Chapter 223: Do You Think He Cannot Return? (5K)

"Who is he?"

The question echoed through the fog.

But unfortunately, no one could provide an answer.

"Exactly which lord has awakened?"

"Or rather, is it truly an angel that once belonged to the Divine Kingdom?"

The moment this question was raised, it was quickly denied.

The reason being the half-human, half-horse heroic spirit beneath that angel.

"I don't know who he is, but I know that proud Sophia actually willing to let him ride on her back!"

"He must be an angel of the Divine Kingdom!"

They pondered, trying to search through their dwindling memories for the origin of this figure.

"An angel with blood wings, followed by endless shadows... did such a being ever exist in the Divine Kingdom?"

The heroic spirits cautiously observed that figure, carefully hiding their gazes, afraid of drawing that being's attention.

And as the center of this reverent gaze, the "Blood-Winged Angel" Herbert felt something entirely different.

"Whoa, there really are a lot of them..."

He kept his expression taut, swept a glance around indifferently, and saw countless pairs of eyes hurriedly dodging his gaze.

They were afraid, trying to hide themselves, but in Herbert's eyes they had nowhere to hide.

This feeling was truly wondrous.

It was as if he had truly become an angel patrolling the Divine Kingdom.

Power in his hands, life and death at his command.

"This is what power feels like."

【"Yes, do you like it?"】Nie Nasha's voice rose softly in his ear.

Herbert could not see, nor feel Nie Nasha's figure, but he had a sensation as if She had already draped herself over his shoulder, arm around his neck.

Herbert nodded slightly in honest admission, making no attempt to hide his thoughts, and sighed:

"I do quite like it."

"I have to say, this feeling is truly intoxicating."

To lie drunk on a beauty's lap, to wake and hold the world's power in hand.

The mortal world's power he looked down upon, disdaining to vie for authority with the kingdom's sovereign, unwilling to waste his time and energy lingering in such a small place.

But beyond the mortal world, arriving in the domain of the gods?

Herbert felt himself wavering somewhat.

Here, he seemed to embody the will of the divine, high above, commanding at will.

Able to direct a thousand armies, able to enjoy endless reverence and glory.

But Herbert was also very clear-headed, not bewitched.

He knew clearly — all of this before him was not real.

This power did not belong to him.

He was merely putting on an act, borrowing Nie Nasha's aura to swagger like a fox in a tiger's skin, with the risk of exposure at any moment.

If the true situation were exposed, they would instantly fall into crisis.

These heroic spirits, of varying strength, though their power was not particularly high, won out in their astonishing numbers.

Even if they wanted to flee, there was great risk.

He must not expose himself lightly, he must be careful and cautious!

Thinking these thoughts, Herbert gently pressed his legs together, transmitting the idea to Sophia through their souls.

"Don't rush, walk a bit slower."

"Don't keep such a stiff face, smile naturally."

Although Sophia appeared serious, her mind was in fact a blank.

She had forgotten much, did not know what expression to make at this moment, and could only put on the safest poker face.

But in Herbert's eyes, this performance was still somewhat lacking.

The expression was too stiff!

The movements were unnatural too!

The acting did not meet the standard!

"Here, follow my direction."

"Turn your head a little to the left, good, stop! Perfect, that's just right!"

"Lift the corners of your mouth a little more, show a proud look... hmm? Why are you making that bitter face?"

Herbert:?

What did this half-human, half-horse Young Lady mean, why had she suddenly lost control of her expression?

"Mm!"

Just as Herbert was puzzled, Sophia could not help but let out a muffled grunt, forcefully tightening her expression.

"My lord, please, please stop talking, I, I can't hold on any longer..."

She did not understand.

Why could Herbert be so calm.

When their souls touched and merged, there had always been a peculiar feeling in her heart.

A tingling numbness, an itchy sensation.

Especially when Herbert opened his mouth, that feeling would become even clearer, instantly surging dozens of times over.

If originally it had only felt as though a pair of large hands were gently stroking her all over her body, once Herbert spoke, it became being teased by dozens of hands at once…

!!!

"My Lord… he, why is he able to be so calm?"

Although Sophia had forgotten many things, she was also clear that, at this moment, this feeling should be the same for both of them.

But why was she the only one feeling uncomfortable now?

As expected of my Lord!

But the truth was, Herbert had long since grown accustomed to this feeling and hadn't even been aware of it.

Being repeatedly pestered in his soul by the Jester God day after day, he had long since grown used to this kind of sensation.

Just like with many things, once you're used to it, you're no longer sensitive to it.

Heh, he couldn't feel a thing.

"What's wrong with her?"

What kind of reaction is this?

Why does it feel as though someone stuffed something inside her, then threw a long windbreaker over her and led her out onto the street…

I didn't do anything.

【"Maybe she's just shy?"】

Nie Nasha smiled without a word, did not expose the little secret within, and instead secretly raised the stimulation Sophia was feeling by another notch.

Got some fun, watch the fun, hehe!

"I say, are you all right?"

"Mm! Mm, my Lord, I, I'm all right… mm~"

Herbert:?

Is this little mare acting strange?

This reaction just feels a bit off somehow.

