Chapter 230: The Watchers (4K)

"He's been blessed by the divine!?"

"Yes."

Herbert glanced at Shi Diwen with a slight raise of his brow, and chuckled softly: "I thought you'd noticed long ago. After all, the signs on him are so obvious."

"Besides, putting everything else aside, don't forget what kind of place this is."

"Without divine blessing and guidance, a fellow like him could never have made it here safe and sound."

Though the 'safe and sound' in Herbert's words deserved a question mark, Shi Diwen had indeed survived, and hadn't dropped dead even now.

"You can try again. Don't just look with your eyes — feel with your heart. You might sense that ripple on him."

Obvious?

Hmm…

Sofia furrowed her brow tightly, staring hard at Shi Diwen for a good while longer.

She stared until a chill ran down Shi Diwen's spine and a dull ache throbbed at the back of his skull. Only when he didn't know what was happening did she reluctantly withdraw her gaze.

She bowed her head deeply before Herbert and said dejectedly: "My lord, I am too foolish. I discovered nothing."

In Sofia's eyes, the man truly had nothing remarkable about him — just an ordinary mortal.

Not worth paying attention to.

And certainly not worth the excessive attention her master had paid him.

But in Herbert's sight, it was a different story entirely.

Shi Diwen was very special.

His soul had always radiated an unusual glow — in the bad sense of the word.

His soul bore clear marks of erosion, yet they had been carved out and filled in by another soul.

The Shi Diwen of now looked normal on the surface, but inside he was more like a soul stitched together from mismatched parts. That he could live on healthy was already a miracle of life.

A mortal would hardly achieve such a feat upon a soul.

And that meant one thing — Shi Diwen had once been altered by an existence in the divine domain.

Moreover, that existence was still watching him to this day, using him as an eye.

It was watching this place.

A lucky survivor by chance might not be worth much.

But a fellow who had been watched and favored by a god — his worth was an entirely different matter.

As for Shi Diwen being 'spied on and thereby exposing Aelda,' Herbert didn't really mind.

His own movements had not been small; he was destined to be noticed by the beings in the mist.

In other words, as long as he wanted to liberate the Misty Mountains, the day he would come up against them was inevitable.

Exposure was only a matter of time — just a question of sooner or later.

And at least from the current situation, the other's attitude couldn't be called friendly, but it certainly couldn't be called hostile either.

Besides, the hidden existence's attitude was a touch subtle.

Herbert had not forgotten the spying gaze he'd noticed before.

It was nearby.

Or rather, Its 'eye' was nearby, secretly watching every move of the Aelda territory.

Though It had neither interfered with his side's farming and development nor offered any help, merely peering with the cold gaze of an outsider.

What was It waiting for?

Was It trying to confirm something?

Additionally, regarding the spy's identity, Nie Nasha couldn't determine it either.

【"There are indeed a few lesser gods within my divine kingdom, but They either perished in that battle, or chose to flee at the last moment. None of Them should willingly return here."】

The spy's identity was unknown, and Its strength had not been revealed. The only thing certain was that It dwelt within the divine domain.

However, since the other's stance was undecided, Herbert did not drive Shi Diwen away. Instead, he went with the flow and kept him on, making him his first subject.

In Herbert's view, the fact that Shi Diwen was being used as an eye by that existence was not a bad thing.

Used the other way around, he could serve as an early-warning device.

When It watched Aelda, It was also being watched by Herbert.

It was mutual.

Herbert considered himself a very patient man. He wanted to see just how long the other could hold out before showing itself.

"M-my lord!"

"Hmm?"

After a quick wash, Shi Diwen returned to stand before Herbert. Summoning his courage, he said with difficulty: "I… may I choose to leave?"

Oh?

"What did you say?"

Before Herbert could speak, Sofia stepped in first, leveling her spear at the rude mortal and snapping: "You ungrateful wretch! You dare refuse my master's kindness!?"

"Gah!"

Shi Diwen was startled and stumbled back a step, but still managed to say: "I-I'm not, I just want to go home."

