Free Web NovelChapter 923: Chapter 458: Too Short!
Necklace?
Herbert looked at the "Desecration of Sacred Image Necklace" floating mid-air, his eyes slightly narrowing.
"Hmm, this seems about right."
The Archbishop admired his creation for a moment, nodded with satisfaction, and with a flick of his finger, the necklace flew up and landed in Herbert’s palm.
Clatter.
"..."
The silver necklace was neither too light nor too heavy, matching exactly Herbert’s imagined weight, yet externally betrayed no hint of being a Saint Level seal artifact.
"Is this how it’s supposed to be worn, carrying it around with me?"
How should I put it?
It’s unexpectedly plain.
Really unassuming, not flashy at all!
The Archbishop noticed the subtle nuances in Herbert’s tone and chuckled, asking, "Child, you seem a bit dissatisfied?"
"Uh, no... Not dissatisfied, just, well, it feels a bit subtle?"
"Hehe."
The elder did not elaborate, just laughed as he admired his "masterpiece"—watching the youth instinctively wear the necklace, which emitted no aura.
Wonderful.
Perfect.
He truly accomplished it.
"What form did you think it would take? A sword, perhaps? Or a suit of armor? Or maybe a ring?"
Herbert remained silent, then obediently shook his head.
Feeling that the Archbishop’s playful tone held deeper meaning... he decided not to explore further.
"Haha, if you really don’t like it, or want it to become a Holy Mark on your body, I could help move it to your chest."
A large portrait of your girlfriend on your chest?
What an artistic youth.
Herbert’s mind wandered, imagining a comical scene.
When someone breaks through his upper body defense, they might be lucky enough to see the secret on his chest, a tattoo of the Saintess praying...
With a tattoo like that, I suppose I can’t pursue a public office career in the future.
Oh, wait.
When the first Holy Mark appears on my skin, I can’t pursue public office anyway.
Herbert thought of the foolish joke he once made, gazing deeply at the Saintess image on the necklace praying with her back to him, then tucked it into his clothes.
"No, there’s no need, this is more than enough, thank you for your help."
Looking at the Archbishop, he bowed with sincere respect: "If not for you, I might not have been able to break free from my previous predicament, forever stuck in a half-step to ascension."
"It’s nothing, helping you is helping myself."
The Archbishop smiled casually: "If you weren’t so reliable, I wouldn’t know when I could’ve... cough cough."
Herbert: "Hmm?"
"... It’s nothing, you don’t need to mind."
The Archbishop coughed twice forcefully, then spoke with authority:
"Child, you must be aware, when you wear it, your soul will merge with it. Though this will continuously subject your mind to His trials, until you are completely immune to Him, or become His slave."
"But at the same time, you will be immune to almost all forms of spiritual control; no one will be able to interfere beyond its protection."
"Not even the Gods."
"In other words, you... will escape the control of the Gods, completely gaining spiritual freedom!"
Herbert was indifferent to the necklace’s effects.
Though this item is a double-edged sword to others, requiring cautious use.
To him, it only brought benefits.
No one could better resist Nenasha’s spiritual interference than him.
He was only somewhat wistful, feeling how fate truly is wondrous.
Worn-out iron shoes seeking without finding, obtained effortlessly—this phrase perfectly captured his current mood.
Once upon a time, Herbert’s greatest worry was enemy interference with his spiritual realm, where there was no way to counter such perverse tactics.
For that, Herbert went through various channels, spending money, flashing credentials, lying, staging ambushes, acquiring many spiritual defense-related Magical Artifacts.
He was armed to every inch of his cortex, determined to protect his mental purity.
And now... all original preparations were useless, could be set aside.
For he no longer needed any other spiritual protection.
This is Saint Level spiritual protection!
Good heavens, the protection level has skyrocketed.
Thank you, Lady Nenasha!
It was you who protected my node... Hmm, the sulci within my cortex count as nodes too.
Herbert thought idly, hearing the Archbishop’s sigh.
"I’ve applied a seal on it; in its current form, unless you actively connect with it, He can’t interfere with you for the time being."
"And when the seal’s effect weakens, by then you probably would have ascended completely, smoothly progressing into Epic."
"Once you become Epic, your soul will be enough to resist His temptation; I hope you won’t disappoint me then."
Sorry, boss, I’ve already disappointed you.
Once, I had no choice; now... hmm, now I don’t want to be a good person!
"Understood."
Herbert nodded seriously with joy for his bright future.
Completing the aura, achieving sublimation, all into Epic.
Though he never doubted he could progress into Epic, the path was somewhat ambiguous, unsure where to start.
Finally, a clear path lay before him.
"Additionally, though you might feel it’s over, I advise you not to celebrate too early."
Concerned about his complacency, the Archbishop added:
"You’re still at a critical point; until the lacking aura is fully replenished, I suggest you avoid battles with others for now."
