Faced with Bai Luan's words, Herta was silent for a moment, seemingly pondering how to make Bai Luan prove it.
Saying such a thing in front of Herta herself was somewhat embarrassing.
But Bai Luan had, after all, gone through so many things, so this time when he said those words, no Super Break symptoms appeared.
See?
This is the Herta Resistance I've developed after being tempered by Divine Words of love!
I've grown quite a bit too!
Herta just stared at him for a while, not saying a word.
Well, actually, the moment Bai Luan asked her that question, she basically confirmed that Bai Luan was still a pure Herta fanatic.
To say those words with such conviction in front of her, and for her to be willing to listen, probably only he could do it.
This assistant of hers really knew how to launch a sudden sneak attack from an unexpected place.
She was almost Super Broken by him... Luckily, her self-control was superior, and she didn't show any abnormality.
However, from this, Herta could also confirm that the joke Screwllum made was truly just a joke.
He probably didn't even have such a thought in his mind, just saying it for fun.
It seems that an active genius mind doesn't always bring only benefits.
See, this caused a misunderstanding.
However, even if it was just a joke, it was a joke that many people paid attention to.
Since that's the case, she should respond seriously—and tease her assistant at the same time.
A genius's mind is constantly bursting with inspiration, so Herta quickly came up with a brilliant idea.
It could both respond and tease Bai Luan.
"Wait for me here."
Herta left these words, then turned and departed, leaving Bai Luan alone in the lab, at a loss.
In this situation, he should go to the Little Black Room and ask Herta how she sees it.
Bai Luan first explained the entire situation in detail to Herta in the Little Black Room.
Herta listened with a smile.
"Stop laughing first. How do you think you'll make me prove my feelings?"
"Regarding that, don't worry, it was proven the moment you spoke."
"Really? But I didn't do anything?"
Herta glanced at him.
You keep saying Divine Break Utterance is too overpowered, too unfair to you.
Didn't you just say it specifically targeting Herta?
You didn't even realize that point yourself.
You're so dense, it's exasperating.
However... the real me also didn't show any abnormalities when faced with such a surprise attack.
Hmm, truly worthy of This Genius.
Bai Luan thought for a while, couldn't figure it out, and simply pushed the matter aside.
"So, Ms. Herta, since it's already proven, why did you still want me to wait in place?"
"Oh, I think I just wanted to add more of my marks to my assistant, to tell everyone that he belongs to me, Herta.
Otherwise, today it'll be rumored you ran off with Screwllum, tomorrow with Ruan Mei, the day after with Stephen..."
At this point, Herta paused.
"Stephen... he probably wouldn't. He wouldn't take you away; he's the one who runs away when he sees people."
After completing this small deduction, maintaining a scholar's rigor, Herta continued:
"In short, if people keep questioning my sovereignty over you, I'd be endlessly annoyed. Better to leave a mark and settle it once and for all..."
At this, Herta noticed Bai Luan, who was about to give in. She showed a faint smile and asked:
"Are you alright?"
Bai Luan raised his hand, indicating he needed a moment to recover.
After a while, his toughness bar was full again.
"Thank you for saying that. I love you."
"..."
Herta was stunned by the words, she hadn't expected the counterattack to be so sudden and swift.
He really likes to hide his ultimate move in a basic attack.
But she was Herta after all, and didn't show any abnormality.
She looked at Bai Luan.
He didn't even say that with the intention of flirting with her; it just slipped out naturally.
Had she trained him too well, to the point where breaking her became his passive skill?
As expected of me,
He is the perfect partner.
"So, just wait in the lab for me to add your mark."
At this, Herta revealed an interested smile.
"I'm quite looking forward to what kind of mark the real me will make."
Bai Luan returned to reality.
Soon, Herta returned to the lab, holding a black ornament, simple in design yet highly recognizable, made of a special material with a matte finish, subtly adorned with decorative lines consistent with the Herta Puppet's style.
Bai Luan looked at the ornament, which shared her design style, in silence for a moment, then complained:
"Isn't the one on my leg enough?"
"No."
Herta glanced at Bai Luan's leg.
"At least not conspicuous enough."
"Alright..."
Bai Luan was a rather traditional person and had never worn such a thing.
However, since he had already accepted an ornament on his leg, accepting this one probably wouldn't be much harder.
Boundaries are things that are slowly tested. (In terms of attire)
He reached out, wanting to take the black ornament and put it on himself, but Herta's hand deftly dodged his.
Bai Luan looked at her, puzzled.
"This Genius will put it on you personally."
"...Can I do it myself?"
Herta smiled at his words and said:
"You know the answer."
Bai Luan sighed.
Nothing more to say,
Please proceed quickly.
Seeing Bai Luan's resigned expression, Herta couldn't help but find it amusing, and her mood became even more pleasant.
She walked over, first raising her hand to remove her iconic witch hat—the wide brim was indeed a bit cumbersome in situations requiring close-up work.
She naturally placed the hat on Bai Luan's head.
Bai Luan: ...Actually, you could just give it to me to hold... Never mind, let her do as she pleases.
Immediately after, Herta unfastened the ring in her hand, spread the flexible material with both hands, brought it around Bai Luan's neck, and carefully put it on him, adjusting the tightness.
During the process, he occasionally felt Herta's cool fingers touching the skin of his neck.
Of course, compared to the feeling of being adorned, Herta's face being so close had a greater impact.
Hmm, what a magnificent face.
After Herta finished putting it on Bai Luan, she took a slight step back, like admiring a newly completed work, and scrutinized it overall.
Overall, the ornament's presence wasn't strong; its design was understated. At first glance, Bai Luan seemed no different than usual, not appearing abrupt or flashy.
But with a little attention, the ornament couldn't be ignored.
Herta nodded with satisfaction, then reached out to take the witch hat from Bai Luan's head and put it back on her own, resuming her classic witch image.
"How does it feel?"
She asked calmly, wanting to hear the feedback from the 'work' itself.
Bai Luan subconsciously touched the ornament on his neck; the leather felt unfamiliar.
"A bit unaccustomed."
He answered honestly.
"It feels a bit strange, having an extra thing."
"It's always like that at first, you'll get used to it."
『Appraised as: granting Herta attack speed
As for what kind of attack speed, I can't say』
"Indeed."
『If you don't work hard... uh, no...
If you work too hard, you'll become Ms. Herta's plaything』
Facing the system's sarcastic remarks,
Bai Luan rolled his eyes mentally.
I'm willing, what business is it of yours?
(Part of this chapter's content was elbowed by censorship, and some strange parts are compromises that had to be made. Please be aware.)
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