KBRV 56

Chapter 56

“Good thing, sweetheart. I almost thought I’d miss the highlight. After all, you can only watch yourself die once.”

I shivered. How could someone say something that vile with a straight face? What a cursed bastard.

What kind of bad luck is this? Did I really have to run into him today, of all people?

“Let’s not meet again. Don’t ever step into my territory again.”

As if he’d forgotten his own words, he kept barging into my space whenever he pleased—

No, think positively. At least the rumor got misdirected toward the mansion.

If this bastard had followed the correct rumor and gone to the Albrecht Pharmaceutical lab, things would’ve turned into a nightmare.

Since he was a fire-ability holder, he could’ve easily extinguished any blaze, no matter how big. And he would’ve caught Paula too.

If Paula got caught now, Gisela would be dragged down as well. Of course, one day Paula would have to face punishment for arson—but that day wasn’t today.

Not until every link to Gisela was cut.

That was why I’d “held onto” him under the excuse of offering water. To keep Viktor away from running off to the lab to put out the fire.

The last time I checked, that bastard’s hostility rating was 75, right?

I had no intention of using the status window against Viktor. With my mother rampaging these past few days, situations were shifting too suddenly, and I couldn’t risk a 24-hour stamina debuff.

How am I supposed to deal with this damned variable that just popped up out of nowhere?

Even as I pumped water, a sharp headache throbbed through my skull.

Viktor had taken off his uniform jacket, standing in just his shirt, looking hot. Through his undone buttons, his throat was visible.

Drenched in sweat, he really does… look like some thug.

And the scar left by that countess on his neck—because it resembled a tattoo, it only made him look more delinquent.

He gulped down the water I handed him.

“Phew. That hits the spot.”

Half of it dribbled down his chin, but still.

He can’t be away for long. Around the end of spring, calamities flare up more than usual.

Besides, today a huge commotion was going to break out in the slums. All I had to do was hold him here a little longer—

“Why are you staring at my neck, sweetheart? Interested?”

Even knowing the stakes, he was still an unbearable human being.

“It’s just… that scar on your neck, Colonel. Looks like a gunshot wound. Must’ve hurt a lot.”

What else could I do but endure? Preventing him from reaching the lab came first.

I thought it was a decent enough answer, but Viktor’s face twisted.

“Why do you always have to talk like that? Ruins the mood.”

What’s your problem? I can’t even show concern?

Inside, I flared up, but I remembered—his hostility rating had been 75. Showing anger would be risky.

Then again… how are you any different from Zion?

No matter what I gave, they only took offense. Whether kindness, concern, or even something precious…

So getting angry at them was meaningless.

“Sorry if I overstepped.”

Just treat him like a pain-in-the-ass customer. Toss an apology and move on.

“My biological parents were killed by gunfire. That’s why I can’t help but notice gunshot wounds.”

I neatly wrapped up the conversation.

It wasn’t even a lie. It was one of the truths I’d once heard from Fernan’s nanny about my real parents.

That nanny had died a beggar in Red Globoznik in this life, so aside from me, no one knew anymore.

“…What kind of bullshit is that? You’re the Albrecht Count’s only daughter. He dotes on you like crazy.”

But Viktor sounded genuinely shocked.

Huh? Didn’t Zion share my adoption with the S-ranks ages ago? Why doesn’t he know?

His reaction was surprising, but then it clicked.

Right… with his personality, it’s not like he’d sit through reports at meetings.

“No. I was adopted. My real parents were killed by robbers.”

Strictly speaking, not robbers, but assassins targeting them.

“….”

“So when I see gunshot wounds, I can’t look away. It stirs something… sorry if that was crossing a line.”

If he weren’t a transcendent fire-user, I’d never go this far to appease him and keep him here.

Just a little longer. That’s all.

It won’t be long now. Any moment, the powder keg in the slums will blow.

The explosion had been so huge that even I, locked away in the attic, had noticed it in my past life. A turf war among gangs had escalated into disaster.

Viktor was the only one who’d stopped it back then. Same as now. Which meant I only had to keep him here a little longer.

But then something unexpected happened.

Wait… is he… lost in thought?

A shocking sight.

No, that can’t be. That idiot doesn’t even have the brain capacity to think.

Viktor was certified by Zion himself as a birdbrain. A serious expression looked utterly wrong on his face. I almost felt afraid.

“Ah, screw it!”

Thankfully, he soon gave up on thinking, scratching his head violently before standing up.

“I’m leaving, sweetheart. No point sticking around if I can’t watch you burn to death in the flames of hell.”

Damn it. He needs to stay at least ten more minutes.

By now the lab must’ve been blazing.

It wasn’t just any small fire. There was no way Viktor would miss it. And once he saw it, he’d definitely go, muttering ‘Well, isn’t this interesting?’

I couldn’t let him ruin my plan. In a panic, I grabbed his sleeve.

“Colonel König!”

Thankfully, he paused and turned back.

I fiddled with the ruby ring on my left hand.

It was fitted with a self-defense mechanism, made by Goetz. I never thought I’d use it on myself.

If you twisted the gem, a needle popped out, laced with a sedative—enough to put someone out for about an hour.

The same drug I’d once used on Karl. It had taken ages to work on that monster of a man, but for me, it would knock me out instantly.

Even if I have to collapse, I need to keep him here.

“What is it? Got something to say?”

I didn’t expect any “concern” from him. I was counting on Viktor’s rotten personality.

Didn’t he call my death scene a highlight earlier?

Then he’d probably find me collapsing in pain just as entertaining. At the very least, he wouldn’t leave right away.

But before I could use the needle, something inside me suddenly surged up.

“Cough, cough!”

Pain shot up from deep in my chest, and I instinctively let go of his sleeve to cover my mouth.

A handful of scarlet liquid splattered into my palm.

Wha—blood?

Why suddenly… blood?

I panicked, but I could still feel it pooling thick in my mouth, dribbling down the corners of my lips.

Why the hell am I coughing up blood?

I’d never had any such illness in my past life. There was no reason for it to suddenly strike me now. But my thoughts broke off.

“Cough!”

Another mouthful of blood burst out, and my body went limp.

“Vi… Viktor.”

Even to my own ears, my voice sounded like that of a drowning child.

“Hey, what’s wrong? Odette! Are you okay?”

I heard Viktor’s alarmed voice. My vision went dark, an ear-splitting ring filling my head. Through the haze, I thought I saw his face—stunned, shaken.

No, I must be imagining it. That bastard would be grinning, thrilled at the spectacle.

“Sweetheart!”

His last shout sounded distant, far away.

If he goes to the lab now… what do I do…?

That was my last thought before consciousness slipped away.