Chapter 74

Chapter 74

Cheshire Cat learned of the existence of someone who can rewind time, and began the search for winter users right away.

The means they used this time were different from that of Herod.

“Do you know how the Four Seasons’ power awakens?”

“For all I know, it’s when they synchronize with the keyword of their respective seasons.”

Don’t tell me this information is false, too?

As Ravia seemed to hold back from saying her thoughts aloud, Rette nodded lightly.

“That information is correct. But I found ‘synchronize’ itself a fairly ambiguous term.”

Not to mention the keywords in each season weren’t clearly expressed.

Come to think of it, how could one ‘synchronize’ with words such as growth or immaturity, or maturity and restart?

So Rette generously gave an example.

“In the case of autumn, the user will be constantly pushed to the height of maturity. The users will continue getting mature beyond their actual age, and their power will awaken once their mind breaks down as they pass the height of maturity.”

In other words, those whose minds are older than their actual age must deal with major skepticism, paranoia, pridefulness, and self-satisfaction.

“The change in hair color is a sign of awakening.”

“Are you saying Herod’s original hair color wasn’t red?”

“He had black hair by nature. It changes to red as the result of awakening.”

“Coincidentally, red hair is not that uncommon in Orpheus, so it wasn’t a very noticeable trait,” Crow concluded. Ravia looked surprised for a moment and asked again.

“What about you, Rette?”

“I used to have dirty gray hair. That color is pretty common in the slums.”

Bright and vivid hair colors are equivalent to an identity card. The lower the rank, the more blood mixed, the murkier or duller their hair color became.

Rette’s current hair was a vivid jade color akin to an evergreen forest. Rette looked down at her hair for a moment, and returned to the issue.

“…Anyway, it should be noted that the hair color changes parallel with the season during the awakening process. The timing is different for each person. That’s why Herod tried to find the spring user using this method.”

Those who had already awakened their power could not be seen in the eyes of summer. So Herod sent his people to ask around if there was someone who had a sudden change of hair color, but it was all for naught.

Of course, that was what Herod struggled with nowadays, but Ravia knew the truth more or less. So she asked,

“So, are you trying to find winter users in the same way?”

“Well, it’s similar, but my side was more fortuitous. I wasn’t sure if the spring user had fully awakened, but I caught the winter user for sure. And you were the one who caught the clue that led to that foresight.”

Rette added, “At first, I wasn’t sure what made you into the key, but now that the situation turned out this way, I think I figured the answer.”

Rette recalled Herod talking to Tidwell about the four season ability. At that time, Rette had sat with them to serve as an example of a seasonal user.

–When seasonal users awaken their power, are you saying it will be marked by a sudden change in their hair color?

–Yeah, this fella used to have gray hair. But look, now it’s a vivid jade color.

–Did that happen to you, too?

–That’s how it is. I don’t stand out too much because red-hair is common in Orpheus.

–Well, that’s interesting. My hair color changed as well.

Rette couldn’t forget the moment Herod’s expression changed as if he had been hit by cold water.

Also, she didn’t look in the mirror, but it wasn’t hard to guess that she had an expression similar to Herod’s.

Herod might be quite pleased to confirm that Tidwell wasn’t the spring user, but not Rette.

White was also the color that was frequently used to represent the winter awakening.

“I’m afraid to tell you that your step-brother, Tidwell, is the winter user.” Rette said cautiously.

“…I want to know if there’s a basis for your claim. Just in case you didn’t know, Tidwell’s hair color changed years ago. He swallowed poison when he was young which resulted in a change of hair color.”

“I know that much. But the process of awakening can be very long or instantaneous depending on the person. That’s not the only evidence. Moreover, he’s…..”

“He’s a man who is devoid of emotion, My Lady.” Crow interjected.

Unlike Rette, who spoke hesitantly, he spoke in a clear and firm tone.

