Chapter 406: The Dragon Girl Who Knows How to Pout Has the Best Luck (Please Vote!)

The young knight hadn't even time to continue teasing the furious devil before he was kidnapped by an intruding dragon.

More accurately… he willingly let himself be taken.

Without explaining to Clarity or Flora, Herbert waved his hand and left the Lava Hell, arriving beside Valentina.

He looked at the Hungry Young Lady, now reverted to her half-dragon form, and asked with a helpless expression: "You mean you're coming too?"

"Mm!"

"So, do you know where I'm going?"

"No idea!"

Valentina nodded vigorously, eyes sparkling with excitement, shouting loudly: "But wherever it is, I'm coming with you!"

The Hungry Young Lady wasn't just speaking—she was demonstrating her stance with action.

Her thick crimson tail whipped rapidly behind her, stirring up sharp gusts of wind.

Swish—swish—

If anyone happened to be standing behind her right now, they'd likely be snapped clean in half—or even shattered!

Labrador's tail might be a weapon for striking, but Valentina's tail? It's unquestionably a killing instrument.

Watching her like this, Herbert couldn't help but smile, thinking of large dogs before they're let out for a walk.

This excitement was identical—no, even greater!

So cute~

And Valentina seemed aware of how adorable she looked right now—she clung to Herbert's arm, swaying and pouting.

"Take me with you!"

She pressed his arm against her chest, rubbing back and forth.

"Take me! Take me!"

Feeling Valentina's relentless assault, Herbert silently clenched his lips, gritted his teeth, and leaned forward slightly.

"No, no, madam, please don't do this."

Herbert turned his head slightly, speaking with a pious air: "Young Lady, mind your conduct—I'm not that kind of man…"

Of course, though his words sounded virtuous, his body showed no intention of pulling away.

If it were some unfamiliar woman, Herbert could ignore her advances, treating her as a mere skeleton draped in beauty.

But facing his most beloved Hungry Young Lady, he couldn't control his instincts.

He said no, but his body was honest.

His body, long accustomed to her touch, had already reacted the moment he sensed her scent.

Thus, amid their back-and-forth verbal struggle, their physical distance didn't grow farther—it grew closer.

Soon, they were pressed together.

Snuggle!

Valentina draped over half her body onto Herbert, clinging like a koala.

Her arms wrapped around his neck, her legs clasped around his waist, and her tail gently propped her up from behind.

She locked him in place, then rubbed her cheeks against him.

Senior Brother locked He Jinyin. JPG

Throughout this, Herbert, thoroughly enjoying it, didn't resist—he actively helped, making it easier for her to cling to him.

He Jinyin locked Senior Brother. JPG

Though they appeared to be arguing, they looked more like they were finding an excuse to cling to each other.

Still, despite their extremely intimate posture, Herbert weighed it carefully, then sighed and spoke at last.

"Hmm… still no."

Valentina, rubbing against Herbert's chest, froze at his words, lifting her head slightly to look at him.

Herbert saw the pitiful expression gazing up at him, hesitated again inside, but hardened his heart and said firmly: "Sorry, Valentina—I can't take you this time."

Yes, after thinking it through, Herbert decided to cruelly refuse her.

Though Valentina was adorable, and Herbert very much wanted to accompany her.

But this wasn't a trip to Solanthis for fun—it wasn't a safe place for her.

It was the Solar Church's Radiant Holy City, the place where all chaos and evil were destroyed.

Valentina wasn't strictly evil, but she had once borne the lives of tens of thousands.

Though Herbert had purified her inside and out, again and again, her karmic burden had greatly lessened—it still lingered.

The moment she stepped into Solanthis, she'd be instantly marked as a threat to be eliminated.

"Valentina, I know you're eager, but don't rush—I'll explain everything…"

To soothe the Hungry Young Lady, Herbert patiently laid out all his concerns.

"…."

After listening quietly, Valentina frowned, didn't immediately rage, but pouted and asked: "If I can't go, why can they?"

