CHAPTER 49: 49 JUST FOR ME (PLEASE FOLLOW READ!)

"You... want me to break out?"

Svanni furrowed her brows tightly, staring at Herbert in confusion.

What are you talking about?

Aren’t you the Prison Warden?

Prisoners don’t want to break out, yet you insist on forcing them to?

"Yes, but also no."

Herbert knew his words would inevitably lead to misunderstandings, shook his head, and proactively explained: "I do want you to respond to them, but I don’t want you to actually escape with them."

"To be more direct, I hope you can betray them and become our inside agent."

The Holy Professional cheerfully extended an invitation to the Dark Elf: "I want to use you to send them false information to entrap them."

It’s what is known as "sting operation."

At that moment, Herbert spoke very bluntly, almost to the point of being harsh.

I want you to help me persecute your family.

To be honest, these words sound really wrong.

It’s not something the righteous would say, more like what a villain without limits would utter.

It seems these two people’s roles have somewhat switched.

Almost as if Svanni is the Knight being tortured by the villain, constantly being enticed and corrupted by Herbert...

"Hmm???"

At this moment, even the most aloof Elf couldn’t hold it together.

Svanni’s face was full of confusion, her brows deeply furrowed as she looked at him in disbelief.

You... uh, me, hmm?

Is this really right?

"You want me to betray them? Why do you do this?" Svanni looked at Herbert, trying to find an answer on his face.

And instead, Herbert directly revealed the answer himself.

"Because I want to help you."

The handsome Paladin looked at the Elf intently, saying resolutely: "And this is an opportunity!"

"I am the Prison Warden, responsible for overseeing all the prisoners of the Third Commandment Hall, but in fact, my task is not simply to watch over you."

"My real duty is actually to educate you."

Herbert’s expression was sincere, his eyes full of genuine affection, and he said softly:

"Suppressing and sealing has never been the goal, merely a helpless means; the Monastery’s real purpose is for you all to ’turn over a new leaf.’"

Herbert spoke with deep emotion, as if a heartbreaker deceiving an innocent girl... but this time, he wasn’t lying!

The truth is, if it’s just about imprisoning prisoners, the Prison Warden’s role is redundant; the Sealing Array is sufficient, and there’s no need for an additional person.

The true function of the Prison Warden is just one—to educate these misguided alien race prisoners.

And now, this was Herbert’s chosen method.

He observed the thoughtful Svanni and, pressing his advantage, added:

"Of course, I understand that you are not inherently evil, but it’s useless for only I to understand; in the eyes of outsiders, you are as evil and dangerous as any of them."

"Cultivators are unreliable, they have long been convinced of your evilness, no one doubts the correctness of this, and no one bothers to investigate."

"But I’m different, I’m merely an outsider, and I haven’t preconceived these as self-evident premises."

At this, Herbert took a step closer to Svanni, narrowing the distance between them, gazing fiercely into her eyes.

"Especially after interacting with you, I am even more convinced of my thoughts—perhaps you are not the vicious prisoners they claim."

Herbert’s words were not lies.

Among the four prisoners he currently interacts with, except for a certain disgraceful Vampire with no redeeming qualities, the other three differed greatly from his imagined evil prisoners.

They may be extremely dangerous, but truly not necessarily evil.

"You can be changed, and should not be subjected to this treatment."

Herbert stepped forward again.

"I want to help you."

Another step.

"Please let me help you!"

By this moment, he was almost right in front of Svanni!

"You..."

Svanni, overwhelmed by his momentum, took a step back, turning her gaze aside awkwardly: "What is it exactly you want?"

Heh.

Seeing her moment of concession, Herbert’s eyes flashed with a brief smirk.

Good, caught.

He no longer pressed further, confidently smiling as he said: "I want to prove it to them!"

"For that, we need to produce results, not just our verbal changes, but tangible actions."

"And they are your results!"

At this point, Svanni finally understood what Herbert wanted to do.

He wants her to deliver proof to the Monastery.

Using their blood to demonstrate her "virtuous corruption."

This method is indeed straightforward and requires no effort on her part; it sounds quite good.

But...

Svanni’s expression was cold, unabashedly countering: "Do you really think I will betray them?"

You think I’d betray just because you ask?

Is it really that simple?

In response, Herbert’s answer was even more direct.

"Why not?"

Svanni: ?

Without any hesitation, Herbert responded matter-of-factly: "Since they have long betrayed you, why can’t you betray them?"

"They couldn’t remember you for centuries, only recalled you when there’s family strife—are they truly well-meaning?"

"Impossible, I’m a noble, I understand this tactic far too well."

He chuckled, shaking his head: "Simply put, they’re just using you as a tool for their struggle, and when you’re no longer valuable, they’ll discard you at will."

In essence, merely a tool to wave the banner.

"Moreover, although you are accustomed to solitude, is this truly a place suitable for your research?"

"Are there enough materials for your research? Even if they are sufficient now, existing materials will eventually be used up, and new ones will be discovered outside... Can you really endure research with no progress?"

First, he appealed to reason, then emotions.

"Moreover, just as you yourself said before, Dark Elf blood flows in your veins, betrayal is not unacceptable for you."

"Since that’s the case, what’s there to hesitate about?"

"Svanni, please help me, give me a chance to help you."

He said:

"Instead of trusting those who never trusted you, never understood your thoughts, always belittled your research, and ignored your ’family’..."

"Why not choose me?"

Herbert smiled at Svanni, then bent down in a bow, gracefully extending his hand to her.

That gesture looked as if he’s inviting a partner to dance at a ball.

"So... do it for me."

"Please betray your family."