Chapter 18

Xiaoming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

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Minji leaned against the window, gazing at the distant mountains while deeply reflecting on yesterday's events.

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Amidst the cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

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Having played the role of an adopted daughter too well, Chapter 18: Following Viola's orders, Tundra was also given a good room and food.

Xenon knocked on the door and entered Tundra's room.

In Xenon's right hand was a silver tray.

"Here's your food, toy dog."

"Call me Tundra."

"Sure."

Xenon smiled.

He noticed a note on the desk.

"What's this?"

He saw the word "companion."

"Father always said to dream...

Because dreams come true."

He would always write it in characters and recite it.

Then he would teach that the dream would come true.

"What does this have to do with a companion?"

"Do you know what the nobles call the dogs they keep these days?"

"Hmm, I don't know."

A strong night breeze blew through the slightly open window.

Whistling sounds filled the air.

Tundra's bangs fluttered in the wind.

The cold air settled on the floor, and the atmosphere grew heavy.

Even though she was young, in terms of presence and aura, she was the protagonist of this world.

"Companion dog."

"Companion dog?"

Tundra's eyes became serious.

The male lead revealed his lofty ambition.

"Yes. I will become a companion dog. That's the new dream I've started to dream."

She decided.

If I learn the sword diligently and earn recognition as a man,

I might be able to become the companion dog of Lady Viola, my benefactor.

She said she would stay by my side even after I lost everything.

She held my hand, stroked my head, and reached out to me.

It felt like a small ray of light had entered the darkness where everything had disappeared.

"Is being a companion dog your dream?"

"Yes."

Companion (伴侶).

It means to be a partner, to live together.

The word "companion" ignited a fire in Tundra's heart.

Xenon nodded.

"Lady's companion dog. Quite an admirable ambition."

"Isn't it?"

"I congratulate you on having such a good dream, Tundra."

"Thank you."

Xenon sincerely congratulated her, and Tundra earnestly accepted the congratulations.

At the same time.

Viola pulled up the blanket.

"It's so cold today, it gives me the chills."

***

The next day, Viola headed to the mansion's annex with Xenon.

Xenon explained.

"The mansion's annex houses many guests."

"I know."

It's usually the case. In a mansion of this size, there are always annexes, and many guests stay there.

The guests vary depending on the mansion's reputation.

Those who can stay as guests of the Bella Tou mansion are mostly extraordinary individuals.

Merchants, heirs of noble families, outstanding knights, excellent mages, and so on.

Among them, Hixon was a unique figure.

Hixon, who was known to have fought alongside Duke Bella Tou in his youth on the battlefield, was once a revered hero.

"Although he has now become a drunkard.

If Hixon were not the Duke's comrade-in-arms, he would have been kicked out of the annex long ago.

However, Hixon accidentally discovered Tundra and taught her his swordsmanship.

Hixon, who taught Tundra, was a character with a redemptive narrative.

"Lady, the Sir Hixon you are looking for was once a great man called a hero."

"I know. I saw it in the annex appendix you gave me."

"You are well-prepared. But why specifically Sir Hixon?"

Well, in the original novel, it was like that. Tundra, who learned from Hixon, displayed incredible talent and grew rapidly.

'I can't say it like that.'

Viola curled her lips and smiled.

"Until my dog becomes a loyal hunting dog. It shouldn't be restrained, right?"

"Oh, that's why it's Sir Hixon."

Hixon is a drunkard in the annex. Once a hero, but now a drunk.

No one restrains him.

The Duke's dog learning swordsmanship from a drunkard.

It will only be gossip.

"But his skills are real."

"How do you know that?"

"I saw it before."

"Where?"

In the novel.

"In the slums."

"I see."

Xenon also knew. A few years ago, Sir Hixon had searched the slums thoroughly for his lost daughter.

It seems he saw it then.

"Did you read Sir Hixon's swordsmanship back then?"

If Viola had read Xenon's inner thoughts, she would have answered like this.

No.

I saw it in the novel.

Anyway, Xenon thought.

