Chapter 403: The Dream Must End (6K Subscription Request)

“You need someone to share this burden with you.”

The deeply wounded, emotionally devoted man (self-proclaimed) took a deep breath, his expression resolute, eyes filled with determination.

“Perhaps to you, this is a responsibility you must bear alone, but you don’t truly need to carry it all by yourself.”

Herbert leaned affectionately against Ophidia and said in a low voice, “Ophidia, let me stand with you!”

“If I too become a Keeper of Secrets, then I can share this burden with you.”

It’s simple—I’ll just become a Legend. .JPG

He looked at Ophidia, who seemed confused, and stepped forward again, nearly pressing against her.

“No matter what it means, no matter what I must face, no matter what I must sacrifice, I will accept it willingly.”

“I am willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with you.”

To reiterate, Herbert did not know what had happened to Ophidia, nor what she carried.

But this did not stop him from uttering such empty, formulaic words without any psychological burden.

Even without knowing the specifics, this kind of “concern” for others is always universally applicable.

Being misunderstood is the fate of the speaker.

What one “intends to express” and what others “understand” will almost certainly differ.

Some rush to clarify, trying to explain their views and positions to reduce—or even eliminate—this gap.

But others are skilled at exploiting this “pattern,” using hidden language to deliberately amplify the gap, even making the other person interpret it as an entirely different meaning.

When ambiguous words reach another’s ears, they naturally become what that person understands.

Ophidia fell silent, her complex gaze fixed on the young Holy Knight who had decided to share her burden.

He wanted to become a Keeper of Secrets for her…

They didn’t even know each other!

Although Herbert claimed to know her and be wounded by her, to Ophidia, he was a stranger.

And now, a stranger was so firmly determined to share her pain.

Could such a scene leave her heart utterly unmoved?

Are humans not sentient beings? Who can remain emotionless?

To say she felt no trace of emotion or warmth was false.

When someone is willing to bear burdens and sacrifice everything just to stand beside you, even a being forged of steel could not remain untouched.

Yet even if moved, Ophidia would not so easily change her mind.

“You… I’m sorry, I can’t let you become a Keeper of Secrets.”

Because of Herbert’s firm declaration, Ophidia’s attitude had softened considerably compared to before, her voice now noticeably gentler.

“Herbert, I deeply appreciate your intention to share my burden—I accept your heart. But I still cannot watch you walk down a mistaken path.”

“Moreover, though you are excellent, you still lack the qualifications to guard secrets.”

Ophidia’s tone was gentle, yet her stance remained unchanged—still keeping him at arm’s length.

You’re wonderful, but I can’t accept you.

Ten motions, yet rejection.

Giving someone a "good person card".

After receiving the card, Herbert’s reaction was textbook-perfect.

His expression shifted slightly, as if to speak in protest, but he ultimately restrained himself.

He looked at Ophidia with a wounded, complex gaze, bit his lip hard, clenched his fists, and took a long while to calm down.

“Huh…”

Herbert frowned and exhaled deeply. “No qualifications? Ophidia, are you doubting my loyalty? Do you think I’d betray the secrets?”

At this moment, Herbert behaved like a sincere man enraged by being doubted.

You dare question my loyalty!!?

How dare you!

Aren’t you bullying an honest man!?

Seeing Herbert didn’t explode, Ophidia grew even gentler, shaking her head softly. “No, Herbert. You possess everything a Holy Knight should have. I do not doubt your honesty.”

Though she did not know Herbert and had never interacted with him, one thing was certain—he was an exceptional Holy Knight.

Words can deceive; past experiences can be hidden—but the holy power on one’s body cannot be faked.

This boy carried a purity of holy power she had never seen before, the very ideal form every Holy Knight dreams of.

Such pure, dense holy power meant Herbert had sworn an extremely strict sacred vow and upheld it perfectly.

Only by living out one’s oath through action can one earn the gods’ favor.

How could anyone doubt the loyalty of a Holy Knight so favored by the gods?

No one could.

No one would doubt Herbert’s loyalty.

And no one had the grounds to question his qualification as a Holy Knight.

