I Played the Role of the Adopted Daughter Too Well

In every novel, there is always a protagonist. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that a novel is a world of the protagonist, by the protagonist, and for the protagonist. And, in this novel, the male lead protagonist was Tundra. He had just killed the ghost that ruled the temple’s first floor, swept away all the new spawning monsters, and with both sincerity and earnestness, he pledged himself to be someone’s knight. With these three conditions fulfilled, the arrangement of the ancient hero, Halcon, was revealed. 

 

A voice was heard from somewhere, “I loved Arge as a very good friend.”

 

It was the voice of the ancient hero Halcon.

 

“I cut down my dear friend for the right cause. Although it was the right thing to do, I was so sad that I could not sleep.”

 

More explanations followed. In summary, Halcon returned here in his old age and buried his sword in a special way.

 

“I decided to bury the sword that I used to cut down my friend, at the place where my friend rested.”

 

The entire temple resonated with a deep hum as the puddles of blood on the ground started to bubble and boil.

 

‘That place… wasn’t that where Tundra made his vow?’

 

It was truly a miracle. Indeed, it could be said to be the protagonist’s buff.

 

‘The place where Tundra made his vow was the exact location where Halcon’s sword was buried?’

 

Yes. It appeared he had struck the exact spot. The saying that the protagonist could fall forward into a twist of fate or backward into luck was experienced in real-time.

 

‘It’s absurd how this is turning out. After all, am I not the real protagonist?’

 

Between the male and female leads, it’s hard to say who the real protagonist is, but in <The Shadow of Bellato> the story was usually told through ‘Viola’s Perspective.’

 

‘So why did it end up like this?!’

 

“Ugh!” 

 

A sigh naturally escaped.

 

‘Anyway… that looks incredibly cool.’

 

The Ink Sword, now revealed, was emitting a subtle aura. It was the sword that had beheaded Arge, who was once called the greatest dark magician. As if the sword originally belonged to him, Tundra approached and swiftly drew it. 

 

Crack!

 

Sparks flew and while there was some resistance, Tundra was able to control the sword’s energy without much difficulty. The energy from the sword spread throughout Tundra’s body, flickering.

 

Tundra heard a voice from the sword.

 

[Do you deserve to possess me?]

 

Tundra replied briefly, “Of course.”

 

Tundra instinctively felt it. This Ink Sword was a treasure. Not that he coveted the treasure, but having it seemed like it would help him become a better knight. It seemed like this treasure would be a great help in protecting Viola.

 

[What are you so desperately in need of?] 

 

Just as Tundra instinctively felt the Ink Sword, it too precisely sensed Tundra. It could read Tundra’s desperation.

 

“Because I promised.”

 

Viola had reached out to him once. Now it was his turn to reach out to Viola.

 

“Because that promise is weighty.”

 

The Ink Sword seemed quite pleased with Tundra’s response. 

 

[My name is Oltiga. I am glad to have found a good owner.]

 

***

 

The Qualton Family, Masters of Shadows.

 

Not much was known about the Qualton family. However, no one doubted the existence of the Qualton family. They had shown devil-like powers in every major event on the continent for a very long time. The most recent official activity was at the Summit War 25 years ago. At that time, two girls dispatched from the Qualton family swept through the battlefield. They were called the ‘Shadow Sisters’ and ruled as objects of terror among their enemies. One was Isabella Qualton, the current Duchess of Bellato, and the other was Quiesa Qualton, the head of the Qualton family.

 

At the moment, Quiesa, the head of the Qualton family, Quiesa, was holding a letter in her hand, written in blood. She frowned slightly.

 

‘Mobilize the assassins of the Silver Shadow?’

 

Within the Qualton family, there were several organizations with the ‘Silver Shadow’ being a top-tier group that only the most skilled assassins could join. It was essentially the Qualton family’s strongest force. Quiesa repeatedly read the letter, stroking her red hair.

 

‘Just to kill a 13-year-old child?’

 

The target of the request was Viola, a child currently making a name for herself as the Iron-Blooded Princess. Evidently, she had ruined Vichen and it seemed that Isabella was quite angry.

 

‘Is it really appropriate to mobilize the assassins of the Silver Shadow for such a thing?’

 

Such an order would likely upset the elders of the Silver Shadow but it was difficult to refuse a request from her beloved older sister, Isabella. 

 

‘I was bored anyway, so this is good.’

 

Quiesa Qualton stood up and opened the window. Tonight was a dark night without moonlight, and as Quiesa pointed her hand into the air, a small moan burst from the void. A poisoned dagger was held in Quiesa’s hand.

