Chapter 7: You Think I

In a sealed space invisible to outsiders, this conversation took place.

“Come here! Let me smell you!”

“No!”

“Obey me! Let me take a look!”

“No!”

“Tsk! Are you coming over or not?”

“Oh no, Jiege, don’t!”

“……Jiege? What Jiege? What have you been muttering about since just now?”

Valentina gave Herbert a strange look, puzzled by this guy hugging his chest as if he’d rather die than let go.

What are you doing?

I just want to smell you closely and confirm what this scent is—why are you so tense?

I’m not going to eat you!

“Hmph! Fine, don’t let me smell it—big deal.” Valentina sniffed, turned away sullenly, and faced the bars with her back.

Rustle…

But soon after she turned to sulk, she heard footsteps approaching—and the fragrance growing stronger.

“…What are you doing?”

Valentina crossed her arms, suppressing the urge to turn around.

No.

Don’t turn back!

For some reason, if I turn back now, I’ll feel like I’ve lost to him…

At this point, Herbert had already walked to the edge of the Dragon Lady’s prison cell, standing barely an arm and a half away.

He squinted at Valentina, whose body language screamed restraint, and his mind raced with thoughts.

When he first heard the Dragon Lady’s confused remark, Herbert’s initial thought was that she was sexually frustrated and planning to take advantage of him.

But he quickly realized something must have changed about himself.

What could change overnight?

All clues pointed to one direction—that… the demonic rune.

A blessing from the Evil God?

At that moment, Herbert also realized another thing—he had completely ignored the dragon aura emanating from Valentina.

Unlike yesterday, when he’d struggled to endure it, he now felt absolutely nothing; he’d even forgotten it existed unless he remembered.

Had Valentina deliberately suppressed her dragon aura?

She probably wasn’t that kind.

Evil God, what kind of forced blessing did you just dump on me?

Or… is this even a blessing at all?

Could it be some kind of perverted curse?

Recalling that unreliable divine entity, Herbert’s scalp prickled—he nearly remembered last night’s nightmare.

Ugh… cough!

He forcibly shoved the rising image from his mind, distracted himself, and spoke to Valentina:

“Cough, cough… Prisoner Miss, come on, let me test you—can you notice any changes in me?”

“Hmph. You just smell nicer.”

Valentina kept her back turned, neck stiff, fighting hard against the instinct to look back.

“Smell? You mean from a culinary perspective?”

“Huh?”

Valentina froze, whipped her head around, and glared at him fiercely: “Do you think I’d find your body appealing?!”

Who would eat you?

“You look like a starving ghost who hasn’t eaten in centuries… oh wait, you actually haven’t.”

Valentina: ?

“Hey! Are you deliberately provoking me?!”

“How could I? Oops, sorry—I just accidentally forgot you haven’t eaten in… huuuundreds of years~”

You’re still talking?!

Valentina was about to explode, but saw Herbert’s smirking lips and realized he was deliberately provoking her—she clenched her teeth and turned back around.

Hmph!

Go ahead.

I won’t fall for your trap.

“Lady Demonflame?”

“Hmph.”

“Miss Valentina?”

“Hmph!”

After that, no matter how much Herbert teased her, Valentina, determined to hold firm, gave no reply but cold sniffs.

What kind of snort monster are you?

Just turn around and look at me.

If you turn around, I don’t believe your eyes will be empty!

Besides…

Though it might sound impolite, Herbert couldn’t help but recall his Qianshi neighbor’s Shiba Inu as he stared at her stubborn back.

Every time it came home from playing, it would present its owner with this stubborn, rigid rear end.

One leaned back hard, pulling its body taut; the other dug its head into the ground—two creatures locked in a static tug-of-war, held in place by a leash.

They wrestled like this for a while longer, until the stubborn dog girl won through sheer willpower—Herbert reluctantly gave up and walked deeper into the prison.

“Fine, then stay here and reflect on your sins. I’ll go check on the others.”

Whatever. Since you won’t cooperate, I’ll find someone who will.

Separation’s fine—the next one will be better behaved!

Just as Herbert was about to step beyond the seal of Valentina’s cell, a voice behind him called out—emotion impossible to discern.

“Hey, kid.”

“Huh? You’ve finally changed your mind?”

Herbert turned and saw Valentina, now facing him, staring at him with a haunting gaze.

Seeing him turn, she snorted, made a fierce expression, and threatened sharply: “If you’re scared, just get the hell out!”

Without giving Herbert time to react, she vanished back into the shadows of the cell.

“…”

Herbert remained frozen in place for a long while, then shook his head thoughtfully and smiled: “Heh. I will.”

The cage remained silent—no indication whether Valentina had heard him.

So… was she worrying about me?

Uncertain.

I’ll observe further.

Maybe it’s one of the three great delusions…

But regardless, given Valentina’s warning, Herbert raised his guard.

Is there someone among them who harbors deep malice toward me?

Thinking this, Herbert continued deeper into the prison.

Second Zone.

Unlike the first zone where Valentina was held, the air here was noticeably better—though humidity likely exceeded seventy percent, clearly damp.

“Oh? You’re back? I thought you’d already run away.”

The mermaid prisoner, floating in a giant water sphere, opened her eyes, surprised to see the visitor.

“In terms of courage, you’re stronger than the last warden.”

“Oh? What happened to him?”

The mermaid smirked, flicking her tail: “He was a coward who came for a vacation—scared half to death by the angels inside, cried, and fled. Never showed up again the next day.”

“Huh…”

Herbert raised an eyebrow—he hadn’t expected to hear secrets from a former warden.

The mermaid smiled at his expression, rising halfway out of the water: “By the way… do you think I’m beautiful?”

“Huh?”

Herbert sized her up and nodded without hesitation.

“I think you’re very beautiful.”

(End of Chapter)