I Cured the Mastermind and Failed to Run Away - Chapter 15

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 15

The atmosphere shifted in an instant. Excitement rippled through the room from every direction.
It was all the more electric because there were currently only two 2nd-grade Purifiers in the entire Empire.
“A 2nd-grade Purifier has appeared? You’ve heard this, Miss Etherrion? Where did you get such information?”
“Is it reliable? Purifiers are a matter of national concern—”
These same women who, moments before, had been gossiping freely about that young lady who’d been enjoying a secret rendezvous with Chedwin in the banquet hall—spreading baseless rumors about whether she had children—now questioned her on the reliability of her sources.
The double standard was almost amusing.
“Well, you know.”
Levelin merely shrugged lightly.
“It’s just something I overheard. Nothing confirmed, really.”
She brought her index finger to her lips as if sharing a secret.
“So perhaps we should keep this between us and not mention it further?”
The magic words “between us” had been invoked.
Soon enough, the rumor would spread across the entire Empire—a “secret among all citizens.”
Her casual, unburdened tone seemed to delight the young ladies, who nodded enthusiastically as they absorbed this fresh piece of gossip.
“Agreed. Just us.”
“Everyone keep quiet about it!”
“But truly, if the rumors are fact and a 2nd-grade Purifier does appear, oh, it would be wonderful even to imagine!”
“Our Empire would possess three 2nd-grade Purifiers then, wouldn’t we?”
“If a new 2nd-grade Purifier emerges, it would be a blessing. You see, one of our current 2nd-grade Purifiers suffered mobility issues years ago after a battle with a Demonic Beast in a Contaminated Zone. I’ve heard that when regions with thick Demonic Energy arise, she feels obligated to go herself, though it strains her considerably.”
“And apparently, the frequency of Contaminated Zones appearing in the Capital has been shortening.”
“We’re short on Purifiers. Even lower-grade Purifiers are needed—”
One of the young ladies caught herself mid-sentence and glanced sideways at Levelin.
Lower-grade Purifier—that meant Levelin, a 10th-grade Purifier.
But Levelin remained composed. She paid it no mind. After all, it wasn’t a lie or an inaccuracy.
So she smiled and continued the conversation.
“Which is precisely why a 2nd-grade Purifier appearing at such a time must be nothing less than divine will.”
As Levelin accepted this without objection, the others exchanged glances before launching eagerly into fresh discussion.
For now, erasing the rumors about Chedwin was the priority.
Levelin sipped her tea and nodded with quiet satisfaction.

