I Played the Role of the Adopted Daughter Too Well

While Serphon might not have realized it, Ersa was angry. Unless you were a complete fool, it was clear that those words were an insult to Hera. Viola gently covered Ersa’s hand as she pushed the wheelchair and subtly nodded her head.

 

“Viola, My Lady?”

 

Ersa offered her hand but ultimately fell silent.

 

Instead, Crimson spoke up.

 

“Using levitation magic on objects and on a person’s body is different…”

 

It was much harder to apply magic to a person’s body, and it cost more to do so. Crimson, who made eye contact with Ersa, seemed taken aback.

 

“But… I’ll do my best to assist you. Hehe.”

 

Hera took a leather pouch from her personal space.

 

“This is your payment, magician. You are free to go now.”

 

“Please call on me again in the future!”

 

Crimson took the pouch and chuckled greedily. He had a slightly different appearance from most prideful magicians, but Crimson didn’t care.

 

‘That’s a pretty hefty reward!’

 

He was relieved to escape the terrifying Ersa and receive such a substantial payment, so he had no regrets.

 

“I will take my leave now. I wish you a happy and peaceful journey!”

 

And with that, he turned around and began to descend the mountain. Viola remained curious.

 

‘What is Hera doing?’

 

In fact, because she was essentially the ruler of Terra Merchants, Hera had the authority to officially invite a magician to the Mage tower. 

 

‘Maybe Hera had a bigger plan from the start by hiring Crimson?’

 

For a moment, Viola felt a shiver run down her spine. Could it have been all part of Hera’s grand scheme?

 

‘No, that can’t be.’

 

Hera smiled mischievously and said, “That’s right. We’re guests of the Louis Bartengan family. Riding in a wheelchair like this would be unsightly.”

 

“Thank you for your understanding, Hera.”

 

“It’s nothing. However, the person who made this wheelchair might be a little saddened that it missed the chance to pass through the glorious Golden Road.”

 

“I think they will understand.”

 

Serphon’s expression was filled with pride in the Golden Road. He continued to smile prettily while gazing at Ersa but when he saw Ersa lifting Hera, Serphon became displeased.

 

‘Why does Ersa have to carry her when there’s a robust male attendant right next to her?’

 

He couldn’t understand the Bellato household, even if he tried to. In fact, he didn’t want to understand, but he hid his inner thoughts and continued to act as a guide.

 

“This way, please.”

 

The Golden Road was much quieter compared to the Silver Road. While it took three days of waiting to enter the Silver Road, the Golden Road required only about 5 minutes of administrative procedures for entry.

 

‘Ah, I’m tired,’ Viola thought. She had received too many glances while coming here. She tried her best to ignore them but they still exhausted her.

 

Then, Hera said, “As expected, you’re my sister.”

 

Viola asked, “What do you mean?”

 

Hera explained, “Your attitude, completely ignoring the onlookers on the Silver Road, that’s the trademark of a Bellato.”

 

Viola replied, “What? When did I do that? I just tried to avoid their gazes because it was awkward!”

 

Hera elaborated, “Normally, VIPs traveling along the Golden Road will exchange simple greetings with the people from the Silver Road. But the way you coldly ignored them left quite an impression.”

 

Viola was bewildered, and Hera continued, “It means you looked good doing it.”

 

Viola was left in a daze. She had never encountered such content in the novel as the story of Parr Viscounty in ‘The Shadow of Bellato’ provided almost no information about Parr Viscounty. Probably because there was no connection between a Black Bellato’s growth and the luxury symbol of Parr Viscounty. She felt that something had gone wrong from the beginning. 

 

Soon, an enormous golden gate appeared before them. Viola’s group passed through the golden gate and entered Parr Viscounty.

 

“After traveling along the Golden Road, you’ll immediately see the main road called the Masters Road.”

 

As they arrived at their destination, Viola had to tightly clench her mouth to prevent herself from gaping. The road looked perfectly maintained and pleasant, with vibrant luxury brand stores lining both sides. It truly represented Parr Viscounty, where all the world’s luxury items were produced.

 

“And near the center of the Master Road, there is our family’s headquarters, known as the Royal Zone.”

 

As they moved closer to the center, they began to see stores from renowned luxury brands. When they arrived in front of the impressive three-story building of the Louis Bartengan store, Viola couldn’t help but open her mouth in astonishment.

 

‘Wow…? Are there so many people at this luxury store?’

