[{"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-425":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},2312354,4517,"Chapter 425: Then Kiss Me (7K Subscription Request)","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-425",425,"\u003Cp>「……」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Herbert finished speaking, the room plunged into complete silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, not entirely silent—Valentina’s steady breathing and the sound of her slurping saliva served as ambient white noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「You… just now… what did you say?」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Devil Girl’s lips twitched uncontrollably; she narrowed her eyes and stared at the boy outside the doorway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clarity raised her hand, first pointing at Herbert, then hesitating before pointing at herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「…Huh?」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Mm.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「By the way, I meant your thoughts are lewd—not your body looks sexy… oh wait, actually both are pretty sexy.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s be honest, Clarity’s devilish figure really is lewd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「You!」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Herbert nod slightly as if he’d just realized something, she rolled her eyes, her face twitching, nearly choking on her breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「You damn—cough! cough!」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After two coughs, the Devil Girl finally caught her breath and gasped: 「You… said I’m… sexy?」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Me?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「That’s right, Clarity—you’re truly lewd!」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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!」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clarity: What kind?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「I…」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Yes, you’re right—so what if it’s lewd? It’s lewd! It’s a healthy thought!」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「It’s really nothing at all! You absolutely shouldn’t suppress your desires.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s wrong with wanting to be lewd?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing at all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lewdness is innocent!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「You’re not the first, and you certainly won’t be the last.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「It doesn’t matter—I forgive your disrespectful thoughts about me.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「You must forgive yourself too~」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Keep going! You can overcome this!」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Mm, if you really can’t overcome it, that’s fine too! I won’t be angry—」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert encouraged her with great generosity, displaying a magnanimous, unbothered demeanor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But these words shattered Clarity’s composure completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She suddenly dropped her head, biting her lip tightly—though this reaction was certainly not due to being moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because of rage!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Tch!」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell are you even saying here?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What nonsense are you babbling about over there?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who asked you to forgive me?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who asked you to help me overcome anything?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And furthermore!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who even has improper thoughts about you?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the Devil Girl was utterly broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse still, she realized she was no match for him when it came to provoking anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As an accomplished devil, she had lost so thoroughly in this regard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her mind-bending tricks meant nothing before him—they were utterly beneath notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Damn it…」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She refused to accept it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could she lose to him?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to Herbert’s verbal teasing, this was the true reason she had broken down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Clarity’s ability to remain so clear-headed wasn’t because she had high resistance to Herbert’s sweet talk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because Herbert’s current appearance was simply too bizarre.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert had just proven one truth—no matter how handsome your face is, you can’t use it like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A head sticking out of a doorway? No way it looks cool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when another head was mirrored on the nearby wall—the whole scene had reached another level of absurdity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come on, your poses are way too weird!!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was unbearable to look at.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You damn Holy Knight—are you mocking me?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「…Huh!」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she couldn’t help cursing inwardly, Clarity knew deep down that Herbert was just teasing her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never seriously tried to seduce her—he was just joking with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the worst, the thing she regretted most—was that she simply couldn’t refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was all because of that contract!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「…Damn it!」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of the contract made Clarity even angrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She regretted it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than being tricked by Herbert, she despised her own stupidity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could a person make such a colossal mistake?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She herself had demanded he help her improve her strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She herself had proposed the contract, insisting he sign it—he had no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She herself had drafted and reviewed every clause, reaching perfect consensus with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Herbert was far from innocent in this, she had been absurdly, uniquely foolish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From start to finish, everything had been entirely her doing—she had no one to blame but herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under these constraints, Clarity had no way to resist the contract.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This humiliation and fury had nearly driven the Devil Girl into self-isolation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason she hadn’t fully collapsed was because Herbert had redirected her emotions elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Herbert not distracted her with his absurd behavior, Clarity would likely have sunk into agonizing regret and resentment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Burning her soul in resentment, suppressing it, slowly spiraling toward extremes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this, in fact, was precisely Herbert’s true purpose for not forcing her to bow down, but instead acting so absurdly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t want the Devil Girl to genuinely hate him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joking with a fool? No problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fools know their own lack of wit—even if tricked, they get angry for a while, then accept their bad luck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joking with the clever is the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clever immediately realize and accept defeat the moment they’re tricked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They don’t dwell on temporary gains or losses; even if they fail, they simply plan to win back their dignity another way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the most painful people in this world are those caught between these two extremes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half-wise, half-foolish—that’s the most unbearable state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They lack clear self-awareness, consider themselves clever, yet are constantly mocked as fools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, blind overconfidence isn’t confidence—it’s just pointless self-torture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recognizing oneself is the first step to becoming truly clever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only by understanding this, and letting oneself go, can one truly succeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Herbert’s thoughts were merely metaphors—the true reality was nothing like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clarity belonged to the category that hadn’t recognized her own position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was neither stupid nor a genius—just an ordinary person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t an insult—it was Herbert’s sincere evaluation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Crete were truly intelligent, she wouldn’t provoke Flora at all—she’d become friends with her only roommate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of occasionally harassing her and earning a “beating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s the most important thing to win her over?