Chapter 17: Don

All evil shall be brought to justice—I am the exception!

After confirming that the Prison of No Light had problems, Herbert decided to report it to the Monastery's higher-ups.

He had no intention of solving it himself.

It's only a few hundred bucks a month—why should I risk my life?

Besides, it's not that I'm not trying; I just genuinely can't win.

Whether this upheaval was caused by the Dark Elves, the Vampire Prince, or both working together, he had no capacity to resist.

It's beyond my capabilities.

I can't beat them.

If you're weak, train more.

I can't afford to play.

Everyone stop playing!

Press the report button until it breaks!

However, before seeking help from the Grand Archbishop, Herbert had one very important thing to do.

He hadn't collected the monster materials yet.

So Herbert looked at the Siren Young Lady, who was frowning at the rainbow tail, and asked kindly: "Young Lady Fu Leimei, I've already returned—aren't you ready yet?"

Not long ago, he had asked Fu Leimei for a small gift— one of her colored scales.

As a symbolic compensation to signify their reconciliation and to erase the past attempt on his life.

Though hesitant, Fu Leimei ultimately agreed.

Because from Fu Leimei's perspective, Herbert's sincerity was undeniable.

This was truly just a symbolic gift.

It was merely a scale from her tail, with no special meaning; she could regrow it anytime after removing one.

The only thing that made her feel vaguely uneasy was his smiling expression.

Something just felt off…

Yet, for some reason, she didn't want him to see the details of the scale being removed, and she drove him into the Third Zone.

"I'm ready, I guess." Fu Leimei's lip twitched, uncertain whether her decision was right.

No, why did it still feel off?

"You…"

She hesitated, then couldn't help asking: "You really won't do anything strange with it, right?"

"Of course not—I just want to keep one as a memento."

Herbert nodded calmly, patted his chest in assurance, showing not a trace of guilt.

I certainly won't do anything strange.

Using monster materials to enhance one's strength isn't strange at all, is it?

Then he asked curiously:

"By the way, what exactly do you mean by 'strange things'? I don't understand—could you explain in detail?"

Fu Leimei stared at the boy's innocent, curious eyes and couldn't find words; she stammered:

"Uh, it's, like, using it to do some…"

"Do some what?"

The Mermaid Young Lady stared at the boy in disbelief, wanting to ask: You're a grown man—don't you already know? Do you really need me to explain?

But she remembered his vow of purity, and the words stuck in her throat.

Tch, this kid might genuinely not understand!

Do I really have to tutor him?

Sigh.

"…Never mind, just take it."

She shook her head in exasperation and flung the palm-sized scale through the air, where it traced a graceful arc into Herbert's hand.

"I've given it to you—don't ever bring this up again!"

"Of course. I shall preserve it carefully, as a symbol of our friendship," Herbert smiled faintly and bowed to the Mermaid Young Lady.

Got it!

Ding-ding-ding—

Obtained material: 【Legendary Siren's Rainbow Scale】!

He suppressed his inner excitement, maintaining outward restraint, and chatted with her for a while longer.

Only after being rudely shooed away by Fu Leimei did he exit the Deep Water Prison.

Standing at the boundary of the First Zone, Herbert's lips curled upward as he couldn't help but chuckle.

"Hmph, hahahaha, hehehehe!"

No wonder it's me!

I actually got the monster girl's material!

"... What are you cackling about?"

Valentina stared at Herbert, who was laughing to himself, and began regretting her decision to become friends with him.

Had she misjudged him?

Realizing an audience was still present, Herbert cleared his throat twice and replied casually: "Oh, you're still here? Why aren't you home yet?"

"Hm!? Hmph!"

Valentina rolled her eyes, gave a cold snort, and couldn't be bothered with this guy.

I'd like to leave, but are you lot gonna let me?

No!

Still, she at least remembered her earlier agreement with Herbert and didn't say what was really on her mind.

In the end, Valentina only gave a sarcastic snort: "Look at how happy you are — you must be having a great time chatting with the others?"

Herbert blinked, looked at her in surprise, and asked curiously, "Oh? You're jealous?"

???

"I'm jealous of you my— cough!"

Before the rapidly blushing Valentina could explode, Herbert hurriedly cooled things down: "Haha, just a little joke, don't get so worked up."

"I just tested my ability to control the sealing formation. Although it's still a bit of a burden on me, at least it can still operate normally."

Mhm, though it only works in the second area — once it reaches the third area, it fails.

"Oh." Valentina gave him a suspicious glance, but seeing his perfectly sincere expression, she didn't press the matter further.

Still, what was this sealing formation he was talking about?

As a dragon who had grown up by the seat of her pants, Young Lady Valentina's head contained no knowledge on this subject.

"Speaking of which, what are the rules of this prison?"

"Mhm? What rules?"

"You don't know?"

"Know what?"

Herbert blinked, Valentina blinked too, and the two of them just stared at each other like that for quite a while.

Facing a gaze as clear and foolish as a college student's, Herbert really didn't know what to say for a moment.

I thought you were merely a fool wise beyond his years, but I didn't expect you to be a fool beyond wisdom itself.

"... Forget it, pretend I never said anything."

"Mhm? Oh."

Although Valentina was a little curious about why he'd stopped talking, she wasn't that curious.

She ate a little something after a long while — though she wasn't full at all, she felt her whole body grow lazy and sluggish, wanting nothing more than a good sleep.

Watching her yawn and curl up like a cat, Herbert shook his head helplessly and prepared to leave.

Just as he was about to step out, he suddenly thought of something and said to the dragon young lady who was nearly asleep: "I'll cut your hair for you tomorrow."

Hm?

The dragon slightly opened her eyes and asked, puzzled: "Why?"

"Leaving it so messy must be really uncomfortable, right?"

"No, I think it's fine…"

"No, you're uncomfortable! As a friend, I can't let you keep suffering like this!"

Valentina:?

"Alright, it's settled then. You go to sleep, I'll give you a haircut tomorrow."

Herbert didn't give Valentina room to refuse, forcefully decided the matter, and left the prison directly.

"You say you won't cut it, so you just won't cut it? How can that be acceptable?"

Outside the prison, Herbert pursed his lips and muttered to himself: "I still need to collect your hair as material, after all…"

Mhm.

Although it does sound a little weird.

But I absolutely won't use it to do anything strange!

That night.

【"Eat it."】

"Ah? No, how am I supposed to eat this thing!?"

Completely caught a cold. I only slept five hours this morning, my whole body aches. After taking some medicine I barely slept another hour and a half, and even added together I still haven't gotten seven hours.

So hard to bear… boohoo.

Last day of double monthly tickets, please, I beg you for tickets.

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(End of this chapter)