Chapter 417: What Do You Want Me To Do (Subscribe Please)

Forget.

As for the past — has the Lieri Sect Pope truly forgotten everything, just as he claimed?

"……"

Herbert swept a glance over the place he was in at this moment.

A leisurely afternoon, with sunlight just right and the breeze not parching.

He looked at the various spots around the terrace, observing every detail upon them, and silently kept his silence, saying nothing more.

Some things need not be said too thoroughly — that would be too dull.

Everyone has the softest place in their heart.

Perhaps it is a memory, perhaps a person, perhaps an event, or perhaps some corner of the left atrium has a defect… ahem.

No need to get to the bottom of it.

No need to harbor an overly vigorous interest in others' secrets.

If others are willing to confide in you, you will naturally come to know.

And if they are unwilling, then any form of inquiry will become a provocation.

When facing the strong, you need to remain humble, remain cautious, and rein in your curiosity.

At the start, Herbert only wanted to crack a joke, make the Lieri Sect Pope lose composure, break the ice on the topic, and keep the conversation between the two of them going.

That was all — he had no Many Thoughts.

But as his ability to spout nonsense grew stronger, the wild histories he casually invented actually seemed to hold a thread of plausibility.

Later on, the idea even grew clearer, and he felt that kind of development didn't seem impossible either.

Well, in any case, it was all wild history.

Who cares if it's true or false — true or not doesn't matter, as long as it's wild enough.

And clearly the Lieri Sect Pope wasn't truly angry either, at most he just found it very speechless.

Lieri is the utmost yang and utmost hardness; what the world has always sung of are His mighty and ferocious deeds, never a trace of any "Sun Goddess."

This kind of nonsense with basically zero credibility probably wouldn't be believed by anyone, so the Lieri Sect Pope wasn't worried about Herbert going out and spreading it.

Wild history isn't the problem — the real problem is… what to do now?

Nie Nasha, after entering the Holy City, had completely shrunk back into herself; trying to forcibly break free of this space by her own strength looked even more impossible.

The only method was to make the Lieri Sect Pope voluntarily let him go.

Could only take it by wit, not by force.

Herbert deliberated for a moment, then raised his head and asked the old man softly: "Then… are you going to continue sitting by and watching this farce go on?"

He did not continue to evade, and still pulled the topic back to the previous question — are you going to ignore them committing mistakes, and then watch them die?

In Herbert's life so far, he had met two Saints — the Archbishop and the Lieri Sect Pope.

Although both had shown goodwill toward Herbert, he could still sense the difference between them.

The Lieri Sect Pope's heart was, quite evidently, considerably colder than the Archbishop's.

This seemingly amiable Pope was the sort of superior who "plays the grand game."

He truly regarded the deaths of that small portion of believers as a necessary sacrifice.

All glory returns to Lieri.

Everything done was to make the Church better, and for that he would not shrink from paying some acceptable price.

Herbert did not know whether this approach could be called wrong, but for his part, he did not like this approach.

No one knows whether one day they might become the portion sacrificed by others.

He did not like that feeling of living in dread.

He disliked it very much.

But disliking it did not mean he had to raise objections.

Herbert did not have such a status, did not have the standing to utter such words.

For a young person, the quality most needed is "self-knowledge."

Firmly recognize one's own position, understand exactly where one's own abilities come from, do not be dazzled by a moment of glory, and do not give up because of a moment of hardship.

In the final analysis, this was the Sun Church's own household affair — he was an outsider with no standing to point fingers.

Herbert's expressed opinion was merely a normal inquiry — if you intend to continue acting this way, then how do you wish to proceed next?

To tell the truth, he did not care about the futures of others; he only wanted to figure out how he himself would be arranged from here on.

You can't just keep me locked up here forever, right?

I still have a hungry dragon to feed back home!

Pope Ivansen smiled, and asked with considerable playfulness: "Then what do you think I should do? Issue them orders, tell them what they should do? What they should not do?"

"Mm, if possible, I think you should still give them a certain amount of guidance." Herbert nodded slightly.

