Chapter 425: Then Kiss Me (7K Subscription Request)

「……」

After Herbert finished speaking, the room plunged into complete silence.

Well, not entirely silent—Valentina’s steady breathing and the sound of her slurping saliva served as ambient white noise.

「You… just now… what did you say?」

The Devil Girl’s lips twitched uncontrollably; she narrowed her eyes and stared at the boy outside the doorway.

Clarity raised her hand, first pointing at Herbert, then hesitating before pointing at herself.

「…Huh?」

「Mm.」

「By the way, I meant your thoughts are lewd—not your body looks sexy… oh wait, actually both are pretty sexy.」

Let’s be honest, Clarity’s devilish figure really is lewd.

「You!」

Seeing Herbert nod slightly as if he’d just realized something, she rolled her eyes, her face twitching, nearly choking on her breath.

「You damn—cough! cough!」

After two coughs, the Devil Girl finally caught her breath and gasped: 「You… said I’m… sexy?」

Me?!

「That’s right, Clarity—you’re truly lewd!」

Outside the door, Herbert nodded seriously, sighing: 「I never imagined you’d be this kind of devil! You actually harbor such improper thoughts about me!」

Clarity: What kind?!

「I…」

Seeing Clarity on the verge of madness, Herbert’s smile grew even brighter; he even kindly added: 「But Clarity, it’s fine—I understand you.」

「Yes, you’re right—so what if it’s lewd? It’s lewd! It’s a healthy thought!」

「It’s really nothing at all! You absolutely shouldn’t suppress your desires.」

What’s wrong with wanting to be lewd?

Nothing at all!

Lewdness is innocent!

He nodded firmly, earnestly: 「Moreover, it’s completely normal for someone like you to react to me, to have such special fantasies—it’s perfectly understandable human nature.」

「You’re not the first, and you certainly won’t be the last.」

As he spoke, Herbert leaned his head out through the broken doorway, gazing at Clarity with deep emotion: 「Don’t worry, Clarity… I’ll forgive you.」

「It doesn’t matter—I forgive your disrespectful thoughts about me.」

「You must forgive yourself too~」

「Keep going! You can overcome this!」

「Mm, if you really can’t overcome it, that’s fine too! I won’t be angry—」

Herbert encouraged her with great generosity, displaying a magnanimous, unbothered demeanor.

But these words shattered Clarity’s composure completely.

She suddenly dropped her head, biting her lip tightly—though this reaction was certainly not due to being moved.

It was because of rage!

After Herbert’s incessant teasing, the Devil Girl—who had just moments ago been both embarrassed and furious—now had nothing but fury in her mind.

「Tch!」

What the hell are you even saying here?!

What nonsense are you babbling about over there?!

Who asked you to forgive me?!

Who asked you to help me overcome anything?!

And furthermore!

Who even has improper thoughts about you?!

At this moment, the Devil Girl was utterly broken.

Worse still, she realized she was no match for him when it came to provoking anger.

She lost.

As an accomplished devil, she had lost so thoroughly in this regard.

Her mind-bending tricks meant nothing before him—they were utterly beneath notice.

「Damn it…」

She refused to accept it!

How could she lose to him?!

Compared to Herbert’s verbal teasing, this was the true reason she had broken down.

Moreover, Clarity’s ability to remain so clear-headed wasn’t because she had high resistance to Herbert’s sweet talk.

It was because Herbert’s current appearance was simply too bizarre.

Herbert had just proven one truth—no matter how handsome your face is, you can’t use it like this.

A head sticking out of a doorway? No way it looks cool.

Especially when another head was mirrored on the nearby wall—the whole scene had reached another level of absurdity.

Come on, your poses are way too weird!!?

It was unbearable to look at.

You damn Holy Knight—are you mocking me?!

「…Huh!」

Though she couldn’t help cursing inwardly, Clarity knew deep down that Herbert was just teasing her.

He had never seriously tried to seduce her—he was just joking with her.

