Chapter 27: Old Man, Send Money (Requesting Follows)

Damn, scared the hell out of me…

Back in his room, Herbert let out a long breath and collapsed onto the bed, drained.

What a sudden strike—I nearly fell for their trap!

This time, Herbert had gone to the Thorn Bishop himself to report, already on full alert, terrified of revealing any weakness.

Even so, he’d unconsciously been influenced by the unseen party, nearly exposing himself.

You’re supposed to be holy clerics—how low can you get?

A bunch of old bastards gang up on an eighteen-year-old kid like me… it’s outrageous!

The tactics are so despicable, even I, a demon pactholder, can’t stand it.

You’re already playing mind control—what else are you plotting behind the scenes? Soul corruption? Personality expulsion?

No—must strengthen soul defense! Need to find a way to further arm my soul!

After two mental intrusions by Nenasha and Rust Nail Bishop, Herbert was nearly developing PTSD.

“Improving my strength takes time, and not all demon materials grant soul protection—what should I do?”

After pondering for a long while, Herbert suddenly had an idea.

“If internal methods won’t work, then I’ll just use an external cheat!”

He got up from bed, sat at his desk, pulled out a sheet of paper, and began writing rapidly.

“Dear Father, I’m your favorite second son—long time no contact, please send money… no, that’s too familiar.”

Swipe.

Herbert switched to a fresh sheet and began writing anew:

“Respected Duke Albert, I am Herbert. Long time no greeting—I hope you are well, and may the gods’ grace and wisdom always attend you.”

“I am doing well at the monastery; the place is holy, yet the prison holds dangerous outsiders who constantly assail my soul.”

“Thus, your second son, standing at the edge where light and shadow intertwine, humbly beg your aid.”

“What I seek is neither gold nor silver, nor power or glory—only a rare artifact capable of protecting the soul.”

“I beg your understanding. Deeply grateful.”

After finishing, Herbert frowned and pondered for a moment.

“Hmm… the tone’s off.”

The distance in words was sufficient, but it still felt too familiar, too subservient.

It sounded like I was begging.

No.

Swipe.

This time, Herbert skipped all formalities and wrote simply:

“Duke Albert, I am Herbert.”

“Darkness intrudes. Need soul protection.”

Good!

Looking at the few terse lines of his letter, Herbert nodded in satisfaction.

See how well this letter is written!

No pretense, cold and harsh—its sole theme: Old man, send money!

“Heh. Perfect.”

Herbert didn’t know whether his father had participated in the plot against him, but at least they hadn’t quarreled when they parted in Wang Cheng.

Since they hadn’t broken ties, he could ask openly.

In this letter, he was portraying a reclusive monk, broken by persecution—someone who’d forgotten love, a cold, emotionless machine…

“So, will you be pleased by this outcome? Or will you feel sorrow and regret? I truly look forward to your expression when you read this letter.”

Too bad he couldn’t see it himself anytime soon.

He also believed his letter wouldn’t land only on the Duke’s desk—those watching him in secret would see it too.

When they saw it, would they grow even more convinced that Herbert had completely lost heart and intended to live in isolation?

Would they smile smugly?

“Let you laugh a little longer.”

Whether Duke Albert would actually send him a magical artifact didn’t much matter to Herbert.

Wool.

You don’t get anything if you don’t shear—but you definitely get nothing if you don’t try.

Just a shot in the dark!

If he sends it, fine.

If he doesn’t, fine—I’ll just pretend I never had a father.

Friends, thicken your skin—many things aren’t as hard as they seem.

Herbert wrote only this one letter and made no further attempts to contact anyone else.

His mother of this life had died of illness ten years ago; no one else in the family was worth his concern.

His two other brothers had once been close, but after his downfall, their suspicions were too great—he didn’t bother testing them.

After entrusting the letter to another monk for delivery and returning to his room, there was still time before nightfall.

“This Harmonic God is utterly useless!”

“Come on, are we doing some cross-border romance now? Need to wait for time zones to communicate… tch.”

Herbert waited a while, growing bored, unsure how to pass the time.

Just then, he remembered the hidden red hair.

Hey, I’ve got an idea.

“This is easier to swallow than those scales.”

Looking at the strands of hair, washed repeatedly, gleaming under candlelight, Herbert took a deep breath.

Ready mentally, he shut his eyes, grabbed a handful, and shoved it into his mouth—no resistance, just tried to swallow.

Then…

“Pfft—cough, cough!”

Weird.

This feeling was utterly bizarre!

The strange sensation of hair clinging to his throat, the agony of being unable to swallow—it struck his soul.

In that moment, Herbert felt something strange.

He felt like the stalker who follows someone, watches their every move, and collects their fallen hair to power himself.

Wow, that's insane, bro!

Ugh.

Herbert couldn’t hold on—he spat out every strand, rinsing his mouth repeatedly.

“Ugh—cough, forget it. I can’t swallow this. I’ll wait for Nenasha to handle it.”

…

【“You ate it?”】

“I didn’t! Don’t make things up—watch out for defamation!”

Herbert denied it outright, refusing to admit he’d done such a thing.

【“Heh, let’s just say that’s what happened.”】

Nenasha chuckled lightly, dismissing his excuses, then added casually:

【“Oh, I forgot to mention—it does need to be swallowed, but the key is your blood.”】

Herbert: Huh? Oh!

Wasn’t there something about that?

Then why did I insist on swallowing it with my mouth?

Could it be… I actually liked it?

No, no, no.

Impossible. Absolutely impossible!

I’m not that kind of person…

【“Alright, my ally, are you ready?”】

“You mean ready?”

【“Be careful—her will is harder to endure than before.”】

“What do you mean…”

As Herbert puzzled, his blood fell onto the crimson hair—a thick red mist surged upward.

Next moment.

Herbert’s vision filled with fire.

Endless, boundless fire!

Thank you to Hunhan Nian for the tip—thank you, boss!

…

I slept a little longer than usual last night; I hope my schedule can adjust quickly.

The first round of recommendation messages have arrived—the first round of life-or-death Pk starts this Sunday, I’m so scared—

Everyone, please save the child! Waaah!





(End of Chapter)