Chapter 104: If You Won

【“Cough! Cough!”】

Knowing the game was up, the God of Harmony simply gave up and smacked his lips: 【“Don’t be so stingy!”】

Realizing he was in the wrong, the God of Harmony fully resorted to bluffing, muttering defiantly: 【“Either way, I’m just helping you extract power—what difference does it make who eats it?”】

【“The taste isn’t great, but these two drops of blood did give me some power—you’ve gained a twenty percent boost in all your vampire abilities since then.”】

The more he spoke, the more excited he became, the more certain he felt he was right.

Yes, I am innocent!

Besides, I’m a god!

What’s wrong with stealing a little of what you offered?

Just a little!

I’m a god!

What was that saying again… No one has the right to punish me!

Who can punish me!!!

Nenaisha surged with confidence, feeling she had reached the peak of victory.

Yet Herbert’s expression remained unchanged.

He narrowed his eyes, staring at the empty bottle, and spoke softly:

“So, according to you…”

Nenaisha was mistaken—Herbert’s real concern wasn’t this at all—he didn’t care whether she had stolen it.

The stuff was meant for her anyway; how she consumed it didn’t matter!

What Herbert truly cared about was…

“These materials—I didn’t actually have to eat them myself, did I?”

The boy clenched his teeth, feeling his innocent heart had been profoundly deceived.

He remembered—when he chewed the blood-leaf this time, he hadn’t used his own blood like before!

You damn soul-stitched old monster, are you messing with me!!?

【“Huh? Oh! Uh…”】

Nenaisha clearly panicked, stammering: 【“I, uh, cough! I just regained a bit of power—I used to need it… I swear it’s true~”】

Hearing her tone, Herbert instantly understood the truth and rubbed his temples in exasperation.

“Sigh…”

“Are you mad?” the demon god asked cautiously, gently prodding the boy’s cheek with a tendril.

(Prodding. Prodding. Prodding.)

“No.”

【“Then what are you doing right now?”】

(Prodding. Prodding. Prodding.)

Herbert ignored the tendril, letting it poke his cheek as he sighed weakly: “I’m just exhausted. Let me be.”

Having such a powerful but unreliable partner is utterly draining.

Sister, how old are you? Can’t you be a little more reliable?

(Prodding. Prodding. Prodding.)

After prodding for a while and seeing he wouldn’t react, the God of Harmony quietly retracted her tendrils and added softly:

【“By the way, even though you don’t need blood as a medium anymore, you should still swallow the first material you obtain—it gives you more complete power.”】

“...Understood.”

Herbert opened his eyes, listlessly saying: “Fine, I’ll eat it.”

So what if I eat?

It won’t kill me—I’ll eat until I burst.

“Also, as compensation for what you did to me, you’ll help me fall asleep.”

Nenaisha: ?

The God of Harmony, who had been feeling a bit insecure, instantly regained her usual confidence and beamed.

【“Ohoho~ So that’s your real goal? Oh my, why didn’t you say so sooner!”】

【“My dear ally is such a cute little baby who likes to pout~”】

Herbert rolled his eyes, too drained to even retort, and slumped lifelessly onto the desk.

So much had happened today—he really was tired.

“...One question: are you going to do it or not?”

If you won’t, other demon gods will!

I’ll just switch sides and find a new demon god.

【“Don’t rush, don’t rush~”】

Herbert felt a pair of icy arms gently wrap around his neck, and a soft whisper brushed his ear:

【“I’ll help you right away~ hehe~”】

Huh~

With a gentle puff of breath beside his ear, Herbert’s consciousness fragmented again, reappearing in that pure white space.

This time, before sinking into oblivion, Herbert had a moment of clarity.

He vaguely saw a pure white figure before him.

Gentle as an angel, distant as a deity.

She gazed at him with compassion, extending her hand to the weary mortal.

Gently grasping it, she pulled him tenderly.

【“Come, come to my arms.”】

The next day.

“Was that… His Highness?”

Blake finally found Herbert at the Knights’ training ground.

There, the boy he remembered as one who loved art and shunned combat now stood holding a longsword, silently facing a stern-faced middle-aged man.

“Your Highness, what are you doing?”

Blake had met the middle-aged man at the monastery gate yesterday—he knew the man was a formidable Holy Knight.

Though he hated to admit it, the man’s strength was likely greater than his own as Captain of the Guard.

Was His Highness here to learn from him?

Could it be!

Had Prince Herbert finally awakened and decided to learn combat skills?

Blake felt excited, believing this was a great development.

Herbert’s refusal to train in combat had always been a headache for his guard.

He knew art was merely superficial decoration—it couldn’t secure one’s survival.

To stand firm in this world and avoid harm, one could rely only on one’s own strength!

As Blake thrilled at this thought, the two figures in the field moved.

Before Blake could fully register it, their blades clashed.

Clang!

The two separated instantly—the middle-aged Holy Knight stood still, while Herbert staggered backward over ten steps.

The outcome was clear—the gap in skill was immense.

But this result didn’t disappoint Blake; instead, he stared at Herbert in stunned disbelief.

He actually blocked that strike?

How on earth did he do it!!?

A noble youth who was barely Foundation Establishment a month ago now blocked a strike from a High-Grade Holy Knight?

Are you kidding me!!?

“This…”

As Blake moved to approach Herbert for details, someone beside him stopped him.

“Uh, I’m a retainer of Prince Herbert…”

But the Holy Knight only shook his head, gesturing toward the center of the field: “Don’t rush—it’s not over yet.”

Not over?

What’s left to wait for?

As Blake puzzled, he saw Herbert’s arms holding the sword glow with brilliant golden light.

Hum—

The golden radiance flowed from his arms, spreading to the blade, transforming the entire sword into a blazing golden hue.

Herbert gripped the sword with both hands, slowly raised the golden-bladed weapon above his head, then slammed it down with all his might.

A dazzling golden sword aura slashed forward!

“—Curry Stick!”

 Sunday’s readership is higher than Monday’s. Hmm, I released this chapter a bit early—it shouldn’t be held back just because I’m afraid of disturbing readers on Monday. If it’s time to post, post it.

The true chase is around 1700; it’s probably hopeless for Sanjiang.

He felt a faint sense of disappointment, but accepted it roughly; his mindset remained calm, and it was time to start working hard to accumulate drafts for the subscription launch.

As for the subscription launch, if things go fast, this Friday; if slow, next Monday or next Friday—then I’ll rely on all of you.

Last night I began preparing my subscription message; I wrote furiously under the cover of night, overcome with emotion (late-night emo), reflecting on my bleak first half-life and wrote an extremely long subscription message…

I’m challenging the longest subscription message on Qidian, for sure.

Some content may be overly sad; I hesitated whether to post it, but after thinking it over, I still hope someone will read it—those who don’t enjoy this kind of thing can skip that part~

…

Update: Plan changed—I’m preparing for Sanjiang!



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(End of Chapter)