CHAPTER 83: 83 I TRUST HER (4/4, ADDITIONAL UPDATE)

"Chief Judge, Knight Commander..."

Herbert turned around and silently bowed to the two departing figures.

When the two of them only waited outside the Third Commandment Hall instead of barging in to arrest him, Herbert had vaguely guessed their intentions.

The Archbishop’s stance was still unclear, but these two were certainly willing to believe him.

Even though their time together hadn’t been long, they were still willing to trust him.

Herbert’s heart was actually a bit emotional.

Especially after experiencing past betrayals and doubts, this trust was all the more moving.

But at the same time, Herbert felt guilty about this trust.

Because he truly was a blasphemous, corrupt, and unserious Paladin.

You’ve trusted the wrong person—

"You don’t need to thank them; that’s just what they’re supposed to do."

"As the strong, they naturally have to protect the weak."

The Guardian looked at the contemplative Herbert and softly said, "Alright, you don’t need to be nervous. The old man won’t do anything to you. Just answer whatever he asks truthfully."

"As long as there’s nothing wrong with you, he won’t target you."

The Ashen Bishop gently pushed open the door, revealing a gap big enough for one person to pass through and exposing the sacred space inside.

"Go on."

Herbert nodded silently, uttered an affirmation, and moved forward.

"Understood."

Innocence proves itself.

That’s what they say, isn’t it?

But the problem is, I actually have a problem.

I’m not clean!

With this helpless internal monologue, Herbert walked alone into the sealed Holy Hall, and the stone door slowly shut behind him.

Click.

"Phew..."

After entering, Herbert stopped in his tracks, took a deep breath, and the emotions in his eyes gradually dissipated, finally settling into calmness.

He walked slowly through the Holy Hall and quickly saw the old man sitting cross-legged with eyes closed.

"Your Excellency, Archbishop."

The white-bearded old man slowly opened his eyes, nodded, and said softly, "...Sit down."

"Yes."

In the silent Holy Hall, the two sat facing each other calmly.

At this moment, Herbert appeared exceptionally calm, neither fearful nor excited.

After all, having come this far, there was no turning back.

Herbert stared quietly at the Archbishop, observing the elderly man dressed like an ordinary old man in a coarse linen robe.

The monastery’s highest fighting power, known as the saint walking among men.

In the face of such a presence, poor concealment held no meaning, so it was better to openly show his thoughts.

He was very curious about just how strong this being was?

Herbert observed the Archbishop, and the Archbishop silently watched him in return.

But it wasn’t just surface-level observation; those deep and calm eyes seemed to see through everything, dissecting his soul through flesh, skin, and bones.

It made him feel as if he was entirely seen through, inside and out.

"..."

Finally, the Archbishop’s gaze settled on the back of Herbert’s hand.

!

Just as Herbert thought the Archbishop had seen something, the old man spoke.

He asked:

"How do you find life in the monastery?"

Herbert squinted, not quite understanding the Archbishop’s intent.

Casual conversation at this time?

"...Fairly well-adapted."

"Hmm, you do seem to be adapting nicely."

The Archbishop nodded, his expression kindly as he said, "Trust of the Giant Dragon, fondness of the Sea Siren, goodwill of the Vampire, curiosity of the Dark Elf, resentment of the Demon... In just a few days, so many causalities have attached to you."

!!!

This time Herbert was genuinely shocked, feeling as though he’d been thoroughly seen through to his very core.

Confess!

Do you have surveillance on me or something?

"You..."

"Child, no need to panic; I do not intend to blame you. On the contrary, you’ve done much better than I expected."

The Archbishop waved his hand and amiably asked, "In your eyes, what kind of heretic is the Furious?"

"The Furious..."

Suppressing the turmoil within his heart, Herbert spoke steadily, "No, Valentina is indeed very dangerous, powerful, and uncontrollable, but she is not overly evil; she likes fighting but not killing."

He originally thought he would have to give a few examples of his interactions with Valentina to prove this, but to his surprise, the Archbishop agreed and nodded, saying:

"Yes, I saw that when I met her. She’s indeed somewhat foolish in wisdom and lacks experience in dealing with others, but her nature is not that bad. With a little guidance, she can walk the right path."

"Therefore, I didn’t destroy her on the spot but brought her back to the monastery for containment."

"However, her displayed temperament was a bit too fierce. Your previous prison wardens only saw her ferocity and didn’t notice the kindness in her nature."

"Child, I’m very pleased you noticed this."

?

Hmm?

Herbert was somewhat baffled.

These words made sense.

The Archbishop’s remarks were fairly enlightened, almost contrary to the monastery’s doctrine that he remembered as deeply opposed to alien races.

But, should words like these come from you, the head of the monastery?

Do I have an issue, or do you?

The Archbishop gazed at the young man whose expression grew increasingly peculiar and chuckled, asking, "Do you trust her?"

"I trust her."

Herbert’s answer was firm, without any hesitation.

"Even if she is a heretic?"

"Even if she is an alien race."

Herbert looked directly into the Archbishop’s eyes and said resolutely, "This trust has nothing to do with race or anything else."

"Valentina chose to trust me unreservedly, so I trust her unreservedly."

"I neither wish to nor will betray that trust."

The Archbishop silently observed Herbert for a moment before smiling and nodding, then turning to look at the center of the Holy Hall, asking:

"Child, do you know what that is?"

What?

Is there something there?

Perplexed, Herbert followed his gaze and turned his head, his eyes suddenly widening at the sight of something that was definitely not there a moment ago.

In the center of the Holy Hall, there stood a spontaneously appeared half-human tall statue of a young girl!

Moreover, what shook Herbert to his core was...

He inexplicably felt a sense of familiarity with that statue.

Familiarity!!?

Gulp.

He felt his throat go dry and rasped out, "What is that..."

The Archbishop seemed not to notice his oddity, his attention fixed on the statue.

"Its official name is the [Desecrated Prayer Statue]. It is a Saint Level seal object, also the most powerful seal object in the entire Mist Monastery."

"Additionally, a long, long time ago, it had another name..."

The Archbishop gazed at the statue, numerous ancient images flickering through his eyes, shaking his head, he softly said:

"[Saint Nenasha’s Death]."

!!!