The square of the Summer Palace sat on high ground, overlooking the wide-open sea. The night sea and the illuminations created a romantic atmosphere as the victor's laurel wreath ceremony commenced. Odette's current dress evoked the image of an ancient Greek Doric chiton. The gown, baring her shoulders and arms, possessed a clean elegance, while a water-colored lace shawl added a touch of brilliance. [Lize] "People only called them Purifiers after the Industrial Revolution, b

[Karl] "Ensure that I am never treated as anything other than a combat slave." Disappointment clouded the Emperor’s face. Does he intend to remain a slave for the rest of his life? Is that his ultimate ambition? Gregory, the Emperor, looked at Karl as if the boy had lost his mind. [Karl] "For my third wish, grant me quarters nearest to my master. I have lived in a dungeon until now, but I wish to remain as close to her as possible." Gregory leaned back, his patience thinning.

I saved you, but Karl is the one ready to drop you into the abyss. Odette kept the thought locked behind a mask of polite indifference while the Emperor spoke. [Emperor] "I have been far too careless. He was once the Crown Prince of the Empire’s only ally. No matter how much Odette petitioned for it, sentencing him to slavery was excessive. I was in the wrong." A surge of irritation rose in Odette’s throat. Look at this man, speaking so casually while knowing the full truth o

[Impossible Achievement! You have successfully broken Karl’s 'Command'!] [The following rewards have been granted: (1) Recovery of Odette’s lost quests (2) Increased daily 'Loathing' checks (2 → 5)] Odette stared at the shimmering status window with a touch of bewilderment. I didn't expect the Command to actually break. A lifelong, blind devotion to the Fenrir shouldn't have shattered with a single sentence. She had bared her claws and reprimanded him only because she needed

How did she know? [Odette] "That is why you became my slave, isn't it? You thought if you won my favor and I led you out of the Empire, you could bring about its total ruin." His face went blank. His mind calculated the risks with lightning speed. It would be better to kill this woman. Since she had unmasked his intentions, seduction was no longer an option. His plan to spirit away the Purifier cleanly had evaporated. Killing both the Emperor and this woman here would acceler

To secure the best ending in Johan's route within The Only Savior, Charlotte had to emerge as the victor of the Athena Island hunting competition. A commoner required over five hundred points of fame to become the Crown Princess. Winning this event—and having her face minted onto silver coins for every citizen to see—was the only way to bridge that gap. Odette recalled a specific conversation from that game episode: <Last year's competition ended abruptly when assassins attac

[Lilienthal] "I've heard the rumors of your ill-temper from the servants before...... but this is quite peculiar. Whenever I ask for a source, they all claim to have heard it from Lady Odette's own maids. If Count Albrecht treasures his daughter as much as they say, why hasn't he dismissed these maids?" Another lady nodded in agreement. [Lady A] "Now that you mention it, it is strange. Even if that maid were a mere junior, her behavior just now was monstrously rude. But she's

Karl lunged, heavy restraints rattling, aiming straight for Zion's throat. [Zion] "My, my. Such terrible manners for a student. A pupil like you requires corporal punishment." He blocked the boy with effortless grace. [Zion] "Actually, this works out. The simplest way to extinguish an aura is to beat someone within an inch of their life." Karl was fast, heavy-handed, and possessed the lethal edge of a monster, but Zion was S-class—the God's Beast. He carried far more experien

Before the rain fully subsided, Zion summoned his carriage. He intended to let the bloodless Odette find some measure of rest. She must be in shock. After a long, heavy silence, the woman spoke, her voice thick with exhaustion. [Odette] "Did you report the truth about my parents to His Majesty the Emperor?" [Zion] "No. Only you and I know." [Odette] "Do you plan to?" [Zion] "Not at all." He grappled with a simmering anxiety—a fear that his feelings might be something as point

[Zion] "Share this umbrella, or watch the butterfly you sheltered crumble into dust." [Odette] "Your Excellency!" She bit her lip. What is this lunatic playing at? [Zion] "You know I am a Transcendent. Shall I demonstrate how easily I can grind this creature into microscopic grains?" [Odette] "Let it go." [Zion] "I might even treat you to a spectacle where every butterfly beneath this silk canopy spontaneously plummets to the earth. No Imperial law forbids the use of abilitie

[Ulrich] "It is the family manor. As you know, the estate holds immense historical value—" [Zion] "I have plenty of those." [Ulrich] "Then, perhaps the casino building itself as collateral—" [Zion] "Collateral. Not buildings. How about a person instead?" Under Imperial law, human beings could serve as collateral. Slavery still persisted within the Empire's borders. The destitute often traded their freedom for coin, promising their very bodies as "debt slaves" if they failed t

Two weeks had passed since the social season opened its curtains. With the major indoor events concluded, only one grand spectacle remained for the summer: the "Tour of Athena Island." Athena Island lay at the southernmost tip of the Empire's vast territory. It housed a breathtaking summer palace where the Emperor was mandated to spend at least one week every year, accompanied by high-ranking nobles. This tradition served a political purpose. If the rulers remained secluded i

Courtney flailed, a desperate scream clawing at her throat, but the thick cloth gag stifled every sound. In the manor, the hierarchy had shifted overnight. Paula had already been dragged away to begin her penance at the laundry, while Mrs. Becker gleefully claimed the Countess' office. Amidst the upheaval, Doly trembled. If I hadn't confessed the Madam's transgressions earlier, I would be next. She knew she was nothing more than a common fly to the cold-hearted Count. She had

A clean handkerchief served as a poor substitute for a dirty napkin, yet Odette considered it a luxury Courtney did not deserve. Despite this small mercy, the housekeeper's eyes remained flooded with a sense of rank injustice. Odette mocked her internally, turning her gaze toward the woman who still clung to Paula. [Sasha] "Not Paula. I have never begged you for anything, but I am begging you now." [Ulrich] "Sasha." [Sasha] "Not when you drained my dowry for your failing busi

But...... one single problem will gnaw at his mind. [Ulrich] "I do not understand. She went straight to the villa from the ball. How did she get her hands on the key in my pocket?" There it was. The inevitable question. He knew he had never shared a space with Paula, making it impossible for her to reach the dungeon key hidden in his coat. She spoke, her voice trembling with feigned hesitation. [Odette] "Father, I hesitate to speak, but I do not believe she acted alone. It se