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nEven as the cold wave subsides, few are inclined to venture into the streets. Accumulated snow, biting cold, desolation, and depression… these will persist for a considerable duration, a more severe aftermath brought about by the cold wave itself.

nYet, no matter how dire the consequences, they pale in comparison to the finality of death.

nIn these desolate, pallid streets, a lone figure trudges through the snow.

nHer eyes are devoid of light, her complexion ashen, her expression nebulous, resembling a… a mere puppet that knows only to walk.

nSeraphina witnesses more death.

nAll stemming from her own.

nThe scattered ice sculptures silently narrate their experiences of pure despair.

nWhy did they abandon the warmth of their coal-lit homes? Why did they walk towards the cold, merciless embrace of death?

nBecause they had no choice.

nWhat about the coal? Who knows its true state? As Marlina had said, it was substandard, inferior, and in some cases, incapable of igniting…

nIf the coal was truly sufficient to help them endure the cold wave, who would willingly walk towards death?

nAnd why did they venture out?

nThe answer is obvious, isn’t it? They sought help.

nThey sought aid from the great Hydral, who had once passionately promised to help them survive the cold wave.

nEach person, each desperate soul, stepped onto the icy, silent path filled with hope.

n“Is it because of me…”

nThe girl murmured pitifully, “Is it really… because of me?”

nShe already knew the answer. Marlina’s judgement of her was clear and straightforward.

nHer sister’s cold, harsh words plunged Seraphina into a despair she could not accept.

nHell.

nShe had created hell.

nSo many people who should have survived, so many who could have seen hope, could only end their lives in the snowstorm.

nAnd all of this was her doing.

nSeraphina’s stomach began to convulse when she realized that during the first day, the second day, the third day… while these people were shivering in the cold, unable to ignite the inferior coal, their bodies and souls eroded by despair, she was in a warm room, wearing only a short dress, running around without a care.

nWhen their fire was dying out and darkness was descending, she accidentally broke a lamp that could have saved a family of three, and then completely forgot about it under Ansel’s comfort.

nWhen they were forced to leave their already freezing rooms and walk on the even colder, lifeless path of death, just to seek the last glimmer of hope from the benevolent and great person in that mansion…

nShe was enjoying the most sumptuous food, bathing in warm water, and in that intoxicating warmth and happiness, she wrote that ridiculous diary.

nAt that time, she and they were separated by just a door.

nThe person who had already reached the door, who could have knocked on it with a wave of his hand, what was he thinking at that time?

n“Ugh—”

nSeraphina collapsed uncontrollably, retching continuously.

nHer convulsing stomach seemed to be questioning her mistakes, condemning her crimes.

nEverything was ruined.

nHer hopes, Ansel’s reputation, and most importantly… the lives of those who should have survived.

nAll were destroyed.

nTears slid down her numb, pale face.

nHer dull, unfocused eyes squeezed out tears, filled with the girl’s despair, regret, and pain—

nBut what of it?

nIf she sincerely repented her mistakes now, could the dead return?

nPerhaps… perhaps the only consolation was that more of the poor survived this cold wave than before, and the nobles might dare to cut corners, but they wouldn’t dare to do nothing.

nBut could this make her forgive herself? Those people, those who should have survived, no one should have died in this natural disaster.

nAll of this was due to her arrogance, her conceit, her ridiculous… self-righteousness.

nSeraphina, who once took pride in her “achievements”, punched her abdomen hard, without holding back.

n“Ugh!”

nShe, who had already collapsed, almost fell to the ground. The tearful girl hunched over, punching herself over and over.

n“Beast… beast… beast!”

n“Seraphina… you… beast!”

nThe stomach acid she vomited turned into saliva, then into blood. Seraphina, whose fists and abdomen were numb from pain, staggered to her feet and continued to walk unsteadily.

nShe walked a long, long way— it was only now that Seraphina realized how far the outer city was from the inner city, how far those poor people were from Ansel’s mansion…

nWhat kind of feelings did they have when they embarked on that road of no return? Those who fell in front of Ansel’s mansion… with what kind of will did they walk through the snowstorm on such a despairing journey?

n“Cough… cough…”

nThey trusted Ansel so much that even if they had to walk on that cold, silent road, they were willing to believe that as long as they could see Hydral, everyone could be saved.

nBut in the end, no one was redeemed.

nSeraphina, who was trudging through the snow, didn’t know how long she had been walking. The blood she kept coughing up left a long, crimson trail in the snow.

nThe number of frozen corpses she saw decreased as she got closer to the outer city, indicating that the number of poor people who had walked out in despair was probably just these.

nBut how many were “these”?