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is it to leave a deep impression on her heart?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s necessary—but not the most important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What you truly must do is “hurt her not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t hurt her emotions—for example, don’t let her realize she’s truly a Bai Chi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And don’t start with overly forceful methods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Progress gradually, inch by inch, slowly eroding her heart—that’s the correct approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert’s abstract maneuvers were merely to redirect Crete’s anger toward himself—the hatred had shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Devil Miss would still be furious, she wouldn’t blame herself—she’d hate him even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s exactly what Herbert wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As is well known… “love” and “hate” are easily interchangeable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single trivial matter can make someone utterly lose love for a partner they once adored, or turn sworn enemies into inseparable lovers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Human emotions are complex—and easily disturbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though those who play with emotions may ultimately gain nothing, Herbert wasn’t afraid—he’d always been sincere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as my own sincerity is genuine, what I receive will be sincerity in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for how much sincerity I have… mind your own business!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m just sincere, that’s all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, this entire philosophy had other techniques—like modeling for opportunity, length for voice, technique for posture… cough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, Crete’s emotions were fully stirred by Herbert; she’d forgotten her earlier defeat in the contract and glared at him fiercely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, the poor Devil Miss had become the Holy Knight’s plaything.JPG\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I haven’t… hmm? Repressed?” Even in a rage, Crete paused, startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What repression?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly repressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if she didn’t fully grasp Herbert’s meaning, Crete understood his gaze—he was mocking her!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Devil Miss remained furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What repression? What lewdness?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re slandering me!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pure slander!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even if I did have lewd thoughts, what about you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How dare you say that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who gave you the right to judge me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did you just do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking off your clothes was bad enough—but why did you take off your pants!!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, didn’t you just give me a side-eye? Did you know? That’s also a sign of repression…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aaaah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After being teased repeatedly by Herbert, Crete’s anger gradually faded; she rolled her eyes at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See? You’re repressed again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tsk!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, unable to bear it any longer, the Devil Miss gave up and snapped, “Fine! Stop talking! I’ll cooperate, alright?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s just a kiss, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kiss me then!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leave me alone!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crete resigned herself, frowning and closing her eyes, waiting for Herbert to claim her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after waiting a long time, Herbert never came to kiss her… not even entered the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crete: ?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still pretending?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Devil’s lips curled; she sneered at the Holy Knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are you kidding me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your “Battering Ram” is sleeping right there—couldn’t you just walk in if you wanted to?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no matter how much Crete hinted, Herbert refused to move, standing outside the door, grinning, gesturing with his finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come here~ come here~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crete glared at Herbert, baring her teeth: “I won’t come over!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m not moving!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you won’t come over, then fine—we’ll try another way…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert looked at Crete, suddenly smiling slyly, whispering, “Then how about this—you come kiss me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I won’t!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Be good—come kiss me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No—way—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crete’s eyes rolled so far back they nearly vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I already hate kissing you—now you want me to kiss you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not in a million years!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s fair, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve given so much—if you refuse again, I’ll have to use other methods.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Herbert silently glanced at the Battering Ram, stuck in the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said nothing outright—but the threat was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either you come over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or I send her over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You choose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Agreed—after I do this, you won’t ask for anything else!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry—I won’t break my word.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, the kiss-of-the-hand wasn’t a true kiss; actually kissing the hand would be seen as an insolent provocation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crete wanted to pull away—but she knew, at this point, Herbert would never let her off so easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a half-second hesitation, Crete shut her eyes, gritted her teeth, and pressed her red lips to Herbert’s knuckles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d intended only a fleeting touch, then push him away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as she prepared to do so, she froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mmm!!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still in the kiss, she snapped her eyes wide open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hum—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant, her soul heard a vast, resonant hum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What… happened?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crete was confused for only a moment—then she realized what she’d heard: it was Herbert’s soul speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had indeed kissed his knuckles—but not merely his flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had touched Herbert’s soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is well known that souls have always been the demons’ most cherished resource.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demons cause trouble everywhere, trading with all manner of fallen beings, all to acquire souls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They crave vast quantities of souls, especially those of great power!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert’s soul was the most unique one Clairette had ever seen in her life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could hardly find a precise word to describe what she saw at that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clairette felt as if she had glimpsed a vast, magnificent gem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Complex, dazzling, ever-shifting, brilliant and profound—it made her unconsciously lose herself in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet at the same time, she felt as if standing before the most terrifying abyss, sensing a bone-chilling cold emanating from the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It stirred both trembling dread and longing within her, a desire to claim that soul for herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Clairette was about to be utterly consumed, the sweet soul suddenly withdrew from her on its own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No! Don’t go… ah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon instinctively reached out to grasp it tightly, but the next instant she snapped back to her senses, realizing what she was doing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before Clairette could feel shame, her palm was gently held.