CHAPTER 44: 44 YOU DID A GREAT JOB!

"It’s really like planting a flower with care but it doesn’t bloom, while a willow planted without intention thrives."

Herbert squinted, sheathed his sword, and silently followed behind the Desecrator, advancing together.

This night’s experience was truly unpredictable.

Chatting with the Hungry Dragon in the early evening, playing in the water with the Sea Siren in the latter half, meeting an ardent fish lover at dawn, and finally being invited by the Elf sister to play poker in her room...

What a fulfilling night indeed!

Though the process was quite tumultuous, the outcome was not bad at all, as he successfully met with Svanni.

He was quite intrigued by this prisoner competing with him for control of the Prison of Darkness.

Wasn’t Valentina strong?

No, her strength was immense, her destructive power ranked among the top among all prisoners.

Was Fremay lacking in foundation?

No, with her Sea Siren royal bloodline, she possessed many hidden secrets.

Yet they all fell before the Sealing Array, with little capacity for resistance.

So, why is it that this Dark Elf Grand Mage could resist and even take control? Where lies the gap between them?

Talent? Experience? Or perhaps... wisdom?

Perhaps, one can only say there are differences even among prisoners.

.

The darkness no longer echoed with sounds, only Herbert’s breathing and the faint noise of bones colliding could be heard.

Click, clack, click, clack...

As time passed, the power enveloping the Desecrator grew stronger, and the rate of flesh disappearing accelerated.

In just ten minutes it vanished completely, transforming entirely into a skeleton that only knew to walk.

Herbert found it odd, not knowing where it was injured.

But recalling where this Desecrator might have been before reaching the Third Region... Herbert had a hunch about the source of its grievous injuries and that corrosive power.

First got beaten up by Valentina, then heard Fremay sing, right?

"One in charge of murder and arson, the other in charge of corpse disposal, what a perfect cooperation!"

Yikes, those two women are terrifying!

Well done, the both of you!

Without their intervention, I would’ve had to face the Desecrator one-on-one, and probably wouldn’t have stood a chance.

"Just didn’t expect Fremay’s singing would have such a terrifying effect; it’s truly too much for the average person to handle."

Herbert sighed, understanding why Fremay was so excited to ensure his safety afterward.

Even if others were lucky enough to hear it, they’d probably not survive to hear it all, turning into a pile of bones halfway through.

After all these years, he was probably her only audience.

And Sea Sirens are naturally fond of singing; they use songs to lure passing ships and communicate with their kin.

"She must have been holding back for a while... hmm?"

The Desecrator walking ahead of Herbert seemed to trip, stumbled a step forward, creating an unsettling crack sound.

Snap.

"Oh, that little noise was rather clear..."

Just as Herbert was pondering how much longer the Desecrator could persist, its stopped body gave a sudden tremor.

Clatter...

The entire skeleton collapsed with a crash, scattering across the ground.

The blackened bones seemed to have decayed for many years, with only a trace of energy remaining in the skull, a weak bluish-purple flame flickering within the hollow eye sockets.

"More, large, person..."

The Desecrator wanted to speak, but no sound came out after its mouth moved.

It could no longer make any sound.

Nor could it continue forward on sheer will anymore.

This arduous journey could only end here.

The flame in its eye sockets dimmed, about to be completely extinguished within a few breaths.

Yet, at this moment, it was gently lifted up by someone.

!!!

"I don’t know who you are, or what you intend to do here, fundamentally, I, as the Prison Warden, should expel you."

Herbert nodded, seeing the suddenly brightened Soul Fire, and unceremoniously tucked the skull under his arm like a basketball.

"But considering you’ve ruined this body, I’ll grudgingly lend you a hand."

"Come on, I’ll take you to her."

Herbert did have some impression of this Desecrator, or rather, "Grass Carp Cultivator."

His background was slightly connected to some noble families of the Kingdom, a piece placed in the monastery, secretly opposing him since his arrival.

Now, seeing it turned into a pile of bones, Herbert felt no sorrow, only a bit of humor.

Like a cat indeed!

Without the burden slowing him down, Herbert’s speed increased significantly as he strode through the darkness.

He wasn’t worried that Svanni would set a trap to harm him.

For one, Herbert believed Svanni wouldn’t be that foolish.

Besides, if Svanni truly had the capability to kill him, she would’ve done it long ago.

On the other hand, his dear ally, Nenasha, albeit usually unreliable, wouldn’t stand by if something serious happened.

Even if Nenasha’s intentions were unclear, there’d be some sign, good or bad.

Now that Nenasha neither obstructed nor warned but eagerly urged him to check it out.

"It seems I’m not the only one interested in Svanni."

After walking a while longer, Herbert suddenly saw some light.

Wait, light?

This was the Prison of Darkness, there shouldn’t be any light here.

He frowned but kept moving, soon identifying the sources of the light.

Not the glow from candlelight, nor the Light of Magic Guidance from magic energy products.

Illuminating the darkness were phosphorescent plants.

In the dark world, these glowing plants shone like pairs of eyes in darkness.

It felt like stepping into an underground garden or a kingdom of luminescent plants.

Above, vines dangled down, each spaced with a node emitting a soft blue light along the slender stems.

Underfoot, glowing green grass, and small mushrooms emitting diverse lights thrived.

Rustle...

Suddenly, Herbert found himself in a forest.

At the end of the path, he saw a giant tree emitting a ghostly blue glow.

As he approached, the tree’s trunk slowly split open, revealing an ancient wooden door.

"So, are Dark Elves also Elves? They all seem to like living in trees."

This seemed very Elven indeed.

Gazing at the beautiful surroundings, Herbert was about to enter, suddenly blinked in realization of something worth ridiculing.

"You made your place so luxurious, yet just watch your roommate reside in a shabby coffin."

Indeed...

Well done!