Chapter 100
The outdoor plaza of the Summer Palace was elevated, offering an unobstructed view of the sea.
As the night sea and the lights created a naturally romantic atmosphere, the ceremony for awarding the winner’s laurel crown began.
The dress Odette was wearing now reminded one of the ancient Greek Doric chiton.
The dress, which revealed her shoulders and arms, was simple yet elegant, while the water-colored lace shawl added an extra touch of sophistication.
“After the Industrial Revolution, they started calling them Purifiers, but before that, they were actually called saints, right?”
It was Rize’s intention, aiming for the word “saint,” which matched well with the laurel crown.
‘Of course, I never imagined I’d actually wear the crown myself.’
Odette had merely envisioned the scene where she would stand next to Karl wearing the crown.
She walked along the red carpet toward the emperor’s throne.
Climbing the granite steps and kneeling before the throne, the emperor, wrapped in bandages, reluctantly placed the laurel crown on her head.
“I bestow the winner’s laurel crown upon Odette Lina von Albrecht.”
“Your Majesty, I am—”
“If I had known, I should have just chosen the Crown Prince or Marquis Kleist as the winner. They caught such an enormous amount of game. Don’t you feel it’s unfair, my son?”
The emperor clicked his tongue at the mountain of game that Johan and Zion had amassed, giving Odette a pointed look.
Seeing the emperor openly displaying his displeasure, the other nobles hesitated, lowering their hands that were about to applaud.
‘It’s not like with Charlotte, huh?’
He had praised Charlotte endlessly when she had hunted just a single waterfowl egg—calling her clever, kind-hearted, and thoughtful.
But being scolded and quietly taking it was the fate of subordinates.
As Odette lowered her eyes obediently, the Crown Prince, who had remained silent, spoke.
“Even if I had won, I would have given the laurel crown to Lady Odette, Your Majesty.”
“What did you say?”
“In fact, that’s why I caught that much game. So, I harbor no resentment.”
The emperor’s face turned red as his son openly contradicted him in public.
But the emperor did not give up and looked at the Marquis.
“Do you think I would be different? The same goes for me.”
That was the worst move. Zion, the ultimate troublemaker, had no intention of sparing the emperor’s embarrassment.
Even more, as he finished speaking, Zion removed his hunting gloves and started applauding.
Clap clap clap clap. Right in front of the emperor.
“…….”
“…….”
Zion’s deliberate applause, ignoring the emperor’s scolding, made the plaza fall into a hushed awe.
Zion wasn’t unaware of etiquette; the cold atmosphere didn’t stop him. He clapped persistently, long and loud.
‘…Should I feel grateful for this?’
Thanks to Zion’s brazen provocation, the emperor’s displeased gaze fixed on Zion instead of Odette.
The real problem was that even the emperor’s son wasn’t on the emperor’s side.
Clap clap clap clap. Johan, too, began applauding heartily, following Zion.
Now the nobles started hesitating, unsure how to react.
‘One is the Crown Prince more popular than the emperor, and the other is the emperor’s personal pet richer than the emperor.’
The first to follow the applause was Count Lilienthal.
“Congratulations, Lady Odette!”
As the count called out, the young ladies who admired her, followed by the gentlemen who wanted to impress them, slowly joined in the applause.
In the end, contrary to the emperor’s wishes, a rather grand applause echoed through the plaza. The embarrassed emperor grimaced.
He abruptly turned his head, glaring at Odette.
‘Are you happy you caused this mess?’
Intent on making her feel intimidated.
Unfortunately, it had little effect.
Odette wasn’t focused on the emperor’s expression but on the status window that had appeared the moment she wore the crown.
[♡Quest Completed♡]
[Acquired the Winner’s Emblem ‘Laurel Crown’]
[You have obtained a ‘Laurel Crown’ made from the leaves of the World Tree.]
[If you place the World Tree’s leaves in the status window, rewards will be granted.]
