KFBRV Ch 100

The square of the Summer Palace sat on high ground, overlooking the wide-open sea.

The night sea and the illuminations created a romantic atmosphere as the victor's laurel wreath ceremony commenced.

Odette's current dress evoked the image of an ancient Greek Doric chiton.

The gown, baring her shoulders and arms, possessed a clean elegance, while a water-colored lace shawl added a touch of brilliance.

[Lize] "People only called them Purifiers after the Industrial Revolution, but before that, they called them Saintesses, didn't they?"

The design stemmed from Lize's intention to highlight the 'Saintess' image, a perfect match for the laurel wreath.

Of course, I didn't expect I'd be the one wearing the laurel wreath.

Odette had originally envisioned a picture where she remained in the background, standing beside Karl as he wore the crown.

She stepped onto the red carpet and headed toward the Emperor's seat. She climbed the carved granite stairs and knelt before the throne.

The Emperor, heavily wrapped in bandages, placed the laurel wreath upon her head with a sour expression.

[Gregory] "I bestow the victor's laurel wreath upon Odette Lina von Albrecht."

[Odette] "Your Majesty, I am honor—"

[Gregory] "If I knew this would happen, I should have named the Crown Prince or Marquis Kleist as the victor instead. Just look at the massive pile of prey they hunted. Aren't you upset, my son?"

He clicked his tongue, glaring at the monstrous mountain of prey Johan and Zion had accumulated. He deliberately directed his displeasure at Odette.

As he blatantly displayed his foul mood, the other nobles awkwardly lowered their hands, abandoning their applause.

I suppose it won't go the same way it did for Charlotte?

He had praised Charlotte endlessly when she presented a single waterbird egg. He had called her exceptionally witty, kind-hearted, and deeply thoughtful.

Still, enduring a superior's humiliation gracefully remained the fate of a subordinate.

Odette lowered her eyes obediently. In that moment, the Crown Prince, who had maintained a steadfast silence, spoke up.

[Johan] "Even if I had won, I would have dedicated the laurel wreath to Lady Odette, Your Majesty."

[Gregory] "What?"

[Johan] "In fact, I hunted that much specifically for that purpose. Therefore, I hold no grievances."

A deep crimson flush spread across Gregory's face after suffering such a public contradiction from his own son.

Refusing to yield, he turned his gaze to the Marquis.

[Zion] "Why would I be any different? I share the same sentiment."

Seeking his support proved to be the worst possible move. Zion, the pinnacle of arrogance, possessed zero inclination to save the Emperor's face.

To twist the knife further, Zion pulled off his hunting gloves the moment he finished speaking and applauded.

Clap, clap, clap, clap.

A blatant display of defiance directed straight at the Emperor.

[Gregory] "......"

[Guests] "......"

His applause, utterly dismissing the Emperor's authority, dragged the square into a suffocating silence.

Zion ignored social cues, even though he could read them. Despite the freezing atmosphere, he continued his relentless, prolonged clapping.

Am I supposed to feel grateful for this?

Thanks to Zion's insane provocation, Gregory's disgruntled glare locked onto the Marquis instead of Odette.

The greater problem lay in the fact that his son refused to take his side.

Clap, clap, clap, clap.

Johan cheerfully joined in, matching Zion's applause.

The nobles shifted their eyes, desperately calculating their next move.

One is a Crown Prince far more popular than Gregory himself, and the other is Gregory's dog, who possesses more wealth than the Imperial Treasury.

Countess Lilienthal broke the hesitation, bringing her hands together first.

[Lilienthal] "Congratulations, Lady Odette!"

At her shout, the young ladies who idolized the Countess joined in, followed closely by the gentlemen eager to impress those ladies. The applause rippled outward.

Consequently, a magnificent roar of applause swelled across the square, directly opposing Gregory's wishes. His face crumpled in blatant humiliation.

He whipped his head around, fixing Odette with a venomous glare.

Are you happy you caused this mess?

He poured every ounce of his intimidation into that look, demanding her submission.

Unfortunately for him, the attempt failed.

She ignored his expression entirely. Her eyes remained locked on the status window that had materialized the moment the laurel wreath touched her head.

[♡ Quest Successful ♡]

[Acquired the symbol of victory, the 'Laurel Wreath'.]

[You have obtained the 'Laurel Wreath' woven from the leaves of the World Tree.]

[Insert a leaf of the World Tree into the status window to receive your reward.]

[Reward: Recovery of 'Inventory' function.]

[Gregory] "Ahem, hem! Bring the golden chalice!"

