Chapter 397: Silence and Noise

“Shut up!”

“Oh? Are you yelling at me? Are you embarrassed and lashing out? Of course—you’re secretly in love with me!”

“Tsk! I already said it’s not like that!”

“It is~ it is~”

“No! No! Aaaah—shut up!”

After being pressured by Herbert for a long while, Luccalia finally broke down, abandoning her apathy, and glared furiously at the annoying boy before her.

“You! Shut up!”

She angrily tugged at her hair, unable to hold back any longer, and screamed: “Stop! What do you want from me?!”

Just leave me alone, please.

Don’t bother me anymore.

What did I even do wrong?

Can’t I change?

I’ll change—I will—

“Leave you alone?”

Seeing her finally respond seriously, Herbert smiled, raised an eyebrow, and countered: “Who’s not letting go of whom? It’s you who won’t let go of me, isn’t it?”

“After all, the one constantly watching every move of another… is you, not me.”

Upon being reminded of this, Luccalia’s spirit instantly deflated.

“Ah, well… there are many reasons for this, the truth isn’t what you think, um.”

Aware she was in the wrong, she bit her lip, her gaze shifting away, trying to evade this awkward question.

But awkwardly, the mirrors in the Mirror Space were too numerous—no matter which angle she looked, she saw Herbert’s amused gaze returning to her.

If it were anyone else, Luccalia could have hidden as their shadow…

But now, her true face was exposed before Herbert; she could no longer conceal herself.

Her disguise was utterly useless before him, revealing not a single trace—she could only face this silent scrutiny.

No, this scrutiny was not “silent” at all.

It was extremely loud.

Herbert pressed his advantage, asking with a kind, smiling expression: “If it’s not as I said, then why not explain it to me?”

Pursue the defeated enemy with remaining strength; do not seek empty fame like the Overlord.

Beat the drowning dog, folks!

Charge! Charge! Charge!

“Luccalia, I’m not a fool, and you don’t need to treat me like some naive child.”

“You know better than I do what this ability truly means.”

Herbert’s expression grew slightly serious as he said earnestly: “If everything you say is true, then I will lose all privacy before you.”

Luccalia saw every move Herbert made in every mirror.

This ability… honestly exceeded Herbert’s expectations.

Moreover, Luccalia’s ability had a very vague definition of “mirror”—it didn’t have to be an actual reflective surface.

If a calm lake surface can be considered a mirror, then can a pair of eyes that reflect images also be considered a mirror?

If so…

That means Luccalia can see Herbert at any time, through anyone’s gaze.

If that were true, this ability would be terrifying indeed.

Open the box!

This is open-boxing anytime, anywhere!

You can turn on your camera anytime, see what you’re doing, even secretly record it as leverage for blackmail.

How are we supposed to be virtual streamers?!

This ability sounds like some hentai game’s hack—forcing cameras to capture intimate footage to blackmail innocent women.

It gives off that “Madam, you wouldn’t want your husband to see you like this, would you?” vibe.

“So, my dear voyeur, Miss.”

Herbert’s playful smile faded; he shook his head gently and asked slowly: “Can you tell me what you intend to do with this ability?”

“Or, more bluntly—what do you plan to do to me?”

“What benefit is there for you in spying on me?”

Confess fully, and be lenient; resist, and be harsh.

Speak! What do you intend to do to me?

“…Tsk.”

At this point, Luccalia no longer broke down; she looked at Herbert with a complex expression, sighed softly, and shook her head: “...You’re smarter than I thought.”

The Mirror Sprite fluttered her shattered-mirror wings, drifting lightly as she circled Herbert, scanning him up and down.

She muttered, complaining softly: “Herbert, why are you so smart?”

“You figured it out too fast! I thought you’d take longer to realize what’s happening to you.”

“And it’s not even something harmful—why must you insist on understanding?”

Luccalia huffed, pouting as she blurted: “Grow up a little! Sometimes, not knowing the truth is better—being kept in the dark can be a kind of happiness.”

