Chapter 45: Overacting as the Adopted Daughter

"Could it be a mission to kill Knight Storm Sword Jackal?"

This mission, summarized as 'Eye of the Storm,' was one of Han Arin's top five worst choices. However, Violet was aware of the recent trends in the newsletters.

Jackal had published several columns in the newsletters.

[The special privileges given to Winter Castle must be eradicated.

While I respect the warriors of Winter Castle, this policy is wrong.

The Bellaudo Dukedom is taking a narrow and wrong path to satisfy their selfish desires.]

The reason for this was the official announcement of the 'Golden Road,' a trade route connecting Winter Castle to the central Monarch of the continent.

In the process, the youngest princess of Bellaudo reportedly gained profits amounting to several billion dalia.

Therefore, Jackal's argument clearly had merit.

[At the time, the youngest princess of Bellaudo was only seven years old.

The common people, who could hardly touch 200 million dalia in their lifetimes, had invested there.

This is an illegal transaction using a front name.]

The content of the newsletter instilled a sense of deprivation and loss in many people.

Moreover, public opinion formed that the Bellaudo Dukedom had increased their wealth through illegal and wrong methods to satisfy their selfish desires.

Violet sighed deeply.

"It's different from the original, but similar."

In the original, Jackal picks a fight for a different reason.

That would be at least three years from now.

"It's faster than in the original, and the content is different. But the part about targeting the dukedom is the same."

The details may have changed, but the overall flow hasn't.

The author's setting doesn't change easily.

"Right. Are you aware of the recent trends on the continent?"

"I am."

"That's why I received the order to kill Jackal."

"Then Father will be suspected as the culprit, won't he?"

"Does that matter?"

Medea tilted her head.

Suddenly, Violet nodded quickly.

"Of course it doesn't matter."

Why would it matter?

As long as there's no evidence... that's what Medea must be thinking.

'Sister is kind and warm... but I forgot about Bellaudo.'

Here, the key is one thing.

'There must be no clear evidence.'

Violet recalled the essence and attributes of this world, which she had momentarily forgotten.

'Right. I shouldn't forget. This is the world of 'Shadow of Bellaudo.''

Violet lay on the bed, organizing her thoughts.

'I didn't expect this to happen so soon.' She thought about Jackal.

In the story, Jackal is portrayed as the proud commander of Storm Castle.

If Winter Castle is the northern shield protecting humanity from the snow, Storm Castle is the defensive fortress protecting the empire from the 'Barbarian Gorge.'

[He was famous for his unyielding character, like a piece of wood that would break rather than bend.]

Once, a high-ranking official of the empire came to offer a bribe to get his son into the Storm Corps of Storm Castle.

["I do not accept illegal requests or bribes."

"Are you ignoring my sincerity?"

"I am not ignoring it; I am merely following the rules and principles. If you repeat the same request, I will consider it a violation of the pride of Storm Castle and myself."

"Are you threatening me?"

"It is not a threat but a warning. Please leave."]

If it weren't for Selina, the empire's high minister, Jackal would have faced significant disadvantages.

In any case, Jackal is depicted as a character who never tolerates injustice, despises any violation of principles, and always strives to improve himself.

'Just once. Why did he have to abandon his life's beliefs now?'

If the flow of the story is the same as the novel, Jackal is not writing the columns out of his own will.

An external force is involved.

No one knows this at the moment, but Han Arin, who was a reader, does.

The next day, the morning sun rose.

The sky was exceptionally high, and the sunlight was golden, rich with abundance.

Violet visited the annex.

"Uncle."

"Hmm? Why?"

Hixon was meditating.

He continued to focus on his meditation without opening his eyes.

"Do you have a close relationship with Knight Jackal?"

"Yes."

Hixon slowly opened his eyes.

"Why? Are you planning to kill Jackal?"

"Would they give me such a mission?"

In any case, this is a highly confidential mission.

At the very least, the fact that there is a mission to 'kill Jackal' must be kept secret.

Even from Hixon.

"Considering he's Knight Jackal, Storm Sword Jackal, how can a child like me kill him?"

Hixon, who was sitting cross-legged, looked at Violet.

Hixon, who had become a completely different person from three years ago, stared at Violet for a long time.

"You seem to have something to say."

"I studied Knight Jackal thoroughly."

"Then?"

"He doesn't seem like someone who would write columns to slander or oppress Winter Castle. He doesn't seem to have a significant interest in continental politics or politics in general."

"That's hard to say. His personality is quite eccentric."

Violet unfolded the newsletter she was holding in her right hand.

There, along with Jackal's column, was a photo of Jackal.

"Just looking at this photo, I thought of you."

"I look much better, right?"

"Do you really think so?"

"Of course."

"I heard that a warrior must know himself. It seems you're not a warrior. You lack self-awareness."

"Is that something you really mean to say?"

Hixon made an exaggerated gesture, covering his eyes.

"How sad."

Although he was joking, Hixon was genuinely sad.

Hixon, who was usually impervious to others' words, felt differently about Violet.

To Hixon, Violet was a daughter he had raised with his heart.

He felt like a father who had been criticized by his daughter.

"Anyway, if I were Knight Jackal, I wouldn't write columns like this."

"Then what?"

"I would lead the Storm Corps to Winter Castle and formally protest. I would try to uncover the truth by confronting the princess, me."

