Chapter 46

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

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I overdid the role of the adopted daughter. Chapter 46: The reason why the saber-wielding Jackal is known as the 'Storm Sword' is because his momentum and sword qi are as powerful and sharp as a storm.

Viola, who was mentioned in the novel, could clearly understand what a storm-like momentum was like.

The mana storm created by Medea and the Jackal was incredibly fierce.

"You have an unusually gentle expression for someone who came to kill me."

"I am a goodwill envoy. I don't understand what you mean, dear Sir Jackal."

Medea, who had drawn her sword, bowed respectfully.

Both of them knew each other's intentions and purposes exactly.

Even though they knew, they tacitly pretended not to.

"As the commander of the Storm Fortress, I welcome the princesses of Bellato. As a welcome, I would like to exchange sword skills with the First Princess Medea."

"Of course."

Viola swallowed hard.

'Am I not going to lose my arms and legs for nothing?'

It really felt like it.

It felt as if a monstrous creature was staring at her.

'But I have to be brave.'

She was terrified, but she didn't show it.

This is what she had learned over the past three years.

Not revealing her true feelings.

'If I step between their auras... I will really die.'

No matter how talented and ruthless Viola was, she was still a ten-year-old child.

It was absurd to step between the auras of two characters described as almost absolute in the story.

'But, I believe in the author's settings!'

Viola took a step forward.

She was so scared.

Cold sweat trickled down her face.

'Ah, damn it. I don't know.'

She started walking with her eyes closed.

After all, she couldn't see anything even with her eyes open.

It was more comforting to walk with her eyes closed.

Hixon, who was watching the situation from behind, frowned slightly.

'Viola?'

Should I stop Viola?

It's dangerous.

But he couldn't intervene.

Viola had earnestly instructed him before they left.

"Uncle, if I don't ask for help, just wait for me silently."

"Uncle, do you trust me?"

"In return, if I ask for help, protect me. Got it?"

Hixon decided to watch a bit longer, as Viola had said.

Until she asked for help.

Medea, who had drawn her sword to perform the welcoming ceremony of the Storm Fortress, also sensed Viola's movement.

'Viola! What are you doing?'

They were in the middle of a momentum battle.

The intangible mana from both sides was fighting to dominate each other's space and territory.

Though invisible, the space between Medea and the Jackal was like a strait of death.

The youngest was stepping into that space.

'How can you not feel this momentum?'

She didn't know what Viola was doing.

It was reckless.

A ten-year-old couldn't withstand the sword pressure.

But he couldn't withdraw his momentum now.

The moment the momentum tipped, the battle would be decided.

In an instant, the Jackal's sword would reach his neck.

As the First Princess of Bellato, she couldn't accept such a defeat.

But...

If he didn't withdraw his momentum, Viola would be hurt.

Light wounds began to appear on Viola's skin.

'It, it, it hurts!'

It felt like the poison had touched her skin during the welcoming banquet.

It felt like dozens of sharp razors were rubbing against her delicate skin.

Medea was conflicted.

'I have to withdraw my momentum.'

The Storm Sword wouldn't withdraw his momentum first.

He would be the one to regret it.

Seeing the red marks on Viola's delicate skin, her heart ached.

'No.

But Viola is on her own path.

She didn't know what Viola was thinking or dreaming.

But Viola was Bellato.

Bellato was deciding and walking her own path.

'I should respect Viola Bellato.'

Then the Jackal withdrew his momentum first.

In the intense mana battle, the Jackal was defeated.

"Keh."

A counter-storm hit the Jackal's chest.

It was a weakness.

Normally, this would be the time to strike and decide the battle.

But Medea didn't swing her sword.

"Why didn't you swing your sword?"

"Didn't the Storm Sword show consideration first? I thank you for considering my sister. In reality, it was my defeat."

Viola swallowed her saliva three times.

'Wow... I really thought I was going to die.'

It felt like she was walking between two sword dancers.

The vivid feeling that her neck would be cut off if she made a mistake.

It was almost hallucinatory.

Hiding her trembling heart, Viola bowed.

"Thank you for withdrawing your momentum, Sir Jackal."

