It was a threat.
A naked threat.
Tears shimmered in Ophiel's eyes, and the wrenching emotions battered her heart without cease. She had long since understood that, from the moment he refused to let her die, she had lost the right to live as a free person.
She simply felt desolate. She had never imagined that this would be the fate awaiting her.
"What do you want me to do..."
Forced to tilt her chin up, she slowly closed her eyes, her heart already reduced to ashes.
Lin En smiled at her and said:
"It's simple. I don't need you to deliberately act as though you want to please me. Just be yourself. As long as you keep vouching for my identity before the public and your colleagues as you did before, show up immediately whenever I need you, and don't disclose what's happening here..."
"Then you'll still be the Church's Divine Attendant, and we can still enjoy each other's company just as we always have."
Ophiel opened her eyes, desolation filling them.
"If that's all, why did you tell me the truth? Why did you make me learn all this?"
Lin En said softly:
"Because deception is a troublesome business, Ophiel. There are still many things I need you to do that I can only entrust to you once you understand me well enough. If I wanted you to kill someone, for instance, how would you ever willingly do it for me unless I could make you obey me unconditionally?"
Hatred surged in Ophiel's eyes, and she struggled desperately.
"In your dreams!!"
A puppet.
Yes.
She could see his intentions clearly now. He wanted to turn her into his puppet for expanding his influence in the Lower Realm! Into a tool in his hands, a blade.
**"I'd rather die