"Sofia, mind your manners. Put the spear down. Don't ever do that again."

Herbert waited a beat, deliberate or otherwise, before casually 'criticizing' the impulsive Sofia.

After 'scolding' the heroic spirit, he turned to the uneasy Shi Diwen and asked gently: "You mean you want to leave this place?"

Seeing that Herbert wasn't angry, Shi Diwen's taut nerves eased a little. He said softly: "Yes, my lord."

"I see…"

Herbert nodded but didn't say whether he agreed or not; he asked curiously, "May I ask why? You don't like it here? Do you think there's something wrong with it?"

Something wrong?

Shi Diwen, kneeling on the ground, lifted his head and looked around blankly, staring at the empty, clean land, unsure what to say.

Shouldn't the question be—what's right here?

"You think this place hasn't been developed?"

Herbert understood his gaze and shook his head with a smile:

"That's not something you need to worry about. People will arrive here soon, and this place will soon become something entirely different."

Shi Diwen blinked, eager to speak his true thoughts.

Even if you develop this place perfectly, it has nothing to do with me… but clearly, he couldn't say that.

In the end, Shi Diwen bowed his head deeply and pleaded:

"... My Lord, I beg you to let me go. I only want to return home—my daughter is waiting for me."

He humbly begged, hoping the other would show mercy and allow him to leave.

Then Shi Diwen heard the boy's calm voice.

"You may leave."

!!!

"My Lord!" Shi Diwen lifted his head in excitement, stunned that the other was so accommodating.

"But let's be clear: once you choose to leave, you can never return."

Herbert looked calmly at Shi Diwen's wide eyes and said softly, "Moreover, I won't offer you any help."

"If you want to go, leave on your own."

Leave on your own?

The excitement on Shi Diwen's face froze.

He turned his head and looked toward the mist beyond Elda Domain.

That deep, all-consuming fog was like a nightmare he could never forget.

"I..."

"Enough. Decide for yourself what you'll do."

Shi Diwen's voice grew dry as he tried to speak, but Herbert cut him off coldly.

I've given you the chance.

Live or die—choose for yourself.

Respect the fate of others.

But Herbert didn't go so far as to be heartless; he said kindly, "Still, before you make your decision, rest well here for now."

"Even if you want to leave, you must first heal your wounds, don't you?"

"Sigh! It's just that I'm too kind-hearted—I can't bear to see you die miserably in this mist."

Herbert sighed, moved by his own compassion—internally, Nie Nasha sneered at him bitterly.

Shi Diwen looked at Herbert with complex emotions, unsure how to thank this lord.

He hadn't stopped him—he was even offering help.

What a kind person he was!

Shi Diwen bowed even lower, gratefully asking, "My Lord, can you heal my wounds?"

"I cannot, but someone excels at this."

Herbert thought of the priests the Ice Goddess had mentioned and smiled, "By now, they should already be on their way—likely arriving soon."

Wang Cheng, Nushenshendian.

This was the extension of the Ice Goddess's power in the mortal realm, considered part of her divine realm, and naturally held uses unknown to outsiders beyond worship.

Beneath the Ice Temple, a hidden chamber had been built entirely of ice.

At this moment, a brilliant light flared within the underground chamber, and a massive array slowly emerged.

Hum—

With a soft hum, the array emitted a deep blue glow, and the space above it subtly warped.

Soon after, a ten-member team clad in hoods slowly stepped out of the teleportation array.

They all wore blue-and-white priestly robes, their hems embroidered with intricate ice runes that shimmered faintly under the temple's icy glow.

Nine of them were young girls, their faces delicate, figures graceful, eyes filled with purity and devotion, as if untouched porcelain dolls.

Before the nine girls stood a woman in her early thirties, her priestly robe tailored more snugly, accentuating her elegant curves.

She possessed a mature, alluring smile, her eyes gleaming with confidence and calm—an assurance forged through countless experiences.

