Chapter 163

Originally, Maria would take a nap in the library around noon. Lying face-to-face, feeling each other’s breath.

But today is different. Maria, who has now awakened to the act of a first kiss, didn’t bother trying to suppress her desires.

Chuarp-

The reason is simple. There’s no reason not to kiss.

It’s a pleasant time. Thirst-quenching pleasure. But it doesn’t harm others.

However, even this, the Holy Order rejects. No matter how harmless the pleasure might be to others, getting accustomed to such pleasures isn’t good. That’s the doctrine of the Holy Order.

“…Phew, and yet you’re still this passionate with me?”

She asked briefly parting her lips. Maria, who had her arms wrapped around my shoulder while straddling me, smiled and said:

“It’s an indulgence.”

“You’re a naughty saintess.”

“It must be endured.”

Her reply was that she wouldn’t stop kissing me even though she knew all this. It must feel that good.

Well, I enjoy it too, so I won’t stop her. With a mind-blown kiss, Maria and I continued until dawn.

Of course, we can’t keep doing this forever. Unlike me, who has reached an absolute level, Maria needs her sleep. We shouldn’t interfere with the growth period of such a delicate girl.

In the end, Maria and I lay down on our sides, tongues intertwined. It’s quite an intimate pose. It resembles lovers sharing moments before or after their union, doesn’t it?

“Mr. Joker.”

“Hmm?”

“If… if it’s absolutely necessary, it’s fine for you to commit acts of murder. You aren’t human after all, Mr. Joker. I trust your judgment and morality.”

Maria rubbed her body against mine coyly as she began speaking.

What is she trying to say? I thought we already discussed matters of killing back in the Demon Forest.

“But… torture is a different matter.”

Ah, that’s what this is about.

“Torture is inhumane and anti-humanitarian. It’s not for nothing that modern nations prohibit it, even if they retain capital punishment.”

“But I’m a demon. When extracting information, torture is the most efficient method.”

“If you only think about ‘efficiency,’ there are easier ways. You could take hostages of family or loved ones. However, choosing the arduous path instead of the easy way—that’s what’s righteous. Isn’t that what you seek, Mr. Joker?”

“…Maria always enlightens me.”

I sighed in admiration and lightly kissed her forehead before pulling away. Click. Maria smiled sweetly.

“Does that mean you’ll accept my request?”

“Yeah, I won’t torture. But I might threaten. Is that okay?”

“Hee, threats, huh…? Hmm… Well, depending on the degree…”

“Thanks, Maria.”

Don’t torture.

Why did Maria tell me this?

Of course, I’ll honor Maria’s request. But I can’t help but wonder.

Considering Maria’s nature, it’s natural that she opposes torture. That’s not strange.

What puzzled me was that she only mentioned it after I brought up torturing the hero.

Did she just remember something at that moment?

Sure, she probably knows I regularly engage in torture and threats…

Still, from my perspective, it feels like Maria doesn’t want Frey to suffer.

Hmm…

“Maria.”

“Yes, sir?”

“Do you… still have feelings for Frey?”

“!”

For a brief moment, Maria’s pupils wavered. Though they quickly returned to normal, I didn’t miss her fleeting confusion.

“So that’s how it is, huh? After all, Frey was your close friend and comrade.”

“…”

“And Maria’s always been kind-hearted. Even someone who betrayed you as horribly as Frey, you’d forgive and love them equally. That’s what being a saint means.”

“B, bu…”

“But how about letting go now? The hero is a pitiful guy. He lacks the qualities and spirit of a true hero. He surrendered to the Demon King and abandoned the continent. Keeping him alive serves no purpose unless he’s useful to us. Of course, I understand your desire to protect Frey for Maria’s sake…”

By this point, Maria must have understood what I was going to say. Facing her obvious discomfort, I continued.

“Previously, we concluded that the Demon King seemed to have regressed along with us. That impression hasn’t changed. Though I still don’t know his intentions. But I’ve been thinking… If the Demon King orchestrated my regression, then he must expect something from me. That’s probably why he’s observing me silently regardless of what I do. In other words, whatever I do, as long as I remain a variable he doesn’t fully understand, he won’t touch me.”

