Chapter 106: True Freedom (33)

"Is that so..."

Flora tilted her head, squinted at Herbert, and nodded noncommittally.

Clearly, this demon sage did not fully believe Herbert.

She indeed felt no greed or desire emanating from Herbert, unlike the mortals she had encountered before.

But being well-acquainted with humans, she understood they were complex, not one-dimensional.

Their emotions were sometimes more chaotic than those of demons.

Even without such negative emotions, they might still commit cruel acts for other reasons.

Such as for their so-called love and justice.

Or like that powerful old man, godlike in strength, coldly dragging her in...

Flora gazed at the handsome white-haired youth and spoke slowly: "Young warden, I've told you so much about myself—now it's your turn."

"What do you... want from me?"

"Want from you?"

Herbert raised an eyebrow and chuckled: "You sound less like a demon and more like a devil."

In certain stereotypes, only devils would think carefully before making contracts, manipulating them beneath the guise of fairness.

Demons... heh, they had no brains at all—they just attacked outright.

"You think I'm one of those Bai Chi?"

Before Flora could frown in anger, Herbert waved his hand and continued: "Young Lady Flora, you misunderstand—I don't want anything from you right now."

"We are not in such a relationship."

He smiled faintly, raising an eyebrow: "Rather, what can you, as a prisoner, offer? And what do you hope to gain from me, the warden?"

Friend, understand your place.

You are the challenger.

"You..."

Flora had been angered upon hearing this, but quickly calmed, frowned in thought, and swiftly accepted the reality.

She had indeed misjudged her own position, assuming this warden was just another weak, feeble mortal like the others.

This boy's strength might not surpass previous wardens—only mid-tier, barely above—but he carried a unique aura unlike any other.

Lavish and elegant, yet sharp and lethal.

Appearances were calm and gentle, but in truth, cold and arrogant.

At this moment, he was not a weakling humbly pleading with a stronger being for rewards.

He stood above the clouds, gazing down indifferently at the ants beneath, extending his hand as if bestowing mercy, sprinkling dew.

This air of supreme superiority was utterly incomparable to those others.

So Flora did not question—she asked directly: "What can you give me?"

Seeing her so direct, Herbert did not hesitate—he revealed his cards.

"I can give you much."

"I can give you knowledge you don't understand, ancient arts, lost lineages."

Herbert himself might not be skilled in these, but as long as someone else knew, it was enough.

Whether it was the Harmonic Deity he carried, or the library guarded by the Ash Bishop, both held vast quantities of precious knowledge.

And all of it, he could access at will.

"I can also grant you limited freedom—reduce the power of this area's sealing array, or..."

Herbert pointed to the devil still hanging behind him: "Silence that noisy bastard."

"In short, if you cooperate with my work and strive to reform, one day you will surely escape this prison."

"Grant you true freedom."

After saying this, Herbert noticed Flora's lackluster reaction, so he revealed his true trump card.

"If you perform well enough, I can even teach you how to completely suppress your chaotic nature."

!!!

The petite succubus snapped her head up, eyes blazing as she fixed them on Herbert.

"What did you say!?"

Good.

Seeing her reaction, Herbert felt even more certain, smiling faintly: "You heard correctly."

"You might ignore other conditions—but this one, isn't this what you've always sought?"

"I will give you true... freedom."

"Not freedom of the body, but true freedom of the soul."

Yes.

All previous conditions were merely embellishments—this was the real killer move!

Before speaking with Flora, Herbert had pondered one question—how should he handle this demon lady?

As an outstanding sage among demons, Flora's intellect was certainly far higher than that of some hungry dragon—possibly three or even two dragons' worth!

Among all the prisoners he'd encountered, only Svan-ni might match her.

In short—hard to deceive.

In fact, impossible to deceive.

For the intelligent, the right approach is to avoid petty tricks.

Better to lay everything openly on the table, present your terms, and hand the choice to them.

"I can give you all this — what can you offer in return?"

"You…"

And upon hearing that last sentence, the excitement gradually faded from Flora's expression, leaving her looking quite flat.

She narrowed her eyes, staring hard at Herbert, trying to find evidence of a lie on him — but failed.

The other party wasn't lying.

This young Warden did indeed possess a method he himself believed to be effective.

However, he certainly hadn't told the whole truth either — he must have deliberately held something back.

That was normal, and understandable.

"Do you really have a way to resolve my nature?"

"I do."

Flora deliberated for a moment, then lowered her head slightly and said calmly, "…If you truly can help me as you say, I am willing to temporarily take you as my master."

That simple?

Herbert, somewhat surprised, said with a strange look in his eyes: "You're very calm, and also very…prudent."

Aren't you being a little too understanding?

But Flora appeared quite calm, showing no resistance or shame, and said lightly: "A wise person should know how to make the right choice."

"Since you're willing to trust me, then I…"

Herbert stood ramrod straight, his expression solemn, placed his right hand over his chest, and swore in a deep voice: "In the name of the gods, I swear I will keep my promise."

The next second, a delighted voice rang out in his heart.

【"Okay~"】

And Flora, upon seeing Herbert's sworn oath, visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

Since he dared to swear before the gods, it must be true…

"Then, my master…what do you need me to do for you?"

Flora still didn't know, even now, exactly what Herbert wanted from her.

"It's simple — I need you to give me some help…"

Herbert stepped forward, leaving only a single step between himself and the petite succubus in the lava pool.

He said:

"I want you to aid my cultivation!"

Flora:?

The last chapter was scheduled at the wrong time…lol.

Good thing I took another look, otherwise you lot would've only seen it tomorrow. (scratches head)

Hard at work stockpiling chapters ing — once it goes on the shelves I'll definitely explode with updates, and right now not being able to drop extra chapters makes my whole body itch with anxiety, terrified everyone's going to stockpile the book and run off…boohoo.

Bear with it a little longer! It'll be soon!

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(End of this chapter)