Chapter 1061 - 508: Duel Between Men
Herbert refused to accept this kind of life sentence with no hope in sight.
And, more importantly—he had absolutely no reason to take over the job.
Question: What is the Mist Monastery actually for?
Answer: It exists to suppress the remains of a powerful Evil God.
Question: And who is that Evil God?
Answer: Nenasha.
So you want me to go suppress my own wife?
That’s basically... huh, wait a sec, if I "steal while guarding," that might actually be a pretty good deal?
Just as that thought popped up, Herbert quickly pushed it back down.
"No no, that idea is way too dangerous, I can’t let myself get that full of it."
"Herbert, oh Herbert, you’ve really changed—how’d you get this arrogant?"
"If I win the fight then whatever, it’s all good... but if I take over and in the end still lose, wouldn’t I be the one doing time then?"
Just imagining the Archbishop sulking in the Monastery every day made Herbert shudder.
"I definitely don’t want that."
And just as he was forcing those thoughts down, he arrived at his destination.
He stopped in front of the door, completely put away his smile, adjusted his breathing, made his expression tense, and filled his eyes with concern.
After repeatedly confirming his disguise had no flaws, he finally raised his hand and knocked.
Knock knock.
Without waiting for any response from inside, Herbert just pushed the door open and walked in.
"Your Excellency Chief Judge, Your Excellency Knight Commander, I heard you two... uh?"
The moment he entered, before Herbert could even start his performance, the concern plastered on his face froze, then shook violently.
"Tsss!"
In his eyes, the small room, aside from one Nun with a tightly drawn face, actually had two fat Mummies laid out side by side.
The sight was way too intense; it almost made the expression he’d struggled to hold completely collapse.
"This, ahem, what’s going on here?"
Herbert forcibly held back his urge to laugh and asked the only Nun who could still stand.
"..."
The Nun clearly wasn’t in a good mood. She clenched her teeth hard before slowly saying, "Lord Guardian has given an order: no one is allowed to use any Divine Skill for healing, and no Potions are allowed either, so..."
Herbert blinked, feeling there was probably more behind this, and probed, "...What were her exact words?"
"Cough! Cough cough!"
Seeing the Nun start coughing loudly, Herbert hurriedly added, "It’s fine, I’m here. Just say it boldly, don’t worry."
With Herbert’s guarantee, the Nun, who was about to go crazy from holding it in, took a deep breath and slowly spoke.
"Lord Guardian said... no one is allowed to bother those two idiots. Since they want to fight, then let them enjoy it properly!"
"In addition, Lord Guardian personally made a move and adjusted their senses to be the same as an ordinary person—no, even more sensitive than an ordinary person... cough cough."
?
Herbert’s eyes went wide; along with the shock, he felt a hint of déjà vu.
This operation... why does it feel familiar... uh, was this what she did to the Demon Ninja?
"Cough cough!"
Having just finished spilling this classified gossip, the Nun already wanted to bail. She hurriedly said, "Lord Herbert, um, since you’re here, I’ll just take my leave first."
"Ah, it’s fine, I’ll look after them. Just come back later."
Herbert nodded, stepped aside from the doorway, and let the Nun lower her head and speed away.
Only after she’d completely gone, with only faint, suppressed laughter echoing from the far end of the corridor, did Herbert pull back his gaze and close the door.
He looked at the two "Mummies" who’d each turned their heads away and showed a helpless smile.
"Your Excellencies, just what are you two doing?"
The response, of course, was an agonizing silence.
Neither Mummy spoke first; the room was filled with an awkward silence—their awkwardness, anyway.
Herbert wasn’t the least bit awkward. He was just here for the show.
But letting it stay silent like this wasn’t going to work either... there’d be no show to watch.
Herbert thought for a moment, then decided to probe the Chief Judge first, since he was relatively easier to talk to.
And to break the silence, he obviously couldn’t rely on normal greetings. Those were useless, and not Herbert’s style.
Herbert decided to crank up the intensity—stab first, then offer the bandages.
"Your Excellency Chief Judge, it’s been a while. How have you been lately? Uh... doesn’t look too good. Are you feeling a bit weak? Want me to get you something to build you up?"
"Hmph!"
Sure enough, a battle-hardened tough guy like him could never stand this kind of "you’re weak" concern. He reacted immediately with an angry snort.
"What kind of joke is that! How could I be weak... tsss!"
And then, just from opening his mouth, he pulled on all his injuries. His bandage-wrapped body twitched unnaturally.
But a man who’s been strong all his life doesn’t cry out in pain. The Chief Judge clenched his jaw, his whole face turning purple as he barely managed to hold it in.
"Can you tell me what exactly happened?"
Only after a long while did the Chief Judge stubbornly say:
"...Nothing. Absolutely nothing happened."
?
Are you green-haired too?
Perhaps afraid Herbert would get the wrong idea, the Chief Judge added, "All you need to know is: only full-force attacks, every punch landing solidly, can truly transmit one’s will. Only then can we feel each other’s thoughts through battle!"
?
Like... what the hell were you two aiming for!
You two old geezers, why are you being this hot-blooded?