He observed the surrounding situation while continuing his conversation with Nenasha:

"Though I yearn for such power, if you were to let me grasp it right now, I would probably refuse."

["Oh? Why?"]

"Because power is the kind of thing that's always a double-edged sword..." Herbert sighed and shook his head slightly.

Power can bestow strength, but it can also bring destruction.

It is like the most lethal poison; once tainted by it, it quietly spreads deep within the soul, slowly eroding one's will.

When a person first tastes the flavor of power, they might only feel the thrill and satisfaction of control.

However, as power gradually increases, it is like the dose of poison continuously growing, causing steadfast beliefs to waver and upright qualities to gradually distort.

The original values are replaced by endless greed for power, and under its corruption, one's will becomes fragile.

Fixated on the benefits that power brings, one might walk toward another extreme.

Other emotions vanish completely, leaving only a mad craving for power.

Within the Divine Kingdom, all the authority these people have comes from the Divine Spirit.

Divine authority granted by the gods.

The Divine Spirit can reclaim its favor at any time, with all matters of life and death firmly in the hands of the Divine Spirit.

It's too dangerous.

Relying on others is never as good as relying on oneself.

Rather than gaining power through others, Herbert hopes to truly possess enough strength himself.

["Oh~ so that's what you think."]

After hearing the boy's explanation, the god asked curiously: ["Even if this power is bestowed by me?"]

"Precisely because it's from you, I can't just comfortably enjoy it."

["Hmm?"]

Herbert smirked slightly, muttering, "I have my pride, you know?"

Nenasha: ?

The Harmonious God paused for a moment, then quickly realized and responded meaningfully: ["Oh—so that's how it is~"]

"Heh."

Herbert snorted, no longer paying attention to the god's teasing tone, refocusing on the task at hand.

They were about to enter the Central Ring area, soon to investigate near the wreckage of the Heroic Spirit Pool.

But before entering the Central Ring, they needed to deal with a roadblock.

A little farther ahead, they would officially encounter a Legendary Heroic Spirit.

Moreover, Herbert couldn't pretend not to notice the opponent.

The opponent stood right on his necessary path, silently announcing his presence.

It was a towering Heavy Knight.

Standing over three meters tall, his pitch-black armor was riddled with scars, a battered helmet veiling his face, revealing only a single eye that gleamed like a ghostly flame within the armor.

The Heavy Knight Heroic Spirit stood with a spear in hand, exuding a silent yet overwhelming pressure.

That pressure was almost tangible, slowly spreading in the mist like ripples on a tranquil lake.

In the mist, the pressure shone like a blazing torch, cutting through the layers of mist, in its unique way proving its existence to Herbert.

Silently announcing—"I'm here, please take a detour!"

"Please do not pass through here."

Though the knight also revered Herbert's "Angel" status, his attitude remained dignified yet humble.

"..."

Herbert squinted, sensing the danger emanating from the opponent.

The Legendary Power was likely far stronger than the currently weakened state of Sofia.

If it came to a head-to-head clash, they would undoubtedly face defeat.

["What are you going to do?"]

Logically, the best course of action now would be to avoid unnecessary trouble, bypassing the opponent and choosing another route to enter the Central Ring.

After all, this exploration isn't intended for real combat.

But Herbert could not choose this method.

It did not align with his current "persona."

How could an angel detour because of a Legendary Heroic Spirit?

That would be a joke, right?

Yet he could not reveal himself.

Nor could he let Sofia speak proactively—it would expose that Sofia had lost her memory.

No matter what happens, one must always remember one principle: the more you talk, the more likely you are to make mistakes; saying nothing is not necessarily correct, but it's also not wrong.

What if Sofia had known this Heavy Knight Heroic Spirit before?

Opening his mouth would inevitably reveal much.

So, after much consideration, there was really only one choice.

He chose to charge through directly.

Herbert led Sofia without dodging, completely ignoring the opponent, proceeding forward grandly as if to trample over his head.

If you won't let me pass, will you?

Fine, then I must pass here!

...

"Phew..."

The Heavy Knight Heroic Spirit was initially uncertain, but seeing Herbert steadily advancing, felt relieved, realizing that Herbert had indeed noticed him.

"Which lord is this angel, after all?"

After the Divine Kingdom shattered, the Heavy Knight Heroic Spirit had experienced some memory turmoil, forgetting many things.

Even if he hadn't forgotten the past, he wouldn't dare to ascertain the true identity of that Blood-winged Angel.

All of them had undergone changes, and surely that angel had not been exempt, becoming different from the past.

Furthermore, the aura emanating from the opponent was instinctively fearsome, as if witnessing a sea of corpses and blood, involuntarily reminding him of the day the Divine Kingdom shattered.

This feeling made him extremely uneasy.

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