Chapter 90

I felt like I had taken on the role of the adopted daughter a bit too well. In Chapter 090, Viola recited the settings from the novel.

The reader, Han Arin, who loved "The Shadow of Bellato," began to recall the knowledge hidden in her mind.

"I can't sense the power of the spirits."

Viola mentioned that she couldn't sense the power of the spirits from the blue uniform and also taught that the blessing of the spirits would inevitably fade as the spirit mage moved away from the spirits.

"That's the basic principle of nature. A realm that even magic engineering can't overcome, something impossible for humans.

And that was the conclusion.

"If someone claims they can maintain that spirit power and blessing without the help of a spirit mage, it's a scam. Even if it were possible, the question is whether that act, which goes against the laws of nature, is really more efficient than magic engineering."

She was convinced it was a scam.

So Viola spoke without hesitation, and her attitude was confident.

"Even brilliant and intelligent people often fall for scam tactics, especially when they are desperate or impatient."

Carlo saw Viola's smile.

Viola's eyes seemed to see through everything.

"There's always an invisible war going on within the territory of the Baron of Parva, you know?"

In other words, this place is a gathering of the luxury industry.

Who will lead the trends this year?

Who will produce the more outstanding designers and artifacts?

Who will be the top noble family on the continent?

They compete for their dominance.

They form their own factions and cliques.

"Recently, I heard that the Louisbarten family is not shying away from a price war with the Gorbard family. Whether the Gorbard family stole Louisbarten's designs, poached their designers unethically, or lacked tradition and reputation compared to Louisbarten, I'll set those secondary issues aside. The important thing is that the Louisbarten family is in a major competition with someone."

Carlo couldn't speak.

All this content was mentioned by a girl who had just turned twelve.

Moreover, a girl from Bellato, located at the northernmost end and with no connection to the Baron of Parva.

'Is there really a reason why the Master chose Lady Viola?'

Viola continued.

"Given that competition, it's natural for them to become impatient and start seeing things they usually wouldn't. That's not necessarily bad. When you shift your gaze, you see new paths, and that's the first step in creating new realms."

"......"

"Just who was the one who started that first step? Who do you think it was, Chief Designer Carlo?"

Carlo finally responded.

"It was Lady Cersa."

"From your perspective, what kind of person is Lady Cersa?"

"Her passion for art is unmatched. She will become an excellent craftsman."

"That means she's a passionate person who sticks to one path."

"Yes."

"Or, in other words, someone who stubbornly follows one path."

That is a slander against Lady Cersa.

The words almost slipped out, but he held them back.

The Viola he saw wasn't someone who would speak nonsense.

In fact, he had little to say since he had also called Sephon a "complete fool."

"So, she's not very skilled in human relations. I actually admire that. A craftsman should just follow the path of a craftsman. There's no need to be good at everything."

Viola's words made Carlo's heart tremble.

The same words could evoke different emotions depending on who said them.

Viola's words shook Carlo's heart.

Talking to Viola made him feel like his emotions were all over the place.

It felt like he was talking to a 120-year-old fox, not a 12-year-old child.

"Take a good look around her. There's bound to be a cunning wolf trying to exploit that passion."

"......A cunning wolf?"

There's a guy named Herton who will later become a notorious fraudster.

She didn't say that part.

But Hera did.

"Look into Herton, the one who introduces himself as Lady Cersa's childhood friend."

Hera smiled.

"Is this what you were trying to say?"

"......"

What? That sister.

She's scary.

Hera already knew everything.

Cold sweat trickled down Viola's back.

***

She had felt it many times.

'I'm really lucky that Sister Hera is on my side. Really.

Compared to the ascent, the descent from the Baron of Parva's territory was very dramatic.

She called four mages from the Magic Tower and descended via teleportation.

Many people witnessed the spectacle.

Only after getting into the carriage that Zephon and Ersa had prepared did Hera feel nauseous.

"This damn teleportation makes me so seasick."

But there was no choice.

