Diary of the Improper Monster Girl Transformation.

Chapter 362 It's Time to Wake Up (6K views, please subscribe!)
"You need someone to share this pressure with you."

The deeply affectionate man (whom he calls himself) who had been hurt by a heartless woman took a deep breath, his expression resolute, his eyes full of determination.

"Perhaps in your eyes, that is a responsibility you have to bear, but you don't actually need to bear all of this alone."

Herbert leaned affectionately against Ophelia and said in a deep voice, "Ophelia, let me go with you!"

“If I also become a keeper of secrets, then I can share this pressure with you.”

It's simple, I'll just become a Supreme Being, won't I?
He looked at the somewhat bewildered Ophidia, took another step forward, and almost pressed himself against her.

"Whatever this means, whatever I will face, whatever this will require, I will accept it gladly."

"I am willing to face anything with you."

To reiterate, Herbert had no idea what had happened to Ophidia or what burdens she carried.

But this doesn't prevent him from spouting such empty and clichéd words without any psychological burden.

Even without knowing the specific details, this "concern" for others is always universal.

Being misunderstood is the fate of those who express themselves.

There will likely be some difference between what you "want to express" and what others understand.

Some people are eager to add explanations, trying to clarify their own views and positions, so as to reduce or even eliminate this difference.

However, some people are very good at using this "rule" in reverse, deliberately amplifying the difference through veiled meanings, and even making the other party understand it as a completely different meaning.

When ambiguous words reach someone else's ears, they will naturally become what that person understands.

Ophidia fell silent, looking at the young paladin who had decided to share the burden with her with a complicated expression.

He wanted to become the keeper of secrets for his own sake...

They don't know each other!

Although Herbert claimed to know himself and to have been hurt by himself, to Ophidia he was a stranger.

And now, a stranger is so determined to share this pain with me.

In this situation, didn't she feel even the slightest bit moved?

Non-vegetation, ruthless Practice makes perfect?
To say that I felt absolutely no emotion or feeling at all would be a lie.

When someone is willing to bear pressure and sacrifice everything just to stand shoulder to shoulder with you, even someone made of steel can't help but be moved.

However, even if she was moved, Ophidia wouldn't change her mind so easily.

“You… I’m sorry, I can’t let you become the Keeper of Secrets.”

Because of Herbert's firm stance, Ophelia's attitude softened considerably, becoming much better than before, and her voice even sounded gentler.

“Herbert, I appreciate your idea and I appreciate your willingness to share my burden, but I still can’t stand by and watch you go down the wrong path.”

"Moreover, although you are very talented, you are still lacking in some qualifications when it comes to protecting secrets."

Ophelia's attitude was gentle, but her underlying message remained unchanged: she kept people at arm's length.

You are wonderful, but I cannot accept you.

Shi refused.

Give me a "good guy" card.

After being given the card, Herbert's performance was textbook perfect.

His expression changed slightly; he wanted to speak up in defense, but ultimately restrained himself.

He looked at Ophidia with a complicated, hurt expression, bit his lip hard, clenched his fists, and it took him a while to calm down.

"call……"

Herbert frowned, let out a long breath, and said in a deep voice, "I'm not qualified? Ophelia, do you doubt my loyalty? Do you doubt that I will reveal secrets?"

Herbert at this moment behaves like an honest man who is angry because he is being doubted.

You dare question my loyalty?!?
Bold!

Aren’t you bullying an honest person?!
Seeing that Herbert did not explode on the spot, Ophidia became even gentler, shook her head, and said softly, "No, Herbert, you possess everything a paladin should have, and I do not doubt your honesty."

Although she didn't know Herbert and had no contact with him, one thing was certain—Herbert was an exceptionally skilled paladin.

Words can deceive others, and past experiences can be concealed, but one's divine power cannot be faked.

This boy possessed a pure holy power she had never seen before, embodying the ideal form in the hearts of all paladins.

This pure and concentrated holy power meant that Herbert had made an extremely strict sacred vow and kept it perfectly.

Only by putting their vows into practice will they be favored by the gods.

How could the loyalty of a paladin so favored by the gods be questionable?
No.

No one doubted Herbert's loyalty.

No one has the right to question his qualifications as a paladin.

