Free Web NovelChapter 921: Chapter 457: Miss Xie Shen Can’t Accept This
The Underground Sanctuary was peaceful.
Just now, there was a very rare, miraculous trade here, regarded as a wonder in the history of trades, where both parties felt they had gained significantly with a perfect trade.
Herbert smiled humbly, not letting his mirth show too clearly, occasionally coughing lightly.
"Haha, haha, cough, cough, haha."
The Archbishop, on the other hand, had a deeper shrewdness, smiling and nodding, appearing to endorse Herbert’s sacrifice awareness.
"Not bad, hehe, you did really well, hehehe!"
Clearly, these two had decided on the ownership of a sealing artifact significant enough to alert the Divine, making a decision capable of altering the future landscape.
Yet it appeared much more like two old men crouched by a roadside stand, arguing for a long time, finally completing the negotiation and making a deal over an old relic.
"That fool really bought it! Now that’s what I call a perfect deal! No, I still need him to add more money!"
"Haha, that fool really just sold it to me! A huge profit! I can’t let it show, must be careful not to let him find out! Thirty-five seconds... I’ll laugh after thirty-five seconds."
The seller felt he had conned a sucker, wishing he could drain all his savings.
The buyer felt the seller couldn’t recognize value, thinking him a blind idiot, having to deliberately lower the price to avoid suspicion.
The more this happened, the more harmonious the conversation became, and their smiles grew wider.
All were delighted, a space of great joy.
Everyone present was cheerful and jubilant... except for the traded "old relic."
["..."]
At this moment, Nenasha’s mood was quite complex.
Hard to evaluate.
Like a mix of complex emotions.
It wasn’t that she felt awkward about being treated as trade goods; she wasn’t that pretentious.
Allowing Herbert to possess the Holy Maiden Statue was all benefits without harm to them, a long-held desire they dared not express.
To accomplish this,
it was more... feeling the entire unfolding of this matter was utterly baffling from start to finish.
Just, irrational!
Do you understand?
It’s just outright irrational!!!
Miss Xie Shen was a bit collapsed, unwilling to accept such reality.
No, no, no!
There must be something wrong with this!
Otherwise, how, how could it be so simple!!?
...Ah, got it?
Uh, truly obtained it?
Just like that, easily?
Hmm???
Nenasha truly couldn’t accept such a ludicrous unfolding.
Because she had made many preparations for the day she could "reclaim" the Holy Maiden Statue.
Really having thought through countless days and nights, pouring over so much effort!
Perhaps to Herbert, Miss Xie Shen’s standing had long fallen into a comedic role, only babbling some lewd jokes to amuse him.
But that’s a prejudice!
Blatant malicious prejudice!
Where Herbert couldn’t see, Nenasha was very serious about the future they would face.
Especially after their relationship furthered, she became more cautious.
If they were merely allies, their cooperation was purely for mutual needs, without much to consider.
Even if there were casualties along the way to achieve it, that’s within the scope of the transaction.
That’s what trading is.
Since the rewards and costs were clarified early on, there’s nothing more to discuss.
But later, things changed.
Nenasha overturned the various plans requiring Herbert’s sacrifice.
Although these plans could yield better results, she actively abandoned them.
For instance—
Why did Nenasha encourage Herbert to get close to Valentina and others, offering assistance tirelessly?
Was she truly that kind? Truly enjoyed aiding her allies?
Perhaps there was some kindness towards allies, but mostly, it was scheming.
Because, in some early alternatives, Nenasha had planned for him to escape at an opportune moment, letting those Monster Girls sacrifice themselves while protecting Herbert, thus guiding his anger and hatred.
The deeper the friendship, the more radiant the power when emotions burst at that moment.
Radiant hatred was enough to transform Herbert into the form she needed.
This might have been unfair to those Monster Girl prisoners, cruel even to Herbert, but it’s a very ordinary method for the Evil God.
Of course, that really was just a very early thought, existing only fleetingly in Nenasha’s heart.
But now...
Nenasha doesn’t want Herbert to resent her.
She never regarded those Giant Dragons, Mermaids, Vampires as true competitors, but she no longer disregards their life or death.
She could not care, but he definitely cares.
So, what is love?
For Nenasha, the answer to this question has never changed.
Love is a curse.
To love means to make the beloved a weakness.
Is unwilling to let the other be saddened, regardless of the cause.
Is willing to forsake one’s benefit to protect the other, even at the risk of sacrifice.
How could this not be a form of cruel curse?
But fortunately... this curse is mutual.
True love is simultaneously cursing the other while being accepting of their curse.
When the shackle named "love" wraps around both souls, the harm of the curse, then becomes trivial.
