Chapter 297: Let Me Put on a Show for You (42K)

"Hm? What did you say?"

Upon hearing this, Fu Leimei snapped out of her daze and blinked dazedly.

Herbert assumed she was emotionally stirred, her heart flooded with too many chaotic feelings.

In truth, that was indeed the case—though what piled up in her mind wasn't quite so proper.

As a Xiao Chounai with an exceptionally vivid imagination, Fu Leimei's head was full of pornographic trash.

On the surface she stared blankly, while inside she fantasized about how to "torture" Herbert, and simultaneously tangled herself in thoughts of how she herself might be "roughly treated."

"... Vent?"

Fu Leimei pondered for a moment; her cheeks flushed deeper, nearly merging with the blood at her lips.

He wants me to vent?

Vent?

This...

Aaaah!

Is it progressing this fast?

"Hm?"

Herbert watched as Fu Leimei's face grew redder and her gaze more distant, suddenly realizing something.

What the hell is this girl thinking? How easily does her mind wander?

She seems even more depraved than Fu Leimei.

Herbert silently released her, pointed at her, then at the slave merchant present, and made a slashing motion across his throat.

"Hm?"

You, go kill them.

Understand?

"... Huh?"

Slightly more alert, Fu Leimei scratched her head, studying Herbert's subtle expression, and instinctively shrank back.

But as soon as she pulled back, she remembered her "identity" and stiffened in place.

No—in public, I'm the master of this caravan!

Fu Leimei's lips twitched, ready to deliver a commanding remark, but she wilted the instant she met Herbert's gaze.

She felt an instinctive fear toward this boy—even though she was far stronger than him, she always felt inferior, unable to hold her head high before him...

What's going on?

Have I really believed his "nonsense"? Have I truly accepted him as my "master"?

This... isn't right!

This is absolutely wrong!

How could I possibly want a master!!?

Something must be wrong!

Fu Leimei rapidly thought through a dozen possibilities, then coughed twice as if casually.

"Cough, cough... Hmm... You mean, I should deal with them all?"

She deliberately avoided mentioning what came before, hoping to skip past the topic.

"Mm."

Herbert wasn't in a hurry to press now; the progress had already jumped significantly—it was enough.

Further progress could wait; some effects hadn't fully taken hold yet, and he needed to let Fu Leimei's emotions slowly ferment.

Don't worry—she'll definitely conquer herself.

Herbert had no doubt about this, so he nodded faintly and murmured: "They've lost all value. Deal with them all."

I'm tired. Destroy them all.

"Oh, alright."

Fu Leimei immediately agreed and prepared to rise—she wanted distance from Herbert as soon as possible.

A strange sense of danger stirred in her heart—if she stayed by his side, she truly feared she'd gradually become his "slave."

This boy carried an indescribable "demonic charm."

A fatally alluring danger!

Fu Leimei didn't want to lose control, didn't want to become a madwoman who lost herself.

Then... surrendering beneath another's feet—was that also a kind of madness, a loss of self?

Fu Leimei didn't yet know the answer to this question.

But she knew she wasn't fully prepared—not yet.

"Huh?"

Just as she was about to stand, Fu Leimei suddenly remembered something and asked curiously: "Wait, didn't you say earlier not to reveal our identities? Now doing this—won't that be exposing ourselves?"

Not afraid anymore?

Herbert shook his head gently and smiled: "No, the exposure I meant isn't this..."

The identity to hide is "assassin," not "righteous enforcer" who punishes evil and upholds justice.

But he couldn't yet explain to Fu Leimei the reason behind assassinating Stilla, so he switched tactics.

"The sole reason I've decided to do this is to send a warning to others."

"Justice has arrived."

"I'm declaring our presence to all evil forces around us—declaring that retribution has come."

Herbert's smile was bright and gentle, but his words carried no warmth—only a chilling aura of slaughter.

"Fear. Tremble. Cry out… then wait for death to come."

"Justice will ultimately judge every sinner."

