Chapter 419: Valentina Takes a Bite (6K Subscription Request)

"No!"

Purely an instinctive move, Valentina dropped Flora and the other, leapt forward, and stood between the unknown entity and the door.

Ha!

She was like a burly old mage standing fearless before a fire demon, uttering that classic line.

"You!"

"Don't go in!"

You-shall-not-pass. jpg

Yet her hands held no staff or sword—barehanded, she looked utterly non-threatening.

Like a panda cub standing its ground, spreading its arms to appear larger.

"Valentina! Don't be reckless!"

When Flora realized what Valentina intended to do, she tried to pull her back—but couldn't stop her, forced to watch helplessly as she charged forward.

Damn it!

Flora didn't know what Valentina had sensed, but she knew whatever made this epic dragon so tense couldn't be anything ordinary.

And now, she had directly rushed into confrontation with the opponent.

This was bad.

If she provoked the entity, it could lead to dire consequences.

"You must stay calm—move aside!"

Valentina herself had acted on a momentary surge of adrenaline, instinctively wanting to protect her and Herbert's temporary little nest.

But only when standing before that invisible entity did she realize how reckless her action had been.

She could clearly feel her own insignificance.

Seeing Valentina frozen in place, Flora cried out anxiously: "Move aside! Don't do anything foolish… oh!"

The Devil Young Lady was deeply worried Valentina might make some provocative, irrational move now, further provoking the entity and making the situation irrecoverable.

She had expected that, given the dragon's stubborn nature, Valentina would stubbornly keep blocking the door.

Instead, that proud dragon, after hearing Flora's call, obediently shrank back, tucked her neck, and smoothly stepped aside from the door.

She moved out of the way, forced a weak smile, nodded toward the front, and even raised a hand to gesture "Please, go ahead."

"Cough, cough… you may go in…"

The Hungry Dragon Young Lady had never been a headstrong stubborn type.

Her personality was actually very simple.

When facing enemies she could defeat, she would never back down easily—she'd fight to the death.

Winning battle—I dodge his sharp edge?

But when the enemy vastly outclasses her, it's time to face reality—when you must retreat, retreat.

Losing battle—I dodge his sharp edge!

At life-or-death moments, who cares about dragon pride? Who cares about a strong one's dignity?

Stop it.

Your life matters!

Hold back, and the storm calms; step back, and the sea widens.

Back! Back! Back!

You won't back down?

Hesitate.

Then I'll back down!

I'm backing down, okay?!

"Phew…"

Seeing Valentina so obedient and sensible, Flora felt a slight relief and exhaled.

She finally understood what Herbert had privately warned her—You don't need to worry too much about Valentina; she makes the right choices when it matters.

My kid may not be smart, but her instincts are always spot-on.

Instinct was one thing—she also had a sage in her mind to help judge the situation.

And when Valentina made the right choice, it wasn't just Flora who exhaled in relief—Creti also quietly released the right hand she'd been hiding behind her back.

The Devil Young Lady had already instinctively prepared to forcibly drag Valentina back.

Honestly, that was dangerous.

One misstep could easily lead to a one-for-one exchange—herself replacing Valentina to face the unknown entity directly.

Creti didn't know why she'd thought that way, why she'd developed such a self-sacrificing impulse.

Perhaps because Valentina hadn't abandoned her even in danger? Because she'd chosen to face danger alone?

That act moved her, even stirred a stubborn refusal to give up?

But I'm a devil—why am I having thoughts like this?!

Creti never thought this was odd before, but after being reminded by Fulinzhu Sect, she realized—she'd never been normal at all.

Looking back, such things hadn't been rare?

She'd been living in a way that was profoundly un-devilish, yet she'd had zero awareness of it, even believed herself a model among devils.

The abnormal devil didn't know what this meant—but at least… she didn't dislike this feeling inside her.

With our current retreat, the situation seems to have improved.

The unknown entity appears unwilling to engage in direct conflict; during this time, it has made no unusual moves—perhaps it will leave on its own once satisfied.

This was Flora's conjecture.

Just as she was thinking this, she noticed Valentina still standing rigidly in place.

Hmm?

As Flora was puzzling over it, Valentina turned her head to look over and cast a pleading gaze toward her.

Save me, save me—

"……"

Flora silently swallowed. Though she could not sense that being's aura, from Valentina's reaction she guessed the current situation.

But the problem was—after Valentina had already voluntarily stepped back, the other party seemed to have no intention of accepting it.