Even setting aside any stance, Herbert still hoped this "war" would end as soon as possible, so that he could return to the monastery sooner.

You lot can fight to the death for all I care — just don't drag me into it!

Rather than wasting time here, living in dread and guarding against peeping toms who might be lurking in the shadows, he still preferred to return to his happy old home and properly build up his little territory.

Let me go!

I want to go home!

The Lieri Sect Pope gazed at Herbert for a while, then suddenly asked: "So, you want to end this war?"

Hm?

Though Herbert felt a slight puzzlement at the Pope's way of asking, he still gave a light nod.

"That is precisely why I have come."

He paused, raising his eyes to meet the old man's gaze, and said slowly: "Moreover, I feel you're deceiving me—you're not truly indifferent to them, not as you're pretending right now."

From certain details, it's clear the Lieri Emperor still holds onto the past.

His heart is hard, but not that cold.

His inner self could not possibly be utterly unmoved.

Even if the Lieri Emperor could accept that portion of sacrifice, he would never deliberately send them to die.

In the silent space, the old man lowered his eyes, gazing at the boy before him who held little reverence for him.

"You're saying I'm deceiving you?"

"Mm."

Herbert nodded calmly, glancing sidelong at the old man.

What?

Is there a problem?

Is it that you can't lie? Or that I can't be lied to?

"This…"

After receiving the unwavering affirmation, the old man first froze, then burst into laughter, shaking his head with a sigh.

"... Ha ha."

How many years has it been since someone dared question him like this?

A hundred years?

Or a thousand?

As time passed, old friends withered, former companions gradually departed, and his surroundings grew ever colder.

The Lieri Sect's faithful saw him as a bridge to the gods, revering him more and more—some even treated him as a god walking among mortals.

Wherever he went, he could no longer meet eyes level with his own—only countless figures knelt prostrate before him.

The Lieri Emperor silently accepted this change, yet felt utterly helpless.

The strong are lonely.

This is the fate they must endure.

And now, an anomaly has appeared.

A reckless boy who completely ignores the vast gulf of power between them.

He dares to meet his eyes, to crack crude, heretical jokes with him, even to confront him face-to-face.

This… hasn't happened in so many, many years… heh.

Old friend, is this the successor you chose?

Too bad—he's not a believer of Our Lord, not even a superficial verbal follower.

Otherwise, I'd have fought you hard for him.

"Perhaps, as you say, I truly did deceive you—by not revealing the full truth."

The Lieri Emperor smiled, admitting his earlier manipulation of Herbert, then quickly asked: "But, wouldn't you reconsider? Have I truly done nothing?"

Do you really think I've just stood by and watched them die?

"Did you?"

Herbert frowned slightly, then suddenly had a thought—he probed: "Even this conversation with me… is part of your plan?"

"You could say that."

The old man nodded cheerfully, pleased with the boy's quick reaction.

"But what can I possibly do for you?"

Herbert looked puzzled, asking: "I don't know what expectations you have of me, but I don't believe I possess the ability to achieve what you hope for."

What can I do?

Right now, aside from writing heretical histories, I seem to have no real capacity to do anything.

"As you see, I'm merely a young upstart who just entered the Legendary realm."

He spread his hands, emphasizing his "weakness."

"With the strength of the Sun Church, surely many are far more suitable than I am."

Herbert was well aware of his current strength.

With help from Valentina and others, he could only stir up chaos on the battlefield, acting as a joyous troublemaker.

To truly sway the tide of war, he still ranks far too low.

"I think, in this matter, it's better if you, Elder, take action—I'd rather not get involved?"

I'm too weak—I have no power—

"Hm? Wait."

The Lieri Emperor blinked, bewildered: "What are you talking about? I haven't even said I want you to do anything."

"Hm?"

Herbert blinked, puzzled: "Huh? Isn't it you who wants me to deal with the Incarnation of Lust?"

To end the war, this is the only path.

No need to think—Demons never care for morality; they'll surely descend personally in their incarnations to wreak havoc.

