Chapter 146: Is This Qualification Enough? (45 Extra Chapters 7)

The atmosphere within the temple suddenly became very delicate.

Kaplan narrowed her eyes and pressed her palm against the book at her waist — the one with eight striking horns connected by chains.

And Valentina glared at Layla without any attempt to hide it, letting out an angry snort.

"Hmph!"

Of the three, only Herbert's expression was unusually calm, looking into Layla's eyes with deep meaning.

In those eyes he saw no malicious contempt — only a matter-of-course arrogance.

Elves are arrogant.

Elves who serve as a Bishop of the Divine are even more arrogant.

Although Layla seemed easy to talk to, her arrogance was in truth no less — it simply wasn't displayed on the surface, but hidden within her heart.

From the very start she had never placed Herbert and the other two on equal footing with herself, treating them entirely from a lofty stance, with the notion of bestowing charity in her heart.

And faced with the three very different reactions, Layla's response was remarkably calm — she felt not the slightest fear.

This was the Goddess's temple, equivalent to an extension of the Divine's divine kingdom, capable of erupting with the might of a mage's tower in moments of crisis.

She wasn't afraid at all.

Looking at the calm-faced Herbert, she believed he understood her thoughts, and said softly: "Thank you for your reminder to us, letting us know that now is indeed a very rare opportunity."

"But compared to cooperation, I would prefer to call this help — or rather, a contribution."

"Because even without you, we can do very well on our own."

In Bishop Layla's view, her own thoughts were actually perfectly normal.

The current situation had already been pushed to such a point that, regardless of whether Herbert "cooperated" with them, her people could step in to help.

No — more than that.

She could completely force the Frost Crystal royal family into a corner, thoroughly suppress the royal authority, let the Nushende Sect stand alone, and become the state religion of this country.

Even — turn it into the Goddess's theocracy!

Divine right of kings — let royal authority return entirely to the Divine.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt this was feasible.

Layla's smile grew especially radiant as she said softly:

"Please rest assured, the Goddess will know of the contributions you have made, and will surely grant you generous rewards."

Her attitude was very clear.

Your suggestion is good, but you are not yet qualified to discuss cooperation, so… this idea is mine now!

In short —

You're not qualified, you're not qualified!

But Layla's arrogance did not stem from malice, so she did not turn hostile and disavow everything; instead she promised that in the future she would certainly give them appropriate rewards — in the posture of a superior bestowing upon an inferior.

And for a strong-willed person who valued dignity, such treatment was actually more infuriating than a complete falling-out.

Anger!

Clearly stung by this contempt, Valentina's slit pupils grew narrower as she stared at Layla, her voice dropping low: "What did you say? Say that again for me?"

Her voice carried a tremor like a roar, echoing throughout the prayer area.

Faced with such a threat, Bishop Layla's expression shifted slightly, but quickly calmed again.

This dragon's strength was considerably higher than she had anticipated!

But so what?

Even an epic-tier powerhouse was not qualified to run wild within the Goddess's temple.

So she smiled and spoke again:

"I said… you are not yet qualified."

"Qualified? Hahaha, good good good, let me show you what qualified is…"

Valentina laughed in her fury and was about to step forward.

At this moment, not only was Bishop Layla a little tense — Sister Kaplan's reaction was even greater!

Palm pressed to the book, she stared fixedly at Valentina, ready to act.

But just then, Herbert raised his right hand.

In an instant, all the oppressive pressure within the temple vanished.

"…"

Valentina, upon seeing his movement, immediately shut her mouth, pouting, and retreated with great unwillingness, turning her back so as not to look at Layla.

"Hmph!"

Layla:?

Kaplan:?

Both of them were somewhat dumbfounded, exchanged a bewildered glance, and saw the same bewilderment in each other's eyes.

They hadn't expected that the dragon who had been on the brink of erupting the previous second would become so obedient the next, achieving complete and immediate compliance.

And then, her only resistance to this suppression was throwing a tantrum!?

Huh?

Was this still that terrifying 【Crimson Wings】?

Was this still the incomparably brutal 【Berserker】 from the internal records?

While the two were bewildered, Herbert smiled slightly, very satisfied with Valentina's performance.

As expected, setting a "safe word" known to both of them was still effective… it's become a conditioned reflex.

He nodded to Bishop Layla, whose expression was somewhat awkward, and asked: "Lady Layla, may I take this to be your answer?"

"... Yes."

"And it also represents the meaning of the Xuenushen Sect?"

"That's right."

Leila regained her composure and insisted, "Please understand, this is not contempt, but an unchangeable fact."

"A fact?"

Herbert laughed upon hearing this answer and sighed helplessly:

"I thought you were a smart person, but I never expected that, when it comes to sensitivity in such matters, you're not even a match for Valentina."

Leila:?

Kaplan:?

Valentina:???

The hungry dragon, sulking with her back turned, suddenly whipped her head around and glared fiercely at Herbert.

What do you mean!?

If you're going to scold her, why drag me into it too!?

Don't you love me anymore?

"I think it's you who hasn't grasped the situation."

Herbert paid no heed to the gaze behind him, sharp as a blade's edge, and shook his head: "Would I bring this matter to you proactively without any preparation?"

"Do you really see me as such a foolish person in your eyes?"

"If you truly think so, then that truly wounds me."

"As for the qualifications to cooperate... heh heh."

Herbert murmured softly and slowly pressed his palm against the sword at his waist.

If a Legend isn't impressive enough, if an Epic isn't qualified enough...

Then what about a Saint?

Clang—

Accompanied by the soft sound of the blade scraping against the scabbard as it was drawn, the entire temple shuddered violently.

Boom!!!

In just an instant, every lamp in the entire temple flared to life, and the eyes of the goddess statue also faintly emitted a dim glow.

She cast her gaze over.

Then the entire temple began to hum, and a touch more liveliness appeared on the goddess statue.

The divine will had descended!

At the same time, the blurry phantom of the Archbishop materialized above Herbert's head, and he nodded toward the goddess statue, which had become the equivalent of a deity's avatar.

He said:

"Do me a favor."

The goddess statue, after gazing at him, fell silent for a moment, trembled slightly, and emitted a faint voice.

【... Very well.】

"Thank you."

After the polite thanks, the Archbishop's phantom dispersed without another word, and Herbert's sword returned to calm.

But after the Archbishop's will departed, the goddess's will did not leave immediately. She quietly gazed at the youth holding the blade, as if to memorize his appearance completely.

Not just anyone is qualified to receive a Saint's favor.

And even fewer would dare to drag a Saint's will into Her own temple for a stroll!

After a moment, Her will gradually dispersed.

And after confirming the deity had departed, Herbert finally turned to look at the elven bishop, who had gone completely rigid on the spot.

He raised an eyebrow and asked, half-teasingly:

"Are these qualifications sufficient?"

(End of this chapter)