Diary of the Improper Monster Girl Transformation.

Chapter 564 The Vanished Archbishop (Seeking votes at the beginning of the month!)
"The archbishop is missing?"

After arriving at Ophidia's summons, Herbert was met with this unexpected news, leaving him momentarily stunned.

Ok?
How did he suddenly disappear?
After enduring so much, Old Deng finally couldn't resist and ran out the door?
"No, he's still here, but not entirely."

Ophidia sat cross-legged on the snake's tail. Hearing this, she pursed her lips and said helplessly and speechlessly, "Didn't I tell you? The old man left his physical body in the sanctuary, only his soul secretly left."

She felt both angry and amused about the matter.

What's infuriating is that this guy sneaked away without even saying goodbye.

They are disorganized and undisciplined, showing no semblance of leadership in a monastery!
What's funny is that this guy sneaked away without even saying goodbye.

Why do you have to be so secretive?

If you really want to go out, who can stop you?

The highest-ranking member of the monastery in terms of real power and combat strength, out of fear of being scolded, secretly ran away to get some fresh air...

Listen to this, does it sound reasonable?
It feels like an old child who hasn't grown up.

childish!

"Ah."

However, although Ophidia was internally complaining about the archbishop's unreliability, she wasn't actually angry.

As the second oldest person in the monastery, Ophidia knew the archbishop's nature better than anyone else.

The seemingly profound old man actually has a free-spirited personality, but he has hidden it well in the past so that no one else has discovered it.

That compassionate and unfathomable image was more for dealing with the gods' prying eyes, appeasing the cultivators' expectations, and... making it easier to slack off.

After all, a taciturn leader who seems to be constantly contemplating the truths of the universe can save a lot of unnecessary socializing and explanations.

The archbishop has always had this personality. When he went out to capture monsters, it was mostly just an excuse to keep watch. He seemed to be ridding the people of evil, but in reality, he was just wandering around.

But it seems that lately they've become increasingly open about it.

When exactly did the changes begin?
"..."

Ophidia's gaze naturally fell on Herbert, and she raised an eyebrow slightly.

correct.

It seems that it started after Herbert came to the monastery, right?

The changes in the archbishop began at that time.

Was there something special about Herbert that made the archbishop change his mind?

Given Herbert's current achievements, the title of "Godslayer" alone has already made him regarded by many in the monastery as the third person in name, surpassing the Chief Justice and the Knight Commander.

In some people's minds, Herbert had even surpassed himself, the rarely seen cardinal, and become the second most important person in the monastery.

This is not a baseless conjecture.

While the judge's ironclad rules were indeed awe-inspiring, the knight's charge was indeed unstoppable, and Ophidia's mysterious methods were indeed difficult to guard against, Herbert, in fact, defied the gods with a mortal body.

Even if it was aided by the immense power of the blazing sun, the symbolic significance and the shock it brought about by the act of killing a god were enough to overturn many preconceived notions.

This special treatment was something Herbert achieved little by little through his own hard work, building upon his unshakeable success.

His popularity stems from his consistent and tangible achievements.

Frost Crystal's Purification of Blood Night, Journey to the Dark Regions, Battle of the Holy City of the Blazing Sun, The Northern Calamity...

Herbert did not rely on his family background, but instead used the blood and bones of his enemies to build the steps beneath his feet, climbing to the top step by step.

But at the beginning, he wasn't that dazzling.

Aside from his handsome appearance, he was just a cowardly noble boy with nothing about him worth paying attention to.

Ophidia still remembers the scene when Herbert first arrived.

He kept his head down, his lips tightly pressed together, and he didn't make eye contact with anyone, like an abandoned little animal.

Even I misjudged him at the beginning, failing to explore his destiny or regard him as someone worth looking forward to.

At the time, she only thought that the boy was indeed good-looking, like a fragile work of art, perhaps suitable to be placed in a safe corner as a decoration.

However, the archbishop seemed different.

He saw the emotions hidden in the boy's lowered eyes, that... unspoken anger.

He unusually treated Herbert well from the very beginning.