One side retreated, yet the other stayed put.

The whole scene had gone awkward.

Valentina stood there, unable to leave or stay.

"……ah, this."

She stood at attention on the spot, shifting from time to time, feeling as if ants were crawling over her body.

What should she do?

What should I do now?

Kreti also realized something was off. She thought for a moment, then hinted subtly: "Um, perhaps you should show it your goodwill?"

Just stepping aside might not be enough—you also need to display your sincerity.

As for what true sincerity actually is, that's hard to say.

Perhaps it's merely bowing in greeting, or perhaps it requires paying a certain price.

In her view, this unknown being might be more like some embodiment of a rule without self-awareness.

After the reminder, Flora also agreed with this view.

And just as the Demon Sage was still pondering what price to pay, the Dragon Sage over there had already arrived at an answer.

"Goodwill? Oh!"

After a moment of agonized thought, a spark of inspiration flashed through Valentina's mind.

Oh~

I have an idea!

That's what I'll do!

Having made up her mind without consulting anyone else, Valentina fumbled behind her for a moment and produced an opened earthenware jar.

"Uh, um…"

Holding half a jar of dried yogurt, a specialty of Radiant Shengcheng, she asked tentatively toward the being before her: "Would you like some?"

"It's actually pretty tasty!"

At these words, the entire manor fell silent.

Pretty tasty…

Tasty…

Tasty…

Tasty…

Flora and Kreti widened their eyes, staring dumbfounded at this incomprehensible scene before them.

……huh?

No, sis?

Are you serious?

When facing a terrifying and unknown being that even you fear, and you're asked to show goodwill, you pull out a jar of yogurt you've already eaten half of?

That's it?

That's it!!?

You're testing a cadre with this?

What cadre would fail to withstand such a test!!?

No!

Besides, at least give people a fresh, unopened one!

What's the deal with one that's half-eaten?

"Ehehe……"

At this moment Valentina's IQ skyrocketed; she read the confusion in their eyes and gave an embarrassed little laugh.

She mumbled somewhat sheepishly: "Aiya, it's not like there's any left, this is the only jar I have, y'know."

None left!

Really none left!

Bishop Evelyn had prepared four portions of local specialties for the four of them, and of the four jars of dried yogurt, she had already eaten three and a half.

The fact that this half-jar remained was purely thanks to her good timing!

A few more minutes later, and even this jar would have been gone~

Undoubtedly, Valentina was completely serious.

It wasn't deliberate provocation—she truly believed the other party would like the delicacy she was recommending.

This sincerity was genuine, through and through, absolutely authentic!

She even felt she had played a brilliant move~

Judging others by herself, when someone else brought out delicious food to curry favor with her, Valentina would surely quell the anger in her heart and choose to get along with them properly.

The other party was even willing to give her food—what ill intent could they possibly have?

However, the naive little hungry dragon girl still got one thing wrong—the others did not share her vigorous craving for food.

Other people were not that hungry.

After receiving no response from the other party, Valentina subconsciously pushed the jar forward a bit, wanting to let the other party see it clearly.

And that movement caused a problem.

This unknown existence, since entering the mansion, had reacted for the first time.

…Hm?

In her daze, Valentina seemed to hear a soft, emotionless sound of doubt.

Just as she thought the other party was finally going to respond to her, she suddenly felt a chill run through her entire body.

!!!

At this moment, not only Valentina, but even Flora and Kreti felt it.

Cold.

The mansion was instantly filled with endless bleakness, the temperature plummeting.

It seemed as though some unknown, powerful existence had finally cast its icy gaze upon them.

It had finally noticed them—to be precise, it had noticed the dry yogurt in Valentina's hand.

Hm?

Flora's eyes went wide, feeling her worldview receive a tremendous shock.

Wait, this works too!!?

The existence that had been cold and aloof, ignoring the outside world, was actually drawn in by a jar of dry yogurt?

This…is that right?

And Kreti's reaction was even more intense—she gave a start and nearly cried out on the spot.

This feeling made her recall the time back in Hell when she was once swept by the gaze of the Lord of Hell.

The same indifference, the same casualness…even though she had only happened to be glanced at, she still felt fear.

Among the three monster girls present, Valentina still behaved the most naturally.

She was even more at ease.

The hungry dragon girl did not sense any killing intent from the other party; on the contrary, after the other party noticed her, the fear in her heart mostly dissipated.

