In the mist-covered mountains, the deity who governs ice and snow extended an invitation to mortals.

The Ice and Snow Goddess wasn't as forceful as She claimed; She didn't forcefully bestow Her favor upon him.

On the contrary, She offered an olive branch proactively.

"Become my devotee."

The Goddess looked at the mortal standing on the ice and slowly said:

"O child of the weak, I shall grant you my blessing."

"I will bestow upon you the power of ice, you will become the Apostle of the wind and snow, traversing freely among the glaciers."

"You will stir the wind and snow, merging yourself into the ancient glaciers, absorbing their great power."

"Your name will be sung in the Mortal Realm, and your deeds shall become legends among all beings."

"And ultimately, you will gain eternal life in my Divine Kingdom, becoming the head among my angels."

"I may even bestow more upon you, allowing you to become a god of mine one day!"

The treatment offered by the Ice and Snow Goddess was undoubtedly generous.

Perhaps it was due to Her appreciation of Herbert's talent, or perhaps it was out of fear of a certain Saint.

Or it might be that those previous "honest truths of profound insight" pleased Her greatly...

In addition to Herbert's previous aid to the Church, She almost directly offered the highest standard of a Divine Favorer.

Become my devotee!

In life, you shall gain protection, becoming a legend in the Mortal Realm.

In death, you will also be under my protection, resurrecting in my Divine Kingdom, continuing to enjoy worldly bliss.

The Ice and Snow Goddess extended a very sincere invitation to Herbert.

But for this goodwill, Herbert's expression was somewhat subtle.

"Uh..."

["Huh!!?"]

Herbert was just a bit confused, but someone completely exploded.

A certain Harmonious God was enraged.

!!!

What do you mean?

I ask you, what do you mean!

Fine, then.

You're digging the wall right up to my head, huh???

You little kitten have some nerve!

The shadow beneath Herbert's feet began to stir, with some dangerous slippery tentacles squirming continuously.

This avatar of yours only has Legendary Power, right?

And it's connected to the consciousness of your true self, right?

Hehe...

I'll let you, this blind fool, truly understand what fear is!

Damn it.

Dare to snatch my person!!?

Meanwhile, more than the blind invitation of the Ice and Snow Goddess, He was more furious about Herbert's hesitation.

["What are you hesitating for? What's there to hesitate about!?"]

["Why not just refuse Her directly!"]

["My ally! Is our relationship so fragile? What about the love between us!?"]

For Nenasha's squabble in his mind, Herbert's reaction remained very calm.

"Quiet, I'm thinking."

"I know you're anxious, but don't be in such a hurry!"

Herbert wasn't panicked.

Whether it was the unexpected invitation from the Ice and Snow Goddess, or Nenasha's anxiety of being affronted, didn't fluster him.

It's just a couple of women taking a liking to me at the same time... nothing too surprising.

Sit down, it's just a small scene.

However, though a small scene, given the identity of the counterpart, if not controlled, could potentially become a quite tricky situation.

Regarding divine beings, Herbert had read three interesting Laws in a tome from the Secret-Keeping Institute.

First Law: Do not easily speculate on the thoughts of divine beings.

Second Law: Divine beings also have the joys and angers of mortals.

Third Law: Goddesses mostly hold grudges.

It's unclear who the expert summarizing this tome was, maybe someone who was favored by many Divine Spirits.

However, it's hypothesized that his end was likely not very good — the book only contained a third of the intended chapters with no further text.

Uncertain whether the subsequent chapters were cut, or if he was axed by the angered goddesses themselves.

Perhaps both...

The lessons from predecessors serve as constant reminders for Herbert to be cautious when facing divine beings.

The one before him especially matched the third conclusion.

Though the Ice and Snow Goddess claimed She chased him to bestow blessings, Herbert could still easily guess what She originally came for.

The goddess's words, deceiving spirits!

Listening to Her prattle.

This being had quite a narrow mind, merely scaring Her Bishop with the mention of the Archbishop, and She personally followed Her target here...

Was that necessary!

Now, Her gestures are so generous; if Her dignity isn't maintained, Lord knows what absurd acts She might undertake later.

Just a fright led to pursuing like that, if completely offended, wouldn't She beat me down to be imprisoned in Divine Kingdom as Star Fury Power!

This desolate wilderness, even if one wishes to seek rescue, there's no hope.

Even if the Archbishop could avenge me later, by then, I might already have become a weaponized abomination only capable of gibberish.

That kind of thing, definitely not desirable... well, although not entirely unacceptable, better to refrain for the moment.

Such freeloading, let's save it for when my stomach is really unwell in the future.

Herbert, after pondering for several seconds, raised his head, having resolved in his heart, and sighed: "I never imagined such a day."

"Having the Goddess personally incarnate in the Mortal Realm to extend an invitation is truly an immense honor for me."

And hearing Herbert's sigh, the face of the Ice and Snow Goddess grew even colder.

She wasn't as naive as Valentina and could discern Herbert's intent to build up before rejecting.

Those who spoke in such a roundabout manner were mostly in refusal.

"Mortal, do you wish to decline my goodwill?"

The deity's voice was icy, like a piercing wind blowing fiercely across the frozen lake.

Yet the mortal fearlessly lifted his head, facing the divine body head-on, and continued:

"To receive such favor, I am exceptionally grateful."

"But... may I be allowed to refuse?"

Hu—

The deity didn't answer, but the wind over the lake blew even stronger.

Her figure gradually faded into the wind and snow, seemingly about to disappear altogether.

The Ice and Snow Goddess didn't utter a word to retain.

Upon receiving an unsatisfactory answer, the Ice and Snow Goddess chose to leave directly.

She was the proud ice and snow.

The Goddess would not plead with a mortal a second time.

"..."

And Herbert, after speaking, felt the increasingly fierce wind and snow at his ears, his expression extraordinarily peaceful.

He kept his gaze fixed on the Goddess's cold eyes and softly spoke:

"Lady Hecayas, might I ask you to linger a while here?"

"Before you shred me with your furious blizzard, please hear my reason for refusing you first."

Though the deity didn't speak, the wind and snow gradually subsided.

The fact She didn't immediately turn into snowflakes and vanish showed She was waiting for his explanation.

Seeing this scene, Herbert's lips curved slightly, supporting Valentina's backside with his hand, and he slightly bowed to the Ice and Snow Goddess.

"Thank you for your kindness."

"I refuse your goodwill not out of any malice, never thinking you unworthy."

"I shall painfully refuse because of the vow I made."

In his eyes was an irreparable sadness, softly saying:

"I... no longer have the qualification to become your devotee."

"It is I who am unworthy of you."

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