I Played the Role of the Adopted Daughter Too Well

It seemed that Viola had a reason for bringing up such a topic; Quiesa had another name.

 

[Nia Gale was a nun who became the dream and hope for many children in the slums.]

 

She never claimed to worship a specific god, but to the people in the slums, Quiesa was a devout nun. She generously donated to those in hunger and was the head of ‘Morning Sunshine,’ a non-profit welfare organization.

 

[She absolutely could not tolerate seeing someone hungry.]

 

Quiesa was a person with two sides. As the head of the Quilton family, she could be infinitely cold and cruel, but as a nun of Morning Sunshine, she was warm and gentle. She knew how to care for the poor and would sometimes raise her voice against injustices.

 

[She even stayed in the slums for 30 days, unable to ignore the pleas of the children asking to share a meal with her.] 

 

Nia (Quiesa) was particularly weak to invitations to share a meal, perhaps because of her impoverished childhood where she subsisted on grass roots.

 

“Niece, you know my other name?”

 

“Of course. Those who should know, know.”

 

“How did you find out?”

 

“Through information brokers.”

 

“Lies. Those people aren’t so loose-lipped.”

 

Quiesa narrowed her eyes. 

 

“If there really are such blabbermouths, I’ll kill them all. I’ll take the heads of every informant who has contacted you. Can you take responsibility for that?”

 

It was a test for Viola. Viola shrugged as if she expected this.

 

“I was lying.”

 

“Then how did you know?”

 

“I know the person who made Nia’s mask. There’s a very skilled disguise artist in Winter Castle.”

 

“Sebastian spilled the beans?”

 

“Hardly.”

 

Viola seemed to have hit a nerve. 

 

“I’ve been in and out of my father’s study several times.”

 

“Heron’s study?”

 

“Yes. There were various documents there, including budget allocations related to Sebastian. The approximate costs and annual cycle. From that, I deduced the fact about the mask.”

 

The more specialized the product, the shorter its maintenance cycle. It needed to be replaced or repaired at least once a month.

 

“The chemicals used for the maintenance of the mask were being sent to Morning Sunshine every month. That’s how I knew Sebastian Marcos was the person creating Nia’s face.”

 

Quiesa looked incredulous. It might be plausible for Medea, but… How could a mere 13-year-old Viola have been in and out of Heron’s study so many times? 

 

“So you knew I was Nia just from a document?”

 

“I didn’t say you were Nia, but since you admit it, I’m grateful.”

 

Quiesa stared blankly at Viola for a while, then finally laughed. 

 

“Hmm, you’re a cheeky child.”

 

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

 

Quiesa ‘hmm’ed,’ then stroked her chin, curious. 

 

“You’ve spent a lot of time with Heron, then?”

 

“Yes, we’ve had many conversations over the past year. We’ve also spent a lot of personal time together.”

 

“…Did he ever talk about the Eye of Truth?”

 

Quiesa was both a rival and friend to Heron. They were comrades who could trust each other on the battlefield, and she knew the old Heron well.

 

“He never directly mentioned it, but it seems to me he didn’t use the Eye of Truth.”

 

“I see.”

 

Quiesa fell into thought. 

 

‘There was only one person who the Eye of Truth didn’t work on.’

 

Rael, the only person Heron truly loved. The Eye of Truth only stopped when he looked at Rael.

 

‘Is Heron changing?’

 

Is that why sister Isabella is more anxious? To the extent of commissioning the assassination of such a small child? 

 

“You said you were hungry, right?”

 

“Yes, I’m hungry. There were several major events at the Black Temple.”

 

“Let’s talk about what happened while we eat.”

 

Quiesa reached out her hand, her shadow stretching out long, all the way to the forest, and then seeming to pull something out from the forest. It was a four-legged beast resembling a pig, but it was completely hairless. Viola recognized the beast.

 

‘Nevianu?’

 

A creature renowned among gourmets for its tender meat and lack of gamey taste. However, its fur was as hard as armor, it was swift and considered humans as prey. Even experienced hunters avoided it. 

 

‘In such a short time… she hunted a Nevianu in that vast forest?’

 

Viola involuntarily swallowed her saliva. And she skinned its armor-like fur, too? A man-eating beast was hunted down so effortlessly? Viola shuddered. She couldn’t help but imagine herself trapped in Quiesa’s shadow.

 

‘I don’t even want to think about it.’

 

Certainly, there was nothing good about getting involved with the absolute powers of this world. Just by breathing, one could have their throat cut.

 

“Do you like barbecue?”

 

Selvin, who had been quietly waiting for the right moment, quickly interrupted the conversation. 

 

“Yes!”