As the saying goes: it’s hard to be foolish.

Often, not understanding—or deliberately not understanding—is a wise way to protect oneself.

One eye open, one eye closed; everyone shares an unspoken understanding.

In short—just let it go.

Facing Luccalia’s dissatisfaction, Herbert only smiled faintly, offering no mockery or explanation.

“Heh~”

Herbert was no naive fool who didn’t understand this tactic.

He not only understood—he understood it deeply!

Before the Grand Archbishop, he was very good at “choosing ignorance,” masking himself perfectly.

And the Grand Archbishop was equally skilled in this art, his acting so refined and profound that not a single flaw could be seen.

The two maintained a highly “ambiguous” relationship, never crossing the line.

So why, this time, did Herbert insist on uncovering Luccalia’s intentions?

He had two reasons.

First, he feared this forced “open-box” ability would interfere with his life—he wanted to guard against her first.

Second, naturally, he had a special purpose.

Their relationship was already in mutual contact; seizing this chance to gain more leverage was a win.

After fully understanding Herbert’s stance, Luccalia resigned herself and explained her actions.

“Fine, fine! I’ll tell you! Uh… there’s no special purpose.”

“You’re interesting, with a uniquely special fate. I want to witness your [Future], record your [Present], and sing of your [Past].”

She looked at Herbert, helplessly: “To do this, I paid a price—I performed an ancient ritual, binding myself to you.”

The Mirror Sprite explained in detail, and Herbert nodded thoughtfully.

According to Luccalia, when she watched him, he was also watching her.

Since there was no secretive element, it wasn’t stalking.

You say that… am I the Abyss now?

Though Herbert sensed Luccalia still withheld hidden truths, he decided not to probe further.

It’s better to be foolish sometimes.

In any case, it didn’t sound like a bad thing for him.

“You’ve essentially gained an Epic-level protector… Right!”

Luccalia herself began to believe it, clapping her hands and nodding vigorously:

“I’m doing this out of concern you’ll die prematurely—I’m protecting you! If you phrase it like that, you’re the one who benefits!”

That’s right! Exactly!

That’s what I originally planned!

“Mm-hmm.”

Herbert didn’t contradict her; he simply smiled, nodding with a knowing, half-amused gaze fixed on her.

Are you treating me like Valentina?

Do I look that stupid?

Under Herbert’s gaze, Luccalia knew she couldn’t fool him—but she gritted her teeth and held her ground anyway.

Hard-pressed.JPG

In the end, Herbert did not press further.

He lowered his eyes, gazing at the Mirror Sprite before him, and asked gently: “So… do you think it’s worth it?”

“Worth it?”

Luccalia was puzzled by the question, fixing her gaze on Herbert’s eyes.

In the instant their pale gray eyes met, a flash of light seemed to burst and vanish between them.

If someone could have seen the streams of their fates at that moment, they would have noticed their paths intersecting for the first time.

Rivers that were never meant to cross were drawn by some great force toward the same direction, stretching endlessly into the future.

Luccalia sensed it subtly, realizing that after completing the ritual and revealing her true face, she had bound her fate to Herbert’s.

Was this what she had originally desired?

No.

Then, did she resist this outcome?

Not at all.

“Who knows? What’s worth it or not?”

The Mirror Demoness smirked, scoffing lightly: “I just hope your next actions won’t disappoint me.”

She wished to witness a grand, tumultuous destiny.

The boy, burdened with such high expectations, smiled faintly and said calmly, confidently: “That shouldn’t disappoint you too much.”

In this world, nothing is more dangerous than the realm of the gods.

As Nenasha’s ally, his future was destined to be anything but calm—he would inevitably walk into that raging storm.

Luccalia felt the inexplicable strength of Herbert’s confidence and nodded silently, then asked curiously: “By the way, are you afraid of me?”

“Hmm?”

To make sure he understood, she added: “It’s just the two of us now. Aren’t you afraid I’ll trap you in the Mirror World?”

Aren’t you worried?

