Jackal was given the nickname âStorm Swordâ because his momentum and sword were as strong and sharp as a storm.
Looking at him, Viola was able to clearly understand what the âstormy momentumâ that was mentioned in the novel was like.
The magic storm created by Medea and Jackal was bloody.
âFor a reaper who came to kill me, you have the most gentle expression on your face.â
âIâm on a goodwill mission. I donât know what youâre talking about, dear Sir Jackal.â
Medea, who drew her sword, bowed her back politely.
Both know each otherâs goals and intentions. They knew each other thoroughly, but silently pretended not to know each other.
âAs the head of the Storm Fortress, I welcome the Princesses of Velatu. As a welcome greeting, I would like to share the exchange of swords with Princess Medea.â
âAs much as you want.â
Viola swallowed her saliva.
âIf I step in for no reason, my arms and legs wonât get cut off, right?â
It actually seemed like it.
It felt like a monstrous creature was staring at her.
âI still have to be brave.â
Even though she was scared to death, Viola didnât show it on the outside. This was what she had been learning for three years.
Not telling the truth.
âIf I go between the momentum of those two⊠Iâm really going to die.â
No matter how young Viola was, she was still a ten-year-old child. It was absurd to say to enter between the momentum of the two characters, which are described as almost completely self-sufficient in the work.
âStill, believe me, the authorâs settings!â
Viola moved her steps.
Because she was so scared, cold sweat ran down her.
âOh, IâI, I donât know.â
Not knowing what to do anymore, she just closed her eyes and started walking.
She couldnât see anything with her eyes closed, anyway. Besides, Viola was more comfortable walking with her eyes closed.
Hickson, who was watching the situation from behind, frowned slightly.
âViola?â
Should he catch Viola?
It was dangerous.
But, he couldnât go out since before Viola departed, she had been asking him.
[ âUncle. If I donât ask for help, just wait patiently for me.â ]
[ âUncle. Do you believe me?â ]
[ âInstead, if I ask for help, protect me. Got it?â ]
Because of that, He decided to watch a little more, as Viola said.
Until she asked for help.
Medea, who drew her sword and joined the welcome ceremony of the Storm Fortress, also felt Violaâs movement.
âViola! What are you doing!â
They are now fighting for momentum.
The intangible magic emitted by both sides is fighting for each otherâs space and territory. It was invisible, though the space between Medea and Jackal was like the strait of death.
The youngest child was walking towards it.
âThereâs no way she canât feel this momentumâŠ!â
She didnât know what Viola was doing.
It was incredibly reckless. It wasnât a sword pressure a ten-year-old could withstand. However, she couldnât pick up this momentum now.
The moment the momentum leans to one side, victory or defeat will be decided. In an instant, Jackalâs sword would touch her neck.
As the First Princess of Veratoux, she could not tolerate such a defeat.
âHoweverâŠâ
If she doesnât pick up the momentum, Viola will get hurt.
Minor scars began to appear on Violaâs flesh.
âUh, uhâAh, ah! It stings!â
It was as if poison had reached her skin like the welcome dinner. It felt like dozens of sharp razor blades were rubbing against her soft skin.
Medea was conflicted.
âYou have to gain momentum.â
Storm sword wonât be the first to gain momentum.
The one who was most disappointed was herself. Her heart ached as she saw the red scars engraved on Violaâs soft skin.
âNo.â
But Viola was now going on her path. She did not know what Viola was thinking and what she was dreaming of.
Nevertheless, Viola is Veratoux.
Veratoux decided their own path and walked it.
âRather, I should respect Viola Veratoux.â
Then, Jackal took the first step.
Jackal was defeated in the battle of magic, which was a tight competition between them.
âKeuhk.â
A reverse storm blew and struck Jackalâs chest.
There was a gap.
As usual, she had to rush in and set the fight at this time. Although Medea did not wield her sword.
âWhy, didnât you wield the sword?â
âDidnât Storm Sword be considerate first? Thank you for taking care of my sister first. Itâs actually my defeat.â
Viola swallowed a gulp three times.
âWow⊠I really thought I was going to die.â
It felt like she was walking through a bunch of wildcats dancing sword dance. If she did something wrong, her throat would be cut off! That vivid feeling was as if she was about to be cut off.
It seemed like a fantasy.
Hiding her trembling heart, Viola bowed her back.
âThank you for the momentum, Sir Jackal.â
Jackal lifted his head once as if nothing had happened, then gazed at Viola and said, âYou did something reckless, Princess Viola.â
âYou took a good care at that reckless thing.â
âIf I hadnât gained momentum, the Princess would have been seriously injured.â
Viola stood up on her back. She stood in an upright position and looked at Jackal.
âI believed that Sir Jackal was someoneâs father.â
ââŠ.â
For a moment, Jackalâs body froze.
âI know Sir Jackal has a son my age.â
Jackal was represented as a knight who loved children, even though his cold reason canât use his strength in front of children.
âSo, I thought you wouldnât hurt me.â
âThatâs reckless.â
Jackal grabbed his sword.
It was not a good atmosphere to mix with Medea and the sword.
Viola did that.
âIâll greet you formally. Iâm White Veratoux, Viola.â
Â
Viola and the party were guided to the annex of the Storm Fortress.
It wasnât as big and pleasant as the annex of the winter castle, but it was good enough to stay for a while.
Medea spoke up first.
âSir Jackal is right. Reckless.â
âI wasnât reckless. As a white Veratoux, I acted with everything in mind.â
âWhat did you consider?â
Viola felt it. This question was soon a test for the youngest child.
