[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary":3,"chapter-an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-412":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","An Improper Monster Girl's Transformation Diary",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2312341,4517,"Chapter 412: Valentina Is So Cute (62K Subscription Request)","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-412",412,"\u003Cp>\"Hmph~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Valentina returned to the Third Oath Hall and saw her \"enemy\" again, she suddenly felt in the mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn't sleepy anymore, didn't think about sleeping at all—she was ready to have a proper talk with Lucarria.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You think I'll let you off? Hmph! It's not that simple!\" She lifted her head, glaring at her reflection in the mirror through her nostrils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmph!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn't it you who bullied me before?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn't it you who locked me up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn't it you who impersonated me to trick Herbert?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Answer me!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The previous Valentina was still at the Legend stage and in the midst of advancement, unable to unleash her full power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her weakened state, she accidentally entered the Mirror Realm, fought on foreign ground, and was ambushed and imprisoned by the Mirror Spirit—she certainly wouldn't have accepted that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That humiliating experience had left her deeply resentful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, she had fully restored to her peak state!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt amazing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time for revenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentina felt her condition was excellent, her mood great—she could eat four or five Herberts in one sitting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some rejoice, some grieve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Valentina's bright smile appeared on her face, someone else's smile vanished without a trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucarria's mood was like swallowing shit—she could only force a nervous laugh at the furious dragon girl pounding the mirror's surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How the hell did this dragon advance to Epic so fast?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A moment ago, they were still stuck together—how did she suddenly advance?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this even possible!!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mirror Spirit didn't understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Advancing from Legend to Epic is a grueling trial for all mortals—requiring utmost caution, not a single moment of complacency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as Lucarria observed, Valentina seemed to have done absolutely nothing to prepare—she simply advanced, effortlessly and directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as an Epic-tier powerhouse, Lucarria couldn't help but feel a flicker of envy toward Valentina's bloodline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this the terrifying talent of Dragon blood?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the truth was far more complicated and Valentina had suffered greatly, to outsiders, her actions seemed utterly absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eat, sleep, sleep, eat, wake up and eat again, then sleep once more... endlessly repeating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, after eating a few Herberts, she simply advanced—fresh and vibrant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In summary: one word—this is fucking absurd!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As always: to shine before others, you must suffer behind the scenes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You must work relentlessly, endure hardship in secret, so that to others, your success appears effortless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exactly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentina was the legendary type who seemed calm on the surface but secretly burned the midnight oil—how could that be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Valentina herself didn't believe that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sorry, I, Valentina, reached this point entirely through talent and the help of benefactors—little effort, no sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Endure hardship?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentina did indeed eat a lot behind the scenes—but she wasn't eating the bitterness of life or cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't bitter at all—actually, it was kinda sweet...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, who was really the one suffering and toiling? Unclear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Correct—the one enduring hardship was someone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentina's bloodline ancestral return consumed nothing but Herbert's hard-earned sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without Herbert's \"support\" and generous guidance, she might still be trapped at the peak of Legend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert is MVP! Valentina is the lucky one who won without lifting a finger!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The specific details and truth behind this were beyond Lucarria's imagination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had only seen the two of them stacked together—unaware of all Herbert's peculiar traits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mirror Spirit studied the hungry dragon girl, silently marveling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is truly outrageous!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why does the aura radiating from her feel more dangerous than nearly every Epic I've ever encountered?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This dragon is strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even at the same realm, Lucarria still felt this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentina had only just entered the Epic realm, yet in terms of danger, she matched or surpassed any Epic Lucarria had ever seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even exceeded them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gave off no astonishing magical fluctuations, nor even an exaggerated Dragon aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even if Valentina did nothing—simply stood still—everyone could instinctively sense her danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That pure power seemed the violent embodiment of \"power\" itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strictly speaking, this was admiration—not fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucarria wasn't afraid of Valentina attacking her, nor worried she'd wreck the Mirror Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though her direct combat strength was slightly weaker, her escape, flight, and self-preservation abilities far surpassed Valentina's.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even facing the Fallen Angel, as long as he didn't truly try to kill her, she'd suffer no real harm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her mirror clones had been shattered multiple times by Lucifer in the Aurora Sanctuary—but her true body remained untouched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in a life-or-death situation, she could always choose to flee!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the years, Lucarria had only failed once in escape—and ended up locked up here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucarria actually held a decent impression of Valentina, thinking they might get along well, sharing plenty of common ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The question now was how to turn hostility into harmony, to make them allies instead of enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This seemed difficult, but it wasn't truly hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the hardest step had already been taken—Herbert had done it for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they met, Herbert had specifically warned Valentina not to act recklessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to Herbert's mediation, they hadn't immediately started fighting (one-sided destruction).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second step was done—but Lucarria had no idea what to do next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Tch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intimidation? Bribery? Neither seemed reliable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She'd interacted with Valentina for a while—knew she was the stubbornest of the stubborn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether due to blunt nature or simple-mindedness, this dragon had no concept of compromise in her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides fighting hard, there was only fighting harder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If fists could solve it, no thinking needed—just keep punching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you can fight, never waste words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While pondering, Lucarria recalled Herbert's quiet words before he left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Though you might not see it, Valentina is a good child.