Chapter 400

"You mean the monastery is preparing a Holy Baptism for me?"

After easily brushing off his previous "offense," Herbert did not rush to leave but stayed to continue conversing with Ophidia.

On one hand, it was to avoid Bishop Rustnail, in case he was still waiting outside and they ran into each other.

On the other hand, he simply wanted to chat a little longer with Ophidia.

After making such hard-won progress, how could he abandon this golden opportunity to keep talking?

After a while of casual conversation, Herbert roughly understood why Bishop Rustnail had been so eager to meet him.

He had been exposed.

Bishop Rustnail not only knew Herbert had reached Legend, but had likely already notified all other high-ranking officials.

Herbert had thought he was acting discreetly, holding back, waiting for the perfect moment to play the fool and then reveal his true power.

But he hadn't realized he'd been walking around with his pants down—completely exposed.

Fortunately, he hadn't started interacting with others yet; otherwise, it would've been embarrassing.

And based on the timeline Bishop Rustnail provided, the Grand Archbishop must have sensed his presence only after Herbert left the Third Oath Sanctuary.

Does that mean the Third Oath Sanctuary lies outside the Grand Archbishop's jurisdiction, and he knows nothing of what happens inside?

Or perhaps the Grand Archbishop deliberately avoided the Third Oath Sanctuary's territory, granting Herbert considerable freedom and respect.

Even so, Herbert was still stunned by the Grand Archbishop's power.

This elder had locked himself away in the underground sanctuary, cut off from the outside world, yet still reacted to every move within the monastery.

The Grand Archbishop's true control over the outside world might surpass even Herbert's imagination.

Also, wait…

"If even a newly minted Legend like me can sense it, how did those dark elves sneak in?"

Herbert suddenly remembered the fools who had tried to break the prisoners out, and couldn't help sneering inwardly: "This old bastard doesn't even pretend—he's just outright letting them through… and I caught him at it!"

Even without the intelligence Herbert had obtained from Svan妮 and turned in, the monastery could never have allowed them to succeed.

Those bastards died without knowing that although they'd used the Witch Coven's methods to penetrate the monastery's barriers, it was utterly useless.

Every one of their actions had been seen from the start—they were dead the moment they stepped inside.

Nine lives lost?

No, it was a hundred deaths with no chance of survival!

If the Witch Coven member who sold them that magic item didn't know this, fine—understandable.

But if they did know, and still sold it to them, they were just ruthlessly fleecing a sucker… which is also understandable.

After all, that whole group of Bai Chi were walking into a death trap; if you didn't squeeze them dry, wouldn't that be a waste?

As for weaker "heretics" below Legend, the Grand Archbishop didn't even consider them worth noticing.

The Grand Archbishop cares for weak, innocent mortals, but has zero interest in weak enemies.

Only Saints merit his attention; only Epics are treated normally; only Legends barely enter his gaze… uh.

As for the lesser insects beneath them, he simply ignores them, lets them be.

He completely disregards weak fallen ones like "Grass Carp Brother"—they don't even exist in his eyes.

Does a normal person pay attention to the path of ants on the roadside?

He simply lets them be, leaves them to their fate.

Perhaps weakness is original sin.

Or perhaps weakness is also a blessing in disguise.

Once, Herbert himself was just a weak seed in the Grand Archbishop's eyes, requiring careful nurturing and gentle handling.

Now, having broken through to Legend, he had finally broken through the soil, sprouting a small branch.

To outsiders, this might sound exaggerated—but it was the very attitude the Grand Archbishop had shown Herbert.

Herbert knew that to escape this treatment, he must continue strengthening himself.

Advancing to Epic was Herbert's next major goal.

To achieve this, he had several special rituals he could not afford to miss.

And the 【Holy Baptism】 was the most important ritual for a newly minted Legend Holy Knight like him.

After every mortal ascends to Legend, they gain a unique opportunity—a precious chance to significantly enhance their power.

