Chapter 187: Still Need Practice (16)

As for Lucifer's overture, it was hardly surprising, for it was entirely within Herbert's original plan.

Opposing the monastery, especially defying the Archbishop, is a long-term task and an extremely difficult one.

Herbert needs help from all sides.

Because he must unite every possible force.

No matter what attitude this fallen angel ultimately takes, Herbert's stance remains unchanged, and so does his entire strategy protocol.

First, communicate; probe with words, find weaknesses, then wait for an opening to act.

His actions this time were so swift only because the opponent exposed her weakness.

Lucifer's power is immense—perhaps the strongest among all the demon girls he has ever seen.

To Herbert, enemies skilled in mental abilities are the most dangerous.

But Lucifer is too extreme; her strengths are outstanding, yet her flaws are equally obvious.

She is powerful and arrogant.

Yet at the same time… she is weak and cowardly.

She has a personality flaw—and it is a fatally致命的 flaw.

And this gives Herbert an opening.

Using that flaw as a breakthrough, he cruelly shatters her spiritual pillar, forcing her to confront the bleak reality with bloodied wounds.

Throughout this entire process, Herbert's demeanor appeared casual and effortless, but inwardly, he was also nervous.

He had long prepared to teleport away at any moment.

Herbert opened a teleportation portal beneath his feet; should anything go wrong, he would drop straight into it.

As always—play wild, act bold, but never gamble your life.

And in the end, Herbert won the bet.

He succeeded.

He significantly improved his relationship with Lucifer.

He also successfully piqued Lucifer's interest, revealing to her his plan to establish a base in the Mist Mountains.

Although Lucifer gave no direct answer, achieving this result was already more than satisfactory.

Don't rush.

No matter how long it takes, as long as he succeeds in tricking her to his side, it is victory.

Once he gains an epic-level fighter, future circumstances will become far easier—perhaps even allowing him to explore the depths of the Mist Mountains.

"By the way, how long do you think it will take Lucifer to regain her former power?"

【"I don't know."】

The Harmonic God didn't hesitate, answering bluntly:

【"As a creation that betrayed the gods, she is inherently incomplete; regaining her power is extremely difficult."】

【"Only by finding what she truly lacks—or understanding what she truly desires—can she hope to become a Saint again through her own strength."】

Nie Nasha believed Lucifer might one day forge her own path, but she held little real faith in her.

It was merely a possibility.

"Can she only rely on herself? Is there no other way?"

【"There isn't—there are two other ways."】

Nie Nasha's voice carried a faint smile as she murmured:

【"One is that she can still rely on the Battle Angel's instinct, continuing as before to plunder from others."】

【"Keep killing. Keep plundering."】

The power of a Battle Angel is not fixed.

They steal a portion of strength from slain enemies to strengthen themselves, then continue waging war, plundering, absorbing…

In Herbert's understanding, they are like players who can endlessly level up and evolve.

Fight monsters, level up, fight stronger monsters, level up a lot…

【"But that would be no different from the past—she probably wouldn't want to return to that old path."】

After gaining self-awareness, Lucifer certainly wouldn't wish to return to her former mindless state of endless killing and conquest.

"What about the other path?"

【"The other one~ hehe."】

Nie Nasha's smile grew deeper, her tone languid:

【"That is, when she finds a master to serve once more, and is granted authority again."】

Angels are creations meant to serve the gods; serving a divine master is an instinct etched into their souls.

"I understand—your meaning is…"

【"Exactly!"】

"Let me be her master!"

Herbert nodded firmly, agreeing: "Yes, it should have been this way all along!"

【"When I recover, I'll grant her…"】

Nie Nasha fell silent, then whispered softly in his ear: 【"…Are you done yet? If you keep this up, I really will get angry!"】

The shadowy tendrils beneath his feet kept jabbing at the soles of his boots, expressing their displeasure.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

How many times?

I'm asking you—how many times has this happened now?

Are you never done?!

Is it really that fun to prank someone?!!

"Alright, I'm wrong, don't get upset."

Herbert raised his hands obediently in surrender and apologized to his ally.

Wrong! You're wrong!

But admit it—pranking really is fun… cough!

Although Herbert outwardly surrendered, inwardly he had never been intimidated!

I know I'm wrong, but I'll do it again next time.

"But waiting until you get out is too late. Let's set this idea aside for now and revisit it later."

By the time Nie Nasha breaks her seal, the flowers will have long withered. Even if Lushier regains his Saint-level power, what good would it do?

【"Hmm, that's true~"】

The Harmonic God didn't truly get angry; after complaining a bit, he put the matter out of his mind.

Don't talk about your brother's faults when you have your own.

The idea that pranking is fun isn't something only Herbert does.

Nie Nasha did it too!

【"Beautiful youth, work hard~ Sister really wants to regain her freedom soon—"】

Hearing His wailing, Herbert couldn't help laughing and shook his head.

"You should at least say 'handsome youth.' 'Beautiful' isn't a word used to describe men."

【"Then… the youth with decent pectoral muscles, you must work harder! Keep training!"】

Herbert:?

"Wait! Why are pectoral muscles being mentioned here?!"

Did our previous conversation have anything to do with pectoral muscles?

【"Yes, why indeed? Hehe, well… you can't ask me that."】

???

…

At the same moment, Fu Leimei, tinkering with her alchemical legs on the water's surface, nervously shrank her neck.

"What's going on?"

Why did I suddenly feel a chill?

At this moment, her appearance had changed considerably from before.

Using water-element transformation magic, she successfully concealed her fish tail, hiding the junction between her legs and body beneath a long skirt.

From the outside, she now looked little different from an ordinary human woman…

Gazing at her reflection in the water, Fu Leimei nodded proudly and stepped forward with her right leg.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Oof!"

Plop.

Glub glub glub—

Hmm.

The appearance passes, but I still need more practice.

Thank you to Jianjian, Lake Singer, and l599xl for their support!



(End of Chapter)