And the worst, the thing she regretted most—was that she simply couldn’t refuse.

It was all because of that contract!

「…Damn it!」

Thinking of the contract made Clarity even angrier.

If fate gave her one chance to go back to any moment before this and choose again, she would unhesitatingly return to the instant before signing this damn contract.

She regretted it!

More than being tricked by Herbert, she despised her own stupidity.

How could a person make such a colossal mistake?

She herself had demanded he help her improve her strength.

She herself had proposed the contract, insisting he sign it—he had no choice.

She herself had drafted and reviewed every clause, reaching perfect consensus with him.

Though Herbert was far from innocent in this, she had been absurdly, uniquely foolish.

From start to finish, everything had been entirely her doing—she had no one to blame but herself.

Under these constraints, Clarity had no way to resist the contract.

This humiliation and fury had nearly driven the Devil Girl into self-isolation.

The reason she hadn’t fully collapsed was because Herbert had redirected her emotions elsewhere.

Had Herbert not distracted her with his absurd behavior, Clarity would likely have sunk into agonizing regret and resentment.

Burning her soul in resentment, suppressing it, slowly spiraling toward extremes.

And this, in fact, was precisely Herbert’s true purpose for not forcing her to bow down, but instead acting so absurdly.

He didn’t want the Devil Girl to genuinely hate him.

Joking with a fool? No problem.

Fools know their own lack of wit—even if tricked, they get angry for a while, then accept their bad luck.

Joking with the clever is the same.

The clever immediately realize and accept defeat the moment they’re tricked.

They don’t dwell on temporary gains or losses; even if they fail, they simply plan to win back their dignity another way.

But the most painful people in this world are those caught between these two extremes.

Half-wise, half-foolish—that’s the most unbearable state.

They lack clear self-awareness, consider themselves clever, yet are constantly mocked as fools.

In truth, blind overconfidence isn’t confidence—it’s just pointless self-torture.

Recognizing oneself is the first step to becoming truly clever.

Only by understanding this, and letting oneself go, can one truly succeed.

Among the demon girls Herbert had encountered, there were many “clever ones,” like Freime and Svanee, and many “fools,” like Valentina and Elisa… cough! cough!

Of course, Herbert’s thoughts were merely metaphors—the true reality was nothing like this.

Clarity belonged to the category that hadn’t recognized her own position.

She was neither stupid nor a genius—just an ordinary person.

This wasn’t an insult—it was Herbert’s sincere evaluation.

If Crete were truly intelligent, she wouldn’t provoke Flora at all—she’d become friends with her only roommate.

Instead of occasionally harassing her and earning a “beating.”

But Crete wasn’t foolish; she never hid inside the Bronze Fortress to avoid a life-or-death battle with Flora in the lava lake.

What’s the most important thing to win her over?

Is it to leave a deep impression on her heart?

That’s necessary—but not the most important.

What you truly must do is “hurt her not.”

Don’t hurt her emotions—for example, don’t let her realize she’s truly a Bai Chi.

And don’t start with overly forceful methods.

Progress gradually, inch by inch, slowly eroding her heart—that’s the correct approach.

Herbert’s abstract maneuvers were merely to redirect Crete’s anger toward himself—the hatred had shifted.

Though the Devil Miss would still be furious, she wouldn’t blame herself—she’d hate him even more.

That’s exactly what Herbert wanted.

As is well known… “love” and “hate” are easily interchangeable.

A single trivial matter can make someone utterly lose love for a partner they once adored, or turn sworn enemies into inseparable lovers.

Human emotions are complex—and easily disturbed.

Though those who play with emotions may ultimately gain nothing, Herbert wasn’t afraid—he’d always been sincere.

As long as my own sincerity is genuine, what I receive will be sincerity in return.

As for how much sincerity I have… mind your own business!

I’m just sincere, that’s all!

Besides, this entire philosophy had other techniques—like modeling for opportunity, length for voice, technique for posture… cough.

