Chapter 62

I ended up playing the role of the adopted daughter a bit too well 062

"Then I'll make you feel so uncomfortable you won't know what to do with yourself."

In fact, Jermi was proud of the scheme she had devised in her own way.

Though it was a promise she made to herself, she still came a day earlier than the agreed date.

She deliberately created this situation so that her proposal could not be refused.

However, Viola's response was unexpected.

"This means that this place will be our dueling ground."

Jermi momentarily doubted her ears.

'Dueling ground?'

'The dueling ground I know?'

'Duel?'

"So... the duel you're talking about is the same as the one I'm thinking of, right?"

"Of course."

Viola pointed her dagger at Jermi.

Jermi shrugged, still maintaining her calm smile.

"Let me explain what I mean by a duel. First, a fight to determine the winner. Second, a fight to resolve grievances or insults under certain conditions and formalities."

"Accurate."

"Why do I have to duel?"

"Because you've been too easy on me and my family."

Jermi's smile faded.

If Viola had said, 'You've been too easy on me,' there might have been a chance to resolve it through conversation.

But she mentioned 'me and my family.'

She mentioned Bellatu.

It meant Viola was serious.

'Oh... this isn't right.'

Jermi was in a difficult position.

She didn't want to duel with Viola.

"I just wanted to explore the ruins with you, that's all."

"It wasn't a formal agreement, but even if it were, it would be tomorrow."

Viola continued, still pointing the dagger.

"Did you think I was a pawn on a chessboard, moving as you arranged the pieces?"

"Ah, no, how did it come to this? I never thought that."

"Your intentions don't matter. It's the result that counts."

Viola also knew.

Jermi was originally a character with a naive and positive personality.

She was far from being someone who plotted or conspired.

Her intentions were likely innocent.

For example, she probably thought, 'Exploring the ruins with Lady Viola would be fun,' or 'If we find any treasure, I should give it to Lady Viola as a gift.' The probability was very high that her thoughts were that light-hearted.

"You set up your own stage, and I acted as if I was dancing on it. In front of the many people who follow you, I acted as if I would move according to your intentions. What do you think I am?"

"Well..."

'Well, you're Lady Viola Bellatu.'

She couldn't say it.

There were too many eyes watching.

The moment she said it, she felt she would never be able to get close to Viola.

'You made it so I couldn't answer. Did I fall for my own scheme?'

Viola said,

"Draw your sword quickly."

By now, the baron's armored guards had gathered to control the crowd.

This was also something Viola had requested in advance.

Some of the people who had gathered asked the guards,

"Johan, who is that woman?"

"..."

But the guards remained silent.

In fact, they didn't know who she was.

They were just following the baron's order to support the noble lady actively.

"Who dares to challenge Sir Jermi to a duel?"

"Still, she didn't give him a rose, right? Isn't that a bit much?"

"That's true, but..."

"It seems like a good opportunity to see Sir Jermi's excellent swordsmanship."

"Hmm? Now that you mention it, that's true."

Viola could feel it.

The fervent wishes of her fans.

To them, Jermi was an idol and a god.

Since she dared to draw a weapon against such a Jermi, they must be expecting her to display beautiful swordsmanship and elegantly subdue her.

'Wow, their gazes are so intense. How come I don't have any supporters?'

Grr.

How should I say this without bias?

"Sir Jermi! Show her what you're made of!"

"Sir Jermi! Teach that audacious noble a lesson!"

Jermi became even more uncomfortable.

'Ah. This isn't right...'

I didn't plan for this...

I just wanted to meet Viola casually, thinking I had a good plan, but it was a mistake.

'Show her what you're made of? Audacious noble?'

Jermi scratched her head.

She really wanted to tear her hair out but couldn't bring herself to do it.

If she stayed like this, the situation would only get worse.

The goodwill of those she thought were on her side was making things more complicated.

"Shall we move to a different place? This isn't a suitable place for a duel."

