Chapter 47

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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In the end, I played the role of the adopted daughter too well 047

"We shouldn't have more people like Uncle."

Hixon's nostrils flared.

It almost seemed like white steam was being emitted.

"Did you hear that?"

"What did you say?"

"I said 'Uncle.'"

"Is that a big problem?"

"Yes, it is."

Hixon burst into a chuckle.

He looked like he was overjoyed.

In fact, Jackal couldn't understand Hixon's feelings.

What's so important about 'Uncle'?

"Anyway, let me explain."

Hixon took the lead in explaining.

Hixon had also lost a daughter.

"That situation was very, very similar to ours."

Both were fathers who loved their children.

Both were warriors boasting of great strength.

"The kidnapping was meticulously planned and executed at the perfect timing. I couldn't find any traces, and I ended up being used and becoming a cripple."

"...I've heard the rumors."

"Do you know what I did back then?"

"I heard you wreaked havoc on various families and caused chaos."

"And?"

"You stormed Winter Castle, caused a commotion, and were suppressed by Duke Heron and exiled to the annex."

"Exile? I lost on purpose."

Hixon glanced at Viola.

He didn't want to reveal that 'Uncle' had been so embarrassingly defeated.

Hixon quickly changed the subject.

"And you? You attacked Winter Castle, right?"

"Yes."

"Let's say you were threatened."

Hixon had also been threatened.

He had acted without his senses.

Viola was right.

'And why didn't Uncle know something that even a child like me could figure out?

Is it all just a coincidence?'

Hixon continued.

"Looking back, I was bewitched somewhere."

"By what?"

"I'm not sure. But it was definitely a kind of magic."

Viola stepped in.

"After three years of tracking, I believe it was a cowardly and despicable magic that exploits the love of a parent for their child. No matter how powerful a warrior, they would be helpless against a mental control or suggestion spell."

Hixon had been affected, and so had Jackal.

They had acted as if something was broken.

If Hixon had been in his right mind, he wouldn't have become a drunk cripple, and if Jackal had been in his right mind, he wouldn't have published an assassination column targeting Winter Castle.

Both had acted in ways that were uncharacteristic of themselves.

"I think it turned the love in your heart into fear, paralyzing your reason. You must have been afraid of losing your son forever. That's why you, Sir Jackal, fell for the threat and decided to turn Winter Castle into your enemy. Because your son was important."

"I didn't say I was threatened or that I lost my son."

Jackal was not easily swayed.

Viola laughed lightly.

"At twelve, I can enter society. I will become the sharpest blade in society."

This was also a very Belatus-like statement.

To become the sharpest blade, not the most beautiful flower.

"To that end, I gathered and studied information about my competitors. This includes Jermi, the successor of the Storm Sword."

"..."

"Thus, I used every means at my disposal to investigate Jermi's movements."

"This is a heavily secured fortress. Was it possible within the Storm Fortress?"

"Kidnapping was possible, so why not observation?"

Jackal was momentarily speechless.

Viola's words felt flawless.

It felt like he was talking to a seasoned and cunning person, not a ten-year-old child.

In reality, Jackal had given Jermi as much freedom as possible.

Therefore, he didn't provide much protection.

Jackal's principle was that one must protect oneself.

"Besides, I have a very special relationship with the Terra Merchant Guild. They often visit here, don't they?"

"That's true."

Jackal had no choice but to listen to Viola.

All the circumstances were clear.

"Listening to Miss Viola, it feels like my head is clearing up."

"Did you feel it too?"

Hixon chuckled.

"Like the fog in my mind is lifting. That's how I felt. How about you?"

"Me too, Sir Hixon."

Viola secretly sighed in relief.

All she needed to do was break one shell.

They were already accomplished warriors, and once the shell was broken, they would handle it well.

"What to do and how to do it. Now I think I understand. It seems something was broken in me."

"And think about it carefully. Is Lord Jermi the kind of person who would be so easily kidnapped? Reflect on your son's character."

"Thank you."

"Then the Storm Sword should focus on the Storm Sword's affairs, right?"

"Right."

Jackal called the butler to bring Medea.

Medea arrived.

She tilted her head.

"Viola? Sir Hixon?"

She couldn't understand what had been said, but the result was surprising.

"...Therefore, I plan to write a personal letter of apology to Duke Heron, the ruler of Winter Castle. However, I would appreciate it if you could delay the official apology a bit. Please give me some time."

Medea was inwardly flustered but didn't show it.

'What happened?'

Viola seemed to have used some trick, but she couldn't figure out exactly what.

Nonetheless, she played it cool.

"I'm not sure what you mean, but if you give me the letter, I will deliver it to Father."

"Thank you."

Medea took the letter.

'I need to report this to Father.'

An apology letter?

A variable has appeared.

It seemed she would have to receive new orders.