Before the leader could speak, the Snow Sprite Archbishop Laila, who had been waiting for a long time, called out excitedly:

"Joanna."

Archbishop Laila's eyes lit up with joy as she stepped forward and embraced the team's leader tightly.

"How long has it been since we last met, and you're already here again!"

Joanna, embraced, returned the hug lightly and shook her head, helplessly saying, "Laila, what are you saying? We haven't seen each other in over forty years."

"That's not long at all?"

"Short? Sigh—your elves' sense of time is truly..."

"What's that? Aren't you half-elf too?"

"We don't lose track of time like you do… heh." By the end of the tease, Joanna couldn't help but laugh.

After parting, Joanna bowed deeply to Laila and said respectfully, "Archbishop Laila, thank you for your help."

Laila nodded in acceptance of the gift, then smiled at the other female priests:

"Yes, all of you are sisters of the Church. No thanks are needed—the temple has already arranged food and lodging. Please follow me."

After Laila gave her instructions, the temple guards who had been waiting stepped forward to lead the way, leaving only two behind in the underground chamber.

After the others left, Joanna visibly relaxed and took the wine cup Laila offered her.

Ding.

The two clinked cups gently and drank the fruit wine brewed from iceberry.

The Church of the Ice Goddess does not forbid alcohol.

On the contrary, She encourages believers to gather winter snow's ingredients and brew the most delicious fruit wines to offer to Her.

"Ha…"

Laila exhaled slowly, gazing at her half-elf friend after many years, and asked curiously: "Where are you headed?"

The Snow Elf High Priestess had only received the Church's order to activate the teleportation array to welcome this delegation of priests; she knew nothing of their specific purpose.

Why had they suddenly come to this remote land of Frost Crystal?

Did the Church think I had done poorly?

But Joanna shook her head and offered an apologetic smile:

"Sorry, we're on a secret mission. I can only tell you it has nothing to do with Frost Crystal, but I cannot reveal any further details."

Laila understood her question had been intrusive and empathized with her friend's dilemma: "I see… That's truly unfortunate."

Just as she was about to shift the topic and chat about the years gone by—especially her own recent "great achievements"—a voice like a nightingale sounded beside her ear.

"Why can't you say it? We're going to the Misty Mountains."

!!?

Laila froze, then whirled toward the side and realized a girl had appeared in the chamber without her noticing.

No, not that.

The girl priest had never left with the guards.

"How did you… uh."

Laila was about to demand why the girl had stayed to eavesdrop, but then she realized something and changed her tone, asking tentatively:

"Who are you?"

Before the girl could speak, Joanna cleared her throat and answered for her:

"Laila, I forgot to introduce you earlier—this is the Divine Favored One, Yuni'er, newly blessed by the Goddess."

So she really is a Divine Favored One!

Divine Favored Ones hold an exalted status within the divine church hierarchy—even if weak in power, they are revered due to the deity's favor.

"Your Grace Yuni'er…"

Laila moved to bow, but the girl stopped her with a smiling gesture: "Don't be nervous—I came just to ask you one question."

"I heard you recently met a white-haired boy? And received some help from him?"

Laila blinked, then nodded: "... Yes, that happened. Is there a problem? I've already reported all the details to the Church."

She was confused, unsure what the girl meant.

Did the Church think she'd done poorly and wanted to investigate her?

"Oh, come on, I said there's nothing wrong. Don't be tense—I just want to know what you think of him."

Yuni'er waved her hand, smiling lazily: "I simply want to know your opinion of him. What kind of person do you think he is?"

"Any opinion is fine. Speak freely."

Her opinion of Herbert?

Laila blinked, glanced at Joanna, and received a confirming nod.

There was no hidden meaning—she truly only wanted to ask this.

"..."

She frowned in thought, then quickly reached a conclusion.

Recalling how she had been terrified by the Saint, even forcing the Goddess to manifest herself, Laila bit her lip and said:

"In my view, he… is just a man who uses powerful allies to show off."

"A weak, yet arrogant human!"

(End of Chapter)