Han Arin chuckled several times while reading the novel <The Shadow of Bellato>.
Even she, who didn’t laugh at the cringe-worthy descriptions like “1000-year old” or “10,000-year old” couldn’t help but curl her lips when the character called “Shailan of the Grass Sword” appeared.
Later, an explanation like this was posted on the author’s blog.
“In the early part, Shailan may have seemed incredibly strong, but in fact, Shailan is a comedic character.”
“If you would just view this character as a joke, I would appreciate it.”
But Han Arin didn’t believe those words.
‘A true fan’s eyes can’t be deceived.’
Shailan of the Grass Sword was an assassin character from the Eastern Continent. Always appearing in black clothes and a mask, his most distinctive feature was playing the flute whenever he appeared.
‘Originally, it was a setting to help him look cool.’
Han Arin was convinced. Maybe the author created the character around 3 a.m. after drinking a few beers. Later, as readers made fun of the character, he probably made an excuse for himself, saying, ‘Actually, it was a comedic character,’ and the kind readers pretended to accept it. Han Arin was one of those readers, too.
Philili –
The sound of the flute echoed.
Shailan of the Grass Sword was born with early morning emotions.
Editor’s Note: The Korean phrase ‘새벽 감성: early morning emotions,’ refers to the unique feelings that only happen during the early morning hours or it can be used to describe a variety of things that are associated with the tranquility and stillness of the early morning. When describing someone, it implies the person is sentimental, introspective, nostalgic, or highly sensitive.
When he appeared, a sinister wind always blew, accompanied by the sound of the flute.
‘Seriously. What kind of assassin plays the flute when he arrives?’
For an assassin who is supposed to appear silently, ambush stealthily, and then flee, he left much to be desired.
Han Arin loved ‘Bellato’s Shadow’ but she couldn’t tolerate Shailan’s character.
‘Leaving that aside… since it’s the early part, he’ll probably come out as an extremely powerful character later, right?’
The setting was quite amusing, but the skill wasn’t laughable. Originally, the author intended to create a powerful assassin character, so naturally, he couldn’t be weak.
Viola briefly wondered, ‘Is he aiming for the Blue Diamond?’
If Tundra fought, could he defeat Shailan?
‘I don’t know… huh?’
Viola felt a moment of self-reproach. She was slightly disgusted.
‘No, even if it’s a comedic character… a skilled assassin has come, and I’m just leisurely thinking about it.’
It had been five years since her possession of Viola. Had it now reached the point where an assassin wasn’t that annoying? While Han Arin was relieved about this, it also made her sad.
‘I guess I’m getting used to this kind of thing…’
It’s not that the appearance of an assassin was frightening, it was just worrying what kind of high-ranking spell he might use.
Sigh.
She swallowed the next sigh. Anyway, Shailan had announced his appearance with the sound of the flute and would attack soon.
‘Tundra has become incredibly strong, but he won’t be able to win.’
Viola didn’t feel particularly scared since Zenon and Ersa were both here, she just needed to provide enough justification for them to act.
“Zenon.”
“Yes, Princess Viola.”
“You mentioned that when a meaningful moment came, you would reconnect your fingers, right?”
Zenon grinned.
“Yes.”
“I’m trying to give you a purpose”
“What kind of purpose would that be?”
“Protect me.”
Hera, who had been sitting by the water’s edge, raised her head in surprise.
‘Did I hear it wrong?’
It was unusual for Viola to make such a request. She had just single-handedly dealt with the scoundrels who dared to attack Bellato a while ago, and now she was suddenly asking someone to protect her.
‘That’s not like Viola.’
Nevertheless, it wasn’t humiliating or pathetic. Despite the unexpected request, Viola was composed. Hera observed Zenon’s reaction attentively. Usually, any servant who heard such words from a Bellato was disappointed.
“Of course.”
Zenon grinned.
“I, Zenon the butler, pledged to be a good adult for Viola. How can I protect you?”
“I ordered Tundra to stop the carnivorous fish. Do you know why?”
“Yes. It’s because you don’t want to be disturbed during your bath.”
Viola nodded as she met Zenon’s eyes. His eyes, as always, were unreadable. In reality, Viola was scared of Shailan. Although he had fallen into the role of a comedic character, the fact was that the author had set him up as an assassin so she needed someone to fight for her.
She packaged her words like this.
“Correct. I don’t want to be disturbed during my bath.”
“Understood. I will eliminate anything that may disturb you.”
Zenon pulled out his fingers from the void. He had already prepared a magic scroll with the finger bonding magic, and when he tore the scroll, a bright light emanated, covering Zenon’s hand. Zenon’s fingers returned to their original state as if nothing had happened.
Viola asked, “What about weapons?”
“I don’t want to disturb our Princess’ bath. Using weapons makes noise.”
When iron hits iron, it makes a loud sound. However, when iron hits flesh, it doesn’t make a loud noise.
Zenon stared into the distance, at the top of a large tree.
“Please do not disturb our Princess’ precious time.”
Zenon’s voice wasn’t loud, yet it was clearly transmitted to Shailan, hidden in the tree. It was a voice transmission technique that infused mana into the sound, allowing it to be transmitted far away.
Shailan also transmitted his voice to return in the same way.
“The Grass Sword shall soar, dividing both mountains and rivers.”