 

“Son, your presence was too noticeable.”

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

“No, it was quite a good attempt. You’ve improved a lot.”

 

A boy, the spitting image of Quiesa, stood before her. His flaming red bangs fluttered in the breeze. His red eyes bore a fierceness and his skin was so pale and white that it seemed to have never been touched by sunlight. He was clearly a handsome boy and his name was Kiraell Qualton, Quiesa’s only son and the sole heir to the Qualton family. He had also undergone assassination training today and, naturally, failed. 

 

“Thanks to you, Mother.”

 

Quiesa seemed pleased as she stroked the boy’s hair. Kiraell did not seem to dislike his mother’s touch. The shadows behind Kiraell flickered but it was a phenomenon that naturally occurred due to his strong spiritual energy.

 

“Where are you going, Mother?”

 

“To kill a target.”

 

“Are you going yourself?”

 

“I think I should.”

 

Kiraell Qualton didn’t know who the target was but thought they were truly pitiable. 

 

“Did they commit a grave sin?”

 

“They ruined the son of my beloved sister.”

 

“They did something terrible. But by any chance… is the person who committed this sin the young Lady Viola who has been causing a stir on the continent recently?”

 

“You know well.”

 

“Yes, she is about my age.”

 

“She’s one year older than you.”

 

“She’s only a year older but she has accomplished so much.”

 

“You don’t need to be in a hurry, Son. Bellato needs to achieve a lot outwardly, but Qualton is different. Qualton does not care about worldly honors. Do you understand?”

 

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

 

Kiraell nodded deeply, lost in thought. 

 

“What are you thinking so deeply about?”

 

“Are you really going to kill her?”

 

“For now.”

 

“Is there a chance you might not?”

 

Quiesa grinned broadly. 

 

“There are two possibilities. One is that I failed the assassination.”

 

“There’s no chance of that. The only person who has survived your assassination attempts is Father, it’s a miracle that he’s still alive. And the other possibility?”

 

“The other possibility is that the child might win my favor.”

 

Quiesa did not kill just anyone. She had her own judgments and principles when it came to killing someone. Even if they were an enemy or the target of a request, she did not kill them if they won her favor.

 

“In both cases, the chances are slim.”

 

Kiraell’s eyes deepened. It was clear that Viola would be found as a cold corpse in a few days. A flower that had just started to bloom would wither. Kiraell found it very regrettable.

 

‘I thought she would become a great rival.’

 

It was regrettable that Viola was so unlucky. He cautiously held his mother’s hand.

 

“Please be careful.”

 

Quiesa smiled as if she liked her son’s concern. She knelt on one knee and lightly kissed his forehead. She realized her son had other thoughts.

 

“If you have something to say, say it directly.”

 

“May I make one request?”

 

“If it’s worth listening to, go ahead.”

 

“Please lower your standards a bit. I hope you can look kindly upon Viola.”

 

“Why?”

 

“I think she would make a great rival for me. Hearing about Viola always motivates me a lot.”

 

Quiesa liked what her son said, however, she did not give him an answer. 

 

“Don’t neglect your training.”

 

Quiesa disappeared.

 

***

 

Zenon exclaimed as soon as he saw the Ink Sword, Oltiga.

 

“That is a famous sword, Tundra. Congratulations.”

 

Zenon smiled broadly. It wasn’t clear what had happened in the Black Temple but it was obvious that something significant had occurred. As Viola and Tundra came out, the Black Temple collapsed.

 

“Why did the Black Temple collapse?”

 

“It must have fulfilled its mission.”

 

In other words, the Black Temple was the sheath for the Ink Sword, Oltiga. With the sword gone, its original purpose was completed and as the temple had lost its purpose, it collapsed.

 

Shailan, now disguised as a coachman, also watched Tundra in admiration.

 

‘How can such a monster exist?’

 

In fact, he had become quite accustomed to monsters. Having seen the rate of Viola’s growth, he decided to just accept things as they came. However, while Shailan had given up being surprised, Tundra’s growth was something he could not help but be amazed by.

 

‘He’s become a completely different person.’

 

This was an event that made no sense logically so he decided to give up thinking logically. 

 

‘It must be just how it is.’

 

Thinking this way made him feel more at ease. Having experienced so many strange events, the fact that he had once wielded the Grass Sword without any formal training did not even feel miraculous anymore. He just accepted it as it was.

 

Viola, Tundra, and then Zenon climbed into the carriage.

 

“We’re setting off now.”

 

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Translator Note:

 

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