Some call it the "Chasm Leap," others the "Transcendence to Divinity," and some Eastern tribes call it "The Carp Leaping the Dragon Gate."

After centuries of debate, most have reached a consensus: calling it the 【Ascension Ritual】.

Through this ritual, every Legend practitioner can confront the source of their own power and reconstruct their foundation between life and death.

Moreover, the specific method of the 【Ascension Ritual】 differs by class.

Some warriors choose 【Bloodline Purification】 after reaching Legend—for example, Dragon Blood Baptism, bathing in dragon blood to make their bodies more akin to dragons with draconic lineage.

Or they can forge their battle instincts into a physical form and wrestle with the war spirit within their blood, replacing it.

Mages mostly perform 【Arcane Retrogression】, needing to find the "original error" in their spell system, correct it, and rebuild their understanding of magic.

Druids sign the 【Unity with All Things】; unlike conventional natural laws, they may transform into an unconventional being, becoming the embodiment of a forest's will.

Additionally, clerics, barbarians, warlocks… each class has its own ritual.

For Holy Knights, it is the 【Holy Baptism】: they must materialize their lifelong vows, using their body as a vessel to etch them permanently onto their soul.

If successful, the Holy Knight gains multiple baptismal effects, including but not limited to: aura of dread against evil factions, blood permanently transformed into holy blood with healing properties, and extreme resistance to evil temptations.

Different methods, but identical effects.

Of course, although everyone knows the astonishing power of the Ascension Ritual, true "Ascenders" are rare.

Although theoretically every Legend can ascend, the reality is otherwise.

Not everyone is worthy to perform the ritual.

Everyone wants to get into Tsinghua or Peking University, but ultimately doesn't go—is it because they don't want to?

It's just that I truly, damn it, can't do it!

The entire ritual demands a tremendous cost.

Hosting the ritual requires a powerful individual; gathering the materials demands vast wealth, and even the ritualist's own talent must be extraordinarily high.

Even Herbert, if left to do it himself without the monastery's active assistance, would need to prepare for a very long time.

Just the materials alone could trap him for a long while.

Because many things cannot be bought merely with wealth—without connections or channels, even if you find a seller, they won't sell to you at all.

Moreover, a duke's son from a tiny kingdom, no matter how rich, isn't truly wealthy.

These seem like minor issues, but solving them is all extremely troublesome.

After ascending to Legend, Herbert had considered finding opportunities to purchase some materials externally, gather as much as possible in the Mist Mountains, and finally trade favors at the monastery to acquire the rest.

See if he could cobble together a passable "patchwork ritual."

Anyway, Herbert had Nie Nasha backing him; even if the ritual materials were lacking, with Her there, the effect wouldn't be much worse.

And now, without Herbert even mentioning it, the monastery had already prepared this ritual for him… to say he wasn't moved would be false.

This slightly domineering care and consideration is impossible for anyone to ignore.

As Herbert was lost in thought, Ophidia added another earth-shattering piece of news.

"By the way, the old man not only has this plan—he intends to personally host it for you."

A Saint personally hosting the ritual.

What does that mean?

In simple terms, it's like when a Legend Priest ascends to Divine Favored Priest, the very deity he serves descends in person, manifesting Their divine body to bestow blessing directly.

If such a thing truly occurred, this favor would surpass even that granted to a Divine Favored.

The monastery said nothing, merely preparing the absolute pinnacle of the Ascension Ritual.

The taciturn, domineering CEO type, clearly.

And for this unhidden favor, does Herbert have any reason to refuse?

No.

Absolutely none.

He's not the kind of guy who wants everything and more.

He's not the type who, while being fed by others, claims to be independent and insists everything must be achieved by his own effort.

…Not counting the times he begged Nie Nasha for help—She's also relying on me; we're mutually beneficial!

Of course, at this moment Herbert was thinking of a certain man who moves with perfect ease—no other meaning intended.

