Chapter 422: I

「Mmm!!?」

After realizing what Herbert was doing to her, Flora was thrown into utter panic, her body stiffening in place as she forgot how to react.

Confused, she didn’t even struggle, letting Herbert hold her tightly and claim her fiercely.

「……Mmm!」

Logically, Flora shouldn’t have reacted so strongly at this moment.

First, because of her race.

As a legendary succubus, even if she had never experienced romantic intimacy, she shouldn’t have been thrown into such flustered embarrassment by a single kiss.

On the other hand, this wasn’t Flora’s first kiss with Herbert.

Previously, she had secretly given him her first kiss, bestowing the blessing known as the «Kiss of the Abyss».

But that situation was different from this one.

Back then, Herbert had been unconscious and unaware of Flora’s actions.

Moreover, she had been the one to initiate it, so her psychological burden had been lighter.

Now, Flora had become the passive one.

Their roles had reversed.

The predator had become the prey!

Hmm… was this demon lady truly the predator to begin with?

The one who looks like the hunter is the real prey; the one who looks like the prey is the real hunter.

「Mmm…」

After remaining stunned for a long while, Flora still couldn’t break free.

Only when Herbert, noticing the demon lady’s lack of reaction, released her voluntarily, did she passively regain her freedom.

And after regaining her freedom, Flora remained frozen for a moment before her gaze slowly cleared.

Flora looked at Herbert, and Herbert looked at her.

!!!

Her eyes widened further and further; she shoved him away, pointed a trembling finger at him, and stammered: 「Y-you—you!!」

Herbert: ?

He blinked, confused by her reaction, and pointed at himself uncertainly: 「Uh, m-me?」

What’s wrong with me?

No, what kind of reaction is this?

Why does it look like you’re not very bright?

Don’t be silly!

I have principles, I have boundaries—I never go after fools!

「…Cough, cough.」

Even as he said it, Herbert himself wasn’t fully convinced, silently adding to his thoughts.

「Hmm… I mean in general cases.」

The cases of certain idiotic dragons and idiotic vampires—well, they’re different.

Let’s put it this way: can demon girls even be compared to humans?

They’re not people!

While Herbert was justifying himself internally, Flora finally regained her composure.

「Cough, cough!」

She cleared her throat twice and finally got her tongue untangled.

But at this moment, Flora didn’t scold Herbert—instead, she asked a question of ambiguous intent.

Pouting, her face flushed with shame and irritation, she asked: 「Y-you—you—Herbert! What did you just do!!?」

Herbert: ?

This question—whether you called it «innocent» or «confused»—made Herbert blink.

Huh? What did I do?

「…Huh?」

He blinked again, touched his own lips, then glanced at Flora’s lips, tilting his head skeptically.

Isn’t what I did obvious enough?

This question made him doubt himself.

Herbert thought for a full half-minute before asking uncertainly: 「Uh… don’t you understand? I was kissing you.」

Flora now realized how ambiguous her question had sounded, and shot him a glare of embarrassment and annoyance.

Of course I understand that!

After this interruption, her momentum dropped by more than half; she looked more shy than angry, and strangely endearing.

Flora glared at Herbert, but he smiled back—her resolve weakened further and further.

Finally, she gave in, hugging her knees and crouching down, muttering weakly: 「B-but we aren’t…」

You kissed me by force!

You’re being a pervert!

This was exactly what Flora wanted to say—but her succubus dignity prevented her from uttering it.

Though Flora disliked her identity as a succubus, she still held onto certain necessary dignities.

Saying this out loud would be laughable.

A legendary succubus claiming she was sexually harassed? How abstract is that?

No one would believe it.

They wouldn’t just disbelieve—they’d turn it into an absurd joke, spreading it everywhere, telling it over tea and meals.

I don’t want to become a joke like that—

Herbert watched her biting her lower lip, that pitiful yet amusing expression, and shook his head slightly.

He stepped forward, sat beside her, gently pulled his knees to his chest, and smiled at her.

「Are you upset because of our relationship?」

The boy lowered his gaze and whispered: 「We may not be lovers—we’re prisoner and jailer—but between us… aren’t there other roles?」

Herbert’s words made Flora’s eyes grow even more complex with emotion.

「…」

Yes, he was right—they had another role.

Master and servant.

But both of them knew this relationship wasn’t truly master and servant in the literal sense.

Flora agreed to become his servant only because Herbert had promised to help her escape from chaos.

