“If that’s really what you want, I will be punished by you. You may take an arm from both of us.”
Although it wasn’t what she wanted, Medea decided to let him live.
Viola was too small in Medea’s eyes. Since she was adopted into the ducal family, she would have had no nutritional problems. However, during her childhood, poor nutrition seemed to have a major negative effect on her.
“Viola, I have four more siblings besides you.”
Why this so suddenly? Everybody knows this… Viola became somewhat anxious.
‘You have many younger siblings besides me, so it’s okay if one of them is missing an arm. You’re not saying this, right, Sister?
“I mostly remember what those kids were like.”
Of course. Her older sister was an unprecedented genius of this generation.
“I remember what those kids were like when they were twelve.”
Contrary to Viola’s worries, there was warmth in Medea’s eyes.
“You are much smaller and more delicate than those twelve-year-olds. I hope you don’t feel bad hearing this. It doesn’t mean that you are lacking as a warrior.”
“…”
“When I see you like this, strangely enough, I feel like I want to cherish you.”
Viola interpreted the sentiment in a modern way. The modern expression for that feeling was ‘salty.’
‘Is her ‘saltiness’ based on affection?’
Whatever it was, it was a good thing for Viola. The more she receives Medea’s love, the closer she will be to a rosy future.
“So, I can’t punish you.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
“No thank yous.”
“What? Why can’t I say thank you?”
“I understand that the meaning is similar, but… Instead of ‘is there,’ how about ‘there is’?”
Medea smiled.
“We are obviously competitors in the succession, but we are still family, right? I hope you don’t treat me too much like a business.”
* * *
Zenon stood up after Viola forgave him. Although he stood up, Zenon could not hide his regret.
“I’m sorry.”
Viola had been told ‘I’m sorry’ so many times that it felt like her ears were being pricked. But mostly she was worried about Medea, who had finally changed her mind.
‘Don’t keep provoking Medea!’
Medea believed that her butler’s attack on a Bellato was a serious crime, punishable even by execution.
‘Because of me, she has barely let this slide…’
There was no benefit in repeatedly saying ‘I’m sorry’ in front of Medea. Wasn’t Zenon just continuously reminding her of what happened before?
“If you say ‘I’m sorry’ one more time, I’ll cut out your tongue.”
“Alright.”
This was the only way she could stop Zenon from saying ‘I’m sorry’. She stood in front of Zenon. Both 5 years ago and now, Zenon was much bigger than Viola. Viola had to stretch her hand high in order to pat Zenon on the shoulder.
“I told you I was testing you.”
“…”
“You took the test I gave you and you passed, so why do you keep apologizing?”
“My thoughts were shortsighted.”
He almost said ‘I’m sorry’ again.
Viola naturally turned her body to look at Medea. Fortunately, Medea didn’t seem to think anything of it.
‘He’s a character who doesn’t hold back on someone he has forgiven.’
Medea was in such a peaceful state that Viola wondered if she was worrying for no reason.
Viola asked, “By the way, sister, why are you here?”
“A group of ogres appeared nearby.”
“Are you hunting the ogres?”
Ogres were powerful monsters classified as high-level monsters. These monsters were similar in shape to humans but could range from as short as 3 meters to as tall as 5 meters in size. Their jaws were terribly strong and their limbs were strong enough to tear an elephant apart with just their bare hands. They are terrifying predators with not only enormous strength but also speed faster than a leopard.
“So you came with Bellato’s knights?”
“No?”
Medea smiled.
“There is no need for the elite knights to come just to hunt down a group of ogres.”
Medea single-handedly slaughtered thirty-six ogres. She said the thirty-six ogres tried to flee like dogs before a tiger.
“I missed one, so I was wandering around until I met Uncle Hickson.”
“Sir Hickson?”
“They were hunting the ogre I missed.”
“Sir Hickson?”
“No.”
Medea narrowed her eyes as she recalled an amusing memory.
“The Dog, what was his name?”
“Tundra.”
“Tundra was hunting.”
Viola swallowed her saliva. Because of their strength which was stronger than an elephant and agility which was faster than a leopard, ogres were not monsters that ordinary people could hunt.
“Even though he was completely exhausted, he was able to successfully hunt it in the end.”
It was an achievement similar to what Medea did in her early to mid-teens. Medea was of Bellato’s blood and ever since she was young, she had learned systematic swordsmanship and utilized all kinds of elixirs and medicines during her training. And the swordsmanship she learned was Bellato’s swordsmanship, considered second best on the continent. However, Tundra had only started learning the sword five years ago at the age of twelve.
‘As expected of the male lead.’
It was indeed a growth rate befitting a male lead.
‘They say the best buff is the main character buff.’
That seemed accurate. Although she was shocked on the inside, she spoke as if nothing strange had happened. She compared Tundra’s abilities and interests to Medea’s.
“That’s not a bad growth.”
“Yes?”
With that response, Viola lost all her energy. Medea seemed to agree it was merely ‘not a bad growth.’ Since Medea was one of the greatest geniuses, Tundra’s growth must not seem very surprising.
‘As expected. Medea, you are the perfect person to be the head of the family.’
A genius among geniuses. Shouldn’t someone like that lead Bellato? While Viola was thinking this, Medea was thinking the complete opposite.
‘Not a bad growth?’
Contrary to Viola’s thoughts, Medea was truly amazed by Tundra’s growth rate. A genius recognizes another genius. A person couldn’t be called a genius simply based on their innate talent. Even with her innate talent, Medea had to put in a serious effort to reach a level others couldn’t even dare to imagine. She knew better than anyone that Tundra’s growth couldn’t have been achieved through talent alone.