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert had quietly told Lucarria: \"She's a bit too strong, a bit too naive—but her heart isn't bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If Valentina held back and didn't attack right after I left, it means she still has some restraint.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, she's not caring about your feelings—she's worrying about me, not wanting me to be troubled or saddened by her recklessness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert gave her a serious suggestion—or rather, a warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You must be sincere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So don't make excuses or dodge—apologize sincerely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She's a naive, straightforward child—never try to deceive her with lies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Valentina's intuition is sharp—she sees through pretense and senses true feelings toward her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke these words, Herbert was extremely serious, his expression tinged with unease, glancing back with lingering anxiety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And after you apologize—if Valentina accepts your apology, then you can proceed to the next step: offer her some benefits to draw closer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Benefits?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What benefits could I possibly give her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucarria was momentarily baffled—she had no idea what she could offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was trapped here, unable to communicate with the outside world, carried no special magical items—nothing tangible to give.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she was wrong—Herbert's \"benefits\" weren't material gifts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forget it—I'll just give you a clear path: food.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert finally stopped being cryptic and gave direct advice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentina loves eating, though food is no longer necessary for her, it remains one of her greatest pleasures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it’s not real food—just a few memories—using food as bait would surely greatly reduce her hostility toward you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s all I can say. How you proceed is up to you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be fair, Herbert’s proposal was thorough and responsible, with no flaws to be found.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet for some reason, Lucalia felt a strange sense of déjà vu—as if Herbert wasn’t teaching her how to reconcile with Valentina.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was more like a caretaker painstakingly instructing someone on how to befriend a large, dangerous creature he raised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Herbert acted like a worried father fearing his daughter couldn’t get along with others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She saw it: Herbert didn’t just give her advice—he repeatedly urged Valentina as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the one caught between them, bearing the heaviest burden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had worn himself out completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she realized this, Lucalia suddenly couldn’t help laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pfft! Hah… uh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After laughing out loud, Lucalia realized her mistake—she had been careless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentina had already calmed down, but seeing Lucalia laugh, she narrowed her eyes, her vertical pupils sharply fixed on the mirror’s reflection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you mocking me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucalia silently sweated, but kept a calm expression, shaking her head softly: “Of course not. I have no intention of mocking you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why did you laugh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...I just thought of something amusing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, sweating, Lucalia quickly changed the subject: “Valentina, I’ve already apologized, but I know it’s not enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To show my sincerity, I’ve prepared a special gift for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please don’t refuse—I promise you’ll love it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To ensure the Hungry Dragon wouldn’t turn it down, she added: “This was Herbert’s suggestion. He also hopes you’ll forgive me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentina had been about to say, “Who cares about your gift? Fight me (let me beat you up)—that’s the best gift!”—but when she heard Herbert’s name, her brow lifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert’s suggestion?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing that name, the Hungry Dragon’s attitude instantly softened; the chilling pressure radiating from her diminished considerably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her vertical pupils widened, rounded, turning into wide, innocent orbs that sparkled as she leaned forward curiously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it? What did Herbert have you prepare for me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, even an outsider unaware of their relationship could sense the depth of their bond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unreserved trust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And most precious of all, this trust was not one-sided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentina could drop all her guard upon hearing Herbert’s name; Herbert could instantly recognize her true form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentina trusted everything Herbert said; Herbert trusted Valentina just as completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucalia felt a moment of deep emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in her long life, having witnessed countless people and events, such genuine affection was exceedingly rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One in a hundred, perhaps even one in ten thousand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, it was… a little enviable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She chuckled softly, skipping the suspense: “I’ll give you a memory—or rather, tell you a story as a gift.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A memory?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentina blinked, tilting her head in confusion: “Someone else’s memory? A story? What use is that to me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though her own knowledge was limited, she had the Sage as an automatic search library—far superior to her past self.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh, not just any memory. Have you heard of the Gourmet Kaden?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm? Who’s that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentina’s big eyes blinked faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sage, do you know this person?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『Unknown.』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Sage could not answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wise Dragon’s inheritance wasn’t omnipotent—it wasn’t a cheat that knew all secrets, but a rapid search within the dragon’s ancestral memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those memories held mostly vital knowledge, skills, and major historical events, with little recorded on ordinary human history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dragons were proud; they rarely cared for races far weaker than themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, those creatures died easily; within a few centuries, generations changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One wave after another, one crop after another—no need to pay them much attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this arrogance and neglect had brought them bitter consequences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humans had grown and risen gradually, precisely because dragons had ignored them so arrogantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucalia explained: “Kaden, the most famous halfling adventurer in history, spent his life studying how to prepare and savor the finest foods in the world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though his power was only mid-tier, and his temperament—unusual even among halflings—was explosively short-tempered, his pursuit of culinary excellence matched no one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In his brief 170-year life, he documented over two thousand dishes from countless races, compiling them into a cookbook called The Book of Kaden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cookbook!