Chapter 392: The Transmissive Mirror (Request Subscription)

「Mm!!?」

In the Mirror Space, Teresa, head bowed and shoulders hunched, let out a faint, barely audible whimper.

The half-breed girl was in chaos.

Who am I? Where am I?

Where… where exactly is this?

She felt as if she hadn’t woken up yet.

Just moments ago, she had been humming a song by the lake in Elda’s territory, washing her face—how had she ended up in another space with just a turn of her head?

This sudden, bewildering assault was on par with “leaving town with your wife, eating hotpot and singing, then suddenly getting robbed by bandits.”

Not a single precaution. Not a single thought.

There she was, drenched (physically soaked), suddenly appearing in a completely alien, eerie space.

And all around her were mirrors, reflecting her dazed, confused form from every angle, without a single blind spot.

Confused, helpless, weak…

And because she had just finished washing by the water, she was dressed in next to nothing—a single white silk nightgown she had received from Master Mise.

But as she crossed the water’s surface, the lake had soaked her, making the view beneath the white gown faintly visible.

When she saw her reflection in the mirror, she snapped to attention, clutching her chest tightly, squeezing her legs together, and hunching her body.

!!!

Yet, what gave her slight comfort was seeing a familiar figure in this strange space—the man.

Her hero, the true Knight!

Thank goodness—it’s Lord Herbert!

We’re saved!

Teresa straightened her back slightly, ready to ask Herbert about the situation, but the moment she opened her mouth, she realized things weren’t as she expected.

“Uh… Lord Herbert?”

The scene before her stirred a complex flutter in the girl’s heart—Herbert wasn’t even looking at her.

The man paid no attention to her freshly bathed form; instead, he stared intently at his right hand, occasionally nodding slightly, wearing an expression of approval.

Look at me, will you!

And why are you nodding at your own hand?!

After several tentative, quiet calls went unanswered, Teresa finally gave up and fell silent.

She hesitated, then shuffled over to Herbert’s side, crouching half-sitting against his leg, looking utterly helpless and pitiful.

When Teresa saw the four-armed black-winged angel over there, she instinctively felt uneasy.

It was… a terrifying presence.

Like encountering a natural predator, only by hiding behind Herbert could she find even a sliver of comfort.

Fortunately, Herbert was still here—otherwise, the timid girl would have completely broken down.

“…”

Herbert had noticed Teresa’s actions, but he had no attention to spare—he didn’t have the energy to soothe her yet, and continued deep in thought.

“…”

After Lyukalia mentioned her true nature’s ability, Herbert had already formed many associations.

“A mirror that only shows what one desires most… this ability feels oddly familiar.”

Many artifacts share similar abilities, but the most fitting is the famous Mirror of Erised.

It is a mirror that reflects the deepest desire of the viewer, the ultimate test of a pure heart.

Yet, in outcome, there were differences—significant ones, at that.

After all, that mirror could only reveal, never manifest the desired object.

Otherwise, the wizard who lost an ear could have cast his Patronus again, and the Chosen One wouldn’t have remained an orphan… cough!

Amidst the unseemly jokes flashing through his mind, Herbert’s thoughts were racing.

He was extremely excited.

Did you see?

What just happened with this mirror!?

He had used the mirror to observe in real time the actions of many people, and even influenced them to some degree.

That ability alone was impressive—like the crystal balls of classic witches, showing images of those one wished to see.

But the truly insane part was his last-minute, bold experiment.

Herbert conceived an idea, attempted it, and… succeeded in pulling the person from the image out into reality!

Telekinesis!

No, not quite.

This was… a human teleportation!?

Teleportation?

And where exactly is this place?

Mist Monastery, Third Precept Hall… this is the prison holding powerful monster girls.

Even epic-level monster girls like Lucil and Lyukalia couldn’t escape!

But what had he just done?

He had completely ignored the Third Precept Hall’s layered defenses and reached his hand straight into Elda’s territory.

And Elda’s territory wasn’t some safe place.

It was a divine forbidden zone, a true death trap—no one knew how many had been stopped by that mist.

Yet just now, even that mysterious mist had failed to block Herbert’s water-monkey antics.

Completely failed to block!

What an absurd ability this was!!?

If he wasn’t mistaken, this ability’s upper limit might be even more absurd!

It could even…

Ding.

At the peak of Herbert’s excitement, a cool clarity flashed through his mind, forcibly suppressing his elation.

His eyes cleared, and he silently shook his head: “No, no—I can’t jump to conclusions yet.”

After absorbing the Snow Witch’s blood, Herbert had gained, in addition to [Ice Body], a passive ability called [Frost Will]—forcing him into extreme rationality.

Snow Witches, as monster girls, are inherently hyper-rational, like unmelting ice—rarely swayed by personal emotion, always acting on the most logical choice.

But fortunately,

Herbert’s ability was somewhat controllable; he could shut it off during specific times and states, or else he might have ended up on the same tragic path as a certain Bone King.

He thought calmly, his gaze slowly settling on the half-breed girl crouched at his feet, hugging her knees, curled into a ball.

“Is she really Teresa?”

“What if she’s not actually from Elda at all—just a fabricated illusion pulled from the image?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Herbert didn’t prolong the suspense—he asked Teresa directly: “Are you Teresa?”

Are you you?

“Huh?”

The girl was stunned by his abrupt question, blinked, and after several seconds replied uncertainly: “Uh… I, I am… am I?”

Seeing Herbert’s serious expression, she grew unsure—his doubt made her doubt herself, turning her words into a question.

Am I?

“Hm?”

Herbert was also thrown off by this abstract answer; his lip twitched, and he asked again: “If you’re not Teresa, then who do you think you are?”

