KFBRV Pt 2 Ch 34

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?"

Surprise seized him. He never expected that specific name to surface. Paula—the girl who bolted from the mansion and vanished years ago?

Officially, the world still recognized Paula as a maid of the Albrecht estate. Having served for nearly twenty years without a formal recommendation or transfer to another house, her records remained.

However, two years had passed since her disappearance. Without the girl present to receive a termination notice, she existed as an Albrecht servant on paper only.

Rolf had long since buried the memory of her name.

Immediately after her flight, the family pursued her to ensure she didn't expose Odette as a fake Purifier.

Yet, once Odette awakened and died shortly thereafter, the hunt became unnecessary. Her current whereabouts remained a total mystery.

[Rolf] "Um...... Saintess. I don't recommend her. Another girl would serve you much better."

He spoke with calculated caution. If he admitted he couldn't find her, Charlotte might retract her agreement. He maintained a mask of professional concern.

[Rolf] "The girl is a mere servant. It would be more appropriate to select a maid from among the daughters of the lesser nobility."

Her voice instantly dropped to a sub-zero temperature.

[Charlotte] "I set only one condition."

She addressed him with a tone entirely different from before. The honorifics and the respectful "Mr. Butler" vanished without a trace.

[Charlotte] "Prepare the maid named Paula to serve as my personal attendant. Don't make me issue an order twice."

---

[Zion] "Finally...... you’ve come, Odette."

A metallic rasp filled his voice. He had clearly lost his mind.

Johan recoiled at the sound. His sharp instincts identified the creature before him not as a hound, but as a rabid dog.

Madman.

Johan knit his brows.

The situation was catastrophic. The ancient cathedral stood as a fragile relic; the slightest release of power from an S-class Transcendent would cause the structure to collapse.

Furthermore, Odette remained inside. The problem was that Zion lacked the sanity to calculate such risks.

[Johan] "Zion Kleist."

Zion ignored the stern warning. His eyes, completely vacant of reason, remained fixed solely on Odette.

Dealing with a lunatic is the ultimate chore.

Johan ground his teeth.

A Transcendent was dangerous enough when calm, prone to accidental destruction. An irrational one presented the worst possible opponent.

[Zion] "Odette."

As expected, Zion intended to shove him aside to reach her.

He forgot that Johan was his superior, his comrade, and the object of his supposed loyalty.

He likely forgot Johan was even a person, viewing him instead as a mere obstacle to be discarded.

I can't use physical force.

Odette would be the first to suffer if he did.

Deciding on a different path, he unleashed his ability. This method allowed him to suppress Zion safely without collateral damage to Odette.

He flooded Zion’s position with high-voltage electricity.

[Johan] "Step back, Zion."

He increased the output.

[Zion] "Odette. Look at me."

Still not enough?

Johan pushed the power further. His brow furrowed.

Despite the relentless surge of energy, Zion showed no sign of stopping.

Johan spat a vulgar curse, something entirely uncharacteristic of his rank, and maximized the output. He was prepared to kill him if necessary.

[Johan] "Damn it. How is this bastard still moving?"

The sheer volume of electricity had already scorched Zion’s internal organs.

Proving Zion had surpassed his physical limits, his forehead cracked open, and blood dripped steadily into his eyes.

Despite the gore, he continued his relentless advance toward Odette. His tenacity bordered on the grotesque.

Zion finally closed the distance. As he took another step, Odette fell within the radius of Johan's ability.

[Johan] "Damn it."

He snapped his power shut.

Was physical force the only option left? Just as he reached out to seize Zion’s back—

[Odette] "Your Highness, you can stop now."

She intervened.

[Johan] "Odette? That man is incredibly dangerous right now."

[Odette] "No. Your Highness. Please stop."

Confusion clouded his face, but he ultimately obeyed her firm command.

[Odette] "I already made a promise to the Marquis."

---

Zion couldn't halt his feet. The thrill of her presence overwhelmed the agony of the electricity cauterizing his nerves.

You returned on your own. That means I have a chance.

Forgiveness was within reach. After forgiveness, they could begin again.

He now understood how to love properly: to do whatever she desired.

He needed to touch her to prove she wasn't a dream. Nothing could stop him, not even the Prince.

He came to a halt directly in front of her.

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

His voice broke. Blood from his shattered forehead obscured his vision.

[Odette] "Yes, Your Excellency. Speak."

He inhaled slowly. For the first time in an eternity, air felt right in his lungs. The sweet scent of peach blossoms flooded his chest.

Yes, this was life. He lived because she existed. Therefore, his entire being belonged to her.

He first refastened his cuffs with shaking fingers. Then, he produced a handkerchief and wiped the blood from his forehead.

Showing up to their reunion drenched in gore was pathetic.

When facing a hallucination, he had begged her to look at his pain, but he refused to show these wounds to the real Odette.

He understood now that displaying his suffering was its own form of violence. This pain belonged to him alone; she shouldn't have to endure the sight of it.

[Zion] "I am glad you returned, Odette."

After composing himself, he took her hand and pressed his lips to the back of it. The gesture was clean, disciplined, and strictly respectful.

The real Odette nearly mirrored the hallucination from earlier. Except for her black funeral attire, she looked identical—more radiant and beautiful than any memory he held.

Even her expression of disgust is the same.

How had he ever looked at her without feeling this ache in his chest?

Every inch of her was precious.

[Odette] "It seems you’ve reached a conclusion."

A sigh hitched in her voice as he kissed her hand.

[Zion] "A conclusion?"

[Odette] "Regarding the purification."

The air turned to lead. His body stiffened as he pulled away.

He couldn't process her words. Or rather, he refused to. He feared the implications hidden beneath them.

[Johan] "Purification? Odette, what are you talking about?"

It wasn't Zion who asked, but Johan.

His voice dropped to a predatory low, vibrating like the growl of a threatened beast. Johan knew exactly what the word meant for a Transcendent.

[Odette] "I promised the Marquis. If he stepped aside, I would provide him with purification."

[Johan] "You crazy bastard."

Zion’s jaw bunched. Johan lunged forward and gripped Zion’s shoulder. Bone crunched under the pressure.

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