Most anger in this world stems from injustice.

No matter where, no matter what world, people fear inequality more than scarcity.

She could accept she couldn't come—but she couldn't understand why only she was barred.

"Because of strength."

Herbert understood her discontent and explained patiently: "Because Flora and the others are weak, and you're too strong."

That was the only reason he refused her—strength.

Valentina was too conspicuous.

Are Flora and Kreti good people?

Obviously, they have nothing to do with being good.

The fact that these two were born of the Abyss race already determined how the Church of the Sun would treat them.

Malice, suspicion, hostility… could easily be encountered.

But although a legendary-tier demon and devil would draw focused attention from the Church of the Sun, they would not be feared by them.

Flora and the others going along to Solantis — there might be small trouble, but it absolutely wouldn't cause real big trouble.

Out of respect for the Mist Monastery, the Church of the Sun wouldn't take any substantive action against them, at most some verbal admonishment — only after they actually committed an offense would they move to purify.

But Valentina is different.

Having already advanced to Epic, she would be a tremendous threat no matter where she went.

For the Church of the Gods, a Legendary is at most a humanoid ammunition depot, an Epic is like a walking tactical warhead, and a Saint… that's a nuclear bomb with self-awareness.

Among these three, a Legendary wouldn't be overemphasized — if something happened, they could easily be suppressed.

A Saint also wouldn't be overly feared, because those people themselves are all prominent figures, and coming here might also represent the stance of another god.

No one among these two would lightly offend the dignity of the Sun God.

Among the three, only the Epic-tier strong ones caught in the middle need to be highly guarded against.

And don't even think about hiding one's own strength — that's simply impossible to do.

No matter how Valentina concealed her own strength, the moment she stepped into Solantis, the Church of the Sun would know.

That is the Sun God's earthly divine kingdom.

Can anyone truly evade the gaze of the Sun God?

And once the matter of deliberately concealing one's strength to sneak in was discovered, the severity would escalate another level — it might be seen as a provocation by the Church of the Sun, directly entering a hostile state.

And even if she entered openly declaring her identity, she would be strictly disciplined, even carrying certain special restraints — and this is something Valentina is unwilling to accept, and Herbert cannot accept either.

The proud dragon is unwilling to be easily bound by others, unwilling to bow her head when facing the strong.

And Herbert is also unwilling to let anyone other than himself bind Valentina.

In this world, only she herself can be her own shackles.

After hearing Herbert's explanation, Valentina's brows slightly furrowed, and she was silent for quite a while.

Seeing that she was already somewhat swayed, Herbert's heart relaxed; pressing his advantage, he said gently, "Moreover, I won't be out too long this time — quick trip, quick return. I estimate I'll be back in a few days."

"If it really comes to it, just take a nap — close your eyes and open them, and I'll already be back."

Herbert wasn't going out for the first time; he believed Valentina could understand him and behave.

But just when Herbert thought he had persuaded her and could go off to greet the other monster girls… the slender legs wrapped around his waist by the dragon girl tightened slightly, squeezing him even closer.

The Hungry Dragon Young Lady wordlessly declared an attitude — not allowed to leave!

Hm?

Herbert's eyes shifted, and he saw Valentina pouting stubbornly.

The Hungry Dragon Young Lady, seeing him look over, sniffed and huffed, "You jabbered a whole bunch of stuff, I don't understand any of it!"

"I'm not listening, I'm not listening!"

"I don't care, I'm coming with you!"

Well then.

Herbert couldn't hold back his laughter at this moment — people really do laugh when they're speechless.

He thought she had understood, but in fact she hadn't taken any of it in at all.

"Valentina, the situation is…"

But just as Herbert was preparing to continue explaining, another remark from Valentina made him freeze.

"Also, since you're not going to play, don't you need me even more?"

Valentina hugged Herbert tightly, stared at him intently, her tail also wrapping around his leg, and said seriously, "Don't worry, I will definitely protect you."

