CHAPTER 82: 82 THREE-SURNAME SLAVE! (3/4)

"Hmm? Oh, indeed."

The Guardian stared at the confident Herbert, realizing the astonishing shortness of the time, and whispered, "It’s only been less than ten days..."

Yes.

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

In less than ten days, he turned a Legendary Peak’s Furious Giant Dragon into a being that could understand commands like a dog... uh, an enforcer.

Even if he were training a dog, it wouldn’t be considered slow, let alone a giant dragon.

Herbert’s speed was absolutely astounding.

No matter what means Herbert used to achieve such effects, his ability was certainly remarkable.

This was a rather exceptional young man with extremely outstanding talent.

The Ashen Bishop looked at Herbert, growing more satisfied the more she observed, and gently nodded.

She didn’t care about the humility Herbert displayed, nor about his noble birth, and she certainly didn’t mind his currently weak strength.

The only thing she valued was his capability.

Attitude can be disguised, birth can be disregarded, strength can be enhanced.

But, talent is either there or it isn’t.

In merely ten days, Herbert had already shown a talent potentially exceeding that of a future legend... no, definitely more than just legendary.

If he could control other Monster Girls as he did the Furious, then his future power would surely be terrifying.

The Guardian had seen too many over the long years, yet even so, Herbert was among the few who piqued her curiosity.

Where will you ultimately reach?

The Guardian imagined Herbert’s future, her eyes flashing with numerous fragmented scenes—some crazy, some plain, some bloody, some beautiful...

Some scenes with conflicting content, some could form a coherent story.

Would he be a hero standing his ground alone against foreign invaders?

Or, would he become the master of demons, becoming a Demon King hunted by all?

Or, would he point his blade toward the heavens, becoming a Blasphemer?

...

Finally, all the images before the Guardian’s eyes vanished, leaving only the young, still weak, white-haired boy.

"Hehe, by the way, no need for all this trouble..."

She chuckled, gently clapped her hands, and extended an offer to Herbert, "Herbert, would you like to come visit me in the future?"

"...What?"

Herbert was stunned, suddenly experiencing a sense of déjà vu, feeling as if he’d seen this scene somewhere before... where could it have been?

The Ashen Bishop saw his dumbfounded look and, unhurried, patiently explained, "I like young people with ability, often providing them some help, hoping to aid them in going further."

Yes.

Regardless of how one gazes into the river of fate, searching for the branch in which the future occurs within countless streams cannot compare with witnessing it up close, easily and joyfully.

The Ashen Bishop intended to provide a little help to Herbert, extending her olive branch: "Come, become a member of the Secret-Keeping Institute."

In name, each of the three Cardinals had their own institutions to oversee, with the Guardian overseeing the Secret-Keeping Institute.

But the Secret-Keeping Institute had already become a nominal existence, with only the Guardian remaining, and no other Cultivators.

Yet before Herbert could respond, another present burst out first.

"Ah?"

Thorn Bishop: ?

???

No way, Guardian!? Malcolm keeps coming to poach from me, and now you’re doing the same!!?

And right in front of me!?

Can’t you do it behind my back?

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

I certainly can’t offend you, I respect you, but you can’t bully people like this!

Doing it right in front of me, how should I react...

Feeling aggrieved once again, the Thorn Bishop, cowed, was unwilling but still wanted to resist a little, trying to keep Herbert.

"Guardian, this matter..."

In the end, Malcolm, that damned dog, directly defected on the spot, bowing proactively, "The Knight Order has no issues, everything will follow your arrangements."

Damn dog!

Traitor!

The Thorn Bishop almost choked with anger, taking a deep breath, he said in a deep voice, "... The Judgement Hall has no issues either."

"Very well."

The Ashen Bishop nodded in satisfaction, casting the Thorn Bishop an approving glance—it was a pity that one couldn’t see expressions clearly, and the other couldn’t see others’ expressions.

It could be described as a poker face winking at a blind man.

After a brief communication, the three bigwigs directly settled the matter.

As for the will of the person involved, it naturally didn’t matter at all.

Did anyone ask you?

Would being asked really matter?

Herbert, of course, understood the rules here, gladly accepted the Guardian’s invitation with good intentions.

"Thank you, Guardian."

"No need to thank me, currently the Secret-Keeping Institute is only you and me, there aren’t any special rules, just one thing you need to keep in mind..."

So, with Herbert successfully opening up the three major departments of the Monastery, becoming a three-way converter.

Hmm, this is really exciting, though it subtly feels like stepping into the lead role of an adult video script.

Wait, if so counting...

Herbert, while listening to the Guardian explaining the regulations of the Secret-Keeping Institute, suddenly thought of something.

Since I now belong simultaneously to the Knight Order, Judgement Hall, and Secret-Keeping Institute, does that mean I’ve been promoted?

From being a servant of two families, successfully overthrew them to become a true three-house servant!

It feels like the future is getting brighter and more beautiful.

"I have a vast collection of books here, if there’s anything you need, you can come see them freely, just remember not to tell others..."

"Ahem!"

The Guardian spoke for a while longer, and finally, the Rusted Nail Bishop lightly coughed, reminding, "Guardian, the Archbishop is still waiting for him."

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

The Guardian, recalling this, waved dismissively, indifferent to the Rusted Nail Bishop, "Understood, understood, alright, the person has been brought, and I know your stances too, you may leave now."

If it was just to escort Herbert, where was there a need for two Cardinals?

One was too many!

It didn’t even require them to take action personally; any two Punishment Nuns could easily bring Herbert over.

The appearance of the two Bishops together already silently indicated their attitude towards Herbert—this boy, they must protect.

"Thank you, Your Excellency."

The two Bishops said no more, nor did they instruct Herbert, they just turned and left.

They had already done everything possible.

What remained could only depend on Herbert himself.