Chapter 242: You

"Praise my Lord!"

"Allow me to pray to you with faithful devotion!"

On the scorched earth, a man with a severed arm knelt in devout devotion, crying out his prayers in a hoarse voice.

Calling upon that unknown great existence.

Shi Shi Diwen no longer knew how long he had been here.

How many days and nights had passed?

He could not remember.

Since that day he witnessed the divine miracle, the concept of time had become utterly chaotic.

He could no longer distinguish day from night.

He knelt here, praying day after day.

He seemed to hear indescribable whispers at his ear, teaching him the truths of the world.

He did not understand them, yet he could feel the greatness of the deity within them!

The deity!

The unforgivable deity!

Might!

The unseeable might!

…

Shi Shi Diwen's mental state grew worse, yet he felt more alert than ever!

Ancient stories even began to surface spontaneously in his mind.

As if some presence whispered to him, and he softly repeated the words along with it.

Later, Shi Shi Diwen attained enlightenment.

Complete and total awakening!

He felt chosen by the deity, become His messenger!

Become His voice, proclaiming His name to the world!

He gladly accepted this burden, willing to bear it.

But he alone was far from enough.

He needed at least some helpers—and he needed to escape this place.

So Shi Shi Diwen prayed for the deity to send His messengers to save him.

At first, he directly begged the deity to send His apostles, to rescue him, His messenger, and become his protectors.

"I beg you to send forth your apostles! Let those endowed with sacred missions bring me life and hope, and carry me away from this place, becoming my aid!"

But the deity gave no response.

Yet Shi Shi Diwen did not lose heart; the request was indeed abrupt, and rejection by the deity was only natural.

So he lowered his demands and continued praying, hoping the deity would send angels.

He no longer asked for them to be his bodyguards—only that the angels might carry him away from here.

"I also beg you to send your angels! Let those with pure white wings, radiant with divine glory, carry me across this ocean."

But… the deity still gave no response.

Shi Shi Diwen's heart wavered slightly, yet he did not abandon his prayers.

This time, he fully recognized his place and humbly pleaded:

"If none of this is possible, then I beg you to let your spirits descend! Let those legendary beings of great power and fearless courage extend their aid in this hour of peril!"

No apostles. No angels. No hope of being directly taken away.

He only humbly wished for a little help.

Just a little help would do!

Yet…

No matter how humbly he prayed, no matter how lowly he lowered his demands,

The deity gave no response whatsoever.

He felt abandoned by the deity.

In that moment, Shi Shi Diwen suddenly felt dazed—as if he had briefly awakened, beginning to doubt whether the "miracle" had ever truly occurred.

Had he himself built that structure, then forgotten?

And mistaken it for the deity's handiwork?

Had the deity never existed at all?

The more he thought this way, the lower Shi Shi Diwen's spirits sank.

And just as Shi Shi Diwen began doubting himself, even questioning the deity's reality… he heard a whisper.

"Who are you?"

!!!

Shi Shi Diwen had long known that in this place, no one else existed besides himself.

Yet now, he heard a second voice.

What did this mean?

It meant he had finally caught the deity's attention!!!

"I! I am Shi Shi Diwen!"

"I am your most faithful servant!"

Shi Shi Diwen cried out in excitement, whirling around to see the face of the one the deity had sent.

!!!

"This…"

And when Shi Shi Diwen turned, he indeed saw all he had prayed for!

An angel with blood-red wings, a beautiful apostle with a human torso and fish tail, a centaur spirit clad in battle armor.

All of them appeared.

Everything he had begged for stood before him.

The deity exists!

He has not abandoned me.

He has sent all these beings to my side!

"Praise my Lord! Praise…"

Shi Shi Diwen cried out in ecstasy, then felt the last of his strength drained from his body.

His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed heavily to the ground.

He fainted completely.

…

"What's going on here?"

Fu Fu Leimei casually cast a healing spell on the unconscious Shi Shi Diwen, then asked curiously, "Did you arrange this?"

"Of course not."

Herbert tilted his head in confusion, watching Shi Shi Diwen, who had collapsed after muttering to himself.

What the hell?

This NPC seems… off.

Is it because I didn't pay?

Sure enough, without money, you can't play... hmm.

After a moment's thought, Herbert shook his head and dismissed the matter.

"No, I don't even know who he is. But we don't need to worry—wait until he wakes up."

Who he is, what his purpose is—once he wakes, we'll ask.

With two legends standing guard, plus himself, Herbert had no doubt this man couldn't possibly turn the tables.