"As long as I'm here, no one can hurt you!"

Valentina's stance — all those twists and turns, she doesn't understand them at all.

She only knows one thing.

I love you.

I don't want you to get hurt.

She pouted, huffing unhappily, "Also, if I can't protect you, then what was the point of me advancing in the first place?"

Valentina being able to advance to Epic was originally a joyful thing — goodness knows how many people sought it in vain.

But at this moment, she was actually ungratefully complaining again.

Feeling that it was precisely because she had advanced to Epic that she couldn't openly accompany Herbert by his side.

Legendary, good.

Epic, bad!

"If I'd known it would be like this, I wouldn't have advanced to Epic!"

"Hmph!"

After hearing Valentina shamelessly utter such words that any outsider would find utterly outrageous, Herbert finally shook his head helplessly.

Listen, listen to yourself.

Is that even something a person should say?

If you don't want to advance to Epic, then give it to me, will you?

I want it!

Of course, Herbert understood that this was just her venting, and she wasn't truly jealous.

Out of the mouths of babes—let the great wind blow them away!

As for whether Valentina is a child… you just mind your own business.

A baby of several thousand months is still a baby!

Herbert pressed his lips together, hesitating: "Valentina, you…"

Valentina cut him off, huffing: "You don't trust me? You're doubting my resolve?"

"No, I trust you—how could I not trust you?" Herbert shook his head lightly and smiled helplessly.

"Then what are you doubting?" Valentina asked, suspicious.

Right, what am I doubting?

Herbert chuckled softly, stared at her, and said gently: "I'm wondering… when did you become so, uh, sharp-witted?"

During that conversation just now, Herbert had sensed something slightly off.

There seemed to be a guiding quality in Valentina's words, deliberately steering Herbert's replies—that wasn't right at all.

This wasn't something her IQ could pull off!

This wasn't looking down on Valentina; on the contrary, it was a conclusion only reached by knowing her too well.

Behind her, there was an expert coaching her!

"Heh-heh! You really did notice!"

Sure enough, once exposed, Valentina's expression changed on the spot. She hummed smugly: "I said you'd notice, but Fu Leimei said you wouldn't. I win."

Just as expected.

Herbert pursed his lips and asked: "Was this what she taught you to say?"

"Mm-hmm! She said as long as I say everything on my mind, you'll definitely soften up!" Valentina giggled and nuzzled against Herbert, feeling she had won big.

Herbert blinked, then reminded her: "Um, is there any chance… she told you to do this on purpose so that I'd notice?"

"Eh? Is that so?"

Their eyes met, and Herbert saw only clarity in Valentina's eyes—not a trace of contamination by wisdom.

Herbert couldn't bear to sully that clarity, so he let the topic go: "Forget it, let's leave it at that. You're right, you win."

"Yay!"

Besides, after being "exposed," Valentina returned to her true nature and started clinging to him again shamelessly.

"Herbert, take me with you!"

"I don't care, I'm going too!"

"I want to go! Go! Go—"

Valentina didn't bother arguing with Herbert, holding him tighter and tighter.

Holding on tight!

Pressing his body into her proud cleavage.

"Just give up on that idea—no amount of acting cute will work."

And Herbert, face taut, righteous as could be, said in a deep voice: "I'm not taking you!"

"My mind is made up!"

"My heart is like iron!"

……

……

Two days later.

In the sky a hundred miles from Solantis.

A crimson giant shadow flashed past.

As it streaked by, it cast a massive shadow onto the ground, covering the battlefield where two factions of the Church of the Gods were facing off.

"Hm? Did it get dark?"

"No, that's not right!"

"Is that a giant dragon?"

……

"That's them! Charge! Valentina! Charge!"

"Don't worry, I won't let them put those shackles on you."

The Herbert who had called himself "iron-hearted" sat on the crimson giant dragon's back, patted it gently, and said softly: "These ugly bastards are our pledge of allegiance."

"Don't hesitate—give me… breathe!"

(End of chapter)