The Jackal nodded as if it was nothing and looked at Viola.

"You did a reckless thing, Princess Viola."

"You found my reckless act endearing."

"If I hadn't withdrawn my momentum, Princess, you would have been seriously injured."

Viola straightened her back.

She stood upright and looked at the Jackal.

"I believed that Sir Jackal is someone's father."

"..."

The Jackal's body flinched.

"I know that Sir Jackal has a son around my age."

The Jackal is described as a knight who loves children.

His cold rationality doesn't work in front of children.

"That's why I thought you wouldn't hurt me."

"Reckless."

The Jackal sheathed his sword.

It wasn't a good atmosphere to clash swords with Medea.

Viola had created that atmosphere.

"I will formally introduce myself. I am Viola of White Bellato."

***

Viola's party was guided to the annex of the Storm Fortress.

It wasn't as large and comfortable as the annex of the Winter Castle, but it was excellent enough for the time being.

Medea said,

"Sir Jackal is right. It was reckless."

"It wasn't reckless. As White Bellato, I considered everything before acting."

"What did you consider?"

Viola sensed it.

This question was a test for the youngest.

'I have to answer well.'

If she didn't, Medea would surely be greatly disappointed.

"First, I was confident that Sir Jackal wouldn't hurt me."

"And?"

"Second, I was confident that even if Sir Jackal did, you wouldn't let me get hurt."

"The two people who could hurt me were both thinking of protecting me."

"Why were you so confident?"

"At least, I thought you would care more about me than the outcome of the welcoming ceremony."

"Why?"

"If I were you, I would have done the same."

Viola looked at Medea with unwavering eyes.

Medea's 'true eyes' and Viola's purple eyes met.

Instead, Medea's eyes wavered.

'This child. She's serious.'

If she were the older sister, she would have done the same.

Those words were sincere.

And they were strangely touching.

"So, you mean... your actions were not reckless but a strategic approach as White Bellato?"

"Yes."

"So, what is your ultimate goal?"

"To resolve the situation without killing Sir Jackal."

Medea tilted her head.

"Killing Sir Jackal is my mission."

"I received a side mission."

Before coming here.

Viola had personally received a signature from Heron Bellato.

If, by any chance, the Jackal publicly apologized and declared support for the Winter Castle and Bellato,

he didn't have to be killed.

"Isn't this more efficient and reasonable than killing Sir Jackal?"

"That's true."

"He is a great knight and warrior who firmly guards the Savage Canyon. If the Jackal is gone, Monarch will definitely request cooperation from the Winter Castle, using the activation of the trade route as an excuse.

And in exchange for excluding me from the list of suspects for the Jackal's murder. Then the Winter Castle's strength will surely weaken."

Viola took Medea's hand.

"Sister, I have no intention of interfering with your mission."

This was also sincere.

If she interfered, she might lose her head.

Viola wanted to live a long and healthy life.

"But we can't assassinate him right away."

We will wait for a good opportunity.

And that good opportunity might not come soon.

The Jackal would also be aware of the assassination.

"I will meet Sir Jackal first."

***

Tundra's eyes became serious.

"I will attend to my master. I am his companion dog."

"I will attend to the princess. I am her direct servant."

Xeon smiled.

Tundra and Xeon looked at each other.

Their animosity towards each other burned fiercely.

Viola sighed.

"Blanket, I can cover myself."

What is this?

Why are they fighting here?

For ten minutes.

Xeon smiled and said,

"At 3:23 AM, the princess always kicks off the blanket with her feet. I have always attended to the princess and done my best to prevent her from getting a stomachache."

He bowed deeply.

"So, I would like to have the honor of attending to the princess."

Tundra openly showed her hostility.

"Why don't you give up the privileges you have?"

"Isn't it more strange to give up privileges?"

"Don't you think it's the duty of the privileged to occasionally give up their privileges?"

"I do not agree with that duty, Tundra."

Viola shouted.

"Both of you, out!"

Xeon and Tundra were chased out of Viola's room.

*

The next day, morning came.

At dawn.

Viola headed to the training ground of the Storm Fortress with Hixon.

"Ha