I Played the Role of the Adopted Daughter Too Well

Then a gentle knock was heard.

 

“It’s Zenon.”

 

“Come in.”

 

Zenon entered with a smile. 

 

“I see Hickson is here too.”

 

Hickson raised his hand slightly in greeting. An awkward silence lingered among the three. Zenon was the first to break the silence.

 

“It’s a bit awkward, but anyway, I’m here after the Duke’s command to visit the supply warehouse of Winter Castle.”

 

Zenon opened a spatial pocket and took something out.

 

“It’s the highest-grade magical ointment you requested. It took a bit of time because the person in charge was reluctant to hand it over.”

 

In fact, Zenon understood the feelings of the person in charge. This highest-grade magical ointment was created by the mages of the Magic Tower and was very expensive. 

 

The person in charge said this: “Is their wrist completely shattered? If not, you don’t need this level of ointment. Intermediate grade would suffice.”

 

Upon seeing the highest-grade magical ointment, Hickson realized what the situation was.

 

‘So, he’s concerned about injuring Viola’s wrist earlier.’

 

Hickson had accepted full responsibility for the Grass Sword. He succeeded in neutralizing the sword qi without overpowering Viola. Although Hickson was slightly injured in the process, at least Viola was unharmed. In contrast, Heron grabbed Viola’s wrist forcefully, causing an injury.

 

‘It wasn’t a major injury, but…’

 

There was no strain to the bone, just a lingering soreness in the muscles.

 

‘So, that’s why he called Viola to his room separately.’

 

Hickson was one of the few who understood Heron well. 

 

‘After losing Rael, he changed rapidly.’

 

Heron didn’t give affection to anyone. He didn’t show any signs of cherishing anyone either. He knew that if he cherished someone, that person would suffer.

 

‘On the other hand, he had an obsessive belief that he shouldn’t love anyone.’

 

Heron was a person with a mission to protect humanity from ‘the place where the snow blows,’ and to fulfill that mission, he couldn’t have someone he loved. As his love for Rael grew, so did his fear. Rael didn’t want to be separated from him, and he always wanted to be with Rael. Naturally, this prevented him from being proactive in the war against ‘the place where the snow blows.’

 

Hickson pitied Heron.

 

‘To avoid being entangled in the political machinations of the central nobility, one shouldn’t have a loved one.’

 

The presence of a loved one becomes a weakness. So Heron stopped loving anyone.

 

‘He didn’t want to be seen applying Viola’s ointment.’

 

Hickson felt a mix of irritation and satisfaction.

 

‘He’s changing again.’

 

Viola was changing Heron. Hickson discreetly backed away without making a sound. He opened the door slightly, exited, and walked down the hallway. As he walked, he coincidentally ran into Butler Carlton.

 

“Carlton.”

 

“Yes, Sir Hickson.”

 

“Take this.”

 

Hickson took something out of his own spatial pocket and casually tossed it. 

 

“Isn’t this the highest-grade magical ointment?”

 

“Yes. You take it.”

 

“Why are you giving it to me?”

 

There wasn’t much reason. 

 

“I don’t think I need it anymore.”

 

“…What?”

 

“It seems he’s become a better person.”

 

‘What does that mean?’

 

Before Carlton could ask, Hickson waved his hand and quickly disappeared. However, Hickson’s muttering could be heard.

 

“Not as good as me, though.”

 

* * * 

 

Only now did Viola realize Heron’s intentions.

 

“Were you worried about me being hurt?”

 

It wasn’t a serious injury. Resting for a day or two would suffice for her slightly sore wrist.

 

“Why aren’t you eating your favorite snack?”

 

“They got cold.”

 

“I see.”

 

‘From now on, I’ll have to order them in a magically insulated container.’ 

 

While Heron was lost in thought for a moment, Viola spoke up.

 

“I don’t dislike spending time with Dad.”

 

Heron met her gaze. 

 

“It’s just unfamiliar.”

 

“What is?”

 

“Do you remember what you said when we first met, Dad?”

 

Heron recalled that time. 

 

“If possible, I want you to love me.”

 

“Do you really want that?”

 

“I’m an orphan. I’ve always wanted to have a family. Be a real father, not just a father in words.”

 

As the Viola from back then came to mind, Heron’s heart felt heavy. The soft and small voice of the child echoed in his ears.

 

“I needed a family and I needed a father. But what I encountered when I first got here was a brutal ecosystem and a fierce competition to survive.”

 

Heron’s heavy heart sank even deeper. Her words were not wrong. It was the position Heron had adhered to all along. Of course, it had to be that way.

 

To protect humanity from ‘the place where the snow blows,’ one must become an absolute being physically and mentally. 

 

“It’s not that I didn’t like it. But it’s also true that I couldn’t feel my father’s warmth.”

 

Heron couldn’t open up in front of his 13-year-old daughter. Viola’s words were all based on ‘facts.’ It was all logically correct as well.