* * *

The rumors flew like wind.
Indeed, secrets kept “among us” always spread faster.
Soon, embellishments followed—tales of a Purifier chosen by divine will, a savior of worlds, all manner of sacred additions to the story.
‘Perfect. Sophia’s entrance deserves rumors of this caliber!’
She’d been concerned about the Contaminated Zone vanishing before her grand arrival, but this at least was fortunate.
Of course, that didn’t mean the rumors about Chedwin had disappeared.
Whoever was spreading them—she couldn’t fathom who—kept fanning the flames with fresh, salacious details whenever things seemed to quiet down.
She’d occasionally questioned servants about the street gossip and whether Chedwin seemed to be searching for anyone, but there were no signs of it!
‘I’m certain now. Chedwin isn’t looking for me.’
When she thought about it, he wasn’t even receiving Purification because he was too busy suppressing Demonic Energy with his own power—so there was no reason for him to go searching just because she’d performed some Purification that day.
Remembering all those anxious, sleepless nights alone, she had to laugh at herself.
Once these strange rumors faded, everything would be settled.
‘When Sophia’s identity as the Purifier mentioned in the rumors is revealed, everyone will forget about Chedwin’s gossip anyway.’
But for that to happen, Sophia had to make an appearance first.
Fortunately, finding Sophia wasn’t difficult.
In the original story, she’d noted the inn where Sophia stopped to pack a bag before following the Crown Prince—and Levelin had located a matching establishment quickly enough.
A shabby inn in a dangerous neighborhood on the outskirts.
Sophia was there.
‘Originally she was known as a 2nd-grade Purifier the moment she arrived in the Capital, and after following the Crown Prince, she lived only in comfortable surroundings!’
The instant Levelin pinpointed Sophia’s location, she went to meet her. Sophia seemed startled—a noblewoman suddenly appearing to seek her out—and shrank back tensely.
The escort standing beside her stepped forward instead of Levelin and gave a brief introduction.
“This is Miss Levelin Etherrion—the pride of the Etherrion Count House, its light, and a gift bestowed by the divine.”
Sophia murmured the words “a young lady graced with flowery titles,” then clasped her hands together in a bow.
“I’m S-Sophia.”
She showed no sign of surprise, as if she didn’t recognize their meeting at the workshop.
Once the introduction was complete, the escort tactfully withdrew behind Levelin.
“Be at ease.”
Levelin gestured for her to sit, and Sophia lowered herself onto the chair with careful deliberation, her frame still rigid with tension. The sudden turn of events seemed to unsettle her; she fidgeted with her fingers, eyes darting about to read the atmosphere.
“I brought some cookies.”
The best way to lighten a mood was to share something delicious.
“Would it be alright if we talked while eating?”
“Of c-course, Miss. Whatever suits you best.”
The escort retrieved the basket left in the corner and set out the cookies on the table.
The appetizing cookies released a sweet aroma into the air.
Sophia swallowed hard, her eyes fixed on the treats and unable to look away.
“Are there any cookies you dislike?”
“I… I get to eat some too?”
Levelin laughed lightly.
“If I’d meant to eat them alone, I wouldn’t have brought them out here in the first place.”
“R-really, Miss?”
Gurgle—
Before Sophia could finish her question, a loud sound erupted from her stomach.
“I’m so sorry, so sorry! The truth is… I haven’t eaten since yesterday.”
Seeing Sophia’s admission of hunger nearly brought tears to Levelin’s eyes.
‘If I hadn’t messed up the beginning of the original story, she’d be sleeping comfortably right now with a full belly!’
A wave of guilt mixed with newfound responsibility swept over Levelin, and she quickly pushed the cookies toward Sophia.
“As it happens, my mouth feels parched and I’ve lost my taste for cookies anyway. Eat my share too.”
“B-but how could I possibly presume to eat your cookies, Miss?”
“These cookies have quite a story behind them.”
“A story? In cookies?”
“The baker, Betsy, is actually an eighty-year-old grandmother… She believes she’s cursed with insomnia if she ever hears that any food she made was wasted somewhere.”
“A grandmother’s cookies.”
“Exactly. We can’t subject an eighty-year-old grandmother to insomnia. It would be terrible for her health.”
The person who actually baked the cookies was young, and her name wasn’t Betsy at all.
“I-in that case, I’ll eat them gratefully.”
Sophia reached for a cookie with trembling hands and carefully stuffed a large one into her mouth—crunch!
The cookie crumbled between her teeth, her lips working busily as she chewed.
Finding them quite delicious, Sophia grabbed the next cookie before she’d finished the first, popping it into her mouth with barely a pause.
Both her hands and lips moved without rest, each attending to its task.
‘Bringing these was worth it!’
Sophia felt Levelin’s gaze on her and hesitated mid-chew, crumbs scattered all around her mouth.
“Y-you said we could talk while eating, but… I’m sorry, Miss. I’ve just been eating this whole time.”
“It’s fine. Grandmother Betsy will sleep soundly tonight. Feel free to eat more.”
May Betsy, wherever she was, rest well.
“Heh. Ahem.”
Behind her, the sound of suppressed laughter was barely contained.
The escort stood watching Sophia with the expression of someone observing two squirrels racing inside a wheel, his lips trembling as he bit them to hold back his amusement.
‘What’s so funny?’
Levelin glared at him with a sharp, pointed look.
The escort’s cheeks twitched.
Levelin mouthed “go” to him, and he left, grinning.
‘Good.’
With only the two of them left in the room, the sound of cookie-crunching filled the silence.
So, how should she start the conversation?
It was always the way—delay the important words or speak around them, and misunderstandings would inevitably bloom.
‘I hate ending up in awkward situations because I can’t say what needs to be said.’
Right then. She’d do it now, without dancing around it—speak plainly and directly.
Levelin leaned forward on the table, lowering her voice.
“Sophia.”
“Yes?”
“You’re a Purifier.”
“…?”
Sophia froze mid-bite, the cookie forgotten at her lips, as if she’d just heard the world was ending. Her mouth hung open in an O that matched the shape of the cookie itself.
Levelin paid her no mind, holding up two fingers with utter seriousness.
“2nd-grade.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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