seven-Syllable Poison, Heat Wind Poison, Three-Day Bliss Poison.”

Zeno nodded quietly, while Hixson stared wide-eyed at Viola.

‘When did she study that?’

Heirs of Bellatu don’t typically study poisons directly.

Instead, they build resistance by injecting potent poisons into their bodies instead of studying how to deal with them.

Without needing to fear poison, they had no need to study it.

While others studied poison, Bellatu heirs would rather wield their swords more often.

“When did you learn about poisons?”

“I’m a White Bellatu. I must study diligently.”

Later on, ‘Heat Wind’ would mainly use those poisons.

‘Stop watching, it’s going to be big later.’

The Poison Witch, Serthilka.

In this novel, aside from Viola, there existed two major villains, and she was one of them.

She was a quite significant character, so there were quite detailed explanations in the story regarding her.

“Wow. The more I see, the more fascinating she is. So? Which poison do you think they’ll use? The Seven-Syllable whatever?”

“The Seven-Syllable Poison can only be used in cold regions or winter, so it won’t work.”

“Then what about the Heat Wind Poison?”

“The Heat Wind Poison is far too expensive for use against the Seaal Viscount House.”

Expensive means the ingredients are rare, and acquiring enough to wipe out all the people of Seaal Viscount House would inevitably leave traces behind.

“They wouldn’t want to be tracked.”

Hixson, along with Storm Blade Jackal, were already on the hunt.

They would conceal themselves even further.

So, they wouldn’t do anything that could lead them to being tracked.

“In the end, the poison they can use is the Three-Day Bliss Poison.”

“What’s that? I’ve never heard of it.”

“It makes you feel good and drowsy for three days. And then, you sleep and die on the third day.”

“Such a poison exists?”

“Yeah. It’s relatively easy to make and quite effective. It’s also inexpensive and leaves minimal evidence.”

“A perfect poison?”

“Not quite.”

Viola shifted her gaze to Zeno.

“Do you know the reason?”

“Yes, I do.”

Zeno took a deep breath and continued.

“While it is effective and cheap, the antidote is far too easy to obtain.”

It takes a full three days for the effects to manifest.

If one notices something wrong during those three days, they can simply take the antidote.

It seriously diminishes its value as a poison.

“Thus, it can often be used merely as a hallucinogenic drug.”

“It would be perfect to use it at a time like this. The Seaal Viscount House will be extremely busy. After all, the special envoy of Bellatu, an actual princess, is coming down. Moreover, the Seaal couple is probably not in their right mind after losing their son.”

“So it’s a perfect time to use the Three-Day What’s-it-called?”

“Except for a few sharp-eyed individuals or knights, it will be used on the rest. Then, just before our arrival, we stab the dying ones with swords. It minimizes the time of the crime.

Perfect timing, too.”

“And then they’ll pin it all on us?”

“Yeah.”

Viola pointed at Tundra.

“Tundra, run non-stop from now on.

Go to the Seaal Viscount House alone.”

*

When Tundra arrived, it was already a step too late.

‘My Lord was right.’

He stealthily infiltrated the Seaal Viscount House.

Most of the household members were lethargically staggering, obviously affected by poison.

‘There are a few who are still coherent, though.’

Those in better shape seemed like the real source of evil.

Recalling Viola’s words.

‘There will be some coherent people. Be wary of them. The likelihood they were poisoned is high.’

Viola’s warning was correct.

He sensed several sharp presences.

‘There are about eight of them.’

Tundra diligently executed Viola’s instructions.

Using the darkness to launch a surprise attack, he killed four who were gathered and asleep in one spot.

‘It was easy since it was a surprise attack.’

By now, they should have started sensing the unusual atmosphere.

‘Now’s the time!’

He attacked one of the patrolling guards, but it was a trap.

‘Ugh!’

He felt a stab in his shoulder.

Nevertheless, Tundra struck at the opponent’s neck with that state intact.

He sacrificed his shoulder but claimed the neck instead.

‘This is troubling.’

There were still three left.

To relieve Viola, he had to take them all down.

That night.

Ultimately, Tundra diligently carried out Viola’s orders.

“Huff… Huff…!”

He wasn’t in a normal state either after completing his mission.

He had pushed himself hard to carry out Viola’s commands.

‘Feeling dizzy.’

He had bled too much.

Regardless, Tundra sought out the Seaal Viscount.

“My Lord.”

Someone stirred under thick blankets.

“Get lost, who the hell are you at this hour?”

“I’m sorry.”

Viola had taught him.

‘If it’s truly the Seaal Viscount, he will surely rise from his bed.’

‘However, if it’s a fake, they’ll hide their face and tell me to get lost.

One crucial fact she instructed was:

‘Never let your guard down. When you turn your body, they will ambush you from behind.’

‘So what should I do?’

‘Pretend to acknowledge it and step back while getting ready to ambush first.’

Recalling that, Tundra responded.

“I’ll be stepping back.”

He feigned turning away.

And attempted to ambush, but it was more difficult than he thought.

‘My body isn’t normal.’

If he had been normal, he would have immediately ambushed them, but it couldn’t be helped.

In that moment.

Someone burst out from the bedding.

Naturally, it wasn’t the Seaal Viscount.

The tip of a sword touched Tundra’s neck.

Thud!

That individual collapsed to the ground.

Tundra plunged his sword into the back of the person who had fallen.

“It’s not like you’re the only one who knows about poisons.”

Unlike the original story.

In the original version, Tundra didn’t use poisoned needles or toxins.

He was set up as a character who revered destructive swords.

Yet he had now learned about poisons and poisoning techniques.

‘To be with my Lord. For my Lord’s happiness, I will spare no means or methods.’

If it were just to become strong for himself, he wouldn’t have learned it.

But the circumstances differed from the original.

He didn’t merely want to become strong for independence; he had to grow strong to fulfill his grand dream.

‘Because I am my Master’s pet dog.’

To serve.

So he had to do his best, and Tundra now felt more desperate than the Tundra in the original.

He felt increasingly dizzy.

He had lost too much blood.

‘Feeling dizzy.’

But he had to complete the mission until the end.

He jabbed a poisoned needle into his forearm.

‘I will carry this through.

It was a poison that had a temporary awakening effect.

His subconscious thought.

‘For my Master.’

While bleeding profusely, Tundra approached the wall and swung his sword.

With a splattering sound, the wall collapsed, revealing the bound Seaal Viscount in a chair.

“Just as the princess said.”

Viola had taught him.

‘The Seaal Viscount is a strong-willed person, so he will notice the Three-Day Bliss Poison. Therefore, he must have taken precautions. He must be bound and imprisoned somewhere.’

Ugh! Ugh!

The Seaal Viscount struggled desperately.

“Princess will be arriving in a few hours.”

Tundra released the Seaal Viscount.

‘Mission accomplished.’

He plopped down on the spot.

Having bled so much, his face was pale, yet his expression looked extremely happy.

He gazed into the void with unfocused eyes.

‘I hope she comes and praises me.’

Until the very last moment, he did not miss the mission.

“Mix equal parts of lemon, vinegar, and medium to high-grade alum powder in a 1:1:1 ratio to create the antidote. You all are….”

And then he lost consciousness.

A few hours later.

Viola, Hixson, and Zeno arrived at the Seaal Viscount House.