"..."

It was a very strange feeling, Herbert clearly saw his own physical body.

The delicate shell was lying quietly on the ground, hands resting on its chest, as if it were asleep.

The white-haired boy's eyes were tightly shut, and his long eyelashes cast a faint shadow on his pale skin.

His face was calm and serene, with no trace of pain or struggle.

His once smooth white hair scattered casually around him, like a silver halo.

His body lay in a relaxed posture, limbs naturally at ease, like a child having a beautiful dream.

And around his body, vivid flowers were in full bloom, with dew drops from the morning still on the petals. Under the sunlight, they reflected rainbow colors, as if they were crystalline pearls.

The flowers clustered together, swaying gently in the breeze, making a soft rustling sound, as if whispering or guarding the sleeping body.

The scene was indeed beautiful, but also really strange...

It felt like attending my own funeral.

"I say, can you stop planting flowers next to me? This really feels weird."

In his soul state, Herbert helplessly called a stop, halting Fremay's eerie act of planting more flowers around him.

"But these flowers are really beautiful! They match you perfectly!" The mermaid lady protested, trying to argue for the right to continue planting flowers.

But was firmly rejected by Herbert.

"No, stop it, listen to me!"

I'm just having an out-of-body experience, not attending my funeral!

I'm just gone in soul, not really gone!

"...Alright then."

Fremay was still somewhat reluctant, secretly stashing away the flower seeds she had painstakingly collected... planning to plant them after he left.

"Ahem!"

To prevent Herbert from noticing this detail, Fremay gave a light cough and then took the initiative to say, "Looks like you understand my idea now."

"Yes, as long as you maintain the out-of-body state, you can extend your time outside."

Out-of-body experiences and spiritualization are somewhat different.

Although both involve entering a spirit state, an out-of-body experience doesn't require expending extra energy to transform the physical body, greatly extending the duration the spirit form can be maintained.

Of course, this also comes with higher risks; encountering danger means being unable to revert to a physical form, with limited power at disposal.

But for Herbert, it's not much of an issue.

His abilities are mostly physical, losing the physical form seems a major reduction in strength.

Yet even at full power, Herbert wouldn't hold much significance in the Misty Mountains.

Still just as insignificant.

A weak ant and a slightly stronger ant make hardly any difference to humans.

Yet he has two bodyguards with him.

Sofia, the centaur heroic spirit, can manifest power at a legendary level, and... that Harmonious God lounging in the shadows.

Herbert clearly remembers them saying long ago that they could momentarily burst with legendary-level power.

And after devouring so many new Demon Materials, could their strength not have increased at all?

Suffice to say, Nenasha's previous trampling of Kreti was done with ease.

Specific power levels unclear, but likely above Sofia.

Fremay wasn't aware of this, she only placed her hopes on Sofia.

She nodded to Sofia, who enthusiastically nodded back.

"I swear to guard my master to the death!"

Fremay smiled with satisfaction, then continued to Herbert,

"Sofia can help protect your soul, while I'll take care of your body during this time."

Protecting the body is very important.

For someone experiencing an out-of-body state, there's a crucial principle— as long as the body remains unscathed, returning on time will avoid serious harm.

An out-of-body experience is already an extremely mysterious and dangerous state. Once the soul leaves the body, it's like a temporarily pilotless ship, quietly stationed where it is.

At this time, the body becomes exceptionally fragile, losing the soul's guidance and protection, with nearly no defense against the outside world.

However, as long as the body remains intact, it acts as a safe harbor, awaiting the soul's return.

Fremay clenched her small fists tightly, earnestly declared,

"With me here, you can rest assured! I won't let anyone do anything to it."

Such a firm promise made Herbert rest assured.

"Alright, with you here, I can relax... Hm?"

Will I really be at ease?

Why does your statement sound so weird?

Anyone else?

Herbert glanced at his own body lying quietly on the ground, then at the mermaid lady with a serious expression, squinting his eyes, slowly said,

"Not just others... you too, don't mess around."

"..."

And to Herbert's warning, Fremay merely turned her head silently to the side—like having selective hearing loss.

And this reaction undoubtedly exposed her inner thoughts.

What are you planning to do to my body!!?

You shrimp-headed mermaid sprite!

"Sigh!"

Herbert let out a deep sigh, a bit helplessly wanting to pat Fremay on the head, but his hand went through her body.

At that moment, Fremay turned back and stuck her tongue out at him with a smile.

"Hehe~ If you don't want me doing something to your body, you'd better come back soon!"

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