 

In front of a Nevianu barbecue, Selvin’s manners shrunk even more.

 

***

 

Quiesa clapped her hands and laughed heartily as she listened to Viola’s story.

 

“So that’s why the Black Temple collapsed. Wow. The newspaper journalists are going to be busy, huh?”

 

The Black Temple. The ruler of the first floor. The dark wizard, Dexial. Along with stories about the ancient hero Halcon and the dark wizard Arge. All these elements were topics of interest to people. 

 

“You’re going to become famous once again, niece.”

 

Indeed. It wasn’t just talk that she would grow into the famous White Bellato. A child with exceptional insight and analysis, capable of influencing public opinion and touching people’s hearts. Quiesa defined Viola in this way.

 

“So, the ancient hero Halcon’s sword was hidden there. The Ink Sword that your companion sword is carrying, that’s the one, right?”

 

Quiesa shifted her gaze to Tundra. Tundra’s look back at Quiesa was not friendly.

 

“Boy, you look like you could kill with that glare. I told you, I’ve clearly given up on this commission.”

 

“But the fact that you threatened my lady doesn’t change.”

 

“I’ve heard a lot about being a companion sword, but I’ve never heard of such a warrior.”

 

Quiesa ‘hmm’ed’ and stroked her chin again. 

 

“Did you, perhaps, train in the ‘Sanctuary of Ancient Warriors’?”

 

Tundra nodded. Quiesa clapped her hands as if it all made sense.

 

“How long were you in there?”

 

“Ten years.”

 

Quiesa’s eyes widened at that.

 

“What? Ten years? Come on, don’t lie.”

 

“I don’t know if it was really ten years, but it felt like that.”

 

“That’s crazy.”

 

Quiesa shared some stories. 

 

“Do you know who lasted the longest there? It was Heron. Heron endured five years there, although it was only a week in real-time. Medea came close to that time, Hickson, known as the Black Whale, and the Sword Emperor lasted around that length, too.”

 

Those who were called the absolute powers in this world usually lasted five years there. But ten years…?

 

“Is it even possible to maintain one’s self for ten years?”

 

“Under normal circumstances, it wouldn’t be possible.”

 

Tundra’s gaze shifted towards Viola. It was a look distinctly different from the one he gave Quiesa.

 

“However, it was the weight of my promise that allowed me to endure.”

 

Quiesa pressed her temples as if a headache was coming on. She seemed to understand why Isabella was eager to get rid of Viola. Already, many heroes were gathering around her.

 

‘This companion sword, he’s truly shocking.’

 

She imagined fighting Tundra in her mind. 

 

‘Could I win against the companion sword at this time?’

 

It seemed she would have to clash against him to find out. 

 

‘The odds are 60-40 that I’d probably win.’

 

But it was hard to say it was merely a matter of skill. Experience in war and battle, and the judgment that comes from it. That would likely decide the outcome. 

 

‘As time passes…’ 

 

Her odds would decrease. Tundra was still young, after all. 

 

“Even Heron wasn’t like this at your age.”

 

She sighed deeply. 

 

“I don’t know where the world is heading, to think such a kid would go mad for Viola and even risk his life for her.”

 

Though her time with Viola was brief, the impact was profound. From Heron to Hickson, to Zenon, to Tundra, and even Selvin was included. She heard that Viola was also a benefactor of Louis Bartengan and had monopolized the affection of Marchioness Celine.

 

‘And there’s also a connection with Kaiser.’

 

She deliberately didn’t look further into that. The Mercenary King Kaiser had been Quiesa’s old lover, and she had actively been avoiding any news about Kaiser.

 

‘She’s forming a powerful, unseen force.’

 

It was a path different from the traditional Bellato. Suddenly, she became curious.

 

“Niece, what kind of world do you dream of?”

 

“Well… I haven’t really thought about anything grand. I just want to live an easy, long, and happy life.”

 

Still, there was also the world that Arin had dreamed of. 

 

“A world where children are not abandoned, and don’t cry from hunger.”

 

That single statement left a deep impression on Quiesa’s heart. She remembered this child came from the slums.

 

“And?”

 

“A world where, even when someone is abandoned and alone, at least one person will reach out a hand.”

 

“…”  

 

“A world where an abandoned child can grab that hand and stand up again.”

 

As a child, Kang Han-joon did that for her. Thanks to him, she could live on. Tundra clenched the handle of his Ink Sword tightly.

 

‘I’ll be by your side.’

 

In that moment of recommitment, Quiesa suddenly pulled Viola into a hug. It was a swift, secretive move, like that of a leopard. Without a moment’s hesitation, Tundra extended his sword.

 

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Translator Note:

 

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