After having Su Feiya drag Shi Shi Diwen aside to keep watch, Herbert took Fu Fu Leimei's hand and led her on a tour of the domain.

Of course, though he called it a tour, there was little to see.

Aside from scorched earth, there was only a wooden stake and a dilapidated shed.

To call it "in need of rebuilding" was already an exaggeration—this place was utterly barren.

Fu Fu Leimei glanced around, observing curiously, "Herbert, is this really the place you mentioned?"

"Yes."

"I've acquired the rights to this land, but haven't had time to develop it yet."

Herbert showed no shame over the state of the place—no pretense, no false pride.

The truth was right before them; what it was, it was—no hiding possible.

"The last time I came here, I only had Valentina help clear the trees and level the ground."

He briefly recounted their previous work and sketched out his plans.

When he finished, he smiled and winked, "Seeing this, do you feel disappointed?"

As he spoke, he suddenly felt a strange sensation, and couldn't help laughing at himself.

It was like bringing a new bride back to one's hometown, having painted it as some grand place with honeyed words—only to arrive and be met with a barren, backwater ditch.

A bit dishonest, really.

But Herbert isn't that kind of heartless man, and Freyme isn't some gullible fool… cough!

I didn't mean she's small.

Not at all.

After hearing Herbert's self-deprecating laugh, Freyme laughed too, gently shaking her head.

"Hehe, how could that be?"

The mermaid lady smiled faintly, softly saying: "My place has always been beside you."

"As long as you're there, it's enough."

Freyme truly saw nothing wrong with this place.

Though it looked like a wasteland, lifeless and barren.

But having no foundation also meant infinite possibilities.

She believed that with Herbert's ability, plus her help, this place would soon become a satisfying home.

It was just starting from scratch.

"Besides, I can smell the sea. It's not far from the shore."

She sniffed lightly, caught the scent of the ocean, and took a deep, wistful breath.

Freyme blinked and smiled: "Was this prepared especially for me?"

"Mm."

Herbert nodded, candidly saying: "There were many reasons I chose this place—among them, considering you and your abilities."

"This is ideal for building a port, and with you here, you can surely guard and escort ships along the coast."

"Of course, you can also swim freely in the ocean day to day."

"You'd prefer this over the fake seawater of a cage."

The Deep Prison had already been transformed under Herbert's upgraded permissions into a highly suitable dwelling, where Freyme could swim freely.

But that artificial ocean had its limits—merely a larger fish tank.

The true ocean was her rightful home.

Just as Herbert was about to continue introducing the place, he felt his cheeks gently cupped.

Hm?

He turned, bewildered, and saw Freyme's tender expression—joyful yet slightly reproachful.

"What's wrong… uh."

Before Herbert could ask, Freyme kissed him lightly.

This time, their kiss wasn't as intense as before—it was unusually gentle.

Like an embrace.

After a moment, they slowly parted.

"Herbert, I've said this many times."

Freyme, cheeks flushed, stared into Herbert's confused eyes and whispered:

"Where I am doesn't matter to me—only you does."

"Whether it's the ocean or a prison, as long as you're with me, there's no difference."

What matters has never been the environment—it has always been the person.

For the mermaid princess, who had been alone for too long, nothing in this world could compare to the companion she had chosen.

"But I'm glad you thought of these things for me."

She smiled shyly, wanting to steal another kiss to express her joy… but Herbert suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace.

A Holy Warrior isn't defeated twice by the same move!

Before Freyme could even begin, Herbert anticipated her move and took the initiative, kissing her first.

As the two kissed again, Herbert suddenly sensed a watching gaze.

Hm!!?

Who?

He sharply released Freyme and turned toward the source—there stood Sophia, eyes wide, secretly watching them.

"Eh!!?"

Realizing she'd been caught, the centaur spirit awkwardly shrank back, trying to hide behind the tree—but in her panic, her tail stuck out.

"What's wrong?"

Freyme was still dazed, unaware she'd been spied on—even if she had noticed, she wouldn't have cared.

She didn't mind others watching her and her companion's intimacy.

Hmph, let them envy!

"Nothing."

Herbert's expression turned slightly odd; he looked away and smiled: "I'm just not used to being watched by others."

Maybe I'm overthinking it.

Freyme giggled, pinching his cheek teasingly: "Hehe, you're so innocent~"

Herbert raised an eyebrow, then turned aside to block Sophia's view, gently brushing his finger across Freyme's lips.

"Eh… ah!!?"

Caught off guard, Freyme froze, then paled, scrambling back over half a meter.

