I Played the Role of the Adopted Daughter Too Well

Dexial was one of the villains infamous along with Heidi.

 

[“Hehehe. Be glad to be my experimental subject.”]

 

Specifically, he conducted human experiments for the advancement of black magic, in which many powerless people were sacrificed. Among these, there were also numerous sadistic and perverted experiments unrelated to black magic.

 

[The ultimate goal of Dexial’s human experimentation was to obtain a strong body like that of the Brandia family.]

 

Dexial was born in the slums and since he was frail and blind, he suffered much bullying. He was horribly abused by a large man living next door, and his parents could not protect him. One night, when he was 19, was a terrible night for Dexial. While his parents worked late at the magic stone factory, leaving him home alone, the man next door broke into Dexial’s house.

 

[“Now, be good, Dexial. Uncle is not a bad man. Come here.”]

 

Dexial was furious but too scared and weak to resist. What made him even angrier and more upset was that his parents came home to witness the scene but pretended not to see. His parents were also afraid of the man next door. Hatred for his own helplessness as well as anger towards his parents who did not protect him caused Dexial to fall into deep despair. He was also disgusted at the cowardice of others who ignored the terrible situation, pretending not to know, and all these negative feelings swallowed Dexial. One day, he heard a voice.

 

[“Do you want to become strong?”]

 

A demon approached him.

 

[“If you make a contract with me, you can become strong.”]

 

He made a contract with the demon and began to dabble in black magic.

 

[“A sacrifice is needed, contractor.”]

 

He used his mother and father for the sacrifice. There was nothing better for the growth of black magic than killing direct blood relatives and drinking their blood. Years later, he brutally killed the man next door and drank his blood. That night, he also killed everyone in the slums. The people of the slums all knew about Dexial’s situation, however, no one helped him. Everyone remained silent as they turned their backs.

 

[Dexial asked, “Why didn’t anyone help me?”

 

“If only you suffer, all of us can live peacefully.”]

 

Dexial then understood. The people of the slum were rather thankful to Dexial because if he sacrificed and suffered alone then the rest could enjoy peace. 

 

[“You are all dirtier than that bastard.”]

 

He brutally massacred everyone in the slums and his cruelty towards the men was especially indescribable. In <The Shadow of Bellato>, it was stated that it was too horrific to write the specific details.

 

As time passed, he began to seriously conduct human experiments. If he hadn’t been of a small stature… If his eyes hadn’t been blind… Such horrible events would not have happened. Dexial, therefore, sacrificed many people. The result of his research was the belief that if he had had a strong body like Brandia…

 

Then, one day, Dexial learned that Brandia’s youngest daughter was moving around alone without any escort. 

 

‘Today is the day!’

 

Surely, such an opportunity would not come again. Brandia’s youngest daughter! Dexial believed that if he dissected her, he would uncover the secrets of Brandia. Until this day, he had been hiding and only hunting the weak.

 

‘Your skin, muscles, nerves, organs. I must take them all!’

 

It was going to be the day his wishes came true.

 

* * *

 

Zenon was smiling broadly.

 

“Our princess values her family highly.”

 

Viola momentarily flinched. In the novel, it was very rare for Zenon to truly become angry. 

 

<The Shadow of Bellato> described it as follows:

 

[Zenon only used ‘Frozen World,’ Rathbone Bingum’s final sword technique, when he was genuinely angry.]

 

‘Is this… the Frozen World now?’

 

For the maximum use of Rathbone’s final sword technique, mana from the surrounding nature was transformed into ice. It consumed an immense amount of power, but the sword technique ensured high destructive power and lethality.

 

[‘Frozen World’ had aspects that were similar to magic. Therefore, some referred to Rathbone Bingum’s swordsmanship not just as sword techniques but as magical swordsmanship.’]

 

Zenon continued, “She has come to take an oath with her family. Our princess.”

 

“Who are you?”

 

Zenon, drawing his sword, placed his right hand on his chest and bowed. 

 

“I am Viola’s butler.”

 

Dexial tensed. He did not recognize Zenon’s identity, but the aura emanating from Zenon was extraordinary.

 

‘Damn it!’

 

What kind of monster had sprung up? Although he had obtained information that Lady Selvin was traveling alone, he had still prepared for the unexpected. Having studied Brandia’s characteristics for years, he was confident.

 

‘Brandia won’t be able to break through my barrier.’

 

Either the blood of Brandia or those trained in Brandia’s martial arts could not break through his barrier. However, it seemed that the real concern should not have been Brandia’s forces.

 

“It would be appreciated if you would step aside as the princess has to make a sacred vow.”

 

Zenon walked up to Dexial step by step. 

 

Dexial instinctively judged, ‘It would be troublesome to fight here.’