After hearing this explanation, Herbert’s expression eased slightly. He paused, then asked, “Then is it my strength that I lack?”

Strength—a question that can never be avoided.

No matter what hidden power Herbert could wield behind the scenes through his special skills from the monster girls, on the surface, he was merely an ordinary Holy Knight with Gao Jie-level strength.

Such strength was far from weak in most situations and could resolve most earthly troubles.

But it was certainly not strong.

The true enemies Holy Knights faced were not merely earthly foes, but possibly far more terrifying shadows from higher realms.

Before true masters, Gao Jie-level strength was still inadequate.

Before those lofty beings, Legend status was the entry ticket; Shi Shi status granted some voice; only Shengzhe could stand as equals to Them.

Yet Herbert felt no shame about this.

“If you doubt my current strength, rest assured.”

Herbert’s expression was not joking—he spoke as if stating an obvious truth. “I currently possess only Gao Jie-level strength, but I will soon enter Legend.”

Loan!

I’m just taking out a loan for this Legend position!

Upon hearing this, Ophidia nodded slightly, acknowledging his words.

“Mm.”

Though Herbert’s words sounded arrogant, treating Legend status as a foregone conclusion, Ophidia chose to believe his bold claim.

She did not doubt that the boy before her would become a Legend Holy Knight.

Herbert had every right to be arrogant—no, he was not exaggerating at all; in fact, he was being modestly truthful.

In her eyes—or in the eyes of any master above Legend—Herbert had already reached the absolute peak a Gao Jie Holy Knight could attain.

Others might see nothing unusual, but to them, Herbert appeared entirely different.

He had nearly become light itself.

The holy power radiating from every inch of his body had nearly enveloped him entirely, like a solid battle armor.

Merely standing there, doing nothing, he exuded overwhelming pressure.

The silent aura of intimidation he emitted was nearly indistinguishable from that of a true Legend Holy Knight.

To them, Herbert was not merely “halfway into Legend”—he had already thrust most of his body into it, leaving only his final heel still grounded.

With one final step, Herbert could easily enter Legend status.

Yet for some reason, that final step remained unstepped.

It was as if an invisible hand, emerging from the shadows beneath his feet, had seized his ankle, locking him in place, unable to advance.

What was binding him?

The thought flashed through Ophidia’s mind and vanished without deeper consideration.

Her contact with Herbert was still too limited; she knew nothing of what had happened to him.

“Herbert, I have never doubted your ability to become a Legend. That is not difficult for you.”

“Moreover, the Keepers of Secrets do not require exceptionally high strength—no one needs to be Legend or above.”

After hearing her words, Herbert’s expression brightened again. He nodded slightly and asked, puzzled, “Then what do I still lack? What qualification am I missing?”

This isn’t the issue, that isn’t the issue—then what exactly is wrong?

“You… currently lack the qualification to guard secrets.”

Ophidia spoke slowly. “Herbert, this is not disdain. Only a Keeper of Secrets may guard these secrets.”

“It has nothing to do with your loyalty, nothing to do with your strength—it is solely bound by the Keepers’ Code.”

Huh?

Upon hearing this explanation, Herbert’s heart stirred, nearly breaking his deep-lover facade.

“The Code’s constraints?”

“Mm.”

Ophidia hesitated, then decided to show him directly.

“Never mind—I’ll let you see it for yourself.”

She shifted her hood slightly, letting the shadow over her face thin, revealing a smooth, delicate lower face with a slightly pointed chin.

As Herbert wondered what she intended, she gently opened her mouth and extended a long, slender tongue—resembling a serpent’s forked tip.

!!?

“What!?” Herbert widened his eyes, unable to suppress an exclamation.

Come on, buddy?

Why did this suddenly get so intense?

Just out of nowhere, you stuck out your tongue?

We haven’t even reached that point yet, have we?

You’re… wait, that’s it!

On that pink tongue, Herbert finally stopped focusing on the tongue itself and noticed strange runes carved upon it—constantly shifting, glowing with varied radiance.

“This is…”

Herbert stared at the runes and felt a sense of familiarity; after a moment’s thought, he remembered where he’d seen them last.