She clutched her mouth, blushing furiously as she glared at Herbert.

"Y-you!"

What are you doing again?!

Herbert merely shrugged, hands open—though silent, his meaning was crystal clear.

Guess what I'm about to do?

He smiled and called out to the other side: "Sophia."

!!!

Sophia jolted, then peeked out from behind the trunk, awkwardly smiling: "... My lord, what do you require?"

"Hehe."

Herbert chuckled at her discomfort, finding it amusing, and teased: "Did you enjoy what you saw?"

Enjoyed it?

Sophia blinked, then nodded: "Yes, yes… uh, no! I didn't see anything! I really saw nothing!"

Seeing her reaction, Herbert sighed and waved his hand: "Enough, don't dwell on it—I have something for you to do."

"Watch him here. I'm taking Freyme to the shore."

Sophia wanted to protest, but under Herbert's all-seeing gaze, her voice faded until she finally bowed her head.

"I really didn't see anything! Really didn't… cough! Understood!"

"Mm."

Herbert nodded, gesturing to Freyme, who still looked shy: "Aren't you coming? Shall I go alone? Or would you prefer I take Sophia with me?"

"... Hmph!"

Freyme's lips moved, she shot Herbert a glare, then grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the shore.

Fine, I'm not afraid of you!

With my past experience and knowledge from books, this time I'll make you surrender early and completely!

"..."

After Herbert and Freyme left, their figures vanishing into the mist, Sophia slowly lifted her head and exhaled deeply.

"Phew…"

She'd expected punishment for spying—but her master seemed unconcerned.

Thank goodness, thank goodness…

She didn't know why, but she'd instinctively wanted to observe closely.

It felt strange.

As if she'd longed for such a thing for ages, never having had the chance.

What did I forget?

What kind of life did I live before?

Sophia didn't notice that as she gazed eastward, a clump of earth nearby slowly sank beneath the ground.

At the shore, Freyme didn't rush into the long-missed seawater. Instead, she took a deep breath and looked seriously at Herbert.

"Alright, come on! I'm ready!"

Her expression was grave, her demeanor solemn—as if facing a daunting challenge.

Come on.

I'm ready!

This time, I won't lose as badly as before.

Yet Herbert, who had invited her to this seaside rendezvous, didn't get to the point—instead, he asked a completely unrelated question.

"Did you notice anything?"

Notice?

"Notice... what?"

Freyme blinked, momentarily confused by Herbert's words, and said skeptically:

"I've already remembered the tooth issue—I won't make that mistake again..."

She bared her teeth at Herbert and shot him an irritated glare.

Who do you think I am?

You can't even remember something like this? Do you need to be reminded so many times?

With that, Freyme lowered her head, ready to prove herself through action.

Let you see!

Then her forehead was gently pressed against.

"Wait, don't rush—I'm not competing with you."

Herbert said, somewhat exasperated: "Though the tooth issue is important, that's not what I meant."

Fearing she'd misunderstand further and fly into a rage, he quickly added: "Did you notice someone watching me just now?"

Hm?

"You mean Sophie? Didn't you already scare her off... wait, there are others?"

Freyme forgot her embarrassment, realizing the gravity of the situation, her expression turning serious: "Are you sure? I sensed no danger at all."

While they had been laughing just now, an outsider had silently observed them.

What kind of being could evade the awareness of two Legends?

Legend? Above Legend?

"About ninety percent certainty."

Herbert shook his head, not daring to guarantee it fully, yet certain his perception hadn't failed; he said calmly: "The observer showed no malice—only watching from afar."

"From what we know now, their allegiance is unknown."

Freyme frowned, suddenly feeling tense: "What should we do next?"

She rose to stand, but the hand that had just pressed against her forehead now rested gently on the back of her head.

Hm?

"Deciding what to do can wait—right now, there's something more important to do."

Herbert gently stroked the mermaid lady's hair and smiled as he asked: "Did I say I wouldn't do it?"

"Relax—I'm not sensing that person's gaze now; we're still safe... but that won't last. Are you still going to dawdle?"

Then Herbert revealed a small secret with a smile.

"Besides, after learning someone might be watching, you secretly find it more thrilling."

Isn't that right?

Freyme recalled all she'd done in the Infinite Labyrinth, her face flushed crimson as she shot Herbert a glare.

Yet this glare, softened by her flushed cheeks, held no threat—only an astonishing charm.

"... Hmph!"

Moments later, on the shore.

A breeze brushed the sand, making the hanging wind chimes tremble faintly.

Ting ting ting~

(End of Chapter)