Chapter 162

Once an unruly calf’s reins are loosened, it can’t be controlled. That was exactly what Maria was doing right now. The pleasure of her first act of betrayal was more intense than expected. Despite the simplicity of just kissing and tongues intertwining, Maria threw herself into this act with wild passion.

Our bodies were pressed together like cards stacked neatly, heightening the atmosphere. Every inch of her – Maria’s breaths, neck, cheeks, chest, abdomen, and lower body – were all touching me.

We kissed for a long time in that position. Her tongue movements were awkward but poured out every ounce of her enthusiasm. I could feel it vividly.

As we rubbed against each other, feeling each other’s flesh, her slim yet soft frame explored my equally lean but rock-hard muscular body.

It tasted sweet… as if all the world’s honey had been mixed to create this divine liquid. No whiskey I’ve sipped, no finest aged wine, not even dragon essence or god juice could compare to what filled my mouth now.

I closed my eyes, enjoying the euphoria. Is this what pure narcotics feel like? Dopamine surged through my brain.

I’ve had plenty of sexual encounters before, but they were all about ‘breeding,’ ‘desire,’ or ‘business.’ Nothing compared to this spiritual lust we shared now.

Smooch…

“Ugh… Ah…”

“Saintess Maria, I love you so damn much.”

The ultimate aphrodisiac is love. Even a light touch sends shivers down my spine, and when our lips meet, it feels like I own the heavens themselves. Not even carfentanil, the strongest drug known, could replicate this sensation.

When did we first attempt to kiss? Oh right, in our past life. When we were trapped in Tartarus, the lowest level of Babel Tower, on the final night of those fateful 7 days. Maria confessed her love then, and though I brushed it off vaguely, we tried to kiss.

But due to exhaustion, she collapsed.

This kiss is the continuation of that moment. A delayed yet concentrated 500-year-old kiss, rewarding us for our patience. We’re verifying the accumulation of our affection over time.

“Haaah… Truly a firm physique you have there.”

Maria, who was straddling me, leaned back after our deep kiss. Her flowing white hair brushed my face. Our lips bore marks from the rough treatment we gave each other.

Her hand grazed my chest but didn’t go under my clothes yet. Maybe she lacks that courage?

“This notebook you left during the day says, ‘Evans’ stomach felt soft when I punched it.'”

“I learned that from you, ‘consideration.'”

“Excellent.”

I briefly considered whether I should reach out and touch Maria’s chest next. Given the current mood, she probably wouldn’t refuse…

“…”

Then I dismissed the thought. Maria is a nun. Defiling her purity is something only the old me would do. Unless she begs me first.

“Maria.”

She sat up too. She was still sitting on my thighs (closer to my pelvis). My lower body feels numb now.

“How was it? What did you think of your first kiss?”

Her bright white eyes curved happily as she smiled.

“It was… indescribable. It felt like all the world’s light was shining solely on me, dopamine dancing in my mind, my heart beating like an excited drum…”

“Alright, alright. Seems like you enjoyed it.”

Maria’s face was completely red. This must mean more to her than it does to me. Like she experienced her first time or something. I opened my arms and embraced her blushing form. She fit perfectly in my embrace.

Man, I’m usually not this considerate.

“So warm.”

“How warm?”

“Indescribably so.”

That’s contradictory. You just described it as indescribable.

“Is that a compliment?”

“A standing ovation.”

“Kissing again right after? Where’d you learn that move? That’s advanced Casanova-level skill.”

“Just felt like doing it.”

“Still craving more? Was it too short?”

“Maybe… I barely remember it.”

Saying that, Maria licked her lips like a mesmerizing vampire cleaning blood from its mouth. Very alluring.

Anyway, lucky break. I managed to deflect any potential accusations. The kiss itself was great too.

Just as I was about to pat myself on the back…

“But why did Mr. Joker oppose the Heavenly Hero? I heard the two of you fought often in the past life, but not this early, right?”

Damn, Maria hit the nail on the head.

No, maybe I should be relieved. The only thing I can’t honestly answer is teaching daytime-Maria how to punch. While indirectly related, it’s not directly connected to this topic.

So I smoothly began my explanation…

“Actually, I wanted to talk about that.”

Like I had no intention of hiding anything from the start.

“I went to Black Point. Remember? I told you I’d investigate that half-closed history teacher.”

“Right, you said you’d look into it.”

“Exactly. So after school, I went to Black Point and started investigating… then a familiar customer came in.”

Not a lie. I did plan to discuss this eventually.

I intended to torture the hero further, make him confess, but…

“Really?”

“Hero Frey.”

“…Yes.”

“Very Mari-like reaction there. Totally expressionless. Sometimes it looks like you’re hiding your surprise, but…”

“Yes…?”

“Of course not. True-to-the-bone Maria wouldn’t deceive me, right?”

With a friendly smile, I asked. Maria smiled back gently.

“If it’s unintentional concealment, I don’t mind. But I don’t intentionally tell lies.”

“That’s right. Anyway, I saw Hero Frey at Black Point… and it didn’t make sense. She trembled upon seeing me. Afraid I’d recognize her? Worried her visit to Black Point would be exposed? With her experience visiting Black Point and the cunning to stab her friend Maria in the back, she could’ve easily judged killing me was the safest option. Did she think she couldn’t kill Aru even if she killed me?”

Maria always hides her emotions well. Occasionally jealousy or affection for me leaks out, but most times she masks everything behind a broad smile.

I like that smile. It makes Maria seem like she embodies unconditional, infinite, and equal love. Spreading love to everyone, in every situation.

“I know what she requested. She spilled it all.”

“Budda nyio?”

“Yeah, not full-on torture, just some light threats. Gave her a few soft punches to the gut. Don’t stop me here. This is important. I really need to know.”

“…”

Frey Dr. Siegfried.

What a variable person. Her personality, actions, core, and secrets are all tightly wrapped up.

“The hero said she came to Black Point to investigate teachers. Honestly, would someone really go that far just for background checks? People have different personalities, so let’s say that’s true. But there’s something else I don’t understand.”

Maria probably resents Frey deep down too.

Even when Frey betrayed her in Tartarus and she came to personally inform me, Maria still talked about love and heroes regarding her. But human feelings aren’t that simple.

She must feel betrayed. Maybe more so than by the Demon King. People remember wrongs done by allies longer than those done by enemies.

“Seems like that girl Frey knows who I am. She vehemently denies it, but I can smell it. Literally. Very unusual.”

“…”

“But the problem is… she’s acting strangely determined lately. I’ve already punched her stomach three times, but she won’t budge. She might really not know… Considering her frequent visits to Black Point and her unwavering gaze despite being hit by me, it’s easy to guess she’s hiding something.”

Maria’s reply came slowly.

“Uh… Mr. Joker.”

“Yeah? What is it, Maria?”

“You don’t need to worry too much. The hero has always been a bit eccentric… She’s not tough enough to withstand torture either. No matter how much you torture and investigate, you won’t get anything meaningful. The hero doesn’t trust others well, so she often investigates people around her at Black Point too.”

“Is that so?”

If Maria says so, I should believe her. Her words are absolute truth.

I speculated before that the person Maria mentioned across the rosary who regressed me with the Demon King might be the hero… Guess not. I should discard that hypothesis.

---