In Herbert's view, the opponent's methods were exceedingly crude, ridden with arrogance, clear for anyone to see.
Who was plotting behind the scenes? Did the Princess know about it? Was anyone in the Albert Family involved?
Herbert had no doubt that once he returned to the Royal Capital, these questions could definitely be answered through clues.
Because the other side seemed utterly uninterested in hiding their tracks.
But... why go back?
Herbert felt no urgency to return and unmask the culprit to clear his name.
Things that once were extremely important to a naive young man meant nothing to him now.
He didn't care.
Having arrived in an Extraordinary World filled with magic and divine spirits, should he really still be entangled in the melodramatic family ethics dramas of the Kingdom's nobility?
That would be... too unbecoming, surely.
The classic revenge plots favored by old folks aren't as complex as the honor duels of Western stories.
Train, grow stronger, then return to slap everyone involved in the face with a resounding smack, and all problems would be solved.
It's as simple as that.
In this world, nothing can't be solved with a good beatdown.
If one isn't enough, then two.
Still not enough, then beat them until it is.
If you act crudely and half-heartedly, then I'll be more brutal and arrogant than you.
The Mist Monastery, with a history spanning over a thousand years, is the oldest monastery on the Southern Continent, preserving a comprehensive Paladin heritage.
On ordinary days, not just anyone is qualified to come here, let alone become one of them.
Since Herbert had come here, he wouldn't miss this precious opportunity, determined to acquire this inheritance.
"However, talking is one thing; actually obtaining the inheritance... might not be so easy."
Perhaps to make the noble disciples retreat or maybe due to someone meddling, the monastery high-ups assigned Herbert a particularly tricky task—reforming prisoners.
The Mist Monastery holds a special status and does not imprison ordinary human heretics. The prisoners deserving to be held here are all extremely dangerous powerhouses of the alien races!
From Sea Sirens that have destroyed several seaports, to Giant Dragons that have demolished towns, to Fallen Elves that have massacred thousands, to Demons that have incited slave rebellions, to Devils that have plotted royal family bloodbaths... each one is a rare and talented being.
For these beings, ordinary torture is meaningless. Only the passing of time can erode their will, which is why the position of Prison Warden remained vacant until Herbert's arrival.
Herbert, led by the Archbishop himself, had a preliminary inspection yesterday and got a vague sense of the prisoners.
Their temperaments varied; most ignored his presence, while some were willing to communicate but in a casual and indifferent manner, as if they were simply killing time.
A few prisoners expressed their "enthusiasm" for his long-awaited role as the Prison Warden, flaunting their aggressive language to the fullest extent.
Reflecting on yesterday's events, Herbert couldn't help but sigh. Relying on reforming this bunch to obtain the inheritance would indeed be a Herculean task.
"Hey! Kid, are you done sighing over there? Haven't you had enough?"
A mocking voice sounded from behind, as an evil presence from the cages freely ridiculed Herbert's weakness.
"It's only been one day, and you're already scared? Are you going to go home crying for your mommy? Ahahahaha!"
"If you're scared, just get the ** out of here!"
In all fairness, the woman's voice wasn't unpleasant, quite the opposite. It was husky, magnetic, and held a unique charm.
But the vulgar interjections used as punctuation spoiled any beauty, rendering her words excessively jarring.
Herbert smirked, turning back to observe the tall woman whose face was hidden by a tangle of wild red hair, though she resembled a vagabond you'd randomly find refreshed on some West Street, it was merely a disguise.
Her true identity was, in fact, the evil Giant Dragon that had destroyed four cities with Dragon Breath and was ultimately subdued personally by the Mist Archbishop!
[Furious], [Ashen Calamity], [Demon Flame] — Valentina Demon Flame
Seeing that Herbert didn't flee, and even dared to return her gaze, Valentina seemed intrigued, grinning and whistling at him.
"Hey kid, have you reconsidered my earlier suggestion?"
"Let me out, and not only will I not kill you, but I'll help you seek justice, how about it? Hehe, I'll kill every last one of them! All of them!"
The lava-like red eyes of Valentina glowed, the vertical pupils burning with murderous intent that chilled even the soul.
She continuously used inflammatory language to stir Herbert's wrath, trying to provoke memories of the humiliation he had faced during those days.
"Kill everyone who deceived and humiliated you!"
"After all, you don't want to stay in this dark place forever, do you?"
Herbert remained silent throughout, occasionally bowing his head in thought, seemingly moved.
Just when Valentina thought Herbert had been won over, he suddenly quipped,
"You know, aren't you feeling kind of hungry?"
"Hmm?"
The dragon lady was taken aback for a moment, then quickly came around, sneering with contempt, mocking,
"What, trying to tempt me with food? Hehe, do you think I'd care about something like that?"
Is that all?
You think you can tempt me with that?
Who would fall for such temptation!
Who do you think you're underestimating!
But Herbert instead laughed at this point, replying earnestly, "No, I was just trying to tell you that I'm going to have a hot meal."
"Hmm??"
Then, not giving Valentina a chance to speak further, Herbert strode out carrying a lantern, muttering as he went,
"Steamed bear paw, steamed deer tail, roast duck, roast chicken, roast goose..."
"Hmm???"
Realizing she had been played, Valentina erupted in fury, yelling after Herbert's retreating figure.
"You! What the ** do you mean! You ** get back here——"
The prison door appeared out of nowhere at the turn, and Herbert walked straight through it.
Bang!
The massive door closed, instantly cutting off all sound and presence inside.
Herbert staggered a bit, exhaling a long breath, shaking his head with some difficulty.
He was undaunted by the dragon lady's attitude, having seen it often in past jobs, it was almost a nostalgic kind of fondness.
However, the aura she exuded was indeed hard to bear.
"Tsk... so this is the Dragon's Might, huh? Truly outrageous."
Yesterday with the Archbishop's protection, Herbert felt nothing, but today was different, calling that experience thrilling is an understatement.
Even though Valentina's power was heavily sealed, the aura she exhibited remained terrifying, and mere conversation with her was suffocating to Herbert.
It took him quite a while to adjust before he could barely manage to speak, any longer and he might truly slip up.
Herbert shook his head, feeling a growing heaviness about the task ahead.
Bear in mind, Valentina was positioned at the outermost area, the least threatening among the alien prisoners, who knows how frightening those deeper within could be.
So, how does one go about reforming such dangerous creatures?
Enlighten them with emotion, move them with reason?
Entice with power, motivate with profit?
Coerce with force, enlighten with true feelings?
Hiss...
All the methods he could think of seem unreliable.