Herbert smiled at Fremay, signaling her to stay calm: "Don't worry, it's not because of you that I refused her."

This wasn't an excuse to reassure Fremay but the truth.

The reason Herbert refused Sofia was definitely not because Fremay was present.

If he really wanted to do it, even Fremay couldn't stop Herbert.

And the reason for refusing such a beneficial matter without harm was only one—he had a better plan.

"..."

And when Sofia was sure that Herbert really didn't intend to acknowledge himself as her master, her head drooped in disappointment, feeling as though her whole life had lost its light.

She felt like she was falling into darkness, and everything around her began to turn cold.

Sofia felt as if she was about to disappear.

And this… was not merely an illusion.

In such disappointment, her soul core also began to dim gradually.

Heroic Spirits, as beings sustained by faith, often walk such a path after losing the existence they serve.

When the divine spirit they serve falls, the Divine Kingdom won't collapse entirely at the first moment but will leave behind some parts.

Most Heroic Spirits will collapse and disappear after sensing the fall of the divine spirit, and the remaining Heroic Spirits will also slowly fade away during this time.

The collapse of faith means the end of their lives.

Only those Heroic Spirits with the strongest will, who always believe that the divine spirit will return one day, can survive for long, even transforming into another form of being.

"The master is no longer here, so do I…not have a reason to exist anymore?"

Thinking so, Sofia began to feel her body becoming lighter and lighter.

But just at this moment of despair, Sofia heard a gentle call.

"Sofia."

!!!

Whose voice was this?

That voice was extremely gentle, reminiscent of the deepest softness in her heart.

Who was speaking?

Who was it…

And just as Sofia was trying her best to recall whose voice this was, she heard the second call.

"Lift your head."

!!!

Without a trace of hesitation, Sofia raised her head abruptly and looked forward.

Then she saw a pair of eyes full of gentleness.

Those light gray eyes seemed to contain all the truth and tenderness in the world, making her unconsciously lose herself in them.

Then Sofia heard the third sentence.

"If this is what you wish for, then…I will answer your prayer."

"Become your master."

In an instant, all darkness was dispelled, and all the coldness vanished completely.

Sofia's eyes widened in amazement, staring dazed at the existence she was gazing at.

The white-haired young man was now standing in front of her, smiling faintly, and said softly:

"I will help you find your master."

"And during this period, if you wish, I will temporarily become your master."

Become a master, but only temporarily.

Sofia was just about to feel disappointed, then heard Herbert's next words.

"I don't need loyalty that arises from instinct."

"That loyalty doesn't belong to me."

Herbert didn't need a feeling mistakenly applied to him because of others.

No matter what that feeling might be.

Loyalty, love, even admiration…he didn't need any of it.

I can have all of these on my own, without needing help from others.

The young man smiled proudly and confidently, blinking at the bewildered Heroic Spirit.

"Of course, this doesn't mean rejecting your loyalty."

"If in the end, after finding your past master, you still think of me as your master…"

He gently cupped the Centaur's cheeks, wiping away the unreal tears that had fallen unknowingly.

"Then, I will be your master."

!!!

After hearing this sentence, Sofia felt inexplicably sad.

Sofia had forgotten many things.

But at this moment, she still recalled an inexplicable loneliness.

As if she had been abandoned for many, many years.

Ten years, a hundred years, a thousand years…

She had been forgotten in a corner, waiting for someone who could never return.

And now, a person came to her, lifting her from the corner and gently brushing away the dust on her.

That person said:

"Come with me."

"I will be your master."

!!!

At this moment, Sofia forgot everything else and pulled the "master" before her into a embrace, softly sobbing.

"Whimper…"

Looking stunned as he was embraced, Herbert first turned to Fremay, spreading his hands in an innocent gesture.

You saw it all!

This wasn't my doing; it was her initiative.

Seeing Herbert's mix of surprise and pride, Fremay shook her head helplessly and sighed.

"…Sigh."

Her expression was ambiguous, a mix of sentiment and lament.

Fremay had always been aware of Herbert's persuasive ways, being one of the firsthand witnesses.

But seeing such a scene unfold before her still made her unable to restrain a sigh.

"You scoundrel, you're really good at deceiving women!"

"What are you saying? When did I deceive women?"

Herbert gently patted Sofia's back while turning to retort Fremay: "Don't make baseless accusations!"

Be careful I'll sue you for slander!

"How can you not?"

Recalling the scene just now, Fremay couldn't help but say, "Letting her despair first, then giving her hope at the end."

"Herbert, you're truly despicable!"

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