“Yes.”

“So… How about we kill the hero? Eventually, I’ll have to oppose the Demon King to protect Maria anyway. I’ll side with the continent. Think about it. Can I fight without worry while leaving a potential threat behind? What if innocent daytime Maria suffers due to Frey’s jealousy?”

“Yes…?”

“I thought there might be something special about the hero. Something I didn’t know. Maybe the hero was the mysterious helper who regressed with us and the Demon King, I briefly suspected. But Maria told me the truth: the hero isn’t that remarkable. Everything I questioned was consistent with his behavior in our previous life. So why shouldn’t we eliminate him?”

Maria’s eyes widened in shock.

She couldn’t hide her surprise.

“Maria, I know it’s hard to accept since he was once your friend. I understand completely. But imagine if the jealous hero harms Maria while I’m gone… I don’t know what I’d do then. Even if I killed the Demon King, I could become the next Demon King out of anger. Sounds far-fetched? In our previous life, he gouged out Maria’s eyes on the Demon King’s orders. Who’s to say he wouldn’t do it again? That’s why we should eliminate him before it’s too late…”

“St, stop! Please stop!”

Maria screamed.

I was surprised she’d get so upset. I froze.

“Absolutely, I cannot allow it! Killing the hero? Never! As long as I live, I will never stand by and let that happen!!”

Maria’s voice carried genuine emotion from deep within her heart.

Confused, I tried to calm her down.

“Why, why are you reacting like this… Maria… I was just making a suggestion. Alright, alright. If you don’t want it, I won’t do it.”

“Aah, aah…”

“Don’t be angry, don’t get upset. See? This isn’t like you. Here, drink some lukewarm water and calm down.”

That night, as usual, we lay together in the library and went to sleep.

Of course, I don’t actually sleep. My body isn’t that frail. While Maria rested, I gently stroked her hair all night, pondering why she got so upset.

And… Maria didn’t sleep either.

Her eyebrows were relaxed, her breathing steady. She appeared to be in deep slumber.

But I knew. Occasionally, I could feel Maria’s back trembling faintly. She was only pretending to sleep and didn’t rest all night.

Since it’s Maria, she must have her reasons. I didn’t wake her.

Ten minutes before wake-up time, I woke Maria. She pretended to wake up groggily.

“Go ahead, Maria. I’ll clean up here.”

“Yes… May you have a pleasant day, Mr. Joker.”

Somewhat weakly, or perhaps tiredly, Maria bid me farewell and leapt out the library window.

After tidying up the library, I followed her. Then I quietly entered my dorm room. Aru, curled up asleep, woke up sensing my presence and stretched.

Knock knock.

The continent’s hero gets his own dorm room because he’s a VIP.

Even the royal family and the saint follow Eden Academy’s rule of two students per room, but the hero is the continent’s hope and light. An exception worth making.

“Mm…?”

Something tapped on the sleeping Frey’s window. It wasn’t the wind.

Someone was here. With heightened senses, Frey immediately rose and pressed his back against the wall opposite the window. Carefully, he peeked outside.

Knock knock knock.

There hung a white-haired girl on the railing, calling to Frey. A familiar face. Frey quickly opened the window and let the girl inside.

“Ma, Maria? What’s wrong?”

While asking, Frey glanced at the clock. It wasn’t yet 8 AM.

‘Nighttime Maria! Why is she visiting me? Doesn’t Joker suspect our relationship?’

“Hero, please stay still for a moment.”

Without further explanation, Maria began touching Frey’s body. Surprised, Frey stayed still trusting Maria.

Whoosh.

White holy light swirled and seeped into Frey’s body. His remaining wounds healed instantly.

“Indeed… you’ve been injured.”

“Huh… H-how did you know…?”

“Mr. Joker informed me.”

“Ah, right. You spent all night with Joker. Hmm…”

Frey’s injuries were minor since he had taken a healing potion the previous day. After restoring Frey’s body to perfect condition, Maria stopped.

Only then did Frey notice something close up and asked nervously.

“Hey… Maria, you have lipstick marks on your lips.”

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