Chapter 17: The Impure One, Is You!

The sealing array had ceased functioning, the silence domain no longer held, yet the second zone remained locked in an unbearable stillness.

The sealing array indeed restrained Freyme, causing her great discomfort, but even with prolonged operation, it could not kill her.

So, more than fear, what filled her heart now was anger provoked by this defiance.

And a faint confusion.

What is his basis for confidence?

What other purpose could this serve except to anger me?

“…”

Freyme stared at this overly young Holy Knight, searching for any weakness in him.

In terms of strength, he was weak—everywhere was a vulnerability.

Even with her current weakened state, she could easily kill him.

Yet in spirit, she found no flaw.

His soul bore a faint blessing, shielding him from corruption and preserving the purity of his thoughts.

She knew what it was—this damned purity blessing was why she could not control his mind.

But no, it was not just that.

Even without that blessing, his eyes held not a trace of fear toward her.

“…”

When they first met, this fellow had appeared calm on the surface, yet his eyes still held faint dread, silently trailing behind that damned old man.

But now… he seemed like an entirely different person.

Valentina, that dim-witted dragon, couldn’t see through Herbert’s disguise—but she could.

She was the legendary sea witch, most skilled at manipulating emotions, able to sense the shift in Herbert’s demeanor.

Ignoring the surface facade of friendly warmth, she sensed a cold, deceitful, and arrogant soul.

What had changed him?

The environment? His experiences?

Or perhaps, nothing had changed at all.

Had his earlier behavior merely been a performance for the High Archbishop?

Freyme found herself unable to understand.

After a long silence, she fixed Herbert with a gaze and spoke slowly: “Mortal, do you know what your actions just meant?”

“Of course.”

Herbert smiled, nodding calmly: “From your perspective, it’s nothing but provocation, a declaration of war, a threat… no matter how you look at it, it’s hardly friendly.”

Freyme frowned: “Then why—”

“But what’s wrong with that?” Herbert interrupted, smiling and raising an eyebrow. “Must I be friendly toward you?”

“Miss Freyme, think carefully—if I hadn’t done this, would you have ever held any goodwill toward me?”

“You wouldn’t.”

“You’re a prisoner. I’m your jailer. No matter what I do, you’ll resent the High Archbishop and the monastery for imprisoning you—and you’ll resent me too.”

The boy stood with his hands behind his back, slightly tilting his head to gaze at the beautiful mermaid, speaking softly:

“You were the one who hated me first.”

“Wasn’t that so?”

Freyme fell silent under his repeated questions—she had no rebuttal.

It wasn’t only Herbert who had been seen through.

She, too, had been.

Out of arrogance, she had worn no heavy disguise—her inner self had been laid bare before him.

Herbert suddenly shifted tone: “But then again, I don’t want to keep fighting you like this—it’s too exhausting.”

“Rather than both of us wearing false masks and pretending here, why not be direct? Show each other our true selves.”

Herbert extended his hands, revealing his holy scars, and explained with a smile:

“So this time, I showed you my hand—I can briefly control the sealing array, but due to my current weakness, I cannot sustain it long-term.”

“So you needn’t fear I’ll use it to torment or threaten you repeatedly.”

He openly revealed his own weaknesses to the prisoner who should hate him.

Handing his enemy a knife?

No.

Because this knife held only symbolic weight—little real power.

Better to display it openly than to hide and conceal.

It declares my stance and carries a certain deterrent effect.

After showing this, Herbert sighed:

“After all, if I can’t get along with a beautiful lady like you, it would be such a pity.”

Freyme: ?

“You’re so beautiful, your voice so lovely—I’d like to talk with you more.”

“Let’s be friendly!”

Freyme: ??

“Wait, you—”

Freyme raised an eyebrow—this was the second time Herbert had praised her without disguise.

The first time, she’d dismissed it as nonsense—but this time—she realized this fellow was serious!!?

“Wait—are you…?”

Do you have improper intentions toward me!?

She instinctively drew back into the water sphere, leaving only half her head exposed, staring at Herbert with odd suspicion.

“Huh? What’s wrong? I’ve always admired you!”

Herbert seemed startled, tilting his head, speaking as if it were obvious: “Beauty is beauty—it doesn’t change because you’re a monster.”

Values follow appearance?

Not that complicated.

I’m just a pure aesthetic addict.

“Y-you—you’re not afraid of breaking your vow?”

Herbert blinked, tilting his head in confusion: “Why would that break a vow? Oh, I understand what you mean…”

“Miss Freyme, you misunderstand—I’ve always admired you with pure intent!”

He shook his head solemnly, earnestly: “The impure one, is you!”

Freyme: ???

The legendary sea witch wanted to explain—she hadn’t!

But her mouth opened and closed, no words coming out; she bit her lip, cheeks faintly flushed, bubbles rising endlessly from beneath the water.

Glub glub.

This guy—he’s not right!

Why do I feel so happy hearing him say this?

But he’s a Holy Knight who never lies… so… does he really think that?

Really think I’m beautiful!?

Her fish tail thrashed rapidly, lifting her body higher, revealing most of her upper torso.

Herbert: Huh?

This mermaid’s high attack and thick HP are true—but isn’t her defense paper-thin?

You can use your voice to charm me, but I can’t admire you?

Double standard!

Pure double standard!

“Miss Freyme, explain yourself clearly!”

Glub glub… (I didn’t! I didn’t!)

As Herbert used his pure Holy Knight identity to play “innocent” and directly court the mermaid.

A cold voice echoed from the darkness of the third zone.

“The magic power has been drained…”

“Finally… I’ve waited for this chance.”

Friends, I really love dumb memes, lol)

If this novel’s protagonist sometimes makes you think he’s a divine idiot, then I’ve succeeded.

(laugh)

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(End of Chapter)