Hela, sitting in her wheelchair, let out a smirk that suggested disbelief.

“Ersa. What on earth did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything great. I just talked seriously about the servant’s attitude and persuaded them.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“You didn’t do anything that would tarnish the reputation of Bellatu, did you?”

“Not at all.”

Viola quietly listened to the conversation between Hela and Ersa.

That conversation was clearly meant for Crimson to hear.

In other words, it was a bait aimed at him.

‘If I were to guess Crimson’s psychological state right now…’

He definitely did something that could tarnish the reputation of Bellatu!

Didn’t he beat me for three whole hours?!

What a ghastly witch of a woman!

He was clearly holding back a scream that he wanted to let out.

However, Crimson was mistaken.

“I’m sorry, but uncle. Beating me is not something that could tarnish the reputation of Bellatu.”

It would actually be more out of character for Bellatu to remain silent and let such a rude attitude slide.

It’s far better to take the beating than to let it slide like that.

After all, Bellatu is not a world of common sense.

Viola added a comment.

“Ersa. I’ll ask you once more. You really didn’t do anything that could tarnish the reputation of Bellatu, did you?”

She asked this deliberately.

Because she judged that mages had very strong pride and wouldn’t drop all their pride over just one beating.

‘The chance of him storing the footage of the beating in the video stone is very high.’

In fact, even if that footage got out through the news, it wouldn’t matter much, but still, it’s best to avoid creating disgraceful situations.

In reality, Crimson had secretly used the video stone to record all of Ersa’s actions.

That was Crimson’s last bit of pride.

Ersa responded.

“Yes. Of course. I swear on the honor of Bellatu.”

“Then why is she suddenly so compliant?”

Crimson was busy darting his eyes around.

He seemed to be very nervous.

“I too am not sure.”

“No way.”

Viola turned her gaze towards Crimson.

Having become quite accustomed to this body, Viola raised the killing intent that was hidden within her.

It had a tremendous effect on the already intimidated and shriveled Crimson.

“I am the 6th Princess of Bellatu, Viola Bellatu. I will ask you in all seriousness. This is your chance to honestly say what Ersa did.”

You only get one chance.

It was like saying that.

“Tha-that is…!”

Crimson avoided Ersa’s eyes.

It seemed like he was utterly terrified of her.

He was scared, but it also seemed like he had something more to say.

Viola smiled sweetly.

“Time’s up.”

She figured it all out from Crimson’s reaction.

Crimson did not concede in spirit.

He had only temporarily submitted to the beating from Ersa.

“Hand it over.”

“W-what do you mean?”

“Are you pretending you don’t know?”

“I-I don’t know.”

Crimson grinned and rubbed his hands together like a fly.

“I will serve you safely and comfortably. When shall we depart?”

“Ersa. I’ll give you two more hours.”

Viola pushed Hela’s wheelchair again.

“Y-young lady?”

Flustered, Crimson tried to hold the two princesses of Bellatu, but it was already too late.

Hellish two hours had come again.

In the end, Ersa seized the video stone too.

In the meticulous calculations of Bellatu, Crimson felt a tremendous sense of powerlessness.

‘Monsters…! They must be made of iron blood!’

Everyone here is a monster.

But even more frightening than the one who actually did the beating, Ersa, was the 6th Princess who was grinning and exuding killer intent.

If Ersa’s blade is visible, then Viola is like an invisible poison.

Only now did he realize that Viola probably intended to seize the video stone from the beginning.

‘I was just a pawn in her palm.’

Right. The ones who initially inflicted this brutal beating were those princesses.

Why did I, for a moment, trust that princess?

For just a fleeting second, I felt that Viola was on my side, and it was reflected in a slight hesitation.

That was a mistake.

‘It feels like I’m being looked down upon from high above.’

I had never felt like this in the Magic Tower.

It was like coming out of a warm greenhouse and facing the brutal wilderness for the first time.

‘Be careful.’

In the end, he succumbed in spirit.

‘I can’t get tangled up in this.’

After 37 years of social life, he experienced the wilderness for the first time in 37 years and truly humbled his pride.

He had become a new person.

*

Departure was set for 7 AM the next morning.

Hela, who ended up sharing a room with Viola, asked.

“Were you sure there was a video stone?”

“I wasn’t sure.”

Crimson was not an exceptional mage.

He lacked social skills and wasn’t very perceptive.

Viola did not know if he’d really prepared one either.

“Then why did you go so far?”

“It was already too late to depart anyway.”

“What if the video stone didn’t turn up?”

“Well, it couldn’t be helped.”

“You’re a scary little sister.”

“You have to be careful too. I’m a scary woman.”

Hela burst into a chuckle.

“Be careful, Viola. You might get reported to the Imperial Human Rights Commission later.”

“It’s fine.”

Viola grinned.

As she clapped her hands, her loyal servant Jeanon entered from outside.

“I’ve prepared a video stone too.”

– Weren’t those the famous princesses of Bellatu? What’s with these little brats?

– Are you ignoring me just because I’m not with the Magic Tower right now? Is that what you think?

Even Hela was somewhat taken aback.

“When did you prepare this?”

“I thought a fallen Tower mage would react like this.”

Hela was a bit shocked.

Viola was strong.

She was inherently different from herself.

Unlike Hela, who had no choice but to choose White Bellatu, Viola held an incredible potential.

‘So strong and so meticulously thorough.’

Hela eventually smiled slightly and looked at Viola with affectionate eyes.

