She didn't know if Herbert had encountered any mishap!

If that's the case, then she...

But just as she anxiously opened her eyes, wanting to find Herbert's figure at that moment—

"This is the second time."

Ding.

The second punishment descended; the second finger gently fell.

"Ugh!!!"

The Centaur Heroic Spirit's body trembled violently, the whole person shook uncontrollably.

She raised her hand to cover her mouth, preventing the sound of her transformation from leaking out.

Compared to the intense pain of the first time, there was a subtle change in the feeling this time.

Beyond the pain, there was unexpectedly an additional special feeling.

She felt a bit relieved.

Why is it like this?

Why... do I feel relieved during the punishment?

Sofia felt confused.

What exactly is happening...

Then, she heard Herbert's unchanged calm voice:

"Sofia, you've opened your eyes."

"You've disappointed me, and once again violated my order, so there will be a third punishment."

"Now, close your eyes again."

Sofia wanted to argue, but in the end, she said nothing, obediently closing both her eyes and mouth.

"...Yes, my lord."

She waited respectfully.

Waiting for Herbert to deliver the punishment.

But this time, the wait seemed excessively long.

With the experience from last time, Sofia didn't hurriedly look for Herbert's figure at first.

But when she closed her eyes, time seemed to pass unbelievably slow, incredibly agonizing.

"..."

She clenched her lips, trying not to disappoint Herbert again.

Yet, she didn't know how long she'd been waiting but still waiting for the deserved punishment.

At some point, another new emotion gradually arose in Sofia's heart.

She felt her spirit seemed to have undergone some changes.

It was certain that Sofia was not like Eliza, having a peculiar penchant for feeling pain.

But this waiting brought a strange anxiety to her heart.

This expectation tortured her will, nearly exhausting her soul.

And finally, just as her spirit almost reached its limit, Herbert's punishment descended.

Ding.

"Ugh... Hmm?"

This time, Sofia, who had clenched her teeth, let out an unexpected soft hum and opened her eyes in confusion.

Because this time, the punishment was completely devoid of the previous sting.

For the last time, Herbert merely gave a gentle pat on her bum.

The action was extremely gentle, more like soothing than punishment.

The pain she felt during the punishment vanished completely.

"My lord, I, I..."

"Shh."

Herbert signaled to be quiet and then gently landed his whole palm, stroking lightly.

"I forgive the mistakes you made, don't blame yourself anymore... This is an order."

!

Sofia froze, fell silent, the whole person stiffened on the spot.

After a while, the dazed Centaur lady regained her senses.

She felt the lightness in her body, tilted her head in puzzlement.

What exactly happened to my body?

Why does it feel so light, so... relaxed?

Was I not receiving punishment?

I...

"Alright, now open your eyes."

Sofia opened her eyes at Herbert's words and saw a pair of gentle eyes.

"My lord, I..."

Herbert pressed a finger to her lips, smiled, and asked, "Do you feel better now? Is your heart at ease?"

At ease?

Sofia blinked, unsure, and said, "...My lord, is this really a punishment?"

Is this really okay?

Herbert waved his hand and persistently asked, "Don't ask so much, just tell me if you feel comfortable now?"

Sofia was silent, then shyly nodded, "...Yes, I feel very comfortable now."

Body light, soul comfortable, seems like the whole person has become much more transparent.

"Then that's enough."

Herbert turned back on horseback, casually said, "This is a proper punishment, so don't think it's favoritism towards you."

I wasn't doing that!

"...Understood."

Sofia seemed to understand something, gratefully bowed her head, saying, "Thank you for your kindness."

"I will swear to follow you till death."

She slowly got up, with the fullest spirit, continued towards Elda with Herbert.

And just after starting, Herbert suddenly added abruptly:

"By the way, let me remind you not to think about making mistakes on purpose."

The hooves paused for a moment, then continued forward.

"...Got it."

Herbert: ?

What are you hesitating about?

Before Herbert could inquire, as they neared Elda, a strange feeling suddenly emerged in Herbert's heart.

Hmm?

He suddenly felt moist—his whole body did.

???

Herbert was startled for a moment, then realized he was sensing his original body's feeling.

Wait, isn't this wrong?

What did you do to me down there, Sea Siren?

He thought for a moment, then instructed Sofia, "You walk slowly, slower, I'm returning to my body first."

"Uh? Oh oh, understood."

Then, regardless of the baffled Centaur lady, Herbert directly flew towards where his body was.

And thousands of meters away, relying on the connection between his body and soul, he returned to his original body in an instant.

Swish—

The next moment, Herbert opened his eyes upon returning to his body and spoke, "Hey! What did you do to me?"

And the mermaid lady was evidently caught off guard by Herbert's swift return and was startled.

"Oh oh!!"

Fremay was shocked, panicked and said, "You! How did you come back so fast!!?"

"How could I not come back early? You... wait."

Herbert blinked and suddenly found himself soaking naked in warm spring water... Hmm?

Where did the hot spring come from?

"What are you doing?"

"I-I... Wait, Sofia is returning too!"

Realizing that Sofia was returning soon, Fremay didn't have time to explain and covered Herbert's mouth.

Simply, she dragged Herbert into the deeper part of the hot spring.

Herbert: ???

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