Viola couldn’t help but chuckle involuntarily. Shailan, born with early morning emotions, always chanting strange things before attacking.
She laughed at the absurdity of the character’s setting. In the novel, the author made this assassin have to speak with “eloquence.” Apparently, uttering those words in such a way improved the flow of mana, allowing you to properly use any type of movement.
Although it was amusing in the context of the novel, it was even funnier in reality. Ersa, who had been watching this, also chuckled lightly.
Hera asked, “Ersa, why are you laughing?”
“What the assassin is chanting now is “eloquence.” It’s a technique used by martial artists from the Eastern Continent to smooth out the flow of mana and process energy into a certain shape.”
“But?”
“It seems that the assassin who has appeared is actually a very strong martial artist. The energy generated in response to his eloquence is formidable. Over there, do you see the grass swaying?”
“I see.”
“Each piece of grass can be considered as a sword with sharp cutting power.”
“But?”
“Princess Viola must be feeling the fierce killing power emanating from that energy. Since she was born with a killing nature, her sensitivity to such things is much greater than either Butler Zenon or myself.”
Despite that, Viola still smiled. Viola’s laughter was genuine, signifying that the sharp aura from the assassin posed no threat to her.
“Princess Viola asked for protection, but…”
Hera also glanced at Viola.
“In truth, she seems to have an attitude that doesn’t require any protection at all.”
“Yes. She doesn’t seem pathetic at all. Lady Viola is quite an intriguing person.”
Hera straightened her shoulders. Even though the compliment wasn’t directed at herself, she felt strangely pleased.
“She’s my sister.”
***
Zenon grinned and swung his blade. As always, Zenon wore white gloves, and to Shailan, it seemed like a white blade passed right in front of his eyes. Shailan could sense it.
‘He’s strong!’
He had heard rumors that the butlers of Bellato were strong, but he never expected this level. His fighting spirit surged.
‘I’ll make sure to turn my first mission into a success.’
His mission was to kill both the 4th and 6th ladies of Bellato. If that was impossible, he had to at least kill the 6th lady. This was Shailan’s first mission after entering the Central Continent.
He had heard these words from the client.
“Bellato tends to be overly self-confident, and they don’t have any guardian knights. It’s very suitable for assassination. The only people you need to be careful of are the butlers.”
However, despite the exceptional skills of the butlers, Shailan didn’t think he would lose. He believed that with his lifelong-honed ‘Grass Sword,’ it would be a piece of cake to kill Bellato’s young ladies and butler.
At that moment, Zenon grinned.
“But there’s not just one butler.”
And that second butler happened to be a swordswoman. Ersa’s sword cut through the air, following a sharp trajectory. Ersa’s movements were smooth and flexible. Shailan was momentarily surprised.
‘Yikes. I almost got hit. I heard that Bellato’s servants never engage in group attacks, but that seems to be incorrect.’
“It was said that you don’t engage in group attacks.”
“That’s only for formal duels. Right now, we must protect our Princess’ precious bath time.”
Zenon and Ersa pressed Shailan back, in sync like people who had been fighting together for a long time. Watching this from afar, Viola’s legs trembled involuntarily.
‘Crazy people.’
They weren’t even properly visible to the naked eye. From tree to tree. From tree to ground. Again, from the ground to the trees. Engaging in a duel at an incredible speed, they fought without making any sound.
‘Anyway, they’re true monsters. I need to finish washing off the blood. It’s scary over there, so I shouldn’t look.’
Zenon swung his blade once again. When Shailan bent his body to avoid it, Ersa’s sword delved into Shailan’s side.
‘These guys, why is their attack so sophisticated?!’
What kind of butlers are at this level? Is the Central Continent a place where monsters gather? He didn’t know. The fact was that Zenon and Ersa were strong enough to compete for supremacy among Bellato’s top butlers.
“Ugh!”
Shailan fell, frothing at the mouth.
Zenon grinned, “Tundra, that was a good attack.”
And Shailan didn’t know that Tundra was the strongest protagonist in <The Shadow of Bellato>. Even if he was young, Tundra was still Tundra.
Zenon pulled out a thin cord from a spatial pocket, tied Shailan’s wrists and ankles, then dragged him like a piece of luggage. No matter how strong an assassin is, there is no way to endure a three-on-one situation. Zenon hid in the bushes and waited a while.
‘Let’s wait a little longer since Princess Viola’s bath is not finished yet.’
Tundra enthusiastically agreed and Ersa unconsciously also hid in the bushes. Eventually, when Viola finished washing off all the blood and came out of the water, Zenon dragged Shailan forward, revealing him.
“Princess, how should we deal with this?”
Just as it was a principle to kill all bandits when subduing them, it was also a principle to kill all assassins. However, Zenon was curious. How would the 6th Princess, a White Bellato, handle this assassin?
‘I wonder what decision our Princess will make?’
“I am ready to accept any order from our Princess.”
And Tundra was the same.
“If the master orders it, I’ll bite out the assassin’s throat and cut off his airway.”
From Viola’s point of view, Tundra said such a grim thing much too casually.
‘Please, don’t deliver such lines with such a serious face!’
Swallowing the tears inside, Viola opened her mouth.
—————————————————————
Translator Note:
This chapter was translated by Bree.
If you like my work please support us in Patreon. Next post will be released on Februeary, 20.
Want to read more?
