chapter 1
A fierce snowstorm was raging.
Inside a dilapidated building that looked like it might collapse at any moment, a biting wind slipped in through gaps where bricks had fallen away. Despite the harsh cold, the eyes of everyone gathered there shone with firm determination.
At the head seat sat a man with jet-black hair and deep blue eyes like a lake.
His name was Etius von Clyde—a man so handsome he seemed sculpted by the gods.
If the late emperor hadn’t died early when he was five, allowing his uncle to usurp the throne, he would have become emperor himself.
Now, he was the one who had risen to reclaim the throne of the Oswell Empire—the rightful master of the radiant Cambute Palace.
Everyone here had gathered for the same purpose.
“We’re planning to infiltrate Count Rusler’s residence and steal the emperor’s letter, but bribing someone inside will cost about 5,000 den.”
At the mention of 5,000 den, murmurs spread through the room.
“5,000 den? Where are we supposed to get that kind of money?”
“We ran out of spare funds long ago.”
All of them were dressed in rags, barely able to afford even basic supplies.
Etius’s uncle—the current emperor who had seized the throne—had frozen all of Etius’s wealth stored in the banks under various pretexts.
It was meant to keep him in check.
“….”
This was the harsh reality—forced to sleep while cold wind seeped through the crumbling walls.
Clink—
Just as silence fell over the group at the thought of such an impossible sum, something was suddenly thrown near the door with a rattling sound.
The men turned their gazes toward it, and one subordinate brought a heavy sack from outside onto the table.
“This is….”
They hurriedly untied the sack.
Thud—
As the string snapped, a jingling sound rang out.
“…!”
The sack was filled with gleaming gold coins—so many that their eyes widened in shock.
Etius’s blue eyes flickered deeply at the sight.
“It looks like about 50,000 den, Your Highness.”
It was more than enough—not only to cover the infiltration of the count’s residence, but to leave plenty to spare.
“There’s a note here as well.”
[Please move somewhere warm! (๑’ᗢ’๑)ฅ]
Holding the note in his large hand, Etius’s eyes trembled slightly as he read it.
Slowly, he lifted his gaze and looked out the window at the raging snowstorm.
“….”
Someone who saw the note he set down pressed the bridge of their nose, as if holding back tears.
Voices filled with emotion rose from all around, praising this noble benefactor.
“How can someone be this angelic…?”
“When the revolution succeeds, we must repay them somehow!”
Etius’s lips moved faintly as he spoke in a low voice.
“Our benefactor… it’s you again, isn’t it?”
Winters in the empire were brutal.
Blizzards so strong they made it impossible to see even an inch ahead.
Pant, pant.
But since I had run this route several times after secretly leaving sacks behind, I had no trouble finding the carriage I had parked in the distance.
I brushed the snow off my hands and climbed inside.
My butler, Heros, dusted the snow off my shoulders.
“My lady, where exactly did you leave that money?”
Heros—a handsome and gentle butler with brown hair and brown eyes.
Startled by his question, I stiffened my brows and replied arrogantly.
“Do I have to report even that to you?”
“M-My lady, no! That’s not what I meant…”
Seeing him fluster like that made me feel a little guilty, but it couldn’t be helped.
After all, I was secretly sponsoring a rebel force plotting treason.
“Enough. Let’s head back.”
“Yes, my lady.”
The carriage began to move.
In the dimming window, my reflection appeared.
My name is Katrin Elemore, with radiant pink hair and brilliant violet eyes.
The only daughter of one of the three wealthiest families in the empire.
I was also infamous as the “Poison Rose of Elemore” for my arrogance and cruelty.
“Oh right, about Father’s treasures.”
My father, Duke Luciano Elemore, was the emperor’s right-hand man.
A man with immense power—so great it was said he could make birds fall from the sky.
Both my father and mother were cold by nature and always busy. Even as their only child, I never received any overwhelming affection.
Neither neglected nor abused—just raised in a dry household atmosphere, spending money freely and acting spoiled.
“How much did everything sell for at the auction?”
At my question, Heros quickly pulled out his work notebook from his jacket and checked.
“A total of 78 items sold for 3.1 million den.”
“Not bad.”
I curled my lips in satisfaction.
Since 10,000 den is roughly worth 100 million won, that makes about 31 billion won.
“My parents’ inheritance really is quite profitable.”
“I-Is that so…”
Ah, a few months ago, my parents died in an accident, and I became the owner of the immense wealth of the Elemore duchy.
What? You think it’s too much to smile while selling your parents’ belongings?
‘If I were really Katrin Elemore, maybe.’
That’s right—I had transmigrated.
A few months ago, on the day of the Duke and Duchess of Elemore’s funeral, I woke up in this body, flooded with Katrin’s memories.
The work I transmigrated into was the novel <Star of the Revolution>.
It tells the story of a revolution in the Oswell Empire, featuring many characters, including Katrin.
Etius von Clyde is the main protagonist—a man whose throne was stolen by his uncle, yet who refuses to yield and ultimately succeeds in his revolution to become emperor.
‘More importantly, Etius is my favorite.’
There was a time when I was suffering badly from workplace harassment.
Back then, I found comfort in watching Etius endure hardships and push forward in the novel.
I fell for his unbreakable will as he endured a thorny path and claimed a brilliant victory.
In the story, his revolution succeeded.
The problem was the ending—it was utterly terrible.
After all that suffering to reclaim the throne, he became emperor… only to die shortly after from accumulated aftereffects?!
I had been so immersed, cheering him on, that I couldn’t help but leave an angry comment for the author.
—Author, are you a psychopath? I endured watching him starve, get beaten, and struggle through hell, but after all that, he finally becomes emperor—and you kill him? What did Etius ever do to you? Do you have a personal grudge or something? He suffered so much, you awful author! Did you really have to kill him to feel satisfied?!
After venting my anger, I fell asleep fuming—and when I woke up, it was the day of the Elemore couple’s funeral.
Anyway, after realizing I had transmigrated and steadying myself from the flood of Katrin’s memories, I noticed a letter in the corner of my vision.
To. Dear Reader,
For the reader who has shown great love for <Star of the Revolution> and its protagonist Etius, we have prepared a special transmigration event. Do you like it?
Escape the frustrating confines of text and enjoy a wonderful reality where you can help the protagonist Etius as a character within the novel!
You will be given a chance to return to your original world if you fulfill the following conditions:
- Etius von Clyde’s revolution must succeed.
- Etius von Clyde must survive for three years after the revolution succeeds.
And that’s not all!
If you fail to meet these conditions, you will simply die—so no need to worry too much.
Good luck.
That’s not the end!
The item placed below this letter will be of help to you.
P.S. It would be best if the person you are supporting never finds out. If you wish to return safely, that is.
