Chapter 1042 - 501: Canine Offender
In an exceptionally good mood, he even gave the sensible female hunting dog a small reward, infusing her body with some magic power essence.
The rewarded female hunting dog abruptly opened her eyes, then began to tremble uncontrollably, letting out a whimpering cry.
"Woo——"
Simultaneously, the male hunting dog witnessing this also started to howl pitifully, tears of humiliation welling in its eyes.
"Woo! Woof woof woof——"
Herbert watched this scene, his smile growing increasingly perverse, admiring his work and nodding with satisfaction.
"Good, that’s about right."
He casually patted the male hunting dog’s head, shaking his head as he admonished, "I’ll let you off this time; learn to be well-behaved in the future, and don’t be so unforgiving when you have the upper hand!"
By now, the male hunting dog had completely lost any will to resist, its gaze vacant as it hung its head, seeming as if it had been deeply shaken.
Seeing its dejected demeanor, Herbert shook his head, earnestly lecturing:
"Oh dear, why are you so petty."
"I just gave your wife a small reward, what’s so hard to accept?"
"I even did it in front of you!"
"You can’t have such strong possessiveness and jealousy~"
"After all, between couples, the most important thing is affection!"
"Alright, I’m leaving now, you reflect well... No need to see me off, okay, you two carry on."
After cheerfully delivering his speech, Herbert walked away briskly, leaving the private space again to this loving pair of dog lovers.
"Woof——"
Hearing the barking behind him, Herbert smirked, pausing his steps, turning back to ask, "Are you sure you really don’t want me to leave?"
"Awooo..."
In the weakened barking that was no longer hysterical, Herbert delightfully walked away.
["Are you even human? Not even sparing the dogs!"]
As a witness who saw Herbert’s abstract actions firsthand, even Miss Harmonious God couldn’t bear it.
Even for her, the Evil God, she showed some pity for the poor male hunting dog, surely it didn’t deserve this!
["Hiss... No, are you a dog yourself?"]
"Of course I’m not a dog, they are."
["Aren’t you afraid of being hated for this?"]
"Haha."
Herbert chuckled, not feeling at all that what he did was excessive.
I obviously gave his wife something good and taught him the philosophy of being a dog, how could he hate me?
If he really hates me... then the local gang is really impolite!
A small pleasant interlude did not affect Herbert’s mood, he walked lightheartedly through the forest, interacting with the surroundings.
While walking, he raised his hand, his slender fingertips brushing the bark, caressing flowers but not picking a single one.
The posture looked nothing like a lost intruder, more like a noble youth out for a countryside stroll.
During the walk, Herbert’s previously restless thoughts slowly calmed down, more thoroughly than ever before.
He seemed to merge with the forest, becoming one of its parts.
Herbert no longer needed Nenasha’s assistance to understand the language of animals, and could feel the thoughts of plants.
He was like a tree, a flower, a blade of grass, blending into them, becoming their companion and friend.
Listening to those chirping whispers, he suddenly realized that this seemingly tranquil forest was far more lively than he imagined.
All of a sudden, he heard a long exhalation.
"Hoo——"
It was the breath of the whole forest.
Is this nature?
"Hmm?"
Just as he was marveling, Herbert suddenly snapped out of that special feeling, blinking in puzzlement.
"What is this feeling?"
That mysterious sensation reminded him of the legendary "Unity of Heaven and Man," yet it didn’t seem quite so profound.
["The Heart of Nature."]
The accompanying mature girl (self-proclaimed) provided an explanation, marveling in surprise: ["Herbert, you always amaze me, I never thought you’d have such a gift."]
["Do you know how many druids spend their entire lives unsuccessful in achieving this ability? You, this guy, just gained enlightenment from a stroll!"]
["It seems, rather than a paladin, your talents are more suited to being a druid. Oh right, your hobbies too, surely you’d be the type to take action against plants and animals..."]
Hearing Nenasha’s sudden realization, Herbert didn’t hesitate to immediately refute.
"Nonsense, why would I be that kind of person!?"
I’ll sue you for slander!
Don’t speak nonsense!
What do you mean I’d take action against plants and animals?
Heaven and earth is my witness, I’ve clearly never made a move on plants!
["Hmm?"]
Nenasha was astonished by Herbert’s lack of self-awareness, she queried in surprise: ["Don’t you think so? But you’ve already acted against many demons..."]
"That’s different!"
Herbert righteously distanced himself from those dangerous druids, firmly denying: "I don’t like all animals!"
"I like the souls of Valentina and her kind, it’s just that they happen to be demons, absolutely not because they’re demons that I like them! Don’t reverse the cause and effect!"
["Oh~ I see... Ha, then I understand."]
Nenasha let out a meaningful response and then stopped teasing, allowing Herbert to continue deceiving himself.
However, this wasn’t because she suddenly showed kindness, but because someone had arrived in front of Herbert.
"Herbert, you’re too slow! Why did you take so long?"