Where did Herbert’s boldness come from?

Was it because of his ties with Valentina and Luciel? Or did he truly have some hidden confidence?

“Afraid of you? Afraid of what?”

Herbert raised an eyebrow, glancing at the petite demoness with a sneer: “Afraid you’ll kill me? Or afraid you’ll do something indecent to me?”

“For the first, I hold the sealing array. For the second… do you really think you should be the one afraid?”

Shouldn’t it be you who’s afraid?

If you were truly just a mirror, I’d have no special interest in you—nothing I could desecrate in a mirror.

But clearly, you’re not.

Since you have a physical form, even a god would… cough.

Herbert’s strange words made Luccalia shudder violently, shooting back into the ancient mirror, where she stared at him with clear disgust and unease.

Don’t come any closer.JPG

“Hah.”

Herbert shook his head, smiling. He’d only been teasing her—he had no real intention of doing anything now. But the future? Who knew.

“By the way, you wanted to witness something, right? I happen to need a small favor.”

“What favor?” The Mirror Demoness watched Herbert warily, ready to retreat deep into the Mirror World.

“A small one.”

Herbert pulled out the potion given to him by the Ash Bishop and waved it before the mirror: “I’m going to drink something. Could you keep an eye on me?”

Luccalia hesitated, then frowned as she recognized its contents: “This is… where did you get this?”

“Oh? You know it?” Herbert was surprised.

“Know it?”

Luccalia’s gaze turned uneasy, flickering with strange light as she spoke with a peculiar expression: “‘Silence and Noise,’ an alchemical potion brewed from Mirror Demon blood, capable of making the drinker see illusions within mirrors.”

“You’re holding this… you mean to…”

Herbert nodded, smiling: “Since you know, it’s easier. Yes, exactly as you think—I’m going to drink it.”

“It’ll probably bring some trials. I’ll rely on you to watch over me then.”

If illusions would appear in the mirror, wasn’t it logical to have a Mirror Demon guard him?

But Herbert’s ideal plan fell apart.

“Sorry to disappoint you, but the illusions you see after drinking it can only be seen by you—I can’t help you inside the Mirror World.”

Luccalia shook her head: “You can only rely on yourself. I can do little—only keep you from being disturbed by other things within the Mirror World.”

The Mirror Demoness was truly powerless to assist Herbert’s request.

“I see… that’s fine. Enough.”

Herbert thought for a moment, then nodded with a smile: “Then please wake me if I start acting strangely.”

“That I can do,” Luccalia said without refusing the simple request.

She understood the effect of ‘Silence and Noise’ and could guess Herbert’s purpose.

The Oathkeeper’s ritual.

She was deeply curious about his final outcome.

Can someone like you, hiding so many secrets, truly hold onto their true heart?

Can you… become an Oathkeeper?

Midnight.

Under the watchful gaze of countless mirror reflections, Herbert opened the potion bottle and drank ‘Silence and Noise’ without hesitation.

He clenched his eyes shut, feeling as if he’d swallowed fire and ice, desperate to scream.

He clenched his fists, barely holding back.

Herbert knew it was only a mental illusion—he feared no true flame.

That was the heat of lies.

That was the chill of truth.

This was the first trial.

He had to endure the urge to flee from the scorching lies, and endure the cold embrace of truth.

“…”

Moments later, as the sensation in his throat faded, Herbert knew he had passed into the next stage.

“Then, the second stage—illusions, right?”

“Who will appear?”

With this thought, Herbert slowly opened his eyes, blinked, and smiled with profound relief.

“Well, it’s you.”

He saw someone who should never have been there—Valentina.

The Hungry Dragon girl pouted, glaring at him: “Herbert, why are you leaving me alone again?”

“Why are you here? Come on, let’s get something to eat—I’m hungry again…”

She stepped forward, reaching out to take his hand—but he gently sidestepped.

“Hmm?”

The boy looked at the illusion with a calm smile, his eyes devoid of tenderness, his voice cold:

“Get lost.”

(End of Chapter)