At that time, I thought that Herbert's family had some kind of connection with the archbishop, and that he was taking the initiative to help out because of that past relationship.

But now it seems I was wrong.

The archbishop never valued anything else but Herbert himself.

In other words, did he notice a certain quality in Herbert from the very beginning?
That kind of resilience hidden deep in his soul, which even Herbert himself was unaware of?

That kind of almost frantic calm and decisiveness that can be ignited when facing a desperate situation?
Or is it that kind of unique destiny that can attract "miracles," or rather, create "miracles" on its own?

That's why he tacitly allowed his subordinates to arrange for Herbert to be assigned to the Third Discipline Center, and even personally led him on a tour.
He had high hopes for Herbert from the very beginning and saw a bright future for him.

That is to say...

"Back then, the old man was already thinking about how to shift the responsibility of the monastery onto Herbert, and then find a chance to slip away?"

Ophelia narrowed her eyes, thinking silently, her lips twitching slightly involuntarily.

Once this idea took hold, it grew wildly like a vine, connecting many seemingly accidental events of the past.

Every "trial" the archbishop gave Herbert, every seemingly dangerous "test," and every subsequent "guidance" and "resource allocation" all seemed to have a deeper meaning.

Looking back now, it all seems like preparing the most crucial components for some massive project in advance, or like training a successor to take over the mess.

No, why are you only so proactive and energetic about things like this?

She lowered her head and looked at the boy who was resting his head on his tail in a daze with pity. She couldn't help but stroke his white hair with some affection and sighed softly to herself.

Poor guy, he probably has no idea what the future holds for him.

His innocent look suggests that no one knows what kind of future awaits him.

"Ok?"

Herbert hadn't guessed that Ophidia had so many inner monologues; even if he had, he would have just smiled.

he does not know?

Just kidding!
He knows all too well!

Herbert probably knew better than anyone else where the future was headed, and he knew exactly what path he was destined to take.

Herbert glanced up at Ophidia in surprise at her sudden gentleness as she touched him.

Aren't you going to throw me out today?

But since someone had taken the initiative, he didn't mind and comfortably enjoyed the gentle caress of her slender hands. Ophelia's fingers were slightly cool and carried a faint, violet-like fragrance as they softly moved through his hair, which was indeed very comfortable.

He squinted and asked, "If the physical body is still there, but only the soul goes out, where would it likely go?"

"...It must be some place that the gods cannot find." Ophidia hesitated for a moment, not entirely sure about the archbishop's whereabouts.

As long as the archbishop deliberately hides his whereabouts, no one in the world will be able to find him.

The two sides are not even in the same league, so even if they wanted to make a prediction, they couldn't. It's all a mystery.

But given the archbishop's personality, since he didn't announce his trip to the world, he would definitely try to keep a low profile.

He will not let the gods notice him; he will definitely choose a place where the gods will not be aware of him.

After all, he was only temporarily "away from his post," not completely "abandoning his responsibilities," and he would never joke about the safety of the monastery.

Herbert nodded slightly, then his eyes widened slightly after a moment's thought, and he asked, "I see. Did he leave any other clues? Like letters or something?"

"No."

Ophelia pouted and snorted unhappily, "Not even a note, let alone a letter. I think he's just taking revenge on purpose!"

The more she thought about it, the more likely it was.

The archbishop is a bit petty; he's definitely taking this opportunity to get revenge!

"Ok?"

Herbert paused for a moment, then blinked in surprise.

revenge?

Revenge for what?
Oh!
You mean that resignation letter thing?
To hand over a resignation letter and then happily run out the door... that idea is indeed possible.

After all, they mainly wanted to see the archbishop get his comeuppance, but they didn't expect this "revenge" to be so unique.

Herbert blinked, not daring to say anything more. It seemed that the resignation letter incident was something they had deliberately provoked Old Deng, so even if they were retaliated against, it was understandable.

But at this moment, Herbert did not remain sober; instead, he chose to remain silent and obediently joined the ranks of those who were attacking Old Deng.

How could that old Deng be so wicked!

