CHAPTER 363: 255 THE REASON FOR DOING SO (4.4K)_2

Isn’t that obvious!

After all, he’s not the one trapped by bloodlust, so whichever choice he makes doesn’t really matter to him.

And since there’s no advantage or disadvantage, why would he choose such a disadvantageous option?

"You say ’rescue’? What exactly should I do?"

Ultimately, this shouldn’t have been a multiple-choice question from the start.

Herbert is the Prison Warden of the Third Commandment Hall, not an Inquisitor or Executioner.

His responsibilities never included torture and abuse.

How to rehabilitate and reform these dangerous Monster Girls is Herbert’s true work.

If Nenasha truly has a way to suppress Eliza’s symptoms of Thirst for Blood Syndrome long-term, then it’s an astonishing ability indeed.

Herbert could use this ability to keep Eliza in line, making her obediently accept his loving reform.

So, it can be foreseen that—once Eliza is fully reformed by Herbert, his authority could be elevated even more.

But Herbert’s joy didn’t last long because Nenasha’s instructions were vastly different from what he imagined.

It provided no clear timeline, merely telling Herbert to wait a little longer.

Wait.

Wait until when?

Nenasha, feigning profundity, didn’t explain, only telling Herbert one sentence.

["Wait a little longer, until her will reaches the brink of collapse, only then is the time to act."]

Herbert was silent for a moment, somewhat shaken, but ultimately decided to trust it.

"Alright then, what exactly should I do?"

["Don’t worry; I’ll let you know when the time comes~"]

["Simply put, just smear your blood on her body, yes! Carefully smearing it—"]

...

...

["How could I possibly want to harm you~"]

Listening to Nenasha’s joyful laughter in his ears, Herbert ended his previous memory.

Yes.

That’s right.

Officer, it’s this guy.

She’s the one who made me do it; she’s the real culprit!

And after laughing heartily for a while, Nenasha finally stopped and asked: ["By the way, weren’t you quite enjoying it earlier? Why the rush now?"]

Was Herbert in a hurry?

A little, yes.

But more than worrying about Eliza’s safety, Herbert was actually more concerned about being deceived.

Damn, is this guy playing me?

Noticing Herbert’s emotions, Nenasha stopped beating around the bush and giggled: ["It’s true~ Of course, it’s true, just trust me! How could I deceive you?"]

"...Alright, I’ll trust you for now." Herbert decided to tentatively believe this somewhat unreliable ally.

Hopefully, it’s not a trick.

["By the way, I’m a bit curious, why the sudden concern for her?"]

Where did this sudden concern come from?

"The reason, well, ahem."

Herbert coughed and said sincerely, "You know, I’m a kind-hearted person, never wanting to harm anyone. If you hadn’t forced me, I wouldn’t have done anything to her."

["Cut!"]

Nenasha scoffed disdainfully, retorting:

["Nonsense, you were clearly enjoying it! Weren’t you the one enjoying yourself just now?"]

["I just told you to smear the blood on her; you could’ve poured it directly instead of slowly smearing it bit by bit like you did!"]

Using your fingers to carefully rub and outline...heh!

Who doesn’t know your little schemes!

Shameless!

I’ve never seen someone so brazenly shameless!

"Tsk."

Having his facade mercilessly exposed, Herbert clicked his tongue.

Seriously, was it necessary to say so much? Can’t you just go along with me a bit?

Can’t we just have fun together?

["No way, no way~ you’re just craving her body~"]

Herbert retorted with a straight face, "You can’t be so absolute; I’m also going through a tough time."

His words weren’t entirely a flimsy excuse.

When Herbert was following Nenasha’s instructions to "humiliate" her, he was always very careful, his mind highly focused!

By the way, Herbert seriously suspected this Eliza has been secretly enjoying it since halfway through.

Saying nothing, she’s actually freeloading off his free labor.

