Chapter 100: True Men Are Not Played by Bad Women JPG (23)

【“Our relationship is far more intimate than others think, isn’t it?”】

Nenasha’s voice was sweet and sticky, dripping with liquid tenderness.

She spoke with deep implication, stirring vivid fantasies—easily conjuring countless explicit scenes.

But… this trick didn’t work on Herbert.

“Hmph.”

Herbert paid no mind to Nenasha’s suggestive whisper; he scoffed and let it go.

Promises made only with words? Only fools believe them.

Such things require genuine proof first.

A true man won’t be toyed with by a wicked woman—least not in her palm; stronger ones must be outwitted in her mouth.

【“Hehe, you’re blushing~”】

“Hmph, I think you’re the one who’s blushing.”

【“Ah yes yes~ I’m terribly shy right now~”】

Nenasha chuckled twice, fully returning to her usual self, and said lazily:

【“Herbert, don’t care what others say—right here before you is me. Just believe me unconditionally!”】

Hmph.

“You talk about standing before me, but you’ve always been lurking in the shadows, spying on me.”

You stalker demon!

Before, you at least pretended to hide. Now you boldly appear right behind me.

You’re getting bolder by the day.

【“Is that so? What if I’ve always been beside you, and you’re just too weak to see me?”】

“Whatever you say.”

Acting all mysterious—you’re the same big sister who used to log off during daytime anti-addiction mode.

【“You don’t believe me? Fine. Close your eyes.”】

“...You’re serious?”

【“Close your eyes. Obey.”】

Then…

Hss~

Herbert felt a soft breath against his ear, and his ear was pinched.

No… it was bitten!

!!!

He snapped his eyes open and looked beside him—but found nothing. He touched his ear—no mark remained.

After being teased again, Herbert couldn’t help but praise:

“You really deserve to be sealed away!”

【“Hehe~”】

After this brief exchange, their relationship seemed unchanged—but in truth, it had advanced.

Maybe by many steps.

There were many signs.

Before, Nenasha would never have stood so openly behind Herbert, tracing idle fingers along his back.

【“Herbert~ turn around and look at me~”】

“Tch, don’t touch me.”

【“Hey! I won’t stop—try stopping me if you can!”】

Annoying.

But since her fingers were cool and pleasant to the touch, he’d forgive her—for now.

“By the way, what state are you in now? Are you freed yet?”

【“Nooo~”】

After discussing the more important matters between them, they finally turned to those “trivial” little things.

【“Breaking a seal isn’t that simple—but my current state is definitely stronger than before.”】

【“I never expected him to let you touch my true form. To be fair—he’s a good man, isn’t he?”】

“Mm, true.”

In this incident, the Grand Archbishop deserved top credit—no one’s contribution surpassed his.

He not only provided Herbert with knowledge about the Holy Maiden, but also created the perfect opportunity for secret, face-to-face dealings.

How wonderful!

【“To avoid his suspicion, I only transferred a portion of my soul that contained no law force; the rest remains dormant within the holy statue.”】

【“By the way, he told you to touch my hand—why did you touch my head instead?”】

Herbert didn’t answer. His gaze was as resolute as someone joining a party—utterly deaf, he pressed on: “How much power have you regained?”

【“Huh? Didn’t you hear me? I asked why you touched my head… Fine, you want to know about power, right?”】

Nenasha questioned him suspiciously; seeing he had no intention of replying, she huffed and let it slide—for now.

She was in a good mood today, so she’d let this one go.

【“Power? About one percent? Hmm… one per thousand? No—even less than one per ten thousand!”】

“Tell the truth.”

Sister, stop exaggerating.

It’s just you and me—can’t you just be honest?

Can’t we just be honest with each other?

【“Oh come on, so rude! No sense of romance at all!”】

Unfazed by being exposed, Nenasha grumbled: 【“Tch, you wouldn’t understand my exact power anyway, you weakling, and yet you demand so much.”】

“Just give me a rough estimate.”

【“Roughly? Hmm… consider that I can now unleash power on par with a Legendary.”】

【“Of course, since revealing myself risks exposure, I advise you to seek my aid only in emergencies.”】

Legendary power?

Herbert narrowed his eyes, pondering—this result pleased him.

He had witnessed the terrifying might of Legendary power in Valentina and Flora’s battle.

Though Miss Hungry Dragon was at the peak of Legendary strength, her level offered little reference for ordinary Legendaries.

After all, even among Legendaries, there are vast differences.

But Herbert believed that even if Nenasha could only channel early-stage Legendary power, it would still be formidable.

Not to mention how masterfully an Ancient God controls power—just the former Holy Maiden Nenasha herself could fight above her rank through sheer combat experience.

Because she was truly fierce.

“So how do we restore more of your power? Touch the holy statue again?”

【“No need for that.”】

Nenasha knew better than Herbert just how powerful the Grand Archbishop was—touching her true form once was already fate’s blessing.

Another chance to touch the profaned statue was far too unlikely.

Either Herbert must make a monumental contribution to the monastery and request another touch.

Or he must become one of the rotating Red Cardinals tasked with guarding it—then he could steal and plunder at will.

【“Just like before: gather demonic materials for me. Now I can draw more power from them—and in return, I can grant you more.”】

【“Also, in daily life, I can offer you small help~”】

As Nenasha finished speaking, a shadowy tendril coiled from Herbert’s shadow beneath his feet, slithering up his calf, then waving before his eyes like a hand.

Hi~

Herbert stared at the tendril, narrowing his eyes—he suddenly realized something.

Was that… what just touched me from behind?

(End of Chapter)