Chapter 130: Tool (35: Thank you to the alliance of those whose hands hold nothing)

Philia also noticed Herbert's gaze and followed his line of sight, somewhat surprised by his keen perception.

He had actually accurately picked out those people… just from their reactions?

Perhaps because she had completely let down her usual mask, Philia found conversation much easier and asked quite bluntly:

"You came back to take revenge on them?"

"Revenge? No, 'revenge' isn't quite the precise word. To be more accurate, what I'm about to do is — exact retribution."

"Exact retribution…"

Philia's brow furrowed briefly, then relaxed as she shook her head: "I'm afraid things won't be that easy."

"Those people's identities, you…"

Philia was about to speak, but Herbert shook his head to stop her: "Shh."

"You don't need to tell me."

Herbert looked at her and smiled: "I don't need anyone's help. I'll find the answer myself."

A truth that hasn't been concealed by anyone.

I don't even need your explanation.

Whether you have your reasons or not, it makes no difference.

Once I figure out the truth, I'll naturally reach my own conclusion.

Are you an enabler who stoked the flames? An indifferent bystander? Or someone forced into it with unspeakable difficulties?

When the whole truth comes to light, I will naturally make my judgment regarding you as well.

"…"

Philia frowned but didn't insist on defending herself, continuing to shake her head: "Besides, your current status probably won't allow you to act recklessly."

"Is there a problem with that? A Holy Knight isn't some pitiful wretch to be bullied at will."

Herbert smiled calmly and said lightly: "Eradicating evil, upholding justice — who could say I'm not a Holy Knight?"

"No, it's precisely because you're a Holy Knight that it'll be very troublesome." Philia shook her head, not believing Herbert could succeed easily.

If Herbert were still just the second son of the Silver Wing family as before, no one would say anything about his revenge.

But now Herbert has become a Holy Knight. With a different status, certain things become extremely delicate.

If a Holy Knight were to lay hands on nobles without cause, it would inevitably make every noble feel unsafe.

In this world, how many nobles are truly clean?

Even if you yourself are clean, are the people under your command, your other vassal forces, truly clean?

If you can use this excuse to kill them, might you find other excuses to destroy us who are evil?

That's why Holy Knight organizations have always been unwelcome among the nobility.

Let alone allowing Holy Knights to eradicate evil — many cities don't even dare let them into the inner city's noble district.

But Herbert had long anticipated this and retorted: "Even if some nobles oppose it, so what? What can they actually do?"

"You… do you want to shake the very foundations of the kingdom?"

Philia shook her head slightly, sensing Herbert's ambitions were far greater than that: "You must be mad."

"I'm not mad, and they were never the foundation of the kingdom to begin with."

"Who does this kingdom truly belong to? The nobles? The royal family? Or… heh."

Herbert's words stopped there, not going deeper, and he said lightly:

"If I can use the name of justice to carry out my revenge while bringing a better future to the kingdom, who could deny that I'm a model Holy Knight?"

When the results are laid out before everyone's eyes, who would dare chatter on about it?

At this point Philia could barely manage her expression, her brow deeply furrowed as she said in a low voice: "…Why tell me so much? Do you really think I'll help you?"

"Why not?"

Herbert shrugged, gesturing for her to look at the gazes of the others, and chuckled softly: "From an outsider's perspective, haven't we always been the closest of friends?"

Looking at the others' gazes — some suggestive, some curious, some resentful — Philia suddenly understood.

"So you came to this appointment today for this reason…"

"Just part of the reason."

Herbert smiled: "You missed my coming-of-age ball, but as a former close friend, I didn't want to miss yours. How about it? Do you feel you owe me even more now?"

Herbert's coming-of-age ceremony was spent at the monastery.

On a late night in late September, he spent it alone, all by himself in an alien-race prison cell… welcoming his birthday alongside a group of monster girls.

And on the very next day after coming of age, he led the Blood Moon night's massacre against the dark-elf prison-breakers, treating it as a coming-of-age gift to himself.

He came for revenge, and came well-prepared.

But after all, a Holy Knight is still subject to certain constraints and can't truly go on a killing spree until the rivers run with blood…

Destruction is easy.

Cleanup is always the hardest part.

Directly charging the noble faction would be irrational — it would only force them to unite and present a united front against the outside.

But there is an indirect approach — let the Frost Crystal royal family make the move.

Acting against the nobles in the name of royal family members — even if it provokes a backlash from the nobles, it has nothing to do with him, the pure and untouchable Holy Knight.

This is the Holy Divider!

And Philia, originally one of the tools Herbert had selected, could be used very smoothly from every aspect.

And upon noticing the alien bloodline within her, Herbert made his decision on the spot — perfect, it's decided, it's you!

He already had leverage to control her, and now not only did he have another, but it could also complement his special attack against alien races.

"…I won't help you."

"No, you will."

Just as Philia was about to continue arguing, an irritated voice cut into their conversation.

"Tch."

Sister Valentina, her face shining with oil, pouted unhappily and complained: "I say… burp! Cough, how long are you two going to keep hugging? Is there no end to this!"

Philia:?

She frowned, about to reply, but her eyes suddenly went wide at the sight over there.

Empty, empty… the entire dining table was completely empty!

???

You—how much did you actually eat?

At that moment, she suddenly realized something was off—this nun… wasn't simply a powerful warrior.

Even a legendary warrior couldn't so easily stuff that much food into her stomach.

This person…

Just as Valentina was getting annoyed, the dance music also happened to end. Herbert immediately released Philia's hand and, without a shred of reluctance, turned and walked toward the Hungry Dragon… ahem, the Full Dragon Young Lady.

"You really ate… oh?"

Before he could even finish complaining, the Dragon Young Lady, who had twitched her nose and now wore a displeased expression, grabbed him in a hug.

Ignoring everyone else's gaze, she hugged him tightly!

She buried her head in Herbert's embrace and rubbed against him hard, as if trying to cover everyone else's scent with her own.

"You…"

Herbert let her have her way, and only after a good while did he sigh helplessly and say weakly:

"Don't wipe your mouth on my clothes."

Everyone, I know you're anxious, but please don't be anxious just yet, trust me—

There definitely won't be any "forgive the smell" segment; it's already written very clearly.

She's just a plot device, a little toy (little tool) to push the romance line forward, don't be so eager to kill her off…

Let's put it this way—an NTR without a wronged party (pseudo) is meaningless; those who know, know.





(End of this chapter)