nSeraphina had lost count of how many frozen corpses she had seen, and she didn’t know how many people had walked resolutely towards death, filled with anticipation and longing for Ansel.

nArriving in the outer district, she stood amidst the icy landscape, gazing blankly at everything around her.

nA vast expanse of white, a silence of death.

n“Cough… cough!”

nSeraphina clutched her abdomen, her voice hoarse as she shouted, “Is there anyone… is there anyone still alive? Have you all made it through?”

nShe felt gazes from all around, but no one spoke. In this barren outer district, many who should not have survived the great cold wave had indeed lived.

nSeraphina thought she might find some solace in this, but she discovered that the overwhelming guilt that threatened to consume her showed no signs of abating.

nMarlina’s sorrowful whispers as she closed her eyes lingered in Seraphina’s mind.

n“Originally, everyone could have survived.”

nSeraphina collapsed onto the thick layer of snow, unable to vent her pain and without the right to do so. She could only close her eyes and let it consume her.

nIn the face of this guilt, what did the so-called cold and pain matter?

nIn the surrounding dilapidated low buildings, a wooden door cracked open.

nThe person behind the door observed for a while, then gritted their teeth, pushed the door open, and rushed to Seraphina’s side.

n“Hey, you.”

nA rough-skinned girl pulled Seraphina up. “Are you alright?”

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nSeraphina stared blankly at the girl, whose skin had turned red in the biting cold, unsure how to respond.

n“How did you cough up so much blood!” The girl was shocked.

n“You’re seriously injured and still dared to come to the outer district… you’re really not afraid of death!”

nShe looked around warily, glaring at those with ill intentions, and helped Seraphina into her own house.

nIt was only when Seraphina entered the room that she realized how cold a normal house could be.

nShe had almost forgotten what it felt like to live in such a cold, dilapidated house.

nThe fire burning in the fireplace indicated that the girl was one of the fortunate ones who had received proper aid, at least surviving the disaster unscathed.

n“I don’t know what’s wrong with you. The great cold wave just passed, and you’re so badly injured, yet you still dare to run around outside.”

n“…” Seraphina looked at the girl squatting by the fireplace, warming herself, and asked hoarsely, “Aren’t you afraid that I… might be a bad person?”

n“Hmm…” The girl tilted her head. “A bad person wouldn’t use such a pitiful expression and say things like ‘Is there anyone still alive?’ right?”

n“You didn’t…” The girl looked at Seraphina’s numb, pale face and hesitated to ask, “Didn’t you get any proper coal?”

nSeraphina opened her mouth, unsure what to say.

nShould she kneel before this girl, kowtow, and tell her that she was the one who caused them not to receive proper coal?

n“In my opinion, all those nobles should have been killed long ago.”

nThe girl sighed and continued indignantly, “Lord Hydral wanted to do so much for us, but they cut corners! Most people should have been able to survive, but now, now…”

nHer gaze turned to another bed in the room, her expression darkening.

n“… But I believe that Lord Hydral will seek justice for us.” The girl comforted Seraphina, “Don’t worry, he will definitely kill all those nobles and avenge the dead!”

nSeraphina forced a smile.

nThis might be the only good news she had heard… on this desperate morning.

nThe common people of Red Frost still trusted Ansel, trusted the Lord Hydral who had given them a future and hope. This reduced one of her many unforgivable sins.

n“I think the Count of Stoneheart should also be killed! That hypocrite! There are still many people in the outer district who rely on him, but don’t think we can’t see through his false face. He doesn’t even treat us as human beings…”

nAs if to divert Seraphina’s attention, the girl ranted about her grievances. Those familiar words also brought some comfort to wolf’s heart.

nAnd then—

n“…All those merchants who made the coal quality so poor must be killed! All of them hanged—”

n“You’re finally back, what have you been doing, taking so long?”

nThe color that had just risen in Seraphina’s face vanished in an instant.

n“Huh, strange. Where did that voice come from?”

nThe girl pressed her face against the window, puzzled. “Why does it sound so much…”

n“…like you?”

nThe girl gazed at the central square of the residential area, murmuring in a daze.

nFor there, she saw a large screen of light. On the screen, a beautiful girl with snow-white hair was talking impatiently with a noble.

n“…I said, I don’t have time to waste with you.”

n“…. You mentioned earlier that you want me to bear the cost of coal for the poor to survive this cold wave…”

n“…but that doesn’t mean that the entire noble class of the Red Frost territory can’t do it…”

n…”Hydral doesn’t have to spend any money…”

nIn that crystal-clear image, all those who had received Lord Hydral’s grace and praised him countless times during the cold wave saw the girl say,

n“… In this way, Hydral doesn’t have to spend any money and can earn a big reputation!”

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