Because they had no choice.

"Anyway, I have said everything I needed to say. As for how to proceed specifically, it will depend on your own deliberation."

Herbert smiled at Sifani, blinked, and said warmly:

"I know this matter is somewhat sudden, and you won't be able to accept it right away. But it doesn't matter, we still have time, and you can take a while longer to think it over."

Ultimately.

Although Herbert's attitude was sincere and touching, and the conditions he offered sounded extremely enticing, Sifani still did not accept his invitation on the spot.

She stated that she needed to consider it.

After all, doing so undoubtedly meant cutting ties with her past self and making a complete break with her blood relatives.

Such a major matter should not be decided as casually as a child's play.

Herbert expressed his understanding of this, did not pressure her to make a decision immediately, and was willing to wait for her to think it over carefully before giving him an answer.

Moreover, fearing that Sifani might feel awkward, he considerately refrained from lingering further, resolutely choosing to leave and giving Sifani the time and space to herself.

"Let's conclude this visit here for now. I'll take my leave first, and you take your time to think it over."

"......Mm."

Herbert turned around lightly and walked toward the door of the tree house, waving over his shoulder as he said, "No need to see me out."

Behind him, Sifani did not speak again. She simply stood quietly by the doorway, watching him step by step recede into the distance and vanish into the forest.

Upon entering the fluorescent forest, Herbert's expression remained unchanged. The pace of his footsteps was steady and unhurried, his posture as relaxed as if he were taking a leisurely stroll through the woods at night.

It wasn't until he completely stepped out of the forest and returned to the darkness that he finally stopped, narrowed his eyes, and let out a slow breath.

Huu...

After letting out a long breath, Herbert nodded silently and smiled meaningfully.

"Heh."

In the back of his mind, the gloating voice of the bantering deity rang out right on cue: [ "It seems your honey trap failed this time~" ]

[ "Looks like your charm isn't big enough after all; she didn't accept your invitation at all!" ]

"Heh, what do you know?"

Herbert gave a soft hum, not angry in the slightest, and said casually:

"In matters like this, as long as they don't reject you on the spot, it's already a success in itself. There's at least a seventy percent probability that it can be regarded as tacit agreement."

"As for when she will agree, that's just a matter of time."

Herbert felt that this self-proclaimed evil deity might genuinely not understand the intricate nuances behind this.

"I practically pointed at someone's nose and forced them to rebel, yet all she said was that she would think about it."

"Would you consider this conversation a failure, or a success?"

[ "......" ]

***

Nienasa fell silent, realizing that things were not as simple as they appeared on the surface.

Seeing the evil deity fall silent, Herbert did not press further, only shaking his head with a slight chuckle.

Heh.

Mocking one's allies was fine, but one had to know when to stop.

Quit while you're ahead, lest you really drive Her to exasperation.

As for his first meeting with Sifani, Herbert was quite satisfied overall.

From Herbert's perspective, as long as the other party hadn't immediately attacked and driven him out the moment he finished speaking, it was already a basic success.

Giving Sifani time to consider was merely providing her with a graceful exit so things wouldn't look too unsightly on the surface.

No one would ever think that someone capable of easily betraying her own kin was a simple person to deal with.

Even if she truly were such a person, she certainly wouldn't want to project that image to others.

"You really don't understand the human heart at all, do you?"

Nienasa:?

[ "Hmph!" ]

The evil deity had originally intended to let the topic drop, but upon hearing this remark, she became somewhat displeased, let out a soft huff, and said:

[ "I say, my dear ally, I may not understand the human heart, but do you really understand a woman's heart?" ]

"Oh? Do tell?"

Herbert blinked, asking with amused curiosity: "Could it be that you have some profound insights?"

[ "Of course!" ]

Although Herbert couldn't see Nienasa's expression, he could sense Her triumphant mood from Her voice.

[ "She might eventually agree to your invitation, but don't you think the whole process was a bit too simple?" ]

Herbert raised an eyebrow, instantly grasping Her meaning.

"You feel that Sifani acted... a bit too easy to deal with?"

Too much of a pushover?

[ "Don't you think so?" ]

Unusually, a trace of seriousness crept into Nienasa's voice as She addressed him directly: [ "Herbert, no legendary powerhouse is simple." ]

[ "You don't understand how arduous the path to becoming a legend is; no matter who they are, it is impossible for anyone to achieve legendhood easily." ]

[ "Whether it's this seemingly reticent little elf, that little fish who loves to sing, or that seemingly easy-to-bully little bat... none of them are as simple as they appear on the surface." ]

Not a single powerhouse is a naive, sweet pushover.

Nienasa was about to continue, but Herbert suddenly interrupted: "I think what you're saying makes sense, but wait a second... what about my Valentina?"

***

"Why aren't you mentioning her? What did our Valentina ever do to you? Why didn't you include her when you were talking about legendary powerhouses?"

Is she a legendary powerhouse or not?

I'm asking you, is she a legendary powerhouse or not!

You are not allowed to drag Valentina into this!

Isn't she just a little airheaded, a little silly, and a little bit of a foodie?

Is it necessary to treat her so differently?

Our "Valentina Protection Association" does not accept such double standards!

[ "So... you think I'm lying to you?" ]

The evil deity's tone turned somewhat displeased, seeming ready to explode at any moment.

"No, actually I agree with you."

Herbert shrugged, chuckling as he placated Her: "Of course I'm well aware of all those things you mentioned."

"Let alone legendary powerhouses like them, even ordinary people wouldn't surrender so easily."

Communication and relationships between people are not like a dating sim game, not as simple as "just picking the right choices and the other person will fall in love with you unconditionally."

People are complex.

They cannot be changed by others so easily.

Unless forced hypnosis is used, there will never be a scenario where someone unleashes an overwhelming aura of dominance and random passersby immediately drop to their knees in submission.

The external conditions and special abilities Herbert currently possessed merely lowered the threshold significantly and accelerated the progress of winning them over.

"However, Nienasa, you've overlooked one point—did Sifani have any other choice?"

[ "A choice?" ]

"Yes, exactly a choice."

Herbert strolled through the seemingly endless darkness, enjoying the tranquility.

"If we were in the outside world, she wouldn't pay any attention to me at all and could simply ignore me as if I were an idiot."

"But this is the Third Precepts Ward; she is merely a prisoner, and I am the only warden willing to show her goodwill."

"If she doesn't want to remain stagnant forever, her only remaining option is to cooperate with me."

The corners of Herbert's lips curled up, a smile flashing in his light-colored eyes.

"So, it's not that Sifani is easy to deal with, nor is it that Freime and the others are acting overly obedient."

"It's simply that they have no choice at all."