Upholding this “sincerity for sincerity” principle, Herbert continued teasing the Devil Miss, smiling as he remarked, “I understand your current state—you’re right! You’re just too repressed!”

By now, Crete’s emotions were fully stirred by Herbert; she’d forgotten her earlier defeat in the contract and glared at him fiercely.

Yes, the poor Devil Miss had become the Holy Knight’s plaything.JPG

“I haven’t… hmm? Repressed?” Even in a rage, Crete paused, startled.

What repression?

“Don’t you understand? Alas, you’ve been repressed for too long in this monastery—you’ve lost awareness of your own condition!” Herbert shook his head in regret, struggling to suppress his upward-curving lips.

Clearly repressed.

“Hmph!”

Even if she didn’t fully grasp Herbert’s meaning, Crete understood his gaze—he was mocking her!

The Devil Miss remained furious.

What repression? What lewdness?

You’re slandering me!

Pure slander!

And even if I did have lewd thoughts, what about you?

How dare you say that?

Who gave you the right to judge me?

What did you just do?

Taking off your clothes was bad enough—but why did you take off your pants!!?

“Hey, didn’t you just give me a side-eye? Did you know? That’s also a sign of repression…”

“Aaaah!”

…

After being teased repeatedly by Herbert, Crete’s anger gradually faded; she rolled her eyes at him.

“See? You’re repressed again.”

“Tsk!”

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, the Devil Miss gave up and snapped, “Fine! Stop talking! I’ll cooperate, alright?”

It’s just a kiss, right?

Kiss me then!

Leave me alone!

Crete resigned herself, frowning and closing her eyes, waiting for Herbert to claim her lips.

But after waiting a long time, Herbert never came to kiss her… not even entered the room.

“Hm?”

She opened her eyes uncertainly and found Herbert still standing where he was, grinning at her: “Why are you staring at me? I can’t get in—you come over.”

Crete: ?

Still pretending?

The Devil’s lips curled; she sneered at the Holy Knight.

“Hah!”

Are you kidding me?

Your “Battering Ram” is sleeping right there—couldn’t you just walk in if you wanted to?

But no matter how much Crete hinted, Herbert refused to move, standing outside the door, grinning, gesturing with his finger.

Come here~ come here~

“Hmph!”

Crete glared at Herbert, baring her teeth: “I won’t come over!”

I’m not moving!

“If you won’t come over, then fine—we’ll try another way…”

Herbert looked at Crete, suddenly smiling slyly, whispering, “Then how about this—you come kiss me.”

Hm?

“I won’t!”

“Be good—come kiss me!”

“No—way—”

Crete’s eyes rolled so far back they nearly vanished.

I already hate kissing you—now you want me to kiss you?

Not in a million years!

After holding out, Herbert finally yielded: “Alright, alright—since you’re so falsely modest… I’ll give one more step: this time, you only need to kiss my knuckles.”

“That’s fair, right?”

“I’ve given so much—if you refuse again, I’ll have to use other methods.”

As he spoke, Herbert silently glanced at the Battering Ram, stuck in the wall.

He said nothing outright—but the threat was clear.

Either you come over.

Or I send her over.

You choose.

“…”

Perhaps she didn’t want to keep bothering Herbert, or perhaps she didn’t want to confront Valentina directly—after much hesitation, Crete reluctantly agreed to Herbert’s proposal.

“Agreed—after I do this, you won’t ask for anything else!”

“Don’t worry—I won’t break my word.”

She walked slowly to the door, knelt on one knee before the opening, grasped Herbert’s extended long hand, and lightly touched his knuckles with her nose—performing the kiss-of-the-hand.

Originally, the kiss-of-the-hand wasn’t a true kiss; actually kissing the hand would be seen as an insolent provocation.

Crete wanted to pull away—but she knew, at this point, Herbert would never let her off so easily.

“…”

After a half-second hesitation, Crete shut her eyes, gritted her teeth, and pressed her red lips to Herbert’s knuckles.

She’d intended only a fleeting touch, then push him away.