‘Viola has taken the path of a White Bellato and is growing accordingly.’
She couldn’t be a White Bellato in addition to a Black Bellato. Conversely, she couldn’t be a Black Bellato in addition to a White Bellato. Since Medea was a genius, she understood this.
Because a human had only one body, there were definitely things that had to be given up in order to reach the peak in any one field.
‘I would have lost half of my growth as a Black Bellato if I changed paths. However, Viola isn’t losing out on growth.’
What on earth was this child’s level of ability?
‘Her potential is much greater than mine.’
The more Medea looked at Viola, the smarter and wiser she became. Yet her potential as a Black Bellato was also enormous.
‘Maybe this kid is…’
Wasn’t this the child who best suited Bellato? Wouldn’t she be the most worthy successor to carry on the Bellato name?
‘It seems like she is also greedy and ambitious.’
Greed and ambition were essential to becoming a successor. Medea misunderstood and thought Viola had what she did not.
Viola and her group left the ruins and walked through the Red Tree Forest. After leaving the forest and resting at the Seall’s Viscounty, she tried to return to the Winter Castle. Before she could leave, Jeremy opened his mouth.
“I have admired Lady Medea since I was young.”
He took out a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket. He looked around with a somewhat embarrassed expression and asked Zenon.
“Do you happen to have a pen?”
“Sure.”
Zenon took out a pen from subspace and handed it to Jeremy.
“Thank you.”
Jeremy’s face turned bright red. He looked quite different from when he was with Viola.
“Can you sign just one autograph?”
“I’ve never given anyone an autograph.”
Viola felt a little puzzled.
‘I don’t think my sister really likes Jeremy.’
Of course, she was polite on the outside. There was nothing wrong with Medea’s manners. It was just a feeling Viola had.
‘Why?’
There probably wasn’t a particular reason. After all, Jeremy was a character loved by everyone.
‘If you look closely, she isn’t even giving him a glance.’
Jeremy had a look that would make anyone, regardless of age or gender, steal a few glances at him. He was cuter than cute.
‘Looking at Older Sister, she must seem like a super cool idol.’
He was a ‘little storm’ named Jeremy who did his best in everything he tried. From Medea’s perspective, he was probably just a cute little boy. With such a boy looking up to her, shyly holding out a paper and pen, why did it seem like a cold wind was blowing against him?
“If you want, I can show you what my autograph means.”
Medea drew her great sword and swung quickly. Viola was momentarily shocked.
‘OMG!’
Even Jeremy squeezed his eyes shut and felt a rush of wind. It was a wind caused by Medea’s sword. Feeling like he had been hit by a whirlwind, Jeremy let out an exclamation.
“Ah…!”
Medea’s handwritten(?) signature was engraved on the thin paper. Instead of a signature written with a pen, it was a signature carved with a sword.
[Medea Bellato.]
The name was engraved in cursive. Below that could be seen a bigger name.
[Viola’s older sister.]
Viola was dumbfounded. Didn’t a person usually make their signature larger and then anything below that smaller? Like in Korea, it was the same here in the world of ‘The Shadow of Bellato.’
‘Among the words…’
The letters spelling ‘Viola’s’ were the largest. It was as if she was explicitly emphasizing it. She didn’t have to bother saying it again, it was a fact everyone already knew. However…
“As you know, I am Viola’s older sister.”
“Of course I know.”
Whatever it was, Jeremy was excited. The fact that he received an autograph from someone he greatly admired seemed to really touch and overwhelm him.
“Viola is a good and innocent child.”
Jeremy was momentarily speechless. Although he found some cuteness in Viola, it was difficult to agree with the statement that she was ‘good and innocent.’
“So, please do everything properly from now on.”
It was customary advice that a senior military officer would give to a junior military officer. But Viola didn’t feel that the advice was a mere formality. In the first place, Medea’s character was not one that gave advice carelessly to others.
‘She is a character who, whenever she gives advice, gives it sincerely with about 300 spoonfuls of seriousness.’
Meaning Medea was completely sincere now.
‘Did Jeremy make a mistake?’
Did she dislike having him ask for her autograph? Did she hate having people admire her? What was going on? Was it like this in the original?
“You have to act properly so that your pretty face doesn’t get injured.”
Jeremy didn’t seem to mind. He was already half-crazy after meeting this person he admired.
“Of course. I will think twice and then thrice before doing anything and walk carefully.”
“Please don’t forget that I am Viola’s eldest sister.”
After resting in the Viscountcy, Viola returned to Winter Castle with Medea in her carriage.
As soon as she arrived at the castle and unpacked her luggage, Zenon reported.
“The Duke is calling.”
“Father?”
“Yes. He’s asking to have dinner with you.”
Heron was a character who was extremely reluctant to meet potential successors in private. So why were they having a private dinner again?
‘Why again?’
She was nervous for no reason. But if they kept meeting each other, flaws were bound to be noticed. Life becomes tiring, worrying about one little mistake. In the novel, the Duke was her favorite character. In reality, he was the number one person she wanted to avoid. Still, she answered consistently.
“Okay.”
That evening Viola visited the ‘duke-only’ dining room where Heron ate separately.
‘Huh?’
There was another person there besides Heron.
—————————————————————
Translator Note:
Hello there! This is RJR. I hope you liked it <3
If you like my work please support me with Ko-fi or Patreon. Next post will be released on October, 10.
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