Diary of Guarding Monster Girls-Chapter 455 - 291 Selfishness and Selflessness (4K, Extra 93)_2
He conversed internally with Nenasha for half a day, but outside, only a few seconds had passed, still maintaining a god-like demeanor.
However, Herbert’s transcendent state didn’t last long.
"...Your Excellency."
Waro scratched his bald head and awkwardly smiled at Herbert: "Hehe, you came over, huh."
The commotion Herbert caused earlier was significant, confirming that there was a change in the plan.
The situation being what it is, exposure had already occurred, and there was no longer any need for the other cultivators to keep pretending.
Crack! Crack!
In the confused gaze of the other slaves, they broke the bars of the cages and voluntarily stepped out.
"Your Excellency."
"Your Excellency, we..."
Lowering their heads, they walked up to Herbert, faces full of shame and unwillingness.
"We failed."
Yes, they had failed.
The group hadn’t officially entered the Dark Territory yet, but their identities had already been exposed.
Such a failure.
One cultivator bit his lip in frustration, wanting to argue a bit for himself and the others, helplessly saying: "We disguised well, it was Cyril who..."
He tried to explain the previous accident, but beside him, Fao held his arm and gently shook his head.
"Don’t say more."
"Uh...yes."
Fao stepped forward, knelt down in front of Herbert.
With his head bowed deeply, he whispered full of shame: "Your Excellency, we failed to meet your expectations, couldn’t keep our identities hidden."
The others reacted and also knelt down before Herbert.
Yes, now there was no point in shifting the blame.
No matter what reason, failure was failure, there was no other explanation.
Herbert silently scanned the faces of everyone, nodded.
"I understand."
He didn’t blame them for the failure, nor did he ask for details, he simply said in a soft voice: "You all are unharmed, that’s good."
"Although the task is important, your safety has always been of greater importance."
"Your ability to adapt is commendable."
After offering a few words of encouragement, Herbert gently patted Fao’s shoulder and asked lightly: "By the way, where’s Cyril?"
Herbert had changed his plan because of Cyril’s "signal," but upon returning, the protagonist of the "signal by smashing cup" act was nowhere to be seen.
You’ve started the fight, but now that it’s over, where the hell are you?
"Cyril he... uh."
At this mention, Fao’s expression became complex, his lips twitched and he couldn’t find the words to explain.
Waro stepped in, awkwardly saying: "Your Excellency, Cyril he... seems to have rushed alone into the Dark Territory."
After going berserk, Cyril smashed open each of the cages holding slaves, then headed straight to the commercial path leading to the Dark Territory without looking back.
"Oh, hmm?"
Herbert blinked and shook his head amusedly: "Well, he’s quite in a rush."
No need to guess, it’s surely just youthful pride acting up, wanting to make up for a grave mistake by achieving a great feat.
Understandable his thoughts and motives might be, but as a companion, one really ought to get mad at him.
This time, however, Herbert need not give commentary, for the others had their own conclusions in mind.
Herbert nodded and said calmly: "The Dark Territory is dangerous and he’s alone, we must leave immediately to prevent any harm from coming to him."
"As for disguises... It’s temporarily exposed, but that’s fine, not a big problem, we can re-disguise once inside."
The cultivators, seeing Herbert hadn’t intended to blame them, finally relaxed, letting out silent sighs of relief.
But just as they thought everything had settled, Herbert looked over to another side and gently said:
"Then, what about them?"
Herbert looked at the uneasy slaves around, asking the cultivators.
These slaves had been completely disoriented by the series of events, unable to understand the situation and now kneeling uneasily on the ground, not daring to rise, fearing they might be misunderstood.
"What do you think, how should they be handled?"
"All the slave merchants have been dealt with by me, but what to do with these unfortunate innocents?"
The cultivators fell into silence.
They realized the problem.
To catch up with Cyril, they must depart immediately, rendering them unable to settle these hundreds of people, leaving them to fend for themselves in this perilous forest.
The reverse is also true.
This situation wasn’t without solutions, but it required someone to voluntarily stay back.
And once staying, they’d undoubtedly miss out on the precious opportunity for this training.
For the moment, no one stepped forward.
"..."
This opportunity was hard to come by, no one willingly wanted to give it up.
It’s human nature to have self-interest, even cultivators who focus on self-discipline are no exception.
Herbert didn’t urge them, not even glancing at any of them, giving no hints or encouragement.
He didn’t need to arrange it, nor could it be determined by him.
It must be a choice made by themselves.
"...Hoo."
After several moments of silence, Fao exhaled heavily, slowly rising, nodded slightly at Herbert.
His gaze calm, with no trace of reluctance, he respectfully said: "Your Excellency, let me stay, I’ll see to their proper arrangement."
Herbert finally turned his head, unsurprised at seeing this Paladin, gently nodding as he softly spoke his name.
"Fao."
A rare existence even among paladins.
Loyalty, courage, fearlessness, humility... those rare qualities reflected in full measure.
Though reluctant to abandon power, Fao ultimately chose mercy.
To show mercy to these pitiable despoiled ones, choosing to bring them home.
"Alright, I’ll leave these people to you."
Herbert, not obstructing because he favored Fao, respected Fao’s decision.
"Then the rest, with me..."
"Your Excellency, wait, let us join as well." Waro interrupted Herbert’s words and also stood.
Standing beside him were the "silent" Zar and the two twin nuns.
"You guys..."
Fao turned sharply with a stammer: "You, uh, don’t have to do this, I can handle it alone..."
"Haha! Who said this is for you?"
The tall martial monk laughed playfully, wrapping an arm around the silent ascetic, winking at Fao: "Well, can’t let you hog all the spotlight, right?"
"Moreover, we’re a team, missing you wouldn’t do."
After speaking, the four bowed before Herbert, demonstrating their stance through action.
As a team, they chose to stand or fall with Fao.
Fao, after pressing his lips firmly, ceased persuasion, joining them in bowing.
Herbert couldn’t help but shake his head and smile at this five-man squad.
"You all, hehe... Haha!"
Really.
Are you acting out an idol drama here?
It’s truly... Quite touching.
Herbert nodded in reflection, smiling as he asked: "You all made your decision? No regrets?"
"Hmm, no regrets."
Fao rose up smiling, eyes devoid of hesitation, softly spoke:
"If I can’t protect the weak, then I wouldn’t have chosen to become a paladin in the first place."
"He’s right, we feel the same," the other four also nodded candidly.
Scanning each face, Herbert nodded approvingly, softly saying: "Very well, remember your choice at this moment." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚
Among the other cultivators, some originally intended to stay behind but were a step late; with numbers sufficient, they remained silent.
Herbert didn’t criticize the choices of others, everyone has the right to choose selfishness.
And those who can choose selflessness are truly admirable.
"Oh, right, take this."
Herbert took a ring from his finger, lightly tossed it to Fao.
???
Fao hadn’t paid much attention at first, but saw clearly what he had caught and awakened completely, staring wide-eyed in confusion.
Eh?
Ring!!?
"Sir, Sir, this is!!?"
For a moment, the paladin ever true to his heart fell into panic.
What did you mean by this?
Lord Herbert!!?
"This, I, I cannot accept this!"