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing “food,” Valentina’s eyes blazed with excited fire—this wasn’t metaphor; it was literal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wisp of flame shot from her eyes, reflecting multiple times off the mirror, briefly illuminating the entire Mirror Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her thick dragon tail lashed behind her, slicing the air with sharp whistles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh—swoosh—swoosh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her excitement, Lucalia secretly rejoiced—she’d likely chosen right—and continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When Kaden was alive, no one paid attention to this cookbook. But two hundred years after his death, an adventurer discovered it in his study and bought it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The adventurer recognized its value, passed it through several auction houses, spun numerous ‘legendary’ tales around it, and finally sold it for a price that stunned everyone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, Lucalia suddenly shifted tone, sighing sadly: “But later, due to an accident, the original copy of The Book of Kaden was destroyed. The surviving fragments were less than one-tenth of the original.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh no! No way…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this tragic news, Valentina let out a wail, sighed deeply, slumped in defeat, her tail drooping limply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, not this—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought of never tasting those wonderful dishes extinguished the light in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Valentina’s emotions shift so easily, Lucalia finally understood what Herbert meant by “she’s a naive, straightforward child.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled: “But don’t worry—even if others lost theirs, I still have mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Oh? Oh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant, light returned to Valentina’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I witnessed Kaden’s entire life—I recorded every dish he tasted and created from birth to death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I remember every recipe in The Book of Kaden—and even those not in it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How’s that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isn’t that amazing!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I told you recording these things was useful!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Internally proud, the Mirror Maiden lifted her chest—then her expression changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The motion was unremarkable for her true form: cunning yet subtly adorable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she forgot—she was currently using Valentina’s reflection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unconscious gesture, though not forceful, instantly sent waves rippling across her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duang~ Duang~ Duang~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucalia: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait, that’s way too exaggerated!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is fate so generous to her—and so stingy with me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This isn’t fair!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mirror Maiden suddenly regretted it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe she shouldn’t give her the cookbook after all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ughhh…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was too late—Lucalia knew this thought could only remain a thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d already whetted Valentina’s appetite; retracting now would be deliberate provocation—extremely malicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mirror Realm would be smashed to rubble today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To prevent such a tragedy, she suppressed the turmoil in her chest and heart, asking: “... Ke , Valentina, would you accept this gift from me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I want! I want!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the lure of the recipe, Miss Hungry Dragon completely forgot their earlier quarrel, casting those petty matters aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lukaria! You’re such a good person!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentina hurried forward eagerly, ready to give her a big hug, but failed to notice and crashed straight into the mirror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duang~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Miss Hungry Dragon had built-in shock-absorbing airbags on her chest, preventing a disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ow! Ugh...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stepped back two paces, her face contorted with grievance, instinctively raising a fist to strike the mirror in retaliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh... are you alright?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before she could strike, she looked up at Lukaria’s complex expression—seeming at a loss for words—and silently lowered her fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet she couldn’t bear to let it go, so she extended one finger and flicked the mirror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentina’s light flick caused the mirror to tremble slightly, but left no mark whatsoever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never mind whether it worked—she’d already avenged herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After her “revenge,” she proudly lifted her nose and gave a little huff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I, Valentina, have never yielded to anyone—not one bit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lukaria, who had witnessed all this, kept revising her impression of Valentina.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze grew ever more tender, her lips curling into a smile she could no longer suppress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where on earth did this adorable creature come from?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Ice Church temple of Ellda, the mirror on Herbert’s pocket watch flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Herbert!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lukaria’s face replaced Herbert’s reflection in the mirror, exclaiming excitedly: “Valentina is so adorable!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert raised an eyebrow slightly and replied at once: “Adorable? She’s mine—don’t even think about taking her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Huh???”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lukaria was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What nonsense—who’s trying to take her from you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert glanced at Lukaria’s bewildered reflection in the mirror, smirked triumphantly, and snapped his pocket watch shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah, you think I need you to tell me Valentina’s adorable?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who wouldn’t love a clumsy, gluttonous, tough little dragon girl?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My Lord?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sophiea, who had been recounting recent events in Ellda, noticed Herbert’s small action, paused, and asked: “Do you have something to say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert blinked, wanting to say he had no issue—just a momentary distraction, teasing the Epic Mirror Spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as a superior, he shouldn’t act so frivolous—especially while others were earnestly reporting to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, he nodded with a smile: “I understand the general situation. You’ve done well. Thank you for your hard work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He first expressed gratitude for Sophiea and the others’ efforts, showing his respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve done better than I imagined.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for the labor shortage you mentioned, I can resolve it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The construction progress in Ellda’s territory remains limited; despite magical assistance, the lack of manpower remains an undeniable problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you planning to absorb more population?” Joanna asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert shook his head, then turned to Sophiea with a smile: “Sophiea, would you like to see your old friends?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old friends? I have no friends... oh, wait—are you talking about...?” The Centaur Spirit’s eyes widened sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Exactly what you’re thinking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled softly and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will summon more Spirits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2818,"2026-06-20T12:31:07.945Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","24613f272a1c645961ff3729399faca3bdb0e61c89620730604877f4068e8e62","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-413","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-411",453,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fan-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-cover.jpg"]