As if sensing her unease, Herbert whispered: 「Don’t worry—I will fulfill my promise to you.」

「And haven’t I already done so?」

Herbert pouted, grumbling unhappily: 「Even this time, didn’t I help you escape chaos?」

「Why do you act like I’m always taking advantage of you? Am I really that kind of person?」

Though he complained aloud, inwardly he quietly agreed—hey, you know what?

You really know how to read people!

I really am that kind of person.

「…Huh? Huh!!」

Only now did Flora snap back to reality, realizing she had fully escaped the nightmare of chaos and returned to the present.

She looked around at the familiar surroundings, bit her lip, and asked weakly: 「How long was I unconscious this time?」

Previous episodes of chaos lasted months—even years, sometimes months or years at a time.

Only after prolonged torment in chaos could one barely reclaim a shred of sanity and return to normal.

This time, she had experienced a remarkably long dream… the real-world time passed must not have been short.

But the result surprised her.

「Less than an hour?」

Herbert thought for a moment, speaking uncertainly: 「I came as soon as I noticed something was wrong with you.」

«Creti said you’d been in chaos for over ten minutes, but the exact duration is unclear—still, it didn’t exceed an hour, maybe even less than half an hour.」

Herbert nodded modestly, not overstating it—he didn’t insist it was exactly half an hour, leaving a little leeway—let’s just say an hour.

!!?

Herbert thought this was ordinary, nothing special to boast about, and seemed humble.

Only someone who had truly been trapped in chaos understood just how astonishing this statement truly was!

The chaos that took Flora months or even years to escape—within his hands, it hadn’t lasted half an hour!!?

And even more astonishing: within that half hour, at least half the time was spent in her own state of chaos.

Meaning Herbert only needed fifteen minutes to restore her!!?

This chaotic instinct… is it really this simple in your hands?

Can you control it so easily?

So all my efforts in the first half of my life—what were they even for?

“Th-this… huh?”

Flora, feeling her worldview shaken, sank into “chaos.”

【“You scared her, didn’t you?”】 The Harmony Goddess, after savoring Flora’s exaggerated reaction, burst into laughter.

You little thing, your courage is as small as your chest—is this all it takes to break you?

You’re already frightened? How laughable.

Herbert’s understanding gesture—the fault wasn’t Flora’s, it was Neinasha’s.

“Didn’t you scare her?”

Clearly, the problem lies with you.

Don’t cry thief while stealing yourself.

Of course, criminals always love returning to the scene to admire their own handiwork.

While Herbert contributed greatly to restoring Flora to normalcy, the greater credit belongs to Neinasha.

Only with His help could Herbert successfully enter Flora’s chaotic nightmare.

Only with His powerful aid was Flora’s dream rewritten and edited.

Yes, this time Neinasha is MVP—Herbert is just the lucky beneficiary.

【“I scared her? Hah, how could that be? I’m just a cute little black cat~”】

The Harmony Goddess refused to acknowledge her own role, instead giggling and whispering into Herbert’s ear: 【“Meow~”】

Herbert: ?

Deliberate cuteness, is it?

Learning cat sounds on purpose, are you?

Why does the old crone pretend to be so innocent…

【“Hm?”】

After prolonged exposure, Neinasha had grown attuned to Herbert’s emotional shifts, keenly sensing the subtle change.

【“Hey, what rude thoughts are you thinking again? I’m going to get angry.”】

Cough!

Herbert cleared his throat and quickly denied: “No, cough, it’s just your imagination! How could I ever be so impolite?”

【“Hmph, I hope so.”】

The Harmony Goddess didn’t mind his disrespect—between them now, notions of respect or disrespect held no meaning whatsoever.

These squabbles were merely intimate, mutually understood playful exchanges.

Yes.

Everyone was part of their game.

Neinasha, whether addicted or pursuing some hidden goal, kept mimicking cat sounds: 【“Meow meow~ Meow~ Meow meow…”】

“…”

Herbert finally escaped Neinasha’s ear-piercing cat mimicry and turned his attention to Flora, who was slowly calming down.

He smiled at her and said softly:

“I kept my promise, didn’t I?”

Flora pursed her lips and nodded:

“...Yes.”

Regardless of the minor incident at the end, Herbert had indeed done as he promised—successfully freeing her from chaos for now.

“Then you must keep your promise too, correct?”

“...Yes. You’re right.”

Yes, this was all perfectly reasonable.

Flora nodded gently, her demeanor returning to its usual deference.

She had fully regained her composure.

Their relationship remained as before—master and servant. Would it truly stay that way, as she wished?

The answer, obviously, was no.

“Good.”

After receiving Flora’s affirmation, Herbert rose with a smile, then sat beside her again.