On the serpent’s tail!

These runes were similar to those engraved on Ophidia’s serpent tail, radiating an invisible power.

Herbert fell silent for a while, then asked in a hoarse voice: “Is this… the Sealer’s constraint?”

Shhh shhh shhh…

Ophidia nodded slightly, retracted her tongue, adjusted her hood, and once again concealed her face in shadow.

“Correct. This is the constraint every Sealer must abide by.”

Although Ophidia had just done something so… intimate, she seemed utterly unaware, remaining as calm as ever.

“The constraint is voluntarily etched into our souls—impossible to escape.”

“Once you swear the oath, you will be unable to speak freely, or casually reveal your inner secrets to others.”

“You are destined to walk alone.”

She sounded like she was complaining, but in truth, she was warning Herbert—don’t try, don’t act impulsively.

“Herbert, you still have a chance to turn back. You don’t need to get involved…”

“Ophidia.”

Herbert cut her off bluntly.

“Do you think this will make me retreat? How little do you value my resolve?”

At that moment, his expression calmed—no longer angry, no longer anxious.

“Won’t you try trusting me?”

Herbert looked at Ophidia and whispered: “Let go of your doubts. Choose to trust me. I will never let you down.”

“What will it take for you to believe me?”

“Do I need to sign a contract? Swear an oath? Or must you look directly into my soul to know whether I speak the truth?”

He spoke the very words he had once “said” before Ophidia, and again offered a bitter smile.

“Is there truly no hope at all?”

Perhaps because he had said these words before, Ophidia’s heart jolted as she heard them.

She felt… she had heard these words somewhere before!!?

It truly seemed, as Herbert said, that she had once known him, had once heard these words—yet in the end, she had forgotten them all, like a faithless betrayer.

At first she only suspected, but as more “details” surfaced, she began to believe Herbert’s claims.

Did I really hurt him once?

Ophidia had never been fully confident in her own memories.

After choosing to bear the secrets, she had spent a long period in chaos, struggling for years to untangle the order of her recollections.

Then… what had he once meant to me?

Though only faintly, whenever she saw Herbert, a whisper of shyness stirred in her heart.

As if between them lay some blush-inducing, intimate memory.

On the other side, after his bitter question, Herbert lowered his head, radiating a heavy aura of despair.

“…”

Ophidia couldn’t bear to see Herbert so broken. After a long silence, she let out a weary sigh.

“Ah…”

I once hurt him—now must I hurt him again?

She looked at the depressed white-haired boy with a complex gaze and whispered:

“Herbert, I still stand by my view. I hope you’ll abandon this idea—it’s best for you.”

“But if you insist on asking for a way, it’s not entirely impossible.”

The boy instantly raised his head, his gaze burning with excitement and anticipation.

Unaccustomed to such intense heat, Ophidia slightly turned her head away, silently sliding backward.

She was accustomed to solitude and cold—this warmth and fervor unsettled her.

But Ophidia had misjudged one thing—he tried to flee, but Herbert wouldn’t allow it.

Whenever Ophidia moved, Herbert followed immediately.

Move—follow. Move—follow.

Neither spoke, yet they drifted farther and farther from their original spot.

“…”

After silently shifting over ten meters, Ophidia finally gave up and stopped moving.

She hesitated slightly, then spoke slowly: “If you can become a Sealer, then you earn the right to share my burden.”

“Then…”

Before Herbert could speak in excitement, Ophidia interrupted: “But! To become a Sealer, you must pass a grueling trial.”

“In this, I will offer you no help. You must rely entirely on yourself.”

“Find the trial’s method. Prepare the ritual yourself.”

Ophidia’s stance was firm—I show you the path, but how you walk it, how you reach the end, is entirely your own burden.

If you succeed, I will accept you.

If you fail, drop this matter forever.

Herbert’s joyful expression faded slightly; he pressed his lips together.

“…”

After a long silence, he sighed, voice low: “So… if I pass the trial, you won’t stop me?”

Ophidia nodded gently, whispering: “If you truly pass the trial, you will naturally become a new Sealer. I have no reason or right to block you.”

