Chapter 396: A Bitter Tongue (Request Subscription)

「……」

In the mirror, Luccalia’s lips moved slightly, several times as if to speak, but she ultimately chose silence.

Luccalia watched Herbert smile and nod at her before immediately turning to soothe Luciel, and she clicked her tongue silently.

Tsk.

This boy… no, this man is even more unusual than she expected.

Herbert’s uniqueness certainly does not stem solely from the strange tide of fate surrounding him.

After witnessing firsthand how Herbert calmed Luciel, Luccalia finally understood completely.

Even setting aside that favor of fate, he himself is extraordinarily unusual.

Herbert excels at identifying psychological vulnerabilities in others and exploiting them to achieve his own ends.

His ability feels more terrifying than that of any race that thrives on manipulating others.

At least in that moment, ordinary people wouldn’t even have the courage to speak, let alone calm a fallen angel.

Even over the past thousand years, she had never seen many who possessed such a method.

Gentle words wrapped his true intentions in a sweet layer of sugar glaze, making the truth indistinguishable, causing others to willingly become his slaves.

No, not just words.

Those within the game are confused; those outside see clearly.

The fallen angel trapped within the situation failed to perceive the truth, but Luccalia, as an outsider, saw it all plainly.

Every gesture, every glance, every pause had been meticulously rehearsed and carefully planned—a perfect performance.

Before such tactics, even that powerful angel was toyed with in his palm.

No, perhaps the fallen angel understood as well?

Luccalia did not believe Luciel was some ignorant fool.

A fool might rise to legend through powerful racial Tianfu , but could never truly reach Shi Shi.

Luccalia believed there were virtually no fools among Shi Shi-level Qiangzhe .

Perhaps, precisely because the fallen angel understood, he chose to accept his embrace?

…No, what exactly is their relationship? Why does Luciel obey that man’s commands?

This question filled Luccalia with intense curiosity.

The gossip fire burned fiercely within her, like tiny claws scratching inside her heart.

What exactly is your relationship?

Prisoner and warden? Intimate friends? Or… man and woman?

Each seemed plausible, yet each fell just short.

If forced to describe the feeling, their relationship resembled that of superior and subordinate—yet it was the angel who was beneath!

It was utterly upside-down!

After pondering for a long time, Luccalia’s mind churned with freshly forged rumors, expanding endlessly upon earlier foundations.

“The Underdog Rises! When the Angel Kneels Before a Mortal!”、“The Untold Tale of the Angel and the Mortal”…

After crafting countless intricate, torturous romance stories, Luccalia exhaled deeply, satisfied.

“Phew!”

That felt good.

She had fantasized herself into ecstasy.

She didn’t care about the truth—she had already enjoyed it thoroughly in her mind.

“Humans… are truly terrifying. Another master of manipulating hearts, hmm.”

As she murmured inwardly, she watched Herbert and Luciel walk through the portal and vanish, shaking her head in wonder.

“I’m genuinely curious.”

“Compared to those who seduce countless women, are fought over by them, and ultimately end in ruin, what fate will you meet?”

Will you have a peaceful end?

She did not know how many women Herbert was entangled with, but even those she had seen so far were already numerous.

Dragon, mermaid, angel…

“Tell me, do you truly love them? Or were you forced onto this path by circumstance?”

All the women connected to him are immensely powerful monster girls, each capable of tearing him apart in brutality.

Has Herbert ever felt fear facing these companions?

Humans fear monsters.

Though humans have hunted monsters relentlessly, they still fear them, seeing themselves as pitiful weaklings.

For humans, union with other races has always been a taboo no one dares mention—though half-breeds have never been few, few ever bring such matters to light.

Now, a Holy Knight has walked the most forbidden path, yet unexpectedly retains his holy power and the protection of his vows.

“So, do you truly believe you walk the righteous path?”

Because you believe your actions are just, your will does not waver, and your holy power does not fade.