 

Viola was taken aback. The fact that they had made it to Parr Viscounty itself demonstrated a certain level of wealth or power. Furthermore, among those who visited Parr Viscounty, while they had the power to reach there themselves, many chose to hire butlers or wizards as attendants to serve as a symbol of wealth and authority. 

 

Viola realized that being in this place indicated a certain level of wealth and power. 

 

‘It’s so crowded with rich people.’

 

She hadn’t felt it so acutely when she was within the Bellato duchy. While Bellato was indeed a wealthy family, they were more focused on their military strength than on flaunting their wealth. They neither lived in excessive opulence nor were overly modest. As a result, people who didn’t know much about Bellato often misunderstood them as a family with power but not wealth. 

‘They say a single garment costs more than a million Dahlia.’

 

A pair of shoes for a million Dahlia, a single piece of clothing for several million Dahlia, a handbag for several hundred thousand Dahlia, and a coat for ten million Dahlia. The prices for swords and bows reached tens of millions of Dahlia. Despite the exorbitant prices of these luxury items, the line was incredibly long. There were well over forty people, including attendants, waiting to shop at Louis Bartengan’s luxury store.

 

Serphon passed through the crowd without much difficulty. 

 

“This way, please.”

 

Viola’s frustration grew as she followed Serphon’s guidance. Something similar to what happened on the Silver Road was now taking place here.

 

“Isn’t Bellato supposed to be a family that distances itself from luxury?”

 

“How are they being treated as VIPs by the Bartengans?” 

 

But then the comments became even more aggressive. 

 

“Those people don’t look as intimidating as I thought they would. There’s an especially strange and mysterious atmosphere around that young lady.”

 

“The grim atmosphere peculiar to people who have harmed others might be the reason.”

 

“Really?” 

 

“Sure. To survive in Bellato, you have to kill at least a hundred people.”

 

“Why are they so uncivilized!” 

 

Viola wanted to shout.

 

‘No, that is all just a baseless rumor. Mere gossip! …But I guess I have Vicen right above me.’

 

Vicen was indeed an assassin, and the Bellato family’s people had no qualms about committing murder when there was a justifiable reason.

 

‘Eh, so uncomfortable.’ 

 

She felt more piercing gazes and her discomfort continued to increase. It was even worse than when she entered the Golden Road.

 

Louis Bartengan was one of the top families among the many prestigious houses within Parr Viscounty. It was only natural that more people gathered here. 

 

“Isn’t it strange how they are smiling lightly and walking gracefully?”

 

Ignoring the many people in line, Viola continued to walk forward slowly.

 

Serphon spoke to Ersa, “Is there anything you might have wished to have, Lady?”

 

Although no one had asked him, he added an explanation. 

 

“As the ladies of Bellato, you don’t have to tolerate my meddling, but I want to express my small dedication to this beautiful Lady.”

 

“I don’t have any,” Ersa responded briefly. 

 

Ersa was someone who had little to do with luxury. Personally, she preferred practical clothing over beautiful ones and sharp swords over pretty jewelry.

 

Of course, at Louis Bartengan, refining a famous sword cost more than the worth of its performance.

 

“But when you enter our store, you might see something that shines even more. It’s said that it will attract you as if it were fate. Just like us.”

 

Serphon smiled leisurely and thought to himself. ‘You haven’t experienced it yet, Ersa. Those savages of Bellato probably don’t allow their people to even glimpse such beautiful things. Even they themselves probably can’t recognize luxury items. So, how could the attendants belonging to that place understand? I will definitely bring out the hidden desire for beauty that lies deep within Ersa’s heart!’

 

Ersa answered, “If I need it, I’ll buy it, Lord Serphon.”

 

“Our family’s items are loved excessively by people from all over the world.”

 

In other words, ‘They’re more expensive than they should be and you couldn’t even afford to glance at them with a butler’s monthly salary.’

 

It was Serphon’s intention to present these expensive things as a gift. 

 

“I want to convey that love and I think Lady Ersa has the qualifications.”

 

“Qualifications?”

 

“Yes, Ersa is more beautiful than the morning star.”

 

Ersa replied vaguely while recalling her promise to Viola, “I appreciate the sentiment.”

 

Viola and her group arrived at the store through the entrance reserved for distinguished guests. As soon as they entered, Viola witnessed a ridiculous scene.

 

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Translator Note:

 

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