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Adopted Daughter Role Overdone – Chapter 093

“Thank you for coming back.”

Viola felt a bit flustered inside.

Why is this kid crying again?

“It feels like you’re saying I went somewhere I can’t return from.”

“That’s not it, but….”

“But you came back.”

So it seemed like she was shedding tears of joy.

Viola was at a loss for words.

It was quite a bit of mushiness, but it felt awkward to scold her since it seemed sincere.

A smile lingered on Tundra’s face.

He really looked happy.

‘So serious that I can’t say anything,’ every moment of talking in the same space as Viola felt precious and happy.

Then out of nowhere, a whirring wind blew past.

It felt like an artificial wind.

‘What is that?’

Viola discovered something very strange.

This wind was artificial.

And the source of that wind was right behind Tundra.

More precisely, it was from his tailbone.

‘What, what is that…!’

A tail was visible.

The tail was waving vigorously, and mana had formed and concentrated.

“A, a tail appeared?”

“When could you do that?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure.”

Tundra didn’t really know either.

“I think it just happened.”

Tundra had finally met the long-awaited Viola.

Moved by his genuine joy, the mana moved and took shape.

“Feels really peaceful, huh?”

“It feels like something that should have been there has finally appeared.”

Is that really something to discuss so gravely?

You just manifested mana.

Why is it no big deal?!

「Manifesting and using mana is an extremely difficult task, only possible for those trained to the utmost. One must also possess outstanding talent, and usually, only 5th Rank Knights can wield such power.」

In other words, manifesting mana into a visible form meant he had at least the skills of a 5th Rank Knight.

“Wow, so you made the mana take form.”

That mana had endless uses.

It could be solidified to block a thrust from behind or extended to attack an opponent.

Depending on how it was used, it had tremendous efficiency.

「「The downside is that manifesting mana requires significant physical stamina.」」

‘But… he doesn’t look tired at all?’

Viola, trying to maintain her calm, asked.

“Why waste stamina?”

“I’m not wasting it.”

Looking again, Tundra seemed completely unfazed.

It was a bit funny, using mana in the form of a tail, yet his breathing was not at all ragged.

“When manifesting mana requires great willpower and strength, plus stamina. Normally.”

At that moment, Tundra pulled out his life manual, the Half-and-Half Book.

With great confidence, Tundra opened the book, flipping directly to page 420.

[Just as a person cannot control their own heart, a pet cannot control its own tail. The movement of the tail is a purely natural act unrelated to will, and the guardian needs to watch over it.]

And as if it were obvious, he added.

“It seems like the mana tail moves as naturally as breathing.”

Meaning no special effort or will was required.

While doing that tough thing, Tundra looked completely fine.

As if having a tail was nothing special at all.

He now had a tail!

‘From smell to a tail… what the heck is this.’

Anyway, Tundra had succeeded in manifesting mana, and with that genius talent and body, he would remember the sensations and be able to use them in other ways.

‘At this rate, his growth speed rivals that of Sister Medea.’

Medea earned the qualification of a 5th Rank Knight at age seventeen.

‘No, he’s even faster than her.’

Medea was a genius who had undergone harsh training and effort since birth.

But Tundra was different.

He grew up as a hunter’s child, and it was only five years ago that he began training under Hixson.

In just five years, he achieved this level of progress.

‘Is it just me, or does it feel like he’s growing even faster than in the original story?’

Tundra couldn’t take his eyes off Viola.

Like a puppy gazing at its owner, in the puppy’s world, only the owner was present.

So burdensome.

But he couldn’t tell him to stop looking.

Saying that would deny Tundra’s dreams.

To trample upon the hopes of the male lead growing at such a terrifying speed would be extremely dangerous and must be avoided.

“Yay! I’m Pongpong the Water Giver!”

Pongpong continued to sprinkle water without tiring.

What a chaotic world it was.

*

Duke Heron visited the Marguerite Flower Field.

Nearby, Chief Butler Carlton stood respectfully, supporting a sword with both hands.

“Here it is.”

The Frostbite.

A legendary sword crafted with immense care by the master mage and dwarf craftsman, Kurumkurum, over seven years.

One of the seven legendary swords worldwide and an artifact akin to the incarnation of the Thousand Kills Duke.