Yet though she said this, Ophidia had already prepared herself.

She had no intention of giving Herbert any chance at the trial.

This seemed to offer hope—but in truth, it was utterly unattainable.

To become a Sealer, one must first pass the trial—but the trial… cannot be undertaken lightly. It requires extensive preparation and essential resources.

Because the core potion required for the trial, she would never give him.

As Ophidia had always said—this place needs no more sacrifices.

Yet just as she believed everything was flawless, the boy across from her suddenly smiled brightly.

“Good. Excellent! You said that yourself!”

“Hah!”

The boy who had been gloomy moments ago now threw off all gloom, laughing freely and heartily.

Ophidia: ???

Has he lost his mind completely, realizing he can’t succeed?

This…

As Ophidia puzzled, Herbert stopped laughing and winked at her: “Don’t worry—I will pass the trial. When I do, don’t you dare deny your word.”

He stepped forward, boldly wrapping his arm around Ophidia’s waist, whispering playfully: “Enough. The dream is over.”

“My beloved Ash Bishop.”

Bishop?

“Ash? What are you talking about!?”

Ophidia was utterly confused, staring at the boy so close before her.

Mid-sentence, she suddenly widened her eyes as if waking from a dream.

“Eh!!?”

A thousand years of memories surged into her mind—Ophidia remembered.

She remembered everything!

And upon recalling all, she also remembered her own thoughts toward him just now.

I owe him?

I hurt him!!?

What??

“Herbert, you—”

But before she could roar out, the illusion at this moment shattered.

Just as Herbert said.

The dream woke.

A Qingxing person should not remain sunk in dreams.

“Her dream is over.”

After interacting with Ophidia, Herbert finally gained complete control over his dream.

He was the master of this dream.

Before any new illusion appeared, Herbert—who had never truly slept—closed his eyes and whispered, “My dream should end too.”

Nothing around him changed; he felt no awakening from the dream.

But when Herbert slowly opened his eyes, he had left the illusion of the spiritual realm and returned to the real world.

The first thing he saw upon opening his eyes was a pair of large eyes leaning close to his face.

The tiny Mirror Sprite was studying him intently, muttering to herself.

Huh?

“...What are you doing?” Herbert couldn’t help asking.

Friend, what are you doing?

“Me? I’m observing you!”

Lulakilia looked at Herbert without fear; though she had noticed he was awake, she did not move away.

She tapped her chin, tilting her head: “You actually succeeded? You looked like you passed effortlessly? That’s strange—didn’t you face any trials?”

Lulakilia fired off five or six questions in rapid succession, her face radiating “I’m so curious.”

Herbert shrugged and smiled: “Effortless? Not really. Besides, wasn’t it natural for me to pass the trial? What’s so strange about that?”

“That’s different!”

Lulakilia shook her head insistently: “Someone as mentally complex as you should have countless thoughts in your mind! How could you pass so easily? Didn’t you feel the illusion eroding you?”

Was it really that easy?

I don’t believe it!

“What exactly are you... uh? What’s wrong?”

Lulakilia kept pressing him with questions, but the boy, who had just been about to answer, suddenly fell silent.

“...”

Herbert’s gaze passed over Lulakilia and fixed on the ancient mirror behind her, silently staring at his own reflection.

“So... the true trial was waiting for me here...”

A bitter smile tugged at his lips; he shook his head.

“To guard my true secret?”

Lulakilia: ?

She stared at Herbert’s sudden shift in emotion, tilting her head in confusion and exclaiming: “Hey! Talk! And what’s with that expression? Did you see a ghost?”

In a certain sense, Lulakilia wasn’t wrong.

Herbert had indeed seen a ghost.

“Herbert, what did you see?” the Mirror Sprite asked softly, sensing something was amiss.

What did I see?

“I...”

What did Herbert see?

It was a face both familiar and strangely alien.

Black hair, black eyes, dark circles beneath them.

A face worn thin by exhaustion, lips curled in disdain, eyes hiding a deep longing for love.

A complex blend of ordinariness, pride, and humility.

That was...

His past self.

(End of Chapter)