62 Offense and Compensation (4/4, Bonus Chapter 2)

Nenasha looked at her ally, who saw nothing wrong with it, hesitated for a moment, and finally sighed:

[“You... well, I suppose that’s reasonable.”]

The casual and unconstrained attitude on Herbert left the young Goddess of Evil utterly speechless.

Whatever makes you happy.

“By the way, Nenasha, there is one more thing I need to tell you.”

Herbert said casually, seemingly without a care in the world as he continued to write: “Right now, I hate it most when others interfere with my thoughts and manipulate my emotions.”

“Let today be the last time.”

In an instant, the voice of the Evil God vanished completely.

The room fell silent, save for the rustling sound of the pen gliding across the paper.

After quite a while, Nenasha coughed twice and said somewhat awkwardly in a faint voice: [“...Fine, I suppose I was in the wrong this time.”]

Tonight, Herbert’s emotions had been uncharacteristically fragile.

Blame for this lay, on one hand, in the late-night sentimentality that had nearly turned him into a melancholy youth.

And on the other hand, it was the handiwork of this mischievous goddess.

Nenasha had meddled too!

She had deliberately stirred Herbert’s thoughts, coaxing him into voicing the suppressed feelings buried deep in his heart—things he could never normally say—in a lighthearted manner.

Yet at the same time, she had subtly guided his anger, attempting to steer him in the direction she desired...

Though the latter failed at the very last moment, those manipulations were undeniably real.

By that point, how could Herbert fail to notice such obvious provocation?

Uncharacteristically, Nenasha admitted her fault, but then added a grievance-laden complaint: [“I was only trying to help because I saw how conflicted you were.”]

It wasn’t like she wanted to hear gossip!

Well.

At least, not entirely because of gossip.

Gossip probably only accounted for ninety, er, eighty, er, seventy... sixty percent!

It was only sixty percent!

“It is precisely because I understand that much that I am letting it go this time.”

Herbert shook his head and said indifferently: “However, my ally, please remember this: there will truly be no next time.”

Even if the other party meant well, he would not accept it unconditionally.

“Nenasha, you truly do not understand human hearts...”

In this world, far too many things are done under the banner of “I’m doing this for your own good,” and most of them never earn the gratitude of the person involved.

Herbert paused for a moment and said somewhat helplessly: “But seeing as you truly had no malicious intent this time, I can teach you.”

“In the future, if a situation like this arises again, you can discuss it with me first and give me advance notice, but you must never act against me directly.”

“Let me reiterate for the last time: I am your ally, not your slave, puppet, or worshipper. Do you understand?”

[“Eh? Can I not be?”]

The Evil God was evidently disappointed, whispering with a hint of sadness: [“Why can’t I have all of them? You’re so stingy...”]

[“...Hmm?”]

[“Ahem! Fine, fine, my fault this time, I won’t do it again.”] Coughing twice, Nenasha, clearly in the wrong, finally surrendered.

“Hmm.”

After quite a while longer, once Herbert had finished his reply letter to Felicia, Nenasha tentatively asked:

[“So, will you keep the appointment?”]

Keep the appointment?

Herbert fell silent for a moment upon hearing the question, then shook his head: “We’ll see when the time comes. There are still two months left, no need to rush into a decision now.”

There was still time anyway.

There was no need to rush into considering such distant matters; handling what was immediately in front of him was the correct path.

Raising his strength and romancing the monster girls were the true priorities...

[“You will go.”]

“Hah, how can you be certain that I—hm?”

Nenasha’s unwavering whisper caused Herbert to let out a huff, but right as he casually retorted, his eyes widened.

Wait!

That sentence hadn’t resounded from the depths of his mind, but rather... from right behind him!!?

Herbert abruptly whipped his head around, eager to catch a glimpse of the Evil God’s true appearance.

Let me see your true face!

Unfortunately.

Behind him, there was nothing at all save for the bare wall and his own shadow cast upon it by the candlelight.

[“Oho, what are you doing~ Is your neck feeling stiff?”]

Nenasha’s voice was leisurely, as if she had done nothing at all.

Herbert narrowed his eyes, slowly turned back around, shook his head, and smiled: “...It’s nothing.”

He decisively gave up, having no desire to play red light, green light with the Evil God.

Because Herbert understood that as long as Nenasha did not wish to be seen, no matter what he did, there was simply no way he could perceive her.

Yet if she wanted him to see her, she would certainly manifest on her own initiative, even if he didn't want to look.

On this point, the two of them shared a tacit understanding.

Behind him, the Evil God’s voice drifted softly, carrying a hint of playfulness and teasing.

[“You will definitely go.”]

“...Quiet.”

[“Hehe~”]

Nenasha giggled, watching the young man whose inner self was far less calm than his exterior, chuckling softly to herself.

Herbert, my dear ally.

You will definitely go.

After all...

How could someone as proud and vindictive as you possibly let go of this chance for revenge?

Nenasha chuckled for a moment, then suddenly asked: [“By the way, do you want to go to sleep now?”]

“Sleep? I suppose... but there’s no use talking about it, I genuinely don’t feel any sleepiness.”

Herbert tried to fake a yawn, but regrettably felt not a shred of drowsiness.

Insomnia.

Then, he heard a triumphant chuckle from behind: [“Then, as compensation for offending my dear ally just now, let me help you~”]

Help me?

How could she help?

Just as he was thinking this, Herbert’s left hand suddenly rose high into the air uncontrollably, then slowly lowered...

???

Wait, wait a minute!

What are you doing!?

“Hey, hey, hey! You...”

Just as Herbert prepared to call a halt, a palm gently pressed against his forehead.

Simultaneously, a charming voice, tender to the very core, echoed in his ear:

[“Do not resist, go to sleep obediently~”]

And after that.

Herbert’s vision went black, and his consciousness was abruptly cut off.

He fell asleep.

.

.

Herbert had a dream.

He dreamed that he was in a purely white space.

He lay lazily on the ground, passively letting his mind drift.

No, he was resting against a soft object.

That elasticity felt somewhat like... a thigh?

A lap pillow?

Whose leg was it, though?

Herbert tried to think about it, then decisively chose to give up.

He couldn't figure it out, it was far too warm here, his brain refused to turn... Oh well, he wouldn't think about it anymore.

He gave up struggling and slowly closed his eyes in the dream.

In a daze, he heard the soft singing coming from above him.

He couldn't understand the meaning of the words.

Yet he naturally understood that it was an exceedingly gentle lullaby.

Much like a nursery rhyme...

[“Hehe...”]

.

.

Early the next morning.

A refreshed Herbert arrived at the Third Law Enforcement Office bright and early, raised the Ring of Bitter Vows toward Valentina—who was still not fully awake—and declared loudly:

“Put this on me!”

Valentina: ...Hmm?