Her intuition told her that the danger was gradually fading.

Safe!

And since the other party did not intend to harm her, the coldness the other party displayed must have a reason.

The reason was simple—it definitely didn't suit the other party's taste!

"Uh, you don't like this?"

Valentina blinked, fumbled behind her with her left hand, and conjured out a handful of snacks that didn't look particularly good, as if by magic.

These were all kinds of jerky specially custom-made for her by Swafni; although they didn't look great, the taste was guaranteed.

"I still have these, do you want to try them?" she asked innocently, with the clear implication that if you don't agree, I'll stuff them all into your arms.

Valentina asked casually, but the other two present could not remain calm at all.

You you you you…hiss!

It always felt like she was doing something very dangerous, but then again, it seemed like it might actually work?

So both of them pressed their lips together, not daring to speak, and maintained their silence.

And the fourth "person" present was also very silent at this moment.

"…"

The Wandering Lady narrowed her eyes, looking at the yogurt in the jar, then at the various snacks and jerky on the other side.

?

Honestly, she rarely felt this confused.

After entering this state, she rarely had lucid moments, remaining in a long-term dazed condition.

Whenever she briefly woke, it was either seeing someone following behind her, or seeing someone kneeling and praying before her…

And more often, she was completely ignored by others, with no one able to see her.

No one was qualified to notice her.

And after waking to see someone flaunting their snacks in front of her…this was a first.

She took a deep look at the smiling Valentina, her brow furrowing slightly.

The other party's eyes did not reflect her shadow.

This giant dragon had not truly seen her, but had sensed her existence through some near-instinctive, special intuition.

After feeling for a moment, the Wandering Lady sensed some ancient and familiar aura from Valentina.

After a moment of thought, she finally recalled that name she had nearly forgotten.

"…Mother of Ten Thousand Dragons?"

An ancient name, signifying an era that had already passed away in the river of time.

The age of dragons had ended, the age of ancient gods had long since concluded, and now it was the era belonging to the gods of faith.

"…"

After a silence, the Wandering Lady finally took one deep look at Valentina, then turned and walked toward the outside of the house.

And the mansion's door and barrier held no meaning whatsoever before her; her tall figure passed straight through them.

Throughout the entire process, she left no words, nor did she glance at Flora or Crete even once.

Her abrupt departure was as sudden as her abrupt arrival.

No one knew why she had come, nor why she had suddenly left.

This chaotic farce that had thrown the three demon girls into disarray ended just as mysteriously—after Valentina pulled out yogurt and snacks.

"…"

After a long while, when Crete noticed Valentina remained silent, merely standing in place and blinking incessantly, she timidly asked: "Um, it… it… has it already left?"

"Huh? Oh!"

Only then did Valentina snap out of her daze, hesitate slightly, then nod uncertainly: "It seems like it left? Probably?"

She looked down at the snacks in her hand and pouted unhappily: "It doesn't seem to like these…"

Valentina sighed mournfully, then shoved the jerky into her mouth in a fit of frustration.

"No, these are so delicious!"

(Chew chew chew chew chew)

"Mmm, why can't it understand?"

(Chew chew chew chew chew)

"It… mmm… really doesn't understand anything!"

(Chew chew chew chew chew)

The Hungry Dragon had already started eating, but Flora had not lowered her guard.

After confirming the entity had departed, she swiftly inspected all the wards within the mansion, attempting to reinforce them.

It didn't force its way in—likely entered with Evelyne—so does it follow some special rule unique to it?

Flora and the others still worried the entity might return, but the Hungry Dragon's mind held no such complexity.

Since the entity had left amicably, the matter was already settled.

As the saying goes: a wicked person exhausts his wits, but a fool's sudden inspiration outdoes him.

This refers to the unpredictability and destructiveness of a fool's actions.

Wicked people usually have clear goals and plans, which can be guarded against through logic and rules.

But fools, due to ignorance, impulsiveness, or self-deluded flashes of inspiration, act illogically and cause catastrophic consequences.

Yet after Valentina's sudden inspiration, no catastrophic consequence followed.

Thus we can conclude—she is not a fool!

Applause if you understand!

After successfully "seeing off" the unknown danger, Valentina was triumphant.

Even though she seemed to have done nothing, exerted no effort, it was still exhausting for me!

Reward myself with another piece!

"... Huh? Why is one piece missing? Did I eat that fast?" She blinked, recalling the quantity in her mouth.

