Chapter 3. Nonsense
The imperial palace was truly grand and magnificent.
Where is the appointment ceremony being held?
There are so many buildings, I don’t know where to go.
It would be a disaster if I were late.
As I walked, I found myself in a garden filled with intricate ivory-colored statues, but I couldn’t tell which of the three buildings visible from here I needed to go to.
I checked the meeting place written on my acceptance letter again.
“Let’s see… The location is Sarnade Hall?”
“It’s the building on the left.”
“Ah, thank you… huh?”
I instinctively replied to the pleasant baritone voice I heard from behind, but then I stopped mid-sentence and turned around.
My pupils must have been enormously dilated at that moment.
Swoosh…
A warm breeze brushed past my cheek.
Feeling my stray hair flutter, I stood there with my mouth slightly open in a daze.
Brilliant silver hair.
Sapphire-like blue eyes.
Perfectly sculpted features without a single flaw.
“Beautiful…”
“What?”
“No, why did such nonsense come out of my mouth.”
“Nonsense?”
“No, I mean, it’s not that you’re not beautiful.”
“Not beautiful?”
“……”
Every time I open my mouth, I keep making mistakes.
I chose to just keep my mouth shut.
Then the man frowned slightly, seemingly displeased with something else.
What now?
What more do you want?
He looks handsome, but he’s so twisted.
I don’t think I said anything particularly rude, but he’s so good at finding fault.
Anyway.
There’s a reason people say looks aren’t everything.
As I grumbled inwardly, I noticed the man opening his mouth to say something else.
Even though it was my first time meeting him, I felt strangely nervous.
His appearance was extraordinarily luxurious.
Well, considering the place is the imperial palace, it’s natural for incredible people to be gathered here…
“Your Majesty!”
“……?!”
At that moment, someone’s shout from afar made my eyes widen like lanterns.
The man called ‘Your Majesty’ looked down at me with a gaze that seemed to ask, ‘Do you know who I am now?’
Yes, Your Majesty.
I apologize for not recognizing you.
Thinking about it, I don’t know how I didn’t realize it sooner.
One of the male leads in the original story, Johann, was described as a handsome man with flowing silver hair. Seeing him in person must have been shocking.
I can’t believe such a beautiful being exists in reality.
Isn’t this too unfair, God?
As I complained to God, a man who had run over by then swept his gray hair back and looked me up and down.
“Who is this person, Your Majesty?”
“Ah, Jesuf.”
Hearing the name from Johann’s mouth, I realized that the man who had just arrived was one of the supporting characters.
The emperor’s right-hand man and one of the top ten knights in the empire.
“I don’t know either. There was no introduction.”
And despite his loyalty, he was known for speaking his mind to the emperor, providing comedic moments…
“Rude. Show your manners immediately.”
Gasp!
But he wasn’t playful with me.
Feeling my heart constrict rapidly at the stern command that fell above my head, I quickly bowed my head.
“I am Seraphina, who passed the Imperial Purifier exam this time. I was on my way to the appointment ceremony, but since it’s my first time in the imperial palace, I didn’t recognize you. I apologize.”
“Ah.”
Johann responded indifferently to my rapid-fire apology, as if he already knew who I was.
What the hell is up with this guy?
Come to think of it, if he knew I was looking for Sarnade Hall, he must have known I was going to the appointment ceremony?!
Did he want me to greet him?
This guy!
Feeling my admiration for his handsome face shatter, I looked up to see Johann looking down at me with a noble gaze.
Ugh.
Scary but handsome.
“It’s you.”
At that moment, Johann’s lips curled up slightly.
Huh?
A rather gentle smile.
“A valuable talent has joined the imperial family. I was on my way to Sarnade Hall as well, so let’s go together.”
“Y-yes…”
Having just cursed at him, I found myself entranced by his face again and answered blankly.
I later learned that seeing that smile was a mistake.
I should have run away immediately…
That was not a smile of kindness, but one calculating how much he could exploit a new talent.
As Johann began to walk, Jesuf followed behind him.
But when I stood there dumbfounded, Johann turned back after a few steps, and Jesuf mirrored him like a reflection.
What is this?
Are they twins?
Their heights are similar.