After speaking, Herbert's smile vanished. He winked at Elisa: "That's roughly the reason. Any questions left?"

"... Oh!"

Elisa nodded, understanding roughly Herbert's intent—but something felt odd.

"Wait, hold on—aren't your goals here to gather materials? Can you really judge those people?"

This is the Dark Region. Even the Alliance forces of the Justice faction can't easily cut through here.

"Elisa, you're wrong again. We know our true purpose—but others don't."

"Huh?"

Herbert smiled faintly. As they spoke, a new plan grew clearer in his mind.

"They don't know our real goal—they'll only grow paranoid, rein in their subordinates, and hide carefully, terrified of revealing even a single flaw."

"They don't even know our numbers or our strength. They know nothing about us."

"So the louder the commotion, the better. The more brazen we are, the more effective it becomes."

Let them remain clueless—that's the best outcome.

When all eyes are fixed on the "Mist Holy Knights," only then can he slip away to strike a massive blow.

Feint east, strike west.

At the same time, this is also preliminary preparation—laying the groundwork for their later "sudden appearance."

Good. The plan is becoming more complete.

"Besides, this isn't deliberate exposure."

Herbert grinned: "If we kill everyone who sees us, aren't we not exposed at all?"

Who could say "Unmatched Grass-Cutting" isn't "Perfect Infiltration"?

Yes, it absolutely is!

"Oh, oh oh…" Elisa, stunned by Herbert's confidence, nodded blankly.

She didn't know if his words were right—but she felt she could trust him.

After all, he was so confident.

"So, shall I just go ahead and act? I'm really going to act now!"

Once certain she could act, Elisa grew increasingly excited.

She didn't enjoy killing, nor did she have any particular interest in taking lives—but she loved watching the blooms of blood blossom on others.

"Go."

Herbert waved his hand, letting the increasingly ravenous Vampire Young Lady handle it herself.

Before she moved, he added: "By the way, don't forget—we're acting under the name of the Convent. Watch your restraint."

"Got it, got it, I'll be careful… hmm?" Elisa paused mid-sentence, turning back in confusion.

?

"What do you mean? What exactly should I watch?"

What?

Didn't you just tell me to kill them all!?

Now you want me to hold back?

You're messing with me!

"Sigh, you're really not getting it."

Herbert shook his head helplessly, whispering: "I mean, clean up your work. Don't leave limbs scattered everywhere—others seeing that would be bad."

A Holy Knight destroying a sinner's den is normal.

Killing is normal too—after all, those people are irredeemable sinners.

But you must not torture.

Holy Knights must not take pleasure in cruelty—at least not visibly. You can bring them back to the Judgment Hall for professionals to handle.

After thinking, Herbert pushed Elisa back down and stood up himself.

"Forget it. Wait a moment before you act."

Elisa:???

Damn Holy Knight—you're messing with me again?

Repeatedly held back, Elisa was clearly annoyed. Her voice turned sharp: "What now?"

"Don't think you can command me just because of that chain! I'm not some easy woman… hmm!!?"

As Elisa complained, the chain around her neck tightened silently, freezing her in place.

Oh no!

"Mmm—mm!"

She realized her mistake too late—and watched helplessly as Herbert leaned down and gently covered her mouth.

After punishing the disobedient little vampire, Herbert smiled, pinching her cheek and lightly tapping her lips with his fingertip.

"Obey. This is your master's command."

After saying this, Herbert left his seat and walked toward the crowd.

He'd stopped Elisa not for teasing or training—but because he'd remembered something crucial.

"I really am an unorthodox Holy Knight. I nearly forgot the most important step."

Herbert mocked himself as he walked to the center of the tavern, meeting the curious gazes of others, and called out loudly: "Everyone, look at me!"

The slave merchants in the tavern had long noticed this impossibly handsome servant; countless greedy eyes, trained on evaluating goods, fixed on the boy.

But Herbert ignored their malice, raised his cup in salute to the crowd, and smiled as he asked: "Tonight, have you all enjoyed your drinks?"