 

Barriers and illusion magic were not omnipotent. It was uncertain how long they could block the eyes and ears of all the surrounding travelers. If they fought here, his tracks might be exposed and his identity would be revealed.

 

‘They don’t know my identity.’

 

So today, he had to make a strategic retreat to advance later. 

 

‘I’ll wait for another opportunity.’

 

Dexial raised both hands to show his surrender.

 

“Excuse me. I’ll step back.”

 

“Good choice.”

 

Zenon had his back towards Viola so she didn’t see that the always smiling man did not smile today. His eyes were cold and hard. 

 

“Please go safely.”

 

‘You won’t get very far.’

 

But he did not say that out loud.

 

“Be careful of the poisonous grass.”

 

Outside the barrier, Shailan was waiting.

 

* * *

 

Viola felt something was strange. It was strange that Zenon used ‘Frozen World,’ but it was even stranger that he let Dexial go after using that technique.

 

‘He should have seen it through to the end.’

 

Thus, Viola realized, ‘Someone is waiting outside.’

 

It was clear that Zenon didn’t want to spill unclean blood at the place of the sacred blood vow. Even though someone must be waiting, she couldn’t identify who it was.

 

Viola said, “Before you kill him, Zenon.”

 

Zenon’s body flinched. He turned around to look at Viola. With an expression quite different from the one he had when looking at Dexial, he waited for Viola’s words.

 

“Make sure to find out his name and affiliation.”

 

Dexial was an infamous villain, but in truth, he was just a minor player. The dark wizard’s group ‘Death’ was the main body and Dexial was merely a tail.

 

Viola smiled slyly on purpose.

 

“He dared to interrupt my oath ceremony.”

 

She didn’t really want to, but she also invoked a greater reason.

 

“He ruined the time with my beloved sister. I’m very displeased.”

 

At those words, Selvin burst into a big smile as if she owned the world. 

 

“Beloved sister, beloved sister, beloved sister,” she kept mumbling.

 

Then she shouted, “Selvin is the beloved sister! Hehe!”

 

Viola continued, “There is a mark on his robe indicating his affiliation. Make sure to investigate it thoroughly and find out everything. It’s okay to ask for Brandia’s cooperation.”

 

“Understood, Your Highness.”

 

Although it was unfortunate(?) that she encountered Dexial, it was another opportunity for Viola. The dark wizard Dexial belonged to ‘Death’ and was deeply connected with the secret plot of the terrorist organization ‘Fever’ in the novel. ‘Death’ and ‘Fever’ were very dangerous organizations to Viola as well. So, the sooner the Absolutes of this world became aware of these two organizations, the better. The fiery-tempered Duke of Brandia especially would never forgive today’s incident. 

 

‘The Absolutes will become aware of the secret organizations.’

 

It was regrettable that in the novel, the Absolutes had little interest in these secret organizations. Of course, the original story had to proceed that way but things would change now. Many variables would arise from this decision but Viola thought her choice was right. She would start to bring those who operated in the shadows out into the light.

 

“Let’s go in.”

 

“Yes!”

 

Viola and Selvin entered the black temple. 

 

‘Hmm?’

 

There was no one around. That in and of itself wasn’t strange. It was safe to assume that people couldn’t enter the temple because of Dexial’s barrier.

 

‘There are no magical beasts.’

 

Viola felt an ominous aura.

 

‘There’s nothing.’

 

There was an odd sense of incongruity, like the area had been manipulated. Suddenly a voice was heard.

 

“You awoke the Black Whale from his sleep.”

 

It was impossible to tell where the voice was coming from. 

 

“You rebuilt the spirit of the Storm Sword Jackal and awakened the Sword Demon Ersa. You splendidly thwarted Fever’s plan at the Forget-Me-Not Banquet and now you’ve killed my contractor?” 

 

Selvin slammed her foot on the ground. 

 

Boom— the temple floor vibrated.

 

“Where’s the trick? Come out quickly!”

 

Selvin’s pronunciation was precise and her words were clear and eloquent. 

 

The voice was heard again, “I guess you’ll have to die.”

 

Viola placed her hand on the excited Selvin’s shoulder. Selvin took a deep breath and looked at Viola.

 

“Sister?”

 

“Stay still.”

 

“Why?”

 

Selvin’s answers had shortened again to one-word responses.

 

“Because I’m your sister.”

 

Viola stroked Selvin’s head once. Viola was also trembling but hiding her nervousness, she spoke into the air. 

 

“Evil Spirit of the Wilderness.”

 

It was a ‘Command’ that was difficult to know if you were not a reader, and hard to remember if you were not a genuine reader. 

 

“Cast aside the shadows and face the light.”

 

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Translator Note:

 

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