Chapter 204: I Will Walk With You (4K Bonus Chapters 36 & 37)

When Herbert finished speaking, the arms wrapped around him from behind tightened completely.

Fu Leimei hugged Herbert tightly from behind.

She could feel his loneliness, and her heart ached for him because of it.

Why hadn't she realized sooner what he was yearning for?

Why hadn't she appeared in his life sooner?

Tightly, as if to soothe his lonely heart.

The two said nothing, simply quietly feeling each other's warmth like that.

After quite a while, Herbert turned around only after Fu Leimei released him.

He looked at the sea demon whose eyes were slightly reddened, and laughed.

Being underwater isn't all good—there are still some inconveniences.

There's no way to collect a sea demon's tears now.

And… no way to see what she looks like when she cries.

She was already very beautiful; at a moment like this she should have been even more so—what a pity.

He raised his hand and gently stroked the corner of Fu Leimei's eye, hoping to wipe away her tears for her, then said softly:

"I hope… you can stay by my side forever."

"For that, I hope you can accept this."

Herbert wanted to take out the silver-white ring, but suddenly discovered that the ring he had been holding in his hand had long since vanished.

Hmm!!?

When?

Herbert instinctively wanted to search for it, but just as he was about to move, he noticed that the ring had actually already made its way into Fu Leimei's hand, where she was toying with it lightly.

After seeing Herbert looking at her, Fu Leimei smiled through teary eyes and asked with a smile, "Is this for me?"

The corner of Herbert's mouth twitched, and he turned his head away: "…Heh, not necessarily."

"Oh? Really?"

Fu Leimei looked at Herbert, whose mouth was tougher than his life, and laughed easily.

After she laughed, the slight sadness from before was gone from her entirely; only joy remained.

"If it's not for me, then I'll give it back to you."

She loosened her palm and let the ring go, letting it drift toward Herbert through the water.

"Just kidding."

Herbert grabbed the ring in one swift motion, then seized her hand, immediately changing his tune: "I already showed it to you right in front of you—of course it's for you."

Fu Leimei let Herbert hold her hand and shook her head with a smile: "Still talking tough."

Herbert shook his head and argued, "This isn't talking tough. Where's the sense in letting the person receiving the gift put it on themselves?"

That sort of thing would be no fun at all.

"Then will you accept this gift?"

"Herbert, why are you asking me?"

Fu Leimei looked at the boy, her smile somewhat helpless: "When I chose you, I should have already given my answer."

You are the hero I chose.

The partner I chose.

I gave you my answer long ago.

"Haha, I want to hear you say it out loud yourself."

Herbert smiled, gazed into Fu Leimei's eyes, and said softly, "If you're willing to accept, would you let me put it on you?"

What the ring represents needs no further words.

In the underwater world where no one could know, they had already bared their hearts to each other.

And come to fully understand each other's feelings.

"Mm, I will."

Fu Leimei nodded gently.

Just as the ring was about to slide onto her finger, she suddenly said softly, "Herbert, do you know why I wanted you to do this underwater?"

Herbert, who had been about to put the ring on her, froze; his motion stalled. He blinked and said uncertainly:

"Are you trying to say that this is your world?"

Or is this actually a sea demon custom?

Dragging your partner into the water?

That custom of yours is a bit wild…

Fu Leimei shook her head and laughed softly, "No, I want to tell you something."

"If it's for you, if it's what you wish for…"

"I can leave this place."

"Even if it means leaving my world and coming to yours with you."

"As long as I can be with you, I can go anywhere."

As Fu Leimei's words fell, the current beneath them suddenly surged, lifting them straight up and bursting out of the water with a roar.

Just as Fu Leimei had said before.

From my world, to yours.

My promised hero.

I will always walk alongside you.

Herbert felt the air against his body, but for a moment forgot to breathe.

He stared blankly at Fu Leimei, who was flying through the high sky with him, watching her pull herself closer in midair, and then boldly kiss him.

!!!

The time from their surfacing to their landing was not long, but in Herbert's heart, the instant of that kiss lasted a very, very long time.

