Free Web NovelChapter 916: Chapter 454: You Really Don’t Understand Anything!
The Archbishop gave a cold snort at those words, swept a glance at Herbert, and muttered in a neither-cold-nor-warm tone, "For someone like you who still can’t read the situation at a critical moment, only cares about putting on a brave act, and doesn’t know how to ask others for help, I’m very dissatisfied!"
Things had come to this point; neither of them bothered to keep acting anymore. The Archbishop had practically written "You’d better damn well ask me for help so I can go out and have some fun then!" all over his face.
In response, Herbert expressed—
"Yeah yeah yeah! Uh-huh right right right!"
Herbert couldn’t be bothered to argue with the Archbishop anymore.
Fine fine fine, whatever you say, that’s how it is.
Too lazy to fight with you!
He nodded like a pounding garlic press, obediently going along as he perfunctorily said, "You’re absolutely right, it’s my fault! Next time I definitely will! I’ll definitely call for your help at a critical moment!"
"So when the time comes, you must help me and save me from my crisis."
Deng above, when the time comes, please make sure to save me from water and fire!
As for why I’ll be stuck in water and fire... heh.
As long as you don’t bring it up, I won’t ask; anyway, just please help me out!
"I won’t... huh?"
The Archbishop hadn’t expected Herbert to suddenly become so obedient and sensible. He’d even been planning to keep throwing a little tantrum like a child, but the expression he’d prepared had nowhere to go, and just froze awkwardly on his face.
"...Mm, hehe, that’s more like it!"
His brows twitched, then he slowly nodded and slowly said, "Since you’ve put it that way, then when the time comes I’ll[reluctantly]provide you with a[tiny]bit of[help]!"
"Don’t be polite, and don’t be afraid—just leave it to me when the time comes."
The Archbishop puffed out his chest proudly, while Herbert simply smiled and nodded.
"Mm-hmm."
From that one sentence, he picked out at least three mistakes (lies).
It was neither "reluctant," nor "tiny," nor "help."
They weren’t even pretending anymore; this was purely planning to "use public office for personal revenge."
No, more like planning to "use Herbert as a public tool for private use"... which also didn’t sound quite right.
Herbert grumbled inwardly, while Deng beside him was quite satisfied.
The more he looked at Herbert, the more he felt this was truly a well-behaved, sensible good child.
Really not bad, really not bad!
Before, it must have been because the situation was too dangerous and he didn’t want to trouble me, so he didn’t call me.
Mm-hmm, that must be it!
"Right, there’s one more thing."
In a very good mood, the Archbishop remembered something else and brought it up in a seemingly casual tone:
"Right, I saw them forcibly giving you Baptism at the time."
"How do you feel? Do you think that’s already enough?"
Herbert: ?
He tilted his head suspiciously and gave the Archbishop a once-over.
"Uh, that does seem to have happened... does that not count?"
No, it doesn’t count?
"Of course it doesn’t count!" the Archbishop said with certainty.
Then he shut his mouth and stared silently at Herbert.
"..."
You’re supposed to ask me!
He glared at Herbert, signaling him repeatedly with his eyes.
Hurry up and ask me!
Why don’t you get it?
But Herbert didn’t follow along this time; instead, he was suspicious of the man’s motives.
I know you want me to ask, but I just won’t cooperate.
Forgot the front, forgot the back, I just like saying no! (JoJo pose)
Besides, why are you bringing this up out of nowhere?
Wait, don’t tell me you’re jealous over something like this?
Herbert was roughly clear on his own condition; just not long ago, when he went to visit the Ashen Bishop, she’d given a similar assessment.
"Right now, although you’ve gone through Ascension and your strength has improved, you still don’t count as a true[Ascender], you’re just a half-baked one."
And she’d told Herbert with great regret that Ascension could only be performed once, and the Monastery’s original ritual probably couldn’t completely change his current state either.
For all beings, Ascension is a one-time success-or-failure that’s already fixed.
This kind of state was a result no mortal could change anymore.
Herbert definitely couldn’t say he was happy with this outcome, but he wasn’t exactly falling apart over it either.
Contentment brings happiness; maintaining a steady mindset is the key to keeping one’s sanity.
Besides, heaven never completely shuts a door; just because the Monastery can’t do it doesn’t mean Nenasha has no solution.
Given that over there She only gave a meaningful little smile after listening, you could roughly draw a conclusion.
There’s probably a way, it’s just that he’d have to pay a teensy little price to get it—that was just a little private fun between the two of them.
But judging from the Archbishop’s tone now... he can fix it too?
Oh right, yeah, that’s normal.
Some things mortals can’t fix doesn’t mean the Divine have no way.
A Saint is practically equivalent to a Divine.
And this person before him... was no ordinary Saint.
After witnessing the Sun Pope, someone who absolutely counted as the pinnacle Saint of the Mortal Realm, Herbert gained a deeper understanding of the Archbishop’s power.
As for the Sun Pope, he could still feel his strength and vaguely sense his limits.
He even felt that when facing a true Divine, they were... kind of just like that.
They were strong, but still within Herbert’s range of comprehension.
He knew roughly how strong these beings were, and why they were strong.
But when facing the Archbishop, this eternally smiling, kindly old man—Herbert could only fall silent.
The stronger he became, the more he could feel how terrifying this man was.
He couldn’t even sense the Archbishop’s limits; it always felt like standing before a bottomless Abyss.
Unseeable, incomprehensible.
It even gave him the illusion of facing some unspeakable existence.
So just how lucky am I, to have already met the true final boss back in the starter village?
Or rather... just how grand is my so-called destiny supposed to be?
Fortunately, although this big shot’s thoughts were still a complete mystery, for the moment he was still very friendly.
He must want something from Herbert; he definitely wouldn’t be this nice for no reason at all.
But before he had enough power to resist, it was better to pretend nothing was happening.
When dealing with such an existence, no amount of caution is ever enough.
After leaving the Archbishop hanging for a while, Herbert finally replied honestly:
"Mm... it was indeed an unexpected Baptism, but it seems it only went halfway, not really complete."
The Archbishop, who had been striking a pose for ages, nodded and said flatly, "Heh, just as I thought; of course She wouldn’t give you a truly wholehearted Baptism."
"This is... mm, a bit of a hassle, but not something that can’t be fixed."
Having said that, the old man looked at the youth kindly, speaking like a truly selfless elder:
"Child, don’t worry, I will definitely help you."
If it’d stopped there, that would’ve been pretty good.
Unfortunately, there was a second half.
"—so long as you promise to be sensible next time, understand?"
Herbert, helpless, silently nodded.
Yeah yeah right!
"Mm, that’s more like it!"
"You have to understand who really has your best interests at heart!"
The Archbishop was very pleased with the boy’s obedient attitude and snorted smugly:
"Be careful from now on; don’t let yourself get led astray by those cats and dogs out there!!!"
Cats and dogs?
Are you talking about... the Sun Goddess?
Herbert fell silent, then silently nodded again.
I don’t understand any of this.
I haven’t read many books; I’m not cultured.
Whatever you say is what it is!
Also...
This way you’re talking.
Why does it sound so familiar?
Just who infected you with it!!!
Herbert didn’t dare think too much, and hurriedly changed the subject:
"Your Excellency, then how should my situation be resolved?"
Hearing this, the Archbishop’s smile grew even more delighted.
"Hehe, why, of course..."
He turned his head and looked meaningfully toward the center of the space.
There, a special existence was in prayer.
A sealing object.
"Use this."
Herbert: ?
Nenasha: ["???"]
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