Chapter 321: I Believe In You (42K Bonus 107)

"Cough, cough!"

After shouting with all her might, Quinna broke into a violent coughing fit, the wounds on her body unable to stop bleeding fresh blood.

But despite her outward appearance looking so wretched, she still gazed firmly at Herbert, nodding hard, conveying her own will.

Go do it!

I believe in you!

"I— I think so too!"

The snake-tailed, human-bodied girl summoned her courage and called out: "Please don't worry about us! If it weren't for you, I— I would have died long ago!"

After these two reunited through untold hardship, they did not hide away in the laboratory Herbert had arranged to eke out a living, but instead took the initiative to rush to the most dangerous center of the battlefield, braving mortal danger to deliver their own thoughts to him.

If you want to do it, then go do it!

We believe in you!

"You all…"

This unexpected encouragement left Herbert somewhat dazed as well.

Nie Yu stared at the two of them with a sinister expression and gave a snort of anger.

"Hmph!"

The appearance of those two was the most merciless slap in the face to Miss Xie Shen's words, making Her completely unable to save face.

With a thought, the flesh and blood on the ground grew rapidly, and a giant mouth formed of flesh and blood was generated beneath Teresa and the others' feet.

Not good!

"Dodge, quick!"

Herbert wanted to rush over to save them, but was intercepted halfway by Nie Yu, who had been prepared.

"I've finally got you!"

The evil god's tail silently coiled around the mortal's right leg and yanked him downward with force.

"Stay here with me!"

Although he could only hold him back for an instant before Herbert would break free, it was already enough.

Herbert, having been intercepted, could now only watch helplessly as Teresa and the others were bitten to pieces by the giant mouth—

But that flesh-and-blood giant mouth froze the instant it was about to close, then rapidly shriveled, like jerky that had had its blood drained and been air-dried for several months.

Then, that jerky actually shattered with a rumble, turning into a pile of fine powder, revealing the figure standing in front of Teresa.

Slap!

"Cough, cough!"

Yilisha's face flushed red, fresh blood spilling from the corner of her mouth. She turned her head toward the stunned Teresa and snapped angrily: "What are you waiting for!? Run, quick!"

What are you spacing out for?

Never seen such a beautiful vampire like me before!!?

She raised her chin toward Herbert, who was staring wide-eyed over there, and gave a light snort.

"Hmph."

What are you looking at? Hurry up and compliment me already!

Summoning the courage to make a move against the evil god's avatar—do you think that was easy for me?

Yilisha: "I've saved them. The rest is all up to you! I'm not dealing with it anymore!"

And beside Yilisha, the weakened Sifani said softly to Herbert: "Lord Herbert, you need not worry about us. With me here, they won't be harmed."

"I believe you can definitely do it."

"Please give it your all."

After she finished speaking, the four of them were wrapped by the shadows rising beneath their feet and swiftly vanished from the spot, evading the sneak attack of the new flesh-and-blood spikes.

Before becoming a Forbidden Scholar, Sifani had first obtained the title of 【Grand Shadow Mage】.

"Tch!"

Nie Yu had not expected that in just a few breaths' time, the situation on the field would be completely reversed.

And what was worse, Herbert, who was currently entangled in combat with Her, now smiled pleasantly, winked at Her, and said playfully: "Well, you heard them. That's what they said."

"Heh!"

Nie Yu sneered, stared at Herbert, and mocked: "Sifani thinks you're being considerate of them, not daring to exert your full power… but the question is, are you?"

"Do you really still have stronger power?"

Herbert curled his lip and hummed: "Don't believe it? Then want to take a guess?"

Nie Yu narrowed his eyes, then laughed coldly: "Foolish mortal, you… still go and die."

Just as he was wondering, Herbert felt a tremendous force slam into his abdomen!

The evil god avatar's snake tail had, at some unknown point, split into two.

"Cough!"

The next instant, before Herbert could even register the searing pain, his vision flashed stark white.

"Herbert!"

……

……

【"Herbert~ wake up~"】

Hm?

"This place… is?"

When his consciousness returned, Herbert found himself in a pure white space.

It looks somewhat familiar?

Seems like I've been here before.

Could it be—Heaven?

【"No, no, think again! No matter how you look at it, this doesn't seem like an afterlife world, does it?"】

【"Also, do you really think you can get into Heaven?"】

Nie Nasha's voice came from behind, causing Herbert to ponder for a moment, then he shook his head slightly and sighed, "Well… uh, it's hard to say, really."

