Philia also noticed Herbert's gaze and followed it, somewhat amazed by Herbert's sharpness.
He actually accurately noticed those people... just by their reactions?
Perhaps because she had completely dropped her usual disguise, Philia felt much more relaxed in conversation and asked outright:
"Are you here to retaliate against them?"
"Retaliation? No, the word 'retaliation' is not precise. More accurately, I intend to—seek revenge."
"Revenge..."
Philia furrowed her brows, then relaxed them, shaking her head: "Things might not be that easy."
"About those people's identities, you..."
Philia was about to speak, but Herbert shook his head to stop her: "Shh."
"You don't need to tell me."
Herbert looked at her, smiling: "I won't seek help from anyone, I will find the answer myself."
An unmasked truth.
I don't need your explanation.
Whether you have hardships or not, it's all the same.
Once I find out the truth, I will naturally come to my own conclusion.
Are you a perpetrator promoting the violence? A cold and indifferent observer? Or a forced participant with untold struggles?
Once the truth is fully revealed, I will naturally have a verdict about you too.
"..."
Philia frowned but did not insist on explaining for herself, continued to shake her head and said: "Also, your current status, I'm afraid it will not allow you to just do whatever you want."
"Is there any problem with that? Paladins are not pitiable insects to be bullied."
Herbert smiled calmly, saying lightly: "Eradicating evil and upholding justice, who can say I'm not a paladin?"
"No, precisely because you are a paladin, it will be very troublesome." Philia shook her head, not believing Herbert could easily succeed.
If Herbert were still the second son of the Silver Wing Family, no one would comment on his revenge.
But now Herbert has become a paladin, a change in status will lead to things becoming very delicate.
If a paladin acts against nobles without reason, nobles would be in a state of constant fear.
In this world, how many nobles are truly clean?
Even if oneself is clean, can the forces under you, other subordinate groups, really be clean?
If you use this excuse to kill them, would you use other excuses to eliminate us, the evil ones?
Thus, the Holy Knight Organization has never been welcomed by the nobles.
Not to mention allowing paladins to eradicate evil, many cities even dare not let them enter the inner city noble districts.
But Herbert had foreseen this, asked rhetorically: "Even if some nobles oppose, what can they do?"
"Are you... intending to shake the kingdom's foundations?"
Philia slightly shook her head, realizing Herbert's ambition was probably more than just that: "You must be crazy."
"I'm not crazy, they were never the kingdom's foundation."
"Who does this kingdom truly belong to? The nobles? The royal family? Or... heh."
Herbert stopped at the point in his words and did not continue further, casually saying:
"If I can carry out revenge in the name of justice, while bringing the kingdom a better future, who wouldn't acknowledge me as the model paladin?"
When the results are laid bare, who would have more to say?
Philia was somewhat unable to manage her expressions at this point, furrowed brows deeply, and said in a heavy tone: "...Why tell me so much? Do you think I will help you?"
"Why not?"
Herbert shrugged, indicating her to look at the eyes of others, chuckling: "From an outsider's perspective, aren't we always seen as close friends?"
Looking at others with ambiguous, curious, or resentful looks, Philia suddenly understood something.
"You came to this appointment, it turns out for this..."
"Just part of the reason."
Herbert laughed: "You missed my coming-of-age ball, but as a former close friend, I don't want to miss yours, how about it? Don't you feel more indebted to me?"
Herbert had his coming-of-age ceremony at the monastery.
In the deep night of late September, he was alone, solitary, in the alien race's prison... with a group of Monster Girls celebrated his birthday.
And, just the day after coming of age, he led the massacre against the Dark Elf prison rescuers on the night of the blood moon, using it as his coming-of-age gift.
He came for revenge, with ample preparation.
But paladins are bound by some restrictions, cannot truly slaughter indiscriminately, blood flowing everywhere...
Destruction is easy.
Aftercare is always the hardest part.
Directly attacking the noble groups is an unwise action, only forcing them to unite and ultimately stand together against outside forces.
But there can be a roundabout approach—let the Frost Crystal royal family take action.
By acting in the name of royal family members against the nobles, even if it triggers the nobles' backlash, it would have nothing to do with him, the immaculate paladin.
This is the holy separator!
And Philia, was originally one of the tools Herbert selected, convenient from every aspect.
After detecting her alien race bloodline, Herbert immediately decided—great, it's decided to be you!
Already having leverage to manipulate her, now not only adding one, but also coordinating with his alien race strategies.
"... I won't help you."
"No, you will."
And just as Philia was about to continue arguing, an annoyed voice interrupted their conversation.
"Tch."
Sister Valentina, with a greasy face, frowned and complained: "I say... hic! Cough, how long are you two going to hug? It's endless!"
Philia: ?
She was about to respond, but was stunned upon seeing the scene there.
Empty, empty... the entire table was empty!
???
Just how much did you eat?
At this moment, she suddenly realized something was off, this nun... is not merely a strong warrior.
Even a Legendary Warrior couldn't easily stuff so much food into their stomach.
This person...
Just as Valentina was displeased, the dance music coincidentally ended, and Herbert immediately released Philia's hand without hesitation and walked towards the Hungry Dragon... uh, Satisfied Dragon Miss.
"You sure eat... oh?"
Before he finished his remark, he was hugged by the slightly annoyed Giant Dragon Miss who moved her nose. Read full story at novel⟡fire.net
Ignoring others' gazes, she hugged him tightly!
She buried her head in Herbert's chest, rubbed it hard, seemingly wanting to cover up others' scents with her own.
"You..."
Herbert let her behave freely, sighed helplessly after a while, and said weakly:
"Don't use my clothes to wipe your mouth."