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you wish, I will stay right here,” Herbert’s gentle voice came from outside the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… let go of me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon lady yanked her hand back in sudden awareness, though she had clearly overreacted—the other had no intention of keeping it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert watched her pull away and chuckled: “Heh, embarrassed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...No!” Clairette bit her lip and turned her head away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm~ Really? Heh, fine, let’s just say that’s how it is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The holy knight smiled pleasantly, not exposing the obvious lie, and said: “Alright, as agreed, I’ll let you off this time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But be prepared—next time won’t be as simple as today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next time won’t just be a kiss on the back of the hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clairette knew this well, and had no way to resist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet after a moment of silence, just as Herbert was about to depart as promised, she suddenly spoke: “...Herbert.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does this kissing actually work?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it really work?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert immediately gave his answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm!!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy grinned with utter candor: “Yes, you heard right, and you thought right—it’s useless, of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Would it really be that easy to gain power with just a kiss?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clairette widened her eyes and cried out: “Then why did you make me kiss your hand!!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it’s useless, then what the hell was I just doing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t get so worked up. Calm down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert remained calm and leisurely: “Saying it’s completely useless isn’t quite right… at least, I’m happy, aren’t I?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clairette, are you happy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon lady, pushed too far, finally snapped and shouted: “I’m happy a—ah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A torrent of abyssal slang poured from her mouth, making Herbert’s lips curl into an unrestrained grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha, whether you’re happy or not, I’m certainly having fun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, that’s enough for now. We’ll meet again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hope you’ll be ready by then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert listened for a moment, laughed heartily, waved his hand, and turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh! Almost forgot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he stepped forward, Herbert immediately turned back, hurriedly pulled “Siege Hammer Lady” off the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentina, who had slept soundly through the earlier massive impact without stirring, suddenly reacted the moment Herbert embraced her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyelids trembled slightly, and she murmured:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, Clairette, still mid-rant, fell silent—she had just witnessed true Epic dragon aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A violent pressure surged through the entire Bronze Fortress, spreading even through the entire Lava Hell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching this, Herbert couldn’t help but shake his head—there was probably no worse case of morning rage in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she heard Herbert’s voice and felt his presence, the rampant dragon aura vanished instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The once-ravenous dragon felt overwhelming drowsiness again; her eyelids drooped heavily, and she clung to Herbert, murmuring: “Mmm… feels… itchy on top?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then you probably hit your head. Here, let me rub it. Go back to sleep.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm… stay with me… sleep…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm-hmm, together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two left, leaving only silent Clairette and the two massive holes punched through the wall by “Siege Hammer Lady.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet another thought surfaced in her heart, spreading rapidly, swelling uncontrollably—what if it were true?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentina had appeared—she had truly ascended to Epic. That was ironclad proof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And even if it’s not true, that feeling was real—his soul was simply too…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just by kissing his hand, I felt this… what if he kissed me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What if it wasn’t a kiss, but…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clairette thought, her body trembling slightly, swallowing a mouthful of saliva.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glug.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bishop Rust Nail frowned, staring at the documents in his hands, lost in silent, agonizing thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who should I choose?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After receiving full authority from Ash Bishop, he had been deliberating over who to send to the Sun Church.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mist Monastery was small, but there were still several suitable candidates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After much deliberation, he had already identified a few.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of them were strong enough to handle this mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he remained hesitant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bishop Rust Nail knew exactly why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His indecision stemmed entirely from a bold idea already forming in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What if… it were him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy was his most favored candidate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had mentioned it to Ash Bishop, but she had… well, seemed unimpressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, in the Guardian’s eyes, Legendary power is still mandatory?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then this is problematic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bishop Rust Nail shook his head and sighed helplessly: “It could take forever before Herbert reaches Legendary… Hm!!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he sighed, the bishop’s expression changed—he turned sharply to the bell on his desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a magical communication device given to him by the Archbishop, to be used only in dire emergencies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Archbishop is sending him a message!!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What major event has occurred?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Has the Seal Sanctuary developed a problem?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sealed object has moved!!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no time to spare, he snatched up the bell, determined to find out what had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Grace! Has the sealed object malfunctioned!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please, don’t let anything happen!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Malcolm, do not be hasty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phew!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bishop Rust Nail let out a sudden breath of relief and asked, “Then why did you summon me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the sealed object is fine, then nothing major must have happened…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Herbert has ascended to Legend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bishop Rust Nail: ?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah!!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In one month, I shall personally preside over his baptism.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Archbishop was still speaking, but by now, Bishop Rust Nail could no longer hear him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, only one phrase echoed endlessly in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Legend…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Herbert has ascended…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Legend!!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3315,"2026-06-20T12:31:07.945Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","d5beeb9dcdc75eace279ca8576d5513e60f28e68e6c02bd4ff4762d693d840c4","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-426","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-424",453,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fan-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-cover.jpg"]