Did I not take out that many to begin with?

Did I drop the jerky?

"By the way, where might it have gone?" Flora asked Crete in a low voice.

After leaving the Lava Hell, their relationship had grown considerably closer—one no longer needed to provoke demons to pass the time, the other no longer needed to whip devils to kill boredom.

With "boredom" no longer the primary conflict, their glances toward each other had softened considerably.

"Who knows?"

Crete shrugged dismissively: "This is the Shengcheng of Light—would they really let a 'undead' run rampant? We needn't meddle."

Throughout the entire farce, they had sensed the unknown entity for only a moment; at all other times, they felt nothing—this was practically like encountering a corpse.

"You'd better stop thinking about leaving to deliver messages. Just wait patiently for Herbert to return."

Flora pondered a moment, then nodded in agreement, whispering softly: "You have a point."

"This is Solanthis—there won't be any problems… even if there are, it's none of our concern."

…

…

"Old bastard, you're a liar—I don't believe you for a second!"

Herbert muttered, left "that afternoon," and returned to the true Shengcheng of Light.

He pushed open the door, only to find Bishop Evelyne had already departed.

Huh?

Gone?

"She didn't even wait outside for me, her guest? What poor manners this lady has."

Herbert snorted, stretched his limbs.

Click, click, click…

His stiff body cracked loudly, causing Herbert to breathe out wearily.

"Ha… ha… ha!"

Though he had appeared relaxed before the Lieri Sect's Pope, bantering with a Saint was far from easy.

The mental pressure had been immense.

With Bishop Evelyne gone, he might as well take a stroll through the Shengcheng of Light to relax.

Though without a guide, Herbert, as a foreigner, was not worried about getting lost.

Blessed by the Sea Witch clan, he could never lose his way.

No matter how he wandered in circles, he could always find his way back to the residence in the end.

And within the Radiant Shengcheng, he didn't need to worry about his own safety either.

Although this place was a holy land that gathered a bunch of hot-tempered brothers, those Sun Cult followers were extremely well-behaved within the holy land.

No one would violate the precepts right under the deity's watchful eye.

Moreover, after Herbert secretly reached a deal with the Lieri Sect Pope, his standing throughout the entire Shengcheng had actually become entirely different.

Even if there really were danger, the Lieri Sect Pope wouldn't just sit by and ignore him.

"It feels so good to have someone backing you~"

Herbert hummed a tune softly, picked a direction at random, and stretched out his long legs to stride off.

He didn't walk fast — one could even say he walked slowly.

Strolling along leisurely, like a wanderer out for a roam.

Because he discovered that the Radiant Shengcheng at this moment was far more tranquil than he had imagined, with hardly any chatter, only the faint sound of chanting audible from various places.

Because most of the warriors had already rushed to the front lines to fight against Miss Xie Shen's believers, those remaining in the city now were mostly wounded soldiers recuperating.

They closed their eyes in prayer beneath the towering divine statues seen everywhere throughout the city, resting, and also longing to receive from the deity the answers they sought.

Herbert, this odd one out, drew no attention from others — everyone was immersed in One's Own World.

Herbert was happy to enjoy the peace, not disturbing anyone, just wandering along at a leisurely pace like that.

He measured the Shengcheng's bricks and stones with his feet, noted down the patterns on the buildings with his eyes, and listened to the believers' prayers with his ears.

"……Hah."

Herbert clearly didn't belong here, yet within this special atmosphere he also felt a sense of relaxation, and softly let out a sigh, as if expelling all the weariness from his body along with a breath of stale air.

"So this is the deity's earthly divine kingdom? Then what kind of scene would the true divine kingdom be……huh?"

Just as he was sighing in admiration, Herbert caught a flash of Jin Guang at the corner of his vision.

Hm?

He turned his head and saw a tall woman, also wandering along slowly, walking over from the corner of the street.

Much to his surprise, Herbert's "auto-targeting" had actually failed.

The very first thing his eyes landed on was the woman's hair.

Her dazzling golden long hair hung loose, falling all the way down to her calves, radiating an extremely brilliant brilliance under the sunlight.

!!!

Herbert instinctively narrowed his eyes and unconsciously shifted his gaze away.

For an instant, he even thought he was staring straight at the sun.

And just as he was about to shield his eyes — that Jin Guang actually moved along with his line of sight.

Hm!!?

What do you mean by that, woman?

Am I absolutely going to go blind today?

(End of this chapter)