Jackal is nicknamed “storm sword” because his energy and sword are as strong and sharp as a storm.
Viola was mentioned in the novel
‘I could clearly see what the stormy momentum was like.
The storm of mana created by Medea and Jackal was brutal.
“You look as gentle as a messenger who came to kill me.”
“I am an ambassador of goodwill. I don’t know what you’re talking about, dear Sir Jackal.”
Medea, who drew a sword, bowed politely.
Both know exactly each other’s purpose and intentions.
They pretended not to know each other implicitly even though.
“I welcome the ladies of Bellato as the leader of Storm Fortress. As a welcome gesture, I would like to exchange ideas with Lady Medea and her sword.”
“Of course.”
Viola swallowed her saliva.
‘I won’t lose my arms and legs for no reason, will I?’
It felt like it was going to happen for real.
It was a feeling as if an enormous, monstrous creature was staring at them.
‘But I have to be brave.’
Even though she was scared to death, she didn’t show it on the outside.
This is what she had learned over the past three years: not to reveal her true feelings.
‘If I go in between the two of them… I’ll really die.’
No matter how talented and vivacious Viola was, she was still just a ten-year-old child.
It was unthinkable to go between the two characters who were almost described as absolute beings in the story, emitting their overwhelming energy.
‘Still, I believe it. It’s the setting of the author!’
Viola moved her feet.
It was too scary.
Cold sweat ran down her face.
‘Ah, I, I don’t know.’
She started walking with her eyes closed.
Anyway, she couldn’t see anything even if she opened her eyes.
It was more comforting to walk with her eyes closed.
Hickson, who was watching the situation from behind, frowned slightly.
‘Viola?’
Should I catch Viola?
It’s dangerous.
But I couldn’t stay still.
Viola had told me before she left.
‘Sir, if I don’t ask for your help, just wait for me silently.’
‘Sir, do you trust me?’
‘Instead, if I ask for your help, just protect me. Got it?’
I decided to watch over Viola a little longer, just as she had asked.
Until she asked for my help.
Even Medea, who had drawn her sword and was performing the welcoming ceremony of the Storm Fortress, felt Viola’s movement.
‘Viola! What are you doing!’
We’re in the middle of a fight now.
Both sides are releasing intangible mana to occupy each other’s space and territory. Though it’s not visible, the space between Medea and Jackal was like the Strait of Death.
The youngest one was moving towards that place.
‘There’s no way she can’t feel this momentum!’
I don’t know what they’re doing.
It was reckless.
It wasn’t a sword pressure that a ten-year-old could withstand.
However, they couldn’t just withdraw from this momentum.
When the momentum tilts to one side, the winner will be decided.
Just for a moment. In an instant, Jacal’s sword would reach their neck.
As the first princess of Bellatu, they couldn’t tolerate such a defeat.
But…
If the momentum is not taken, Viola will get hurt.
Light wounds began to appear on Viola’s flesh.
‘Uh, it’s, it’s, itchy!’
It felt like poison had touched her skin during a ghost banquet.
It felt like dozens of sharp razor blades were scraping against her tender skin.
Medea was conflicted.
‘I have to take the momentum.’
The Storm Sword won’t take the lead.
She was the one who regretted it.
Looking at the red scars on Viola’s delicate skin made her heartache.
No.
However, Viola is walking her own path now.
It was impossible to know what Biolla was thinking or dreaming of. But Biolla is a member of Bellatu. Bellatu is walking its own path.
‘On the contrary, I should respect Viola Bellatu.’
At that moment, Jackal seized the initiative first.
In the battle of mana, which was fiercely competing against each other, Jackal lost.
“Kuk.”
The reverse storm hit Jackal’s chest.
It was a gap.
As usual, she had to rush in and fight.
But Medea didn’t swing her sword.
“Why didn’t you swing your sword?”
“Didn’t the storm sword consider my little sister first? Thank you for considering my little sister first. In reality, it’s my defeat.”
Violet swallowed her saliva three times.
‘Wow… I really thought I was going to die.’
It felt like she was walking through the midst of thugs dancing with their swords. The vivid feeling of having her throat cut if she made one wrong move. It was like a fantasy.
Violet lowered her head to hide her trembling inner thoughts and spoke, “Thank you for saving me, Sir Jackal.”
Jackal just flicked his head as if it was nothing, then looked at Violet and said, “You did something reckless, Lady Violet.”
“You saved me from that recklessness.”
“If I hadn’t intervened, you would have been badly hurt, my lady.”
Violet stood up straight and looked at Jackal with a firm posture. “I believe that Sir Jackal is someone’s father.”
“…”
At that moment, Jackal’s body twitched.
“I know that Jackal has a son around my age.”
Jackal is portrayed as a knight who loves children.
His cold reason cannot be used in front of children.
“So I thought he wouldn’t hurt me.”
“How reckless.”
Jackal retrieved his sword.
It wasn’t a good atmosphere to mix Medea and a sword.
Viola made it so.
“I will formally introduce myself. I am Viola, the White Bellato.”
***
Viola’s party was guided to the annex of the Storm Fortress. It was not as large and comfortable as the Winter Castle, but it was more than enough to stay for a while.
Medea said, “Jackal was right. It was reckless.”
“It wasn’t reckless. I acted as White Bellatu, considering everything.”
“What did you consider?”
Viola had a hunch.
This question was soon to be a test of the youngest.