"Fu Leimei…"

In the instant Herbert's heart was deeply moved, his finger moved, and he successfully slipped the ring onto Fu Leimei's hand.

The silver-white ring automatically adjusted its size, perfectly fitting the thickness of the merman Young Lady's finger, but it did not completely stop changing.

It had not yet completed its final transformation.

"Hm? This is…"

Fu Leimei also noticed the ring's peculiarity, raised an eyebrow, and was unsure what exactly was going on.

"This ring can also change its usual state."

Herbert did not explain further, but gently wrapped his arm around Fu Leimei's waist, then placed his finger on the ring and asked: "Is there any accessory you like?"

"Something I like?"

Fu Leimei examined the ring with some curiosity, then thought for a moment and said: "Then let it become an accessory that can make sound."

"Hm?"

Herbert was somewhat puzzled.

He could understand liking the shape of an accessory, but why like one that could make sound?

"Herbert, have you forgotten my singing voice?"

Fu Leimei said softly: "After leaving this place, I don't want to bring trouble upon you."

"In the past, only those who heard my singing would be affected, but what about the future? If this curse strengthens in the future? To the point where anyone who merely hears my voice will be affected?"

"I don't wish to harm anyone, especially the people by your side."

"When there are outsiders present, I will keep my mouth shut and not make a single sound."

There was no sadness in her voice, as if she were merely saying something perfectly ordinary.

"So I need something that can make sound."

"When I cannot speak, as long as it chimes, you will know I am already by your side."

Herbert frowned in silence.

He did not want Fu Leimei to be so pessimistic, and her ability was absolutely not a curse.

But right now, he truly had no way to completely solve this problem for her.

At least relying on himself alone, there was no way to guarantee that no accident would ever occur.

"Nie Nasha…"

【"Don't worry, I know what you want to ask."】

The Harmonious God whispered softly in his ear: 【"There is a way, it can be solved, trust me."】

After receiving the affirmative answer, Herbert nodded slightly.

"…Thank you."

【"Hehe, between you and me, there's no need for thanks."】

【"Even if it were for her, for them… you need not thank me."】

Nie Nasha chuckled softly, then fell silent once more.

"Mm."

After a brief silence, Herbert silently expressed his gratitude to Nie Nasha in his heart.

He looked up at Fu Leimei, nodded firmly and said: "You don't need to worry. One day, sooner or later, it will be solved."

I will help you… no, we will help you solve it.

And regarding this completely baseless promise, Fu Leimei still chose to believe it, and smiled and nodded.

"Mm, I believe you."

"But until then, let's do it my way, alright?"

"Mm."

Herbert closed his eyes with his hand on the ring, and thought of an accessory that would suit Fu Leimei's needs.

Hum—

Following his thought, the ring emitted a burst of Bai Guang, instantly changing its original appearance and transforming into a wind chime-like earring.

Herbert gently put the earring on Fu Leimei for her, and nodded with satisfaction.

"Very beautiful."

"Hehe, thank you."

Fu Leimei raised her hand and lightly toyed with the silver wind chime earring, a satisfied smile appearing on her face.

She had originally thought Herbert would make her a whistle.

This one was much prettier than a whistle.

Herbert smiled at her satisfied look and said softly: "Thank you for being willing to wait for me."

Thank you for being willing to become my… family.

Fu Leimei looked at Herbert's serious expression and laughed, as a layer of water mist suddenly flashed across her body.

She hid her fish tail, put on a gorgeous long dress, activated her alchemical legs, and like an elegant noble young lady, gave Herbert a gentle curtsey.

"And thank you for being willing to accept me."

To other humans, she was a dangerous foreign race, a heresy that needed to be purified.

Although Herbert had ignored this point, she would not completely forget it.

The relationship between herself and him, in the eyes of others, was an absolute taboo.

Not only for humans, but for sea demons as well.

For Herbert, as a Holy Knight, to be able to cross the taboo and be together with her was certainly not easy.

Just how great a risk he had taken behind the scenes, how much torment he had endured, she could guess a little of it.

This was also the reason she had been so moved after confirming that Herbert was going to propose to her.

"Oh right, I forgot to ask you earlier."

"Hmm? What is it?"