âI have to answer well.â
If she didnât do it right, Medea would surely be greatly disappointed.
âFirst of all, Iâm sure Sir Jackal wonât hurt me.â
âAnd?â
âSecond, Iâm sure my sister wonât hurt me, even if Sir Jackal doesnât.â
ââŠ.â
âBecause both people who could hurt me were trying to protect me.
âWhy were you so sure?â
âAt least, more than a welcome win or loss, I thought that sister would love me more.â
âWhy?â
âBecause if I were sister, I would.â
Saying that, Viola stared at Medea with unshakable eyes. Medeaâs âtruth eyesâ and her purple eyes collided.
Rather, Medeaâs eyes fluttered.
âThis child⊠Sheâs serious.â
She would have been if she had been her sister.
Those words were sincere.
And, the words were strangely inspiringâŠ
âSo, you mean⊠your actions werenât reckless, but a strategic approach as a white Veratoux?â
âThatâs right.â
âWhatâs your ultimate goal?â
âTo solve the case without killing Sir Jackal.â
Medea tilted her head.
âItâs my job to kill Sir Jackal.â
âIâve been given an extra mission.â
Before coming here, it was signed by Heron Veratoux himself. In any case, if Jackal made a statement in support of Winter Castle and Veratoux, along with a public apology, that they would not have to kill Jackal.
âIsnât this more efficient and reasonable than killing Sir Jackal?â
âThatâs right.â
âHeâs a great knight and warrior who keeps the canyon of barbarians safe. Without Sir Jackal, the Monarch will definitely ask for Winter Castleâs cooperation. Using the trade road revitalization as an excuse. Besides, on the condition that we are excluded from the list of suspects who murdered Sir Jackal, then the power of Winter Castle will most likely be weakened.â
Viola took Medeaâs hand.
âSister. I have no intention of interfering with sisterâs mission.â
This, too, was sincere.
If she interrupted Medea, her neck may be cut off.
Viola wanted to live long.
âBut, you canât do an assassination right away.â
She would get good timing, and that good timing may not come any time soon.
Jackal must also have an assassination in mind.
âIâll meet Sir Jackal first.â
Â
Tundraâs eyes sank seriously.
âI will serve the master. I am a dog that watches over her.â
âI will serve the princess. I am the Princessâs direct butler.â
Xenon chuckled.
As Tundra and Xenon glared at each other, the hostility towards each other was burning brightly.
Viola let out a sigh.
âThe blanket, I just need to cover it.â
What is this?
âWhy are the two of them fighting here?
Even for ten minutesâŠ
Xenon smiled and said.
âThe Princess has a habit of always kicking the blanket around 3:23 in the morning. I have always served her, and I am doing my best to prevent her stomach ache.â
He bowed his back politely.
âSo, I hope you can grant me the honor of taking care of the Princess.â
Tundra radiated open hostility.
âWhy donât you give up your privileges?â
âWouldnât it be strange to put down the privilege?â
âDonât you think it is the duty of the privileged class to put aside the privileges they normally enjoy?â
âI do not agree to such an obligation, Tundra.â
Viola yelled at them.
âBoth of you, get out!â
In the end, Xenon and Tundra are kicked out of Violaâs room.
Â
The next day, the morning was bright.
At dawn.
Viola and Hickson headed to the training hall of Storm Fortress.
Hap! Hap!
A shout was heard from afar.
The Knights of the Storm Fortress seemed to be training.
Viola sat on a bench on the other side of the training hall and waited until their training is over. Jackal, who was leading the training, finally put down his sword and wiped his sweat with a towel.
He came closer to Viola.
âPrincess Viola is waking up early.â
âThe majesty of the Storm squad is so great, I wanted to see it at least once.â
After greeting Viola, Jackal held out his right hand.
âYesterday, I wasnât in a good mood, so I couldnât greet properly, Sir Hickson.â
âItâs not like weâre so happy with each other.â
Hickson replied bluntly as he took Jackalâs hand. The greetings were rough, however, there was a little bit of affection towards each other.
âAre you still practicing from four in the morning?â
âThatâs right.â
Hickson shook his head.
âI hate people who live upright like you. How can humans be like that? Machines?â
âI heard that youâre in trouble, are you okay?â
âUh, thanks to that person.â
At his answer, Jackalâs gaze fell on Viola.
Why did Viola come here?
Why did she jump into that dangerous place yesterday? And, what do you mean by thanks to that person, Viola?
âThe real reason is not that I want to visit the storm squad. Why did you come to me? Besides, what does Sir Hickson mean?â
Viola jumped off the bench.
Seeing so, Jackal knelt down on one of his knees and set his eyes on her.
âSir Jackal, do you know the story behind Uncle Hickson?â
ââŠI know. Iâm deeply sorry.â
She decided to go straight to the point.
âIsnât Sir Jackal sad?â
âWhat do you mean?â
She spoke without hesitation about what was considered a âtop secretâ in the novel.
âYour son is gone.â
ââŠI donât know what you mean.â
âSomehow, itâs very similar to Uncle Hicksonâs situation. Things like that happen often on the continent.â
Casting characters with power.
Kidnapping of a loved one.
No evidence left.
âI want to help Sir Jackal, as a white Veratoux.â
Then, she added one more thing.
ââŠBecause there shouldnât be more sad people like my uncle.â
Hicksonâs heart wept at the words âmy uncle.â