KFBRV Pt 2 Ch 64

Odette watched Karl retreated. Hatred, guilt, and pity swirled within her, a chaotic storm of emotions.

While trapped inside that prison of time, the dark red sphere looked like a miniature universe.

A thunderous crash echoed as Johan and Viktor shattered the cage. The tiny universe broke into hundreds of pieces, raining down onto the floor.

Odette's eyes widened. She stared at the fragments falling like a meteor shower. Each shard acted as a mirror, reflecting a different scene.

One shard showed Karl running through a vast desert. Another reflected him swinging an axe at her neck. A third captured her with a bird perched on her fingertip.

Odette gasped.

These…… these are all from my past life.

The scenes within the shards never happened in this lifetime.

How is this possible? How can fragments of an ability contain memories of a past life……?

Karl possessed no memories of the previous world. He had only created this prison of time today.

Then how can these shards reflect the past? And why…… why is every single image related to me?

The situation defied logic. A single theory flashed through her mind.

Could my regression be linked to Karl's power?

No. That was impossible. Time-based abilities had strict limits. Even an S-class Transcendent could only rewind a few meters of space or a few days.

Rewinding time for the entire continent required the power of a god, not a Beast.

Yes. That must be it. But then…… why……?

Her gut insisted Karl played a role in her return to the past.

Her heart hammered against her ribs. One fact remained certain amidst the confusion.

Karl must not die.

She gripped Viktor's sleeve.

[Odette] "Colonel. I am fine, so please go and stop Johan. You kill him. He must not be executed…… He ."

If Karl was the catalyst for her regression, she couldn't let him die. His death might trigger unknown consequences for the timeline they live in now.

Viktor looked down at her, his expression unreadable.

[Viktor] "Odette, calm down. Your safety comes first."

[Odette] "No. I let him die. Please, you have to stop Johan—"

[Viktor] "I won't leave you alone, Odette."

Furthermore, Viktor had no desire to save Karl. If those scenes in the shards truly happened in Karl's past life and if he had been as miserable as Odette……

[Viktor] "I will not leave you here. And I take you to where Karl is."

As he refused, a voice arrived like a savior.

[Zion] "Odette. Are you alright? You aren't hurt, are you?"

His voice echoed through the estate. He had arrived just in time, drawn by the commotion in the dungeon.

[Zion] "I know you don't want to see me. But I couldn't just stand by and watch."

He looked hesitant, clearly aware he had trespassed without her permission. His state was almost pitiful, but Odette ignored him. She tightened her grip on Viktor's sleeve instead.

[Odette] "Now…… is this enough? Please stop Johan. Karl must not die."

Viktor stared at her for a long time.

[Odette] "Please?"

Her voice broke into a plea. Viktor sighed, his voice thick with frustration.

[Viktor] "Damn it. Fine! I’ll save him since you asked. Just stop looking so terrified."

Terrified……?

Am I afraid of Karl dying?

Odette saw her reflection in Viktor's pale green eyes. Her face was pale, twisted with pure terror.

[Viktor] "When you make that face, I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm hurting you again. Like I'm ruining everything again. So……"

He reached toward her face, his hand hovering before he pulled it back.

[Viktor] "……Damn it."

He muttered the curse and vanished, leaving her without a single touch.

Zion asked no questions. He only offered a bitter smile and placed a cigar in his mouth, though he didn't light it.

[Zion] "Poor bastard."

A mocking laugh escaped him. It was unclear if he meant Viktor or himself.

---

Paula climbed the stairs, observing the strange atmosphere of the Albrecht estate. The mansion felt heavy and depressed. Compared to when she left, the number of servants had dropped by half.

I was worried about seeing old coworkers; I barely recognize anyone.

The lower servants at the estate used to be skilled professionals. The high wages attracted experienced staff. Now, it seemed the Count had fired them all to save money, replacing them with amateurs. The household lacked any sense of order.

It looks like they couldn't even hire a new butler after Rolf died.

The house was a mess. Marble floors, stairs, and chandeliers remained shattered and unrepaired. The new furniture looked cheap.

A total disaster.

Paula clicked her tongue and knocked on the door she was led to.

[Charlotte] "Come in."

She entered and bowed low to Charlotte, who sat before a vanity mirror.

[Paula] "Good morning. I am Paula. I will be serving Lady Charlotte starting today."

[Charlotte] "Yes. It's nice to meet you."

[Paula] "I will do my best to serve you. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity."

Charlotte stood and held out a bracelet.

[Charlotte] "Come here, Paula. I prepared a gift for you."

[Paula] "A gift? For me?"

Paula rushed to the vanity. A gold bracelet set with a large ruby snapped onto her wrist.

[Charlotte] "It's a welcoming gift. I look forward to working with you."

Charlotte smiled sweetly. Paula felt the vast difference between this room and Sasha's slums.

Yes. This is my world. This is where I belong.

She felt she could endure anything as long as she worked for the lovely Lady Charlotte. Once this job was done, becoming the wife of Viscount Köndel was only a matter of time.

[Paula] "Thank you."

As Paula stepped back, she finally noticed Malea. The other girl was busy brushing Charlotte's hair.

Malea still wore a simple apron and headscarf, her only jewelry a pair of tiny coral earrings. In contrast, Paula wore fine clothes and a ruby bracelet.

I am the only lady-in-waiting now.

Malea had helped Sasha escape the monastery, so Paula felt no ill will toward her, but she couldn't help feeling superior.

BOOM!

A massive explosion rocked the building.

[Paula] "What was that?"

The door burst open before Paula could process the sound.

[Ulrich] "Damn it! Transcendents have broken into the dungeon. They found Karl!"

His voice was frantic.

[Ulrich] "Come to the basement immediately and stop them! You are a Purifier, Charlotte. You can stop a Transcendent, you?!"

Charlotte paused as she rose from her chair.

[Charlotte] "Tell me…… were there black fragments scattered in the dungeon?"

[Ulrich] "Yes! How did you know?"

[Charlotte] "I need a moment to prepare before I can stop them. Go down first."

A moment to prepare.

As Charlotte spoke, her gaze flickered to Paula for a split second. A chill ran down Paula's spine.

[Charlotte] "Malea. Go with the Count and try to stall the Transcendents. I will follow shortly."

[Malea] "Yes, Lady Charlotte."

As Malea and the Count hurried out, she muttered under her breath.

[Charlotte] "How funny. He refused to tell me where Karl was, no matter how many times I asked. And now, when it's too late……"

Her voice was dark and cold, unrecognizable as hers.

[Charlotte] "Since Karl has started using his powers…… this is the only way to stay ahead."

She walked toward the door. Paula expected her to leave, but she simply closed the door.

Click.

The sound of the lock turning echoed. Charlotte turned to Paula with a strange question.

[Charlotte] "Paula. Would you like another bracelet?"

[Paula] "A…… bracelet?"

Paula blinked in confusion. Why talk about jewelry in the middle of an explosion? She had just told the Count she would be right down.

Charlotte returned to the vanity and pulled a jewelry box from a drawer.

[Paula] "My Lady. This isn't the time. We can talk about jewelry later—"

The box clicked open. Instead of a sparkling bracelet, the box contained a small bottle filled with green liquid.

Paula stopped talking.

The jewelry box caught her attention in a strange, hypnotic way.

This box…… why does it look so familiar?

---

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