CHAPTER 99: 99 ’TRIBUTES’ AND ’VOLUNTARY GIFTS’ (2/3)

With the infusion of various flesh and blood knowledge in his mind, Herbert analyzed the various parameters of the dragon’s human form at a rather astonishing speed.

If he had some Monster Girl research system, then probably all kinds of prompts would be popping up wildly in front of him by now.

[Giant Dragon Ecology +1]

[Knowledge of the Dragon Incarnation +1]

[Research on the physiological structure of dragons (human form) +1]

[Knowledge of Dragon Forms +1]

[After some in-depth research, you successfully mastered some quite secret knowledge after serving a mature female giant dragon to sleep, drenched in sweat!]

[Now, you can call yourself a standout with a unique understanding of the "Path of the Giant Dragon"!]

...

But unfortunately, Herbert did not have that kind of convenient system.

All he could rely on was his own effort and sweat.

Heaven rewards diligence!

Only diligence will not betray sweat, and that is the true shortcut to success!

Herbert lifted his head, took a deep breath, his gaze firm, his eyes carrying three parts indifference, three parts mockery, four parts nonchalance, and—ninety parts nonchalance.

"Master Nenasha! Haven’t you analyzed the remaining parts yet?"

Hard work indeed pays off, especially when directly benefitting from others’ hard work.

Other people’s sweat is also sweat, other people’s effort is also effort.

As long as the sweat is shed, don’t mind whose sweat it really is.

There is no difference between the two!

... And don’t mind where I shed it!

Herbert pushed and kneaded Valentina’s shoulders with effort, feeling his arms grow tired and sore, yet continued expending energy to repair them as he persevered.

With high-intensity massage for such a long time, how could he not be crowned as a massage immortal?

["Don’t worry about it~ Anyway, she won’t wake up anytime soon."]

Nenasha responded lazily, two shadowy tentacles extending from Herbert’s shadow gently poking at Valentina’s head, tilting it to one side.

Poke it once, and it leans to the left, poke it again, and it leans to the right.

Meanwhile, the person being played like a roly-poly doll was sleeping more soundly than anyone, showing no signs of waking up.

Ah~hoo~ah~hoo~

"Alright then."

After receiving a response, Herbert continued with his research, analyzing the details of the dragon’s human form.

Joking aside, when it’s time to work hard, work hard he must.

Relying entirely on Nenasha is definitely not enough; he also needs a personal understanding.

Especially since distinguishing between gender differences is crucial; he can’t indiscriminately follow everything...he doesn’t want to be questioned one day about why his pectoral muscles are so exaggerated.

"Hmm, this definitely requires some detailed study."

...

"Ha!"

When Valentina woke up, she yawned widely, a weak flame spouting from her throat.

She got on all fours like a cat, arching her back forcefully and stretching to her utmost.

"Hmm~~~ha!"

After inadvertently engaging in some simple exercises, Miss Hungry Dragon’s awareness gradually returned, with her clever intellect regaining the upper hand once more.

She blinked, looked left and right, found no trace of Herbert, sniffed, and realized his scent had almost dissipated—except on her chest.

Hmm?

Valentina blinked in confusion and looked down to find a gold-and-silver brooch pinned at her chest collar.

The brooch was intricately designed, made from solid materials, with a golden sword and shield covered by silver wings, with a sparkling ruby embedded at the intersection of the sword and shield.

"Huh? What’s this?"

Valentina tilted her head, looking at the small accessory left behind.

Even though she hadn’t read many books, she sensed something strange about it?

A man and woman alone in a room, with the man leaving before the woman wakes and leaving something behind... there’s no mistaking it.

This is—tribute!

"Why would he think of offering me tribute?" Miss Hungry Dragon hummed in satisfaction and accepted the gift without any qualms.

Hmm hmm~

This is what the great giant dragon deserves!

"But this thing looks kind of familiar."

Valentina recalled and finally remembered that this brooch had been pinned on Herbert’s chest all along.

She took it off, cautiously playing with it, and found small engravings on the back—she couldn’t understand them!

Is he trying to mock me!!?

"Hmph hmm hmm..."

But, although unable to fully comprehend human writing, Valentina wasn’t entirely illiterate and could somewhat recognize the initial word.

It was a name she was very familiar with—Herbert.

She sat in the corner of the cell, legs bent under her body, carefully placed the brooch in her palm, staring at it constantly.

Why did he leave this for me?

Valentina pondered for a long time but couldn’t figure it out, ultimately giving up on such brain-taxing matters.

"Heh heh..."

She chuckled foolishly at the brooch for a while, then reached into her collar, fumbled around, and pulled out a delicate small mirror from a gap inside.

She pinned the brooch at her chest in front of the mirror and quietly observed the somewhat unfamiliar woman reflected in it.

The intricate brooch, the choker around her neck, and the weary smile on her face all spoke of relaxation.

Is this still me?

She tugged at the corners of her lips, smiled, and carelessly tossed aside the boring question, staring at her own smiling reflection with increasing radiance.

"Herbert, Herbert..."

She whispered the name that repeatedly made a deep impression on her, slowly closing her eyes.

"Heh heh."

.

.

["So, why are you so skilled at this?"]

"Huh? At what?"

["Of course, I’m referring to how skilled you are at deceiving that little dragon. Hmm, this word isn’t right, playing with her emotions? That doesn’t seem right either..."]

Nenasha hesitated for a moment before, uncertainly saying,

["Training?"]

Hmm?

"Stop, stop, stop!"

Herbert blinked rapidly, stopping her in annoyance, using his fingers to flick a pesky shadowy tentacle to the side.

Splat!

Could you hear any good words in there?

Couldn’t you say something nice about me for once?

"What nonsense are you spouting! Where did I deceive her? Where did I play with her emotions?"

Herbert snorted, confidently saying, "I merely did what any man would do!"

He referred to leaving some compensatory tail-petting rights after petting the tail.

I neither stole nor robbed, I even proactively gave compensation!

It just wasn’t labeled as "voluntary gift-giving," that’s all.

["Hey, did you realize...you didn’t refute the last word I said earlier?"]

Herbert ignored Nenasha’s questioning, waved his hand dismissively, and said,

"You don’t get it, I’m sincerely working on improving her! Hoping she’ll become a law-abiding good dragon, and the first step requires her to understand the importance of emotions."

"I’m sacrificing myself to feed the dragon."

"The person who’s at a loss has always been me!"