“Here lies the most mysterious power in this land.”

As Viola continued to speak, astonishment spread across the faces of the Emperor and the dukes. The only one unfazed was Heron.

“A place where martial artists capable of ushering in destruction are born when driven to madness.”

Just as Viola mentioned, they knew one such place. Nelak, Heron, and Salmon had trained there as well.

“A strange location where time and space become disconnected, a bizarre site that has persisted since ancient times.”

Nelak asked, “Are you referring to ‘the place where the eye shines’?”

“That’s correct. Its name is ‘Sacred Ground of the Ancient Warriors’.”

“Why do you suppose it’s called the Sacred Ground of the Ancient Warriors? Do you know why, Your Majesty?”

“I’ve never really thought about it. I just regarded it as a training ground.”

“The term ‘sacred ground’ carries various meanings.”

The writer remembered quoting a dictionary entry regarding sacred ground (聖地) in their blog. [1. A place sacred to specific religions, sources of religious belief, or where martyrdom occurred, such as Jerusalem for Christianity or Mecca for Islam.]

[2. A place with religious relics.]

“Sacred ground can also refer to a location where martyrs were made. And we know of the greatest martyrs.”

In ancient times, there were heroes. They sacrificed their lives to seal the king of evil spirits in “the place where light does not reach.”

“No way.”

“That’s right. Sun King Khan, Winter Sword Master H, Lava Giant Brickta. The resting place of these three heroes.”

“And so…”

They then realized the origin of the name. ‘Ancient’, ‘Warriors’, ‘Sacred Ground’. These three words pointed to a single event. Nelak slightly frowned.

“Never once thought about it.”

It was a strange thing to consider. No one ever questioned the mysterious power of that site.

Just like having a sun, mountains, winds, and rivers.

The ‘Sacred Ground of the Ancient Warriors’ was like that. “One person who read the will of the gods sent a letter to the divine.”

“A letter?”

“Yes, a virtual language made of numbers.

A signal that doesn’t exist in this world. I perceive it that way. I’m not entirely sure.”

Arin dealt with doors. She simply knew the digital world was made up of 0s and 1s.

She couldn’t quite find the words to better explain ‘comments’. “That person thought it was odd. With such a bizarre and mysterious power, why did no one find it peculiar? Why were the tales of ancient heroes so vividly passed down while no one knew the essence of the ‘Sacred Ground of the Ancient Warriors’?”

When the story about the base of ‘Heat Wind’ was revealed, a perceptive reader pointed it out. That avid reader’s name was Han Ah-rin. “Did the gods respond?”

At that time, the author didn’t reply to any comments. Instead, the content of the previous chapters slightly changed, adding new settings.

“The King of Evil Spirits, Bahakarun, placed special barriers and spells on the ‘Sacred Ground of the Ancient Warriors’ with all his might just before being sealed.”

It was content that hadn’t existed before Arin’s feedback. “While the magic barrier of cognitive distortion allows future generations to recall an accurate memory of the ‘Sacred Ground of the Ancient Warriors,’ it also created ‘the place where the eye shines’ to open the gates of hell.”

Thanks to Arin’s insights, the work’s settings and content were solidified. “In ‘the place where the eye shines,’ monsters overflowed endlessly, and humans had to fight continuously against the monsters to protect their homes.”

Humans killed the monsters. The monsters killed the humans.

Countless lives, both human and monstrous, shattered in ‘the place where the eye shines.’

And that became the fundamental force maintaining the mysterious power contained in the ‘Sacred Ground of the Ancient Warriors.’ “I haven’t heard the exact answer, but one thing is for certain. We can change the world.”

“How does Young Noblewoman Viola want to change the world?”

Arin, the reader, preferred a world with a thoroughly logical worldview. As a reader, she enjoyed that kind of world.

But things were different now. “I want a world that doesn’t have to be perfect.”

Viola had become the perfect ruler of the Winter Castle. Yet, there was no one left around her. Perfection was just another way to describe loneliness.

“Have I ever been your family, even once?”

Viola needed family. A world where precious people live and breathe beside her, even if it’s not perfect. Even if she was born to the will of the gods, she wanted a world where she could overcome her destiny.

They are not mere characters. They are all living, breathing people.

The male lead from the original story, Tundra, would not die before Viola.

“I won’t let Sister Medea die either. She will become a duke.”

Bichen overcame death and lived, and Storm Blade Jackal did not perish. The baby who would have become Archmage Vengas, sharpening the blade of vengeance, now lived as Benato.

In the original story, Viscount Seaal met his end but has continued to live, forgiving his wife.

Black Hixson regained his senses and accepted his heartborn daughter, while Sword Demon Ersa became Hela’s butler, overcoming past wounds.

Pongpong didn’t become the Spirit King of Blood, and Elcina, the outcast of the 6th Magic Tower, now lives a new life with beggars from the Magic Tower.

