Chapter 246: The Path Chosen by Oneself (5K Bonus Chapter 73 74)

In a corner of Elda's territory, Herbert saw Shi Diwen again.

The middle-aged man, who had always been weak and mentally unstable, as if cursed since their first meeting, now stood before the Holy Blood stake with solemn devotion.

Deep hollows in his eyes revealed profound exhaustion and weariness, yet shimmered with pious radiance.

His beard grew wild, sprawling unchecked across his chin and cheeks, its neglected, miserable state silently testifying to the suffering he had endured.

But the greatest change was not in his face—it was in his body, especially his legs, where clear differences could be seen.

The skin of the new leg appeared slightly tender, its hue lighter, as if it had never seen sunlight.

But Herbert knew it was not newly grown skin—it was a completely regenerated entire leg.

Because Shi Diwen's leg had been infected with mysterious toxins that had reached his bones, Joanna and the others had taken a simple… and brutal approach.

They froze his injured leg, shattered it, then cast the high-level divine art 【Limb Regeneration】 at the stump.

Treat the wound? Remove the toxin?

Why not just swap in a brand-new leg? It was faster and easier!

Herbert waited a while, seeing Shi Diwen still lost in his own world, then cleared his throat and spoke up:

"Hmm, your body seems to be recovering well."

!!!

"My lord!?"

Shi Diwen, who had been staring blankly at the Holy Blood stake, snapped back to awareness, rose, and bowed deeply to Herbert in gratitude.

"Ah, yes! Thank you for your mercy!"

Shi Diwen's demeanor was extremely reverent—he bent his body slightly, knees lowering slowly; though his new limb moved with slight sluggishness, it radiated deep piety and respect.

His gaze remained locked on the young man before him, filled with profound gratitude.

The man had not deceived him—he had truly sent others to treat his injuries.

Without exaggeration, this man was truly his savior, the one who had given him life again!

Had he not already become a servant of the divine, and had he not still had family he could not abandon, he truly would have become this man's retainer.

Herbert watched his excitement, smiled, nodded, and scanned him up and down. "Hmm, not bad."

Not bad—but only "not bad."

Though Shi Diwen was considerably stronger than last time, his weakness was still palpable.

【Limb Regeneration】, a high-level divine art favored by priests, could repair crippling injuries without requiring amputation, regenerating fresh flesh directly from the wound.

In a temple, priests could further reduce the cost of this art by drawing on the temple's own divine power, nearly eliminating the burden.

But in Elda, divine arts were restricted—priests could not receive divine power from the gods and had to bear the cost entirely themselves.

Priests' lifespans were far shorter than those of other practitioners at the same level—only two-thirds, or even less!

This was precisely because they consumed vast amounts of life force when casting divine arts.

Flesh regeneration demanded a price.

Either the god bore it, or the priest bore it, or the wounded person's own life force was drained.

For Shi Diwen's treatment, Joanna and the others split the cost equally between priest and patient.

And they focused specifically on the legs needed for walking—his severed arm was not treated yet.

Once the temple was built, they could cast the art again at a much lower cost.

But clearly, someone could not wait.

Without Shi Diwen speaking, Herbert already sensed the attitude he conveyed.

Herbert did not try to persuade him further—he asked directly: "Have you made your final decision?"

"... Yes."

Shi Diwen clenched his lips, thought for a long while, then slowly nodded, bowing his head in apology.

"I know I cannot repay your grace now, but please allow me to depart for a time."

"Once I settle all matters beyond, I will return to repay your kindness."

Hmm?

Herbert blinked, catching an intriguing keyword.

"For a time?"

What? Had he changed his mind?

"Yes."

Shi Diwen, unaware of the playful tone in Herbert's voice, bowed respectfully and explained: "My lord, I have come to understand."

"My destiny, my family's fate, lies right here."

As the last descendant of explorers, he had always secretly yearned for this life.

To explore mysterious realms, discover strange creatures… to become part of a new nation.

Since childhood, he had heard only such tales, and they had filled him with longing.

Now, he finally had the chance to become one of them—how could he possibly abandon it?

He raised his head, gazing at Elda's territory, which was slowly coming alive thanks to the priests' arrival, his expression tinged with excitement.

"This is where all I seek lies!"

He would grow alongside this land, recording everything he saw and heard, chronicling it from the perspective of a firsthand witness.

A true biography!

No, not just that—it could become the history of this city-state, even of this nation!

Shi Diwen was not merely witnessing history—he had the chance to become part of it.

And… beyond this personal desire, he had another reason.

Here lies the deity he serves!

Before he knew it, Shi Diwen had become a devout follower of that unknown god.

If I leave, how long must He wait before the next believer comes?

No.

I cannot abandon my god!

Just as He never once abandoned me back then!

"I wish to stay here, but I cannot simply leave my daughter behind. Please grant me the time to settle everything."

"As family, as a father, I cannot let her down!"

At this moment, Shi Diwen's true feelings poured out. He sincerely made his plea to the lord, bowing his head deeply.

