How to Be a Dark Hero’s Daughter

“Baal consumes the most magical power, right?”

“Yes.”

“So, if Baal leaves Collen, that will be enough?”

“If Baal disappears, perhaps I can handle the other demons with my power. But no, it’s not possible. Baal also said it’s impossible.”

“Baal said that?”

“I can’t converse with him, but… I can feel it. Baal’s intentions.”

I didn’t think Baal wanted to harm Collen.

‘Baal.’

I reached out, and Baal grazed my hand with his cheek.

“I want to be alone.”

I said sulkily.

Collen patted my head and got up.

“Don’t waste your effort.”

“I promise.”

Collen nodded.

* * *

I made that promise, but…

‘It was obviously a lie.’

I will solve this mystery. I will find a way, no matter what-

‘I will live with my Dad until he becomes a Grandpa.’

I was determined.

‘Ah… crying makes my head hurt.’

It was the first time I studied while crying.

I frantically gathered and read documents.

About the demons, about the dark wizards, about the Ducal family.

‘But there’s no clear solution…’

I became more and more depressed.

“Baal.”

Lately, Baal has been lingering around me for longer.

Collen said that Baal, being a high-ranking demon, can roam around freely without his permission.

‘Only my family and I can see Baal, so the servants wouldn’t know…’

Sometimes, it feels like Baal is staring at me intently.

“Baal, if I find a way, will you leave Collen?”

I ask quietly.

‘Anyway, there’s no way Baal would answer.’

I sighed.

‘I can’t concentrate.’

Should I go for a walk in the forest?

The weather was getting chilly. Suddenly, I glanced at the wardrobe. I opened its door.

‘I threw away all the clothes I brought from Siebel’s castle.’

But I kept the gun Siebel gave me.

‘Siebel told me to kill Collen with this.’

Is that why I keep having nightmares about shooting Collen with this gun? Just thinking about the dream feels creepy.

‘Should I just throw it away?’

It’s a magical artifact comparable to national treasures…

‘It’s not the object’s fault.’

I slung the gun over my shoulder.

‘Maybe I should practice shooting after a long time?’

In times of distress, habitual actions are the best. I’ve been practicing shooting since I was young.

I headed to my training spot in the forest.

“Fifi, did you sleep well?”

Fifi, who had been sleeping in, yawned and approached.

I patted Fifi’s head once and aimed the gun at the set target. Familiarly, I infused it with magic. But at that moment, I felt something strange.

‘…What’s this?’

“Ahh!”

I felt cold sweat on my back.

I had a vision of sinking rapidly into a lake filled with water. A feeling of being pulled into a place so deep that you couldn’t see the bottom.

And that lake… was filled with magic.

‘There’s immense magic power inside.’

This isn’t my magic.

Even if I’m not a wizard, I could instinctively know this.

“What happens if I use this, really?”

It felt terrifying to use.

‘Should I test it?’

I only infused a tiny bit of magic, just enough to knock out an ant.

Click.

I pulled the trigger, aiming the gun at the sky.

Boom! Kugugugung-!

…I thought the world was ending.

‘What’s with these insane fireworks?’

The bullet shot into the sky exploded with a tremendous roar.

The next moment, I was lying flat on the forest floor, covering my head. My hair was wildly flying, and the ground vibrated.

“I thought it was an earthquake…”

I mumbled to myself.

‘With this much power, if I had shot properly, half of this forest would have been blown away.’

What on earth is this insane magic power?

“What happened?”

“Leticia! I saw her going into the forest earlier…!”

From a distance, Jade and Collen were running towards me.

I awkwardly stood up. Apologies should always come first after making a mistake.

“Dad, brother… I’m sorry. I was test firing this gun…”

I waved the gun sheepishly.

“Um. Before you get angry, could you call a magic artifact appraiser from the tower?”