'Reading Sir Hixon's swordsmanship and remembering his face accurately.'

If it was a few years ago, the Lady would have been around four or five years old.

It was an incredible memory and keen eye. Indeed, she was extraordinary.

Xenon began the tour with satisfaction.

"At this time, he should be drinking in the annex courtyard. I will escort you, Lady."

***

Viola recalled the content of the novel.

"Hixon grew up under a violent father. His only wish was to save his mother from his father's violence."

At fourteen.

Hixon picked up a kitchen knife to save his mother.

"At fourteen, Hixon became a murderer."

And he ran away.

The outside world had second and third fathers.

There were many who were worse than his father.

He escaped from his father, but in a way, the world was more terrifying than his father.

"Hixon vowed.

'I must become strong.'

Hixon became strong.

He followed wandering knights to learn swordsmanship and challenged swordsmen at various dojos.

He became strong. After becoming friends with Heron Bella Tou, he fought on the battlefield and became a war hero.

One day, when Heron was young, he asked Hixon.

'Hixon, what is your dream?'

Hixon answered.

'To be a warm husband and a good father.'

'Husband? Father?'

'Yes. To live with the family I love and who loves me. That is my dream.'

'Your dream is so modest, it's pitiful and miserable.'

"

That day, Hixon and Heron fought for four hours.

Hixon received a severe wound to his stomach, and Heron's arm was badly injured.

A few years later, Heron had to admit.

'You finally achieved your dream.'

'Yes.'

Hixon met a wife he truly loved and had a daughter he adored.

'First, let's congratulate you.'

'Are you still thinking I'm pitiful?'

'It's modest, but I don't think it's pitiful.'

Through many wars, they came to understand each other better.

Hixon said.

'I will now withdraw from the war.'

Heron agreed.

It was regrettable to lose a powerful comrade in war, but Heron respected Hixon's sincerity.

He had watched for years.

His friend had dreamed.

A haven called home. A fence called family. A friend who lived his whole life for it.

He respected that dream.

One day.

Hixon's daughter was kidnapped. While Hixon was searching for his daughter, his wife was found dead.

Hixon lost his beloved wife and daughter on the same day and became a drunkard.

It had been three years since then.

*****

Xenon was right.

"There. Sir Hixon is sitting in the courtyard."

He was shouting loudly, drunk.

"Xenon, wait here."

"Drunk Sir Hixon is dangerous.

Lady, he is called a mad dog because he can't see clearly."

He has caused accidents many times when drunk, and several people in the annex have been injured.

It was a wonder the Duke had kept Hixon alive all these years.

"I'm fine."

"I'm not worried about you getting seriously hurt."

Xenon smiled.

"If he harms you, I plan to cut off Sir Hixon's legs."

"Still, I once admired Sir Hixon."

Viola looked at Xenon. Their eyes met.

"Xenon?"

"I'm sorry."

"I told you to test without showing it."

Xenon scratched the back of his head.

"I tried not to show it, but Lady, you are too perceptive."

This is...

Embarrassing.

He swallowed the words. It was indeed a test.

'Testing if he would harm the Lady.'

The Lady of Bella Tou should not fear this. For any other reason, perhaps, but not fear.

"This is your last warning."

She acted like a Bella Tou.

"If you make the same mistake again, I will doubt your qualifications as a butler."

To Xenon, this was a more terrifying warning than any other.

"Yes, I will remember."

Leaving Xenon behind, Viola approached Hixon.

Hixon was throwing bottles and shouting loudly.

She threw a direct question.

"Uncle, will your dead daughter come back by doing this?"

Hixon turned his head sharply. His eyes were bloodshot.

His red eyes looked like he was on drugs. His body was trembling.

"What, this crazy brat!"

He definitely didn't seem sober.

Viola approached closer. Hixon picked up a bottle.

He seemed to have drunk a lot. His cheeks and eyes were bloodshot. He looked like he was about to hit Viola.

If it were an ordinary child, they would have been terrified and run away.

Hixon, with his slurred speech, said,

"Get lost."

Viola moved even closer.