The tavern fell silent for a moment, then quickly erupted in whistles and jeers.

"Hah! Not enough!"

"No performances—how could anyone be satisfied! Hahaha!"

"In my opinion, why don't you put on a show?"

"Old Shaun's right! Put on a show!"

"Kid, are you planning to buy everyone a drink?"

"One drink isn't enough! We want a performance!"

……

The tavern's atmosphere reached its peak; wave upon wave of shouts nearly shook the chandelier from the ceiling.

"……Heh."

Feeling the hostility surging toward him, Herbert chuckled softly, his lips twitching with excitement as he lightly licked them.

He knew exactly what these people truly desired.

More than a drink, they wanted to turn the mysterious Lady and his white-haired servant into their merchandise.

No, perhaps even private collectibles.

As for this so-called performance, it was even more intriguing.

Fortunately, Herbert's true intention had never been to buy them drinks for amusement.

"Indeed, the ignorant and fearless Bai Chi are always the greediest."

He shook his head in lament, drained his cup in one gulp, and casually tossed it aside.

"You're right—it's too stingy to offer just one drink. How could that satisfy you all?"

"Since you all want a performance, let me show you one of my specialties."

Seeing Herbert cooperate so readily, the merchants grew even more excited; many exchanged glances, revealing lewd grins.

"Good! Good! Good!"

"Perform quickly!"

"If it's bad, you'll have to do another!"

They had already planned their next steps, ready to conspire against this naive newcomer.

Step by step, they would pressure him, forcing the Lady to reveal herself.

When that time came, hehehe…

Herbert watched their petty maneuvers in silence, a confident smile curling on his lips as he declared:

"Don't worry—you'll be satisfied. Not a single bad review."

"Also, my name is Herbert. Please remember it well."

With that, Herbert bowed slightly, his demeanor earnest and respectful.

But one overexcited, obese merchant scoffed, laughing loudly: "What good is remembering your name? Stop wasting time—perform! And tell us your master's name! Hahaha!"

He laughed, his fat jiggling like a breathing mountain of flesh.

"Hahaha… Gaaah?!"

But soon, his laughter choked off, as if his throat had been clamped shut.

Just then, he had seen Herbert's eyes—the pale eyes, softly narrowed in a smile, yet utterly devoid of emotion.

Herbert glanced at the frozen merchant and smiled faintly: "Useless? No, no, no—very useful. Because…"

Herbert revealed his most delighted smile; his gentle voice slithered like a venomous snake into every ear.

"When you awaken in the abyss, every moment, every second, you will remember this final scene—my face replaying endlessly in your mind."

What?

Among the slave merchants were some sharp minds; one sensed something wrong in that instant.

Danger.

A great danger was about to descend.

"…What do you mean?"

Herbert's smile widened; he shook his head with pity: "Don't understand? Don't worry. After I perform, you'll know."

With that, he bowed slightly to everyone in the tavern, then raised his right hand.

"Now, let me show you a small trick."

"I hope…"

"You'll like it."

He curled his finger and snapped.

Snap.

With the soft crack of his fingers, golden light spread outward from him like ripples, instantly gilding everything in Jin Guang.

Hum—

The moment the spell took effect, the once-noisy tavern froze as if paused.

As the seemingly harmless golden light washed over them, the expressions of some slave merchants changed.

Confusion… bewilderment… terror… madness!!!

They remembered one name.

And those who reacted more slowly soon realized what had happened.

The first to react, that obese middle-aged merchant, his face's fat trembling, stared wide-eyed in terror.

"Ah!!!"

He let out a shrill, piercing scream, shattering the brief silence.

The wine cup in his hand dropped to the ground with a "clatter," the wine splashing his expensive long robe, his terrified fat face reflected in the broken shards.

"What the hell is this thing!"

Then, several slave merchants suddenly felt a strange stabbing pain, as if something had pierced through their souls.

Finally, they too understood what Herbert's trick had been.

"Detect Evil!?"

(End of chapter)