[Raphael] "What on earth are you doing, Lady Odette!" The Pope and the other High Priests remained silent, but Raphael marched forward as if he represented them all. [Raphael] "How could you pour wine over the Saintess' head?" His overreaction confirmed Odette’s suspicions. [Odette] "You ignore my hair, High Priest. She threw water on me first. I simply returned the favor." Her voice echoed through the Great Banquet Hall. The Pope and the High Priests turned their attention t

[Charlotte] "Just because things go well in this life, you think you are someone special. No matter how much you struggle, you remain Han Suwan, the orphan." [Odette] "……." Odette lowered her gaze as the water drenched her. The soaked black veil clumped together and slid to the floor. [Charlotte] "What do you think happened to my family after you died? The police visits were a bit tiring, but they ruled it an accident. We received a massive insurance payout, and the business

Such gentle eyes. Two years ago, she only showed that expression to the slave. It was a softened face, appearing only when she placed a small seed of trust in someone. What is the difference between that bastard Johan and me? Johan followed the rules a bit more than he did. But that was all. In the end, they were both lunatics. No. In the sense that he even forced his subordinates to act, Johan was more insidious and coercive than Zion. Zion glared at Johan, consumed by horri

She clutched his arm before the bone could shatter. [Odette] "Your Highness, stop. I gave him my word first." He refused to release Zion’s shoulder. His gaze remained fixed on the Marquis, simmering with the type of loathing reserved for filth. His reaction was entirely justified. How brutally had Purifiers been tormented by Transcendents throughout history? Currently, Transcendents operated under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Military. However, in the distant past, they b

An S-class Purifier to counter Odette is entering the mansion. What more could I ask for? [Charlotte] "I want to bring in a maid. Someone of my choosing." Her request was far more trivial than he anticipated. [Rolf] "Of course, that is acceptable. Since you are joining us, Lady Charlotte, the identity of a single maid hardly matters." [Charlotte] "Then I am glad. I want to take a maid from the Count’s estate named Paula as my personal attendant." [Rolf] "......Paula?" Surpris

[Odette] "......Your Excellency?" The lazy elegance that usually clung to Zion had vanished. In its place, a lethal atmosphere pulsed around him. He radiated a raw, vulgar intimidation that suggested a profound familiarity with merciless violence. He projected a more primal and terrifying aura than ever before. With one arm completely drenched in blood, he looked like a wild beast ready to strike. [Zion] "Ha......" A sigh escaped him—a sound caught between a snarl of rage and

It was difficult to remain cold toward him when he spoke with such desperation, as if she were his only lifeline. The sound of his breathing, rising from deep within his chest, was what one would expect from someone who had just finished a full sprint. He radiated a heavy heat. In the current Johan, Odette sensed a frantic urgency—the same urgency she had felt as a child, desperately trying to grab the Count’s hand. And besides...... She didn't entirely hate it. It was her fi

[Odette] "What...?" Shocked by the identity of the person embracing her, she struggled to break free from his arms. Johan, however, refused to release her. Instead, he tightened his grip, pulling her deeper into his chest. She twisted her body, straining against him. [Johan] "Wait, Odette. Please, just a moment." His voice shook as he pleaded. Her arms stilled at the raw desperation in his tone. [Johan] "......A moment is all I need. Please, endure it for just a moment." That

How dare she... she never even died! How dare she pretend to be resurrected! Another believer recited the following verse. Charlotte scanned her surroundings. It wasn’t just the pilgrims; every person present shuddered at the spectacle. [Believer] "The Gods genuinely intend to save Barzeha." The resurrection and return of the Savior prophesied in the Book of Revelation. The crowd buzzed with the thrill of witnessing a miracle. Several people even sobbed. No one noticed Charlo

But... how? Whether the river or the sea... only the miracle of awakening should make the waves glow. She had studied every facet of the Purifiers. Beyond the moment of awakening, they lacked any power to make water shine. Where is Odette? She scanned the surroundings. Conviction gripped her; Odette had to be watching this scene from nearby. Is she hiding among the believers? Or on the cathedral roof? An uneasy intuition warned her to find the girl before the scheme unfolded.

He raised his palm, slowly wiping his face as if he finally understood her urgent state. [Zion] "I was wrong. I was wrong, Odette." His sudden apology made little sense. His voice, now raspy and hollow, sounded as though he had endured bitter torture at her hands. However, the only thing that mattered to Odette was that he no longer appeared willing to block her path. She sidestepped him. In that fleeting moment, his wrists caught her attention—specifically the skin revealed

What kind of insane question is that? Why would I be curious about such a thing? Whether you're ruined or not, what does that have to do with me? Furthermore, Zion didn't look particularly ruined to her. While his face appeared thinner and somewhat haggard, he still wore terrifyingly exquisite, high-end attire. From head to toe, he presented the flawless, immaculate image of a high-ranking noble. His movements remained as elegant and dignified as ever. Therefore, wasn't label

I usually wake up from the hallucinations right around now...... He knew perfectly well that his mind was deteriorating. He also knew the hallucinations consuming him grew more severe with each passing day. Lately, he always awoke to find himself half-submerged in the freezing ocean. Recently, he had even begun speaking to the phantom Odette in front of others. He had happily chased after her illusion while in the middle of crucial discussions with the Pope or the Emperor. Th

Rolf finally grasped Count Albrecht's desperation. He understood the Count's absolute mandate to pour money into their only viable option, regardless of the abysmal odds. The Albrecht house absolutely must recruit Charlotte to our side. He entirely agreed with the Count's ultimate objective to adopt the new Purifier. * * * [Charlotte] "After orchestrating the miracle, the volume of water in my dream decreased drastically. Now...... it is steadily rising once more." Priest Rap

She possessed zero reason to fear the consequences of her lies. She knew exactly how to siphon another Purifier's energy, and as long as Odette remained alive, there was an abundance of power to steal. [Raphael] "Hmm. Saintess. That is a difficult story to believe." As anticipated, he countered her claim immediately. Though his tone remained characteristically gentle and warm, stripping away any aggressive edge, it was an undeniable rebuttal. [Raphael] "A Purifier's rank is d