Chapter 44: Don

The Mist Monastery · Third Law Hall, also known as the Alien Prison, is a special cell housing sealed dangerous alien entities.

The entire Law Hall is divided into nine zones, each with its own unique sealing principle.

The second zone is the Deep Water Cell, the third is the Darkness Prison, the fourth is the Lava Hell, and so on…

The first zone, where Valentina is imprisoned, appears ordinary—a simple cell—but this is merely its facade.

Its true name is actually the 【Endless Labyrinth】.

This semi-plane’s area is the largest of all zones, equaling the combined total of the later zones.

It constantly shifts its corridors, eliminating any possibility of escape for prisoners.

Once entered, a prisoner’s chance of leaving is virtually nonexistent.

Herbert could move through it unimpeded, walking freely, solely due to his role as Warden.

He simply walked forward; even when hitting dead ends, the path would extend before him, forming a straight, direct route to his goal.

Thus, the only key to escaping here is this:

Don’t stop!

Of course, this trick doesn’t apply to everyone.

For intruders who accidentally wandered in, the ever-changing, nearly identical terrain holds no discernible pattern.

Either possess the power to crush all obstacles and force your way through,

Or trudge through the maze honestly—perhaps luck will guide you right.

Or… come fully prepared.

The fallen one, whose face was hidden beneath a black hood, stepped before a wall and pressed his slick, sticky palm against his own face.

Plos.

With a grating, eerie sound, his body instantly softened, collapsing to the ground, and within a few breaths, transformed into a pool of black liquid reeking of fish.

The slime-like fluid showed no trace of its original form, yet faintly pulsed with a peculiar, vigorous vitality.

It wriggled, adhered to the wall, seeped slowly through its seams, then emerged on the other side, reuniting into a single mass.

The wall suffered no damage; only a long, blood-like streak remained on the ground where it had passed.

Though the entire motion appeared slow, its actual speed was astonishing—crossing one wall in under ten seconds.

After confirming initial success, the liquid’s movement accelerated, nearly running as it lunged toward the next wall.

Plos.

Plos.

It bounced, piercing layer after layer of walls, speeding forward.

Straight toward the barrier leading to the next zone.

【“Oh? So that’s how it is~”】

After learning why Herbert was stunned, Nenasha sighed with a touch of wonder: 【“You humans don’t even spare fish? You’re truly not picky!”】

“Hold on, don’t generalize!”

Herbert protested against her sweeping accusation: “He’s the one who’s not picky—not everyone is!”

Not everyone eats XX.JPG

Not all XX people do XX.JPG

Don’t condemn everyone with one brush.

【“Hmph.”】

Nenasha sneered, ignoring his protest, and retorted: 【“Aren’t you just as undiscriminating? You clearly… hmm hehe~”】

“How’s that the same? Do I like them because of their race? Am I chasing some taboo, perverse feeling?”

“No!”

Herbert snorted, utterly unbothered by the hypocrisy, and declared plainly: “I like their appearance!”

I’m done pretending. I’m owning it.

I just like pretty ones!

So what?

I’m a barbarian!

“I don’t fancy every monster or alien—if one’s ugly, I won’t even glance twice!”

【“Really?”】

“Absolutely true!”

【“Then tell me—if a monster had a soft, fluffy tail, would you like it?”】

“...That’s a bonus. Uh, that’s separate.”

【“Hmph. No wonder I chose you as an ally—your shamelessness delights me.”】

Herbert paid no mind to Nenasha’s sarcastic jab.

It was simply how things were—context matters.

What universal formula could fit every situation?

“But then—if he wasn’t influenced by you, was he truly self-corrupted?”

Having experienced Nenasha’s influence, he’d automatically assumed every act of desecration in the Mist Monastery was her doing.

Naturally, he’d viewed the fallen one as a pitiful soul misled by a demon god into desecrating carp.

His repeated leniency toward him had stemmed partly from sympathy—a fellow traveler, not to be harshly judged.

But now, looking back… hey!

You’re not even on my side!

So… does he really like fish?

“Hmm. Respect. Don’t understand. But I bless you.”

May you and your next fish-wife be happy and healthy.

Just don’t show up in front of me again.

Herbert grew even more convinced his decision to hide in the Alien Prison tonight was brilliant—pure genius!

He felt the surrounding darkness, as if returning home, and exhaled deeply.

With these cells protecting him, no one could harm him!

Nor could he harm anyone else.

Not just harm—he couldn’t even see them.

“...Fine. Since you still won’t see me, I’ll come again next time.” Herbert shook his head, declaring another failed exploration of the dark.

Herbert had walked for a long time, endlessly circling the vampire, unable to find the path to the next zone.

Yes, Svan Ni had not altered the ground—but had successfully hidden herself beyond the paths.

Even if he never got lost, he still needed a path beneath his feet.

“Nenasha, can you locate her position?”

【“Can’t~ I’m still too weak!”】

“Ah, alright.”

Whatever. Let’s check if the vampire girl has calmed down, then go chat with the Hungry Dragon Miss.

Herbert turned to leave when the demon god, who had just been acting cute and clueless, suddenly made a soft sound.

【“Oh?”】

Herbert grumbled: “What now?”

【“I mean… the fallen one you mentioned—is he covered in slime, reeking of fish?”】

“Probably. That’s the vibe… huh?”

Herbert’s eyes snapped wide open as he turned back toward the seemingly ordinary darkness behind him.

Could it be!?

【“Yes~ He’s rushing toward you right now.”】

“What the—!!?”

You’re really going to attack me?!

You followed me here?!

Don’t come near me—

Thank you to the anonymous ramen donor

…

Tomorrow at midnight, I’m entering the second round of recommendations—I’m so nervous so nervous so nervous—

Weather’s cooling down, stay warm—I caught a cold again, ugh!

…

PS: If any bigwigs want to tip or vote, wait until the day after tomorrow at midnight (Monday 0:00).

That’s when the weekly new book rankings reset—tips then might boost my ranking higher.

Love you!





(End of Chapter)