Diary of Guarding Monster Girls

In the corner of Elda Territory, Herbert once again saw Steven.

This middle-aged man, whom he met as always very weak and mentally unstable, seemingly bringing bad luck with him, was at this moment standing devoutly before the Holy Blood Stake.

His deeply sunken eye sockets revealed considerable exhaustion and weariness, but at the same time they shone with a devout radiance.

His beard grew in a messy fashion, extending wantonly on both sides of his chin and cheeks, silently telling of the hardships he faced during this period.

Yet, the greatest change wasn't in his face, but in his body, especially his legs, where noticeable differences could be seen.

The skin on that newly regenerated leg appeared slightly tender, with a slightly lighter hue, like it hadn't seen the sun for a long time.

But Herbert knew that was not merely new skin, but a fully regenerated entire leg.

Because of the inexplicable poison on Steven's leg, which had already infiltrated his bones, Joanna and the others adopted a straightforward… and brutal approach.

They froze Steven's injured leg and shattered it, then performed high-tier divine skill of "Limb Regeneration" on the severed limb.

Treat the wound? Address the toxin?

Isn't it more convenient and efficient to just replace it with a new leg!

Herbert waited for a while, seeing Steven still immersed in his own world, lightly coughed, and proactively spoke:

"Hmm, it looks like your body's recovering quite well."

!!!

"Lord!?"

The moment Steven, who was dazedly staring at the infused Holy Blood stake, snapped back to reality and rose to gratefully salute Herbert.

"Ah, yes! Thank you for your mercy!"

Steven's attitude appeared extremely respectful, his body slightly bent, his knees slowly bending down, although the movements of the regenerated limb were somewhat sluggish, they were filled with devotion and reverence.

His gaze remained firmly locked onto the young man before him, his eyes full of gratitude.

The other party was not deceiving him previously, but genuinely dispatched people to treat his injuries.

It is no exaggeration to say the other party was truly his life-saving benefactor once more!

If not for his commitment to being a servant of the divine spirits and having family connections he couldn't sever, he genuinely wanted to become one of the household servants of the other party.

Herbert looked at his excited demeanor and nodding with a smile, observing him up and down, laughed: "Hmm, not bad."

Not bad, but merely "not bad."

Though Steven was much stronger than the last time, his weakness was still palpable.

"Limb Regeneration," a priest's specialty high-tier divine skill, can repair crippling wounds of patients, allowing new flesh to regenerate from the wound area even without amputating the limb.

In the Divine Hall, priests can leverage the power of the hall itself to significantly lower the cost of using this skill, almost bearing little burden.

Yet in Elda, the divine skills are restricted here; priests cannot obtain the divine power amplification from the gods, relying solely on themselves to bear the corresponding cost.

The lifespan of priests inherently being much shorter than other professionals at the same tier, only two-thirds as long, possibly even less!

The reason is because they expend considerable life force when using divine skills.

Regenerating flesh comes at a cost.

It's either the divine spirits bearing it, or these priests bearing it, or draining it from the life of the patient themselves.

This time Joanna and the others' treatment of Steven involved both the priest and patient sharing half the burden.

Furthermore, the legs necessary for walking were the focus of the treatment; the severed hand wasn't hurriedly treated.

Once the Divine Hall is constructed, they can perform divine skills again at a lesser cost.

But obviously, some people couldn't wait.

No need for Steven to speak, Herbert already felt the attitude conveyed by the other party.

Herbert didn't try to use extra words to persuade him to stay, directly asking: "Have you thoroughly considered it already?"

"…Hmm."

Steven pursed his lips, after pondering for a long time, he nodded slowly, lowering his head full of apology.

"I realize that right now I cannot repay your kindness, but please permit me to temporarily leave."

"Once I've resolved everything externally, I will definitely return to repay your kindness again."

Hmm?

Herbert blinked, capturing an intriguing keyword.

"Temporarily?"

Why? A change of mind all of a sudden?

"Yes."

Steven did not notice the amusement in Herbert's voice, but lowered his head and respectfully explained: "Lord, I've thought things through."

"My place, my family's destiny, is here."

As a descendant of explorers, his heart has always been chasing this kind of lifestyle.

Exploring mysterious realms, discovering novel creatures… becoming a part of a newly born nation.

Steven grew up always hearing such stories, yearning for them.

And now, he finally has the opportunity to become one of them, how could he abandon such a chance?

He lifted his head, looking at Elda Territory that gradually came alive and changed with the arrival of priests, his expression was slightly excited.

"Here lies all that I chase!"

He will grow alongside this land, writing down everything he sees and experiences, recording it from the perspective of a firsthand participant.

A true chronicle!

No, more than that, it could even become the history of this city-state, this nation!

Steven is not merely witnessing history, but has a chance to become a part of history.