On the white cloth Zenon held, there were three stones emitting a brilliant light.
Elsina could tell immediately, ‘The one emitting black light is clearly a mana stone from the Specter of Revelation.’
The Specter of Revelation was a ghost knight-type monster that revealed itself in times of disaster or famine. It’s classified as a grand monster and only skilled knights of 2nd-class or higher can hunt it. The price per mana stone was about 100 million dahlias.
‘The one emitting yellow light is from an Armadillun… No, judging by the size, it’s clearly from a Giant Armadillun.’
If a monster’s size exceeds 20 meters, it is classified as a ‘giant’ monster. Among all the giant monsters, the ‘Giant Armadillun’ was one of the smallest, with a length just above 20 meters. While it’s a four-legged beast-like monster, it is covered in a tough shell. The Giant Armadilluns are weaker than a Specter of Revelation but they always live in groups. In addition, because they could only be killed with flame-type magic, the difficulty of subjugation was much higher.
‘The market price is 150 million dahlias per mana stone.’
But there was still one more stone. Elsina swallowed her saliva.
‘The one emitting a silver light. The mysterious Moon Fox…’
There was also a monster called the ‘Moon Fox’ because of its beautiful silver fur and mysterious appearance. Ancient people worshiped this Moon Fox, holding rituals of human sacrifice to it. However, in modern times, the Moon Fox is classified as a man-eating monster with nothing more distinctive than its beautiful fur. The Moon Fox is proficient in mental magic, mesmerizing people and devouring their hearts.
‘It’s known to be extremely difficult to hunt because of its stealthy movements and sharp senses.’
Elsina had never even seen a Moon Fox in person. It was a monster that only appeared in monster encyclopedias.
‘If it’s a mana stone obtained from a Moon Fox… no matter how small it is, it’s worth at least 300 million dahlias.’
So what Zenon was holding in his hand were priceless mana stones worth nearly 600 million dahlias.
“How could… how could Lady Viola…?!”
“I told you to trust me.”
At a loss for words, Elsina just stared at Viola. How much did that young girl know? How deep and how wide is her understanding? Exactly how much had she read and studied?
“You promised to follow me.”
“I d-did.”
Elsina was speechless when she considered this unbelievable situation.
“You’re giving these to me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Please be a good guardian for Benato.”
“With these three mana stones, you could find a much better guardian than me.”
“Only Elsina can do it.”
“Why… is that?”
“Because I’ve never seen a woman as great as Elsina.”
At those words, Elsina felt a lump in her throat. There was no one at the Magic Tower who needed Elsina this much.
Out of habit, Magic Tower Lord Sirson used to tell her, “I should never have bought something like you. Ungrateful!”
Elsina was sold in her childhood. Sirson traded three calves for Elsina and brought her in to teach her magic. Elsina was a prodigy and absorbed Sirson’s teachings effortlessly. As time passed, Elsina began to be praised as a genius, and Sirson was recognized as the excellent teacher who raised Elsina. But at some point, Elsina sealed her own mana. From then on, Sirson always cursed Elsina.
“It would have been better if trash like you had never been born!”
He wished he could kill her, but because there were many watching eyes, he couldn’t. She was rejected by the Magic Tower’s mages and ignored by the Magic Tower’s beggars. From the moment she decided to help the beggars, she was always alone. Many mages, including Sirson, despised Elsina, and she was accustomed to eyes filled with contempt.
But Viola’s gaze was not of contempt, but of respect.
“You know I was adopted, right?”
“…Yes, I heard. I was abandoned by my parents.”
Elsina felt a deep kinship. She had been sold for three calves.
“I needed a guardian. I desperately wanted an adult who could hold my hand.”
“The Elsina I’ve seen is such an adult.”
Elsina was convinced that she should use her power more beautifully and warmly.
“Elsina’s convictions were right. I respect those who have such convictions.”
“…Thank you.”
“You’re a warm adult. I have judged that you can be a better mother than anyone else.”
As Viola calmly continued to speak, something began to stir in Elsina’s chest. It felt like the hard ball of sorrow accumulated over the past ten years was about to break apart.
“So, accept my gift…”
Viola stopped speaking. A better line came to mind.
“I’m a little embarrassed though.”
But such lines were perfect for characters like them and Viola only changed her words a little.
“I will buy Elsina’s future with these worthless things.”
Elsina accepted the three mana stones.
* * *
Viola sat at the table. As usual, Zenon brought a strawberry ade made with spirit ice. Zenon’s strawberry ade had evolved over time and now was almost as addictive as drugs. Viola sucked greedily on the straw. Watching her, Zenon grinned and Viola, feeling Zenon’s gaze, was taken aback.