Failing to elicit any reaction to his glares, he summoned an attendant with an awkward, flustered expression.

He needed an excuse to stop the guests' applause. The clapping died down according to his will, and a servant quickly presented Odette with the golden chalice.

He poured wine from a golden pitcher, filling the cup to the brim.

[Gregory] "Raise your cup."

[Odette] "I am honored, Your Majesty."

She accepted the chalice with both hands and drank the wine.

Now I just need to listen to some standard words of blessing, and the ceremony will be over—

However, a petty grumble replaced the expected blessing.

[Gregory] "I never should have created the rule allowing a victor to dedicate the laurel wreath to a woman."

The statement dripped with base implications. He meant to say, You only obtained that wreath by exploiting a rule, so you aren't the true victor, alongside the reminder, And I am the one who made that rule in the first place.

Even a soy sauce dish has more depth than this man's petty ego.

Her refusal to surrender Karl had clearly festered into a deep resentment. But Odette possessed far more grace, so she offered a soft smile.

I saved your life, you petty bastard.

She conveyed the thought entirely through her eyes.

[Gregory] "Collect your prize from the attendant. You may step back now."

[Odette] "Yes. I shall take my leave then, Your Majesty."

She lifted her skirts into a polite curtsy, but he merely waved his hand in a dismissive, bothered gesture. She bowed her head and retreated.

[Gregory] "Attendant! Take Karl to the infirmary immediately! He suffered severe injuries while saving me. It is only right that we summon the Imperial Physician to treat him!"

Greed gleamed in his eyes. He clearly intended to corner Karl and attempt further persuasion in private.

This works in my favor. The Count won't leave me alone after this. I needed to separate Karl from myself anyway.

The attendant following Odette handed her a solid wooden box. In the game, Gregory had personally presented the victor's prize to Charlotte.

[Attendant] "My Lady, your prize. A pistol and silver bullets, an heirloom of the Imperial Family."

[Odette] "Thank you for your effort. You don't need to explain further."

[Attendant] "Yes. I shall take my leave."

She already knew the specifics of the gun and the silver bullets.

In the original timeline, this year's hunting competition had abruptly dissolved, and this very prize rolled over to the following year's event.

Meaning, it was the same prize Charlotte had received in the game.

These silver bullets are magical artifacts. Even if someone takes a hit, they only lose consciousness for a few hours. It isn't lethal.

And for those few hours, the victim appeared exactly like a gunshot corpse.

She had orchestrated her plan to claim Karl during the hunting competition specifically because she absolutely needed to acquire this item.

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Now, the question is how I protect this in my own hands.

Her father stood on the left side of the square. He muttered something into Doly's ear.

He undoubtedly covets the prize in my hands, so he must be ordering her to snatch it away.

As expected, Doly marched straight toward her.

Fortunately, Odette had descended the stairs on the opposite side of the square. She naturally concealed herself behind the fountain in the center of the outdoor garden and summoned the status window.

Status window, how exactly do I insert the leaf of the World Tree into you?

[Detach a leaf from the Laurel Wreath and push it into the status window.]

Simultaneously, an empty, pale pink status window materialized right where her right hand rested. It hovered there, as if waiting for her to slide the leaf inside.

She plucked a single leaf from the laurel wreath and pushed it into the glowing light of the interface. The window flared with a brilliant white brilliance and swallowed the leaf.

[Reward Claimed: Recovery of 'Inventory' function.][The Inventory window has been successfully restored.][You may now use this function.]

The interface hovering before her eyes now looked almost identical to the status window from <The Only Savior>.

A quiet certainty settled over her. If she continued to complete these quests, she would eventually possess a status window as omnipotent as the one in the game.

With the inventory restored, the only remaining differences between this interface and the game's version were the missing 'Reputation,' 'Shop,' and 'Affection' features. Among those, the most critical one was—.

First, I need to stash the prize before Doly arrives. I cannot let Father take this from me.

She opened the lid of the wooden box.

Inside lay a black flintlock pistol with silver engravings, alongside the silver bullets—exactly as it had appeared in the game.

Store the pistol and silver bullets in the inventory.

In an instant, the solid wooden box emptied.

She quickly pulled a ring she had hidden in her dress pocket and placed it into the empty box.

It was a purple gemstone ring that radiated a mysterious aura—a creation of Madam Sarah. The craftsmanship was so unique that anyone would immediately recognize it as a rare artifact.

Almost the exact second she snapped the wooden lid shut, Doly appeared beside the fountain.

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