This masochistic Vampire has always shown disgruntled and humiliated on the surface, but inside, she’s probably thrilled.

Herbert isn’t slandering; he’s got concrete evidence.

Hand goes up, hand comes down.

Clap!

After the crisp sound, a heartfelt sigh of pleasure was heard.

"Mmm! Ah—"

Eliza still hadn’t woken up, her eyes remained tightly shut, yet in her dream, she unconsciously let out a soft hum through her nose.

Herbert couldn’t help but smirk and shake his head in amazement as he watched her.

See, she’s been enjoying it the whole time!

So, after bullying her for so long, it’s hard to say who actually benefited.

He shook his head, choosing not to dwell on this question further, bringing the conversation back to the prior issue.

"Alright, let’s not stray off. You haven’t answered my previous question yet."

Turning back to the matter at hand, Herbert’s expression grew serious as he softly asked:

"Regardless of whether Eliza feels pleasure or secretly enjoys it, what I’ve done seems a bit like demanding gratitude for a favor..."

"Was it really necessary for you to have me do it?"

["It was necessary."]

The Harmonious God answered decisively, no longer going round in circles, but instead explaining seriously.

["The essence of the Thirst for Blood Syndrome is merely a conflict between the vampire’s will and instinct."]

["When will triumphs over instinct, she can maintain her stability and truly be her own master."]

["But if instinct overpowers will, she will be devoured, losing herself and becoming a puppet of instinct."]

Yes, the truth is just that simple.

The principle of Thirst for Blood Syndrome is that straightforward.

["So here’s the question, guess when will is at its strongest?"]

Without Herbert having to think, Nenasha directly gave the answer.

["It’s at the brink of death~"]

["Only when in a true desperate situation does the will burst forth with its greatest strength."]

The brink of death.

The moment between life and death.

With only a single breath left.

There’s no need for further examples; Eliza was just now a vivid example.

She genuinely demonstrated this truth to Herbert—will trumps instinct, regaining brief clarity.

That moment, the most fragile of life, was also when the will was strongest!

["And what I did was maintain the dazzling brilliance of her will at that moment, to dispel the darkness that eternally entangled her."]

"So that’s how it is."

Herbert finally understood Nenasha’s intentions thoroughly.

Breaking before establishing.

From a deathly position, a rebirth.

This was a battle where outsiders could hardly interfere; Eliza could only rely on her own will to combat the vampiric instinct.

The most they could do was amplify Eliza’s will as much as possible—the rest was up to her.

["By the way, don’t get too pleased; this was just a temporary suppression. To completely subdue her instincts, just one time is definitely not enough."]

Nenasha murmured:

["Your blood is the key; only with your fresh blood as a medium can I exert even a little power."]

["To truly help her, you’ll need to repeat the earlier process many times until your blood permeates every nook and cranny of her body. You’ll have to work hard several more times... hmm?"]

Halfway through speaking, Nenasha suddenly realized and said speechlessly: ["No, this isn’t hard work at all; this is clearly a reward for you!"]

This guy can’t have enough of it!

"Ahem! I warn you, don’t speak recklessly!"

Herbert covered his mouth, coughed a couple of times, and seriously said: "I’ve put in a lot of effort and consumed a lot of energy."

"Besides, I have always stayed away from women."

"Do you understand the Purity Oath? I’m a pure paladin! Don’t project your filthy thoughts onto me."

Because I...

am definitely more "pure" than you can imagine!

...

...

"..."

Eliza’s eyelids fluttered slightly, then slowly opened.

Before she could process what had happened, she saw a pair of laughing eyes very close to her.

"Yo, you’re awake? The surgery was a success; you’ve become a girl!"

Eliza: ?

"...Huh?"

What?

The newly awakened mind was slowly processing, and she suddenly felt a chill.

She looked down and saw the still faintly visible bloody symbols—large "正" characters—on her smooth, fair legs.

Hmm?

What is this!!?