Diary of Guarding Monster Girls

In the Sealing Sanctuary, Herbert once again met the Archbishop, bowing respectfully behind him.

"Your Excellency."

"Child, you're here again, it seems your plan has already succeeded... hmm?"

Upon hearing this, the Archbishop turned around, carefully scrutinized Herbert, and slightly widened his eyes in surprise.

"You..."

Herbert humbly lowered his head, not explaining proactively, waiting for the Archbishop to come up with a reasonable explanation on his own.

With leaders of such immense personal ability, there's no need to over-explain, as they can find reasons to convince themselves.

Proactively explaining parts "he hasn't thought of yet" might backfire, making him feel displeased and provoke the reaction of "Why are you explaining? Do you think I wouldn't understand?"

Indeed, after pondering for a moment, the Archbishop's smile remained gentle, and he nodded in admiration:

"Haha, very good, your talent in the practice of Holy Power is even more outstanding than I thought, having completely adapted to its transformation on your body in such a short time."

The Archbishop regarded Herbert's physical enhancement as a sign of high adaptability to Holy Power.

This is still quite astonishing, but indeed possible.

In his lifetime, he had seen many geniuses, more Divine Favorers than he could count on both hands, and had even met several Ascenders who deified themselves through faith.

Although those Ascenders only became the lowest-tier subordinate gods in the Pantheon, they had truly stepped into the domain of the Divine Spirits, surpassing the mortal beings thereafter.

While Herbert's adaptability to Holy Power was excellent, it wasn't to the point of leaving him dumbfounded.

Thinking this, the Archbishop gently nodded—indeed, quite good, but still slightly less talented than me.

After the compliment, the Archbishop raised a hand to pat Herbert's shoulder, signaling him to sit back in his previous position.

"Since you've safely arrived here, I assume those heretics have been successfully purified according to your plan."

"Yes, all the Dark Elf heretics have been completely purified."

"No one else intervened?"

Herbert lifted his head proudly, saying with a hint of pride, "Yes, just as I promised before, solely relying on the Demons in the Third Commandment Hall."

All of this, without anyone's help, was entirely due to my and their effort!

We are truly powerful!

The Archbishop looked at the proud and delighted young man, smiling kindly, seeming quite pleased.

As an elderly elder, the Archbishop was pleased to see young people filled with such vibrant energy.

Although the young might not live longer than himself, nor tread farther than him, they represent the hope of the future.

And good children need to be rewarded.

The Archbishop didn't bother with a lot of empty talk and asked directly about the main issue: "Child, have you come specially this time with the intention of receiving a reward?"

On his level, hypocrisy had no meaning; it was better to be straightforward.

Herbert understood this, not falsely declining.

He straightened up, gazed steadily at the Archbishop's calm eyes, and spoke seriously: "Your Excellency, I wish to temporarily leave the Monastery, to return to Frost Crystal Royal City to settle some private matters."

A few private matters.

The Archbishop looked at him with a raised eyebrow, then nodded lightly: "Is that your only request?"

"No, Your Excellency, I have other requests."

Herbert took a deep breath, clenched his fists silently, and spoke with some desperation: "I wish for your permission to... take someone from the Monastery to protect my safety."

Hmm?

The Archbishop narrowed his eyes, quietly observing the bold young man before him.

And the young man did not retreat, controlling every muscle in his body to remain calm, looking back without a tremor, calmly accepting the Saint's scrutiny.

In an instant, the sanctuary fell into a deadly silence, as if time had come to a halt.

Perhaps only a moment passed, or perhaps half a day.

"..."

Just when Herbert felt as if he had been seen through entirely, the Archbishop finally withdrew his gaze, shook his head slightly, and said softly:

"Speak, who do you want to take?"

The moment he spoke, the pressure dissipated.

Phew—

Herbert let out a long stale breath, bending down with some exhaustion, straining to breathe deeply.

"Cough, cough!"

Even though he had been prepared, Herbert hadn't realized just how much pressure he had been under until now.

Only now did he realize, he felt as if he had crossed the boundary between life and death...

Was this a warning?

Herbert quickly gathered his wits, realizing it was a cautionary warning from the Archbishop, reminding him to restrain his inflated confidence.

What I give you is yours.

What I don't give, you cannot take.

Although the Archbishop did not straightforwardly say it, Herbert had this feeling.

Yet, as the alarming sensation faded, all that was left in Herbert's heart was sheer joy, as he secretly laughed to himself.

"...Heh, hehe!"

It was a gamble well taken.

No matter the danger of the process... in any case, he didn't refuse!

The Archbishop hadn't rejected outright, leaving room for maneuver.

Herbert quickly adjusted himself, sat straight once more, and resolutely spoke: "The Furious Valentina Demon Flame."

"I wish for Valentina to accompany me in leaving the Monastery."

Your Excellency, this is what I desire!

"..."

The Archbishop did not give an immediate answer, asking slowly in an emotionless voice: "Child, do you truly understand what this means?"

Now comes the critical point.

Herbert knew the key moment had arrived, and said with utmost determination: "I understand, I am very much aware of the kind of price I'll pay for doing this."

"To the world, Valentina is a very dangerous Demon, instilling fear in everyone."

"Should she go on a rampage in Frost Crystal Royal City, it would cause tens of thousands of casualties, and I... will become the greatest sinner."

"Even so, I still choose her, because she has truly changed."

Herbert stood, then knelt on one knee before the Archbishop, pleading: "I hope you can give me, and give her, a chance to prove ourselves to the world."

"To tell them, she's not just a monster only knowing destruction!"

Herbert spoke sincerely, but the Archbishop was not moved.

The elder shook his head, speaking blandly:

"No, child, you are mistaken."

"If she goes on a rampage, the sinner will not be you, not even the enraged dragon, but only the Mist Monastery."

Herbert: !

Seeing the boy momentarily stunned, the elder continued: "The world will not care who you are, they will only know the Mist Monastery released a dragon, allowing her to wreak havoc on the world."

"At that point, even I would have no way of sparing her again."

The Archbishop's expression was calm, but Herbert felt an overwhelming sense of terror he couldn't resist.

The Saint looked with mercy at the idealistic child, coldly pronouncing the outcome for the enraged dragon.

"I can only have her... thoroughly purified."