The Sealing Array had ceased to function, the Silence Domain no longer active, yet the Second Region remained plunged into unbearable stillness.
The Sealing Array indeed restrained Fremay, causing her considerable discomfort, but even in continuous operation, it could not kill her.
Thus, compared to fear, her heart was now filled more with anger provoked by being challenged.
And a hint of confusion.
What is his confidence?
By doing this, aside from angering me, what other purpose could there be?
"..."
Fremay gazed at the overly young Paladin, trying to find flaws in him.
From a strength perspective, he was very weak, and one could say he was flawed in every aspect.
Even with her current weakened state, she could easily kill him.
Yet mentally, she found no loopholes.
His soul had a faint layer of protection, guarding him against evil influences and maintaining the purity of his thoughts.
She knew what that was, precisely that damned Purity Protection, preventing her from controlling his consciousness.
But no, it wasn't just that.
Even without that protection, his eyes showed no trace of fear towards her.
"..."
Initially, when they first met, this guy, although he appeared calm on the surface, still had a faint fear in his eyes, merely trailing silently behind that damn old man.
But now... it was as if he had become a different person.
Valentina, that not-so-bright, silly dragon, couldn't see through Herbert's disguise, but Fremay was different.
She was the Legendary Sea Siren, best at manipulating others' emotions, able to keenly detect the transformation within Herbert.
Ignoring the mask of feigned kindness and warmth he wore, she could sense a calm, deceitful, and arrogant soul.
What exactly changed him?
Was it the environment? His experiences?
Or had nothing actually changed at all?
Was all his previous demeanor merely an act for the Archbishop?
Fremay was baffled.
After a long silence, she finally looked at Herbert and slowly spoke: "Mortal, do you know what your recent actions imply?"
"Of course."
Herbert smiled, nodding frankly: "From your perspective, it's no more than provocation, declaration of war, threat... by no means could it be considered friendly behavior."
Fremay frowned: "Then you..."
"But, is there a problem with that?" Herbert interrupted Fremay's question, smiled, and raised an eyebrow as he countered: "Must I be friendly towards you?"
"Miss Fremay, think carefully, even if I didn't do this, would you have goodwill towards me?"
"You would not."
"You are a prisoner, and I am your Prison Warden, no matter what I do, you'll resent the Archbishop and the Monastery that imprison you, and you will certainly resent me as well."
The young man stood with hands contemplatively behind him, looking slightly upwards at the enchantingly beautiful mermaid, speaking softly:
"It was you who hated me first."
"Isn't that so?"
Faced with Herbert's repeated questioning, Fremay fell silent, unable to refute this.
It wasn't only Herbert who was seen through.
She was, too.
Because of her arrogance, she hadn't bothered with much disguise, allowing the other to see right through her inner heart.
In the end, Herbert's tone suddenly shifted, as he said: "But, that being said, I don't want to keep opposing you like this forever; that would be too tiring."
"Instead of all of us wearing fake masks and feigning cordiality here, why don't we be straightforward, showing our true selves?"
Herbert extended his hands to reveal the Holy Mark, smiling as he explained:
"So, this time I have shown you my trump card, although I can control the Sealing Array briefly, due to my current lack of strength, I can't operate it long-term."
"So you need not worry about me tormenting or threatening you with this at any moment."
He candidly disclosed his shortcomings to the prisoner who naturally should hate him.
Handing a knife to the enemy, was it?
No.
Because this knife merely holds symbolic meaning, with little real destructive power.
Rather than covering it up and hiding it away, it's better to boldly display it.
Not only does it declare one's stance, but it also serves as a slight deterrent.
After presenting everything, Herbert couldn't help but sigh:
"After all, if I could never establish a good relationship with such a beautiful lady like you, it would indeed be too regrettable."
Fremay: ?
"After all, you are so good-looking, and your voice is so lovely, I'd still like to chat more with you."
"Let's get along well!"
Fremay: ??
"No, you..."
Fremay raised an eyebrow; this was the second time she heard Herbert's unreserved praise for her.
The first time, she dismissed it as nonsense, but this time—she realized he seemed serious!!?
"Wait! Do you possibly..."
Does he have ulterior motives towards me!?
She instinctively drew her body back into the water sphere, leaving only half her head exposed, staring at Herbert with a peculiar expression.
"Hmm? What's the matter? I've always admired you!"
Herbert seemed slightly startled, tilting his head, and spoke as if nothing was wrong, naturally saying: "Regardless of the fact, beauty is beauty, it doesn't change because of your identity as a Demon."
Three views run alongside five senses?
It's not that complicated.
I'm merely a simple aesthetic enthusiast.
"You, you, you... aren't you afraid of breaking your vows?"
Herbert blinked, slightly confused, tilted his head in puzzlement, and said: "Why would this break vows? Oh, I see what you mean..."
"Miss Fremay, you've misunderstood; my attitude toward you has always been one of pure admiration!"
He shook his head seriously, saying in a righteous tone: "The one whose thoughts are impure, is you!"
Fremay: ???
The Legendary Sea Siren wanted to explain she didn't!
But she faltered for a long while without words, biting her lip slightly, her face a bit red, shrinking in the water while blowing bubbles continuously.
Bubble, bubble.
This guy, he... he's acting strangely!
Why do I feel so happy when he says these things?
But, but he's a Paladin who supposedly doesn't lie, so... does he genuinely think of me that way?
Does he truly find me beautiful!?
The fish tail in the water sphere fluttered rapidly, pushing her body higher, revealing most of her upper body.
Herbert: Eh?
This mermaid, it's true she has high attack and health, but how come she seems like a paper-thin defense?
You can deliberately enchant me with your song, but I'm not allowed to crave you?
Double standards!
Pure double standards!
"Miss Fremay, please explain yourself clearly!"
Bubble, bubble... (I'm not! I didn't!)
.
.
And just when Herbert, relying on his role as the pure-hearted Paladin, was naturally employing a direct approach to win over the mermaid princess.
A cool voice echoed in the darkness of the Third Region.
"Magic power has been drained..."
"Finally, I've awaited this opportunity."