She raised a hand, slipping off the leather glove that protected her fingers and revealing the sensitive, delicate skin beneath. Then she touched the pair of savage demon horns on her forehead.
As a Sacota, not only had her halo and light wings shattered and dimmed, but she had also grown the horns and tail unique to the Sarkaz. This was undoubtedly a sign of "fallen grace."
In Laterano, "fallen grace" meant Arturo had violated the law and committed a grave crime. She had to be executed or exiled.
Thus, Arturo naturally believed herself guilty.
Especially after trying to use Heart Sculptor to peer into Qianyi's mind, only to be taught a lesson by Qianyi in turn and harshly criticized by him as "unskilled and unworthy of being a musician," she understood better than anyone that she had committed an unforgivable sin.
She gently leaned her violin against the wall. Then, using her trembling legs to support her frail body, she slowly shuffled closer to Qianyi step by step, like a devout cleric practicing ascetic suffering and crawling along on a pilgrimage.
When she reached Qianyi, she could no longer hold herself up. Her knees gave way, and she fell to the floor.
Then she raised her face, cradled Qianyi's hand in both of hers, and slowly placed it against her slender, fragile neck—a neck so delicate that it seemed liable to snap with the slightest force.
"Through the Heart Sculptor you played for me, I finally understand. You possess the strongest will in this world. That will is powerful enough to end every catastrophe, suffering, and sin in this world. So I beg you—use your strength and will to destroy this filthy body and spirit of mine, and wash away every sin within this sinner's body..."
"Even if you