Viola had overdone her role as an adopted daughter. Chapter 090: She recounted the settings from the novel.

From the reader’s perspective, Viola knew everything, but for Carlo, it was all new information.

“I don’t feel the power of the spirits.”

Viola mentioned that the spirit’s power wasn’t felt through her blue uniform, teaching that the favor of the spirits fades the further one is from the practitioner.

“That’s the basic principle of nature. It’s an area impossible for humans to overcome, even with magical engineering.”

And that was the conclusion.

“If someone claims they can maintain that spirit power and favor without the help of the spirit practitioner, you can consider it a scam. Even if, by some chance, it were possible, one would have to think about whether such an act, which goes against the laws of nature, would really be efficient compared to magical engineering.”

She was certain it was a scam.

So Viola spoke confidently, her attitude assertive.

The knowledge hidden in Han Ah-rin’s head, a reader who enjoyed [The Shadow of Bellatu], began to shine one by one.

“Even brilliant and intelligent people often fall for scams, especially when they are desperate or anxious.”

Carlo saw Viola’s smiling eyes.

Her pupils seemed to pierce right through everything.

“There’s an invisible war always ongoing in the Parah Viscountcy, right?”

In a sense, this place is the hub of luxury goods.

Who will set this year’s trend?

Who will produce the superior designer and artifact?

Who is the greatest noble house on the continent?

They fight over their influence.

They have formed their factions as well.

“I heard that the Louis Varten family isn’t shying away from blood competition with the Gorbad family. Whether the Gorbad family stole Louis Varten’s designs, or lured away their designers unethically, or even if they lack the tradition and reputation compared to Louis Varten. Let’s set aside those extra issues. What’s important is the fact that the Louis Varten family is in serious competition with someone.”

Carlo couldn’t speak.

All of this was not something a twelve-year-old girl, from the northernmost edge and previously unrelated to the Parah Viscountcy, should be bringing up.

‘Is there really a reason my master chose Princess Viola for her masterpiece?’

Viola continued.

“With such competition, one naturally becomes anxious and begins to see things they usually wouldn’t. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Turning your gaze leads to new paths, and discovering those is the first step toward creating new realms.”

“………..”

“But who do you think started that first step? From your perspective, Chief Designer Carlo, who was it?”

For the first time, Carlo responded.

“It was Princess Serza.”

“What kind of person do you think Princess Serza is?”

“She has a passion for art like no other. She is destined to be a magnificent artisan.”

“So, you mean she’s a passionate person who follows a single path.”

“That’s correct.”

“In other words, she’s just someone who unthinkingly sticks to one thing.”

That was an insult to Princess Serza.

The words almost escaped his mouth but he held them back.

The Viola he saw was not someone who would speak foolishly.

In fact, he had previously referred to Prince Serfon as a ‘Good-for-nothing’, so he had little room to complain.

“So, she may not be very adept at human relationships. I actually respect that about her. An artisan should just follow the path of the artisan. I don’t think they need to be good at anything else.”

Carlo’s heart fluttered at Viola’s words of respect.

Even the same words evoke different feelings depending on who says them.

What Viola was saying now shook Carlo’s heart.

Talking to Viola felt like navigating an emotional rollercoaster.

It felt like he was conversing not with a 12-year-old child, but with a clever 120-year-old.

“Keep a close eye on her surroundings. There’s bound to be a wolf-like creature trying to take advantage of that passion.”

“……A wolf-like creature?”

There will be a guy named Hertown who will later make a name for himself as a con artist.

He couldn’t quite say that.

But then Hela spoke.

“Keep an eye on Hertown, the guy who introduces himself as Princess Serza’s childhood friend.”

Hela smiled slyly.

“This is what you meant, right?”

“…….”

What’s with this sister?

So creepy.

Hela already seemed to know everything.

Cold sweat trickled down Viola’s back.

*

I felt it several times.

‘I’m really glad Hela is on my side. For real.

The descent from the Parah Viscountcy was much more intense than the ascent.

I summoned four mages from the Magic Tower all at once and rode a warp to come down.

Numerous people watched that spectacle.

Only after Zeno and Ersa got into the carriages they had prepared did Hela let out a ‘Ugh! I feel nauseous.’

“Seriously, this warp makes me nauseous.”

But it couldn’t be helped.

All eyes of those who visited the Parah Viscountcy were focused on the noblewomen of Bellatu.