He blinked, decided to stop talking to her for the time being, better not to stimulate her any further.

Whether she was enjoying it or not wasn't the point — as long as it felt good, it felt good.

The problem was, don't let it get out of hand.

Just like with certain special "missions," the thrill lies in the "possibility of being discovered," not in actually letting others discover you.

Herbert decided to leave Sophia aside for a while, to let her adapt a little more.

While observing the surrounding situation, he continued conversing with Nie Nasha:

"Although I do yearn for this kind of power, if you really let me grasp it right now, I would probably refuse."

【"Oh? Why?"】

"Because power, this sort of thing, has always been a double-edged sword, you know…" Herbert sighed softly and shook his head.

Power can grant strength, but it can also bring destruction.

It is like the deadliest poison — once touched, it will quietly spread deep within the soul, slowly eroding a person's will.

When a person first tastes the flavor of power, perhaps they only feel the excitement and satisfaction of controlling the situation.

Yet as power gradually grows, it is like the dose of poison continually increasing; those once-firm beliefs begin to waver, and upright qualities are gradually twisted.

Original values are replaced by an endless greed for power; under the corrosion of power, a person's will becomes fragile beyond endurance.

Single-mindedly chasing the benefits brought by power, one gradually heads toward another extreme.

All other emotions vanish, leaving only a mad craving for power.

In the divine kingdom, all the authority these people possess comes from the gods.

Divine right of kings.

The gods can revoke their favor at any time; all power of life and death rests in the gods' hands.

This is too dangerous.

Relying on others will never be as good as relying on oneself.

Compared to power obtained through others, Herbert hoped even more that he himself could truly possess strength powerful enough.

【"Oh~ so that's what you were thinking."】

After hearing the youth's explanation, the deity asked curiously: 【"Even if this power is granted by me?"】

"Precisely because it's you, I can't enjoy it with such peace of mind."

【"Hmm?"】

Herbert pursed his lips and muttered, "I do have my pride, you know?"

Nie Nasha:?

The Jester God was taken aback for a moment, then quickly caught on, and said with a knowing "oh": 【"Oh — so that's how it is~"】

"Heh."

Herbert snorted coldly, no longer paying attention to that teasing tone of Hers, and turned his attention back to business.

They were now about to enter the Middle Ring area, and would soon be able to investigate near the remains of the Heroic Spirit Pool.

But before entering the Middle Ring, they still needed to deal with one roadblock.

After advancing a little further, they would officially come face to face with a legendary heroic spirit.

Moreover, Herbert had no way to pretend he hadn't noticed the other party.

The other party stood right on his unavoidable path, silently proclaiming their own existence.

It was a tall heavy knight.

It looked to be over three meters tall, its pitch-black armor covered in mottled marks, a tattered helmet hiding its face, leaving only a single eye exposed within the armor, gleaming like ghostly fire.

The heavy knight's spirit stood holding its spear, a powerful pressure silently emanating from its body.

That pressure was almost tangible, slowly spreading through the fog, like ripples rising on the surface of a still lake.

That pressure blazed through the layers of fog like a burning torch, proving its existence to Herbert in this unique manner.

Silently declaring—"I am here. Please go around!"

"Please do not pass through here."

Although he likewise revered Herbert's identity as an "angel," his attitude was neither servile nor overbearing.

"……"

Herbert narrowed his eyes, feeling the sense of danger the other party brought.

A legendary-level strength—probably considerably stronger than Sophia in her current weakened state.

If they insisted on a head-on clash, their side would undoubtedly be defeated.

【"What are you going to do?"】

Logically speaking, the best course of action right now would be to avoid unnecessary complications, go around the other party, and choose another path into the inner ring.

After all, they had only come to scout this time; they had no real intention of going at it for real, of actually fighting.

But Herbert had no way to choose that method.

It didn't match his current "character setting."

How could an angel go around just because of a legendary spirit?

Wouldn't that be a joke?

But he could not expose himself.

He couldn't even let Sophia speak first—because doing so would expose the news that Sophia had lost her memory.

No matter what one does, one must always keep one principle in mind—the more you say, the more mistakes you make; say nothing and you won't be wrong, but you also won't be at fault.

What if Sophia had known this heavy knight spirit in the past?

Then opening her mouth would inevitably expose a great deal.

Therefore… after much deliberation, there was really only one choice available right now.

He chose to force his way through directly.

Herbert had Sophia dodge nothing at all, completely ignoring the other party's existence, and drove the horse straight forward in great strides.

The momentum was as if he meant to roll right over the top of the other party.

You're not going to let me pass, is that it?

Fine, then I'll insist on passing through here!

……

"Huu…"

That heavy knight spirit had still been somewhat uncertain at first, but watching the other party stroll over unhurriedly, it heaved a sigh of relief, knowing the other party had certainly noticed it.

"Which angel, which my lord, is this exactly?"

After the shattering of the divine kingdom, the heavy knight spirit's memories had also become somewhat disordered, and it had forgotten many things.

Even if it had not forgotten the past, it still wouldn't dare to confirm the true identity of that blood-winged angel.

They had all undergone changes to a greater or lesser degree; that angel my lord had surely not been spared either, and had become different from the past.