‘Am I acting too pig-like?’
Viola was a little embarrassed but didn’t show it outwardly.
“Why are you smiling like that?”
“Because I feel happy.”
Even with his narrowed eyes, Viola could see Zenon’s pupils. His expression was infinitely warm but still mysterious. Viola suddenly felt happy as well but couldn’t figure out the reason.
‘Did you bring a really big mission or something?’
It didn’t seem like it. There was no talk of a mission. Instead, Zenon reported about Elsina.
“…Yes. The maternal affection is evident in the way she looks at Benato.”
“Good.”
Now there seemed to be no need to worry about the appearance of ‘Archmage Vengas’ anymore. A letter also came from Viscount Seall, saying he was doing well.
‘It seems like the big things are roughly resolved.’
In the novel, after the time Viola turned thirteen, nothing big happened anymore. Although there were brief descriptions of Bellato participating in bandit or monster subjugations, such things were now difficult to consider as ‘major issues.’ Moreover, since Viola chose White Bellato, she wouldn’t be dispatched on such bloody missions.
‘I can enjoy my daily life in peace for the time being.’
She had been living day to day as if walking on thin ice. But now, since there weren’t any more major events, it seemed okay to focus on building her strength and living somewhat peacefully.
‘After all, it’s Princess Medea who’s going to take care of the family.’
The sunlight streaming through the window frame was warm. The strawberry ade was so sweet and delicious that even if two people were drinking it and one died, the other wouldn’t notice.
“Mm-mm!”
Delicious, delicious. Viola picked up a cookie from the tray. Since it was freshly baked, it was still warm and the fluffy texture made it feel like she was grabbing a cloud.
‘So delicious!’
Ah, this was happiness. Viola considered building a cookie house where she could live independently and happily. However…
‘Why do I feel uneasy?’
Viola didn’t know the reason, but she felt uneasy. Lo and behold, Prince Vichen’s butler came to Viola’s room.
“The Duke is calling for you.”
“Why are you here?”
Why was Duke Heron’s order being carried out by Vichen’s butler? The butler bit his lip and upon closer inspection, his eyes were bloodshot. It seemed like he was trying to hold back his grief.
“Because Prince Vichen made a shocking declaration.”
“A shocking declaration?”
“Yes, that’s why the Duke summoned Lady Viola.”
Viola’s head spun. Indeed, peace was a luxury. This warm daily life didn’t suit the Winter Castle.
‘This wasn’t in the novel.’
Viola felt an inexplicable sense of crisis. As she hurried to the Duke’s study, she found Vichen covered in blood.
‘What’s this?’
The smell of blood was very unpleasant.
‘It’s not Vichen’s blood.’
It seemed like monster blood. Vichen probably returned right after killing some monster.
‘It means there was something urgent enough for him to come to the study and submit a report without even washing up first.’
Viola had to find out what it was.
Vichen’s voice came. “Viola, hehe.”
It didn’t look good to see him smiling while covered in blood. He looked eerie as if he would pick up a sword and rush at Viola at any moment.
The Duke’s voice also came, “Are you here?”
Viola hid her trembling legs and smiled gently(?).
“I heard you called for me.
“Yes. Vichen has something he wants to say.”
But why say it here? Couldn’t they have talked separately? Viola still couldn’t understand.
“Hehe, Viola. I won’t try to kill you anymore.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I don’t want to kill you.”
Vichen smiled brightly and looked at the Duke.
“Right, Father?”
Heron nodded slightly.
“He went to the abandoned Black Temple, killed a Black Troll, and made an oath with its blood.”
The Black Temple was a temple where a certain species of monsters, called ‘Black Monsters’ were found. It was known that their blood had the special power to seal an oath.
“I won’t fight with Viola anymore.”
At fourteen, Vichen knew his own mind and acknowledged his feelings.
“Instead, I’ll kill those who fight with Viola.”
“What are you saying?”
“I don’t want to be the successor.”
“Then?”
“It’s up to you.”
Viola’s head hurt. While Vichen didn’t have much ambition to be the successor anyway, he wasn’t the kind of character to nominate and support someone.
“…So you’re giving up your right to succession?”
Come to think of it, Vichen’s butler was almost in tears. This was truly a bombshell. The candidate for the successor that he served was giving up his right of succession.
“Father agreed to it.”
“He’s allowing this?”
Viola looked at the Duke incredulously. Then, utterly unrealistic words came out of the Duke’s mouth.
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Translator Note:
This chapter was translated by Bree.
If you like my work please support us in Patreon. Next post will be released on June, 18.
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