Chapter 40: This Is My Offensive Route (Requesting Follows)

“...What did you say?”

Valentina, who had been reciting a high-speed divine incantation, froze mid-sentence, blinked, and stared blankly at the “suitor” right before her.

Hm?

Something feels off?

The boy loosened one hand, shyly scratched his head, and cleared his throat: “Ahem! Uh, I was wondering—could I touch your tail?”

In an instant, all the romance and ambiguity vanished; Valentina’s mind became crystal clear.

Her eyes sharp, she fixed her gaze on Herbert and slowly repeated: “...Tail?”

“Yes! Your tail! I’ve always been curious what a dragon’s tail looks like!”

Herbert tugged her hand gently, excitedly saying: “You must have a half-human, half-dragon form, right? Can you transform for me?”

Valentina’s expression slowly twisted, but Herbert kept going, animated: “It might be rude, but I’m genuinely curious!”

Tail...

Tail.

TAIL!!?

“...”

Valentina slowly lowered her head, recalling Herbert’s earlier words—rude, overstepping requests, things he’d wanted to do since their first meeting.

“Heh.”

Yeah, he never actually specified what he meant.

I just imagined it myself.

It’s all my... fault!!?

Snap.

With a soft crack inside her mind, the suppressed fury of the [Wrathbringer] erupted violently.

“HER!BERT!”

The Hungry Dragon revealed her true draconic form, eyes blazing as she glared at the boy covering his ears and grinning at her.

“You dare mock me!!!”

Damn it, you’re messing with me!?

Herbert, fully aware of the consequences of his recklessness, had already retreated before her outburst—but even so, he looked disheveled.

They were still too close; the sonic wave left him dazed.

This is the cost of being a fool.

But if he gets another chance, he’d do it again.

Because being a fool is genuinely fun.

One reckless act brings joy; endless recklessness brings endless joy!

“Aw, fine, don’t let me touch it then! Why get so worked up?”

Herbert winked at her playfully, cheerfully asking: “How about it? Did you get a little flutter? I think my acting was pretty good.”

“...You!!?”

Valentina: !!?

This guy was definitely doing it on purpose!

“You damn bastard! Aren’t you a Holy Knight!? Has your conscience been eaten by dogs!?”

Valentina’s composure shattered completely; she shook the bars violently, wishing she could tear the door down and bite him to death.

She gnashed her teeth against the bars, eyes blazing with fury as she glared at Herbert.

Damn it!

You really are a despicable bastard!

Herbert, undaunted, doubled down.

He placed one hand on his hip, pointed at the furious Hungry Dragon in the cage, and bellowed:

“Transform!”

“Give me your tail!”

Deepwater Prison.

“Sigh, this guy just doesn’t understand the male heart!”

Herbert, having fled in disarray to the second zone, rubbed his ears and sighed: “It’s just a tail! Let me touch it once—it won’t make you lose a single scale!”

“So stingy!”

After this shockingly shameless remark, the Jester, who had been watching for a long time, finally spoke: 【“Why did you go out of your way to provoke her?”】

Nenasha had watched for so long she didn’t know how to respond.

Earlier, Herbert had easily gathered two monster materials, leading Nenasha to assume one thing.

She’d thought her ally had already chosen to be a kept man, selling his body for those materials—denying it only out of pride...

But now it was clear: she’d been completely wrong—he hadn’t done anything of the sort.

Nenasha never imagined Herbert would take this path.

Not the sweet-talking route, not the skillful technique route... but the provocation route!

What kind of style is this!!?

Even the demon god was stunned!

But Herbert merely snorted, dismissing her doubts:

“You clearly don’t understand. How am I provoking her? This is active engagement, got it?”

Fighting is affection; scolding is love.

She broke so hard—she must be deeply in love with me now.

【“Aren’t you worried she’ll hold a grudge forever?”】

“Why worry?”

Herbert blinked, smiling calmly, showing not a trace of anxiety.

“Haven’t you noticed? Valentina was furious, yet she didn’t utter a single curse word.”

【“Hm? What does that mean?”】

“It means she’s angry, but not that angry—she’s still honoring our agreement.”

“Her outburst seemed violent, but it was really more embarrassment than rage—just a cover.”

Herbert recalled the flush on Valentina’s cheeks and couldn’t help a quiet laugh, shaking his head:

“What she needs right now isn’t me yelling back—it’s time to cool down. Staying here would just be asking for trouble.”

“That’s why I chose to leave.”

Nenasha fell silent, thought, then understood.

【“Oh... I get it. All this talk just to prove running away was the right move?”】

“Exactly!”

Herbert shrugged and kept walking forward.

“I’ve got a way to calm her down. You don’t need to worry.”

Hungry dragon.

Either starve her a few meals, or feed her a few more.

She’ll always calm down eventually~

A little Hungry Dragon? Easy to handle.

As Herbert strolled lazily toward the center of Deepwater Prison, his expression suddenly changed.

He heard a faint, beautiful melody.

“La la la~”

Freyme hadn’t noticed anyone had entered; she sat with eyes closed atop a water sphere, her seven-colored fish tail swaying gently.

In a strange tongue, she softly chanted an ancient ballad.

“La la la~”

【“Need me to translate?”】

“No.”

Herbert shook his head, gazing raptly at the beautiful silhouette, like something from legend.

“I understand this song.”

Freyme was singing now of the Mermaid Queen and the Human Prince.

He listened quietly, reliving the dream he had once lived.

Long moments passed; the ballad neared its end, but Freyme stopped abruptly—just before the final line.

“May you...”

Freyme opened her eyes, sighed softly, murmured to herself: “What a pity...”

Clap. Clap. Clap.

!!?

“Bravo! Beautiful singing!”

“Huh!!?”

Freime spun around, staring at Herbert as if he were a ghost, gasping:

“How are you here?!”

Thank you to poorsen’s ten-thousand-coin reward!

Thank you to Huanying Pu, Holy Flame Inquisitorial Tribunal, and Ztyzyy for your tips!

I forgot to thank several big donors yesterday—my fault; I’ll post another day!

…

Sigh, once I dropped off the new book chart, I never went back—everyone’s so strong—

Writing this book, I have to keep reminding myself: this is a lighthearted story, don’t make it grim and bitter—

Life is hard, my health is poor, but I won’t bring that into the book.

Please keep reading! I love you all!

I’ll keep pushing harder!





(End of Chapter)