CHAPTER 375: 260 BOARD FIRST, BUY THE TICKET LATER (6K)_2

"Hehe, you finally stopped addressing me as ’Sir.’

Herbert’s abrupt statement caught Svanni off guard.

But before she could react, Herbert continued, "Of course, it’s reasonable to be doubtful. Becoming close friends doesn’t mean we instantly become inseparable allies."

"It means I hope we can treat each other with the attitude reserved for close friends."

"By the way, do you know what’s the most important thing in a relationship like that?"

Svanni hesitated, frowning, and slowly shook her head. "What is it?"

What could it be?

Wealth? Power? Or social status?

"It’s trust."

Herbert’s gaze was calm and resolute. "Only when both sides can unreservedly believe in each other, no matter the harsh environment, without the slightest suspicion, can they truly be close friends."

Because of trust, close friends can share the deepest secrets and reveal their vulnerabilities without fear of ridicule or betrayal.

Trust is a profound emotion built over time, through shared trials and tribulations.

It is the cornerstone of a close friendship, an unshakable existence.

And now, Herbert’s approach is to take the result and use it as the cause, proposing that they become close friends first, and then work backward to establish such trust.

"..."

After listening to Herbert’s words, the Dark Elf’s brows furrowed and relaxed repeatedly, her expression changing over and over.

Svanni was quite puzzled by his radical approach.

She truly didn’t understand why Herbert wanted to do this...

When Svanni looked into Herbert’s eyes, she subconsciously wanted to evade.

Because she even felt fear.

And she hadn’t felt such emotions for many years.

The last time she felt fear was in her youth, during her first forbidden ritual when {Sinful Desire} gazed upon her.

At this moment, as Svanni was gazed upon by Herbert’s light-colored eyes, she felt the same dazed sensation as before.

She felt as if she were being observed by a deity!

!!!

The Third Commandment Hall had the power to block the gaze of deities.

This was one reason why Svanni never wanted to leave, choosing to stay and conduct research here.

As long as she remained here, she could avoid the malevolent gaze of that Fallen existence.

In this instant, under the long-unseen fear, she even felt her Flesh Avatar’s breathing become a bit hurried.

Thud thud!

Her heart suddenly skipped a beat.

And when Svanni attempted to adjust the physiological changes of this body, her body was gently pulled forward, causing her to fall onto Herbert’s chest.

That warm and solid chest surprisingly made all her body’s instinctual reactions disappear.

The heart of the Flesh Avatar ceased its frantic pounding, her breathing instantly calmed, and her entire soul felt an unfamiliar sense of peace.

What, what is this?

In a daze, Svanni heard Herbert’s gentle murmur, "Does it feel strange?"

"Does the kindness from others make you uneasy?"

Svanni: ?

Wait, that’s not what I’m afraid of!!?

You’ve got it wrong; what terrifies me is your gaze, not your kindness!

You...

Svanni had so much she wanted to say; she mentally complained like this, but as she felt the warmth radiating from Herbert, she became a bit dazed and didn’t voice her rebuttal.

She remained silent, choosing not to argue, simply absorbing the emotions the young man conveyed to her.

"It’s okay to feel foreign, even to feel afraid,"

Herbert, as if unaware of Svanni’s inner turmoil, held her in his arms, gently patting her back, gently consoling:

"Don’t be afraid, I’ll teach you."

"I’ll teach you how to become friends with others, not as a disguise for betrayal, but as genuine friends."

As he felt Svanni’s body transition from resistance to gradual acceptance, his smile was particularly joyful, and he whispered:

"And to achieve this, let’s start as close friends, shall we?"

That’s right, to help you have friends, we must start by becoming close friends first.

"..."

Faced with this absurd and unreasonable demand, Svanni didn’t respond.

Neither agreeing nor refusing, she simply maintained her silence.

But often, silence in itself conveys an attitude.

Both of them stayed silent, maintaining their posture for some time.

What was Svanni thinking?

Fear? Doubt? Hesitation? Mockery?

Or perhaps, nothing at all?

Herbert’s gaze calmly observed the edge of the treehouse ceiling, pondering Svanni’s mind, and with an almost imperceptible shake of his head.

No matter what, he had succeeded in this step.

After a while, Svanni was the first to break the silence.

Though still yearning for that warmth, she resolutely pushed herself up from Herbert’s chest to distance herself from this unfamiliar feeling.

But she didn’t get off Herbert, instead maintaining her previous straddling position, lowering her head to look at Herbert with a complex expression and softly inquiring:

"What exactly do you want me to do?"

Herbert, who had intended to hold back a bit, couldn’t help but laugh when he heard her words.

Haha.

Somehow, their roles had been reversed.

Not long ago, it was Herbert asking Svanni this question.