Is she really seeing me as her dad... Mana thought helplessly. For the past few days, little Lotus had visited him daily. She always rambled about unrealistic fantasies. She didn’t know what she was talking about, yet she chattered nonstop. It seemed like she craved affection desperately. She cherished every single conversation. What a headache. Mana rubbed his forehead, his head pounding...

Anyway, it was his own fault.

Actually, this wasn’t so bad?... He truly lacked a daughter. And from what he could see, Lotus seemed orphaned... Coincidentally, she’d said he resembled her father... A bold idea flashed through his mind...

Adopt her?... After all, the Leonardo family had many children, but not a single daughter... Sons for old age, daughters for loneliness... The thought vanished quickly, because...

Knock knock knock... A soft knock at the door.

Allen came knocking right on time again, as usual... Lately, she’d memorized Grand Duke Mana’s schedule perfectly. She just wanted to chat with him casually...

That day, she’d almost revealed she was Allen... Thankfully, Mana had persuaded her to rest. But later, the thought chilled her...

What if Father saw her as a monster?...

She had to keep hiding. She feared exposure... Yet, staying by Father’s side like this... wasn’t so bad?...

She grabbed the documents piled on Mana’s desk and started organizing them...

Actually, this wasn’t so bad?... Mana wondered. Maybe he should adopt her after all...

She really saw him as her father... Having a daughter to walk with him sometimes... wouldn’t be bad?...

No, he’d discuss this with Alex and Charlotte later...

Mana truly intended to adopt Lotus... He felt drawn to Allen, like a long-lost kin... But he was certain—he’d never be an unwitting father. His heart belonged only to Gloria... He wouldn’t forget her. He planned to be buried beside her. He loved her. Now. Forever...

Looking at the fifteen-year-old girl before him, a trace of pity stirred in him...

That settled it!

He decided silently.

“Lotus, no need to help. Just sit awhile...” Old Mana felt it was time to step back. But he couldn’t stay idle. This was perfect. In a few years, after his sons fully took over the duchy, he’d travel the continent with Lotus...

“Here, take this...” He pulled out a teapot and poured warm tea.

Allen accepted the cup and sipped carefully.

So fragrant... Bordeaux tea. Back when she was “him,” she’d sneaked into this room to steal sips. Cold, it had been bitter.

“Is this Bordeaux tea?...” Allen asked cautiously, watching Mana’s expression.

Mana kept writing the sealed document. He lifted his head slightly, glancing at her.

“Hmm? You know your tea...” Mana murmured, then continued writing.

“No... well, yes. I’ve tasted it before... But it was cold then. Bitter. That’s why I remember it so clearly. I never expected it to be this fragrant when warm, just like the books say...” Allen replied, half answering, half reminiscing.

Every word was true. That bitterness had etched the tea’s nature into her memory.

“I see...” Mana replied after a pause. He lit an oil lamp, melted crimson sealing wax, dripped it onto the envelope, then pressed an iron seal firmly.

He reached out and ruffled Lotus’s hair... Gently kneading Allen’s soft strands, like petting his own child...

Allen felt comforted. This touch meant everything. She’d only ever watched from dark corners as Mana stroked his two sons’ heads.

Silence filled the room. Mana seemed lost in thought. Allen closed her eyes, savoring the tingling sensation on her scalp. It felt wonderful—like someone gently playing with her hair, or whispering secrets. Simply put, Allen felt at peace.

After a long while, Mana spoke abruptly.

“Lotus... would you become my adopted daughter?” he asked carefully, his tone serious to avoid misunderstanding...

“I...” Allen whispered, head bowed.

“I... I will!” she answered, rubbing her blurry eyes.

...

“Don’t... don’t be afraid! Charge!” Sharid roared at Lilith descending from above.

Roughly two hundred魔人士兵 stood scattered below. Weak compared to him, but trained fighters. With two hundred plus himself, they could tear the Dark Lord apart—even by biting!...

No mages or archers, but plenty of troops. His strength wasn’t enough alone, yet he had a secret weapon. Ambush the Dark Lord, kill her swiftly. He’d be a hero...

One gamble. If he lost, it cost only his life.

Win, and he’d be a legend. Lose, just a corpse. A shameless move, but worth it.

Amidst the army, Sharid bellowed at the distant Dark Lord. He activated his awakened power—Rage...

A gift only those beyond Holy Sage possessed. Unique to each wielder...

Sharid wasn’t strong alone. But who said commanders needed solo power? His Rage empowered his troops, turning them into fearless death-seekers.

The魔人士兵’s faces flushed red. Adrenaline surged, drowning out memories of comrades shredded by phantom blades. Like berserkers, their hidden beastliness surfaced. The sleeping predator within awoke...

“Ahhh! Tear her apart... tear her apart! Shred her completely!” the魔人士兵 screamed!

“Ahhh! Blood!” They charged Lilith, roaring.

Thump—thump—thump... Hearts pumped torrents of blood, near bursting.

Lilith solidified her Phantom Blade, gripping it single-handed.

“Come then...” She swung, severing an arm. Crimson skin split, blood gushing like a fountain...

No fear. These beasts—barely human—surged like a tide...

Phantom Blade... ready...

“Wrapped in horsehide, I return home...” Lilith sang softly...

Beneath the Phantom Blade, none survived its baptism...

Only Sharid stood dazed, weakened from over-empowering his troops...

Lilith had spared him on purpose...

She sheathed the blade, dispelled the granite spell, and lifted the solid sword. “Any last words?...”

“Yes...” Sharid replied calmly.

“Oh? Speak...” She smirked, ready to behead him after.

“It’s... die!” He grinned darkly.

Boom! A palm-sized launcher fired a dazzling flame...

“Die... whoosh, urgh!” He collapsed, writhing in pain.

...

“No! I refuse!” Alex shouted at Mana and Charlotte.

“She’s suspicious! I don’t trust her...” Alex protested fiercely.

“You must know... at that banquet, she lied constantly. She’s no foreign noble—she’s a native of Bordeaux!” Alex argued. But it was futile. Lotus seemed so pitiful; Mana and Charlotte felt it deeply.

“I absolutely agree! Having another sister sounds great!” Charlotte shot back.

“Even if she lied about her origin, I was there. Her etiquette was genuine nobility. Maybe she’s from a fallen Bordeaux house, hiding from enemies?” Charlotte countered.

“How can you...” Alex started yelling...

“I said—stop!” Mana tried to halt the pointless fight, but chaos reigned.

“How can you be so rigid? At least...” Charlotte and Alex bickered endlessly.

“Then why does she fear me?!” Alex demanded angrily.

“Maybe you’re just ugly, scaring her off. She doesn’t act that way with me,” Charlotte defended Allen.

“I said STOP!” Mana roared.

“I decide. I’m adopting her!” Mana declared firmly...

“I’m afraid. Afraid that when I’m old and alone, you brats will forget me. Let me die lonely. I want her to care for me later. So I’m adopting her. No objections. I’ll talk to Lotus now.” Mana’s resolve left Alex awkward. He had to accept his father’s word. Another sister he disliked—unwilling big brotherhood.

“That’s settled. Everyone disperse! Alex, wait. This document—deliver it to the capital today. That’s all. Dismissed.”

Mana strode straight to the library, eager to tell Allen.

Her fever had broken, but a cough lingered. She was still on medicine. Now, she slept face-down on a book, utterly exhausted.

He gently stroked her soft silver hair, then left...