In her eyes, Herbert’s actions were dancing on the edge of a blade, walking the precipice—any misstep would bring the most horrific end.

Yet this uncertainty is precisely what draws others in, making one eager to see the final outcome.

“How far will you go?”

Luccalia sighed, shaking her head with a faint smile: “I hope you don’t end up like the others, torn apart and dead…”

“And I hope I live to witness it all, hmm.”

As her musings ended, the Mirror Spirit suddenly smiled strangely.

She glanced left and right, confirmed Herbert had departed completely and would not return soon, then relaxed fully.

“Phew!”

Creak… creak… creak.

The mirror’s surface slowly cracked, and a translucent, slender hand emerged slowly, pressing against the frame’s edge.

Then, a petite head slowly emerged from within the mirror.

At this moment, the Mirror Spirit no longer reflected anyone’s image—she bore a stranger’s face.

She had a girl’s delicate features, elfin pointed ears protruding from silver hair.

Her hair flowed like liquid mercury, smoothly trailing behind her, drifting gently against gravity with her movements.

Her large eyes resembled two deep pools of silver water—pure, mysterious, shifting with countless emotions as they moved, inscrutable.

These myriad emotions came from her memories of what she had seen and heard, from the stories she had recorded.

Yet when those silver-gray eyes rolled playfully, all mystery vanished, leaving only mischievous liveliness.

“Hmm… phew!”

She widened her eyes, cautiously scanning her surroundings, then slowly exhaled.

“Good, good—he didn’t notice. Hehe, thank goodness I prepared an extra layer!”

Luccalia sighed, lightly patting her chest, drifting out from the mirror.

Her slender body matched her youthful appearance, standing only up to Herbert’s chest—daintily small, with a pair of fairy wings behind her, seemingly formed from shattered mirror shards.

Her body seemed soaked in moonlight, translucent silver glow outlining her delicate curves; every inch of skin exposed beyond her silver-gray gauze robe was covered in hair-thin mirror cracks.

After stepping out of the mirror, she stretched carelessly, ignoring propriety.

As she stretched, the cracks refracted star-like glimmers, reflecting internally within her body.

“Mmm~ ha!”

“Hehe, that lewd, foolish Holy Knight would never guess—this is my true form!”

Though the Mirror Spirit is unique and can mimic other beings, she is fundamentally a fairy, no different in essence from flower spirits, tree spirits, or water spirits.

They each have their own true appearance—this ghostly girl-like form is Luccalia’s genuine “true body.”

Just as “a demon’s true name must not be known” and “a devil’s pact must be honored,” the Mirror Spirit race has its own special constraints.

As faceless mirrors, their true visage must never be seen by others.

Once seen, they can no longer mimic that person’s appearance, losing their greatest safeguard.

In the past, no one had ever seen Luccalia in this form.

All who saw her saw only their own reflections—without exception.

Now, she revealed her true form not out of carelessness, but to perform a special ritual.

Luccalia took a deep breath, focused all her energy, and extended her tongue to lick her fingertip.

With the silver liquid on her fingertip, she slowly inscribed an ancient, lost language upon the mirror’s surface.

“I shall witness.”

The first line glowed silver, then slowly sank into the ancient mirror and vanished.

“I shall record.”

The second line, after being written, likewise dissolved.

“I shall tell.”

And when the third line was completed, the two previous lines reappeared.

“Hehe~”

She smiled contentedly, lightly licking her lips with a shimmering silver tongue, watching the three lines fade away.

Witness. Record. Tell.

The ritual is complete.

In the future, whenever Lucalia wishes, she can appear within the mirror surfaces Herbert sees, replacing his shadow and silently observing him.

Even if Herbert is not in front of the mirror, as long as she pays a small price, she can “see” him.

But simultaneously, she will be bound by certain limitations: her true form will grow more fragile, and she will no longer be able to leap to another mirror surface.

There are advantages and drawbacks.

This is the decision Lucalia has made; she has already designated Herbert as her next subject of observation.