Last time, to fight the Incarnation of the Lust God, Herbert secretly invoked the Sun God's authority, triggering major ripples—even you could say he and Nie Nasha, this pair of bandits, were the true instigators of this conflict.

It was their theft of the Sun God's authority that caused all the subsequent turmoil.

And now, we're deep in their stronghold, facing the same Demon God again—stealing once more… wouldn't that be a bit too impolite?

You can't keep shearing the same sheep!

This isn't good, not good!

"Hahaha!"

The Lieri Sect's Pope was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Don't tell me you think I want you to go deal with Miss Xie Shen?"

He lost his composure, slapping his thigh, shaking his head again and again, unable to hold back his laughter as he shook his head at the naive youth.

"Hahaha! Cough cough, with us old fogeys around, how could there be any reason to let kids like you do something this dangerous?"

"Besides, haha…"

The old Pope just laughed and said nothing, but the meaning he wanted to convey was already self-evident — kill Miss Xie Shen's incarnation?

Do you really think you can do it just by relying on yourself?

Herbert really wanted to say that he had actually done it before, but at this moment, he obediently kept his silence.

No need to think about showing off at a time like this.

The youth revealed a simple, shy smile and scratched his head.

"Hehe…"

Ah, right, right, right.

Whatever you say is right!

I really can't do it~

However, Herbert was actually puzzled at this moment.

If it wasn't something like that, then what exactly did he want him to do?

After laughing for quite a while, the Lieri Sect's Pope finally calmed down, looked at Herbert, and said softly: "However, you did remind me of something, hehe, doing it this way doesn't seem bad either."

"Child, do you know? I can feel that your body carries the aura of my lord."

"I don't know why He would favor an outsider like you so much, but since He has chosen you, I am willing to follow His will and grant you aid."

After saying that, the Lieri Sect's Pope lightly raised his right hand, and without Herbert's cooperation, the Angel Battle Armor he wore began to tremble.

Clack clack clack.

The battle armor trembled nonstop, as if it would leave him the next second.

This battle armor had clearly put on a cold, aloof act in front of others before, but in front of Herbert it was like a lickspittle, so excited it couldn't be driven away.

But now, after encountering the Pope, it seemed to start wavering again.

Herbert was actually indifferent to this; after all, something so easily obtained wouldn't make him cherish it.

And after trembling for several seconds, the battle armor suddenly seemed to make up its mind, forcibly resisting the Pope's summoning.

It would rather die than obey!

Loyal to my lord Herbert!

"Hm?"

The Pope blinked, not expecting this battle armor to defy his will, and said in surprise: "It seems you really are favored by my lord; even this battle armor actively refuses to leave you."

He is a saint, and he is also the Pope of the Sun Church.

No matter from which angle, this Angel Battle Armor had no reason to refuse him.

And since it would resist like this, it could only prove how deep its loyalty to Herbert was!

"But this is good too; it seems it will wholeheartedly protect you from now on."

Since the battle armor wouldn't cooperate, the Lieri Sect's Pope didn't force it, and instead reached out, tapping the very center of Herbert's chest with his fingertip.

Nothing happened; he gently withdrew his fingertip, nodded in satisfaction, and smiled: "Mm, this should be enough. I want to see just how far you can ultimately go."

Herbert blinked, raised his hand to touch his chest, and didn't feel any change.

"This…"

Although he didn't know what specific aid the Lieri Sect's Pope had given him, Herbert was very clear that he had definitely been strengthened.

And what's certain is that this must be an astonishing limited-time cheat.

However, compared to this kind of boost, Herbert was more shocked by the meaning behind the Lieri Sect's Pope's action.

"Hiss!"

Wait, what do you want me to do!!?

Do you really want me to go fight the Nieyu Sect?

That's not right!

Didn't I come here as a temporary worker just to slack off?

Me, me?

You want me to do it!!?

"…"

Herbert pressed his lips together, smiled a bit dryly at the Lieri Sect's Pope, and asked uncertainly: "Um, does that mean…"

"You really plan to let me… become a banner?"

(End of this chapter)