At this moment, Fu Leimei suddenly thought of something she had been concerned about for a very, very long time, and asked casually:

"What is your relationship with the prisoner from the First Zone?"

Between you two...

!!!

Here it comes.

The True Weight has arrived!

"Between Valentina and me..."

Herbert's spirit jolted sharply, he took a deep breath, and was just about to explain when he saw Fu Leimei give a slight nod.

"So her name is Valentina, you call her by name directly, you two seem quite intimate."

This legendary sea demon, at this moment, revealed the seasoned experience gained from living for several hundred years.

"After I mentioned her, your heartbeat quickened considerably, which proves that your relationship is probably not an ordinary intimacy, I understand..."

And Herbert blinked, suddenly realizing that the situation was different.

This is bad.

Unlike that silly Valentina who only relies on intuition to handle problems, this one is a Princess who has properly received royal education.

There is a huge difference in intelligence between the two, and the same method cannot be used to deal with them.

Hard to fool!

"Uh, that, listen to me."

Herbert, somewhat flustered, tried to salvage the situation, but was cut off by Fu Leimei waving her hand.

"No need, you don't have to explain anything, and I don't plan to ask anything more."

"That..."

Herbert hesitated over how to explain.

Just how should he put this?

"Herbert, I'll just ask you one thing."

Fu Leimei gently touched her earring and asked: "This, does she have one too?"

"... Cough, cough."

Herbert was silent for a moment, knowing that trying to hide it forcefully was useless, and that this day would come sooner or later.

"She does have one, but yours is different from hers."

Fu Leimei's expression was nothing like the anger or jealousy Herbert had imagined; it could even be called calm.

She merely said lightly: "When I get the chance to meet her, we'll talk about the rest then."

Among sea demons, females are far stronger than males in all aspects, making it a matriarchal society.

Fu Leimei's mother also had multiple partners, so she did not have much resistance to the unclear relationship between Herbert and Valentina.

And the key point was, in fact, exactly as she had said.

Neither she nor Valentina had ever met, and they didn't even know what kind of person the other was, so there was really no need to show jealousy at this point.

Even if she truly had to compete with that Valentina, it would have to be after determining the other's attitude.

Otherwise, it would make her seem very jealous.

And after raising that matter high only to set it down gently, Fu Leimei turned and smiled: "Alright, let's not talk about that anymore, I'm not angry."

She hugged Herbert and said softly: "As long as you treat me the same way you treat her, I'll forgive you."

"She accompanied you outside, and I want to go too."

"You must keep your promise, and take me away from here, okay?"

After completely confirming the relationship, she was no longer content to stay here forever.

Although this place wasn't bad, it couldn't really be called good either.

She hoped to have the chance to stay by Herbert's side forever, rather than waiting here like a resentful wife for him to return.

Especially, she didn't want that Valentina to stay by his side all the time.

But rather, she would be the one to accompany Herbert away from here, leaving that one to wait here.

This is definitely not jealousy.

This is only fair!

"Alright, there's no time to lose, let's set off now."

"... Huh?"

Fu Leimei:?

"Ah?"

She raised her head blankly, and saw Herbert's brilliantly smiling expression.

"Now?"

She felt as though she were dreaming.

"Yes, right now!"

She had assumed Herbert's visit today was only to confirm their relationship with her.

She had never expected he truly meant to take her out of this prison.

You're actually serious!!?

Isn't this way too sudden!?

"Haha, it's nothing much. This time it's only a temporary outing."

Herbert gently patted Fu Leimei on the back and softly promised:

"But one day, just as we promised, I will take you away from here for good."

To go to the place that belongs to us.

Bonus update progress (37/225), we can win!

Still a ten-thousand-character update, but split from five parts into two parts, the pacing flows a little better, and the average subscriptions won't drop too badly. Hope everyone can understand~

……

Recommendation: 《Who Hid My Corpse! 》

"Did you know? I used to be the most powerful person in this world. Even the gods couldn't do anything to me. As long as I can find my body again, I can be resurrected."

"So?"

"So… who hid my corpse!"

PS: Also managed to get my sticky note up to the big shots! Sticky note!



(End of this chapter)