Chapter 123: You Carry Her Scent (Please Subscribe for First Release)

Deep Water Prison.

A charming sea demon sat on a reef, plucking the strings of a harp in her hands, humming softly, her melodious voice echoing through the entire space.

The white-haired boy leaned his back against the reef, resting his head on the soft, slick fish tail, most of his body soaking in the water, swaying gently with the music and the waves, humming a tune, and tapping out a rhythm on the water's surface with his palm.

Accompanied by the sound of waves crashing against the reef, the sea demon's song, and the mortal's tapping rhythm, the three merged together, converging into an exquisite melody.

This long song continued for several hours, finally reaching its climax before gradually fading and drawing to a close.

After Fu Leimei's singing stopped, Herbert also slowly opened his eyes and said softly: "Fu Leimei, I need to leave for a while."

"Mm? Mm."

The sea demon opened her eyes, first stunned for a moment, then nodded gently:

"When you specially kept me company in song for so long today, I had already guessed — you're probably about to say goodbye to me."

Having spent some time together, Fu Leimei had come to understand Herbert's character a little, knowing this person wouldn't speak without aim.

Taking the initiative to sing with her today meant that, presumably, they wouldn't be able to sing together again for quite some time.

"It's not exactly a goodbye, is it? Just letting you know, after all, I'll still come back sooner or later."

Herbert shook his head, stretched a great big lazy stretch, then adjusted his posture and continued to comfortably rest the back of his head on the fish tail.

So comfortable!

He said so, but the sea demon did not take it lightly.

Fu Leimei shook her head, leaned down and reached out to touch Herbert's hair, saying softly:

"Herbert, my whole life has been spent parting from people. Long ago I learned to treat every separation as a final farewell."

As a special existence, Fu Leimei was relatively fortunate.

As a member of the sea demon Wang Zu, she was not persecuted by the other clansfolk, and grew safely into adulthood.

But she was also lonely.

Unable to communicate normally with other sea demons, though she lived among the clan, it was as if she were forever trapped in a silent prison, constantly aware of her own abnormality.

Forever out of place.

Forever unable to truly become one of them.

So, she left.

On a calm, quiet late night, without leaving any message, she slipped away.

Fu Leimei began her own journey, swimming through seas everywhere, secretly learning other languages.

Using water currents to send sailors who had fallen overboard back to shore, handing the treasures of sunken ships to adventurers who came seeking them, guiding lost ships through fog, separating the giant beasts that fought in the sea…

During that long journey, she met many people and gave them no small amount of help, but in the end they all left.

Some passed with the years, some fell into the sea out of greed, some crashed into hidden reefs out of recklessness, some perished together out of rage…

No matter who it was, in the end none of them kept their promise to her.

Therefore, Fu Leimei did not believe in reunions.

Every parting was, for her, a farewell.

"Then you won't need to think that way anymore from now on."

Herbert shook his head, not opening his eyes either, and said softly with closed eyes: "I don't know how others are, but I won't break my promise to you."

"Don't worry, I will definitely come back to see you… and it won't be long."

Although he was going off to roam outside for a while, it certainly wouldn't take too long; in the end he still had to return here.

After all, this little box was his home forever.

Unfortunately, Herbert didn't open his eyes at this moment, and missed the look Fu Leimei was giving him.

A gaze as gentle as lake water, and as deep and still as the sea.

She gently toyed with Herbert's hair with her fingertips and said slowly: "Then… can I really try to believe you?"

"You can always trust me. Come on, like before — I make you a promise."

He raised his right hand above his head and stuck out his little finger, waving it in front of Fu Leimei's eyes.

The sea demon blinked hesitantly, then helplessly stuck out her own little finger as well, gently hooking it and giving it a little shake.

"Alright, I believe you."

Although she didn't know what unique ritual this was from wherever it came from, and had felt it was a bit childish before, in the end she still chose to go along with it.

"Will you be in danger this time you leave?"

"There might be a little. Some people won't want to see me come back, and will definitely try to strike at me in secret. When the time comes, it'll probably stir up quite a storm, I imagine?"

Herbert opened his eyes, tilted his head back and laughed: "But someone will be responsible for protecting my safety, so it doesn't matter — you don't need to worry about me."

The sea demon looked down at the fearless expression on the boy's face, shook her head and laughed after a good while, and said softly: "A storm?"

"Since you are about to face a storm, then… let me give you my blessing…"

At a flick of her fingers, the water beneath Herbert came alive, gently lifting him from the water and bringing him before her.

Herbert: Eh?

Fu Leimei offered no explanation, reached out and cradled Herbert's head, gently kissed his forehead, then murmured in a special cadence:

"My fearless friend."

"May you remain brave, and never be harmed by the storm."

The ancient tongue of the sea demons stirred the rules, transforming words into power that merged into Herbert's soul.

Herbert's eyes went wide, and he stared at Fu Leimei in some confusion.

"This…"

But after releasing him, Fu Leimei only smiled without a word, waved at him, and let the water carry him away.

"Go, young warrior. Return as promised — I will be waiting to sing with you."

She picked up the harp and continued plucking the strings, singing alone in the lonely space.

But this time, the song was no longer sorrowful.

It was a song about meeting a departed friend once more.

Waiting for you… to meet me again.

……

"This time I really just came to say goodbye—I didn't plan to sneak a blessing!"

After returning to the Endless Labyrinth, Herbert scratched his head in confusion.

I really didn't mean to do this!

"Well… she was nice, even gave me a blessing willingly."

Fu Leimei was the last one; after bidding her farewell, Herbert had now calmed every single monster girl.

Of course, most of them thought Herbert was overreacting once they learned the departure was no more than a few months away.

What are you talking about?

For these immortal legendary powerhouses, time that doesn't span years or decades doesn't count as long.

Oh, there was one who didn't want Herbert to leave.

More accurately, she didn't want to lose his blood…

The coffin-mimic monster Elisa had become utterly addicted to spicy food, nearing withdrawal—she felt miserable if she didn't eat it daily.

Elisa insisted, citing her past service, that Herbert leave her ten bottles of special holy blood to savor slowly.

Elisa's addiction made Herbert sweat inwardly; he even began to wonder if his blood contained some special component…

When Herbert approached Valentina to awaken her, she opened her eyes herself and wrinkled her nose:

"You… you smell terribly fishy! Where have you been?"

She widened her eyes, scrutinizing the source of the odor, and stared suspiciously at Herbert.

What did you do?

Why are you covered in fish smell?

Herbert:!!?

"I-I am?"

"No way! You're smelling wrong, haha! Haha… cough."

(End of Chapter)