Diary of Guarding Monster Girls

The atmosphere within the Divine Hall suddenly became quite subtle.

Kaplan squinted and pressed a palm against the book hanging from his waist, adorned with eight ram-horns and linked by chains.

Valentina brazenly glared at Laila, snorting in anger.

"Hmph!"

Among the three, only Herbert maintained an exceptionally calm expression, looking into Laila's eyes meaningfully.

In those eyes, he saw no malicious contempt, only the natural arrogance.

Elves are inherently proud.

An Elf who serves as the Divine Spirit Bishop is even prouder.

Laila might seem agreeable on the surface, but her pride is no less; it's simply hidden within rather than displayed outwardly.

From the start, she never considered Herbert and the others as equals, treating them with a high-handed attitude, almost with a sense of charity.

Faced with the trio's varied reactions, Laila's response was surprisingly calm, without a trace of fear.

This is the Divine Hall of the Goddess, essentially an extension of the Divine Kingdom, capable of unleashing power equivalent to that of a Mage Tower in times of crisis.

She had nothing to be afraid of.

She looked at the calm-looking Herbert, believing he understood her thoughts, and softly said, "Thank you for your reminder, making us aware that now indeed is a rare opportunity."

"But rather than cooperation, I would prefer to call it assistance, or contribution."

"Because even without you, we could still manage very well."

In Bishop Laila's eyes, her perspective was entirely reasonable.

The current situation had reached a point where whether or not Herbert chose to "cooperate" with them, her side could still lend a hand.

No, it goes beyond that.

She could completely usurp the Frost Crystal royal family, suppressing royal authority, allowing the Goddess Church to monopolize power, becoming the state religion of this nation.

Even transform it into the Goddess's theocracy!

Divine right, returning royal authority entirely to the Divine Spirit.

The more she considered it, the more feasible it seemed.

Laila's smile grew notably radiant as she said with a smile:

"Rest assured, the Goddess will be aware of the contributions you make and will surely reward you generously."

Her stance was evident.

Your suggestions are good, but you don't qualify to discuss cooperation, so... the idea is mine now!

In short—

You're not qualified, you're not qualified!

But Laila's arrogance did not stem from malice, so she didn't completely turn hostile, instead promising to reward them appropriately in the future—rewarded from a superior to an inferior.

For those who valued dignity, such treatment was more infuriating than breaking off relations entirely.

Anger!

Clearly provoked by this disdain, Valentina's vertical pupils narrowed further, glaring at Laila, lowering her voice: "What did you say? Say it again?"

Her voice carried a roar-like vibration, echoing through the entire prayer area.

Confronted with such a threat, Bishop Laila's expression changed slightly but soon calmed down.

This Giant Dragon's power far exceeded her expectations!

But so what?

Even a being of Epic strength has no right to be insolent within the Goddess's Divine Hall.

Thus, she smiled slightly and spoke again:

"I said... you're not qualified."

"Not qualified? Hahahaha, fine, fine, I'll show you what qualification means..."

Valentina, infuriated to the point of laughter, was poised to step forward.

At this moment, not only was Bishop Laila somewhat tense, Kaplan the Nun's reaction was even more pronounced!

With her hand pressed on the book, she was firmly watching Valentina, ready to act.

But just then, Herbert raised his right hand.

In an instant, all oppressive pressure within the Divine Hall disappeared.

"..."

At the sight of his gesture, Valentina immediately went silent, pouting, reluctant but retreating, turning away from Laila.

"Hmph!"

Laila: ?

Kaplan: ?

The two exchanged bewildered glances, each seeing perplexity reflected in the other's eyes.

They didn't expect that the Dragon, ready to erupt a moment ago, would suddenly become so obedient, following orders completely.

Only to find her rebellion amounted to mere sulking!?

Huh?

Is this still the terrifying [Crimson Wings]?

Is this still the infamously savage [Furious] in the annals?

While the two were at a loss, Herbert smiled slightly, satisfied with Valentina's response.

Indeed, having a "safe word" known to only two people is effective... it's become a conditioned reflex too.

He nodded to Bishop Laila, whose expression was a bit awkward, and asked, "Laila, can I take that as your answer?"

"...Yes."

"And does it represent the view of the Ice and Snow Goddess Church?"

"No, this is my personal view; it has nothing to do with the Goddess. I solely, in the name of the Frost Crystal Divine Hall's bishop of the Ice and Snow Goddess Church, refuse your cooperation."

Laila regained her composure, still insisting: "I know you're angry, but please understand, this isn't contempt, it's an unchangeable fact."

"A fact?"

Upon hearing this response, Herbert laughed, sighed a bit helplessly and said:

"I thought you were a smart person, but I didn't expect that in matters of sensitivity like this, you're not even on par with Valentina."

Laila: ?

Kaplan: ?

Valentina: ???

The Hungry Dragon, sulking with her back to them, suddenly turned and glared fiercely at Herbert.

What do you mean!?

It's fine if you scold her, why drag me into it!?

Have you stopped loving me?

"I think you're the one not seeing the situation clearly."

Herbert ignored the sharp gaze from behind like a blade, shook his head and said: "Would I propose this cooperation to you without any preparation?"

"Do you really think I'm that foolish?"

"If you truly believe that, it makes me quite sad."

"As for the qualification for cooperation... heh."

Herbert sighed softly, slowly placing his hand on the hilt at his waist.

If Legendary isn't enough, if Epic isn't enough qualification then...

What about a Saint?

Clang—

With the light sound of the blade sliding against the scabbard as it was drawn, the entire Divine Hall suddenly trembled.

Boom!!!

In just an instant, all the lights in the Divine Hall flared up, the eyes of the Goddess statue emitted a faint glow.

He, had cast his gaze over.

Then the entire Divine Hall began to hum, the Goddess statue seemed to take on a more lively form.

The will of the Divine Spirit had descended!

Meanwhile, the Archbishop's vague phantom appeared above Herbert's head, nodding toward the Goddess statue, now akin to the embodiment of a deity.

He said:

"Do me a favor."

After watching him for a moment, the Goddess statue shuddered slightly, issuing a faint voice.

[...Alright.]

"Thank you."

Politely thanking, the Archbishop's phantom vanished without further words, and Herbert's sword returned to calm.

After the Archbishop's will departed, the Goddess's will lingered, quietly watching the youth holding the sword, seemingly wanting to remember his appearance completely.

Not everyone is favored by the grace of a Saint.

Not everyone dares to bring the will of a Saint into His Divine Hall for a stroll!

After a while, His will gradually dissipated.

And once certain that the Divine Spirit had left, Herbert turned to look at the Elf Bishop, who was utterly rigid on the spot.

He raised his brow, half-playfully asked:

"Is this qualification enough?"