“It’s been a while since the Lord of Winter wielded Frostbite.”

It was rare for a lord to wield Frostbite.

Even during the hunt of the great monster that descended from the ‘Place Where the Eye Shines’ a year ago, he did not wield it.

“You used Frostbite when sharing swords with Emperor Nelak, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“You have used Frostbite only against worthy opponents.”

Carlton wanted to ask.

Why bring out Frostbite today?

Did it really fit in this Marguerite Flower Field?

“I am observing the rise of the White Bellatu. It’s a different pleasure compared to when I see Medea.”

Viola was quite different from the other children.

She chose the White Bellatu, which others wouldn’t, and showcased everything she could as the White Bellatu.

Overcoming the disadvantage of being the adopted daughter, she performed better than anyone else.

“Viola is an advanced Bellatu.”

“That’s for sure.”

But what does that have to do with Frostbite?

Carlton waited for the Duke’s explanation.

“Perhaps she may compete seriously with Medea.”

“If that day comes, I would be delighted, but… Princess Viola is still too young.”

She was only twelve years old.

Although she showed tremendous growth, her achievements did not compare to Medea’s.

For a twelve-year-old, she did remarkably well, but she was not outstanding among the heir candidates.

“Since she started off at a significant disadvantage compared to the others, shouldn’t there be something favorable for her?”

“Does that mean you genuinely acknowledge Princess Viola’s qualifications as an heir?”

“Is there any reason not to acknowledge her?”

“None.”

Carlton respectfully lifted Frostbite, and Heron took it in hand.

With its master now holding it, a cold spirit began to envelop Frostbite.

The surroundings fell silent.

But Carlton felt it was incredibly noisy.

An invisible storm of mana whipped around him.

When Carlton briefly closed his eyes and opened them, something extraordinary was happening.

‘The Marguerite Flower Field…’

What should he say?

‘Has evaporated?’

This vast Marguerite Flower Field had vanished in an instant.

The world was now filled with green and yellow, and white powder.

One slash took out the entire flower field, and the mana released from Frostbite crushed the flowers.

When Heron pulled a black orb from a pocket dimension, the flower powder began to be sucked into it like mist.

“What is… that?”

“It’s a gift left to me by Kurumkurum.”

Master Mage Kurumkurum explained it this way.

‘In the universe, there’s a terrifying thing called a black hole. A fearsome space that sucks everything in. So I named this a black hole.

But be cautious in its use. A black hole can only be used once.

I hope it becomes a good gift for you.’

Countless Marguerite flowers blossoming in the vast flower field were drawn into the black hole.

‘If there’s something you really want to preserve in the black hole, then take it back. Based on the energy it gathers, you can craft an excellent artifact.’

At that time, Kurumkurum had spoken with great expectation.

‘I wonder what the Thousand Kills Duke will bring back from the black hole.

Just avoid bringing back corpses, please.’

*

A week had passed.

During that time, Viola’s head was extremely tangled.

‘Why? Why did Father…?’

Why on earth did he crush the entire Marguerite Flower Field?

Because of that, Pongpong had cried for three days and nights, and Viola struggled to understand Heron’s mindset.

‘I don’t get it.’

Having read the novel thoroughly and gone through the settings many times, this time, she couldn’t grasp Heron’s thoughts.

And that scared her.

Until now, she had survived well using knowledge from the story, but now it felt like she was blind.

‘Did I make some sort of mistake?’

Had she made a huge blunder, and was Father warning her by destroying the Marguerite Flower Field?

Just then, Zeno opened his mouth.

“Duke Heron is calling for you.”

…Father?

Suddenly feeling anxious.

But then a voice came from behind Zeno.

“No. I’ll convey it personally.”

Heron entered Viola’s room.

Just walking in, there was an indescribable pressure.

‘He seems angry.’

It felt a bit odd.

Duke Heron doesn’t usually display his anger outwardly.

Especially not to twelve-year-old Viola, who would have no way to read his anger.

‘What is it? Why is he here? I need to find out.’

Why had he come to her room?

It was rare for him to seek out a candidate for the heir directly.

‘What did I do wrong?’

Duke Heron spoke up.

“I have a gift for you.”

His expression and movements were very stiff.

As if it was something he had never done before.

 

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