“The more the seasonal users use their ability, the more they synchronize with their season. It is said that winter is the season where humanity is devastated. If winter lasts for too long, it’ll be a harsh season in which no crops can grow and starvation thrives. And Dark Flower is very famous for being emotionally dry.”

“Wait a minute. But Tidwell is…” Ravia unwittingly tried to refute, but she was quickly cut off.

“My Lady, don’t tell me you truly feel he’s a kind man just because he has been sweet to you?” His sharp question left her speechless.

Ravia realized why Rette was very careful with her words.

If Tidwell was the winter user and already experienced the phase of awakening….

“…Does that mean he’s going to be completely devoid of emotions later?”

“Yes,”

“But now….that doesn’t seem to be the case.”

Ravia had seen his fluctuating emotions. The moment he broke down in front of her and the face that smiled at her. Until the moment he grabbed her hand and didn’t let go.

“….I already know that the Dark Flower is affectionate toward you, My Lady. But that’s probably the maximum level of humanity he can ever show.”

It was already decided that a winter user will be awakened.

“Since a long time ago, there was a prophecy to awaken the winter ability. So maybe there will be an ‘incident’ to trigger his complete awakening.”

Crow explained further that after the awakening, the user will lose their emotion entirely. As the story progressed there, Rette, who had been hesitating all along, chimed in.

“And….I think that incident will be about you, Unnie.”

An ordinary person who got tangled up in different prophecies.

The person who was certain to fall victim to the prophecy, Ravia Leontine.

“When he loses all of his humanity and his mind is devastated, he will awaken his winter ability. Only then can we find a way to solve the Cheshire phenomenon. And if you ask me about how to drive Tidwell into devastation….I think the best option would be killing you, Unnie.” Rette said with a voice full of sadness.

She couldn’t help but voice the harsh words because Ravia was too perfect to trigger Tidwell’s awakening.

A woman who is loved by a man who lacks humanity.

A woman sitting at the top of Tidwell’s priority.

Only then did Rette realize why the summer prophecy seemed to protect Ravia.

As long as Ravia is Tidwell’s precious person.

Tidwell will awaken his power at her expense.

Each word she meant to say was painful, so Rette clenched her skirt and continued.

“Unnie, you’re too deeply involved in this….bad luck awaits you no matter where you go, and if something goes wrong, you could lose your life.”

“….So what?”

(TL/N: Her reaction is a huge spoiler already. C’mon Rette and Crow, Tidwell ain’t the one T,T)

However, unlike the restless Rette, Ravia was extremely calm. In the midst of this devastating situation, she reacted like someone threw cold water on her.

Ravia creased her forehead while calmly tapping the armrest with her index finger and asked.

“So what’s your point, Rette?”

“I…I want to make a future where you don’t die, Unnie.”

“Is there a way to do that?”

“It’s simple. His awakening is inevitable, but the method has not been decided yet.”

A way to trigger Tidwell’s awakening without sacrificing Ravia’s life.

“I don’t know the details yet, but in a scenario where you get to abandon Tidwell–”

“I think I know a way.”

It was really incredible because she was planning to kick Tidwell out of the family at the same time.

What a magnificent destiny.

Ravia sorted through scenarios as if putting a puzzle together.

Just when she finally thought she could fix this twisted relationship, she didn’t expect the hidden truth to suddenly emerge and hit her in the head.

Cheshire Cat

A winter user who could rewind the time.

The days when she ran for her dear life just to escape the likes of fate or prophecy had suddenly become ridiculous and laughable.

The saying that bad luck will follow her wherever she goes was still more funny.

She was teeming with feverish feelings due to excitement, as if watching a comedy show.

If backstabbing Tidwell could save her life, Ravia would gladly do so.

Fate knew the truth very well. And that’s how Tidwell won’t ever love her.

This idea alone had her realize how ridiculous all the thoughts she had when she left the mansion.

All of a sudden, an aria from La Traviata passed through her mind.

The woman who goes astray, Violetta’s mournful aria.

[But if you haven’t saved me by coming back. No one on earth can do it.]

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