After hearing this explanation, Herbert's expression softened slightly. He pondered for a moment and then asked, "So, what I lack is strength?"

Strength is a question that can never be avoided.

Regardless of the extent of Herbert's power behind the scenes, relying on the special skills he acquired from the monster girl, on the surface, he was just an ordinary paladin with high-level strength.

Such strength is not weak in most situations and can solve most problems in the mortal world.

However, it certainly cannot be called strong.

The paladins will not only face enemies in the mortal realm, but may very well be facing terrifying shadows from a higher level.

In the face of true powerhouses, even high-level strength is somewhat inadequate.

When facing those lofty beings, legends are the only entry ticket, epics have a certain voice, and only saints can truly stand on equal footing with them.

However, Herbert did not feel inferior about it.

"If you doubt my current strength, you can rest assured."

Herbert's expression was serious; he stated matter-of-factly, "Although I am currently only at the high-level, I will soon be able to advance to the legendary level."

loan!

I'll just take out a loan for this legendary position!

Ophidia nodded slightly after listening, indicating her agreement with his words.

"Ah."

Although Herbert's words were somewhat arrogant, regarding the legendary realm as something he had already claimed, Ophidia chose to believe his boastful claims.

She had no doubt that the young man before her could become a legendary paladin.

Herbert had reason to be arrogant; in fact, he wasn't exaggerating at all, but rather stating a fact with considerable humility.

In her view, no, in the eyes of any legendary powerhouse, Herbert had already reached the very pinnacle that a high-ranking paladin could achieve.

Others might not see the clues, but to them, Herbert was a completely different person.

He almost turned into light.

The holy power emanating from his entire body, constantly radiating light, had almost completely enveloped him, transforming him into a sturdy battle armor.

Just by standing there doing nothing, he can create a strong sense of pressure.

The silent, intimidating aura emanating from him was almost that of a true legendary paladin.

In their eyes, Herbert wasn't just "half a foot in the legend," but rather most of his body was already in it, with only his last foot left to lift.

By taking that final step, Herbert could easily enter the realm of legend.

But for some reason, only this much remained, and there was no way to move forward.

It was as if an invisible hand had reached out from the shadows and grabbed my ankle, locking me in place, unable to move forward.

What exactly is binding him?

The question flashed through Ophidia's mind, but she didn't delve into it further.

She had too little contact with Herbert and didn't know what had happened to him.

“Herbert, I have never doubted that you can become a legend, and it will not be difficult for you.”

"Moreover, the Keeper of Secrets does not have particularly high requirements for strength; not everyone needs to have legendary or higher strength."

After hearing her words, Herbert's expression softened again. He nodded slightly and asked, puzzled, "Then what am I lacking? What qualifications am I missing?"

This is fine, that is fine, so what exactly is the problem?

“You… are not yet qualified to guard the secret.”

Ophidia spoke slowly: "Herbert, this is not disrespect, because only those who keep secrets can protect these secrets."

"This has nothing to do with your loyalty, nothing to do with your strength, but only with the Keeper's Code binding us."

Ok?
Herbert was startled by this explanation and almost lost his composure, which made him lose his composure as a devoted lover.

"The constraints of the code?"

"Ah."

Ophidia hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to actually show Herbert the sight of her.

"Fine, I'll let you see it for yourself."

She slightly adjusted her hood, allowing the shadows looming over her face to dissipate a little, revealing her smooth, delicate, and somewhat pointed lower half of her face.

Just as Herbert was wondering what Ophidia was going to do, she gently opened her mouth and stuck out her tongue, which was rather thin and vaguely looked like a snake's forked tongue.

! ! ?

"What!?" Herbert's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

No, buddy?
Why are you suddenly going all out?

Suddenly he stuck out his tongue?
We don't think we've reached that point yet, have we?

What is this... wait, that is!
On that pink tongue, Herbert finally ignored the tongue itself and instead noticed the strange runes that were constantly changing and shimmering with different colors.

"This is……"

Herbert looked at the runes and felt they looked familiar. After a moment's thought, he quickly remembered where he had seen them before.

Snake tail up!
Those runes, similar to those inscribed on Ophidia's serpent tail, radiated an invisible power.

