KFBRV Pt 2 Ch 38

[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 toward her. Only then did they notice the drenched Odette and the wet veil lying on the floor.

[Odette] "A commoner failed to show me respect. Instead, she poured water over my head. Should I, her superior, endure such treatment quietly?"

His gaze bit into Odette like ice.

[Raphael] "Is this true, Saintess Charlotte?"

When he turned to Charlotte, his voice softened with immense care.

It was clear why Raphael was her chosen chess piece. Even after witnessing the resurrection, he remained cold. He possessed little faith and moved only for profit.

[Charlotte] "No, no! This is unfair! High Priest Raphael, I only approached to help her because she was wet. Then suddenly, Lady Odette—"

Her lips trembled as she cut herself off. The expressions of several High Priests soured instantly.

Wow...... how many? It is more than half.

Does Raphael really control this many people?

The Pope looked pathetic for losing his grip on power to such a young priest.

With so many people aligned with Raphael, they would interpret this scene with extreme bias. A scene where the wicked Odette, who staged a fake resurrection, bullied the God-chosen Saintess! Or something like that.

It didn't matter.

So what?

Relations between the Cathedral and Odette were already sour. She had no desire to seek their support now.

Odette sat back down in her chair.

[Raphael] "Lady Odette. Saintess Charlotte denies your claim."

[Odette] "So you imply that I am lying?"

He looked at Odette with a face that wanted to scream, 'Yes!'

[Raphael] "Saintess Charlotte isn't someone who tells lies."

Odette considered her options. Since Charlotte did pour water on her, she could argue the point to prove who was right.

But...... were these High Priests worth the effort?

If they all belonged to Raphael, they would side with Charlotte anyway.

Why waste time trying to win over people of no value?

It was better to use them as an audience while she humiliated Charlotte properly.

Odette let out a mocking laugh.

[Odette] "This is hilarious. High Priests who love taking sides this much."

Raphael’s face hardened. Odette crossed her arms loosely.

[Odette] "Fine. Let's agree with her. Suppose I suddenly poured wine over her head for no reason. What changes? I am simply educating my successor. Does a High Priest have the right to question my methods?"

The room fell into a stunned silence.

My rank as a Purifier is higher, and I am a noble. Does it matter if I spill wine on her for "education"?

She was openly declaring her intent to crush and bully Charlotte using her status, regardless of who was at fault.

No one expected such shamelessness. They stood speechless.

[Raphael] "Even if you are a noble, isn't this too much?"

He raised his voice.

[Odette] "Even if it is too much, it isn't your concern, is it?"

[Raphael] "……."

[Odette] "I didn't know the High Priests felt a duty to protect the Saintess."

None of them, including Raphael, could argue against her mockery.

For three years, the Cathedral had abandoned Odette to every insult and curse. With what face could they now claim a duty to protect Charlotte?

Charlotte’s initial smile at Raphael’s arrival vanished.

Political games only mattered if they hurt the opponent.

What use is the support of these priests? I don't want it, so you can have it all.

Her dismissive attitude clearly ruined Charlotte’s fun.

[Odette] "I am glad the High Priests arrived, actually. I wanted to receive a public apology from her."

That wretched sister of hers would never apologize without an audience. Her shoulders flinched at the word "apology."

He stepped in again.

[Raphael] "Lady Odette! We all know you are a noble and a Saintess. But even so, demanding an apology from an innocent person! That is not a thing but bullying!"

[Odette] "She is innocent? High Priest Raphael, can you take responsibility for those words?"

He frowned and snapped back.

[Raphael] "Forcing a confession is also bullying!"

[Odette] "I never sent her to the Empire. Yet she used my name for her own gain. Both she and this Cathedral did."

[Raphael] "……That, that is."

[Odette] "My name doesn't come cheap. She sold my reputation loudly, and the Cathedral helped her……."

[Raphael] "……."

[Odette] "Is this a forced confession, or a legitimate grievance?"

Raphael finally shut his mouth.

Everyone in the room knew how much Charlotte had exploited Odette’s name over the last two years. She had built her entire fame on it.

Now that the owner of that name stood before them, they had no excuse.

[Odette] "So, Charlotte. You must apologize to me on behalf of the Cathedral."

A deathly pallor gripped Charlotte’s face.

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