But as she prepared to do so, she froze.

“Mmm!!?”

Still in the kiss, she snapped her eyes wide open.

Hum—

In that instant, her soul heard a vast, resonant hum.

What… happened?

Crete was confused for only a moment—then she realized what she’d heard: it was Herbert’s soul speaking.

She had indeed kissed his knuckles—but not merely his flesh.

She had touched Herbert’s soul.

It is well known that souls have always been the demons’ most cherished resource.

Demons cause trouble everywhere, trading with all manner of fallen beings, all to acquire souls.

They crave vast quantities of souls, especially those of great power!

Herbert’s soul was the most unique one Clairette had ever seen in her life.

She could hardly find a precise word to describe what she saw at that moment.

Clairette felt as if she had glimpsed a vast, magnificent gem.

Complex, dazzling, ever-shifting, brilliant and profound—it made her unconsciously lose herself in it.

Yet at the same time, she felt as if standing before the most terrifying abyss, sensing a bone-chilling cold emanating from the darkness.

It stirred both trembling dread and longing within her, a desire to claim that soul for herself.

Just as Clairette was about to be utterly consumed, the sweet soul suddenly withdrew from her on its own.

“No! Don’t go… ah!”

The demon instinctively reached out to grasp it tightly, but the next instant she snapped back to her senses, realizing what she was doing.

But before Clairette could feel shame, her palm was gently held.

“If you wish, I will stay right here,” Herbert’s gentle voice came from outside the door.

!!?

“You… let go of me!”

The demon lady yanked her hand back in sudden awareness, though she had clearly overreacted—the other had no intention of keeping it.

Herbert watched her pull away and chuckled: “Heh, embarrassed?”

“...No!” Clairette bit her lip and turned her head away.

“Hmm~ Really? Heh, fine, let’s just say that’s how it is.”

The holy knight smiled pleasantly, not exposing the obvious lie, and said: “Alright, as agreed, I’ll let you off this time.”

“But be prepared—next time won’t be as simple as today.”

Next time won’t just be a kiss on the back of the hand.

Clairette knew this well, and had no way to resist.

Yet after a moment of silence, just as Herbert was about to depart as promised, she suddenly spoke: “...Herbert.”

“Hmm?”

“Does this kissing actually work?”

Clairette doubted it. Though Herbert’s soul was immensely alluring to her, she truly didn’t believe a simple kiss on the hand could enhance her power.

Could it really work?

Herbert immediately gave his answer.

“No.”

“Hm!!?”

The boy grinned with utter candor: “Yes, you heard right, and you thought right—it’s useless, of course.”

“Would it really be that easy to gain power with just a kiss?”

?

Clairette widened her eyes and cried out: “Then why did you make me kiss your hand!!?”

If it’s useless, then what the hell was I just doing?

“Don’t get so worked up. Calm down.”

Herbert remained calm and leisurely: “Saying it’s completely useless isn’t quite right… at least, I’m happy, aren’t I?”

“Clairette, are you happy?”

???

The demon lady, pushed too far, finally snapped and shouted: “I’m happy a—ah!”

A torrent of abyssal slang poured from her mouth, making Herbert’s lips curl into an unrestrained grin.

So amusing.

“Hahaha, whether you’re happy or not, I’m certainly having fun.”

“Alright, that’s enough for now. We’ll meet again.”

“I hope you’ll be ready by then.”

Herbert listened for a moment, laughed heartily, waved his hand, and turned to leave.

“Oh! Almost forgot.”

As he stepped forward, Herbert immediately turned back, hurriedly pulled “Siege Hammer Lady” off the wall.

Plop.

“...Hm?”

Valentina, who had slept soundly through the earlier massive impact without stirring, suddenly reacted the moment Herbert embraced her.

Her eyelids trembled slightly, and she murmured:

“...Hm?”

In the next instant, Clairette, still mid-rant, fell silent—she had just witnessed true Epic dragon aura.

Boom!

