Chapter 272: The Dream Should Wake (4K Bonus 80 81)

「……」

「……」

In a silence so quiet it felt almost eerie, Valentina and Fu Leimei stood side by side.

Both wore blank, bewildered expressions, staring dumbly at the scene unfolding before them.

Their gazes were drawn by some invisible force, falling straight onto the fallen angel—onto the young man cradled in her arms.

They stared at this ambiguous, bizarre tableau.

Fu Leimei's eyes were full of disbelief; her once lively gaze was now shrouded in a mist, and questions churned ceaselessly in her mind.

「What exactly is going on here? 」

「So he didn't come to see us because he ran off to have a secret rendezvous with this woman? 」

「You……」

「Couldn't you just come out and say it straight!!? 」

「Is it really such a big deal? Couldn't you just be honest for once? 」

For Fu Leimei, Herbert having ties to other people wasn't a major issue—what displeased her was Herbert's attitude of concealment.

You can have other little sisters, I don't care about that.

But you must not lie to me!

Compared to Fu Leimei, Valentina's thoughts were far simpler.

She clenched her teeth tightly, her brows knotted into a deep "川" shape, and let out an angry snort.

Hmph!

「How dare he hide from me! And hide himself with someone else!? 」

Both of the young demon-ladies were furious.

Especially when they thought about how Herbert had abandoned the two of them, intending to let them have a proper battle, while he himself had run off here to enjoy himself with someone else.

The fury in their hearts rose little by little.

Boom!

They simply couldn't hold it back!

Finally unable to suppress the anger in their hearts, the two of them entered the Aurora Sanctuary at the same time, intending to demand an explanation from Herbert and the fallen angel.

Click.

This was the moment just after Fu Leimei and the others had entered the Aurora Sanctuary, the portal behind them had vanished, and they hadn't yet had time to make their next move.

The fallen angel, who had been immersed in her embrace with Herbert, seemed to sense something.

Clang!

She lifted her head slightly; her face, hidden behind a visor, concealed her eyes, yet both Fu Leimei and the others felt a bone-chilling cold at that instant.

They felt as though countless pairs of eyes were fixed upon them, yet at the same time sensed that the other party seemed not to have opened her eyes at all.

!!!

Valentina immediately reined in her anger, her expression turning serious as she narrowed her eyes.

Very dangerous.

The fury in her heart just now had made her overlook a great deal, but now, under the frantic warnings of her instinct, the Hungry Dragon young lady could feel the intense sense of danger the other party radiated.

The other party really was strong!

The dangerous aura instantly tensed Valentina's nerves; almost instinctively, she stepped forward and placed herself in front of Fu Leimei.

「Be careful! 」

Unable to say anything else, Valentina said in a low voice: 「You're no match for her! Stay behind me! 」

Though Valentina held no particular fondness for Fu Leimei as a romantic rival, she was well aware of the important place the other girl held in Herbert's heart.

She would not sit idly by and let Fu Leimei die—doing so would make Herbert heartbroken.

Valentina did not wish to see him sad.

「Mm! You be careful too! 」

And Fu Leimei at this moment was also very tense; she too had noticed the fallen angel's strength.

Above Legend.

This was definitely the oppressive aura of one Above Legend!

Epic?

Fu Leimei even felt as though she had encountered a Saint!

But something felt off—the other party seemed not to have fully reached the Saint rank; she possessed astonishing pressure, yet her power seemed somewhat lacking.

Above Legend, below Saint… an Epic-tier powerhouse.

This was an Epic-level fallen angel!!?

「This should be an Epic fallen angel! 」

The two sides, who had been fighting moments ago, swiftly unified their front the moment a more powerful third party arrived.

But just as the two were preparing to meet the attack, the fallen angel, who had originally been standing in the distance, vanished from their sight without any warning.

A teleportation spell?

Where did she go!!?

The surrounding air seemed to freeze, leaving only an eerie, hair-raising silence.

Valentina's eyes widened as she tried to track the other party's movements; Fu Leimei likewise dared not relax, spreading her magic in all directions in an attempt to probe her out.

