Chapter 75: Face Reality (24)

"Huh?"

At this moment, Krety was stunned.

What did he just say?

He said my tactics… are outdated.

Outdated?!!

She narrowed her eyes in confusion, suddenly realizing something was wrong.

Wait, this feeling…

Krety's expression turned icy; she fixed the boy inches away with a cold, piercing gaze, staring hard at the sneer on his lips.

"Were all your reactions just pretending to fool me?"

"Young Lady Krety, don't sound so resentful—it was you who deceived me first."

Herbert shrugged, casually saying: "Then if that's the case, isn't it perfectly reasonable for me to deceive you back?"

Just self-defense.

He looked at the demon's shifting expression, sat back down in the chair behind him, and said calmly: "I say, have you been locked up here too long? Have you forgotten the outside world keeps evolving?"

"Based on your remarks just now, not even I would be fooled—let alone a three-year-old child."

Herbert sat relaxed and at ease, while the demon stood gloomily on the ground.

Just like how she had sat proudly upon the Wang Zuo moments ago, looking down on him, trying to toy with his mind.

At this very moment, it is exactly as it was then.

Young Lady Demon.

The roles have reversed!

But Krety had no mind for this minor loss; what concerned her was the content of Herbert's words.

"No, impossible?!"

She refused to believe it!

Absolutely unwilling to believe it.

How could her own proud technique—once used to bewitch countless hearts—have zero effect on him?

Not even a child could be fooled?

How could this be!

Impossible. Absolutely impossible.

Krety could tolerate everything else, could pretend nothing had happened—but this, she could not.

This was a challenge to her professional integrity!

"Hm?"

Seeing her reaction, Herbert blinked, uncertainly asking: "Um… do you really think your conditions were that appealing?"

"What do you mean?" Krety narrowed her eyes, speaking coldly: "Are you mocking me?"

"Well… uh, not exactly."

Herbert wasn't deliberately mocking her this time—he genuinely thought her technique was crude.

After listening for so long, his only thought, besides playing along, was—what long legs, what big breasts, what pale skin…

As for the rest—the revenge, the twisted fate, the noble bloodline—he truly didn't care.

It didn't attract him at all.

In Herbert's view, Krety's entire routine was just a rigid template, a case of path dependency.

Seeing this type of target, she mechanically applied the template without thinking at all.

Stupid girl.

With such a pitiful talent for bewitching hearts.

Compared to Nie Nasha, you're far behind.

You're not even fit to carry her shoes.

Hmph!

Mediocre.

Evaluation: just a clown who moved only himself.

"I don't know whether to call you arrogant or foolish."

"You clearly realized I might be different from the people you've met before, yet you still mindlessly used your old script."

Herbert shook his head, sighing as if an elder instructing a junior: "Don't learn knowledge so rigidly—you must adapt, tailor it to the person!"

"Also, seduction can only be a bonus—it can't be your decisive tactic. After all, it's far too vulgar."

"Oh right, you should think more for yourself—don't just rely on the other person's reactions. What if they're pretending? Then you're done for…"

…

As Herbert kept lecturing, Krety's expression grew darker, nearly as black as Svani's.

"…"

She admitted she had been careless this time, and had learned a little technique from Herbert.

But—but!

His attitude made Krety unbearable, filled her with deep discomfort.

I'm the demon!

I'm the one who bewitches!

How dare you act like this?

Although Kreti said nothing, everything she wanted to express was written all over her face — she refused to accept it!

"You see, you still don't understand."

Herbert, the corners of his mouth curved in a smile, stared at the Young Lady devil who loved to toy with hearts but had this time had her own heart toyed with, and asked in return: "Kreti, do you still not understand even now?"

"You are no longer the bewitcher who possessed legendary power from the outside world. The current you is nothing more than a prisoner without a future."

"Face reality — the one who should bow her head is you."

He gently yet ruthlessly tore away the last fig leaf of the other party.

No matter how powerful a strength you possess, you are still nothing more than a prisoner.

I want to borrow your power — only then will you have a chance to be of use.

But if I don't want to, then you are nothing but trash.

Face this cruel reality.

Devil.

"So actually, from the very beginning it shouldn't have been you asking me… it should have been me asking you."

The young holy knight crossed his legs, and in a gentle posture asked the devil in a low voice:

"Do you yearn for freedom?"

"Do you want to keep suffering here in such agony?"

"Do you want to be tormented forever by the loathsome demon?"

While the devil sat in an uncomfortable silence, he slowly rose, walked to her front, spread his arms, and whispered with a smile:

"Submit to me!"

"I will help you solve these problems."

"How does that line go? Oh right — I will make you feel truly a-li-ve~!"

"Heh heh…"

Of course the Young Lady devil did not submit.

This was only the first real clash, not some little adult game — where would it be so easy to fall and submit?

Kreti, who had been thoroughly humiliated, finally returned to the depths of the Bronze Fortress, refusing any further communication with Herbert.

Mm, her pride was hurt.

"Hmph hmph."

And Herbert, the great victor of this battle, was brimming with momentum, feeling he was simply too strong, and so boldly cast his gaze toward another prisoner in the arena.

After hurling lava balls for a full half hour, the demon finally stopped and fell into a silent dormant state.

Herbert looked at the fallen-silent lava giant, licked his lips with a hint of eagerness.

How about… giving it a try?

"I want to see just how dangerous she can be in her chaotic state!"

The sky cleared, the rain stopped, and he once again felt he was up to the task.

If we're trying, then let's try!

Fire and high temperatures cannot harm him — this is the greatest advantage.

In any case, he already had experience; as long as the teleportation gate was prepared, he could escape at any critical moment.

Give it a try!

If it doesn't work, retreat!

"Good, it's decided!"

And then…

In less than five minutes, the brave, fearless young man quickly faced reality.

The weapon of criticism can never compare to the criticism of the weapon.

In the end, it still comes down to classical mechanics.

"Holy crap!"

Boom!

"Wait, wait a moment!"

Boom!

"Wrong, that's wrong—"

Boom boom boom!!!

(End of this chapter)