A violent pressure surged through the entire Bronze Fortress, spreading even through the entire Lava Hell.

Watching this, Herbert couldn’t help but shake his head—there was probably no worse case of morning rage in the world.

“Ha…”

Before Valentina fully opened her eyes, Herbert one arm around her waist, the other shielding her eyes, softly said: “Awake? You slept so carelessly, fell right off the bed—did you hurt yourself?”

The moment she heard Herbert’s voice and felt his presence, the rampant dragon aura vanished instantly.

The once-ravenous dragon felt overwhelming drowsiness again; her eyelids drooped heavily, and she clung to Herbert, murmuring: “Mmm… feels… itchy on top?”

“Then you probably hit your head. Here, let me rub it. Go back to sleep.”

“Mm… stay with me… sleep…”

“Mm-hmm, together.”

From Clairette’s bewildered perspective, the ferocious dragon who had seemed moments from destroying the world was now being coaxed into sleep like a helpless embryo.

Click.

The two left, leaving only silent Clairette and the two massive holes punched through the wall by “Siege Hammer Lady.”

“...”

She thought of all that had passed between her and Herbert, and sighed: “How absurd… I must be mad to have actually agreed to him.”

Yet another thought surfaced in her heart, spreading rapidly, swelling uncontrollably—what if it were true?

Valentina had appeared—she had truly ascended to Epic. That was ironclad proof.

“And even if it’s not true, that feeling was real—his soul was simply too…”

“Just by kissing his hand, I felt this… what if he kissed me?”

“What if it wasn’t a kiss, but…”

Clairette thought, her body trembling slightly, swallowing a mouthful of saliva.

Glug.

“...”

Bishop Rust Nail frowned, staring at the documents in his hands, lost in silent, agonizing thought.

“Who should I choose?”

After receiving full authority from Ash Bishop, he had been deliberating over who to send to the Sun Church.

The Mist Monastery was small, but there were still several suitable candidates.

After much deliberation, he had already identified a few.

All of them were strong enough to handle this mission.

Yet he remained hesitant.

Bishop Rust Nail knew exactly why.

His indecision stemmed entirely from a bold idea already forming in his mind.

“What if… it were him?”

Herbert.

The boy was his most favored candidate.

He had mentioned it to Ash Bishop, but she had… well, seemed unimpressed.

“So, in the Guardian’s eyes, Legendary power is still mandatory?”

“Then this is problematic.”

Bishop Rust Nail shook his head and sighed helplessly: “It could take forever before Herbert reaches Legendary… Hm!!?”

Ding.

As he sighed, the bishop’s expression changed—he turned sharply to the bell on his desk.

It was a magical communication device given to him by the Archbishop, to be used only in dire emergencies.

!!!

The Archbishop is sending him a message!!?

What major event has occurred?

Has the Seal Sanctuary developed a problem?

The sealed object has moved!!?

With no time to spare, he snatched up the bell, determined to find out what had happened.

“Your Grace! Has the sealed object malfunctioned!?”

Please, don’t let anything happen!

“Malcolm, do not be hasty.”

The panicked Bishop Rust Nail heard the Archbishop’s usual calm voice: “The Sanctuary is perfectly still. He has shown no disturbance for a long time. Nothing major has occurred.”

Phew!

Bishop Rust Nail let out a sudden breath of relief and asked, “Then why did you summon me?”

If the sealed object is fine, then nothing major must have happened…

“Herbert has ascended to Legend.”

Bishop Rust Nail: ?

“Ah!!?”

The Archbishop ignored Bishop Rust Nail’s stunned silence and gently instructed: “Notify the others to prepare the materials required for the [Sacred Sacrifice Baptism] ceremony.”

“In one month, I shall personally preside over his baptism.”

The Archbishop was still speaking, but by now, Bishop Rust Nail could no longer hear him.

In that moment, only one phrase echoed endlessly in his mind.

“Legend…”

“Herbert has ascended…”

“Legend!!?”

(End of Chapter)