KFBRV Pt 2 Ch 51

She covered his eyes. She didn't want to meet his gaze. The fear that he might brainwash her during the purification gnawed at her.

Their lips met. Instantly, a wave of light surged from her body and poured into him. It washed away his pollution like a rising tide.

So this is why they call it purification.

Though this was her first time performing the act, Odette instinctively knew what to do.

Small scratches on his cheeks vanished as the light deepened. His rigid muscles relaxed. His breathing grew heavy and ragged, yet he showed no sign of discomfort.

This is...... strange.

She had never placed any value on her power. She offered it as a mere tool for trade. She expected the fact that Zion was her first subject to mean nothing. However, a foreign emotion stirred within her.

This man usually felt like a suffocating presence. He was massive compared to her, a predator in every sense. Yet, in this moment, the Transcendent looked fragile. He looked like a wounded beast in need of care.

She ignored the sudden fluttering in her chest. Once the energy felt sufficient, she pulled away.

[Odette] "I wish you a peaceful afternoon, Your Excellency."

She offered a polite greeting and stepped out of the carriage. This should clear the debt between them.

She headed toward the square to meet Damian.

She held absolute confidence that the Pope would eventually take her side. Once he consulted another physician, he would realize her words were the undeniable truth.

The Pope likely knew Raphael wanted his seat, but he remained ignorant of how deeply Raphael had corrupted the Great Temple. Everyone had stayed silent while the High Priest poisoned their leader.

With Damian's help, she would strike Ferdinand and Raphael at the same time.

Ferdinand...... it is your turn to suffer.

In her previous life, Odette faced trial without understanding why. She suffered in prison and endured the misery of being a wanted criminal.

Experience the bitterness of having the whole world condemn you without knowing your crime.

She couldn't sever his tongue with her own hands, so she would ensure no one ever believed a word he spoke again.

My dear brother. I hope you die a horrific death.

Ferdinand's ruin was finally within reach.

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The Albrecht family officially announced the adoption of Charlotte, the A-class Purifier.

Charlotte publicly sought Raphael's permission for every step of the process. This display solidified his influence within the Cathedral.

[Raphael] "I offer my sincere congratulations on Lady Charlotte's entry into the Albrecht family."

Raphael, not the Pope, delivered the congratulatory speech on behalf of the Cathedral.

Charlotte Albrecht. The second daughter of House Albrecht.

The public believed the second Purifier chose the Albrechts for a reason. The family's fallen reputation began to climb again.

Following her adoption, Lady Charlotte immediately requested an audience with the Emperor. She begged him to lift the punishment on Albrecht Pharmaceuticals, promising to respond to any purification request in return.

The Emperor eventually withdrew the warning against the family. Such was the power of a Purifier on this continent.

Following the Emperor's lead, the nobles dropped their lawsuits one by one. The families of the deceased grew cooperative. No more deaths occurred. While the issue of compensation remained, the Count finally found room to breathe.

However, a lingering doubt troubled him regarding Charlotte.

I don't like that she chose Paula.

She claimed she chose Paula only because they had met before and she felt a sense of familiarity. Investigations into Sasha and Charlotte revealed nothing beyond a chance meeting five years ago. Still, the Count couldn't ignore the possibility that Charlotte served Sasha, or that Paula aimed for something within the estate.

He decided to follow Rolf's advice.

[Ulrich] "Prepare the guest room on the third floor for Mrs. Becker and her son."

The room was not as grand as the one Vanessa occupied when she acted as the Countess's substitute. Nevertheless, it was a sunny, cozy space with a private bath—perfect for a mother and child.

Instead of becoming arrogant, Vanessa bowed low.

[Vanessa] "Thank you. Thank you, Count......"

She collapsed to the floor and sobbed. Her humility satisfied the Count.

[Ulrich] "Treat Mrs. Becker as a proper guest. Hire a separate nanny for the child."

[Servant] "Yes, My Lord."

[Ulrich] "Rolf, check on them regularly. Ensure the child grows up healthy."

No one in the mansion suspected that Vanessa's internal thoughts contradicted her humble exterior. Only Malea knew the truth, as Vanessa shared everything with her.

[Vanessa] "I have not named my son yet. I believe the Count will name him soon."

She held the child tightly as she spoke to Malea.

[Vanessa] "Ferdinand only needs to make one more mistake. Then my child becomes the sole legitimate heir."

[Malea] "That would be wonderful, but...... why are you so certain?"

[Vanessa] "Ferdinand killed someone so easily five years ago. Why do you think he stopped after that?"

[Malea] "The death sentence likely terrified him. He must have reflected on his actions."

[Vanessa] "Never. A man like him doesn't change. He escaped death once, so he believes he can escape it forever."

She remembered the words the Count whispered in her bedroom long ago. The S-class Transcendents had been managing Ferdinand—a task the Count should have handled.

[Vanessa] "Transcendents watched Ferdinand because they believed Odette was a Purifier. Marquis Kleist and the Crown Prince cleaned up every mess the boy made. They hated Odette, but he was still the brother of a Purifier."

[Malea] "......"

[Vanessa] "But look at them now. The Crown Prince lost his mind after Odette died. Even the Marquis, who seems sane, has abandoned Ferdinand entirely. Even though Odette returned."

[Vanessa] "Ferdinand will fail. He will cause an accident even bigger than the last one. The opportunity for my son is coming."

Her voice carried a conviction born of madness. It was the certainty of someone who had watched Ferdinand since his childhood.

And just as Vanessa predicted, Ferdinand caused a disaster.

A massive one.

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