The other party was also a prisoner locked within a cage; even if she possessed teleportation abilities, she would not leave the prison.

And just then, a faint ripple came from behind them; before the two could react, the fallen angel had already ghost-like teleported to a spot behind Fu Leimei.

The fallen angel's jet-black wings gave a light flap, and those wings became like incomparably sharp blades, piercing straight toward Fu Leimei's back.

Those wings were so fast there was simply no time to dodge!

!!!

Slicing—

The sword-wing easily pierced through the mermaid's chest, lifting her straight up on it.

"Fu Leimei!?"

And just when Valentina thought Fu Leimei must surely be gravely wounded, the Young Lady mermaid did not, as imagined, spurt blood everywhere.

Pop.

The very next instant, Fu Leimei's entire body shattered, transforming into a puddle of crystal-clear water-mist that broke apart and dispersed in the air.

When Fu Leimei reappeared, she had already arrived beside Valentina, and she coughed once.

"Cough, I'm fine!"

After realizing the opponent's strength, she had already prepared for the worst, laying down a layer of defensive barrier around her body beforehand.

Although Fu Leimei could not match Valentina in destructive power, in terms of survivability she truly far surpassed her.

But although Fu Leimei was completely unharmed, Valentina was still provoked.

"Are you insane!?"

Valentina, shocked then furious, roared at the fallen angel: "You really want to kill us!!?"

"What on earth are you thinking!!?"

Valentina did not understand.

When she had been facing off against Fu Leimei earlier, she had been holding herself back the whole time.

Everyone may fight and everyone may get angry, but she had never once thought to go for the kill.

But now, this fallen angel had actually struck lethally without the slightest hesitation!!?

"Get out of my way!"

In her fury, Valentina did not care in the least what the opponent's actual strength was, and simply punched straight through.

But just before her fist made contact, the opponent vanished once more, teleporting to a stop in the distance.

"You still dare to run!"

But just as Valentina was preparing to continue denouncing the other's actions, Fu Leimei pressed her shoulder and shook her head in persuasion:

"Save it, it's useless, you don't need to argue with her."

Fu Leimei stared at the fallen angel who remained in place in the distance, seemingly pondering something, and ground her teeth with a sense of absurdity:

"Because this fellow isn't even awake!"

Just now, Fu Leimei had already confirmed the opponent's state.

Although it was hard to believe, utterly incomprehensible!

This fallen angel was actually asleep!

In other words, the attack the fallen angel had just made was entirely an instinctive reaction.

What kind of monster is this!

Fu Leimei clenched her teeth and could not help sighing: "How is it that all of their strength is greater than mine!!?"

Damn it, I can't possibly be the weakest one, right?

Also…

Fu Leimei stared fixedly at the youth who was still fast asleep in the fallen angel's arms at this moment; even though she understood he might have entered some special state, she still could not resist wanting to ask.

Herbert!

What time do you think this is?

How can you still be sleeping!!?

……

……

Within the dream.

Lucille showed obvious wavering, lowered her head to look at her own attire, and her eyes trembled slightly.

"This…"

Only now did she notice that she still looked as she had back then, before her fall.

Why was it like this?

Isn't this Herbert's dream?

"Realized the problem?"

Herbert's lips curved slightly upward, revealing a teasing smile, and he said in a relaxed tone: "So you see, this isn't my dream, but…yours."

He folded his arms across his chest, a hint of casual indifference showing in his eyes, and chuckled lightly: "After all, I have no idea what your past battle armor looked like."

"Besides, the dream isn't within my control at all."

Herbert had always been passively watching everything the dream showed him, unable to do a thing.

Let alone controlling the dream, he couldn't even shift his viewpoint.

Do you know what's the most agonizing thing when watching a video?

It's not being able to drag the progress bar.

What's the point of those long, boring preambles?

I, Herbert, when watching movies, have always only watched the beginning and the climax… ahem, just certain types of movies.

"……"

After hearing these words, Luciel fell into silence, lowering her head slightly, her brows furrowing as if pondering something in her mind.

After a moment, she slowly lifted her head, shook it gently, and said in a low but firm voice: "What difference does it make?"