 

Viola continued speaking.

 

“So, it was just a little awkward and unfamiliar. I have spent a lot of time with Duke Heron Bellato of Winter Castle, but I’ve spent very little time with my father, Heron.”

 

Bellato was a rational family. They valued logic and reason. Viola pointed out that fact.

 

“So, as a Bellato, I can handle the Duke without feeling awkward. However, as a daughter, I can’t help but feel awkward spending time with my father.”

 

“That’s logically correct.”

 

Heron opened the lid of the magic ointment and a scent similar to honey wafted out. As expected of premium magic ointment, the scent was better than perfume. Heron’s fingertips trembled slightly.

 

‘His fingertips are trembling.’

 

Even when hunting dark monsters, his hands never shook, but now they were trembling. He carefully applied the magic ointment to Viola’s wrist. His touch wasn’t as meticulous and gentle as Zenon’s, but it was careful enough. 

 

“But there is one thing to correct.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Over the past year, we have met a lot as father and daughter.”

 

We have? When? Viola felt a little chagrined. Over the last year, all they did was spar in the training grounds. As Viola was feeling chagrined, Heron asked her the same question he asked when they first met.

 

“Will you be my daughter?”

 

The expression was the same, but the words were much different now than they were then. After a brief awkward silence, Heron corrected himself.

 

“Can I be your father?”

 

Heron’s fingertips began noticeably trembling. 

 

“I, too, need a family.”

 

And more than that, Viola’s fingertips also trembled. 

 

* * *

 

The bastard of the Sixth Magic Tower. Elsina, a failed disciple of Sirson, had recently experienced a miracle.

 

“Elsina!”

 

Keitarun waved at Elsina. It was the first time Keitarun, who was once a leader of the slums, smiled so brightly.

 

“Please favor me when putting on these shoes!”

 

Beggars were essential at Winter Castle. The people of Winter Castle learned to fight monsters from a young age. There were plenty of warriors, but there was a shortage of technicians. Most beggars had one or more skills and filled the gaps in Winter Castle. Thanks to this, the beggars were gradually regaining their self-esteem and beginning to live like proper people.

 

‘I’m glad.’

 

Elsina’s heart swelled every time she saw them. She never thought such a thing would happen in her lifetime. Rumors began to spread, and the other beggars of the Magic Tower started to have hope. While things didn’t proceed as swiftly for them as when Viola helped, even now the beggars of the Magic Tower had become aware of what had happened and started to dream. It was truly a big change. And the person who led this change was naturally Viola.

 

‘Lady Viola. You truly are a genius.’

 

Elsina, too, had heard countless times in her childhood that she was a genius. She even thought of herself as a genius. But her thoughts changed when she met Viola. Viola was truly the genius among geniuses. A person who perfectly matched the word ‘genius.’

 

‘But I also have my work to do.’

 

Elsina became the nanny for a boy named Benato who had only recently been born. Elsina fell in love with Benato at first sight when she saw how adorably cute he was. She took care of Benato with all her heart. Fortunately, there were many experienced nannies in Winter Castle, so it wasn’t too difficult thanks to their support.

 

‘This child. He naturally senses mana!’

 

Elsina updated Viola.

 

“He’s a genius at magic.”

 

“If Elsina says so, he must truly be a genius, right?”

 

“That’s right. We should find a good magic teacher for him.”

 

The sooner a person started to learn magic, the greater the probability of rising to higher levels.

 

“Elsina can do it.”

 

“I can’t unlock my magic seal. It would be better to formally request a magic teacher from the Magic Tower.”

 

“Why can’t you unlock it? I heard you sealed it yourself.”

 

Elsina had become disillusioned with magic in the past and sealed her mana. What kind of discipline is magic that cannot benefit humans? She firmly resolved not to borrow this power again. After she made that decision, she determinedly sealed her mana. To unlock it, she needed three magic stones embedded in the heart of a high-level monster but she didn’t have the power to hunt mana-grade monsters now.

 

‘It’s a choice I made for myself. Let’s not regret it.’

 

If she regretted it, she disrespected her past self.

 

Elsina said, “There are things needed to unlock the seal that cannot be obtained.”

 

She deliberately didn’t say exactly what was needed. She did that to prevent Viola from feeling burdened. 

 

“You can’t get them?”

 

“Yes. I can’t get them.”

 

It wasn’t absolutely impossible, but she still said it was impossible. 

 

“Is that so?”

 

“So it would be better to request support from the Magic Tower. I can provide additional comments on theory-related matters.”

 

Elsina couldn’t bring herself to tell Viola that she needed the mana stones of high-level monsters. It was an act of disrespect to her past self and also a burden to Viola. Elsina couldn’t act so shamelessly.

 

“Is it because you need something like this?”

 

The genius Elsina didn’t know. She didn’t know that Viola was actually a transmigrator. Plus the fact that this transmigrator was very close to her rich sister.

 

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Translator Note:

 

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