"Sorry, I think I was bewitched by something. I'm embarrassed."

To this, Viola replied.

"That's proof that Sir Jackal loves his son. I don't think you should be embarrassed."

"...Is it?"

"It's admirable."

At that moment, Hanarin was sincere.

She had been abandoned by her parents.

She hated them but also missed them.

'A little envious.

The black magic that bewitched Jackal only works on parents who truly love their children.

The Storm Sword Jackal truly loves his son Jermi.

Hixon patted Viola's shoulder.

"Hmm, let's go."

He was inexplicably angry.

Viola's eyes revealed a mix of emotions.

'Such a warm-hearted child!

To subject her to the harsh competition for the Belatus successor.'

Anyway, Heron is not a fit father.

He reaffirmed that he would be a much better adult than that guy.

Jackal knelt on one knee to meet Viola's eyes.

"Thank you for saying that, Miss Viola."

"It's nothing."

"I look forward to your twelfth year. I hope you become the sharpest sword."

*****

Duke Heron accepted Jackal's proposal.

In fact, this was much better than killing Jackal.

"You completed the mission in a different way."

"Can we not kill Sir Jackal?"

"Sure."

Medea sighed in relief.

Heron noticed.

"Why?"

"Because I thought he was an excellent warrior. It's sad to lose a good adversary."

Heron nodded.

Indeed, a very Belatus-like way of thinking.

"And... he seems to be a good father."

"Is that so."

Heron didn't react much.

After dismissing Medea, he read Jackal's letter again.

[I will definitely rescue my son. Please give me some time until then. It won't take long.]

At this point, Heron sneered at Jackal.

Just for his son.

He attacked Winter Castle because of a weakness.

Was Jackal such an irrational and foolish person?

'And... he seems to be a good father.'

[Miss Viola seems to have a great interest in Jermi.

Before she officially enters society at the age of twelve, I would like to introduce Jermi to her. What do you think, Duke? They can have a good relationship.]

Suddenly.

Heron crumpled the letter without realizing it.

The door to his office opened.

It was Carlton, the only person who could freely enter and exit Heron's office without permission.

"Duke...?"

Carlton saw the crumpled paper.

'What is this?'

I heard he completed the mission excellently.

This is a letter of apology from Jackal.

Why did he crumple it?

'Something... went wrong?'

But it didn't seem like something went terribly wrong.

The Duke didn't order Jackal to be killed, and a month later, Jackal issued an official apology statement.

[Everything I raised was purely my delusion and mistake.

I acted rashly out of envy for Winter Castle's foresight. I apologize.

I deeply apologize to Duke Heron, the Belatus family, and all the citizens of Winter Castle.]

It was a sincere apology, lowering himself.

As a result, Jackal was mocked, but only for a short while.

Powerful monsters appeared in the 'Valley of Savages,' and the Storm Sword Jackal, along with Jermi who safely returned to the Storm Fortress, successfully exterminated them.

The reputation of the Storm Sword Jackal and his son, Lord Jermi, soared.

And two years passed.

***

Viola had turned twelve.

On a spring day when she was twelve.

A bird with a note tied to its leg tapped on the window.

Viola approached the window.

It was a smooth-feathered yellow bird.

"Bird?"

She noticed the note tied to its leg.

When she opened the note, it read:

[I will visit you soon.]

'Who is it?'

Is it an assassination attempt?

There shouldn't be anyone crazy enough to do that in Winter Castle.

She showed the note to Zaneon.

"It has the seal of the Storm Fortress."

"Storm Fortress?"

Upon closer inspection, there was a seal shaped like a whirlwind.

"Someone from the Storm Fortress sent me a note?"

"It seems so."

"Why?"

"Well..."

Zaneon smiled.

It felt like a cold wind was blowing.

"Because the Lady has turned twelve."

Twelve is the age when one can enter society.

It's the age when one is officially recognized as a noble lady.

It's also the age when marriage proposals can start.

"And now that the Lady is twelve, she has become even more beautiful than before."

"Really?"

Indeed, she had grown a lot.

But to Hanarin, she was still a child.

The difference between Earth's standards and those here was once again evident.

"Therefore, I suspect that the young lord of the Storm Fortress is up to something."

It sounded like a ridiculous scheme.

'I must be imagining things.'

Looking at Zaneon's fresh smile, it felt like a hallucination.

A few days later.

Rumors spread that the official delegation from the Storm Fortress would arrive.

It became a major issue among the citizens.

"Did you hear that rumor?"

"Lord Jermi is coming too!"

"Really?"

Jermi.

His name made many young girls' hearts flutter.

"Are you talking about Lord Jermi, the Little Storm?"

"Who calls him that? Only the uncivilized barbarians who like to fight would call him that."

Little Storm Jermi.

He had another nickname.

"Lord Jermi is coming to Winter Castle!"

A small storm began to brew within Winter Castle.