Chapter 417: The One Who Dances with the Dragon (Happy Birthday to Me)

“...Where are you?”

At this moment, Luccalia thought helplessly.

“Come save me!”

She longed desperately for a hero to appear and take this evil dragon away.

Luccalia silently called out in her heart—Herbert, come back soon!

She didn’t say it aloud, or else Herbert would’ve teased her mercilessly if he’d heard.

She was the one who asked for someone to chat with, yet when Valentina kindly approached, she suddenly froze up.

To be fair, this was a fantasy-world version of “Ye Gong’s Fear of Dragons.”

But honestly, it’s hard to blame Luccalia for being timid.

After all, she wanted a conversation partner, not a terrorist ready to turn her into a shattered mirror.

Let’s just chat, don’t start hitting me!

Who in their right mind chats while constantly thinking how to beat the other person up?

Are you even a real dragon?

Strictly speaking, Luccalia wasn’t afraid Valentina would strike—she’d likely not harm her true form—but she had no desire to get beaten for no reason.

Whether she was truly innocent... didn’t matter. Don’t dwell on it.

The Mirror Demon protested Valentina’s grudge.

I only borrowed your identity for a moment, didn’t deceive anyone—why are you being so stubborn?

As for why it’s “didn’t deceive” instead of “didn’t lie”—same answer: it doesn’t matter. Don’t dwell on it!

All the crises Luccalia had faced in her life... none of the beatings were undeserved.

They were all what she deserved.

“...”

The Mirror Demon grumbled inwardly for a while, then sullenly fell silent, turning her gaze to the dragon who had simply lain down to sleep on the floor.

Valentina had only come back to the Monastery to rest after exhausting herself in training; had she not been in the mood to retaliate against the Mirror Demon, she’d have passed out long ago.

Once she instinctively sensed Luccalia was an ally, not an enemy, Valentina lowered her guard.

So when sleepiness washed over her, she didn’t care about the location—she performed a masterful display of “sleep anywhere” for the Mirror Demon, who had never known proper sleep.

She yawned, closed her eyes, wrapped her arms around herself, leaned back—and instantly fell asleep.

From the first hint of drowsiness to complete unconsciousness, the entire process took no more than three seconds.

Moreover, though Valentina lay flat on her back, her sleeping posture was anything but still.

After lying down, she unconsciously curled up, threaded her massive tail between her legs, hugged it like a pillow, and rested her head atop it.

Drool dripped from her lips, her face innocent—like a fragile, lovable little creature needing care.

Though she had absolutely nothing to do with the word “fragile.”

Even in sleep, Valentina’s terrifying aura still filled the Mirror Realm invisibly.

For any ordinary mortal, not even the thought of hostility could form—let alone approaching her.

The dragon’s aura.

The fear born of bloodline made those who had once lived under dragon rule incapable of even considering rebellion.

Though the age of dragons had ended, their former glory stolen by the gods, dragons remained the apex beings of the mortal realm.

Countless people dreamed of becoming legendary heroes, famed dragon-slayers.

But when they braved hardships, overcame countless obstacles, and finally reached the dragon’s lair, facing that powerful, beautiful creature, few could muster the courage to press on.

Only true heroes could withstand the dragon’s aura through sheer will, raising their blades against it.

Yet among such mighty beings, there were always exceptions with different thoughts.

They actively pursued dragon trails, searched for dragon lairs across the land, calling themselves “Those Who Dance with Dragons.”

They dared not only face the dragon’s radiance but boldly declared love, seeking to become their partners.

Some ignored the dragon’s aura, falling in love with their strength—desiring the powerful was an instinct common to most beings.

Others simply had personal tastes, drawn to dragons’ forms; if dragons changed shape, they’d be displeased.

Most of them failed in their courtship—ignored by dragons, or vaporized by a single breath.

But some succeeded, catching the dragons’ interest and becoming mates, giving birth to dragon-blooded hybrids.

“Still, ignoring those people’s odd quirks, I have to admit—their thoughts aren’t incomprehensible.”