Herbert narrowed his eyes slightly, watching this humble father, a flicker of emotion passing through his heart.

For family, is it…

He gazed at Shi Diwen for a long while, then finally gave a slight shake of his head and exhaled the stale air from his chest.

"Alright, raise your head."

"My lord…" Shi Diwen slowly lifted his head, uncertain what answer he would receive.

He had even prepared himself to bear the weight of all manner of contracts.

But that handsome, young lord gave him an answer he had never expected.

His expression calm, he casually waved a hand at himself: "Go, then. If you want to leave, leave."

Herbert neither agreed nor refused.

If you can do it, then do it.

"My lord! I…"

Shi Diwen excitedly tried to give thanks, but was cut off by Herbert.

He calmly shook his head and said softly: "Go. Walk the path you want to walk. Even if you're wrong, don't regret it."

"I won't offer you help, nor will I demand that you must come back. The rest of the road is yours alone."

Shi Diwen tried several times to speak, but in the end each time closed his mouth under Herbert's gaze.

Finally, he could only bow deeply once more and say in a choked voice: "…Yes!"

"I am deeply grateful."

……

【"A momentary soft-heartedness?"】

After Herbert walked away from Shi Diwen, Nie Nasha suddenly said with a teasing lilt: 【"You were swayed by him?"】

"Hm?"

Herbert was briefly stunned, then smiled and shook his head: "That hardly counts as soft-heartedness."

【"Doesn't it?"】

He seemed unwilling to discuss the topic further, but Nie Nasha, who had finally caught a weak point, was determined to press the attack hard.

【"I wonder who it was that said—absolutely cannot let him leave, cannot increase the risk of exposure~"】

【"Was it me? No, right~ Then who was it? So hard to guess~"】

【"So why the sudden soft-heartedness? I didn't know you were such a magnanimous person."】

【"Just because of those flimsy reasons he gave?"】

The Young Lady of the Jester God, who had been suppressed lately, erupted at this moment with astonishing fighting spirit and vigorous attacking desire!

After a good stretch of her output, she suddenly discovered that Herbert was unexpectedly quiet.

Have I left him speechless?

He doesn't know what to say!

【"Hmph hmph~ Why aren't you saying anything?"】

But just as Nie Nasha felt victory was in her grasp, that this triumph would belong to the great her, she suddenly sensed something was perhaps off.

It seems… something isn't quite right?

Under such an intuition, she indeed found the source of her unease.

It was Herbert's reaction!

He was not angry or embarrassed at this moment, but wore a meaningful smile at the corner of his lips and nodded with pleasure.

Ah, yes, yes, yes.

Everything you say is right!

So right!

Where on earth did he look like he was being attacked? He was practically about to cheer himself on.

【"You…"】

Herbert lifted his eyelids slightly and asked with a smile: "Hm? Are you done?"

Nie Nasha:?

Not good!

Upon realizing that Herbert seemed to hold the winning hand, Nie Nasha immediately changed her strategy.

She… surrendered!

【"Um… I think, you must have your own thoughts! Um, definitely not like what I mentioned earlier, right?"】

Upon sensing something was off, Nie Nasha raised the white flag and surrendered on the spot.

No, wait—this is called turning from darkness to light!

Nie Nasha's immediate breach of promise even startled Herbert, who widened his eyes.

What? Seriously?

You're… what?

Where's your integrity? Where's your dignity as Miss Xie Shen?

Where did they all go?

Herbert shook his head, half-angry, half-amused: "My dear ally, aren't you saying this a bit too late?"

Sister, have some dignity!

【"Not late, not late!"】

But Nie Nasha didn't care about this "minor" matter at all; she grinned and said: 【"Besides, you didn't speak up before, so my words weren't finished anyway~"】

Cù chì.

"Fine."

Herbert helplessly spread his hands, abandoning the counterattack he had prepared.

She had already surrendered and cowered— he could no longer select her.

Whatever.

Just indulge Him. jpg

"So all those things you said before were just prejudice against me—I've always been this magnanimous."

【"Mm-hmm, hmm? Mm, mm!"】

Upon hearing this, even though Nie Nasha had already betrayed him, she still couldn't hold it together and hesitated slightly.

Brother, have some dignity!

Magnanimous? What a joke.

Where's the "big"? I know that. Where's the "magnanimous"? That's another story… cough, I've just seen it before.

Herbert paid no attention to His reaction and said lightly: "You're right—I originally had no intention of letting Shi Diwen leave. I thought he had value to exploit and posed a risk of exposing this place."

"But now, I've changed my mind."

"And the reason isn't because he's a good father who cares for his daughter and values family."

He curled his lip and teased softly:

"If Shi Diwen truly were, as he claims, a loving father… he shouldn't have shown up here at all."

You've sunk this low, fallen into this mess, and now you remember you're a good father?

Isn't that a bit too late?

"Though he truly believes it, and has convinced himself, in my view, it's mostly just wishful thinking and one-sided words."

