Chapter 93: I Overdid My Adopted Daughter Role

"Thank you for coming back."

Viola was a bit taken aback.

What, is she crying again?

"You're talking as if I went somewhere I couldn't come back from."

"It's not that, but..."

"You did come back, didn't you?"

It seemed she was shedding tears of joy.

Viola was at a loss for words.

It was quite dramatic, but it was hard to scold her since it seemed to be genuine.

Tundra's face showed a smile.

She looked genuinely happy.

'Too serious, I can't even say anything.' Viola and Tundra sharing the same space and having a conversation, every moment seemed precious and happy to her.

Then, a whooshing sound came from somewhere.

It felt artificial.

'What is this?'

Viola noticed something very strange.

This wind was artificial.

And its source was right behind Tundra.

More precisely, from her tailbone area.

'That, that is...!'

A tail was visible.

The tail was swinging vigorously, formed by concentrated mana.

'Did she grow a tail?'

"When did you become able to do that?"

"I'm not sure."

Actually, Tundra herself didn't know.

"Maybe just now."

Tundra met Viola, whom she had long awaited.

Her genuine joy caused the mana to move and form a shape.

"That's really peaceful?"

"It feels like something that should be there."

Is that something to talk about so seriously?

You just materialized mana.

Why is it no big deal?

「Materializing mana for use is an extremely difficult and strenuous task, only possible for those who have undergone intense training. Even then, it requires outstanding talent, and while there is some variation among individuals, it is generally a skill that a 5th-grade knight can use.」

In other words, being able to process and use mana in a visible form means she has the skill level of a 5th-grade knight.

"Your mana formed a shape."

This mana, depending on how it was used, had endless possibilities.

It could be made solid to block a sword from behind, or extended to attack an opponent.

It was a powerful ability that could produce tremendous efficiency depending on its use.

「 「The downside is that materializing mana within the body requires a significant physical burden.」

'But... she doesn't seem to be struggling at all?'

Viola asked as calmly as she could.

"Why are you wasting your stamina?"

"I'm not wasting it."

Upon closer inspection, Tundra didn't seem to be struggling at all.

It was a bit funny, but her mana tail was moving without any effort or will.

"Materializing and using mana requires great will, strength, and stamina. Generally speaking."

At that moment, Tundra took out her life manual, the Half-White Book.

Tundra confidently opened the book.

Having memorized the entire content, she naturally flipped to page 420.

[Just as a person cannot control their own heart, a pet dog cannot control its tail.

The movement of the tail is a natural behavior unrelated to will, and the owner should pay attention to it.]

And she said matter-of-factly,

"It seems to be a mana tail that moves naturally, like breathing."

It meant no special effort or will was needed.

Tundra looked completely unfazed while doing something so difficult.

It was as if growing a tail was nothing to a pet dog.

She grew a tail!

'After the sense of smell, now a tail... What is this kid, really?'

Anyway, Tundra had successfully materialized mana, and with that genius talent and physique, she would be able to use it in other ways by memorizing the sensation.

'At this rate, her growth speed rivals even Medea's.'

Medea received the qualification of a 5th-grade knight at seventeen.

'No, faster than her.'

Medea was a genius among geniuses, who had undergone rigorous training and effort since birth.

But Tundra was different.

She grew up as a hunter's child and only began training under Hixon five years ago.

She achieved this level in just five years.

'Somehow... it feels like she's growing faster than in the original story.'

Tundra couldn't take her eyes off Viola.

Like a dog staring at its owner, as if the dog's world was filled only with its owner.

It's so awkward.

But she couldn't tell her to stop looking.

If she did, it would be like denying Tundra's dream.

Crushing the dream of a protagonist who is growing at such a terrifying speed is extremely dangerous and should be avoided.

"Yah-hoo! I am the water-giving Pong-Pong!"

Pong-Pong kept spraying water tirelessly.

It was a chaotic world.

*****

Duke Heron found the marguerite flower garden.

Beside him, the head butler Carlton stood respectfully, holding a sword with both hands.

"Here it is."

Frigid Cold.

A masterpiece sword crafted by the great mage and the highest technician of the dwarf race, Kurumkurum, over seven years.