Luccalia watched Valentina’s peaceful, innocent sleep, silently shook her head, and couldn’t help smiling.

If you ignored Valentina’s power, she really was quite adorable.

Her appearance was flawless, no airs about her; though she had a bit of a temper, she could restrain herself.

Most importantly, she had this dumb, clueless charm.

Perhaps that’s why he overlooked all this?

Human nature. Understandable.

Thinking of this, Luccalia couldn’t help exclaiming: “Valentina is really adorable, isn’t she?”

The Mirror Demon had barely finished speaking when a voice behind her instantly agreed: “Indeed.”

“Hm?”

Luccalia spun around—and saw the boy standing there, appearing out of nowhere again.

Herbert, meeting her stunned gaze, shrugged and smiled: “I agree with you—she’s adorable. But I won’t share her with you.”

Herbert issued a possessive declaration to the Mirror Demon—she’s mine. Don’t even think about it!

“Hm???”

Luccalia rolled her eyes at Herbert, speechless: “When did I ever say I wanted to steal her from you?!”

What are you talking about?

“Is that so? I hope you really mean it.”

“Hmph!”

Luccalia rolled her eyes again—she’d never been so speechless.

Herbert and Valentina had left her utterly dumbfounded.

Fine, you two are great.

You two are truly cut from the same cloth—one blanket can’t hold two different people.

Valentina suspects you of ill intent toward her, and you suspect me of ill intent toward her.

What’s wrong with you two?

She had no patience for his nonsense, stopped arguing, and asked: “When did you come back?”

Luccalia genuinely couldn’t understand why she’d ignored Herbert.

Logically, as a Mirror Demon, she mastered spatial control through her race’s innate ability—no one should slip past her gaze on any mirrored surface.

Yet ever since meeting Herbert, she’d repeatedly failed to detect him.

Strange.

Why can’t I ever sense him?

Why can’t I catch his shadow?

“I don’t know. I didn’t do anything.”

Herbert spread his hands, equally puzzled, shrugged: “Maybe you’ve been too comfortable here too long—your vigilance has slipped.”

“Slipped? Hmm... maybe that’s it.”

Luccalia thought for a moment, reluctantly accepting this explanation—for now.

She resolved to stay alert next time—she wouldn’t let him scare her again!

Luccalia planned to lay a net of mirrors throughout the Mirror Realm, activating every surface to monitor every movement from every angle.

She refused to believe he could escape this!

Just as she nodded approvingly at her meticulous plan, she suddenly saw Herbert lift the curled-up Valentina off the ground.

“Why did she fall asleep here? Seriously—if she catches a chill... oh, right, she can’t catch a chill.”

It wasn’t a gentle cradle-hold, nor a rough shoulder-carry—it was... bending down, arms straight, lifting the “hungry dragon ball” straight up.

What kind of move is that?

If you say he dislikes her, his face was tender, smiling softly.

If you say he loves her, his action was so distant.

“...”

Luccalia fell silent, attributing this bizarre behavior to some private quirk between them.

She decided to stay quiet, not ask—she knew asking would only lead to him showing off again.

A third wheel must know its place—don’t ask what you shouldn’t.

Otherwise, you only hurt yourself for no gain.

But often, even if you want to avoid it, others won’t let you.

The world’s lovers all instinctively master one basic move—flaunt it right in your face!

Herbert “sharply” noticed Luccalia’s gaze and grinned: “Oh? You want to ask why I’m holding her like this?”

The Mirror Demon: ?

“Uh, I wasn’t...”

She wanted to deny it, but Herbert gave her no chance to refuse; with a look of deep affection, he said, “Hehe, it’s because I didn’t want to disturb her dream—she was exhausted before, and she needs a good rest.”

Mirror Demon: ??

“That’s not—”

Why are you telling me this?

Why tell me at all?

Herbert “ignored” the Mirror Demon, who hesitated to speak, gazing tenderly at Valentina’s sleeping face, letting out two soft laughs, and whispering, “Do you know why she’s been working so hard?”