"Whether this is your dream or mine, the things I wish to tell you will never change."

"I only want you to know the sins of the Sun God."

Yes, no matter whose dream this truly is, what Luciel intends to do remains the same.

She merely wants Herbert to see the sins the Sun God once committed, to understand that He cannot be trusted.

"Oh? Is that really so?"

But upon hearing her words, Herbert smiled again—this time with even deeper meaning.

Smiling, he fixed his gaze on Luciel and said slowly, word by word: "In my view, there is not just a difference—it is a great one."

Herbert stared into Luciel's eyes, trying to catch every flicker of change within them.

"Whether it is the Sun God's sins or His untrustworthiness, everything you say must rest on the premise that you truly believe it."

"If deep within your heart, in your subconscious, you still feel you never fell, still firmly believe you are that same War Angel of the Sun God from long ago… then why did you come here specifically to persuade me?"

In this dream, both of their forms are manifestations of their subconscious minds.

Herbert's appearance is largely his current life's, with subtle details echoing his past life.

But she—she is entirely the War Angel before her fall… doesn't that alone prove something?

Herbert stepped forward, standing before Luciel, and asked softly:

"Luciel, let me ask you."

"Are you still that devout follower of the Sun God?"

Herbert's voice was quiet, yet it struck Luciel's heart like a heavy hammer.

"I…"

…

…

Aurora Sanctuary.

Crack!

The Fallen Angel's movements slowed noticeably; her raised wings froze mid-air.

!!!

"Perfect chance!"

Valentina, who had been locked in fierce combat with her, seized the opening and lunged forward.

She first tried to wrench Luciel's arm away to reclaim Herbert, but failed.

Valentina felt she could force it open, yet feared harming Herbert, so she reluctantly gave up.

"Tch!"

Unwilling to let this opportunity slip, she took advantage of the instant Fu Leimei froze Luciel's other two arms, leaning close to her ear.

She drew a deep breath, then roared suddenly!

"Wake up!"

…

…

"I… I, no!"

Luciel gripped her hair, muttering in self-doubt: "It's not like this! Not at all!"

Herbert, seeing Luciel visibly shaken, stepped before her: "Before you try to persuade me, first understand what lies deep within your own heart."

Although Luciel's act of dragging him into the dream was presumptuous, it carried no malice.

She truly only wished to free Herbert from the "claws" of the Sun God.

Unfortunately, she had not even understood her own heart.

This Fallen Angel's thoughts were sometimes naively bewildering.

Speaking, he raised his hand and gently stroked the angel's face amid her turmoil, then softly embraced her.

"Don't worry. As long as you don't drive me away, I will stay with you—until you uncover your truest thoughts."

"But before that…"

Herbert placed her chin upon his shoulder and whispered softly:

"The dream… must end."

…

…

Luciel suddenly opened her eyes.

Hummm!!!

In an instant, a massive shock erupted from Luciel's body.

"Don't fall asleep again—eh?!"

The shock was so powerful it blasted Valentina, who had been nearing her, flying backward.

Whoosh—

Beneath her mask, the countless pupils within her eyes trembled all at once.

"Aaaahhhhh!!!"

She tore free from the ice, clutching desperately at her own head.

"I, I, I… Aaaahhh!"

Am I really still believing in Him?

Could I really not have…

But what if that were true?

Then why did I fall?

Me?

I…

And just as Lucille kept doubting herself, Herbert, still tightly held in her arms, opened his eyes as well.

"Don't be afraid."

He raised his hand and, just like in the dream, embraced Lucille once more, gently patting her back, softly whispering:

"Even if the dream ends, I won't abandon you."

The situation was urgent; Herbert had no time to notice his surroundings, only focusing on soothing Lucille first…

He didn't notice at all the two extra onlookers in the area.

And those two, watching Herbert skillfully embrace Lucille after waking up, both showed varying degrees of disgust on their faces.

Fu Leimei snorted and turned her head away.

"Hmph."

Meanwhile, Valentina bared her teeth and hissed at his back.

"Hah!!!"

Herbert: Hmm?

Strange.

Why does my back suddenly feel cold?

(End of chapter)