They've already left, and they didn't even leave a letter or say goodbye. They're just causing us a lot of trouble!

That old Deng is so mean!
Ok……

Sometimes, it's necessary to reason with people.

But sometimes, reasoning simply doesn't work.

In short, don't resist, just join.

After following Ophidia in attacking the archbishop for a while, Herbert revealed his guess.

"Only in places where souls and gods cannot easily perceive... Do you think the Archbishop has gone to the Astral Plane?"

"Astral Plane?"

Ophidia paused for a moment, then nodded hesitantly: "That...that's quite possible."

The astral realm is an excellent place for souls to travel and explore.

Although for the vast majority of astral wanderers, the astral plane is a dangerous place fraught with peril, requiring constant vigilance.

Legendary figures walk on thin ice, always fearing unforeseen and insurmountable disasters. Even epic figures must proceed with extreme caution, as there is always the risk of failure.

However, for the gods... while the astral plane isn't entirely safe, it really doesn't pose much of a threat.

The gods' powerful divine nature and divine power are enough to allow them to stabilize themselves in the astral plane and resist most risks.

They can even draw upon astral energy to replenish themselves, or capture floating fragments of consciousness to extract ancient knowledge.

However, because the rules of the astral realm are the same as those of other forbidden zones of the gods, once a god falls within it, there is no way to be resurrected. It is also regarded by the gods as an ominous place that they will not easily set foot in.

But would the archbishop care about such a thing?

If he really cared about these things, he wouldn't have stayed in the Misty Mountains, a forbidden zone for the gods.

If he only has a soul and no physical body, then his movement in the astral plane will be much easier, and he can boldly explore even dangerous places.

"If he goes to the Astral Plane, then it's even more uncertain when he'll be able to return; it will probably take some time."

Ophidia frowned and snorted somewhat unhappily.

The flow of time in certain regions of the astral plane is not constant compared to that of the prime material plane. Sometimes hundreds of years may pass there while only a few days have passed in the prime material plane, and sometimes the opposite is true.

The archbishop's return date is indeed difficult to predict.

"You're always slacking off, huh!"

Although Ophidia complained, she didn't actually feel much dissatisfaction.

Even he himself went back for a stroll, and the archbishop couldn't resist going out for some fresh air; it didn't seem so hard to accept.

Putting yourself in their shoes, I can understand.

In fact, deep down, she actually hoped that the archbishop could stay away for a while longer.

On the one hand, let him relax and clear his mind.

The archbishop has carried too much and protected too long; it's time to temporarily set aside his burdens and pursue some freedom that is purely his own.

On the other hand... with the archbishop not around, his pressure would be less, and he wouldn't have to worry about the archbishop discovering his relationship with Herbert all the time.

Perhaps we could be a little bolder?
As she thought about it, the snake's tail slid slowly, the tip of the tail gradually climbing up Herbert's waist. The cool and flexible touch gently caressed him through his clothes, as if it was hesitating whether to wrap itself around him.

At the same moment, Herbert was also pondering a question.

"Wait a minute, if it's the Astral Plane, wouldn't it be too much of a coincidence for the Archbishop to run into Finn?"

No no no no!

Surely it's not that much of a coincidence?
"Although it's absurd, and the astral plane is so vast, the probability of the two of them meeting is almost zero, but... what if?"

Herbert blinked, increasingly feeling that this was very likely to happen.

As we all know, low-probability events always have a high probability of occurring.

"Moreover, given Fein's bad luck in being tainted by Sami, it's not entirely impossible."

Question: What is the worst encounter during astral travel?
Answer: Encountering risks and losing protection, supplies, or direction, and... encountering a god who harbors malice towards you.

For Finn, if he were to encounter the archbishop again, it would seem as if he had encountered them all without missing a single one.

Grand Slam!
"Furthermore, if the archbishop is not at the monastery during this period..."

Herbert's heart skipped a beat, his eyes suddenly turning strange. He stroked his chin, blinked, and muttered to himself, "Now..."

"Does this mean we can start tearing the house apart as much as we want?"

(End of this chapter)