Mirror Demon: ???

“No, I don’t want to know, really…”

Lucalia refused three times in a row, desperately expressing her resistance—but Herbert ignored her anyway.

He gently kissed Valentina’s cheek, his eyes filled with tenderness, and said, “Just now, I and her—”

Crack!

The sound of shattering mirror fragments interrupted Herbert’s performance.

“Enough! I know you two are deeply in love! Just shut up!”

Lucalia was beyond furious.

Damn it, why do you have to talk so much?!

I don’t want to know what happened between you two!

If you’re clinging together, fine—why do you have to tell me about it?

Are you insane?!

Damn it, you’re so cruel—are you even a Holy Knight?!

Who asked you?!?!

“Hahaha!”

Seeing the Mirror Demon so furious, Herbert finally broke his composure and burst into loud laughter: “You finally couldn’t hold it anymore—I was wondering how long you’d last!”

Watching Herbert laugh heartily, Lucalia glared at him—but soon, she herself couldn’t keep a straight face, and let out a silent laugh.

“Pfft, haha.”

“Hahaha!”

When someone is utterly speechless, they really can’t help laughing out loud.

She couldn’t help muttering, “Herbert, you’re really… sigh!”

You’re definitely a little crazy!

Holy Gold, you made me laugh!

After laughing for a long while, Lucalia looked at Herbert and Valentina’s intimate posture, and suddenly asked curiously, “By the way, how did you two end up like this?”

Now that their bond had grown closer, she suddenly became curious about the story between them.

“Huh?”

"What I mean is, uh..."

Lucalia thought for a moment, then carefully asked, “You’re human, and a Holy Knight at that—how did you come to accept something like her, something not human?”

“Something not human?” Herbert blinked, surprised, and looked deeply at Lucalia.

He never expected she would be the one to ask him this.

Herbert had imagined being asked such a question before, and had prepared his answer.

But he never imagined it would come from a monster girl who was herself something not human.

Is it appropriate for you to ask this?

“Are you curious?”

Lucalia nodded seriously. “A little. I really want to know what made you take that first step.”

“Are you trying to become a Dragon Conqueror? Or are you just obsessed with her dragon beauty and power?”

Dragon Conqueror? Dragon fetish?

Herbert laughed at the Mirror Demon’s phrasing, shaking his head—he finally understood what she was curious about.

She was really asking what about Valentina had moved him enough to walk this forbidden path, rejected by the world…

Reason?

Herbert thought for a moment, then smiled easily and shook his head. “If you want me to give you a precise answer, you’ll be disappointed.”

“My relationship with Valentina has never been about her race—whether she’s a dragon or not makes no difference.”

“Whether she’s powerful or weak, her weight in my heart won’t change.”

“If I must give you a reason… it’s love.”

Beyond admiration for strength or unusual preferences, there is a third reason to become someone’s companion—a dragon’s companion: love.

“She loves me, I love her—that’s all. That’s why we chose to be together.”

Herbert lowered his gaze, his tender eyes resting on Valentina’s sleeping face, and couldn’t help kissing her again, whispering softly, “Love is love—why complicate it with reasons?”

…

While Herbert was explaining his thoughts to Lucalia, unexpected changes were unfolding in the Lava Hell.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

“Hey! Demon! Are you okay?!”

The Demon Lady poked her head out from the Bronze Fortress, staring at the churning lava pool, and asked nervously, “Uh… are you about to go berserk again?!”

“This time it’s definitely not my fault! I didn’t do anything!”

“If Herbert comes asking later, you’ve got to vouch for me—I really didn’t mess with you this time!”

The Demon shouted and clamored, trying to prove her innocence.

Beneath the lava pool, deep in the silent molten rock, Flora was curled up in agony, hugging her knees tightly, gritting her teeth as she resisted her instincts.

She forced her eyes open, then struggled to squeeze out a word that was utterly foreign to her.

“Love…”

(End of Chapter)