Diary of Guarding Monster Girls

In the Sealing Sanctuary, the elder looked lovingly at the young man, his voice carried not disappointment, but a touch of gentle guidance.

"Child, your thoughts are kind, hoping to restore Valentina's freedom, and wishing the world would understand the truth you know."

"However, your approach is too naive."

Naive...

Herbert clenched his teeth, forcing himself not to back down at this moment, once again striving to explain.

"But... Valentina won't."

"Your Grace the Archbishop, don't you also understand? Valentina is not of a cruel and evil disposition and wouldn't easily harm others."

The Archbishop must understand this, otherwise, he wouldn't have been lenient with Valentina years ago.

"I do understand, but only my understanding is not enough. The one who wants to take her out is you, not me."

The Archbishop shook his head and sighed, "The problem now is, what can you use to guarantee this for her?"

"Can you really bear the cost of all this? Do you truly have the ability to shoulder everything?"

"You're a smart child; deep down, you understand."

"I..." Herbert opened his mouth several times to answer but ultimately closed it silently.

Yes, he understood.

Right now, he wasn't qualified to make a promise.

He could swear an oath, use his life as a guarantee, but words without the backing of power were still too hollow and fragile.

"You currently can't protect those innocent mortals, can't protect yourself, and can't even protect her."

"You're not helping her, but placing her in a life and death crisis."

"Kindness without strength is fragile, and will shatter under the slightest touch of malice."

"Once Valentina breaks the promise, whether actively or passively, that will be her true end."

"I will kill her with no mercy."

Though the words were gentle and without personal sentiment, they felt cold and sharp, piercing softly into Herbert's heart, making him feel suffocated.

Did I think wrong?

Could it be that the Archbishop is not as I thought...

"Moreover, before seeking me, did you ask Valentina's thoughts?"

Ah?

"You said, what?"

Herbert raised his head blankly, furrowing his brows in confusion.

The Archbishop's expression remained kind as he softly spoke:

"Child, if as you say, Valentina isn't just a creature of destruction, then why haven't you asked her thoughts?"

"By doing this, aren't you showing that in your heart, you don't actually consider her as an equal, do you not?"

The elder calmly questioned the oversight that the young man unconsciously forgot.

Herbert remained silent for a long time before helplessly nodding: "I... I indeed haven't asked her thoughts."

But there's no need to ask this!

How could she possibly refuse...

Herbert wanted to explain further, but the Archbishop interrupted him coolly.

"Can you really be sure?"

"Does Valentina truly wish to take such a risk?"

"She is in the monastery now, restricted in her freedom, but without life-threatening danger. Once she is out, she will bear the risk of death."

The elder sighed lightly and said helplessly: "If I agreed today, but she didn't want to, would you give up?"

"Or... even so, would you still forcibly take her away, bringing death and destruction to Frost Crystal?"

As he spoke, a killing aura emerged without warning, a cold murderous intent rushed upwards from below.

Herbert felt a violent tremor, almost jumping off the ground.

???

Wh-what the heck!?

Is this menace serious?

How is this in a stealth attack at the posterior!

When Herbert hurriedly glanced at the Archbishop, he found the elder winking at him playfully, sweeping away the previous coldness, laughing kindly:

"Hehe, child, do you feel better now? Still feel nervous?"

"Uh... yes, somewhat better."

Herbert's mouth twitched, increasingly feeling that this Old Deng wasn't a serious person.

So you've been getting a kick out of scaring kids all along?

Do you enjoy bullying people!

If I could beat you now, I'd sure give you a scare too!

"Alright, go on."

The Archbishop chuckled, waving his hand at Herbert to dismiss him, "Go and ask her, see if she's willing to take the risk of death and leave with you."

Saying this, the elder plucked a snow-white hair strand from Herbert's head, gently twisted it with his fingers, and at his fingertips appeared an exceedingly simple silver-white ring.

Buzz——

As Herbert gazed at that ring, it burst into a dazzling light, and when he opened his eyes again, the ring returned to its original simple form.

Although there was nothing unusual about its appearance, one could vaguely sense the terrifying power contained within.

The elder placed the ring into the young man's palm and softly said: "If she indeed wishes, put this ring on her hand."

"The ring contains the power I have left, and if she goes berserk and commits evil, I will come and completely purge her."

...

"What is this... creation from nothing? What kind of miracle!"

What sort of magic is this?

Herbert rubbed the ring; if he hadn't witnessed it himself, he couldn't possibly imagine it was made from his own hair.

No matter how he looked at it, it was utterly a refined, naturally completed Magical Artifact.

Moreover, if Herbert didn't sense wrongly... though the ring didn't carry any power, its inherent grade had reached a legendary level.

Worth more than everything he owned!

Is my hair really this valuable?

Then what about all the hair I've lost before...

["It's not out of nothing!"]

After leaving the Sealing Sanctuary, Nenasha who was hiding finally poked her head out to explain:

["To put it into terms you can understand, he changed the shape of your hair, infused his power into it, bestowed it with spirituality, turning it into a legendary creation."]

"Sounds like there's not much of a difference?"

["Indeed there's not much difference, it's all something you cannot do, and neither can I now."]

["So, what now? Are you going to coax the little dragon?"]

"Coax?"

Herbert snorted softly, fiddling with the ring in his hand, he pushed open the door to the Third Commandment Hall boldly.

"When did I ever deceive her?"

"I've always been sincere to her!"

After entering, he didn't pause and went directly to Valentina, gently calling: "Valentina, wake up, I'm here."

"...Hmm?"

Slowly awakening, Valentina opened her eyes to see Herbert holding a ring, gazing at her earnestly, he spoke seriously:

"Valentina, do you wish to leave with me?"

Hmm?

"You, saying what? Hmm?"

Miss Hungry Dragon blinked in bewilderment, looked at Herbert's serious expression, then bowed her head to see the ring in his hand.

...Hmm?

She widened her eyes, took a good look at his face, then carefully examined the ring...

???

"Ah!!?"