CHAPTER 97: 97 "EFFORT" (3/3)

"Your Highness..."

Blake stared at Herbert’s upright back, momentarily lost in thought.

Herbert had changed.

Although there was already a vague feeling during their last meeting that Herbert was not quite the same as in his memory.

But as a household servant who had watched him grow up, Blake’s heart still leaned towards the idea that it was the unfamiliarity after being apart for many days and the guise after experiencing changes.

But now, Blake could finally be absolutely certain—Herbert really had changed.

It wasn’t just the outward display, but a true change from the inside out.

He had grown stronger than before, his character had become more resilient, and even more cold-hearted than before.

In the past, Blake always felt that Herbert, whether in personality or way of handling things, resembled the late lady more.

But now, he strongly sensed the shadow of the Patriarch from Herbert.

Cold and sharp, like wings made of metal, it was both magnificent and filled with danger.

Additionally, what had he just heard?

Did His Highness mean he intended to return to the Royal City!?

Blake quickly caught up with Herbert, not daring to walk beside him, but fell back a step, lowering his head and quietly asked:

"Your Highness! Do you mean... you’re planning to go back and seek justice?"

Had His Highness truly thought it through and decided to go back to redeem himself!?

Back when the incident occurred, Blake wasn’t in the Royal City, he was sent out on a mission, and by the time he returned everything had concluded, and Herbert had already gone alone to the Monastery, unable to visit.

He didn’t know exactly what happened, nor what Herbert had gone through.

But to be honest, he was somewhat regretful and even a bit frustrated with Herbert’s actions.

Hiding in the Monastery, becoming a Holy Professional was too unlike a man...

Thinking of this, Blake blinked and closed his mouth silently.

He had wronged His Highness.

Herbert was not timid; he had chosen to temporarily endure and wait for the right moment to retaliate.

"What? Is this surprising? Did they think I would stay here forever?"

Herbert’s lips slightly twitched, looking at Blake’s evasive eyes, he said playfully:

"They think I would hide here forever as a devout Holy Professional, trembling at the thought of past experiences, not daring to step back into the Royal City?"

"Isn’t that underestimating me a bit?"

"How fragile do they think I am in their eyes?"

Herbert shook his head, feeling somewhat speechless.

That’s underestimating him a bit too much.

Let alone now, when he had awakened memories of two lifetimes, even in this life’s innocent youth, he never forgot all he had endured.

Not everyone could endure the punishment of the Kingdom’s prison.

Not to mention, when Herbert first awakened his previous life’s memories, he listed several essential future tasks.

Foremost among them was dealing with the person behind the scenes and explaining it to himself.

If he couldn’t solve the problem smoothly, then deal with the person causing trouble—no matter who that might be.

"So... when do you plan to return?"

After receiving Herbert’s affirmative response, Blake became thoroughly excited.

With Herbert’s current strength, he believed His Highness could easily sweep away those pampered nobility upon returning.

He wished he could immediately take Herbert back to the Royal City!

However, compared to Blake’s excitement, Herbert seemed extremely calm, even somewhat indifferent.

"There’s no rush for this matter."

He looked ahead, eyes calm, and said faintly, "In two months, we’ll deal with it when we attend the banquet."

Dumped with a bucket of cold water, Blake’s eyes widened, and he quickly said, "Two months!? Your Highness, won’t you reconsider?"

Two months were enough for many changes to occur, and he feared the situation when Herbert returned to the Royal City would become even more complicated.

"If I’m not in a hurry, why are you?"

Herbert gave Blake a strange look, shook his head somewhat regretfully, and said:

"Blake, let me tell you, rather than worry about me, you should focus more on your own strength."

"When I was small, you were a High Tier warrior, but now that I’ve grown, why haven’t you reached Legendary? Have you not been working hard?"

Blake: ?

No, Your Highness, why are you talking about me now!?

He wanted to explain, but Herbert raised his hand to interrupt, criticizing:

"You used to say that raising strength was difficult, but I’ve experienced it now, and it wasn’t as hard as you said!"

"Were you lying to me before?"

Blake: ???

The burly warrior never felt so wronged or wanted to cry.

He couldn’t utter a single word of explanation.

How to explain?

So Herbert caught up to him in just a month after his thirty-odd years of effort.

How to explain this!?

It’s like comparing goods—those that aren’t any good are discarded, comparing people—those less worthy die.

Encountering such a naturally gifted His Highness, he decided to quietly shut his mouth.

Seeing Blake was successfully subdued, Herbert chuckled inwardly, patted his shoulder, and encouraged:

"Alright, don’t be discouraged, just work harder in the future."

"By the way, take this rare opportunity, don’t go back right away, stay in the Monastery and learn more from the Knight Order, they will give you attentive guidance on my behalf."

Don’t worry.

The dear brothers in the Knight Order will definitely be ve~ry~ attentive.

Blake wanted to say something but ultimately hung his head, too ashamed and too embarrassed to retreat, covering his face.

"Understood..."

At this point, besides accepting it, what else could he say?

Sigh!

Blake lifted his head towards the sky at a 45-degree angle, stopping the tears from falling.

At this moment, even the fierce man couldn’t help but self-question in confusion: "Was I really not working hard enough?"

.

.

Blake’s effort or lack thereof, Herbert didn’t know.

But as for himself, he was quite diligent.

Very loyal to his desires and willing to put in great effort.

When he had a new desire, he would try very hard, resorting to every possible means to accomplish it.

He could search the entire internet to find the source of a vague image.

He could also do what he’s doing now...

"Valentina, can’t you just listen once?"

"Hmph!"

(munch munch munch)

"Since you’ve already seen it, don’t be so stingy!"

"Hmph."

(munch munch munch)

At this moment, the Prison Warden, who should have been outside the cage, found himself inside it, stubbornly sticking by the prisoner’s side.

"Just agree to it!"

Having endured annoyance for a good while without reaction, Valentina finally erupted after finishing her food, angrily said:

"Who wants you touching my tail! Get off—mmph."

A skewer was shoved into her mouth, silencing all her anger, even her eyes looked clearer.

"Hmph..."

(munch munch munch)

She looked at the pile of skewers in Herbert’s hand, hesitating.

Finally, her attitude softened.

Holding a skewer, she turned away, mumbling:

"Hmph... just this once."

Herbert nodded earnestly, patting his chest in promise: "Mm mm mm! I’ll definitely touch it just once!"

This time, I’ll only touch the tail once.

As for next time...

We’ll talk next time!