Diary of Guarding Monster Girls-Chapter 457 - 292 "Identity" (4.2K)_2

Small-scale infighting is one thing, but such large-scale plundering — I estimate the Slave Merchant League won’t let it slide easily.

"Don’t worry, you don’t need to concern yourselves with this. Let me handle this risk."

"Besides, just like Waro said... we can’t let you hog all the spotlight."

Herbert motioned for the others to get up and first retrieve the equipment hidden beneath the prison cart.

Herbert waved casually, smiled mischievously, and said, "Besides, if they want to cause trouble in the future, let them."

To seek revenge, you first need to find me.

So, are you planning to go to the Frost Crystal? Or to the Mist Monastery?

Or Elda?

I truly look forward to their revenge.

"Additionally, take these Gold Coins; you’ll find them useful."

Herbert magically produced a Storage Bag and casually tossed it to Fao.

"I know you may have taken the ’Poverty Oath,’ leaving you without overnight wealth, but this money isn’t for you. It’s for distribution among them."

"Use this money to smooth over any troubles along the way, and then allocate some to each person for settling down."

"This money was collected from those slave merchants; it belonged to them anyway."

"Finally, if there’s any left, remember not to pocket it privately."

Of course, this last sentence was a joke; Herbert wasn’t worried they’d take the money without doing their work.

It’s not that Herbert would be petty; these people wouldn’t break their oaths.

Many times, the title of Paladin doesn’t necessarily provide assistance, but the oath they took restrains their actions.

In a past life, such self-restraint was merely a personal spiritual pursuit.

But in this world, self-restraint brings power. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Fao laughed after hearing the tease, feeling much more relaxed, and bowed lightly to Herbert: "...Understood, we’ll follow your instructions."

Herbert nodded, turned, and left, waving as he walked away: "Go, do what you think is right."

He left.

He took the other cultivators to the Dark Territory to continue the monastery’s tasks.

But Fao and the others chose to stay.

They wanted to lead these unfortunate people away from this nightmare, guiding them towards a new life—a rebirth filled with freedom and dignity.

Moments later, when the other figures had completely disappeared, Fao and his few companions exchanged silent glances, then broke into laughter.

"You didn’t expect us to stay behind to accompany you, huh?"

(Gesturing)

"Don’t worry, together we can definitely accomplish this."

"Let’s not delay; start explaining the situation to them."

"Haha..."

Perhaps one day in the future, they might regret the decisions they made today.

But not now.

At least at this moment, there’s not an ounce of regret in their hearts.

They looked around and found the slaves had unknowingly relaxed and gathered around them.

These people weren’t here to besiege Fao, but simply wanted to be closer to them.

Having witnessed Herbert and Fao’s entire conversation, they understood these people were their hope for rescue.

Especially the youth with pure white hair, who inspired both reverence and awe in them.

Respect, because the youth seemed to be their leader, dealing with those filthy slave traders!

Fear, because of the might of the youth.

A single word made hundreds kneel — this power was incomprehensible, an almost terrifying thing for them.

In the hopeful eyes of many, Fao stepped forward and said gently, "Everyone, please don’t be afraid. We’ll definitely send you home."

Home.

A word causing a slight change in slaves’ expressions.

Whether or not they had a home to return to, the act of ’going home’ itself carried strong emotional impact.

"Sir, you really... Ouch!"

A child squeezed to the front, intending to ask a question but stumbled and fell.

"Please don’t call me ’Sir.’

Fao half-knelt before the child, lifting him up and shaking his head: "I’m called Fao, just an ordinary Paladin."

The child finally reached the front, but appeared timid, lowering his head and whispering softly: "Thank you."

Fao shook his head again, speaking to the child and all the other slaves: "You shouldn’t thank me; you should thank His Excellency, for he saved you."

If not for Herbert’s plan, they wouldn’t have played the roles of slaves, wouldn’t have met these people, and certainly wouldn’t have wiped out the slave merchants.

These people were rescued; at the root of it, it’s Herbert’s credit.

The slaves looked at each other, momentarily silent.

After a while, a slave who once tried forcibly to subdue Herbert raised his hand, sincerely asking: "Sir, could you tell us the name of His Excellency?"

This wasn’t just his question; many slaves silently nodded,

They wanted to know a name.

Who exactly saved them.

Benevolent one.

The youth who arrived like a deity then left gracefully, what was his identity?

Who was he?

Fao and his companions hesitated over this question.

"Well..."

Since Herbert hadn’t left his name, did he not want his identity revealed?

Would revealing it without permission cause trouble for Herbert?

"...Alright, I’ll tell you."

Fao frowned in indecision for a while and finally decided to share a name.

He showed a compassionate and merciful smile to these unfortunate slaves and gently uttered the name.

"Herbert."

"His Excellency’s name is Herbert, a truly kind gentleman."

He cautiously avoided mentioning Herbert’s surname, sensing that the gentleman seemed not fond of his family’s name.

"As for his identity..."

Fao’s gaze fell on the ring Herbert gave him, which bore his private seal—a white dove soaring.

"[White Dove]."

His eyes filled with pride and determination as he proclaimed: "Bringing rescue to the unfortunate ones... the White Dove!"

"The White Dove will show the world through its actions that no one is bound within a cage!"

...

...

Herbert didn’t know Fao secretly used ’White Dove’ as his title.

If he did, he would prepare something much cooler.

Like—Great Sage, Wheel-Turning King, Great Western King... now that’s cool.

White Dove?

Tsk, that’s just not right.

"Hmm?"

When Herbert returned to the tavern with the other cultivators, the place was utterly tranquil.

To be precise, the tavern was completely gone, leveled by some force.

In its place was a blooming vibrant flower bed.

It was a scarlet bed nourished by flesh and watered with blood.

And at the heart of the flowers, a girl wearing a black veil calmly sat hugging her knees, emitting a stifling scent.

"This is!?"

The cultivators stared tensely at the terrifying figure, readying their weapons for battle, but Herbert stopped them before they acted.

"You all leave, I’ll handle this. Try to track Cyril, I’ll catch up later."

They hesitated slightly, but with previous fear still lingering, chose to trust this time, nodded, then quickly bypassed the flower bed entering the Dark Territory.

"...Understood."

After those unrelated left, Herbert stepped into the flowers, approaching the ’dangerous entity’ step by step.

What scarlet flower bed, what terrifying Vampire Prince—images in others’ eyes.

But in Herbert’s view...

Eliza peacefully hugged her knees, sitting amongst the tavern’s ruins, gazing thoughtfully at the canopy overhead.

It seemed she had vented so much she reached ’Sage Mode.’

Hence, Herbert walked up to her, grinning, and asked, "Had your fun?"

"Hmm?"

Eliza blinked and nodded: "Hmm... Yes."

The long-missed reckless venting was very intoxicating.

And just as Eliza was about to stand, Herbert suddenly said.

"Since you had your fun, hand over the money then."

"Hmm... Hmm?"

Eliza: ???

Hand over the money?

What money am I supposed to hand over?