‘I have to answer well.’
If she doesn’t, Medea will surely be greatly disappointed.
“First, I was confident that Sir Jackal wouldn’t hurt me.”
“And?”
“Secondly, even if Sir Jackal did hurt me, I was certain that my sister wouldn’t.”
“I believed that both of them would protect me from anyone who could hurt me.”
“Why were you so sure?”
“At least, I thought my sister would value me more than the outcome of the welcoming ceremony.”
“Why?”
“Because if I were my sister, I would do the same.”
Viola stared at Medea with unshaken pupils.
Medea’s violet pupils clashed with Viola’s sincerity.
It was Medea’s pupils that shook instead.
‘This child. She’s sincere.’
That statement was sincere if she were her sister.
And that statement was strangely moving too.
“So, your words mean… your actions weren’t reckless, but rather a strategic approach as a White Bellatu?”
“That’s right.”
“So what’s the ultimate goal?”
“To resolve the incident without killing Jackal.”
Medea tilted her head.
“Killing Jackal is my mission. It’s part of my extra mission.”
Before coming here, Viola received a direct order from Heron Bellatu.
If, by any chance, Jackal publicly apologizes and supports Winterhold and Bellatou, a statement was made that Viola doesn’t need to kill Jackal.
“Wouldn’t this be more efficient and reasonable than killing Jackal?”
“That’s true.”
“He is a great knight and warrior guarding the Barbarian Canyon. If Jackal is gone, Monarch will surely request Winterhold’s cooperation, using the excuse of activating the trade road.”
“And the condition is to exclude the suspect who killed Lord Jackal from being killed. Then Winter Castle’s power will definitely be weakened.”
Viola took Medea’s hand.
“Sister, I have no intention of interfering with your mission.”
This was also sincere.
If she interfered unnecessarily, she might lose her life.
Viola wanted to live long and thin.
“But you can’t just assassinate him right away.”
She will aim for the right timing.
And that good timing may not come soon.
Jackal is also considering assassination.
“I will meet Lord Jackal first.”
***
Tundra’s expression became serious.
“I will serve my master’s tea. I am his loyal dog, after all.”
“I will serve my lady’s tea. I am her direct servant, after all.”
Zennon grinned.
Tundra and Zennon looked at each other.
Their mutual animosity flared up.
Viola sighed.
“Just give me the blanket. I’ll cover myself.”
What’s with these two fightings here?
For ten minutes, at that.
Zennon grinned and spoke.
“Madam always has a habit of kicking the blanket with her foot around 3:23 in the morning. I always hold her bedding and do my best to prevent her from getting cold.”
He bowed politely.
“So I would be grateful if you could grant me the honor of serving Madam.”
Tundra openly expressed hostility.
“Why don’t you want to give up the privilege you have?”
“Isn’t it no longer fashionable to give up privileges?”
“Don’t you think that temporarily giving up the privileges you enjoy daily is also a duty of the privileged class?”
“I do not agree with such obligation, Tundra.”
Viola shouted out loud.
“Both of you, get out!”
Xenon and Tundra were driven out of Viola’s room.
***
The next day, the morning dawned.
As dawn broke.
Viola headed to the training grounds of Storm Fortress with Hickson.
Hup! Hup!
The sound of shouting could be heard from far away.
It seemed like the knights of Storm Fortress were training.
Biolla sat on a bench set up on one side of the training ground and waited.
Until their training was over.
Jackal, who was directing the training, finally put down his sword and wiped his sweat with a towel.
He approached Viola.
“Lady Viola is an early riser.”
“I wanted to see the magnificence of the Storm Clan at least once.”
After greeting Viola, Jackal extended his right hand.
“Yesterday, I didn’t have a chance to properly exchange greetings without any disturbance, Hickson.”
“You don’t seem so happy to see me.”
Hickson shook hands with Jackal after his blunt greeting. The greeting was rough, but they could feel a slight affinity for each other.
“You’re still training from 4 a.m.?”
“Yes.”
Hickson shook his head.
“I hate humans who live such a disciplined life like you. How can a human be like that? Are you a machine?”
“I heard you became ill, but you seem to be perfectly fine.”
“Oh, it’s because of that guy.”
Jackal’s gaze fell on Viola.
Why did Viola come here?
Why did she jump into that dangerous place yesterday?
And what does it mean that she was saved because of Biolla?
“Wanting to visit the Storm Clan may not be the real reason. Why did you come to find me? And what do you mean by Hickson’s words?”
Viola jumped off the bench.
Then, Jaekal kneeled down and met Viola’s gaze.
“Do you know about Mr. Hucksun’s anecdote?”
“…I know. I express my deepest regret.”
They decided to get straight to the point.
“Jackal, are you not sad?”
“What do you mean?”
He shamelessly spoke about the content that was treated as “top secret” in the novel.
“Your son disappeared.”
“…I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
“But…”
“It’s similar to Mr. Hucksun’s situation, even if you don’t know where it is. Such incidents often occur on the continent.”
Powerful conspirators.
The kidnapping of loved ones.
No evidence left.
“I want to help you, as a White Bellatu.”
And she added one more thing.
“We can’t have more sad people like our uncle.”
At the mention of “our uncle,” Hicksun’s heart felt heavy.
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Translator Note:
This chapter was translated by Bree.
Next chapter will be released tomorrow. To read chapters in advance support us on Patreon!!
