KFBRV Pt 2 Ch 30

How dare she... she never even died! How dare she pretend to be resurrected!

Another believer recited the following verse.

Charlotte scanned her surroundings. It wasn’t just the pilgrims; every person present shuddered at the spectacle.

[Believer] "The Gods genuinely intend to save Barzeha."

The resurrection and return of the Savior were prophesied in the Book of Revelation.

The crowd buzzed with the thrill of witnessing a miracle. Several people even sobbed. No one noticed Charlotte’s presence; every gaze remained fixed on the glowing sea in absolute awe.

Finally, a figure emerged from the surface at the boundary of the river and the sea.

As she expected, it was Odette.

Odette’s eyes, which had remained closed as she rose, finally fluttered open once her body cleared the water. Her lashes, heavy and dark with moisture, lent her a hallowed appearance that even Charlotte found undeniably sublime.

She prepared thoroughly.

Charlotte bit her lip.

Is it a magic tool? How did she make the ocean glow?

And what trick allowed her to walk upon the water? No Purifier possessed such abilities—breathing underwater or illuminating an entire river was unheard of.

Now that the fireworks had ceased, the ocean was the only source of light in the vast landscape. Consequently, Odette’s silhouette as she traversed the waves remained vividly clear.

She wore the very shroud from her state funeral: a black silk dress and a matching veil. She even clutched a single chrysanthemum, identical to the ones placed upon her "corpse" in mourning.

Since the funeral had been a massive, highly publicized event, every citizen recognized her attire.

She used her status window. After retrieving her body, she must have used the inventory function to change her clothes.

While Charlotte deduced the truth, the realization that everyone else would accept this as proof of resurrection made her head throb.

The path of light led toward the Rothbart River. Odette crossed the water and finally reached the land in front of the cathedral, stepping onto the ground where the crowds stood—right where Charlotte waited.

Her face, pale and bloodless as if she truly had been submerged in icy water, made her look like a corpse returned to life.

What method did she use?

Charlotte burned to interrogate her, but with so many witnesses, she had to restrain herself.

[Crowd] "......"

Two years ago, when Odette performed the miracle of the Rothbart River, the atmosphere had been festive, with people cheering and bowing. Now, it was different. Among the massive crowd, not a single person dared to breathe loudly.

A Saintess who had finally returned from the dead. In the eyes of the people, Odette was no longer a mere Purifier; she was a Savior.

Everyone, excluding Charlotte, waited in breathless silence for the resurrected woman’s first words.

Finally, she spoke.

[Odette] "It is quite cold. Would you mind moving aside?"

Her tone was remarkably casual, like someone who had accidentally fallen into a river and climbed back out.

[Crowd] "......"

The crowd silently parted. They moved with agonizing care, terrified of breaking the miraculous silence or the divine atmosphere.

Odette offered a slight nod of gratitude to the believers and walked toward the Central Cathedral.

The pilgrims followed her in a solemn procession, as if participating in a Savior's pilgrimage.

The people who had been desperate to shake Charlotte’s hand moments ago no longer spared her a glance.

Charlotte watched from behind as the terrifyingly large crowd trailed after Odette.

How interesting.

She felt the weight of the blow.

My original plans are useless now.

With Odette reappearing like this, she could no longer attack her supporters or incite betrayal by claiming she had been alive all along.

She sighed and turned her gaze toward the cathedral.

I need to meet Rolf as soon as I return.

She thought she understood why Odette had staged such a massive spectacle. It was a provocation.

However, she had no intention of running. Coexistence was impossible. It had been that way in her past life, and the life before that.

You haven't fought enough to know real war, you little brat.

If Odette wanted to provoke her, she would play along.

I need to prepare Mengele as well. A much sharper version.

She had never lost to Odette. That history would not change in this lifetime.

---

Odette led the crowd toward the cathedral. The people followed her as if possessed, but they couldn't pass the solemn gates.

[Paladin] "No one may enter except Saintess Odette."

