Chapter 19: Don

All evil shall be punished by law—I’m exempt!

After confirming that the Dark Prison had issues, Herbert decided to report it to the monastery’s upper echelons.

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 means to resist.

It’s beyond my capabilities.

I can’t win.

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 task to complete.

He hadn’t yet collected any monster materials.

So Herbert turned to Miss Freyme, who was staring at the rainbow tail with a troubled expression, and asked kindly: “Miss Freyme, I’ve returned—aren’t you ready yet?”

Not long ago, he had asked Freyme for a small gift— one of her rainbow scales.

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

Though hesitant, Freyme ultimately agreed.

From Freyme’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 sent him to the Third Zone.

“I’m ready, I guess.” Freyme’s lips twitched, uncertain whether her action was right.

No, why did it still feel off?

“You…”

She hesitated, then couldn’t help asking: “You really won’t use it for something strange, right?”

“Really, I just want to keep one as a memento.”

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

Of course I won’t do anything strange.

Using monster materials to enhance one’s strength isn’t strange at all.

Then he asked curiously:

“By the way, what exactly do you mean by ‘strange’? I don’t understand—could you explain it to me in detail?”

Freyme looked at the boy’s innocent, curious eyes and found herself unable to explain, stammering:

“Uh, it’s, using it to do things like…”

“Do what kinds of things?”

The Mermaid Princess 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 spell it out?

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

Ugh, this kid might genuinely not understand!

Do I 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 mention this again!”

“Of course, I’ll keep it safe, as a symbol of our friendship,” Herbert smiled faintly and bowed to the Mermaid Princess.

Got it!

Ding-ding-ding—

Obtained material: [Legendary Siren’s Rainbow Scale]!

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

Only after Freyme grew impatient and shooed him out did he leave the Deep Water Prison.

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

“Heh-heh, ha-ha, hehehe!”

No wonder it’s me!

I actually got material from a monster girl!

“...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 there was an audience, Herbert cleared his throat and casually replied: “Oh, you’re still here? Why aren’t you home yet?”

“Huh!? Hmph!”

Valentina rolled her eyes and snorted, refusing to engage with him.

I’d love to leave—do you even let me?

You don’t!

Still, she remembered her earlier promise to Herbert and kept her thoughts to herself.

In the end, Valentina merely muttered sarcastically: “You look so happy—did you have a nice chat with others?”

Herbert blinked, surprised. “Huh? Are you jealous?”

???

“I’m jealous of you, you—cough!”

Before Valentina could explode, Herbert quickly cooled things down: “Haha, just a joke—don’t get so worked up.”

“I just tested my control over the sealing array. It still puts some strain on me, but at least it functions normally.”

Yeah, though it only worked in the Second Zone—it failed in the Third.

“Oh.” Valentina gave him a skeptical glance, but seeing his earnest expression, she let it drop.

But what sealing array was he talking about?

As a self-taught dragon, Valentina had no knowledge of such things stored in her mind.

“By the way, what are the rules of this prison?”

“Huh? What rules?”

“You don’t know?”

“Know what?”

Herbert blinked. Valentina blinked. They stared at each other for a long while.

Faced with the clear, foolish gaze of a college student, Herbert was momentarily speechless.

I thought you were merely wise in your simplicity—turns out you’re just plain stupid.

“...Never mind, I’ll pretend I said nothing.”

“Huh? Oh.”

Though Valentina was slightly curious why he stopped, she wasn’t curious enough to press.

After eating for the first time in a while, though still not full, she felt sluggish and just wanted to sleep well.

Watching her curl up like a cat and yawn, Herbert sighed and prepared to leave.

Just before stepping out, he suddenly remembered something and said to the nearly asleep dragon girl: “I’ll cut your hair tomorrow.”

Huh?

The dragon opened her eyes slightly, puzzled. “Why?”

“It’s so messy—it must be uncomfortable.”

“No, I’m fine with it…”

“No, you’re not! As a friend, I can’t let you suffer like this!”

Valentina: ?

“Alright, it’s decided. Sleep now—I’ll cut your hair tomorrow.”

Herbert overruled Valentina’s objections, firmly decided the matter, and left the prison.

“You say you won’t, but how can that be?”

Outside the prison, Herbert smirked to himself: “I still need to collect your hair as material…”

Hmm.

It does sound a bit odd.

But I absolutely won’t use it for anything strange!

That night.

【“Eat it.”】

“Huh? No, how am I supposed to eat this?!”

I completely caught a cold; I only slept five hours that morning, my whole body ached, I took a pill and barely managed another hour and a half of sleep—still less than seven hours total.

It’s so hard to bear… sob sob.

Final day with double monthly votes—please, I beg you, cast your votes.

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(End of Chapter)