Diary of Guarding Monster Girls

"Indeed, although they were Legendary in strength, their performance before death wasn't all that impressive."

Although Herbert was outside the Third Commandment Hall, with Nenasha's help, he was well aware of what was happening inside.

You could say no one understood better than him what was happening in there.

The battle in there, ha!

It was a sight unbearable to watch, truly horrifying.

"To speak bluntly, their performance was somewhat pathetic, even disgraceful."

Burned by lava, dissolved in song, charged fearlessly at the Giant Dragon, lost in an Illusion Realm, slaughtered by their kin...

Was this the strength of a Legendary warrior?

Was that a battle?

No.

It was nothing but a one-sided slaughter.

The Legendary Dark Elves didn't cause much of a stir before they died.

Like a stone cast into a lake, causing only slight ripples, which quickly disappeared without much splash.

However, were they really that weak?

Just a bunch of small fries?

Herbert shook his head, denying this thought.

Of course not.

"Judging strength requires a reference point."

"Compared to myself a month ago, I am undoubtedly powerful now."

"Apart from my unchanged mind, I can say I have surpassed my previous self in strength, speed, physique, charisma, and perception."

He raised his arm toward the moon, the Holy Mark glowing from his fingertips, tracing all the way down, through his sleeve, projecting sacred patterns.

High Tier Holy Power, a High Tier physical body, and a month of intense combat training combined are enough for him to singlehandedly charge into the wilderness and fight his way in and out.

Herbert has a quite clear and objective understanding of himself.

Now, he is truly not weak, enough to lord it over weaker beings.

But at the same time—he is truly not very strong.

"Compared to those Legendary ones... I am an undeniable weakling."

"Whether it's that 'Good Man' or that 'Wise Man,' I'm not confident I could withstand ten moves from either."

Especially that "Wise Man," who, by sacrificing others, withstood the joint attack of Kreti and Flora till the end. He almost escaped to another area.

"Not to mention the most destructive 'Madman' among them. If I faced him in that berserk state, I probably wouldn't even have time to run."

With a total disadvantage in speed, strength, and physique, breaking through his defenses is something worth pondering. Facing him would be like Loki fighting the Hulk—getting smashed directly.

"But now they're dead, all of them."

"They died at the hands of Demons I casually interact, chat, and joke with... And they were defeated so effortlessly."

Herbert's expression was subtle, raising an eyebrow, recalling various scenes he perceived.

He was not unaware of the Monster Girls' power, and he had roughly estimated their capabilities.

But when he truly "saw" it, he couldn't help but lament.

Before... I was seriously fearless!

Wow, how did I dare to do that!?

Not to mention Valentina, Miss Hungry Dragon's destructive power in her rage was always impressive.

Herbert, for the first time, saw firsthand how terrifying Fremay's singing, which kills invisibly, truly was.

The victims didn't notice anything at first when they heard the melody, with no visible changes, but as soon as they had bleeding wounds, the corrosive power acted immediately, quickly eroding them completely.

That melody was like a poison without color, taste, or smell, but deadly upon seeing blood.

The most surprising for Herbert was actually the Treasure Chest Mimic (coffin-shaped) Miss.

Eliza, weren't you the comedic character squatting in that coffin?

Always thinking about eating and drinking richly, getting spiced to death every time, looking so forlorn being stuck inside the coffin.

Herbert was worried this part would falter, so he prepared backup measures, but didn't even have a chance to use them.

Eliza started with mass forced control, pulling all the enemies, including the Legendary ones, into an Illusion Realm in one move, then leisurely drained their blood one by one.

This, isn't right!

How did you make it look so cool this time!

Are you cheating?

Or did you summon the spirit of Aizen?

When did you cast Kyōka Suigetsu!

Was it from the very start!!?

This Treasure Chest Mimic has such deep cunning, it cannot remain!

Next time I'll add numbness and extra spice to her blood packs...

After seeing their performance, Herbert indeed received quite a shock, more appreciative of his past bravery.

What does it mean to be fearless of the unknown?

What does it mean when the newborn calf isn't afraid of the tiger?

What means a strong woman fears a persistent someone... cough, cough.

Seriously speaking.

If Herbert had a clearer understanding of their strength earlier... He might have still done the same thing, but he certainly wouldn't have done it as naturally, and the outcome might have been different from now.

Therefore, in many cases, knowledge can be like a curse, making one increasingly cautious and timid.

The more ignorant the person, the more they swell with confidence, whereas the more learned become increasingly low-key.

Ignorance isn't necessarily wrong, but excessive arrogance is definitely not right.

"I am not strong; I have no right to disdain their power."

Herbert shook his head, setting his position straight: "The truly powerful ones have always been Valentina and the others."

While he now has the ability to command them, that power stems from his identity as a Prison Warden, from his control over the Third Commandment Hall.

This is power, but not entirely his own power.

To forge iron, one must be strong.

To truly become the master who controls them, he is still far lacking, still needs to keep working hard.

["You're calmer than I thought; I thought I'd have to... persuade you."]

"Were you planning to take the opportunity to give me a good beating?"

["N-No, not at all~"]

Herbert listened to the somewhat guilty voice, smirking, choosing not to hold on, instead asking a question he was concerned about:

"Valentina and the others, are they considered quite special even among the Legendary?"

["Hmm? You only just noticed?"]

Nenasha blinked, then said with a teasing smile:

["Not going into other details, just look at that little dragon; normal Giant Dragons aren't anywhere near a hundred meters long, being half her size is already considerable."]

The size doesn't always represent total power, but it can reveal many things.

["Sea Siren Royal Family, Vampire Prince, Dark Elf engrossed in flesh and blood research, Wise Demons, Demons who focus solely on noble blood, Fallen Angels in their original form..."]

["Yes, it's just as you thought."]

At the top of the Monastery, the Evil God whispered softly in the boy's ear:

["The prisoners held in this jail..."

["Are all special entities."]