CHAPTER 55: 55 COMPROMISE (SEEKING FOLLOW-UP!)

"Malcolm!"

"You despicable noble!"

"I knew I couldn’t trust your promise!!!"

The Thorn Bishop’s roar was sorrowful, filled with raging anger and a melancholic grievance that could break the listener’s heart, like a man who almost caught his wife leaving with a yellow-haired scoundrel.

It was utterly pitiful and miserable.

The Thorn Bishop was furious!

I was truly foolish.

Truly.

How could I have believed the nonsense of this damned noble, truly thinking he wouldn’t secretly come to poach my people.

Damn it, are you trying to undermine me?

His robust figure completely hid Herbert behind him, shielding him like a protective parent from the greedy eyes of his rival.

"Hah, you do come quickly..."

The Rusted Nail Bishop, seeing his colleague appear, knew that nothing could be accomplished today and coldly snorted, saying, "You shouldn’t cause such a scene here."

"I’m causing a scene, am I?"

The Thorn Bishop was so infuriated that he laughed, his eyes rolling continuously, though unfortunately all were hidden by his headpiece, rendering his menacing glare useless.

"I know what you’re trying to do; you just want Herbert to join your Knight Order, right? Dream on! I will never agree!"

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

The Knight Commander said calmly, "You know well he does not belong in the Judgement Hall. Keeping him in the Third Commandment Hall only wastes his talent; you’re breaking the commandment."

You’re committing a crime!

"I’m breaking the commandment? Fine!"

The Chief Judge was so infuriated that he laughed, repeatedly nodding and gritting his teeth as he said, "I’m done arguing with you noble scum. Let’s go find His Excellency the Archbishop directly! Let him be the judge!"

"See how His Excellency will deny you!"

With that, he kicked open the large door that was barely holding on after being knocked by him, and swiftly returned to the Monastery along the original route.

"Hmph, a guy with only muscles in his head... How could His Excellency the Archbishop care about this matter?"

The Rusted Nail Bishop snorted, then turned to look at the people on the training ground, whispering sinisterly, "What are you laughing at? What’s so funny?"

Ick!!!

In an instant, the smiles on everyone’s faces vanished, each one focusing straight ahead, starting their training with enthusiasm.

The movements were even more precise than before, the expressions even more serious than before!

Swish swish swish!

Thud thud thud!

Boom boom boom!

Some stabbed, some kicked, and those beaten... hey, be careful, don’t actually kill him!

The Rusted Nail Bishop observed their performance, snorted angrily, then melded into the shadow beneath him, disappearing in a moment.

"..."

Herbert blinked, looked at the shadow beneath his feet, then at the others who were already practicing seriously around him.

Nothing happened.

He scratched his head, feeling a bit lost.

"What, I’m... I’m not on board yet!"

Aren’t you fighting over me?

Why leave the main character behind like this?

.

.

"What are you two doing?"

Before the Sealing Sanctuary, a figure in a red robe wielding a sword stood in the doorway, stopping the two Bishops trying to enter the Sanctuary in search of the Archbishop.

The wide red robe concealed any physical features, and only from some subtle curves could one discern the figure’s female identity.

Her face was completely obscured in the shadow of her hood, with no skin exposed.

And she was the third Cardinal of the Mist Monastery, known as the Ashen Bishop, the "Guardian."

"Do you two know what you’re doing?"

The Ashen Bishop’s voice was extremely gentle, her tone even sounding somewhat kind and amiable.

But in the ears of the two Bishops, it was as terrifying as wails from Hell.

"Guardian."

"Your Excellency..."

The two, who had been quite fired up, now seemed especially obedient, respectfully lowering their heads.

This is bad!

They couldn’t help but bow their heads.

This existence was far more mysterious than the two of them, having been stationed in the Mist Monastery for centuries.

There were even rumors that she was someone from the same era as the Archbishop!

You could say she watched these two Bishops grow step by step from a fallen noble and an impoverished Martial Monk.

It’s a feeling like when you bump into the head teacher at work, leaving your mind trembling slightly.

"I am not surprised you two are arguing, but you must be mindful of the occasion and your status."

The Ashen Bishop’s emotions did not fluctuate, remaining gentle like water, as if advising two children who still hadn’t grown up:

"This is the Sealing Sanctuary, the most important place in the entire Monastery. Do you not remember the rule that no more than two people can enter at once?"

"The power of the Desecrated Prayer Statue has been very active lately, so the Archbishop called me here to guard as well. If you have any matters, I can relay them for you."

The judge’s mouth moved a bit, awkwardly coughing twice and speaking quietly, "Uh, we have nothing to ask about, nothing..."

"Hmm?"

The Ashen Bishop slightly lifted her head, looking at the sturdy man who was taller than her even when bowing, and asked calmly, "Then, why are you two here?"

!!?

A tremble of dread!

The Chief Judge immediately realized something was wrong, but fortunately, the Knight Commander took over the conversation and respectfully said, "Your Excellency, the situation is like this..."

He did not exaggerate, quickly recounting the whole matter completely.

This included Herbert’s request for "fresh air" and also his own demands, laying everything out without reservation.

"Your Excellency, we must not waste his talent."

The Ashen Bishop nodded after listening, and after confirming that the Chief Judge had no further additions, she entered behind the door.

After a moment, she reappeared before the two of them, announcing:

"The Archbishop has given a response."

"Herbert can join the Knight Order, but it should not affect his work in the Third Commandment Hall."

"He will belong to both the Judgement Hall and the Knight Order."

The Rusted Nail Bishop’s eyes lit up, respectfully lowering his head.

He actually had anticipated this result long ago, and it was exactly what he hoped for.

On the other side, the Thorn Bishop’s expression was much more complex; there were many arguments he wished to voice, but ultimately, he said nothing and also lowered his head.

With the matter at this stage, he could only compromise.

The Ashen Bishop looked at the two and nodded, then continued:

"Additionally, regarding the matter Herbert mentioned about the good behavior of the heretics... the Archbishop also agrees with giving certain rewards."

"However, going out temporarily is not an option, the risks are too great."

"But their range of activity within the local prison can be expanded."

.

.

Upon waking, there was only darkness.

"No, you can’t kill me!!!"

A frail, hysterical voice sounded very close by, startling Herbert, who was still feeling dazed.

Herbert wanted to find out who was screaming, but quickly realized the voice was coming from his own mouth.

It was him, pleading desperately, trying to escape from the terrifying presence pursuing him from behind.

Am I the victim this time?

As Herbert was pondering, "he" issued another pitiful wail:

"I am your father, after all!"

"He" growled with resentment and fear, shouting out that name—

"Eliza!!!"