“I think I’m… oh!”

The girl finally understood the question, sprang to her feet, and clung to the Knight’s arm, urgently saying: “I’m Teresa! Lord Herbert, I really am Teresa!”

Why isn’t Lord Herbert doubting me?

“I! I… uh?”

As Teresa frantically shouted, two fingers gently pressed against her lips, silencing her.

“Heh, of course I know you’re Teresa.”

Herbert smiled warmly, indulgently: “Don’t worry, I was just teasing you.”

“There, there—look, aren’t you no longer afraid of this place now?”

Environment?

Teresa froze, realizing her fear of the strange surroundings had truly vanished.

Huh? It’s real!

The girl widened her eyes, gazing at the Knight with admiration, and nodded vigorously.

“Mm-hmm! Not afraid at all!”

Herbert chuckled, gently ruffling her hair.

Of course.

Child, you’re certainly not worried about your surroundings now—because all your fear has turned into panic over whether he recognizes you.

Fear did not disappear; it merely changed its effect.

But forget the details—just tell me, does this method actually work?

His gaze slipped briefly over her soaked outfit, a flicker of suspicion rising in him.

Wait… wasn’t this girl’s figure thinner before?

In Herbert’s memory, Teresa had begun as a skeletal slave, then slightly improved during the carriage ride home—but still remained thin.

But now, after returning to human form, she had become a fully healthy young girl.

What have you been eating?

How did you swell up so fast?

Though the question surfaced in his mind, Herbert, as a considerate mature man, decided to pretend he hadn’t noticed.

Better not pry into the girl’s secrets—she’d probably tell him herself eventually.

Herbert gently reassured the girl, telling her not to worry, then turned to speak with the Mirror Spirit, who had been waiting quietly.

As soon as he spoke, Herbert offered lavish praise.

“Miss Luka, allow me to apologize for my earlier rudeness.”

He bowed slightly, murmuring, “I truly underestimated your abilities and failed to show you the respect you deserved.”

“Your power is beyond my imagination—truly… a miracle.”

Though his words bordered on exaggeration, the sheer unexpectedness of her ability left Herbert awestruck.

He lavished praise—and then heard Luka’s curious question.

She paid no mind to his flattery, saying: “Hey, skip the fluff—what exactly did you just do?”

“What?”

Herbert, once again stumped by someone else’s question, widened his eyes.

Wait—is this appropriate?

“I mean… are you asking me?” Herbert was baffled.

Who’s the magic mirror here—you or me?

Isn’t this your ability?

The mirror woman rolled her eyes, snapping: “Tch, how would I know what you just did?”

“I’ve said it multiple times—I don’t even know what I can do!”

“I’m merely your reflection, a conduit. What’s truly accomplished depends on you.”

“So what did you see? And how did you summon this little one?”

Luka seemed even more excited than Herbert, scrutinizing him closely, searching for some hidden trait.

This boy had already revealed too many peculiarities—he must harbor secrets no ordinary person could believe!

“…“

After receiving an unexpected answer, Herbert frowned, thinking rapidly.

After a long silence, he looked up and asked: “Luka, can I try again?”

Herbert needed to try once more to reach a conclusion.

“Go ahead! Try anything you want!”

At this moment, Luka no longer mentioned her earlier accusation that Herbert was “lewd and filthy”—curiosity outweighed trivial shame.

What exactly did you do?

Do it again!

Let me see!

“Alright.”

Herbert wasted no time. With solemn expression, he fixed his gaze on the ancient mirror and focused again on Elda’s domain.

The scene shifted silently, returning to the same lakeside setting.

But now, a new figure stood by the lake—Sofia, the centaur spirit, uncertainly scanning her surroundings, faintly sensing her master’s presence.

Herbert took a deep breath, not stepping fully through, but only thrusting his upper body into the mirror’s surface.

Splash!

The scene changed instantly—he saw Sofia’s startled reaction.

“What?!”

Sofia’s spirit flickered from shock as a head suddenly emerged from the water; she instantly drew her spear.

“Who?! Oh! My Lord?!”

Her lips trembled as she stared at the boy grinning like a mischievous child. “Y-You… what are you doing?”

Are you deliberately scaring me?

You’re acting so childish… wait, how are you here?

While Sofia was still stunned, Herbert waved his hand. “I’m testing a special teleportation spell. Ignore it.”

“We’ll return in a few days. Ask everything then.”

“Oh, wait—hold on.”

Herbert dropped those words, ducked his head, and vanished beneath the water’s surface, leaving no trace.

Only a lingering aura proved he had truly appeared.

Moments later, when the ripples calmed and Herbert reappeared, he held in his hands a bewildered girl curled into a ball.

Sofia: Huh?

Teresa: Huh?

Herbert: Hey!

“No time to explain—catch her!”

He grinned, then flung Teresa, curled like a ball, straight at Sofia.

Toss you… girl!

Splash—

After tossing the girl back like a “river god,” Herbert withdrew his body, returning to the mirror realm.

“…“

His smile faded. He looked down at the water-splashed marks on his upper body, licked his lips.

He said nothing, but his thoughts surged uncontrollably.

“A portal—this is the portal I’ve always wanted to create!”

“The key linking Elda and the Monastery!”

“If this mirror-portal can remain active… does that mean…?”

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Frost-like chimes rang repeatedly in his mind, yet they could not suppress his inner excitement.

Herbert remained silent, slowly clenching his fists, teeth gritted, striving to hide his emotions.

But in the end, he could not suppress the upward curve of his lips—he let out a quiet laugh, whispering to himself:

“Valentina and the others…”

“Could they escape… without a sound?”

(End of Chapter)