Herbert curled his lip, but had no intention of rebuking Shi Diwen.

He didn't know Shi Diwen well, and had no idea what the poor bastard's private life was like.

Herbert only interfered with those he cared about—he had no intention of meddling in strangers' lifestyles.

Unclear. Don't care. Don't understand. But respect.

"The real reason I changed my mind is—Shi Diwen has acquired new value."

He walked to the spring's edge, watched Belin floating in the water, looking as if she had fallen asleep, and smiled faintly as he shook his head.

Herbert didn't disturb her dream, turning instead to continue toward the sea.

"Also, Nie Nasha, my actions aren't kindness as you claim—if anything, what I'm doing now is even more ruthless than before."

"Because I'm… fishing."

The boy smiled warmly, giving a gentle nod to the shy, bowing priestesses beside him.

But inside, he calmly described his own ruthless nature.

"After interacting with Belin, I suddenly realized something… in this mountain range, it's not just her who's watching."

Even an egg could hide itself—only exposed by its own carelessness… what about the others?

Surely this Misty Mountains isn't home to just one egg?

The answer? Herbert could figure it out with his knee.

More than one.

Far more than one.

"Perhaps, even now, some being still hides in the shadows, quietly watching us."

"Don't think I'm just scaremongering."

Herbert smiled brightly, his gaze sweeping casually over every blade of grass and tree in his domain, then glancing toward the calm depths of the mist—before quickly withdrawing it.

【"Do you have a reason?"】

Nie Nasha didn't deny or question—she asked for the reason behind Herbert's certainty.

【"Not just intuition, right?"】

"Of course not."

Herbert shook his head, recalling a detail nearly overlooked: "Do you remember when we first found Sophieya?"

【"Of course—she'd just fought that Wolf King… wait, is the problem right there?"】

"Exactly. We were so focused on riding the horse, we ignored all the oddities there."

Herbert himself felt a pang of regret.

Back then, all he'd wanted was to bully the Holy Grail and fiddle with the carriage's steering lights—he'd completely missed so many details.

"In fact, that whole incident was suspicious from the start."

"Did that Wolf King really have such a death wish, to provoke Sophieya—and bring along all his resources?"

Isn't being your Wolf King good enough?

Why insist on challenging a Legendary Spirit instead, so eager for new territory?

Practice yields true knowledge.

After Herbert conducted a field investigation of the Mist Ghost Wolves' ecological situation and casually helped them adjust their age distribution, he arrived at an interesting conclusion.

The number of Mist Ghost Wolves was still far from reaching the point where further territorial expansion was needed.

Far from enough!

Food was plentiful, the pack's numbers were insufficient, and their own strength wasn't particularly great — no matter how you looked at it, there was no direct conflict with Sophia.

So then, that Wolf King just howled once and went mad? Turned into a lunatic who only knew how to challenge the strong?

Herbert had seen the Wolf King's memories and knew clearly it wasn't that kind of personality.

It was a beast extremely skilled at enduring, never lacking patience.

So, what exactly caused the Ghost Wolf King to choose such a desperate course?

"In my opinion, behind that Ghost Wolf King, nine times out of ten there's a true mastermind."

"Someone who fed the Wolf King false information, instilled excessive confidence in it, and even provided some special assistance."

Judging from the results alone, although the Ghost Wolves were nearly wiped out, they really had come within a hair's breadth of successfully killing Sophia.

Herbert said he suspected it, but in his heart he had almost already confirmed the existence of such a being.

He must truly exist.

【"From what you're saying, you've already tested it?"】

"Yes, while gathering the wolf pack earlier, I was already provoking, but his patience was quite impressive — he actually endured it the whole time without reacting at all."

One of Herbert's reasons for slaughtering and subduing the Ghost Wolves along the way was to lure the snake out of its hole, trying to make that being reveal itself.

"He really didn't expose himself either, not a single trace showed... but he hid too cleanly, to an unreasonable degree."

Water too clear has no fish.

With such a huge commotion from Herbert, as the lord of the neighboring territory, it was impossible he hadn't noticed at all.

Not only did he not warn them, he even tacitly approved of Herbert's rampage — Herbert definitely wouldn't believe there was nothing shady going on in his heart.

"And Shi Diwen is the bait."

"A fellow who walked out of the Elda Territory and doesn't yet have enough strength to protect himself."

Herbert smiled and murmured, "I'd like to see if this time he can still hold back!"

Will you continue to endure?

Or will you expose yourself?

How exciting.

【"What about that fellow Shi Diwen?"】

"As for him... it depends on his own fate."

As the angler, Herbert felt no compassion for the bait hanging on his hook.

"The path was Shi Diwen's own choice; I didn't force him into being this bait."

Herbert casually clasped his hands behind his back and said leisurely:

"If he's lucky enough, he'll become a good father and return to Elda as my subject."

"And if unlucky... heh."

Who would care?

The path was his own choice.

(End of Chapter)