He leaned against her, knees drawn up, letting their shoulders lightly touch.

He no longer stared into her eyes, asking softly: “Flora, don’t lie—do you hate me?”

Perhaps because Herbert wasn’t staring at her, or perhaps because he sat right beside her, Flora wasn’t as nervous as she’d imagined.

The succubus considered carefully, then shook her head slowly.

“...No.”

In every respect, Flora had never hated Herbert.

Even after today’s unexpected turn of events, she felt no aversion toward him.

Herbert naturally possessed great charm—his innate scent and unique personality.

Not to mention, he had spent hundreds of years beside her in that long dream.

She now struggled to fully distinguish dream from reality, often feeling as if the boy before her had truly known her for centuries.

“Then… do you like me?”

Facing this second question, Flora fell silent, then shook her head again: “I… I don’t know.”

She didn’t understand what feelings she held toward Herbert.

It wasn’t hatred, but neither was it deep affection.

He was special to her—but not yet overwhelmingly so.

“Don’t force yourself to find an answer.”

Herbert saw her turmoil and smiled gently: “You can think slowly, carefully. You have all the time in the world.”

“And until you do, our relationship won’t change, will it?”

“...Mm.” Flora nodded silently.

Seeing Flora so obedient, Herbert blinked and grinned: “By the way, isn’t it interesting that our special bond began with a ‘kiss from the abyss’?”

“Hm?”

Flora frowned slightly, shook her head, and gave him a helpless, alluring glance.

Forget it—Herbert hadn’t changed at all.

This guy was still being a lecher.

“...”

The seduced succubus hesitated—yet instead of pulling away, she moved closer.

She leaned into Herbert, resting her head on his shoulder—as she had done countless times in the “past.”

In the desert, in the forest, on the ice plains… they lit campfires, shared stories under the night sky, huddled together against the cold wind.

He was still him. She was still her.

Perhaps…

Nothing had changed at all.

Sensing Flora’s subtle emotional shift, Herbert lowered his gaze, a faint smile touching his lips as he whispered: “Flora, I look forward to our next meeting.”

“Every meeting after that.”

…

…

“Huh…”

Herbert walked alone out of the lava lake, exhaling deeply.

Flora remained hidden beneath the lava lake, processing everything that had happened today—she didn’t know how to face others with her current expression.

The succubus remained in “chaos.”

Herbert’s outward demeanor was slightly calmer, but inwardly, he was far from at ease.

“Flora’s condition is safe… for now,” he thought, somewhat helplessly.

【“Mm. For now.”】

Neinasha picked up his thought, murmuring: 【“Strictly speaking, this is only a temporary suppression.”】

【“Though you entered her dreams and imprinted your mark on her memories, this suppression lasts at most a year—you’ll need to reinforce it afterward.”】

【“Either you carve more of your marks into her soul, making her entirely yours~”】

【“Or you choose a more thorough method.”】

“Then what’s that method?”

【“Purification baptism.”】

Neinasha didn’t tease—he explained directly:

【“To truly free this little demon from the chaotic instinct, she needs a complete baptism—to purify her soul entirely, washing away the abyss’s madness and chaos.”】

【“Of course, it’s not an easy task, hehe~”】

Hearing that malicious laugh, Herbert’s brow twitched: “Just tell me plainly—how exactly do I do it?”

【“Let me think… like burning and purifying the body with divine sacred flame, cleansing the soul with holy light, or tearing it apart with chaotic winds…”】

Miss Niesha spoke cheerfully, listing these dangerous and terrifying procedures as if they were common household items, as though she had long been waiting for this moment.

Herbert, listening to her horrifying remarks, felt sweat bead on his forehead and quickly interrupted: “Wait! Are these methods safe?”

【“Safe? Of course not!”】

Niesha laughed heartily and immediately added: 【“Any of these methods would be nearly equivalent to destruction for her… hmm, assuming I don’t help.”】

The final twist from Miss Niesha finally let Herbert exhale in relief.

Good.

How do you describe this feeling?

For example, imagine a young man with failing health visiting an old Chinese physician, who diagnoses him with all sorts of embarrassing male ailments.

Before he can mask his embarrassment with anger, the old physician calmly says: “I can cure it.”

A sudden turn of fortune—everyone is delighted.

【“Don’t get too excited—I never said I’d help her~”】 Niesha added softly, stabbing him again.

Did I say I’d help?

No, you didn’t.

Why did you assume I would?

Herbert now remained calm, raising an eyebrow in reply: “So… will you help her?”