***

Inside the baron's residence, there was a training ground for the baron's knights.

There were three training grounds in total, and one of them was to be used by Viola and Jermi.

"Sir Hixon, are you okay with this?"

"Just act as usual. What's with the 'Sir Hixon'?"

The baron frowned.

He had spoken a bit more formally because the children were watching, but it didn't work with Hixon.

"Are you okay with this?"

"I'll be fine. Viola is smart.

She always thinks one step ahead."

The baron looked worriedly at Viola and Jermi, who had stepped onto the training ground.

He knew Viola was remarkable, but she was still a twelve-year-old girl.

Her physical development couldn't compare to Jermi's.

At that age, a year's difference is significant.

Moreover, her opponent was Jermi, known as the 'Little Storm.'

Jermi laughed awkwardly and said,

"Now that there are no spectators, can't we just apologize and move on?"

"I can't do that because I'm from Bellatu. Don't you remember what I said?"

"What did you say?"

At their first meeting, Viola had said,

"Approach me as the true you."

"But you never showed me your true self. You used incomprehensible tricks to manipulate me."

"Ugh. I'm really sorry about that."

"The time to apologize has passed."

"Do you really want to duel with me?"

"I've been sincere from the moment I called you privately."

Of course, she wasn't sincere.

If they really fought, it would be a disaster.

She couldn't possibly fight the 'Little Storm' Jermi.

As a last resort, she could bring out the real Viola, but that wasn't her goal right now.

"How can I fight you, Lady?"

"Why? Because I'm from Bellatu?"

Viola tilted her head, looking puzzled.

"Bellatu doesn't interfere with injuries or deaths from legitimate duels. You can rest assured there will be no repercussions."

"No, it's not that..."

Jermi scratched the back of her head.

In fact, Jermi had never faced a woman in a duel before.

"Against a lady..."

"What do you mean by that?"

Viola thought it was right.

She knew Jermi would react this way.

Jermi was a major supporting character with the mindset that 'a knight should protect a lady.'

However, if the opponent was a warrior, it would be different.

Even if the opponent was a woman, if she was a warrior, Jermi would do her best.

That was the respect for a warrior.

But the current Jermi was still young and had no experience dueling with women.

She was still pre-awakening Jermi.

"I first faced a woman in a duel when I was nineteen."

"Her name was Medea."

"I couldn't withstand her sword for even three seconds."

The story of Jermi's first duel with a woman at nineteen appears.

"I used to think women were weak."

"But after meeting Lady Medea, my thoughts completely changed."

At this point, Jermi still held the stereotype that 'women are weak,' and Viola had hit the nail on the head.

"Do you mean you can't face me because I'm a woman?"

"W-well, that's..."

"I am a warrior before I am a woman. Your attitude of insulting a warrior is clear to me."

"No, no, Lady Viola. That's not it."

Then, Tundra stepped forward.

Tundra knelt on one knee and spoke respectfully.

"Master, can I fight in your place?"

"You? Why?"

"I think it's not appropriate. You are much stronger than me, and I don't think you need to fight Sir Jermi directly."

Jermi was speechless.

Although the words stung, she couldn't really argue because she had insulted first.

The moral high ground was on their side.

"Sir Jermi, you won't run away or cower in front of a mere dog, will you?"

In Jermi's eyes, Tundra looked like a rabid fighting dog.

***

Hixon served as the referee for the duel.

Hixon also held a steel sword.

"Just don't kill each other. It would be troublesome."

To prevent any accidents, Hixon would intervene if the situation became too dangerous.

Viola finally felt relieved.

'Alright.

I avoided a direct duel while maintaining Bellatu's dignity.

With Hixon's intervention, no one will die.

'This incident will probably make Jermi a bit uncomfortable with me.'

That's the best outcome.

Given Jermi's personality, she won't hold a grudge.

She'll just be a bit uncomfortable.

Maintaining that distance is ideal.

Meanwhile, Tundra, holding a large steel sword