Hixon thought about Jackal.

'Hmm. If it were him...'

This method didn't seem like Jackal's style.

Jackal's way was to directly confront and question the party responsible for the wrongdoing.

"This seems more like a public opinion manipulation than a protest."

"Hmm."

"Knight Jackal also seems to know a lot about Father."

"That's true. We were once comrades who fought back-to-back many times. We didn't like each other, though."

"Would Knight Jackal think that Father tried to gain illegal profits just for 2 billion dalia?"

"Just 2 billion?"

Hixon chuckled.

Most ordinary people can't even touch 100 million dalia in their lifetimes.

2 billion dalia is indeed a huge amount of money.

However, Violet's words weren't entirely wrong.

'Typical Bellaudo.'

She was Bellaudo, the daughter of the strongest duke in the empire.

A Bellaudo who trembles at 2 billion dalia would be strange.

It would be more Bellaudo-like to say, 'Just 2 billion.'

"Would Knight Jackal think that way?"

"No. I don't think so."

"That's strange."

Violet pointed at the photo in the newsletter with her index finger.

"I said this photo reminded me of you, right?"

"Yes."

"Didn't you say Knight Jackal has a young son?"

Hixon's expression stiffened.

***

Medea didn't use any tricks.

She sent an official letter stating that she would visit Storm Castle.

The official letter, delivered by magic, was approved within a day, and a visiting delegation led by First Princess Medea was formed.

Violet, looking in the mirror, was lost in thought.

'To officially visit and kill him... that's Bellaudo.'

No less than First Princess Medea is coming.

Storm Sword Jackal wouldn't fail to see through Bellaudo's intentions.

'Even knowing everything, he still welcomes her... that's Jackal.'

A sword openly aiming to strike.

And a shield openly aiming to block.

It will be a battle between the two. That's how it was in the original.

'I have to stop it.'

Due to this incident, she will make an enemy of the Pallier family, Jackal's clan.

The Pallier family is a rapidly growing clan.

Led by Jermi, a key supporting character also known as the 'Young Storm,' the Pallier family grew significantly and later became a major rival to the Bellaudo Dukedom.

'Even the protagonist, Violet, nearly died several times.'

Even First Princess Medea nearly died.

In any case, they become a very dangerous enemy.

That must be prevented.

'I can't let them ruin my rosy future!'

Knock knock.

Zeon entered the room with a knock.

Zeon's reflection appeared in the mirror.

Zeon smiled.

"Princess, your escort is my responsibility."

"I know. But Zeon, you have your own issues. You're wanted by the empire."

Violet designated Zeon, the butler, and Tundra as her official escorts.

Zeon didn't seem pleased with this.

Violet turned to face Zeon.

Zeon was still smiling, but he looked uncomfortable.

"Storm Castle is different from Winter Castle. It's much closer to the heart of the empire."

Zeon is the one who massacred twenty second-class knights of the empire.

He is also wanted by the empire.

Therefore, the help of Seiban, a master of disguise, was needed for this trip.

"Even with Seiban's help, it's not a perfect solution."

"..."

"If you recklessly get into trouble, it's none of my concern.

But I said it insincerely.

She had become very accustomed to this over the past three years.

"If you ruin things and tarnish my reputation, or if my actions become restricted, I will hold you accountable and cut off your head."

"My head being cut off is not a concern, Princess."

Ah, of course.

Zeon, who once said, 'Shall I cut off my head for you?' in the past.

The memory of how chilling that statement was still lingers.

"I'm scared."

"Huh?"

Zeon's eyes twitched slightly.

The most Bellaudo-like Bellaudo.

The violet eyes of the Iron-Blooded Princess met Zeon's eyes.

"I don't want to lose my capable butler. Follow my orders."

Zeon stood there for a while.

Then he placed his right hand over his left chest and bowed.

"I will follow your orders, Princess."

The next day, three carriages set out from Winter Castle.

Their destination was the south of Winter Castle, the Storm Castle located between the Barbarian Gorges.

Even after traveling through a portal, they had to travel for a long time.

Inside the carriage, Violet gazed out the window.

'This continent is vast.' She couldn't really grasp how vast it was.

She just felt it was incredibly vast.

And a week later.

The Bellaudo delegation, led by Medea, arrived at Storm Castle.

They had traveled through a narrow and dangerous path where only one carriage could pass.

A massive fortress located between the Barbarian Gorges.

In front of it, the golden lion flag symbolizing the Bellaudo Dukedom was fluttering.

Blow!

The sound of a horn echoed, and the massive iron gate slowly opened.

"Welcome, First Princess Medea, and Sixth Princess Violet."

A heavily armed figure emerged from the iron gate.

The commander of Storm Castle.

Storm Sword Jackal.

In Jackal's hand was a long sword, and a blue aura enveloped it.

The aura was quite sharp.

Medea smiled and pulled out a massive sword from her subspace.

"It's been a while, Knight Jackal."

The auras of the two clashed in the air, creating a whirlwind around them.

Violet swallowed hard.

'What a sudden development!'

It looked like they might start fighting immediately.

'Even a slight touch of their auras would tear my body apart.'

The absolute beings of this world had met.

Even the slightest mistake could lead to death.

'I have to do my best, too.'

She had done well over the past three years.

Today, she decided to do even better.