【“Oh? Will I?”】

“You will. Heh.”

Herbert lowered his gaze, shook his head, and smiled gently: “Since you brought it up deliberately, you won’t refuse to offer her just a little help.”

【“Mmm~ Heh, you make it sound like you understand me so well.”】

“Not ‘like.’ I truly understand you.”

【“Hmph~”】

Niesha huffed, feigning aloofness with a pout:

【“Well, since you put it that way… I’ll grant her a little~ little bit of help, just for your sake!”】

“Thank you, great Lady Niesha!”

【“Hmph, good. You know it.”】

Niesha actually had no dislike for Flora—she even liked her quite a bit.

During that dream, she had followed Herbert and the others in the form of a black cat, and had come to understand Flora’s personality.

Gods are stingy, but gods are also generous.

To ordinary believers they care nothing for, they are utterly stingy, never responding.

But to those mortals they favor, they are exceedingly generous, bestowing divine grace easily.

Coincidentally, Niesha held a very favorable impression of Flora.

Hmm…

But not entirely approving, not fully accepting.

In some ways, she still harbored some hostility toward this demon sage.

For instance…

【“By the way, if your claim is true—that your life with Flora amounts to nothing but ‘meeting’—then what becomes of me, who has always been with you?”】

Herbert: ?

So sudden?

Gods are truly the most unstable beings in this world.

Especially goddesses—they’re the epitome of unpredictability.

One moment they’re laughing merrily, the next their attitude flips one hundred and eighty degrees.

Heh-heh → Not heh-heh anymore!

“Oh? Heh…”

Yet Herbert was not surprised by Niesha’s question.

After speaking those words to Flora, he knew Niesha, eavesdropping, would inevitably ask him.

Niesha’s question carried a simple unspoken meaning: Do we only have separation ahead?

Is she jealous?

Or worried?

…Regardless, how adorable.

Seeing Herbert chuckle to himself, Niesha huffed in annoyance: 【“Don’t just laugh—speak up!”】

Speak!

Answer me!

“Calm down, calm down, I’m speaking, heh.”

Herbert chuckled, waited until the moment was right, then smiled: “You’ve already said our ending.”

【“Hm?”】

He said:

“Just as you said—you’ll stay with me always.”

The answer lies in the question.

If we’ve already been together always, how could there be separation?

Until death parts us?

No.

Even death cannot part us.

【“Eh? Eh? Eh—you’re cheating!”】

Niesha was irritated by Herbert’s clever dodge, wanting to argue—but fell silent.

【“…Heh.”】

After a moment, she softly laughed, whispering in Herbert’s ear with calm, firm resolve:

【“Never separated.”】

After whispering those words, perhaps to hide her shyness, Niesha quickly changed the subject.

【“By the way, after helping this time, I’ll need to rest for a while again!”】

Modifying dreams is exhausting~

Time to rest~

But Herbert wasn’t buying it; he sneered: “Every time you say you’re resting, you’re secretly spying.”

I don’t believe you for a second.

It’s not his fault for doubting—Miss Niesha had too many past offenses.

Every time she claimed rest, she’d recover without telling him, then lurk in dark corners, only reappearing when forced.

“Don’t sleep! How can someone your age even sleep? Hm?”

【“Oh, hehe~ I really am resting, I’m not lying~”】 Niesha laughed, continuing on her own: 【“Alright, alright, I’m off to sleep! Goodnight!”】

Soon, her presence fell silent; no matter how Herbert called, she gave no reply.

“Again with the pretending to be dead, heh.”

Herbert strongly doubted whether she was truly asleep.

“Fine. She’ll wake up eventually…”

As he thought this, before he could even take a step, Niesha’s voice rang out without warning.

【“Oh! By the way, I almost forgot to tell you!”】

【“If you want to purify and baptize that little demon and little devil, you’ll need to find special environments or materials.”】

【“It might not be easy, but I’m sure you can find them!”】

Herbert sneered, said nothing, and merely grunted: “Aren’t you asleep?”

It felt like two people had just said goodnight, about to meet in dreams—only to bump into each other in a canyon.

Aren’t you supposed to be asleep?

【“Oh! I’m asleep, I’m asleep, I’m asleep…”】 Niesha laughed it off, her presence vanishing again.

"Oh! Asleep, asleep, asleep..." Nenasia yawned, her breath disappearing again.

Herbert grunted, shook his head helplessly, and murmured: “Goodnight.”

The god gave no reply—but Herbert felt she had heard him.

He turned his gaze away, no longer fixating on whether she was truly asleep or pretending—adults must respect boundaries.

