Chapter 131
Sion was in the outskirts of the capital, reconstructing the mind-control barrier.
He was weaving golden threads densely, covering the capital like a dome. Only Sion could accomplish such a feat, and not the slightest mistake was allowed.
A few calamities who had noticed the barrier tried to attack Sion. Johan was beside him, keeping the calamities under control so Sion’s focus wouldn’t break.
“…This is definitely much more complete than last time.”
It wasn’t just a matter of skill; it was about Sion’s condition.
“Just hugging Odette that one time already improved my condition beyond comparison.”
Even though Odette hadn’t exerted any purification will, the physical contact had somehow made a difference.
“Just a little more.”
The framework was nearing completion.
Then, suddenly, a cluster of lights surged toward Sion and Johan, one they had never seen before.
The ecstasy it carried made Sion’s mind reel, his concentration faltering.
The Crown Prince’s rough voice rang out.
“Don’t lose focus, Sion!”
“Damn it, I know, Your Highness.”
They were in the final stage of the basic framework they had spent a week constructing. If his focus slipped now, all that effort would go to waste.
Sion clenched his jaw hard. He could only regain his focus and finish the framework after tasting his own blood.
The ecstasy and pleasure coursing through his spine made even maintaining his usual concentration leave him drenched in cold sweat.
Both Sion and Johan immediately recognized it—the source of this scent and light was Odette.
No one else could make them feel this.
‘What on earth is happening to Odette?’
Johan, looking anxious, scanned the barrier, his eyes restless.
When the framework of the barrier was finally complete, all the calamities nearby became instantly powerless, as if controlled by the barrier’s ability. Watching the calamities retreat from the capital, Johan asked:
“Is it complete?”
“The basic framework is done.”
If Sion said that, it meant the calamities wouldn’t invade the capital for at least a year. Soon, they would spend almost a year more turning it into a permanent barrier.
Once the situation was confirmed, Johan leapt lightly and flew up to the clock tower. Sion followed.
From the highest building in the capital, the entire city was visible. The sacred sight of the city covered in a sea of light was breathtaking.
“This is….”
Even the citizens had rushed outside, joyfully gazing at the spectacle.
“It’s a miracle! A miracle!”
“All the rivers are being purified! Clean water is flowing from the capital pumps too!”
The citizens were reveling in the miracle.
This kind of purification was unprecedented. No record in any scripture described such overwhelming… power.
Rosaline, the first and greatest saint recorded in the scriptures, had performed miracles that at best purified all transcendent beings in a single ward.
But this purification not only removed the contamination of transcendent beings but also cleansed the surrounding area from calamities’ taint and healed the wounds of the capital’s citizens.
Johan and Sion, as if enchanted, moved toward the source of the light.
When Odette opened her eyes, a status window appeared before her.
[ ♡ Quest Success ♡ ]
[ Quest Objective: Gain ‘Overwhelming Support’ from the citizens of the capital ]
[ Current Fame: 1000 (Blind Devotion) ]
[ Congratulations! You have achieved blind devotion beyond overwhelming support. ]
[ Reward: ‘Shop’ function in the status window ]
[ Reward will be automatically received. ]
[ Goal Overachievement: 500 ]
[ Remaining Duration: 2 days ]
[ Special rewards based on overachievement and remaining time will be granted later. ]
The status window emitted a peach blossom color and scent, emphasizing that she truly was a purifier.
‘This is ridiculous…’
A wry laugh escaped her lips.
All Odette had wanted in this life was to live a real life, free from family and the male leads. Awakening as a true purifier was just an annoying variable in that life.
‘The life I wanted? The plans I made for it?’
Why?! Why now, of all times?!
At the moment Odette felt despairing rage, a strange voice reached her ears.
“Saint, please accept my bow.”
Startled, she looked around.
[ ‘Möller’s Report’ inventory has been retrieved from the status window just before Odette fainted. Rest assured ♥ ]
Behind the disappearing status window, hundreds of people surrounded her.
In the front row, one person bowed to her—deeply, as one would when offering themselves to God.
Others in line began bowing as well.
‘Just the fact that it’s Charlotte Han-song is enough to make my head explode…’
Her head ached.
The status window, the crowd, even the floral scent from her own body—nothing pleased her.
“Are you in much pain, Odette?”
Johan’s voice was unnervingly close. Excited, Odette realized she was in his arms.
“……”
She didn’t respond. She had neither the strength nor the desire.
“Is that a question, Your Highness? With her fever like that… Odette, you should see the High Priest. That was an awakening phenomenon, since you’ve already awakened. And you’ve reawakened, so your body…”
“Darling, are you okay? Hey, Crown Prince. You’re holding me wrong, it’s uncomfortable. Hand me over.”
“Sion, the High Priest isn’t the problem. Let’s call the Imperial Palace first.”
Sion and Victor were beside Johan.
‘Checking for disgust.’
Odette muttered the words to herself with a slightly hollow feeling.
[ Johan’s Disgust: 0 ]
[ Sion’s Disgust: 0 ]
[ Victor’s Disgust: 0 ]
‘I never imagined I’d see their disgust levels like this…’
She let out a wry laugh.
‘I worked so hard trying to lower them.’
Since Odette was a true purifier, no transcendent being could kill her. Not at disgust 100, not beyond 100. They simply could not.
‘For something I didn’t even need to lower… I worked so hard, tried so hard to appease them.’
In her past life, Odette had lived a truly ridiculous life. She had hated it and tried desperately not to be ridiculous in this life… and yet, here she was, feeling ridiculous again.
She spoke to Johan, who held her limp in his arms, in a drained voice:
“Let go.”
It sounded cold even to her own ears. The three male leads flinched, staring as if they’d never heard such a tone before.
‘Come to think of it, I’ve never shown my feelings in front of them.’
Focused on their disgust, Odette had never revealed the disgust she felt toward them.
‘I felt true repulsion, true hatred.’
“You… didn’t hurt, right? Sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
Johan, flustered, relaxed his arms. Odette rose from his embrace.
“Where are you going? Do you even know your own condition?”
“……Don’t touch me!”
Odette coldly swatted away Victor’s hand. She no longer cared about his shocked expression.
“Never touch my body again. And don’t interfere in my life.”
Her warning was colder than before as she turned away from them.
Her whole body was hot, her chest tight.
‘So even being this angry can feel so overwhelming.’
She wanted to leave immediately, but amidst the crowd bowing to her, she couldn’t take a single step freely.
“Move aside.”
Several citizens stood and cleared a path, bowing again as they stepped back.
It was truly absurd.
Until recently, they mocked her, called her a villainess, ridiculed and despised her.
As she barely escaped the river with scorn, a pure white carriage blocked her path.
The Pope and High Priests rushed out from within.
“Oh, I’ve never seen this before. Even the great Saint Rosaline’s awakening miracles only lasted ten minutes… and this lasted three hours? And it’s a reawakening! Surely God loves Saint Odette especially!”
“Please board the temple carriage, Saint. We have come to escort you.”
The High Priest opened the carriage door. Faces she had seen in her past life appeared.
The priests who had debated whether to burn her or stone her now looked at her with reverence.
“By the authority of the Pope, today shall be celebrated as the Feast of Saint Odette! Never in my life have I been so joyous!”
Priests in front, citizens behind—no one cared about how Odette felt.
Amidst the chaos, she felt like a lost child.
‘Someone… get me out of here.’
She wanted to disappear anywhere.
At that moment, a horse galloped loudly from far to her left.
