Free Web NovelChapter 920: Chapter 456: “Reluctantly” Accepting
His eyes, which had been squinting with a smile, slightly opened as he looked at the young man in front of him and softly asked:
"Are you... willing to accept this challenge and gift from destiny?"
Willing?
Herbert didn’t answer immediately but instead squinted his eyes silently.
If the Archbishop’s words were directed at others, it would indeed be a significant decision.
Risk, responsibility, mission...
Once he accepts this challenge, he will completely become the vessel for sealing the Evil God.
In other words, Herbert will replace and become the "Underground Sanctuary," a walking Holy Hall.
Or perhaps a catastrophe ready to erupt at any moment, a calamity walking in the Mortal Realm.
Once he dies or if any accident occurs, the seal will be released!
At that moment, he will become a sinner who brings disaster to the world.
Herbert understood his own character well, though he wouldn’t call himself a Holy Mother, he also wasn’t one who could harm innocent lives with a clear conscience for personal gain.
Carrying the burden of others’ lives requires a substantial degree of resolve.
This is unimaginable pressure.
Moreover, the Holy Image itself carries a great danger.
If he were to be eroded by the lingering aura of the "seal," his fate would be singular — eliminated by the Monastery.
Killed by the Archbishop’s own hand, to clean house.
If this invincible old Deng made a move, there would be no other outcome; escaping would be impossible.
Such a fate would be far too tragic.
But this challenge is not without its benefits.
Generally, rewards come with risks.
Low risk, low return; high risk, high return.
While this operation carries a high risk, it also implies enormous gains.
With the Divine aura emanating from the Holy Image, he could fulfill the final part he lacked.
To become thoroughly complete, a true [Ascender].
Even with his current half-developed strength, he could engage with Epic and not be disadvantaged.
He dared not imagine the terrifying enhancement he would gain once he completed the missing part to become whole.
With the help of Epic Level Monster Girls, could he forcefully ascend to the Divine Domain as a Legendary being?
Power.
Mighty power!
An overwhelming power capable of rivaling the Divine!
This is an idea that, once thought of, causes a slight tremor in the mind, carrying immense allure.
In this world, compared to beauty, wealth, power... strength is the true source of madness for countless beings.
Power is the real drug!
Once you taste its sweetness and enjoy the pleasure brought by power, you can never turn back.
This is an irresistible condition for anyone who desires to become strong.
Herbert is no exception.
He is not some saint detached from base interests.
He craves power.
He longs for the power to truly grasp his own destiny.
And, most crucial of all, he doesn’t even need to answer, doesn’t need to make any decision.
Because in a sense, even if Herbert does nothing at this moment, he already serves as that vessel.
Choice?
What choice?
It’s like asking a Knight thrown into a Goblin nest willing to sacrifice himself for the team...
What a joke.
At this point, what are you even saying?
The body is already deeply involved, and you’re talking about trivial matters.
Of course, although the truth is what it is, and the situation is indeed such.
Herbert can’t just casually give an easy answer right from the start.
Human nature is complicated.
A fisherman once said that some customers at the seafood market are quite foolish.
The cheaper the seafood, no matter how fresh, they don’t want it, thinking it’s given for free.
Even the stinky fish and shrimp secretly picked from the sea, no matter how disgusting, if you dare to set a high price, there are suckers willing to buy!
Thinking "you get what you pay for"; since it’s priced that way, it must be extraordinary!
The easier something is obtained, the less it’s treasured.
"..."
So, after pondering for a moment, Herbert clenched his fist tightly and then slowly released it.
He exhaled a long breath, as if finally making some decision, yet with a certain degree of wavering.
"Sir, can I really do it?"
Herbert half lowered his head, hesitantly and quietly said: "To entrust such a task to my shoulders, are you really not worried something might go wrong?"
"If something goes wrong with me, would it mean the Monastery’s perseverance of thousands of years was all in vain?"
He lowered his head, his body trembling slightly, his back slightly hunched as if burdened with heavy pressure.
The immense pressure formed by thousands of years of the Monastery’s vow now rests upon his shoulders.
Pressing him so he seemed unable to breathe.
But just before Herbert was about to "collapse," a calm voice, as always, shattered that immense pressure.
"I believe you can."
The Archbishop looked at Herbert with a calm smile, encouragingly watching him: "Child, you can do it."
Herbert "excitedly" raised his head but quickly bit his lip, gritting his teeth with difficulty: "But if, if I fail, what about those consequences..."
"Then consider me to have misjudged."
The Archbishop remained calm, lightly saying: "If that day truly comes, I will bear all consequences myself, resolving all issues."
"If that day indeed arrives, child, I promise you this——I will personally kill you."
And with the "promise" from the Archbishop, Herbert seemed to finally breathe a sigh of relief, completely releasing the heavy burden from his shoulders.
His body no longer bent, his spine once again straightened, the vitality lost under the pressure returned to him.
"Since you can promise like this... then I’ve made my decision."
"I’m willing to bear this destiny."
The young man lifted his head, looking at the elder with resolute eyes, seriously saying: "If this is something only I can do, then it is the mission given to me by destiny."
"And I will not evade this mission, nor will I ever bow to destiny."
Herbert declared aloud: "Archbishop, please let me become its vessel!"
"I will completely seal it!"
"And if I fail, please kill me personally!"
Watching the determination in the youth’s eyes, the elder finally smiled and softly said: "Then, so be it."
"If one day you can no longer control it and it surpasses your ability, then I will personally eliminate you."
Hehe.
This is indeed the child of destiny I have recognized.
He truly has grown into what I expected of him, accepting this difficult challenge he could have refused.
Growing to this point, though still a little early, he is capable of overcoming the hardest step.
Now, once the seal transfers into him, the original purpose of the Underground Sanctuary is lost.
Then, does it mean...
Could I find an opportunity for a little excursion outside?
Thinking of such a bright future, the Archbishop’s smile became even more amiable.
He hid his deeper thoughts, raised his hand, and pressed hard on Herbert’s shoulder, nodding approvingly at him.
Good child!
Haha!
"Hehe."
And observing such satisfaction on his face, Herbert also felt quite pleased.
Look!
He believed it.
He really believed it!
Haha!
I actually think I chose to accept it for "destiny."
The two with differing intents exchanged glances and both burst into hearty laughter.
They both thought they had fooled the other.
They both thought they had made a huge gain!
"Haha!"
"Hahaha!"
At this moment, only one person silently expressed his exasperation.
["...Two idiots, tch."]
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