Don't Do Anything Weird with It!

All evil would eventually be brought to justice-except me!

After confirming that something was wrong with the Lightless Prison, Herbert decided to report it to the Monastery's higher-ups.

He had no intention of dealing with it himself.

Why should I risk my life for a few hundred bucks a month?

Besides, it's not that I'm not trying. I genuinely can't beat them.

Whether this incident had been caused by the dark elf, the vampire princess, or both women working together, he had little power to resist.

This is way beyond my abilities.

I can't beat them.

If you suck, practice more.

Well, I can't afford to play.

Nobody gets to play, then!

I'll mash that report button until it breaks!

However, before going to the Archbishop for help, Herbert still had something very important to do.

He had yet to collect any Magical Beast materials.

So Herbert turned to the Sea Monster, who was staring at her rainbow-colored tail with a conflicted expression, and asked warmly, "Miss Freime, I'm already back. Are you still not ready?"

A short while earlier, he had asked Freime for a small gift-a rainbow scale from her body.

It would serve as symbolic compensation, a token of their reconciliation that would wipe the slate clean over her earlier attempt on his life.

Although Freime had some misgivings, she eventually agreed.

From Freime's perspective, Herbert had shown considerable sincerity.

It really was just a symbolic gift.

It was only a scale from her tail, with no particular significance, and she could grow another whenever she liked after removing it.

The only thing that vaguely bothered her was his beaming expression.

Something about it felt off...

Still, for some reason, she did not want him to see the actual process of removing the scale, so she shooed him into the third zone.

"Well, yes, it's ready." The corner of Freime's mouth twitched. She was a little unsure whether she was doing the right thing.

Wait, why does this still feel wrong somehow?

"You..."

She hesitated, but eventually could not help asking, "You really won't do anything weird with it, right?"

"Really. I just want to keep a scale as a memento."

Herbert nodded openly and patted his chest in assurance, showing not the slightest trace of guilt.

Of course I won't do anything weird.

How could using Magical Beast materials to improve my strength count as weird?

Then he asked with a touch of curiosity:

"By the way, what do you mean by weird things? I don't really understand. Could you explain in detail?"

Looking into the boy's "pure" eyes, brimming with a thirst for knowledge, Freime did not know how to explain. She stammered:

"Uh, I mean, using it to do certain..."

"Certain what?"

The mermaid princess stared at the boy, speechless. She wanted to ask him, You're a grown man. Don't you get it? Do I really have to explain?

But then she remembered the Oath of Purity he had sworn, and the words caught in her throat.

Tsk, this kid might actually not understand!

Do I have to give him lessons, too?

Ugh.

"...Forget it. Just take it."

She shook her head helplessly and tossed the palm-sized scale straight out. It traced a graceful arc through the air and landed in Herbert's hand.

"I've given it to you, so you're not allowed to bring that incident up again!"

"Of course. I'll keep it safe as a symbol of our friendship." Herbert smiled faintly and bowed to the mermaid princess.

Got it!

Ding, ding, ding-

Material acquired: [Legendary Sea Monster’s Rainbow Scale]!

He suppressed his excitement, maintaining an outward show of restraint as he continued making small talk with her for quite a while.

Only after Freime impatiently shooed him away did he leave the Deepwater Prison.

Standing at the boundary of the first zone, Herbert's lips curled upward, and he could not help chuckling.

"Heh heh, hahaha, keh keh keh!"

That's me for you!

I actually got my hands on material from a monster girl!

"...What are you making those weird noises for?"

Valentina watched Herbert cackling to himself with a look of disgust, beginning to regret agreeing to become his friend.

Did I misjudge him?

Realizing he still had an audience, Herbert coughed twice and brushed her off casually. "Oh, you're still here? Why haven't you gone home yet?"

"Huh!? Hmph!"

Valentina rolled her eyes and snorted, not wanting to bother with him.

I'd love to leave, but would you bastards let me?

No!

Still, she remembered her earlier agreement with Herbert and did not voice those thoughts.

In the end, Valentina merely gave a sarcastic snort. "You look awfully happy. Had fun chatting with the others, did you?"

Herbert blinked, looking at her in surprise. "Oh? Are you jealous?"

*???*

"Jealous, my fucking-cough!"

Before the rapidly reddening Valentina could explode, Herbert hurried to cool things down. "Haha, just a little joke. Don't get so worked up."

"I just tested my ability to control the Sealing Array. It's still a bit of a strain on me, but at least it works properly."

Yeah, though it only works in the second zone. It stops working in the third.

"Oh." Valentina gave him a suspicious look, but seeing his frank expression, she let the matter drop.

Still, what was this Sealing Array he mentioned?

As a Dragon who had grown up without any formal guidance, Miss Valentina had no knowledge of such things stored in her head.

"Speaking of which, what are the rules of this prison?"

"Hmm? What rules?"

"You don't know?"

"Know what?"

Herbert blinked. Valentina blinked too. They stared into each other's eyes for quite some time.

Faced with a gaze as clear and foolish as a college student's, Herbert genuinely did not know what to say.

I thought you were wise beneath that foolish exterior. Turns out I gave you too much credit even calling you an idiot.

"...Never mind. Pretend I didn't say anything."

"Hmm? Oh."

Although Valentina wondered a little why he had stopped talking, she was not all that curious.

She had eaten something for the first time in ages. Although she was nowhere near full, she felt sluggish all over and just wanted a good sleep.

Watching her yawn and curl up like a cat, Herbert shook his head helplessly and prepared to leave.

Just as he was about to step out, he suddenly remembered something and said to the nearly sleeping Dragon, "I'll help you cut your hair tomorrow."

Hmm?

The Dragon opened her eyes slightly and asked in puzzlement, "Why?"

"With it all tangled like that, it must be uncomfortable, right?"

"No, I think it's fine..."

"No, you're uncomfortable! As your friend, I can't let you keep suffering!"

Valentina: ?

"All right, it's settled. Go to sleep. I'll cut your hair tomorrow."

Without giving Valentina a chance to refuse, Herbert firmly decided the matter and walked straight out of the prison.

"How could I just leave it because you say you don't want it cut?"

Outside the prison, Herbert pursed his lips and thought, I still need to collect your hair for materials...

Yeah.

It might sound a little weird.

But I absolutely won't do anything weird with it!

That night.

["Eat it."]

"Huh? Wait, how am I supposed to eat this thing!?"