Chapter 84: Three-Surnamed Slave (34)

"Hm? Oh, that's true."

The Warden stared at the confident Herbert, also realizing how astonishingly short the time had been, and said softly, "It's barely been ten days…"

Yes.

The total time Herbert had spent with Valentina was also no more than ten days.

In less than ten days, a peak-legendary raging great dragon had become a dog that understood commands… ahem, a hired thug.

Even if it were truly taming a dog, that wouldn't be slow, let alone the fact that what he was taming was a great dragon.

Herbert's speed could absolutely be called astonishing.

No matter what method Herbert had used, to achieve such a result, his ability was absolutely stunning.

He was a quite outstanding young man with extremely exceptional talent.

The Bishop of Ashes watched Herbert, and the more she looked, the more satisfied she felt, and she nodded lightly.

She did not care about the humble attitude Herbert displayed outwardly, nor did she care about his noble birth, and even less did she mind his presently weak strength.

What she valued was solely this ability.

Attitude can be feigned, birth can be ignored, strength can be raised.

But talent alone—either you have it or you don't.

In just ten days, Herbert had already displayed a talent sufficient to reach Legendary in the future… no, absolutely more than Legendary.

If he could achieve the same control over other monster girls as he did over the Fury, then his future strength would surely be terrifyingly great.

The Warden had seen far, far too much in her long years, but even so, Herbert was among the rare few who piqued her curiosity.

Just how far will you ultimately go?

The Warden imagined Herbert's future, and a great many fragmented scenes flashed through her eyes—some mad, some plain, some bloody, some beautiful…

Some of the images contradicted one another, while others could be strung together into a single story.

Would he be a hero who stood alone as an army, resisting foreign foes?

Or would he become one who commands many monsters, becoming a Demon King whom all would rise to slay?

Or would he turn his blade toward the heavens, becoming a God-Defier who showed no reverence for the divine?

……

In the end, all the various images before the Warden's eyes vanished, leaving only this still-young and still-weak white-haired boy standing before her.

"Heh heh, right, there's no need for all this trouble…"

She laughed softly, lightly clapped her hands, and extended an invitation to Herbert: "Herbert, would you like to come visit me here from now on?"

"…What?"

Herbert was stunned; he suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu, feeling as though he had seen this scene somewhere before… where was it?

The Bishop of Ashes, seeing him dumbfounded, was not in a hurry, and patiently explained: "I like talented young people, and I often offer them some help, hoping it can help them go further."

Yes.

No matter how one gazed down the long river of fate, searching through countless tributaries for the one in which the future would unfold, it still couldn't compare to the ease and pleasure of staying by their side and witnessing it firsthand.

The Bishop of Ashes intended to offer Herbert a small bit of help, and extended her olive branch: "Come, become a member of the Secret-Keeping Court."

The three Cardinals each nominally had their own organization under their jurisdiction; the one the Warden was in charge of was the Secret-Keeping Court.

But the Secret-Keeping Court had long since existed in name only, with only the Warden herself and no other cultivators.

And before Herbert could even answer, another person present broke first and spoke up.

"Huh?"

Bishop of Thorns:?

???

No way, my lord Warden!?

That bastard Malcolm coming to my place to poach people is one thing, but how are you doing this too!!?

And right in front of me, no less!?

My lord, couldn't you at least do it behind people's backs?

Even if you let me know the result afterward, that would be fine!

You are indeed someone I cannot afford to offend, and I respect you, but you can't bully people like this!

Doing it right in front of me—how am I supposed to react…

The Bishop of Thorns, feeling once again thoroughly cuckolded, was deeply unwilling, and still wanted to try to struggle, attempting to keep Herbert.

"Lord Warden, regarding this matter…"

But as it turned out, that bastard Malcolm defected on the spot, and of his own accord bowed and said: "The Knight Order has no objections whatsoever; everything follows your arrangements."

Bastard!

Traitor!

The Bishop of Thorns nearly choked with rage, took a deep breath, and said in a heavy voice: "…The Tribunal also has no objections."

"Very good."

The Bishop of Ashes nodded in satisfaction and gave the Bishop of Thorns a look of approval—alas, one of the two had an expression no one else could read, and the other could not see anyone else's expression.

It was the very picture of a stone-faced person casting flirtatious glances at a blind man.

The three big shots, after a brief exchange, directly settled the matter.

As for the parties' wishes — naturally, it held absolutely no meaning.

Did anyone ask you?

Even if they did ask you, would it really matter?

Herbert, of course, understood the rules of the game, and gladly accepted the Warden's kind invitation.

"Thank you, Your Excellency the Warden."

"No need to thank me. The Weizhu Sect currently only has you and me. There aren't any special rules, just one thing you need to pay attention to…"

At this point, Herbert had successfully connected through the three great divisions of the monastery, becoming a triple-linked relay.

Mhm, this really is too thrilling — though the subtle feeling is rather like getting the script of an adult film's leading lady.

Wait, if we calculate it this way…

While listening to the Warden explain the various rules of the Weizhu Sect, Herbert suddenly thought of something.

Since I now simultaneously belong to the Knights, the Tribunal, and the Weizhu Sect, does that mean I've been promoted?

From a servant of two houses successfully counterattacking, becoming a true servant of three houses… three houses!

Somehow it feels like the future is getting brighter and brighter, more and more beautiful.

"I have all sorts of tomes here. Whatever you need, you can come to me to read them — read them openly. Just remember not to tell anyone else…"

"Ahem!"

After the Warden had spoken for a while longer, Bishop Rusty Nail finally gave a light cough and reminded him: "My lord Warden, His Eminence the Archbishop is still waiting for him."

"Oh right, the old thing still wants to see you."

The Warden also recalled this matter, waved his hand with some distaste, and perfunctorily replied to Bishop Rusty Nail: "Got it, got it. Fine, the person's been delivered. I've gotten your two attitudes as well. You two can go now."

If all they wanted was to escort Herbert, where would the need for two cardinals come in?

Even one would be too many!

They wouldn't even need to act personally — any two punitive nuns could easily carry Herbert over.

The two bishops appearing together had, in fact, already silently declared their attitude toward Herbert — this youth, they were determined to protect.

"Thank you, Your Excellency."

The two bishops said no more, gave Herbert no instructions whatsoever, and simply turned and left.

Whatever they could do, they had already done.

What remained could only depend on Herbert himself.

(End of this chapter)