Chapter 117: I Need a Bodyguard (Meaningful Glance) (23)

Within the Seal Sanctuary, Herbert once again met the Archbishop, bowing respectfully behind him.

"Your Eminence."

"Child, you've come again. It seems your plan has already… hmm?"

Hearing this, the Archbishop turned his head, studied Herbert carefully for a moment, and slightly widened his eyes in some surprise.

"You…"

Herbert humbly lowered his head, offering no explanation of his own, waiting for the Archbishop to come up with a reasonable explanation himself.

For a leader with such strong personal ability, you don't need to explain much—he can find reasons to convince himself on his own.

Actively explaining some "parts he hasn't thought of yet" would instead backfire and displease him, producing that rebellious "What are you explaining? Do you think I wouldn't understand?" mentality.

Sure enough, after pondering for a moment, the Archbishop's warm smile remained as he nodded admiringly:

"Heh heh, very impressive. Your talent in holy power cultivation is even more outstanding than I imagined—to have fully adapted to the body's transformation by holy power in such a short time."

The Archbishop attributed Herbert's physical improvement to an extremely high adaptability to holy power.

This was still astonishing, but indeed possible.

He had seen far too many geniuses in his life—Divine Favored alone numbered more than ten, and he had even seen several God-Ascenders who achieved divinity through faith.

Although those few God-Ascenders had only become the lowest-tier subordinate gods of the divine pantheon, that was still a complete step into the domain of deities, transcending mortal beings from then on.

Although Herbert's adaptability to holy power was outstanding, it had not reached the point that would make him gape in astonishment.

Thinking this, the Archbishop gently nodded—mm, already very impressive, but this talent is still a bit inferior to mine.

After finishing his praise, the Archbishop raised his hand and patted Herbert's shoulder, signaling him to sit back in his previous seat.

"Since you've arrived safely, I suppose those heretics have been successfully purified according to your plan."

"Yes, all the dark elf heretics have been completely purified."

"No one else lent a hand?"

Herbert proudly raised his head and said with a hint of pride: "Yes, just as I promised before—relying solely on the monsters of the Third Commandment."

All of this, without relying on anyone's help, depended entirely on my own efforts and theirs!

We're really amazing!

The Archbishop looked at the proud, smug youth, smiled kindly, and appeared to be in quite a pleasant mood.

As an elderly elder, the Archbishop was very glad to see young people in such a spirited, energetic state.

Although young people might not necessarily live longer than himself, nor travel farther than he had, they represented the hope of the future.

And good children deserve praise.

The Archbishop didn't beat around the bush with a bunch of chicken soup, getting straight to the point: "Child, you came to see me specifically this time—is there some reward you want?"

At his level, pretense held no meaning whatsoever; better to be simple and direct.

Herbert understood this too, and didn't put on a false show of modesty.

He straightened his posture, stared intently into the Archbishop's calm eyes, and said in a low voice: "Archbishop, Your Eminence, I wish to temporarily leave the monastery and return to Frost Crystal Wang Cheng to settle some personal matters."

Just a little personal matter.

The Archbishop raised an eyebrow at him, then gently nodded: "Granted. Is that your only request?"

"No, Your Eminence, I have other requests."

Herbert took a deep breath, silently clenched his fists, and said with a somewhat resolute, all-in tone: "I wish you would allow me to… take one person from the monastery to protect my safety."

Hmm?

The Archbishop narrowed his eyes, silently gazing at the bold youth before him.

And the youth did not back down either, controlling every muscle in his body to remain calm, meeting the gaze without the slightest tremor, serenely welcoming the Saint's scrutiny.

In an instant, the sanctuary fell into dead silence, and time itself seemed to grind to a halt.

Perhaps an instant passed, or perhaps half a day.

"…"

Just as Herbert felt he had been seen through completely, the Archbishop finally withdrew his gaze, gently shook his head, and said softly:

"Speak—who do you wish to take with you?"

The moment he spoke, the pressure vanished entirely.

Hoo—

Herbert let out a long breath of stale air, bent over somewhat drained, and labored to take deep breaths.

"Cough, cough!"

Even though he had long been prepared, Herbert hadn't noticed how much pressure he had just been under, nor had he much awareness of it.

Only now, coming back to his senses, it actually gave him the feeling of having walked a trip along the edge of life and death…

Was this a warning?

Herbert quickly came back to his senses, understanding this was the Archbishop's warning and admonishment to him, causing his somewhat inflated confidence to rein itself in once more.

What I give you is yours.

What I don't give you, you cannot take.

Although the Archbishop hadn't said it so bluntly, Herbert always had such a feeling.

But after the heart-palpitations faded, only wild joy remained in Herbert's heart, and he secretly laughed.

"…Heh, heh heh!"

Betting right.

Never mind whether the process was dangerous or not… but in any case, he didn't refuse!

The Archbishop didn't refuse on the spot, so there was room for maneuver in this matter.

Herbert quickly adjusted himself, sat up straight again, and said firmly: "【The Furious One】 Valentina · Blazing Flame."

"I hope I can take Valentina with me when I leave the monastery."

Archbishop, I want this!

"..."

The Archbishop gave no answer, but asked in a voice that betrayed no emotion, "Child, do you truly understand what this means?"

Here comes the key point.

Herbert knew the crucial moment was now, and said with unwavering resolve, "I know. I am very clear about what kind of price I will pay for doing this."

"To the people of the world, Valentina is an extremely dangerous magical creature, and they will be filled with dread toward her."

"Once she goes berserk in Frost Crystal Wang Cheng, it will cause casualties numbering in the tens of thousands, and I... will become the greatest sinner."

"Even so, I still wish to choose her, because she has truly changed."

Herbert rose, then dropped to one knee before the Archbishop and implored, "I hope you can give me, and give her, a chance to prove it to the people of the world."

"Tell them she is not a monster that knows only destruction!"

Herbert spoke with heartfelt sincerity, but the Archbishop was not moved.

The old man shook his head and spoke calmly:

"No, child, you are wrong."

"If she goes berserk, the sinner will not be you, nor even the rampaging evil dragon — it will only be Mist Monastery."

Herbert:!

Seeing the boy freeze, the old man continued, "The people of the world will not care who you are. They will only know that Mist Monastery released an evil dragon and indulged her as she wrought havoc in the world."

"By that time, even I will have no way to spare her again."

The Archbishop's expression was calm, yet Herbert felt a terrifying pressure he could not resist at all.

That saint gazed with pity upon the child of naive thoughts and mercilessly pronounced the evil dragon's end.

"I can only... utterly purify her."

(End of chapter)