KFBRV Pt 2 Ch 27

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 labeling himself "ruined" a massive exaggeration?

She suppressed a sigh.

I refuse to entertain such nonsense.

It seemed the interrogation master had updated his psychological torture methods. However, she couldn't afford to waste any more time getting swept up in his games.

This time, she sidestepped to the right, attempting the opposite direction.

It was useless. He instantly blocked her path once more.

The fact that his movements appeared subtly languid despite their terrifying speed doubled her irritation.

As long as this bastard is determined to block my path, no amount of effort will shake him off.

[Zion] "Just look at me once. Seeing how thoroughly I've been ruined will make you feel infinitely better. Hmm?"

She lifted her head and met his gaze. The moment their eyes locked, he looked down at her with an expression of profound relief.

His soft, beaming smile looked slightly foolish. Perhaps because of it, she absurdly felt as though the massive man before her resembled a young boy.

The reason for this sudden shift in attitude is blatantly obvious.

The man who spent two solid years constantly mocking and sneering at her had vanished. What other reason could he possibly have to suddenly act pathetic and beg her?

It must be because I am a genuine S-class Purifier.

A real Purifier entirely devoid of the foul, artificial stench.

[Potion to hide the Purifier's scent]

[Price: 10,000 Atasha / 1 Day]

She had poured an astronomical amount of gold into the status window specifically to avoid attracting Transcendents, yet she still ended up in this situation.

[Odette] "Your Excellency."

She called him, her voice carrying the weight of a sigh.

Purificatio held immense significance for Transcendents.

Of course. Charlotte was an A-class Purifier in this life.

The purification capacity of an A-class Purifier could never satisfy the standards of an S-class Transcendent. The volume of purification would be excessively inadequate for a vessel of their magnitude. It was like trying to extinguish a raging forest fire with a single cup of water.

Even if they received continuous purification from an A-class, their corruption levels would remain dangerously high. Based on Karin's reports, the male leads in this life haven't exactly grown close to Charlotte either.

Having failed to secure proper purification, they must be absolutely desperate for it. They were likely experiencing the spiritual equivalent of ravenous starvation.

[Zion] "Yes. I am listening, Odette."

Responding with a tender voice, he unfastened the cufflinks on his sleeve. He then began to roll the loose fabric up his arm.

A bitter smile touched her lips.

Look at this. Exactly as I expected. He altered his attitude purely out of a desperate need for purification.

Begging was so uncharacteristic of Zion. Frantically rolling up his sleeves in the middle of the street, regardless of how deserted it might be.

He was a character who valued dignity above all else. His current behavior proved he was desperate enough to discard his pride entirely.

Even in <The Only Savior>, no matter the agony they endured, they would sooner succumb to a rampage than act like this in public.

[Odette] "You must be absolutely desperate for purification. To stoop so low as to cling to me and beg."

While she couldn't fully comprehend a Transcendent's agony, she knew what it meant to be so starved she would eat spoiled food off the ground.

What difference existed between the currently starved Zion and her past, starving self?

She could vaguely empathize with his current state. Consequently, her voice carried a blend of cynicism and pity. The tone of someone pitying a person they fundamentally despised.

Hearing that tone, he froze, his hand pausing mid-motion as he rolled up his sleeve.

[Zion] "What are you...... Do you really think I am acting this way because I am starved for purification?"

[Odette] "Are you not? You certainly look the part."

His hand went completely rigid, as if he had suffered a profound insult.

[Odette] "What exactly do you want from me? Should I press my lips to yours? Will you step aside if I do?"

She spoke with blunt directness.

Because she had failed to shake him off, she couldn't use the status window to alter her hair or eye color. She couldn't risk using the interface openly in front of him.

Therefore, she currently stood on the street wearing her true face.

Even if the street is empty, staying here risks exposure to others.

For her plan to succeed, she couldn't be seen in her true form by anyone else.

Given the precarious situation, beating around the bush would only waste precious time.

The absolute best outcome is for this bastard's pride to shatter at my blunt words, prompting him to just walk away.

[Zion] "......."

At her words, he stared at her, his face even stiffer than a moment ago.

[Odette] "State your business quickly, Your Excellency. I can't afford to waste time."

[Zion] "Haa....... Seriously......."

After staring at her for a long time, he let out a hollow laugh.

[Zion] "Haha, you have quite the talent. Now even the hallucination is driving me mad."

Hallucination? What hallucination?

A brief flicker of confusion crossed her mind, but she dismissed it instantly.

He must be experiencing hallucinations.

She concluded.

If corruption levels spiked, triggering severe pain, hallucinations were a common symptom. Just as Johan had experienced them while enduring his rampage in the rose garden for six months.

It was none of her concern; her sole priority was evading Zion.

[Odette] "I suppose Charlotte rejected your request for purification? How tragic. It must have been agonizing for a man of your pride to beg me, of all people."

At her words, Zion tilted his head to the side, his expression turning cynical. It was a habit he displayed a few times in the game whenever he was exceptionally displeased.

Perhaps two years ago, she would have cared, but now, she possessed zero obligation to cater to his moods.

[Zion] "And you're so damnably beautiful on top of it all....... I never imagined I could feel anger toward a hallucination."

Instead of listening to his muttering, she continued what she needed to say.

[Odette] "Well, a starving man finds even the cheapest food delicious. You must have been so desperate to come crawling to me. Still, you would be better off begging Charlotte for purification. You don't exactly have the strongest stomach."

[Zion] "Odette, enough."

His face hardened, radiating a sense of deep insult. His voice carried a blatant, undeniable warning.

She stopped speaking. It wasn't because the warning intimidated her, but rather because she had already said everything she intended to.

He ran a hand through his silver hair. It lacked his usual aristocratic grace; it was a jagged, irritated gesture reeking of profound displeasure.

[Zion] "If this continues, I'll end up raging at a hallucination. Anyone seeing me on the street would think I'm an absolute lunatic."

He spoke with a tone that suggested he was utterly exhausted by their confrontation.

[Zion] "Why in the world does Charlotte's name keep appearing in our conversation? I don't understand."

[Odette] "Your Excellency."

[Zion] "......Does the girl bother you? Should I go kill her? If you promise never to leave me, meaning, if I can just lose my mind completely like this, I would gladly do it."

His voice was drenched in exhaustion.

If a Transcendent murdered a Purifier, they were condemned to an eternal divine punishment. Even if he sounded sincere, it was absolute bravado and pure nonsense.

[Odette] "Please, step aside. And if you have a demand, state it quickly, whatever it is."

[Zion] "Odette. I just...... wanted to see your face."

[Odette] "Then you should just brainwash me and control me as you please. Isn't that what you always did whenever you wanted something from me?"

At her final words, the light seemed to completely die within his violet eyes.

[Odette] "Whether you extract purification from me. Or brainwash me to stare at my face....... Save your arbitrary manipulation for later. For now, step aside immediately. Your Excellency."

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