She will witness Herbert’s future, record his experiences, and ultimately tell his story to others.

For this, she is willing to pay a price.

After all, she is currently locked here and cannot leave, and no outsiders can enter—her true form faces no danger.

Perfect~

Now, the greatest drawback is gone.

I’m a genius!

Just as Lucalia was basking in pride over her brilliant idea, two soft knocks came from behind her.

Thump. Thump.

…Huh!!?

Lucalia snapped her attention back and turned to look behind her.

Who!!?

“Um, just to ask—were you just talking about some foolish Holy Knight?”

Behind her, Herbert pushed open a tiny portal revealing only his face, his expression curious: “Miss Lucalia, could you tell me the answer?”

After watching her mutter to herself, Herbert finally decided to speak up.

Were you just speaking ill of me behind my back?

!!?

Faced with Herbert’s accusation, Lucalia was utterly panicked: “How are you here!!?”

No.

When did he arrive!!?

How did I not sense him at all?

Wait.

Did he see my true face?

Realizing this fatal point, Lucalia froze in place.

Herbert smiled at her, casually saying: “Of course! This is the Penitentiary—I’m the warden. Where can’t I go?”

Herbert glanced at the Mirror Spirit, whose face bore an expression as if she’d been violated, and sneered.

What?

I just startled you a little. Why are you looking like that?

So what?

Don’t you know I control the sealing array of the Mirror Space?

Don’t you know that once I activate the map inside the Penitentiary, I can teleport back at will?

Oh.

You really didn’t know~

Then it’s fine.

“Oh, by the way.”

Herbert winked at Lucalia, his gaze landing on her lips as he smirked: “Your tongue is rather suggestive.”

Silver tongue—looks downright lewd.

“S… shut up!”

Completely broken, Lucalia grabbed her hair and screamed: “Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!!!”

“Oh? Why the sudden outburst? Are you in a bad mood?” Herbert blinked, puzzled by her extreme reaction.

Menopause?

Lucalia could not explain her anguish; she could only clutch her hair, tears welling, and cry out helplessly.

“Go away!”

“Just go!”

I’m doomed!

This is completely over now!

When Herbert mentioned the color of her tongue, she finally understood the situation—Herbert would only see her true face.

She had completed the ritual, granting her the ability to spy on Herbert’s life, but she could no longer disguise herself as his reflection before him.

That means…

Every time Lucalia tried to secretly observe Herbert, he would clearly see her appearing in the mirror.

Isn’t this embarrassing?

Now she’s permanently bound to him!!?

“It’s over…”

Elde.

Thump. Thump.

“Theresa!”

Yuniel knocked on Theresa’s door and called inside: “Have you changed clothes? May I come in?”

The room fell silent for a moment, then Theresa’s faint voice replied: “...Yes, I’ve changed. Come in—the door isn’t locked.”

“Alright!”

Click.

Yuniel pushed open the door but didn’t enter immediately; she first peered inside from the threshold, ensuring she wouldn’t disturb Theresa before stepping in.

The room had no bed—it was utterly bare.

This wasn’t due to deliberate mistreatment by the territory’s people; everyone lived this way.

In this special place, even this simple room was a luxury—there was no silk or other extravagant materials.

Yuniel sat beside Theresa and asked curiously: “Theresa! I heard you accidentally fell into the water?”

“How could you be so careless?”

Theresa pressed her lips together and shook her head slightly, offering no further explanation.

“It’s nothing—just a momentary distraction.”

Sophya had warned her: before Herbert’s return, she should not tell anyone what had happened, to avoid controversy.

She didn’t want to elaborate, but Yuniel wasn’t ready to drop it.

“Hmm…”

Yuniel studied Theresa’s expression, hesitated, blinked, then leaned close to her ear and whispered: “Judging by your look… are you thinking about Lord Herbert?”

Theresa: ???

How did you know?

Wait, no!

Why are we even talking about him?

How did you guess?

(End of Chapter)