Chapter 323: Apology and Conditions

As Helena appeared slightly panicked and at a loss, there was a loud "bang."

From the rooftop, Li Meng leaped into the air, drawing a graceful arc before landing heavily in front of Helena.

Before the massive wave could strike, Li Meng stepped forward and scooped Helena into his arms in a princess carry.

The gesture made Helena blush faintly.

Holding Helena, Li Meng paused momentarily before leaping again with a powerful "bang," soaring a hundred meters into the air and landing on the rooftop.

Meanwhile, Matthew and Irisis, who had already left, heard the rumbling sounds behind them.

Turning around, they were startled to see a massive torrent of water surging through the streets toward them.

The two quickly leapt onto the rooftops lining the street to avoid the flood.

---

On another rooftop, Li Meng lowered his gaze to Helena’s beautiful face as he spoke.

“How do you want to discuss this?”

Helena, still in his arms, made Li Meng think of Monica.

When that girl grows up, she’ll likely resemble the woman in his arms, he mused.

Helena stared blankly at the round, silver head of Silver Mask for a while before snapping out of her daze.

“Lord Silver Mask possesses such immense power; surely you’re not someone who resorts to forceful measures. I believe there must be a misunderstanding.”

Misunderstanding?

This woman sure knows how to spin her words.

She wanted to use the word "misunderstanding" to brush everything under the rug.

“The Order of Water Dragon Knights has searched for the Light Slime for over thirty years. We implore Lord Silver Mask to let it go. The Water Dragon Knights are willing to make amends for this unnecessary conflict. We won’t let you down.”

If they conceded defeat, they had to show a compromising attitude.

Recovering the Light Slime was worth any cost.

---

“Make amends?”

Li Meng sized Helena up and down, then grinned.

“Then start by apologizing. Give me a child!”

Helena froze at his words.

What?

A child?

Faced with this sudden demand from Silver Mask, Helena was utterly stunned.

When she finally regained her senses, her face was flushed red.

She lowered her head, her gaze wandering, while crossing her arms tightly over her chest.

Helena was well aware of her own charm.

In the thirty-plus years she had spent in the labyrinth city, countless men had pursued her.

But a man so direct, bluntly demanding a child—this was her first encounter with such audacity.

“Is this the price for apologizing?”

“You could think of it that way.”

Li Meng wasn’t some virtuous gentleman.

He had no interest in beating around the bush with flowery words.

What he wanted most right now was for Helena to give him a child.

“No… no, I can’t… I… I can’t do that.”

Although she had been in the labyrinth city for over thirty years, Helena had never forgotten her partner.

For a Water Dragon person, thirty years wasn’t a long time.

In those thirty years, she had never been involved in any romantic scandals.

It was her own request for Owen to stay by the queen’s side.

Otherwise, Owen would have accompanied her to the labyrinth city to search for the Light Slime.

---

“Why not?”

“I… I have a partner.”

“I don’t care!”

Helena’s face turned even redder.

Did Lord Silver Mask want her to become his mistress?

But she cared!

If Owen found out, how would she face him?

Centuries of feelings couldn’t simply be abandoned.

Should she refuse?

Helena stared blankly at Silver Mask’s round, shiny head.

For some reason, the man before her felt oddly compelling.

Even though they had been enemies earlier, being held in Silver Mask’s arms made her feel inexplicably comfortable.

His scent made her want to get closer to him.

Even when he uttered such offensive words, she wasn’t angry—instead, she felt anticipation.

The thought startled her.

“Could it be because I’ve been without sex for too long?”

Water Dragon people were known for their strong libidos, regardless of gender.

During Owen’s absence over the years, she had suppressed her desires.

Yet today, a stranger had broken down her inner defenses.

---

Taking a deep breath, Helena nodded resolutely.

“I can become your mistress, even bear your child, but I have one condition.”

“Mistress?”

Looking down at Helena’s beautiful face, Li Meng muttered to himself.

He had no interest in taking a mistress.

His interest in women was purely for reproduction, not for maintaining a long-term romantic relationship.

But it didn’t matter what the relationship was called.

As long as she gave him a child, that was enough.

“What’s your condition?”

Li Meng had already guessed what Helena’s condition might be.

“I want the Light Slime!”

As expected, her condition matched his guess exactly.

“Fine, I’ll give you the Light Slime.”

With those words, Li Meng jumped off the rooftop, carrying Helena back to the residence.

Helena, cradled in a princess carry, blushed slightly.

She leaned gently against Silver Mask’s chest.

The scent emanating from him left her dazed and enchanted.

Though she felt nervous about what was to come, a part of her also felt expectant.

---

In the mansion’s first-floor bathroom, steam filled the air.

The massive bath resembled a pool, with hot water emitting rolling waves of heat.

Li Meng lounged comfortably against the edge of the bath, the scorching water covering most of his chest.

On the shore, Helena was undressing.

“This world has garter belts too?”

As Helena’s damp dress slipped off, her pristine figure came into view.

The black garter belt and lingerie she wore made her look incredibly seductive.

Her curves were alluring—ample breasts, a slender waist, and a shapely ass.

The contours beneath the black fabric were tantalizingly visible.

To any man, Helena was the epitome of temptation.

Under Li Meng’s gaze, Helena shyly and hesitantly removed her lingerie.

“Sky blue…”

It was Li Meng’s first time seeing this color.

After all, Helena was the first Water Dragon person he had encountered in this way.

Completely nude, Helena blushed as she stepped into the bath, the water rippling around her.

She waded over to Li Meng, who naturally pulled her into his arms, seating her on his lap.

Feeling her smooth skin against his legs, Li Meng grinned.

“Why don’t Water Dragon people have tails?”

To Li Meng, any humanoid non-humans were essentially demi-humans.

But unlike other demi-humans, Water Dragon people didn’t have tails.

Then again, that wasn’t entirely accurate.

After all, ape people didn’t have tails either.

But apes naturally lacked tails.

“Tails?”

Helena looked at Silver Mask in confusion.

Why would Water Dragon people need tails?

Helena shook her head.

“I… I don’t know. Does Lord Silver Mask prefer demi-humans with tails?”

“Water Dragon people would look better with tails.”

Hearing this, Helena smiled faintly.

“If you ever meet a Water Dragon person with a tail, their identity won’t be ordinary.”