[Reward: Inventory Function Restored]
“Ahem! Bring me the golden goblet!”
When there was no reaction to his hint, the emperor, looking embarrassed, finally called a servant.
It was to stop the guests’ applause. The applause gradually subsided as the emperor wished, and soon the servant brought Odette the golden goblet.
The emperor filled the goblet with wine from a golden bottle.
“Raise your cup.”
“Your humble servant thanks you, Your Majesty.”
Odette took the goblet with both hands and drank the wine.
‘Once I receive the usual congratulations, the ceremony will be over—’
But instead of congratulations came complaints.
“I shouldn’t have made the rule that allows giving the laurel crown to a woman.”
His words were loaded with lowly implications: that she only won by exploiting a rule, and that he himself had created that rule.
‘Even the smallest pot must be bigger than this guy’s, I guess.’
He seemed quite displeased that she had kept Karl for herself. Odette, being generous, simply smiled softly.
‘I am the savior of your life, you petty fool.’
That was the message she conveyed.
“Receive your prize from the servant. Step aside now.”
“Yes, then this young lady will take her leave, Your Majesty.”
Odette lifted her skirt slightly and bowed politely. The emperor waved his hand dismissively, showing his annoyance. She lowered her head and stepped back.
“Servant! Take Karl to the infirmary! He was seriously injured trying to protect me. Call the palace physician to treat him!”
Greed gleamed in his eyes; he clearly wanted another chance to persuade Karl separately.
‘Good for me. The count wouldn’t leave me alone anyway. I needed to keep Karl separated until now.’
The servant who had followed Odette handed her a wooden box. In the game, the emperor had personally handed Charlotte the winner’s gifts.
“Milady, here is your prize. The royal family’s revolver and silver bullets.”
“Well done. No need for explanations.”
“Yes. I shall withdraw.”
Odette knew about this revolver and silver bullets.
Originally, this year’s hunting contest had been abruptly canceled, and the prize would carry over to next year.
In other words, it was the same prize Charlotte had received in the game.
‘These silver bullets are magical; they only make the target unconscious for a few hours, not dead.’
During those few hours, the person looked like a corpse.
Odette had planned to use the hunting contest to get Karl specifically because she needed this item.
‘Now the question is how to keep it in my hands.’
Her father stood to the left side of the plaza, whispering something to Dolly.
‘They’re probably plotting to take my prize, giving orders to snatch it.’
As expected, Dolly immediately walked toward her.
Fortunately, Odette had moved to the opposite stairs. She naturally hid behind the fountain in the center of the outdoor garden and opened the status window.
‘Status window, how do I put the World Tree’s leaves in it?’
[Remove the leaf attached to the laurel crown and push it into the status window.]
At the same time, an empty pale pink status window appeared where her right hand was. It seemed to indicate she should insert it there.
She removed a leaf from the laurel crown and pushed it into the glowing window. The window shone bright white as it absorbed the leaf.
[Reward Received: Inventory Function Restored]
[The inventory window has been successfully restored.]
[You can now use this function.]
The status window in front of her now looked almost identical to the one she had seen in Danguwon.
Gradually, she became certain. Repeating quests would likely grant her a status window as omnipotent as the one in Danguwon.
With her inventory restored, the only differences from the in-game status window were the absence of ‘Reputation,’ ‘Shop,’ and ‘Affinity’ functions. The most necessary of these was—
‘First, I need to secure the prize before Dolly gets here. I can’t let my father take it.’
She opened the lid of the wooden box.
Inside, just like in the game, were a black flintlock pistol with silver engravings and silver bullets.
‘Store the revolver and silver bullets in the inventory.’
In an instant, the wooden box was empty.
She quickly placed a ring she had hidden in her dress pocket into the empty box.
It was a purple gemstone ring full of mystique, crafted by Madame Sarah. Its unique design made it look rare to anyone who saw it.
She had just closed the box when Dolly appeared by the fountain.
