KFBRV Pt 2 Ch 36

Such gentle eyes.

Two years ago, she only showed that expression to the slave. It was a softened face, appearing only when she placed a small seed of trust in someone.

What is the difference between that bastard Johan and me?

Johan followed the rules a bit more than he did. But that was all. In the end, they were both lunatics.

No. In the sense that he even forced his subordinates to act, Johan was more insidious and coercive than Zion.

Zion glared at Johan, consumed by horrific jealousy.

Ridiculously, Johan wore a similar expression. It held as much jealousy as it did hatred and contempt.

Why? I have everything I want. What is missing?

[Johan] "Odette left the main hall, so let’s discuss that damned topic, Marquis Kleist. 'Purification'. What exactly does that mean?"

He suggested they "talk," but his actions contradicted his words. As he spoke, he struck Zion’s stomach with a heavy blow.

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After finishing her conversation with Rolf, Charlotte headed straight for the Great Banquet Hall.

I worried Raphael might hesitate because of Odette’s resurrection act.

Fortunately, Raphael left a note in her room before entering the High Priest meeting. It stated that he believed Odette was a fraud and that he trusted her.

He decided to believe her claim—that Odette had lived in secret—rather than the resurrection story.

He probably found it burdensome to retract his orders to his subordinates so soon.

After all, it was a choice between her and Odette. With a fifty-fifty chance, he gambled on his original choice.

The talk with Rolf ended well. Raphael decided to support me. This isn't bad.

Being outwitted earlier was unpleasant, but she could return the favor.

She shook off her mood and stepped into the Great Banquet Hall.

[Odette] "Welcome, Charlotte."

She faced Odette, who occupied the seat of honor at the long dining table.

[Charlotte] "......Why are you here?"

She froze and snapped back.

The Cathedral had prepared this holy feast specifically for Charlotte to reward her hard work. Only those she personally invited could enter.

[Odette] "A sub-priest just visited. The High Priest meeting is running long. He told us to enjoy the feast ourselves first."

[Charlotte] "This banquet is for the people I invited. I never invited you, Odette."

[Odette] "What can I do? The sub-priest sees me as a greater Saintess than you. He clearly thinks you lack the standing to refuse me."

Odette smirked. Charlotte’s face hardened further.

Even at a seat requiring an invitation, those of high enough rank could enter without one. Just like the Emperor in the Empire, or the Pope in the Cathedral.

Evidently, the sub-priests viewed Odette’s status as nearly equal to the Pope.

She was sitting in the seat of honor—the seat that originally belonged to Charlotte—proved it.

Charlotte’s pale blue eyes scanned the table. The servants had moved her seat. It now sat right next to the head of the table where Odette lounged.

The tablecloth, the silver, the food, the wine glasses, the silver candle holders, the cutlery, and the plates—everything at Odette’s spot was a grade higher than hers.

Furthermore, the silver was the kind only brought out for the Emperor.

It grated on her nerves, but she forced a smile.

It is fine. This arrogance is only temporary.

The High Priests missed the grand banquet because their meeting continued.

The longer the meeting lasts, the better it is for me.

If the meeting favored Odette’s miracle, it wouldn't take this long. It meant Raphael presented the "fraud" suspicion with great persuasion.

A meeting of this length meant the Pope and most High Priests leaned toward the idea of a scam.

The Cathedral and Odette are already enemies. The Pope likely dislikes her miracle as well.

Odette could only act out for a brief moment before the meeting ended.

[Odette] "I plan to stay here for a while. Everyone welcomes me so warmly that I feel sorry about rushing back to the Count’s estate."

She spoke with a mocking laugh, as if ridiculing Charlotte. She placed her index finger on the rim of her wine glass and slowly traced a circle.

Could she always make such a condescending face?

Charlotte decided to respond to the provocation.

[Charlotte] "Oh, Odette. You intended to return to the Count’s house? Even after how they treated you in the past life?"

She didn't hide that she possessed memories of the past, nor that she knew everything about Odette’s previous actions.

[Charlotte] "Do you want your tongue cut out again? You were cuter in the past life because you spoke less."

Charlotte smiled, revealing cute dimples. Her words were horrific compared to her lovely appearance.

[Odette] "Thank you for the compliment, Charlotte. You are cuter in this life, too. Especially your tiny, adorable 'Purification' amount."

You are only an A-class in this life, aren't you?

Her words carried that hidden meaning. Her teal eyes gleamed as if studying Charlotte.

[Charlotte] "......"

Charlotte remained silent. The words stung because they pointed to the proof that she was a fake Purifier. She gained nothing from the exchange.

[Odette] "The conversation seems finished, so I will eat first. I am starving after being resurrected for two years."

She smiled mockingly at Charlotte, picked up her knife, and sliced the steak.

The sound of meat tearing echoed through the dining hall. The fresco of the World Tree on the high ceiling looked down upon the two women.

[Charlotte] "Resurrection......?"

The word was so ridiculous that she snorted.

[Charlotte] "Is resurrection a frequent event for you? We met before your 'resurrection'. Did you die and return in that short time?"

[Odette] "Yes. Resurrection is my hobby."

She let out a hollow laugh at Odette’s shamelessness.

[Charlotte] "You reached this point through luck and memories of your past life. How unfortunate. Your memories end here. You died around this time."

Odette put the steak in her mouth. She ignored whatever Charlotte babbled.

[Charlotte] "You have a Status Window in this life, right? Are you this arrogant because of that?"

She gave a clear laugh.

[Charlotte] "Do you know why a Status Window exists in this world? It is because this world has a protagonist. And that protagonist is me."

Odette swallowed her steak and burst into giggles. Charlotte misunderstood the laughter.

She doesn't believe I am the protagonist.

Charlotte didn't know. This world was a game that Han Suwan had played hundreds of times.

She walked toward Odette.

Charlotte in her pure white priest uniform and Odette in her black funeral dress. This contrast symbolized their destinies.

Charlotte would live a holy life full of light, while Odette would live a life stained by death.

Standing beside her, Charlotte picked up a glass of water from the table and poured it directly over Odette’s head.

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