Chapter 87: No Need for Words (Bonus Chapter 44)

“This doesn’t make sense.”

“That’s not how love stories go!”

“Where’s the misunderstanding, the argument, the reconciliation, the Shengwen ? Why is there nothing?”

Herbert looked at the woman sleeping soundly and couldn’t help letting out a weary sigh.

“Ah, right… this is the Valentina I know. Totally fits my stereotype of her.”

The dragon trope hasn’t broken. Everyone sit down.

Think carefully—though this turn of events seems absurd at first glance, it’s oddly reasonable within the absurdity.

After such a long-overdue battle, Valentina must be exhausted.

With such heavy depletion, resting is only natural.

…Hmm, definitely not this guy—he can sleep through anything, even now.

Probably.

Herbert gazed at her for a while, a mix of affection and pity in his eyes, then sat down against the railing without waking her.

He lowered his eyes to her sleeping face, recalling every moment they’d shared.

At first, she appeared fierce and volatile, like the most dangerous villain imaginable.

Yet even then, she revealed small acts of kindness that made him question his first impression.

Was she really as she seemed on the surface?

In subsequent tests, Herbert’s answers confirmed his suspicion.

She’s just a dumb dragon—what bad intentions could she possibly have?

He had to admit: he genuinely enjoyed being around Valentina.

Unlike others, she never played games, never schemed behind his back, never plotted or maneuvered.

It was easy. And pleasant.

Herbert closed his eyes, shook his head, and sighed with quiet resignation.

“Sigh… this really… hmm?”

He froze.

Because he suddenly noticed the rhythmic breathing beside him had stopped.

“…”

Herbert fell silent.

Some people know everything right now—but still refuse to face it.

But avoidance is meaningless.

After a moment’s hesitation, Herbert slowly opened his eyes—and there, right before him, were two wide, blood-red eyes staring straight at him.

What kind of horror movie framing is this?!

“Uh, hi? Good morning, big… ah!”

Splash.

In an instant, the world spun.

Crash!

Herbert was yanked straight off the ground and jammed between the railing bars.

“Ow! Take it easy!”

Helpless against her terrifying strength, Herbert could only sigh: “Let go of me first.”

Valentina, gripping him, pouted and grumbled: “I won’t.”

Now that she’d finally caught him, why would she let go?

Hmph.

“You’re squeezing me too tight—I can’t get through.”

“Huh?”

At those words, Valentina instinctively loosened her grip, letting Herbert escape her grasp.

“You… you’re serious?”

“Cough! Cough… you really went all out.”

Free at last, Herbert sighed lightly, shook his head, and let out a wry internal laugh: “I must be insane.”

He didn’t make Valentina wait—he stepped through the railing and walked resolutely into the cell.

And then…

He was seized in a brutal bear hug.

Crack… crack… crack…

His bones cracked with alarming sounds; he felt as if he’d been hit by a semi-truck.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t quite that bad—slightly less forceful than the pushback from a truck.

But it was close enough.

If Herbert hadn’t soaked his feet longer in the Lava Hell to strengthen his body, he’d already be a pile of broken bones.

Yet when he glanced sideways and saw Valentina’s anxious face—frightened of losing him—he couldn’t muster any anger.

They said nothing, simply holding each other in quiet stillness.

“Valentina.”

“Shut up.”

“Scared?”

“Hmph. Not scared.”

“Honest answer?”

“…Shut up.”

Herbert shook his head and stopped pressing.

No need to ask anymore.

Her reaction said it all—no further explanation was needed.

Some things require no words.

After being held for a while, Herbert suddenly felt Valentina sniff the air, then nuzzle against him.

?

“I see. You’re really hungry.”

Grrr…

“I am hungry.”

After a light tease, Herbert shook his head and softly said: “Valentina, I won’t die.”

!!!

Without hesitation, Herbert raised his arms and gently returned the embrace.

Valentina’s body trembled, instinctively trying to push him away—but she stopped, then let him hold her.

Herbert embraced the terrifying being capable of destroying a kingdom, and made his vow: “Though I’m still weak compared to you, I won’t die so easily.”

No matter what you’ve lost before.

I won’t leave you as they did.

Herbert didn’t speak these words aloud—but he believed Valentina understood.

Crack… crack… crack…

After loosening her grip, Valentina pulled him tighter, murmuring skeptically: “...Promise me.”

“I promise.”

Herbert noticed Valentina’s ears twitch slightly as he spoke. He smiled inwardly, leaned close to her ear, and whispered in the softest tone:

“Valentina, I promise you…”

“I’ll live a very, very long time.”

When Herbert finally freed himself from the dragon’s claws and stepped out of the alien prison, two figures waited at the door.

“Captain of the Knights.”

Herbert didn’t flinch. He nodded to Bishop Rustnail, then stepped before Bishop Thorn and bowed slightly: “My Lord Inquisitor.”

The towering Inquisitor didn’t nod. He stood like a wall, looking down at Herbert with a cold voice: “...Do you know what you’ve done?”

“I do.”

Herbert straightened, meeting his gaze calmly: “I forcibly used my Permission to move a prisoner from the First Zone into the Fourth Zone and forced them to fight.”

Herbert had anticipated this exposure—he knew the moment he moved Valentina across zones that the act couldn’t be hidden.

In fact, the fact that only these two bishops were here surprised him.

The monastery’s leadership seemed… more lenient than he expected.

Seeing his honest admission, the Inquisitor’s tone softened slightly. He nodded slowly and rumbled: “Why did you do it?”

Herbert replied calmly: “It’s part of my reformation of the prisoners… The Rageborn’s actions prove my reformation succeeded.”

“She protected me when my life was in danger—something unthinkable in the past.”

After his explanation, both bishops fell silent—whether in doubt or contemplation, he couldn’t tell.

Herbert said nothing, standing quietly in place.

After a moment of silence, Bishop Rustnail spoke, breaking the quiet:

“Let’s go.”

“The Grand Archbishop wishes to see you.”

Today’s fourth update, 8500 characters—got stuck on the fourth, delayed by half an hour; maybe change the fourth update to 7 PM from now on?

Following is crucial! Please follow! Next Monday is the only chance—

We’ve reached 200 monthly votes—add one more update! We’re not far from 400 monthly votes!

You guys keep voting, I’ll keep updating!





(End of Chapter)