Chapter 133
The count’s entire body trembled.
Transcendents instinctively hide their intimidation in order to win the favor of a Purifier. They behave gently not only toward the Purifier but also toward the Purifier’s family.
That was why the count was experiencing this for the first time—this overwhelming hostility and pressure directed at him by monstrous beings. His lungs felt crushed; even breathing felt difficult. Like a frog before a snake, his head was filled with only a single instinct: escape.
“If the noble beasts of God would wait here, I will step outside and—”
The count barely squeezed out his voice, but what came back was a cold warning.
“Sit down and shut your mouth, Count. If you leave my sight, you’ll die on the spot.”
The count was stunned. The one who spoke was none other than Johann.
That harsh, tyrannical voice… Is that really the always-upright crown prince?
Frightened, the count obeyed the warning like a meek lamb. Because the servants had fled out of instinct, only the count and the Transcendents remained in the office.
The oppressive presence of the Transcendents was so overwhelming that the count didn’t realize something: they were, in fact, extremely anxious and on edge.
“Don’t ever lay a finger on my body without permission again. And stop interfering in my life.”
It was because of Odette’s cold attitude and voice. This was the first time she had ever drawn such a clear line.
Zion, Johann, and Victor all commanded many people. Naturally, they had already discovered where she had gone. They knew Odette had left the capital with Carl.
Yet they all still chose to officially visit the count’s mansion and wait there—in fear that Odette might scold them again. If she learned they had followed her on their own, she might push them further out of her life.
Her inexplicably cold behavior. Leaving alone with a slave. Odette resting comfortably against the slave’s chest.
A Purifier taken away by someone who wasn’t even a Transcendent.
All three of them were barely holding back their abilities, on the verge of exploding from jealousy.
And on top of that, they had to listen to the count’s insolent remarks…
Johann glared at the count, grinding his teeth.
“Salvation that comes too late is no salvation. Your Highness, I no longer wait for anyone to rescue me from hell. I don’t need it.”
Odette didn’t want the Transcendents involved in matters concerning the count’s estate.
So they never interfered, and in front of the count they suppressed their hostility and pretended to know nothing…
But seeing with their own eyes how she had been treated was a completely different level of shock compared to hearing reports. The urge to tear that disgusting man to pieces surged violently, pushing Johann’s ability to the brink.
Her body didn’t need to remain intact? Torture? What could that tiny girl possibly have done to justify that?
Veins bulged on the back of Johann’s hand as he clenched his fist to suppress his murderous intent.
Why was it so hard to hold back when it came to Odette?
Chivalry, military law, discipline—Johann felt as if all the patience he had cultivated simply collapsed before her.
The empire shook with the miracle Odette had created. The citizens turned their attitudes toward her as easily as flipping their hands.
They praised her even more fervently than they had when she had first awakened at the age of fifteen.
The pope and high priests—who had consistently criticized her for neglecting her duties as a saint—began praising her in every sermon. Those who witnessed the miracle of the Rotbart River raised their voices in agreement.
The imperial family showered gold coins to celebrate Odette’s reawakening. Reporters who had accused her of making excessive demands accused the imperial family instead, saying, “Demands of this level are expected from a daughter of God—how could the imperial family refuse?”
Gossip tabloids that spread scandals about her were shut down under the public’s attacks. For an entire week celebrating Odette’s festival, songs and fireworks filled every region without pause.
As if no one had ever called her a villainess. As if they had always loved her.
But there was one thing neither the temple nor the imperial family announced—too busy scheming how to exploit the miracle.
After she left with the slave, all contact with Odette was cut off. Even Count Albrecht had no idea where his daughter was. In truth, she had disappeared.
On the seventh day of her disappearance, a telegram reached the count. It was from Odette, informing him that she was at the Mersault villa.
The Mersault coast was famous for its unique geography. On a map, the right side bordered the sea while the left was surrounded by a crescent-shaped mountain range.
Because of that, the beach met a sheer cliff.
Most villas were built on flat beaches between the sea and the mountains. But Count Albrecht’s “Mersault Villa” alone was built atop the cliff that directly faced the sea.
A precarious location accessible only by climbing a tall mountain.
This was why Odette had lied about growing up there as a child. A mansion built on such a remote cliff had virtually no witnesses.
Which is why… this doesn’t make sense.
After a long journey, Odette arrived at the villa and froze with disbelief.
It hasn’t even been ten minutes since I sent the telegram, so how…?
Because Zion was already sitting inside the villa. In the very bedroom she planned to rest in.
“You’re late, Albrecht.”
“How… are you here? And why did you enter someone else’s villa? Someone else’s bedroom…?”
“You’re not trying to throw me out, are you? I haven’t slept a wink since you left.”
Even for an S‑class Transcendent, reaching this place in under ten minutes is impossible.
He must have set out before she sent the telegram.
Which meant he had someone tailing her.
Realizing this, Odette let out a hollow laugh.
“I’m sure I told you not to interfere anymore.”
“I didn’t interfere for a whole week until you sent the telegram. I even let you travel with that damned Fenrir.”
He spoke brazenly, as if he were the tolerant one.
“Don’t make that cold face, Albrecht. I’m only here to check if you’re alright. I also brought information that will help you.”
“Please leave. I don’t want to be entangled with Your Excellency anymore.”
Odette’s tone was icy. Now that she no longer needed to care about favorability, she had no reason to tolerate his presence.
Zion frowned, carefully observing her turquoise eyes. Then his expression stiffened, as if realizing something.
“You…”
He looked genuinely shocked—something rare for him. At that moment, Carl stepped forward.
“Master, please give me the order to dispose of the intruder.”
He readied himself to attack Zion, his fingers tensing as if he would kill him immediately.
Why is he like this again? Dispose of who?
Odette, wanting to prevent the situation from escalating, gently stopped Carl.
“It’s fine, Carl. He’s not worth the trouble.”
But for some reason, her words seemed to twist Zion’s mood even further.
“Albrecht, are you really going to hurt me like this? What if I get the urge to ruin your entire revenge plan?”
He was openly threatening her.
Zion pretended to be relaxed, but in reality, he was watching Odette anxiously the entire time—like a dog gauging its master’s temper.
Because he had noticed the deep indifference in her turquoise eyes. He wasn’t even reflected in her gaze anymore.
Why?
This wasn’t like her. She used to judge him carefully, weigh her words, calculate everything. This sudden shift made no sense to him.
“In that case… it seems there’s only you. The only one who can truly understand and help me…”
Weren’t you the one who said I’m the only one who understands your desire for revenge?
Wasn’t he her sole confidant? How could she look at him with such disinterest?
Zion likes Odette. He also harbors base desires toward her.
He knows feeling those two things toward the same woman makes him resemble the father he despises, yet he willingly accepts becoming that.
And yet you dare look at me like that.
To make things worse, the little wolf cub (Carl) stood in front of Odette protectively, as if shielding her from him. Ridiculous.
As if I would ever harm her.
The creature who posed the greatest danger to Odette dared to block him—even though he didn’t understand what a Purifier meant to a Transcendent.
The reason Zion resorted to empty threats was the same. He wanted to stir Odette, to draw out any emotion other than indifference.
“Hm? Should I just tell the count everything?”
Fortunately, it worked. Her indifference turned to cold hostility. Hatred was better than apathy. Only then did Zion feel he could breathe.
“Wait outside, Carl.”
Odette ordered Carl with an even colder expression.