I'm a Holy Knight, I should have a spot in Heaven, right?

Just don't know what special position they'd give me, an ally of Miss Xie Shen.

He turned his head and, sure enough, saw his ally—a beautiful goddess whose face he couldn't make out.

Even though She stood right before his eyes, he simply couldn't see Her face; he could only perceive Her astonishing beauty on the level of the soul.

Putting on airs… oh, wait, She doesn't need to put on airs.

"Tch, all this hiding and covering."

Herbert was a bit annoyed by this. He snorted and asked casually, "So, I'm dead?"

Save file space?

Or is it time for the next reincarnation?

【"Dead? How could that be~ How could I bear to let you die? You're only just now having suffered the attack~"】

Nie Nasha laughed coquettishly, her lovely figure trembling lightly with the motion, causing Herbert's auto-aim to bob along with it.

"Cough… then where is this?"

【"Inside your soul."】

"Time outside?"

【"Don't worry. No matter how long passes here, outside it's only an instant."】

Hearing this expected answer, Herbert felt his spirit relax; having just sat up, he lazily lay back down again.

Things being as they are, let's take a nap first.

But after he lay down, the back of his head didn't hit the ground—it landed on a soft pillow instead.

Herbert slightly raised his eyes and saw mountains and rivers pressing down above his head, blocking most of his view.

"…"

The corner of his mouth twitched, and then he settled in with a clear conscience to enjoy the softness behind his head and the peaks before his eyes, well worth climbing.

This angle of view is really not bad.

I've worked so hard, enjoying myself a little is fine too.

"…So, I lost?"

【"Lost? What talk of winning or losing~"】

Nie Nasha laughed and teased, 【"You don't really think it's that simple, do you—that with a few feathers you could gain the power to fight a god?"】

【"With borrowed power, at most you've earned the qualification to not be easily destroyed by Her~"】

Miss Xie Shen's soft palm landed on Herbert's head, gently stroking.

No further mockery—merely stating a fact.

【"To defeat Her, you still need to become stronger."】

"Mm."

Herbert felt the tender touch and slightly closed his eyes.

【"Herbert, after facing it in person, do you have a deeper feeling about gods now?"】

Nie Nasha's voice was gentle, as if singing a lullaby that coaxed one to sleep.

Herbert's eyelids grew heavy; he squinted slightly and said softly, "Mm, indeed very powerful. There were moments I couldn't even imagine a way to resolve it."

That is a realm beyond mortals—truly a higher level of power.

【"Beyond this, you've also seen Stephila's fate and know how dangerous They are."】

"Mm, indeed, one cannot lightly trust the promises of evil gods."

Herbert nodded slightly, unable to help but sigh.

What is the greatest cause of the tragic fate of the twins Swani and Stephila?

Is it that unjust destiny?

No, perhaps it is, but certainly not entirely.

The true main cause has always been the evil god!

It is the God of Sinful Desire!

Swani and the others originally had a chance to walk further together, and even one day completely set down their knots and become truly close sisters.

But all of that future was destroyed by that greedy deity.

It was not fate that tormented them.

It was the evil god who ravaged them!

And not just them—others as well.

That aberrant dragon Kalo, shaped into a dog-headed dragon-body by the evil whim of sinful desire, is the same.

The god did not keep the pact with it, letting it "willingly" become the Sacrifice for Xie Shen Jiang.

And everyone in this city, all the Dead Sacrifices who died horribly, are because He wished to incarnate and descend.

Countless facts, countless histories, all prove one truth—anyone and anything that gets involved with evil gods will ultimately meet a tragic end.

Don't get involved with evil gods!

Don't trust Miss Xie Shen!!

Don't worship Miss Xie Shen!!!

【"That's right, Miss Xie Shen is very scary."】

A note of emotion crept into Nie Nasha's voice: 【"Everyone knows you can't lightly trust a deity, let alone the promises of an evil god."】

"Indeed."

【"Then, Herbert, is there something you've forgotten?"】

"Mm?"

Herbert raised his head, looking past the towering mountain peaks toward that indistinct face.

At that moment, he suddenly sensed an unusual aura from Nie Nasha.

Then, he heard her whisper.

【"I am a deity, and also an evil god."】

The deity's fingertip moved gently, lightly stroking the mortal's cheek, asking in a tone tinged with sorrow.