“Can I lie down next to you?”

“Is it really necessary since the bed is already narrow?”

“I’ll just lie down for a bit.”

Hela, lying next to Viola, continued to gaze at her.

Viola’s body warmth could be felt.

“I thought you would be cold, but you’re warm.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Just that I don’t think I made the wrong choice in choosing you.”

“Suddenly?”

“Yeah. The strongest who remain vigilant are the most fearsome.”

Viola felt burdened by Hela, who was looking at her with glimmering eyes.

“I’ve never seen anyone who lives so desperately without being reckless among the strong or those who could become strong.”

Viola tried to ignore Hela’s gaze.

Ugh. This is too awkward.

Becoming close with Hela was nice, but this felt too much.

“That just means you are eager for the position of heir, right?”

No!

Not at all!

Absolutely! Never! Not true!

I’m just struggling to survive in this insane world of “the shadow of Bellatu.”

Despite Viola’s true feelings, Hela completely misunderstood in a very logical way.

“I like your eagerness.

It’s beautiful and noble that a desperate strong person doesn’t get reckless.”

Hela slowly raised her hand and placed it on Viola’s head.

Then she directly met Viola’s gaze and said.

“Thank you for choosing me, my sister.”

*

The next morning arrived.

Viola woke up as usual.

Normally, Jeanon’s face would be the first thing she’d see, but today was a little different.

‘Ugh. No wonder I found the sleeping arrangement uncomfortable.’

She initially thought it was a dream, but it seemed it wasn’t.

She remembered that Hela had burrowed into her embrace.

Though she couldn’t recall it perfectly due to still being somewhat drowsy, during that time, Hela had lifted Viola’s arm to use it as a pillow and fallen asleep.

‘Ah. My arm is numb.’

When Viola opened her eyes, Hela was still asleep.

“Just look at them. You two seem to get along so well.”

“Jeanon, wake my sister up.”

Stepping out from behind Jeanon, Ersa suddenly appeared.

“I shall take care of Princess Hela.”

Ersa, as if accustomed to it, effortlessly lifted Hela up as if she were a feather.

It looked like she could lift her with just one finger.

With one hand, she pushed the wheelchair and with the other hugged Hela.

She moved cautiously, like cradling a small baby.

“Ersa. I’ll push the wheelchair.”

“It’s my job.”

“But I have nothing to do right now.

How about giving me a chance to help you as a partner? Princess Viola would probably appreciate it too.”

“Princess Viola, you say?”

“Yes. She values efficiency. It’s better to have me helping out than letting my labor go to waste. Isn’t that right?”

Viola replied.

“Sure. You can push the wheelchair.”

Only then did Ersa entrust the wheelchair to Jeanon.

Carrying the sleeping Hela, Ersa carefully began to walk.

As she watched Hela peacefully sleeping in her arms, she recalled her deceased daughter.

‘She would sleep so well if I held her.’

Hela seemed to be the same.

Her breathing was very calm and slow.

Ersa’s eyes turned a bit red for no reason.

Hela appeared a little different than usual.

‘She’s sensitive about sleeping… how come she’s sleeping so deeply today?’

That must be the power of Princess Viola.

She could see Hela sleeping beside Viola.

While Hela was taller, next to Viola, Hela looked like a small child.

‘Is it because she can be just a person and not the 4th Princess Hela in front of Princess Viola?’

At least, for that moment, did she become an older sister with a reliable younger sister?

Ersa felt a sense of joy.

Whenever she saw Hela, who was always weighed down by work, her heart ached.

‘I hope Princess Hela finds happiness.’

She made that promise while looking at Viola’s back.

‘For that to happen, Princess Viola must stand firm on that high ground.

Ersa resolved.

‘I will help you, Princess Viola.’

Hela could not become the head of the family.

Hela herself knew that well, and she didn’t covet it.

Ersa knew that fact too.

‘I will support Princess Viola.’

Unbeknownst to Viola, she had gained an overly obsessed fan who wanted to elevate her as the next head of the family.

Viola felt an unsettling chill run down her spine.

Anyway, Viola and her party started to climb Mount Parah, guided by the newly mentally prepared Crimson.

“Fly.”

He used a light flying spell to slightly lift the wheelchair into the air.

Ersa pushed the wheelchair, marveling.

“The weight is hardly noticeable.”

“This is the essence of magic. Hehe.

It’s my duty to serve the hired hands comfortably. How is it? Are you comfortable?”

“Very nice. The magic is wonderful.”

“You flatter me. Haha! I will do my utmost to serve you even more comfortably! Hehe.”

There were three paths to climb Mount Parah.

They chose the path that was the least difficult.

Along the way, they encountered several people.

Some were riding on litters, and some were being carried.

There were also others who hired mages to transport them, and although there was only one, there was even someone who was flying (likely a mage from the Magic Tower).

Mount Parah was rugged and not a mountain that could be climbed in a day.

There were resting spots set up intermittently.

“We’ll soon arrive at the first rest area.”

Having pushed herself a bit too hard, Crimson’s breathing grew rough.

Ersa smiled brightly.

“Let’s rest over there today.”

The next day would be the 2nd rest area.

And the day after that, they would reach the 3rd rest area.

Days passed and they finally arrived at the last 7th rest area.

Just two more days and they would reach the Parah Viscountcy.

The 7th rest area was quite large and many people were setting up camp there.

‘Hmm?’

There was someone who stood out among the crowd.

‘Could it be?’