Their hair colors, silver and gray, are different yet alike.
“What are you doing, Seraphina?”
“Ah, yes, I’m coming.”
Remembering my name after hearing it once, Johann called me in a soft voice.
Soon, I followed behind him like a little chick.
* * *
Sarnade Hall.
This beautiful place, surrounded on three sides by colorful stained glass, seemed to be used for various events in the imperial family.
Appointment ceremonies, oath ceremonies, knightings, and so on.
And today, for the official appointment of an Imperial Purifier… I was the only one present.
‘Meeting him by chance in the garden is one thing, but I didn’t expect to see him so close at the appointment ceremony.’
I thought I’d be able to observe Johann from a distance, but facing him right in front of me made me tense.
For someone like me, who had lived an ordinary life, facing such a prominent figure for a long time was tough on my heart. My hands were sweating from the tension.
‘Thinking about it, it’s only natural.’
Purifiers are so rare that there wouldn’t be many of them.
I thought there would be knights or others involved, but what is this?
The hall was still packed with people.
Everyone was curious and came to see the rare appearance of a purifier.
The curious stares from the nobles were piercing. I could feel their evaluating gazes as they looked me up and down.
Anyway, while I was struggling, Johann, who must have grown up under such scrutiny, seemed completely at ease.
What a strong heart.
I couldn’t help but respect him anew.
I looked up at Johann standing on the platform. The height difference, compounded by the platform, made it seem like my neck would break.
Unconcerned with my minor discomfort, Johann began to speak in a calm and dignified voice.
“I will read the oath. Please respond sincerely.”
“Yes.”
At my prompt reply, he chuckled and opened a fancy hardcover. Inside was a one-page oath.
His pleasant baritone voice filled the hall.
“Do you swear to use the noble power given by God for the benefit of humanity?”
“Yes, I swear.”
I shouldn’t have sworn.
“Do you swear to prioritize cleansing the undead above all else as a purifier?”
“I swear.”
Several more questions and answers followed.
And finally.
“Seraphina. I appoint you as an official Imperial Purifier.”
“Thank you.”
I bowed politely and received the appointment letter from Johann.
The nobles watching applauded.
Great.
Now I don’t have to worry about making a living.
Feeling proud, I caressed the appointment letter with one hand, planning to work intensely for just 2 or 3 years. Johann, noticing this, spoke as if he found it endearing.
“Your willingness to serve is truly pure.”
“Hehe.”
How is this service?
You’re paying such a high salary.
Hiding my true feelings, I spoke politely.
“I’m just glad I can be useful.”
“That attitude is very good.”
Johann nodded once and descended the platform with a flourish of his cloak. Then, Jesuf, who had been standing in the corner, swiftly moved and stuck to his side like a magnet.
As the two men walked away, a path opened up on either side like the parting of the Red Sea.
As I watched them, I couldn’t help but acknowledge it.
They’re really impressive.
Just walking exudes such an aura…
Who did the female lead, Aveline, end up with?
Having entered this world in the middle of reading the web novel, I didn’t know the ending.
But I did think this:
The other two male leads must have been just as impressive as Johann, making it a tough choice.
Well.
Each had their own charm.
If Johann’s charm was his noble demeanor, only to be desperate in front of Aveline, the northern Grand Duke had the charm of taking care of her while his ears turned red, despite his cold words.
And then there was the Commander of the Holy Knight Order…
Honestly, up to the middle part I read, I didn’t find any particular charm in him.
How should I put it?
He just did his job diligently, glancing at the female lead occasionally?
It seemed like he would gradually fall for Aveline as the story progressed, but he hadn’t yet.
Anyway, now that I’m a purifier, I’ll get to meet the other two as well, right?
Because in the original story, all three reminisced about Seraphina.
[The three men felt a familiar sensation. Aveline’s power reminded them of Purifier Seraphina, who had the most extensive purification ability in history. But she was even stronger than Seraphina. Incomparable.]
It went something like that.
So, I’ll meet them eventually, right?
I don’t know when, where, or how, though.
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Muito sus sempre estarem citando ela na obra original…
Ps: espero um time ship daqui a pouco, não quero ficar lendo ela sofrendo nao
Thanks for the update 🇧🇷 😸 🥰