Since the monastery is willing to offer such generous aid, Herbert naturally accepted it with a smile.

When meat is handed to your mouth, why wouldn't you eat it?

Doesn't matter if it's a sugar-coated bullet—don't refuse what's freely given.

Moreover, Herbert didn't believe the monastery would harm him; it came from genuine intent.

For such treatment, he needn't overthink it—just repay it in the future.

The matter of the 【Holy Sacrifice Baptism】 delighted Herbert, but another piece of news made him hesitate.

Tell me this…

What does it mean, "the Sun Church and the Nieyu Sect are clashing, and I'm being sent to parade around wearing the 'Angel Battle Armor' to lend support"?

Is that right?

Two divine churches facing off—and I'm just a lowly Legend? What can I possibly do?

I don't understand! (Fenghua accent)

Translate this—what the hell is a "surprise"?

And how did these two suddenly come into conflict?

"... Oh!"

Herbert thought for a moment, then suddenly realized—he seemed to know why they were clashing.

No.

Almost forgot—I'm the one who started it… heh.

Haha, then it's fine.

As the instigator and accidental spark, Herbert never imagined his small action would cause such a massive consequence.

Nieyu Sect: petty, stingy, can't take a beating.

So what if he got beaten once?

Does he really need to challenge them to a duel?

"..."

Must I go?

If possible, Herbert would rather not accept this mission—but he couldn't find a good reason to refuse.

Going requires no excuse.

But not going requires a valid one.

I can't say, "I stole the Sun God's authority and don't want to face Him"?

"Herbert, you should go."

Ophidia didn't know the exact reason, but she sensed Herbert's reluctance and urged: "Believe me, this will only benefit you, not harm you."

"This time, the two sides likely won't engage in any violent combat—you don't need to fight, just observe."

"Moreover, the Sacred Rite requires gathering many materials, and the monastery needs time—by the time you return from the Sun Church, everything will already be ready."

"Additionally, after it ends, as a reward for answering the call, you may request a gift from the Sun Pope."

Ophidia softly said to the boy, whose expression had already shown signs of interest: "You may ask for a spark of Sun Holy Flame."

"And this will not only greatly enhance your strength, but also serve as one of the key materials for the Sacred Rite."

To be honest, at this moment, Herbert was somewhat tempted.

Lots of money, little work, no responsibility.

These days, such a good side job is hard to find.

But he still had one concern—what if exposing himself to the Sun God's gaze caused other problems?

If his secrets were revealed, it would be deadly!

And just as Herbert hesitated, his greatest secret spoke up on its own.

【"Go ahead boldly—if you get caught, it's my fault~"】

Herbert:?

Aren't you supposed to be asleep?

【"Hehe~"】

Nie Nasha, who should have been asleep, spoke lazily: 【"Not only can you go, you can also use this opportunity to accomplish another thing—Baptism, oh~"】

"Sacred Rite Baptism? That's supposed to happen later... wait, you mean—" Herbert suddenly realized a possibility.

【"Correct—not you going to receive the Baptism."】

The Divine Trickster Young Lady spoke with deep implication: 【"It's them who will receive the Baptism~"】

"Of course, Solanthis possesses the Sun Holy Flame that Flora needs... wait, 'them'?"

Herbert's expression froze as he hesitated: "Does that mean Kreti needs it too?"

【"Hehe~"】

"Achoo!!!"

In the Bronze Fortress, the Devil Young Lady sneezed while repairing her secret chamber's door, then shivered uneasily.

"Damn it, what's going on?"

"This awful feeling—I feel like I'm about to ascend to Heaven and face the Sun God directly?"

"Hah!"

She laughed at her own unfunny joke, giving a dry, self-deprecating chuckle, then fell silent again.

"..."

Uneasy—very uneasy!

What on earth is this premonition?

After a long while, Kreti added uncertainly, muttering to herself: "It probably won't... right? Yeah, probably..."

(End of Chapter)