If she said she was sleeping, then she was sleeping. Don’t overthink it.

Hmm… still, one must view it dialectically.

Sometimes, running isn’t really running; doing hair isn’t really doing hair.

“Purification and baptism?”

To free Flora completely from chaos’s torment, purification and baptism were indispensable—Herbert would fulfill his promise.

To free Flora completely from the torment of chaos, purification and baptism are indispensable; Herbert will surely fulfill his promise.

But the problem is… where do I even find those things?

Sacred Light, Divine Sacred Flame, Chaotic Wind—these things either come from gods or exist only in extremely dangerous places.

He thought for a moment, a bold and dangerous idea flashing through his mind.

“Could I just risk stealing Solar God’s authority again? His power seems to fit the criteria… damn!”

Wait!

Stop it!

Don’t think about it anymore!

Herbert shook his head hard, banishing that absurd thought from his mind.

“No, no, no—that’s just asking for death.”

Even plucking wool requires skill!

You don’t keep plucking the same sheep over and over!

Besides, Solar God has never been a lamb waiting to be slaughtered—he’s the most temperamental sun in this world.

Also…

Herbert remembered another detail Nenasia had mentioned at the end of her words, raising an eyebrow and blinking.

“Come to think of it, can Kreti be purified and baptized too?”

It sounded odd, but upon closer thought, it seemed quite reasonable.

If demons can be purified and baptized, why shouldn’t devils be able to?

“But she doesn’t seem to have any desire for baptism.”

Herbert thought this, his gaze falling on the devil who had been peering curiously at the lava pool from atop the bronze castle.

Her eyes sparkled with curiosity, yet her expression was wary, as if fearing Flora might suddenly burst out of the molten pool.

“Hmm…”

Herbert watched the scene and shook his head slightly.

“Whether she gets baptized or not doesn’t seem to make much difference—doesn’t appear to affect her intelligence at all…”

As Herbert was quietly mocking Kreti, she noticed his approach and waved at him.

“Herbert! How is she? She… uh!”

Mid-question, Kreti realized her phrasing sounded too intimate toward Flora and corrected herself: “Is she dead?”

Herbert: ?

What kind of tsundere standard is this?

“Huh? Are you worried about her?”

Herbert blinked, carefully studying the devil before him.

Huh?

Aren’t you two on bad terms?

Why are you suddenly caring about her now?

“Hmph!”

The devil lady, flustered by Herbert’s gaze, snorted angrily: “Worried about her? Ha!”

“I’d worry about that demon? Are you joking?”

Herbert nodded, smiling: “Oh, I see~”

“...Tch.”

Kreti, defeated by Herbert’s knowing stare, looked away and muttered: “I’m only worried she’ll die now—I won’t be able to get revenge on her later!”

Herbert laughed at this.

Fine.

If you’re going to keep denying it, then I accept that.

“Then you can rest easy—Flora is doing just fine, and her strength has even improved a bit.”

With Herbert’s help, Flora successfully suppressed her chaotic instincts and, by misfortune turning to fortune, gained a slight increase in power after years of stagnation.

Kreti was about to rejoice at the good news when she heard the depressing bad news.

How did she get even stronger!?

What am I supposed to do now?

I can’t even beat her now—if she keeps improving, I’ll have zero chance to fight back!

No!

This can’t go on, aaaah!

Maybe you should just drown in there—

Kreti, consumed by despair, suddenly recalled a fragment in her mind, her eyes lighting up.

“That’s right!”

The devil lady snapped her head toward Herbert and asked quickly: “Herbert! Valentina said you helped her increase her strength with some special method! Is that true!?”

“Increase strength? How did I… hmm?”

Herbert: ???

He suddenly realized what Valentina had meant.

No!

My hungry dragon lady, why are you telling everyone this!?

Is this something you can just blab to outsiders!?

Hmm… maybe Valentina doesn’t consider anyone else in the Monastery an outsider.

To the hungry dragon lady—everyone’s just fellow inmates, so who’s really a bad person?

Everyone’s good!

Alright then.

“Uh… yeah, that’s true. What of it?”

Herbert’s lip twitched as he asked uncertainly: “Why are you asking this? What do you want to do?”

Yes!

It’s really true!!!

“What do I want to do? Isn’t it obvious?”

Overjoyed, Kreti waved her hand dramatically, stirring up waves.

“I want it too!”

The ignorant devil lady, hands on her hips, chest puffed out, shouted at Herbert with eager eyes:

“I want you to help me increase my strength!!!”

(End of Chapter)