Chapter 96: A Remarkable Connection (Bonus Chapter 45-1)

The cathedral echoed with the boy’s deafening cry.

He was willing to die for the oppressed, just to awaken others to reflection.

This idea was somewhat foolish, yet also admirable.

The Grand Archbishop gazed at the boy before him, his eyes flickering slightly.

Truth.

Not a single word of falsehood.

From start to finish, this child had never uttered a single lie.

The Grand Archbishop detected no hesitation or fear in his words—utterly sincere, genuine to the core.

Heart and mouth in harmony.

This unwavering will to sacrifice was truly moving.

Even the Grand Archbishop, who had seen countless such moments, felt touched for a moment.

After a long while, the Grand Archbishop sighed: “Indeed, you are much like Saintess Nenasha—fate has brought you together.”

“You both see humanity and demons as equal beings, both willing to sacrifice yourselves for others, both filled with boundless compassion…”

Herbert: ?

Me? Do I?

Did I just overact a bit back there?

After hearing the Grand Archbishop’s lavish praise, Herbert felt uneasy and wanted to clarify, but sadly realized it was already too late.

Now, even if he explained it wasn’t true, the Grand Archbishop would never believe him.

Forget it.

Don’t explain anymore. Let him keep his misunderstanding.

Being mistaken for a hero doesn’t seem so bad.

After his praise, the Grand Archbishop poured cold water on Herbert to cool him down:

“But child, you are still far from her. If you truly wish to become like her, do you know what separates you from her?”

Gap?

Herbert stared blankly and answered instinctively:

“...Uh, gender?”

Herbert could not become Saintess.

That was certain.

He would never become Saintess in this life, nor in the next.

Besides, if this story turned into “Saintess Convent,” that would be terrible... hmm.

The consequence of his wit, unsurprisingly, followed.

The Grand Archbishop’s emotional moment was abruptly cut short; his prepared words stuck in his throat as he silently stared at the white-haired boy.

“...”

He hadn’t said a word, yet somehow had said everything.

Child, do you know what you just said?

“Cough! It’s strength.”

Herbert cleared his throat awkwardly and said with a serious face: “I currently lack sufficient strength to make others believe my beliefs, or to control demons after they commit evil.”

“...Sigh.”

The Grand Archbishop sighed wearily, continuing: “Correct. You are still too weak. Though you have ideas, you lack the strength to match them.”

“Therefore, I intend to offer you some small assistance.”

He gestured for Herbert to rise, pointing toward the desecrated statue in the center of the cathedral.

“Child, step before the statue and place your palm upon her hand.”

Huh?

Herbert: “...Huh?”

???

To be honest, Herbert really wanted to approach that desecrated statue—very much so.

Because this act nearly represented his ultimate mission in the Mist Monastery: rescuing the Harmonic God Nenasha.

But Herbert also clearly recognized a cruel truth.

As long as the Grand Archbishop remained in this space, he could never accomplish it.

Especially after hearing the Grand Archbishop’s tale and understanding just how terrifying his power was, Herbert completely abandoned the idea.

Can’t beat him. Temporarily gave up.

Cemented his heart shut, buried that bold thought.

Don’t rush it. New account. Save the challenge for later.

But now... the Grand Archbishop is actually letting me touch it?

Is this some kind of trick?

Gulp.

Herbert swallowed hard, slowly rising, yet hesitantly asked: “Your Grace, are you...”

Are you trying to get me killed?

“Don’t be afraid, child.”

“Though the desecrated statue imprisons the demon god, it is not itself particularly dangerous.”

“Merely upon contact, two forces descend: one is the Saintess’s lingering blessing, the other, the demon god’s curse.”

Uh... isn’t that still dangerous for others?

Herbert continued his performance, furrowing his brow just right, then as if making up his mind, walked resolutely toward the statue.

That resolute back silhouette conveyed only one belief—so long as he gained the power to save the innocent, even a curse was acceptable!

“Heh, you needn’t fear the curse.”

The Grand Archbishop watched Herbert with approval; as he was about to touch the statue, he chuckled softly: “As long as I remain alive, the demon god’s curse will not take effect.”

“Because I once ‘said’—【I will not let Him harm anyone.】”

As the Grand Archbishop spoke again, an invisible change occurred within the cathedral—as if certain laws had been altered.

The change was so profound that even Herbert noticed it, stunned by the shift in cosmic principles.

Command?

Words become law?

After marveling once more at the Grand Archbishop’s power, Herbert stood before the desecrated statue and unhesitatingly pressed both hands onto the statue’s head.

Tremble, Harmonic God!

This is the ultimate technique of the humble male lead.

Touch! Head! Kill—hiss!!?

Upon contact, a searing pain erupted violently into his soul.

“Hiss!”

After becoming immune to fire, after bathing in lava, Herbert had nearly forgotten this kind of burning agony.

Now, he remembered.

He felt his soul being scorched, roasted... burned!

But you said it wouldn’t hurt me!?!

Hssss—

Behind him, the Grand Archbishop calmly observed Herbert’s pained expression, his eyes utterly still.

He watched silently as Herbert convulsed like he’d been electrocuted, unable to pull his hands away.

After a moment, he nodded silently, quietly relieved: “Good. This child has not been tainted by the demon god...”

Having guarded this place for years, blocking the demon god’s corruption of the world, how could the Grand Archbishop be unprepared for a demon god’s Qiyuezhe ?

He would not wrong a single devout disciple, nor let slip a single demon god’s pawn.

Herbert had many Yidian , but that was normal—everyone had secrets.

The Grand Archbishop had no intention of prying into them. He was not the leader of an evil sect and would never harm others arbitrarily.

But he had his own method.

He did not personally probe Herbert; instead, he let the Saintess’s lingering power test Herbert’s purity.

The desecrated statue would prove all.

If Herbert bore any trace of the demon god’s corruption, the Saintess’s power would instantly suppress and destroy him.

And now, the scene before him proved everything.

The Saintess’s power did not destroy Herbert—instead, with unprecedented joy, it diligently reshaped his body and soul.

Thinking of this, the Grand Archbishop nodded with satisfaction, unable to help but sigh:

“You truly are bound to her by fate!”

(End of Chapter)