Moreover, the aura on the other party's body instinctively made it tremble, as if it were seeing mountains of corpses and seas of blood, involuntarily recalling the day the divine kingdom shattered.

This feeling left it deeply uneasy.

If possible, the heavy knight spirit did not want to come into conflict with such an existence, nor even have any interaction.

That was why it had revealed its presence right from the start, declaring its unwillingness to communicate, hoping the other party would take a detour.

Although it and that Sophia were not particularly close, after being neighbors for so many years, they were acquainted to some degree.

Their territories had been adjacent for so long; she would surely give it some face, wouldn't simply tear things apart on the spot.

But it had miscalculated one thing.

The Sophia of the past would not have done so, but she was no longer that person of the past.

Moreover, Herbert certainly wouldn't either.

"I wonder what they're going inside for? Are they trying to go in and fight over a piece of territory?"

"Or perhaps… What!?"

The heavy knight spirit was still pondering when it suddenly sensed something was wrong.

The other party had absolutely no intention of going around, still advancing in a perfectly straight line!

In just a moment more, it would be trampled right over its head!

Damn it!

The heavy knight was immediately enraged; the eye within its helmet blazed furiously.

A warrior may be killed, but not insulted.

In the past, it had been nothing before the other's status, and would lower its head, letting them pass.

But now the gods had all fallen—what meaning did the old hierarchies still hold?

The heavy knight spirit believed it had seen through part of the truth.

Although this angel had awakened, its strength had not fully recovered; it had definitely not reached the epic level, and at most was only at the peak of legendary.

Both being legendary, what gives you the right to look down on me? And to humiliate me like this?

"My lord, you have already overstepped your bounds."

Before being trampled by the horse's hooves, the heavy knight spirit spoke first, saying coldly: "This place is already beyond Sophia's territory. Please take a detour!"

"If you insist on insulting me, then don't blame me for being rude!"

Faced with his cold warning, Herbert glanced down at him indifferently, as if finally noticing his existence.

"Mm?"

He raised his hand and placed it on the centaur's waist, signaling her to stop, and looked down at the legendary spirit standing upon the earth.

Although he could not accurately sense its strength, he could feel that this legendary spirit had already merged as one with this land, able to draw upon the power of the earth to erupt with astonishing force.

And while Herbert was sizing up the other party, the legendary spirit was also feeling the icy gaze of the "Blood-Winged Angel."

The other party seemed to carry no pressure whatsoever, yet within his soul there was a power that made him afraid!

What on earth was that power!!?

Could it be that the other party's current state was merely a disguise as well?

Sensing something was off, the heavy knight looked toward Sophia, trying to get some hint from this old acquaintance.

But the proud centaur paid her no attention at all, looking down at him arrogantly, her nostrils pointed at him.

Tch.

And while the heavy knight was struggling with indecision, he heard Herbert's cold question: "I cannot enter?"

Good!

Seeing that the other party was still capable of communication, the heavy knight spirit secretly breathed a sigh of relief, gave a salute, and said neither obsequiously nor overbearingly: "Sir, this is my territory."

"I do not know how Sophia informed you, but trespassing upon another's territory will be regarded as the gravest provocation. Please…"

"What are you saying?"

Before he could finish speaking, Herbert cut him off, frowning: "When did my Lord's divine kingdom become your territory?"

Herbert kept his assigned identity firmly in mind, staring at the "rambling" legendary spirit with half confusion and half disdain.

"Divine kingdom…"

And the heavy knight, upon hearing this somewhat distant name, was stunned, took a long while to recover, and shook his head with low spirits.

"Sir, the times have changed."

The legendary spirit understood what kind of state this angel sir was in now, and looked at him with some pity as he said:

"You may have only just awoken and do not understand the current situation. Things are different now from the past."

"Different?"

Herbert's brow furrowed even deeper, and he asked coldly: "What difference could there possibly be?"

The heavy knight spirit said in a heavy voice:

"He has fallen!"

The deity, has fallen.

The moment these words were spoken, not only did this place fall silent, but even the spirits watching from afar all went quiet together.

The emotion of sorrow spread swiftly, and the sound of weeping arose.

They had lost the deity they served.

For the spirits, this was the cruelest news in all the world.

But after all, too much time had passed, and the heavy knight spirit had long since accepted reality.

He quickly regained his composure and said lightly:

"The divine kingdom of today has long since become territory divided among many. Even an angel like you must abide by the rules here."

"Please understand, I am not threatening you. No matter what your status in the divine kingdom once was—even an angel is no exception."

"Now, anyone who violates these rules will be punished—that agony, you absolutely would not wish to experience."

The heavy knight seemed to recall something terrifying; his armor trembled for a moment before he continued:

"…So please leave this place. Otherwise, I shall regard your actions as provocation and launch an attack against you."

After finishing, the heavy knight spirit said no more and silently raised his spear.

And Herbert, after being pointed at by that spear, lowered his eyes slightly and held back Sophia, who had nearly made a move.

He did not retreat, but looked at the heavy knight spirit and asked slowly:

"So, you believe… He cannot return?"

(End of this chapter)