One of the seven great swords of the world, it was an artifact akin to the Duke of Thousand Kill's alter ego.

"It's been a long time since you wielded Frigid Cold."

It was rare for the ruler of the Winter Castle to wield Frigid Cold.

Even when hunting the great monster that descended from the 'Snowy Place' a year ago, he didn't use Frigid Cold.

"You used Frigid Cold when you dueled with Emperor Nellac."

"That's right."

"You only use Frigid Cold against opponents worthy of respect."

Carlton wanted to ask.

Why did he draw Frigid Cold today?

Does Frigid Cold really fit this marguerite flower garden?

"I am observing the progress of White Bella. It's a different kind of pleasure from watching Medea."

Viola was very different from the other children.

She chose White Bella, which no one else chose, and showed everything that White Bella could.

Despite the disadvantage of being an adopted daughter, she outperformed everyone.

"Viola is an advanced Bella."

"Indeed, that is true."

But what does that have to do with Frigid Cold?

Carlton waited for the Duke's explanation.

"Perhaps she might seriously compete with Medea."

"Even if that day comes, I would be happy, but... Lady Viola is too young."

She is only twelve years old.

While she shows an incredible growth trend, her achievements cannot compare to Medea's.

She is doing exceptionally well for a twelve-year-old, but not outstandingly among the successor candidates.

"Since she started at a significant disadvantage compared to the other children, shouldn't she have some advantages?"

"Does that mean you genuinely recognize Lady Viola's qualifications as a successor?"

"Is there a reason not to?"

"There isn't."

Carlton respectfully lifted Frigid Cold, and Heron took it.

A cold frost began to form on Frigid Cold as it met its master.

The surroundings were quiet.

But Carlton felt it was incredibly noisy.

A storm of mana, though inaudible, was raging.

When Carlton opened his eyes after a moment, something extraordinary had happened.

'The marguerite flower garden...'

How to describe it?

'Vanished?'

The vast marguerite flower garden had vanished in an instant.

The world was filled with green, yellow, and white powder.

A single strike cut the entire garden, and the sword aura emitted by Frigid Cold crushed the flowers.

When Heron took out a black sphere from a subspace, the flower powder began to be sucked into it.

"What is that?"

"A gift from Kurumkurum."

The great mage Kurumkurum explained it this way.

'The universe has a terrifying thing called a black hole. It's a fearsome space that sucks everything in. So I named this a black hole.

However, use it with caution. A black hole can only be used once.

I hope it will be a good gift for you.'

Countless marguerite flowers in the vast garden were sucked into the black hole.

'If there's something you want to put in the black hole, bring it. Based on the energy it contains, I can create a fine artifact for you.'

At the time, Kurumkurum had said with great anticipation.

'I wonder what the Duke of Thousand Kill will bring to the black hole.

Just avoid bringing corpses.'

***

A week passed.

During this time, Viola was very troubled.

'Why? Why did Father...?'

Why did he completely destroy the marguerite flower garden?

Because of this, Pong-Pong cried for three days and nights, and Viola had to try hard to understand Heron's psychology.

'I can't figure it out.'

She had read the novel thoroughly and the setting book multiple times, but this time she couldn't read Heron's mind.

So she was afraid.

Until now, she had survived well using the knowledge from the novel, but now she felt like she couldn't see what was ahead.

'Did I make a mistake?'

Did she make a huge mistake, and did Father destroy the flower garden as a warning?

Then, Zeon spoke.

"Duke Heron is looking for you."

...Father?

Suddenly, it's unsettling.

But a voice came from behind Zeon.

"No, I'll tell her myself."

Heron entered Viola's room.

Even though he was just walking, an indescribable pressure was felt.

'He seems angry.'

It was a bit strange.

Duke Heron doesn't show his anger outwardly, even when he is angry.

Moreover, a twelve-year-old Viola wouldn't be able to read his anger.

'What is it? Why? I need to find out.'

Why did he come to my room?

It's rare for him to seek out a successor candidate directly.

'What mistake did I make?'

Duke Heron spoke.

"I have a gift for you."

His expression and movements were very stiff.

As if he was doing something for the first time in his life.