The followers halted outside. However, even the paladins who blocked them seemed shaken by the miracle. Their movements as they ushered Odette inside were reverent and cautious. As she passed, they even dropped to one knee.

Feeling a slight twinge of guilt, Odette maintained her performance as the newly resurrected Savior until she reached the Pope.

[Pope] "Ha......"

He was too stunned to react.

[Pope] "How... how on earth......"

He gasped for air until she stood directly before him. She performed a slight curtsy, lifting her damp skirt.

[Odette] "It has been a long time, Your Holiness."

[Pope] "How... by what means......"

The glowing sea and river must have been visible from inside the cathedral. The Pope, too, was undoubtedly recalling the verses of Revelation. His expression mirrored the dazed shock of the believers outside.

Ridiculous. I’ve never seen the Pope look like that.

He was a man who normally calculated how to exploit her the moment he saw her.

[Pope] "Have you been resurrected, Lady Odette?"

It was almost comical to see such a man so utterly bewildered.

[Odette] "I have no words of my own to offer, Your Holiness. Other than the fact that this is all the will of the Gods."

Gods, my foot. It was all Karin’s idea.

She thought, even as she maintained a noble, brazen smile.

She then noticed a young High Priest standing behind the Pope.

In contrast to the others who were awestruck, this man looked troubled and deep in thought. His attitude was so different from the rest that Odette immediately identified him.

So, he's the one. Charlotte's chess piece.

She recognized his face.

His name was... Raphael, right?

The man destined to become the next Pope after the current one died in the original game.

I’ll need to contact Goetz and Müller. There’s someone I need to investigate.

It was fortunate that Charlotte’s pawn was a public figure. Men like him were easy to dismantle if one looked for their flaws.

I'll deal with him later. No need to worry about him now.

She shifted her gaze back to the Pope.

[Odette] "Your Holiness, I am quite cold after coming out of the sea. May I go inside?"

She was indeed cold, but she also wanted to disperse the believers who were staring at her through the gates. If she stayed, they would likely remain there forever.

Performing such a massive fraud... it does prick the conscience a bit.

[Pope] "Y-yes, of course. You have just been resurrected, after all."

He was eyeing her black shroud.

He probably chose this silk dress himself.

He seemed to be inspecting the garment to see if it was a fake, still half-doubting her survival.

It's no use. I replicated the dress perfectly with the status window.

After a long inspection, the Pope finally spoke again.

[Pope] "Then, I shall escort you to the Papal Palace immediately. To the largest and most luxurious drawing room."

The palace was a private area within the cathedral grounds. It was a modern building and would certainly be comfortable.

But it’s too isolated. It would be hard to move quickly.

He likely suggested it for that very reason—to keep her from wandering freely.

She shook her head.

[Odette] "Could we go to the Audience Chamber instead?"

[Pope] "The Audience Chamber... you say?"

The chamber was located in the main hall of the cathedral. It was a central hub, making it easy to monitor everything and move wherever she pleased.

The Pope looked hesitant, but he couldn't refuse—not with the eyes of the massive crowd outside boring into him.

They watched him with sharp, suspicious glares, wondering if he would neglect her again as he had years ago.

[Pope] "Yes, very well. If that is what you wish."

Under those watchful eyes, the Pope feigned a warm expression and carefully took Odette’s hand to escort her.

At that moment, a shocked cry erupted from the gates.

[Crowd] "Agh!"

The commotion spread through the throng like wildfire, growing louder by the second.

[Believer 1] "Uh......"

[Believer 2] "How... how is he here?"

The noise was impossible to ignore.

Odette turned toward the gates, but before she could see the cause, someone grabbed her shoulder and pulled.

Eh?

A gentle yet firm strength yanked her back. Her body tilted, and she tumbled into someone’s arms.

[Johan] "Odette. Gasp, gasp. Odette."

Ragged breathing. A desperate voice calling her name. Hot breath.

His solid frame was trembling—a vibration only she was close enough to perceive.

[Johan] "You’ve returned, Odette. You’ve returned safely."

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