“Everything has changed.”

There were many other changes. “A world where a coward can lose his fear and become a mercenary king while befriending a young girl.”

They had the right to think as they wished and act as they desired. Because they were all living, breathing people.

If they wanted to be friends, they could be friends, and if they wanted to be fathers, they could become fathers.

Viola’s world would continue to be such a world.

“A world where love does not become a weakness.

We desire a world where we can freely love those beside us.”

Nelak looked at Viola for a while before bursting into a chuckle. “Such endlessly childish words while also not childish at all. Yet, I can see your words are heartfelt. So, what should we do?”

The Emperor sought advice from Viola. The three dukes did not harbor any doubts about it.

Only Heron gazed at Viola with pride in his eyes.

*

Knock, knock.

There was a sound of knocking.

Zeno, who had been handing Viola strawberry ade, straightened up.

“Shall I open the door, Princess?”

“Sure.”

The person who entered after Zeno opened the door was Medea. Medea strode in.

In a manner uncharacteristic of her, she spoke in a slightly nervous voice.

“Zeno, make the strawberry ade. Make it very refreshing.”

“Understood.”

Zeno smiled brightly. He thought he understood why Medea was so angry. “I’ll infuse it with as much mana as possible using ice magic. It might take a little time.”

“Thank you.”

Sisterly time would be needed. Zeno quietly closed the door behind him and stepped outside.

Leaning against the door, Zeno let out a small sigh.

‘What could the secret conversation between His Majesty and the dukes be about?’

He thought at least they would share it with him, their closest aide. But Viola hadn’t said a word. Zeno felt quite dissatisfied.

No longer was he “a soulless monster.”

‘Perhaps Princess Medea feels the same way as I do.’

He could deeply empathize with Medea’s feelings. ‘Still, I’ll do my duty as a butler.’

He decided to go make strawberry ade. Meanwhile, Medea didn’t hide her displeasure. “Aren’t you going to tell Sister?”

“I was commanded to keep it a secret. I’m really sorry, Sister. If you need help, Father will tell you.”

“Are you really going to take that route?”

Viola let out a deep sigh. Medea’s red eyes seemed to blaze with intensity.

‘It can’t be helped.’

Viola stood up and walked over to Medea. Medea flinched but didn’t react otherwise.

“What are you…!”

Viola hugged Medea tightly. “I’m upset too.”

Medea’s body stiffened like a statue, but soon she placed her hand on Viola’s head. It was surprising to feel how small Viola’s form truly was.

“I’m scared and fearful too. I want your help. The Medea I know is stronger than anyone and more upright than anyone.”

And she’s the person who will become the duke. Viola hadn’t lost hope (?).

“But it’s only possible for me and Tundra.”

‘The only ones who can defy the will of the gods are Viola and Tundra.’

Viola resolved to sketch her own world.

“Don’t you understand my desperate wish to ask for your help?”

Viola looked up at Medea while still in her embrace. “Don’t look at me with that expression and face. It makes my heart drop.”

How can that child with the killing star appear so cute? Medea was having a fresh shock of her own.

“Knock, knock. I think I need to talk to someone too. Can I join the sisters’ time, Sister?”

It was Hela. Hela scolded Viola more sharply.

Hela seemed displeased with Viola taking independent actions.

“Sister, you do what’s within your abilities.”

Sister is rich. ‘My biggest shareholder!!’

Sister, earn lots of money.

For my comfortable and happy future.

“I’ll do what I can.

Having you around allows me to do my work to my heart’s content.”

“Your words are so polished.”

Hela turned her head with a huff, but a smile was lingering at the corners of her mouth. Soon after, Zeno brought the strawberry ade.

As if he expected Hela would come, he carried in four cups.

“Everyone can have one each.”

Viola. Medea.

Hela.

One each.

“What about the leftover?”

“Princess Viola is having two cups.”

Zeno said with a cheerful smile. “Even in ‘the place where the eye shines,’ I can prepare strawberry ade for you…”

As Zeno said that, he cast a glance at the ceiling. Medea did the same.

Medea spoke.

“Seems like a guest is here.”

“Indeed. Surely not an uninvited one?”

“There cannot be an assassin that can get past Father’s senses.”

Which meant that they had approval from Duke Heron. Zeno smiled slyly.

“It seems they indeed possess remarkable skills as an assassin.”

In truth, Viola didn’t feel anything of the sort right now. Her legs were quaking under her skirt.

‘An assassin?’

Medea and Zeno were aware of Sheilan’s aura. So ‘assassin’ couldn’t be Sheilan. ‘Who…has come?’

At that moment, a voice rang out from the ceiling. “Yo, what are you?”

It was a terrified voice belonging to Sheilan. “This is my territory, ya punk.”

Thud! Someone dropped down to the ground.

A boy with red hair appeared.