Although he had tried to stop Herbert from going alone before, seeing him safe and sound, his displeasure completely vanished.

Perhaps, I truly misunderstood.

I shouldn't treat Herbert like a caged canary...he has always been an eagle belonging to the sky.

The Rusted Nail Bishop, after observing him, nodded without further pleasantries, simply saying, "Since you're back, go directly to see the Archbishop, he's been waiting for you a long time."

Herbert laughed upon hearing this.

See?

You all vie to see him, but on my side, he's the one eager to see me.

I told you, Old Deng is no longer such a hard-to-meet big figure.

"Alright, understood."

But before chatting with Old Deng, Herbert had an important task to do.

"However, let me first escort her back to the Third Commandment Hall."

The air beside him gently trembled, revealing a blurry figure shrouded in mist.

Fremay had been hiding beside Herbert using a sort of optical camouflage.

Her body was covered with a layer of mist, outsiders could only faintly see a human figure but cannot truly discern her features.

"No, there's no need; she can return on her own."

"Hmm? What did you say?"

Herbert blinked, somewhat unclear on what the Knight Commander had said.

Let her return to the prison on her own?

Huh?

The Knight Commander looked at Fremay with a slight frown, a bit of struggle in his eyes, yet he slowly nodded, and said to her:

"Apocalypse Singer Fremay, you successfully protected Herbert; you didn't betray his trust in you."

"Through this trial, the Monastery has understood your stance and will ease its suppression on you; although your outings are still restricted, you can move independently within the monastery, most facilities are open to you..."

"All above are orders personally issued by the Archbishop, I don't understand them but still choose to follow his directives...no one in the monastery will oppose."

Having said this, the Knight Commander's expression seemed even colder, looking at Fremay and saying coldly:

"And as Knight Commander, I must give you a sincere warning here - don't cause trouble in the monastery, or not only will you face severe punishment, Herbert will also be implicated."

Threat.

The Rusted Nail Bishop was blatantly, undisguisedly threatening!

I'm warning you, don't cause trouble here!

Although the Archbishop has released some of your shackles, this is still not a place for a Demon like you to act recklessly.

As the threatened party, Fremay's expression was quite indifferent, even scornful.

"...Heh."

Fremay frowned, squinting at the Legendary Paladin before her, then faintly hummed after a long moment.

"These matters don't need your concern; I won't let him get hurt."

"Whether from external harm or persecution because of me."

After speaking, she defiantly embraced Herbert from behind, raised her head proudly at the Knight Commander.

Having performed this somewhat undue action, Fremay didn't converse further with Herbert, not even glancing at him, choosing to leave directly.

The look of it was as if she used Herbert to prove her allure to others, like a callous girl.

Their relationship was still secretive, saying too much might expose problems.

Sure enough, the Rusted Nail Bishop didn't think much, his brow furrowed and asked about Herbert's situation, "Tsk, her...Herbert, are you alright?"

Faced with the Rusted Nail Bishop's concerned gaze, Herbert nodded, proactively revealing his Holy Mark to prove his "purity."

"Rest assured, I haven't been affected by her in any way."

Herbert said seriously:

"Rest assured, she didn't succeed over me!"

Yes.

Fremay didn't succeed.

She did not taint my purity!

Because, the one who truly succeeded - was actually me!

Ate fish.

I like grass carp, delicious, succulent, nourishing.

Tasty, love to eat, eat a lot.

"Thank you for your concern."

Seeing Herbert's purity vow increasing rather than decreasing, the Rusted Nail Bishop felt relieved, nodded to him satisfactorily.

"Hmm, that's fine, you are indeed excellent."

This is a Paladin who is immune to a Demon's charm!

Great!

The Rusted Nail Bishop waved to Fao and others, then instructed Herbert, "Alright, since you're going to see the Archbishop, then take them along, I have other matters to handle."

"Alright."

When Fao and company fearfully approached, they saw the Rusted Nail Bishop had already turned to leave, only Herbert remained standing before them.

"This..."

"Bishop your excellency!!?"

What's going on?

Is the Bishop angry due to their prior insolence!!?

"Yo, meet again."

Herbert observed their micro-expressions, easily guessing their thoughts, and said earnestly:

"Alright, given your actions, the Bishop has already instructed, I'm to take you to the Third Commandment Hall for reflection..."

Fao and company: What!!?

...

In the end, Herbert softened—their visit was merely a walk to the Third Commandment Hall's entrance, not truly entering.

Just a joke, don't really scare the kids.

Wouldn't be fun otherwise.

Under Herbert's lead, the group passed through long tunnels, arriving at the monastery's underground.

At the end of the road, Herbert again saw that door, and the quiet solitary figure standing before it.

The Ashen Bishop had long known of their arrival, finally nodding slowly and speaking softly:

"Herbert, you've arrived."

"Your excellency."

Herbert slightly bowed in respect to the Ashen Bishop, allowing her to place her hand on his shoulder.

The Ashen Bishop gently patted his shoulder, then slightly squeezed.

"You...hmm?"

Just as the Ashen Bishop was about to speak, her gaze was struck by an invisible power, becoming momentarily dazed.

Her vision penetrated Herbert's body, seeming to see countless dead souls winding around his soul.

Those Demonic dead souls were confined by a shadowy force here, glimpses emitting a chilling aura.

Meanwhile, there was a hint of icy breath within his soul.

"..."

"Your excellency, is something wrong?"

The Ashen Bishop, hearing Herbert, withdrew her hand, and the illusory scene vanished entirely.

She deeply glanced at Herbert, confirming his soul was intact, then slightly shook her head, chuckled, "Haha, nothing, indeed as one grows old, some past events rush to mind."

His destiny...has become more complex.

The Ashen Bishop grew increasingly curious, where indeed, would this young man's fate lead?

Just contemplating his future made her almost laugh aloud.

"Haha, ahem! Go, child, Old Den...the Archbishop has long awaited you, we'll chat further once you return."

"Alright."

Herbert nodded, then familiarly passed through the large door, his figure vanishing.

Fao and company watched Herbert converse cheerfully with the most enigmatic Bishop, ever more unable to perceive his identity.

Who exactly is he?

For the monastery, what does Herbert truly represent?

They grew increasingly bewildered!

"Children, wait a moment."

The Ashen Bishop, while attending others, remained kindly yet her tone lacked some warmth.

"Once he returns, you may enter one by one, converse with the Archbishop."

"Now, arrange your order to enter yourselves."

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