All eyes of the visitors to the Baron of Parva's territory were on the young ladies of Bellato.

In that situation, Hera showcased Bellato's strength.

"How did you manage to call four mages from the Magic Tower?"

"The Sixth Magic Tower is very interested in business."

She didn't explain further.

She only revealed that it was related to the 'Golden Road' connecting the central Monarch and the Northern Winter Castle.

Viola didn't press further.

The important thing was that Hera had the ability to mobilize four mages from the Magic Tower.

And she did it just to show off.

'Sure enough, it's a scary world. In Korea, she would have been just a middle schooler.'

Viola, once again impressed by Hera's abilities, continued her questions.

"But how did you find out about Herton?"

"It's strange, isn't it? Everyone knows that Lady Cersa has no friends, and you know it too."

......

...Really?

Everyone knows that?

It seems only Sister knows.

"But there was a guy who kept boasting that he was Lady Cersa's childhood friend, so I did some investigating."

...Don't people usually not investigate just because of a rumor?

Or, how did Hera even hear such a rumor from within Bellato?

I've never heard of it.

"It was true that he had contact with the Louisbarten family, and not long after, the Louisbarten uniform started to change. It's common knowledge that they began to show interest in spiritology rather than magic engineering, but you probably knew all of that too."

"......"

"Your words gave credibility to my investigation. Herton was the most suspicious, and I just mentioned him. The Louisbarten family is smart, so they'll figure it out with that lead."

Viola nodded.

She had the same experience.

The keyword 'spiritology' brought a lot to mind.

The Louisbarten family would likely do the same.

Once they realized one thing, the rest would naturally follow.

A few days later.

Viola's group returned to the Winter Castle.

'Ah... it was exhausting.

Why does the social scene require so much of me?

No, that's not it.

She gathered her resolve.

'I'm already getting lazy.'

I can roll in a dung field to survive!

I will live a long and happy life!

While she was regaining her composure, Zephon brought a letter.

"Lady, this is a letter from Chief Designer Carlo."

When she opened the letter, it was mostly filled with gratitude.

But there was a shockingly disturbing part.

[The head of Herton, sent as a token of cooperation and a gift, was received well. I bow my head in sincere gratitude, Lady Viola.]

Viola, hiding her trembling legs under her skirt, spoke calmly.

"Zephon, the strawberry ade?"

"Shall I bring it now?"

Yes.

After sending Zephon out, Viola finally slumped into her chair.

If she had been a bit slower, she might have shown her trembling legs.

With trembling hands, she examined the letter several times.

'What is this?'

Viola had never sent Herton's head.

She was just in the carriage.

'It must be something Sister Hera did.'

She didn't know the details.

It seemed Hera had killed Herton and sent his head to Chief Designer Carlo.

And she made it look like Viola had done it.

'What kind of thing is this......!'

Knock knock.

A knock came at the door.

Zephon brought a tray with strawberry ade.

Viola sat with her legs crossed.

She tried her best to hide her emotional turmoil.

"Zephon, you drove the carriage, right?"

"Yes, I did."

"What about Ersa?"

"Ersa was with me most of the time."

"Most of the time? What does that mean?"

"She left for a moment, saying she had something to do."

"Did she smell of blood when she returned?"

Zephon thought for a moment and then nodded.

"There was a faint smell of blood."

"Why did she smell of blood?"

"I didn't ask, but should I go and ask her?"

"No, it's fine. I need to talk to Sister Hera."

Viola bit her lip.

Hera had secretly committed murder and sent the head to the Louisbarten family.

Viola wasn't consulted at all.

This was a betrayal and a disregard for Viola.

"Should I send a message?"

"No."

"I'll escort you."

Zephon, who was walking slowly, asked quietly.

"Lady."

"Why?"

"Still, remember that this is the Winter Castle. Murder is not allowed."

"If there ever comes a day when I must break the rules of the Winter Castle, please use the butler."

Viola's butler.

Zephon.

A little while later,

Zephon and Viola arrived at Hera's door.