【"You want me to take control of your body, but do you know what that means?"】

【"It means I could easily take your body—completely, utterly take it away."】

【"Now, knowing all this, are you still willing to trust me?"】

【"You… do you really want to trust me?"】

In the pure white space, all the light vanished.

Herbert kept his eyes open, yet he could see nothing, nor feel his own body.

【"Perhaps everything I've done, every bit of help I've offered, every ability I've given—all of it was just to deceive you."】

【"Perhaps, in the end, I will take everything from you."】

Listening to the low, dejected whisper at his ear, Herbert felt as though his body was sinking endlessly.

Falling toward a bottomless depth, then melting into this endless darkness.

"……"

While falling, Herbert frowned and said impatiently: "If you're going to put it that way, then of course I don't trust you."

The moment the words fell, the weightless sensation vanished.

【"……It's best that you think so."】

Nie Nasha paused, then continued: 【"After all, even I myself can't guarantee whether I really will……"】

"Tch."

Herbert clicked his tongue and cut in impatiently: "You won't even let me see your face—how am I supposed to trust you?"

Hm?

【"W-what do you mean by that?"】

A bewildered question rose from the darkness, along with an incomprehensible muttering:

【"Just because I let you see, you'd trust me? Stop joking around like that……"】

"Of course." Herbert answered without the slightest hesitation.

Show me, and I'll believe.

Don't show me, and I won't!

Then, with a humph, he said grumpily: "Clearly, you're the one who doesn't trust me, right?"

【"Eh?"】

"You really are suspicious by nature! How many times have I already said it? I trust you."

"How many times do I have to say it before you'll believe me!"

"Besides, if you really want to ask, then don't worry yourself sick like this……"

Brave one moment, coward the next.

If you're worried about hearing a bad answer, then don't ask!

The light returned, and the space became pure white once more.

Nie Nasha, her emotions in turmoil, looked down at Herbert and still couldn't help asking:

【"But have you considered—what if even this unease is a rehearsed performance? Have you never thought of that possibility?"】

"Nie Nasha, I trust you."

Herbert shook his head helplessly: "It's never because of one or two words, but decided through every interaction we've had from when we met until now."

"I trust you. Even if you have no confidence in yourself, I will still trust you."

I trust you more than you trust yourself.

Listening to Herbert's firm words, Nie Nasha fell silent for a moment.

After a long while, she sighed as though deflated: 【"I see, you trust me……"】

When he was pulled into this consciousness space, Herbert's first reaction was a "king and mount" kind of setup—a contest of "instincts."

As it turned out, it was really this gentle.

That's it?

I thought it was going to be some "de facto cohabitation, from now on the body is split half to Her" kind of development!

Being this timid and hesitant—what does that look like?

Use it, use it boldly!

Don't let other evil gods think we can't afford to use it.

"My body—just take it and use it however you like!"

Feel free to use it boldly — I especially permit you to stand up and kick!

"Of course, but I'd suggest you be a little gentler with my body, after all, you'll still need to use it later." Herbert said with a grin.

Who uses it? Uses what?

Herbert didn't say, and Nie Nasha didn't ask; the two of them both fell quiet.

After a while, Herbert broke the silence: "So, my dear Miss Xie Shen, how does it feel to be firmly believed in?"

【"Not bad? Mm, very nice."】

The deity chuckled lightly, her tone returning to its usual ease: 【"As a reward, I specially permit you to rest your head on my lap~"】

"I've been resting on it for a while now — give me something practical instead." Herbert laughed cheerfully as well.

This easily-anxious deity, my lord, had finally managed to set her heart at ease.

【"Herbert, do you think that Obscene Desire — is it evil and blasphemous enough?"】

Herbert raised an eyebrow, catching something unusual in the tone, and asked: "Pretty much? What, you think it's not enough?"

【"Of course it's not~"】

Nie Nasha gave a light snort, disdainful: 【"Tempting mortals — what kind of blasphemy is that?"】

Miss Xie Shen swept away her earlier unease, humming with full confidence:

【"Heh, this time, I'll let you see just what is — true blasphemy."】

……

……

And at the very moment Nie Nasha made her declaration, an abnormal change occurred in the outside world.

Beyond the surface, night had already fallen.

It was the beginning of the month again; the bright moon turned into a blood moon, and the power of darkness surged.

The power of justice gradually subsided, while the power of evil sprouted and spread.

But, in such a deep night — the world underwent an unprecedented change.

The sky, brightened.

The sun, rose!!!

(End of this chapter)