Herbert was silent for a moment, then asked in a slightly hoarse voice, "This is... the constraint of the Keeper of Secrets?"

rustling...

Ophelia nodded slightly, retracted her tongue, adjusted her hood, and once again concealed her face in the shadows.

"That's right, these are the constraints that the Keeper of Secrets must abide by."

Despite having just done something so "indecent," Ophelia seemed oblivious to it and remained calm.

"Constraints are something we voluntarily inscribe on our souls, and we can never get rid of them."

"Once you make a vow, you will not be able to speak freely or tell others your secrets at will."

"You are destined to be alone."

She seemed to be complaining, but she was actually advising Herbert not to try it and not to be impulsive.

“Herbert, you still have a way to turn back, you don’t need to get involved…”

“Ophelia.” Herbert interrupted Ophelia abruptly.

Do you think this will make me back down? How little do you take my resolve?

At that moment, his expression calmed down; he was no longer angry or anxious.

"Why don't you try trusting me for once?"

Herbert looked at Ophidia and said softly, "Put aside your doubts and choose to trust me. I will never let you down."

What would it take for you to believe me?

"Do I need to sign a contract? Or do I need to swear an oath? Or is it that only by facing my soul can you know whether what I say is true or false?"

He repeated the words he had once "said" to Ophidia, and gave another bitter laugh.

"Is there really no hope at all?"

Whether it was because she had heard these words before or not, Ophidia was suddenly jolted after hearing them.

She felt... she seemed to have heard these words somewhere before! ?

It seemed that Herbert was right; he had known him and heard his words before, but in the end, he had forgotten them all like a heartless man.

At first she was just skeptical, but as more and more "details" came out, she gradually began to believe Herbert's account.

Could it be that I really hurt him in the past?
Ophelia wasn't actually that confident in her memory.

After choosing to carry the secret, she went through a long period of confusion and spent a long time before finally sorting out the order of her memories.

So... what did he mean to me back then?
Although she only had a vague feeling, Ophidia would unconsciously feel a little shy when she saw Herbert.

It was as if the two of them shared some blush-inducing, shy memory.

On the other side, after asking the question with a bitter laugh, Herbert lowered his head, exuding a strong sense of despondency.

"..."

Ophidia couldn't bear to see Herbert so dejected, and after a moment of silence, she let out a long, helpless sigh.

"Ugh……"

I hurt him once before, do I have to hurt him a second time?

She looked at the dejected white-haired boy with a complicated expression and said softly:
“Herbert, I still stand by my opinion and hope you can give up this idea; it would be the best outcome for you.”

"However, if you insist on asking for a method, it is not entirely impossible."

Upon hearing this, the boy suddenly raised his head, staring intently at her with excitement and anticipation in his eyes.

Feeling a little uncomfortable under that intense gaze, Ophidia tilted her head slightly and slid her body back a little silently.

She was used to loneliness and coldness and was not used to this enthusiasm and passion.

Ophelia miscalculated one thing—he wanted to escape, but Herbert wouldn't allow it.

As soon as Ophidia made a move, Herbert would immediately follow.

One move, one follow; one move, one follow.

Neither of them spoke, but they moved further and further away from where they were.

"..."

After the two silently moved more than ten meters, Ophidia gave up completely and stopped moving.

She hesitated slightly, then slowly said, "As long as you can become the Keeper of Secrets, then you will be qualified to share my burdens."

"That……"

Before Herbert could speak excitedly, Ophidia interjected, "But! To become a Keeper of Secrets, one must pass rigorous tests."

“I will not offer you any help in this regard; you must rely entirely on yourself.”

"Find your own way to be tested, prepare your own rituals."

Ophelia's attitude was firm—I'll show you a path, but how to walk it and how to get there is up to you.

If you can do that, then I accept you.

But if you can't do that, then don't bring it up again.

Herbert's delighted expression subsided slightly, and he pursed his lips.

"..."

After a long silence, he sighed and asked in a low voice, "So that means you won't stop me as long as I pass the test?"

Ophidia nodded gently and said softly, "If you can truly pass the test, then you will naturally become a new Keeper of Secrets, and I have no reason or right to stop you."

However, although Ophidia said that, she was already prepared in her heart.