In that situation, Hela truly showcased the power of Bellatu.

“How did you call four mages from the Magic Tower?”

“The 6th Magic Tower is quite interested in power struggles.”

She didn’t explain in detail.

She just indicated that it had something to do with the ‘Golden Road’ connecting the Monarch of the continent with the Winter Castle in the North.

Viola didn’t press for further details.

Anyway, what mattered was that Hela had the ability to summon four mages from the Magic Tower.

And all for the sake of ‘showing off’.

‘What a scary world. In Korea, she would just barely be a middle schooler.’

Viola, amazed once more by Hela’s abilities, continued to question.

“But how did you find out about Hertown?”

“Isn’t it strange? We both know Princess Serza has no friends, and it’s something the entire world knows.”

…..

…Really?

Is it something the whole world knows?

It feels more like only the sister knows.

“But there’s this guy going around claiming he’s Princess Serza’s childhood friend, so I did a little digging.”

…Normally, wouldn’t people investigate that sort of rumor?

No, how on earth does Bellatu even hear such rumors?

I’ve never heard of it.

“It was true that he made contact with the Louis Varten family, and shortly after, the Louis Varten uniforms began to change. It’s common knowledge that they started showing interest in spirit studies rather than magical engineering, and, well, I assume you already knew that.”

“…….”

“Listening to you makes my investigation credible. Hertown was the most suspicious, and I simply mentioned him. The people of Louis Varten are smart enough, so just giving them that clue should be enough for them to figure it out.”

Viola nodded.

She had the same experience.

Just with the keyword ‘spirit studies,’ a great many ideas sprang to mind.

The Louis Varten family would likely feel the same.

Once they realize one thing, the rest will follow naturally.

Days later.

Viola and her party returned to the Winter Castle.

‘Ah… it was tough.

What on earth is the social circle that demands all this effort?

No, that’s not it.

I steeled myself.

‘I’ve already grown complacent.’

If I want to live, I can roll in dog poop!

I will live long and happily!

As I re-focused my thoughts, Zeno approached me with a letter.

“Princess, this is a letter from Chief Designer Carlo.”

As I opened the letter, most of it expressed gratitude.

But there was one part that was shockingly disturbing.

[Thank you very much for the head of Hertown, sent as a token of cooperation and a gift. I bow my head in heartfelt gratitude, Princess Viola.]

Viola, hiding her trembling legs beneath her skirt, spoke nonchalantly.

“Zeno, where’s my Strawberry Ade?”

“Shall I bring it now?”

Sure.

After sending Zeno outside, Viola finally sank into her chair.

I almost showed how relieved my legs felt if I had been just a moment later.

With trembling hands, Viola examined the letter several times.

‘What’s going on here?’

I’ve never received Hertown’s head.

I was just seated in the carriage.

‘It feels like Hela might have plotted this.’

I didn’t know the full story.

It seemed Hela had killed Hertown with her own hands and sent the head to Chief Designer Carlo.

And it looked like they’d made it appear as if it were Viola who had done it.

‘What’s happening………!’

Knock, knock.

There was a sound of knocking.

Zeno came in with a tray holding the Strawberry Ade.

Viola crossed her legs as she sat.

I made every effort to hide my inner turmoil.

“Zeno, you drove the carriage, right?”

“Yes, I did.”

“What about Ersa?”

“Ersa was mostly with me.”

“What do you mean mostly?”

“She was away for a bit, saying she had some business to attend to.”

“When she came back, did she smell of blood?”

Zeno thought for a moment before nodding.

“It was faint, but there seemed to be a smell of blood.”

“Why was there a smell of blood?”

“I didn’t ask about that, but should I go and ask her?”

“No, that’s fine. More importantly, I’m going to see Sister Hela.”

Viola bit her lip.

Hela had committed murder in secret and presented the head to the Louis Varten family.

And it had all been done without a word of consultation with Viola.

This was an act of deceiving and dismissing Viola.

“Should I send a message?”

“No.”

“I’ll escort you.”

As Zeno slowly walked, he quietly asked.

“Princess.”

“What is it?”

“Just please don’t forget this is the Winter Castle. Murder is not permitted.”

“If there comes a day when I must break the Winter Castle’s laws, please make use of the butler.”

Viola’s butler.

It’s Zeno.

A little while later,

Zeno and Viola arrived in front of Hela’s room.