Chapter 109: Tribute and Voluntary Gift (23)

Leveraging the blood and flesh knowledge injected into his mind, Herbert analyzed the parameters of the dragon-human form at an astonishing speed.

If he had some kind of monster-girl research system, there would probably be notifications popping up nonstop right now.

【Dragon Ecology +1】

【Dragon Transformation Knowledge +1】

【Physiological Structure of Dragon (Human Form) Research +1】

【Dragon-Human Form Knowledge +1】

【After extensive research, you successfully mastered some highly secretive knowledge after sweating profusely while tending to a mature female dragon’s slumber!】

【Now, you may proudly claim to be one of the foremost experts on the “Way of the Dragon”!】

…

But unfortunately, Herbert had no such convenient system.

He could rely on nothing but his own effort and sweat.

The Dao rewards diligence!

Only diligence, which never betrays sweat, is the true shortcut to success!

Herbert tilted his head back, took a deep breath, his gaze resolute—his eyes held three parts cold detachment, three parts mockery, four parts indifference, and—ninety points of giving up.

“Master Nenasha! Haven’t you finished analyzing the remaining parts yet?”

Effort truly works, especially when you directly take it from others.

Someone else’s sweat is still sweat; someone else’s effort is still effort.

As long as sweat is spilled, it doesn’t matter whose sweat it is.

There’s no difference between the two!

…And don’t even ask where I spilled it!

Herbert heaved and grunted as he pressed on Valentina’s shoulders, his arms aching from fatigue, repairing his energy while continuing to push forward.

After such intense massage, he could easily be crowned the Immortal of Massage.

【“Don’t rush~ She won’t wake up anytime soon.”】

Nenasha answered lazily, two shadowy tentacles extending from Herbert’s shadow gently tapping Valentina’s tilted head.

One tap, and it leaned left; another tap, and it leaned right.

Meanwhile, the victim being treated like a roly-poly toy slept more soundly than anyone else, showing no sign of waking.

Ah~ Hu ~ Ah~ Hu ~

“Fine.”

After receiving the reply, Herbert continued his research, further analyzing the details of the dragon-human form.

Jokes aside, when it’s time to work, you still have to work.

Relying solely on Nenasha won’t suffice—he needed to understand it himself.

Especially since he had to distinguish differences between genders; he couldn’t just copy everything blindly… He didn’t want to be asked one day why his pectoral muscles were so exaggerated.

“Hmm, this definitely needs proper study.”

…

“Ha!”

When Valentina woke, she opened her mouth wide and let out a huge yawn, a faint flame spewing from her throat.

Like a cat, she got on all fours, arched her back, and stretched to her full extent.

“Mmm~~~ Ha!”

After unconsciously moving her body a bit, the Hungry Dragon’s awareness gradually returned, and her sharp intellect reclaimed its throne.

She blinked, glanced around, didn’t see Herbert’s figure, sniffed the air, and found his scent nearly gone—except on her chest.

Huh?

Valentina blinked, puzzled, and looked down to see a gold-and-silver brooch pinned to her collar.

The brooch was exquisitely crafted, solidly made, with a golden sword and shield covered by silver wings, and a brilliant ruby embedded where the sword and shield met.

“Huh? What’s this?”

Valentina stared at the trinket left beside her and tilted her head.

Though she hadn’t read many books, she sensed something was off.

A man and woman alone in a room, the man leaves before the woman wakes, leaving behind an object… It couldn’t be anything else.

This was—tribute!

“Why did he think to offer me tribute?” The Hungry Dragon sniffed smugly and accepted the gift without guilt.

Hmph~

This is what the great dragon deserves!

“But this thing… looks familiar.”

Valentina thought back, and finally remembered the brooch had always been pinned to Herbert’s chest.

She removed it, played with it carefully, and noticed tiny engraved text on the back—she couldn’t read it!

Is he deliberately targeting me!!?

“Hnnggh…”

Though she couldn’t fully understand human writing, Valentina wasn’t completely illiterate—she could at least recognize the first word.

It was a name she knew well—Herbert.

She sat against the wall in the corner of her cell, legs drawn up to support her torso, carefully placing the brooch in her palm and staring at it intently.

Why did he leave this for me?

Valentina pondered for a long time but found no answer, and finally gave up on such a taxing thought.

“Hehe…”

She gazed at the brooch, giggling for a while, then reached into her collar, fished out a small, delicate mirror from between the fabric, and held it up.

She pinned the brooch to her chest, gazing quietly at the unfamiliar woman in the mirror.

The exquisite brooch, the collar around her neck, and the stupid, relaxed grin on her face.

Is this really me?

She tugged at her lips, laughed, and carelessly tossed the boring question aside, smiling even brighter at her reflection.

“Herbert… Herbert…”

She whispered the name that had left such a deep impression on her, slowly closing her eyes.

“Hehe.”

【“So why are you so good at this?”】

“Huh? What do you mean?”

【“Of course, being so skilled at deceiving that little dragon—wait, that’s not quite right… manipulating her emotions? That doesn’t fit either…”】

After hesitating, Nenasha said uncertainly:

【“Training?”】

Huh?

“Stop! Stop! Stop!”

Herbert blinked rapidly, annoyed, and snapped a bothersome shadow tentacle aside with a flick of his finger.

Pah!

Listen—does that sound like a nice word?

Can’t you say something good about me?

“What kind of thing are you saying! Where did I deceive her? Where did I manipulate her feelings?”

Herbert snorted, confidently declaring: “I merely did what every man would do!”

He meant leaving a compensation payment after touching her tail.

I didn’t steal, I didn’t rob—I even paid voluntarily!

I just didn’t label it “voluntary gift.”

【“Hey, didn’t you notice… you didn’t deny my last word?”】

Herbert ignored Nenasha’s probing and waved his hand dismissively:

“You don’t understand—I’m reforming her with heart! I hope she becomes a law-abiding good dragon, and the first step is making her understand the importance of emotion.”

“I’m feeding myself to the dragon.”

“The one who suffers is always me!”

(End of Chapter)