She had no intention of giving Herbert any chance to be assessed.

This seems to offer hope, but in reality, it has absolutely no chance of being realized.

To become a Keeper of Secrets, one must first pass a test, but the test... is not something that can be done casually; it requires a lot of preparation and necessary resources.

Because she would never give him the core potions needed for those trials.

Just as Ophidia kept saying—no more sacrifices are needed here.

Just when she thought everything was perfect, the boy opposite her suddenly revealed a bright smile.

"Good, very good! You said it yourself!"

"Ha ha!"

The boy, who had been sullen, shook off his gloom and burst into laughter after receiving the promise.

Ophidia: ? ? ?
Did he completely lose his mind because he knew he couldn't do it?

This……

As Ophidia looked on in confusion, Herbert stopped laughing and winked at her: "Don't worry, I will definitely pass the test! Don't go back on your word then."

He stepped forward, somewhat rudely put his arm around Ophidia's waist, and whispered teasingly at her, "Alright, it's time to wake up from this dream."

“My beloved Archbishop of Ashes.”

bishop?

"Ashes? What...are you talking about!?"

Ophidia was extremely confused after hearing this, and she stared blankly at the boy who was so close to her.

Halfway through her speech, she suddenly snapped out of her daze and widened her eyes.

"Um!!?"

Memories from over a thousand years flooded her mind—Ophidia remembered.

She remembered everything!

After remembering everything, Ophelia also recalled her thoughts about him earlier.

Do I owe him something?

I hurt him! ! ?
Ah? ? ?
"Herbert! You—"

But before she could roar out, the phantom she was in uttering the roar shattered.

Just as Herbert said.

wake up.

A sober person should not continue to wallow in a dream.

"Her dream has ended."

After coming into contact with Ophidia, Herbert finally gained complete control over his dreams.

He is the true master of this dream.

Before the new phantom appeared, Herbert, who hadn't slept at all, closed his eyes and whispered, "My dream should end now."

Nothing had changed around me, and I didn't feel like I was waking up from a dream.

But when Herbert slowly opened his eyes, he had already left the illusion of the mental world and returned to the real world.

The first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was a pair of big eyes right in front of him.

The petite mirror fairy was staring at him curiously, scrutinizing him repeatedly, and muttering to herself.

Ok?
"...What are you doing?" Herbert couldn't help but ask.

Friend, what are you doing?
"Me? I'm observing you!"

Lucaria looked at Herbert without any fear, and even after realizing he was awake, she didn't leave.

She stroked her chin, tilted her head, and said, "You actually succeeded? You seemed to have passed it so easily? That's strange, didn't you encounter any challenges?"

Lucaria's mouth spewed out five or six questions in rapid succession, her face clearly showing her curiosity.

Herbert shrugged and laughed, "Easy? Well, not really. Besides, wasn't it obvious that I passed the test? What's so strange about that?"

"That's different!"

Lucaria shook her head, insisting, "Someone as complex as you should have a lot of thoughts running through your mind! How could you possibly get through it so easily? Didn't you feel the illusion corrupting you?"

Is it really that easy?

I do not believe!
"Who exactly are you... uh? What's wrong?"

Lucaria kept asking questions, but the boy, who was about to reply, suddenly fell silent.

"..."

Herbert's gaze passed over Luccalia and fell upon the ancient mirror behind her, where he quietly gazed at his own reflection.

"So, the real test was waiting for me here..."

A bitter smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he shook his head.

"Should you keep your true secret?"

Lucaria: ?
She looked at Herbert's sudden change in mood with a puzzled expression, tilted her head, and shouted, "Hey! Say something! And what's with that expression? Did you see a ghost?"

In a sense, Lucaria was right.

Herbert did indeed see a ghost.

"Herbert, what did you see?" The Mirror Demon realized something was wrong and asked in a low voice.

What did I see?
"I……"

What did Herbert see?
It was a familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar face.

Black hair, black eyes, dark circles under the eyes.

He looked exhausted from overwork, a disdainful smile playing on his lips, but a deep longing for love lurked in his eyes.

A complex combination of ordinariness, pride, and humility.

That is……

Him in his previous life.

(End of this chapter)