Chapter 152

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on February 4, 2025

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“Hmm….”

But then, something kinda curious catches my eye. Never in a million years would I have thought I’d see a sight like this.

Maria’s eyes are brimming with tears. Her tearful gaze is so distinct, it’s obvious at a single glance.

I’ve never once seen the young Maria cry before, y’know.

What’s going on? Why is Maria suddenly getting all teary-eyed and emotional?

Squelch-.

First off, I can’t just leave Maria crying alone, so I pull her towards me. Guess her body went limp or something ’cause she collapses right into my arms.

“Huuh… waa…”

Seems like she’s not even trying to hide her crying, or maybe she thinks hiding it’s just impossible.

Maria buries her head into my chest and lets it all out. Geez, such a delicate girl. How in the world did a girl like this end up becoming the supreme being who faced down hundreds of thousands of demons and monsters all by herself?

So, as I stroke her trembling, fragile shoulders, I keep thinking. You know, when you think about it, thoughts are truly the greatest blessing of life. That Supreme God guy might’ve screwed up a lot of things, but he definitely nailed this one. A world without thought? Man, that would’ve been boring as hell… That’s why they say stuff like “I think, therefore I am.” There’s a reason proverbs stick around.

While I was asleep, Maria had pulled up my shirt. She saw my stomach.

There was a nasty bruise there. Shine Stella. That chick, barely twenty years old, is already wielding insane power like some kind of monster. This wound’s all on her.

When I woke up, the bruise was completely healed. I’ve been healed by Maria many times before (counting my past life), and I know for a fact that only Maria’s divine power could heal so cleanly.

Right now, Maria seems to want to keep the fact that she healed my wound a secret. Probably because she doesn’t want me to thank her too much. Based on the church doctrines she follows, I figure Maria wants to conceal her good deeds.

In that case, what do you think Maria was thinking when she saw the scar on my body?

She probably got shocked at first. But surprise only lasts so long. Eventually, since the wound healed properly, Maria likely recognized the situation, accepted it silently, and concluded that she healed me.

Also, Maria has hit my abdomen twice already. Nearly forced her to, actually. Seemed like she wanted it.

…This might be a bit of a stretch, but maybe Maria misunderstood. Like, she thought she hurt me really badly. Considering she said she’s never thrown a punch before, it’s not entirely impossible.

A baby who’s never ridden in a car wouldn’t know how fast it goes. A primitive person who’s never grilled meat wouldn’t know how tasty pork belly is.

Ultimately, people don’t know unless they experience it directly or indirectly. Maria, who’s never swung a fist in her life, wouldn’t have any idea where someone could get hit either. So, it’s possible Maria might think the wound on my body was her mistake.

“Uh…”

“Hm? Is there something you wanna say, Maria?”

“You shouldn’t think about others so much… The most important thing is yourself, Evans-sama…”

Maria sniffles endlessly as she speaks. Right on target. My guess was correct. She’s telling me to take better care of myself.

Aaaaaahhh!!!

If this keeps up, I won’t ever see Maria punching me again! And those punches were so exhilarating! If I could, I’d lock myself in a small room with Maria forever just to keep getting hit by her punches! Why!? How could I fall asleep at a time like this!? What made me so drowsy anyway!? This isn’t like me—I wouldn’t waste golden moments with Maria like this for sleep!

Ah, let’s calm down first. Excitement clouds judgment.

Now that a major misunderstanding’s happened, Maria probably won’t even dare to throw another punch. This wound must’ve become a huge trauma for her. Damn, if I’d known this would happen, I should’ve grabbed some priest, turned him into a pretzel, and extracted some divine power.

Regretting the past is meaningless. Reflection and regret belong to different realms.

Should I just tell her the truth? That I got injured while out in town thanks to Heavenly Hero Stella?

…Nah, Maria’s the one who healed that Stella. Stella probably told her about me too. She knows that some masked weirdo broke part of the city, and even beat up Frey (though Stella might not know that part).

All of that was done by the “masked villain,” but if I reveal the truth, it’d be like confessing everything. That I’m the one who did it.

Then, should I make up some lie as an excuse…?

No.

All of this is nothing but meaningless illusions and imagination.

Maria’s already got a trauma etched into her mind. Once a mental scar forms, it doesn’t go away easily.

Even if I say now, “Maria, I didn’t get hurt from your punches!” and even if Maria firmly believes it…

Would the Maria who’s already had a major breakdown really be able to hit me again? As long as the memory persists, that’s an impossible hypothesis.

Then… last resort. The practically universal solution.

Hypnotize Maria.

Simple but effective. My hypnosis isn’t weak. The only limitation is that the target needs to reach a static state and focus on my hypnosis.

Didn’t I successfully erase Adela’s memories with hypnosis when she was barely ten, even though she’s an absolute powerhouse?

If I hypnotize young Maria, I could easily delete her memories and trauma.

…But.

Crunch.

My teeth grind together sharply. I’m angry at myself for even considering this. Maria shows no sign of noticing my inner turmoil, continuing to cry softly against my chest.

I’m mad. Furious at myself for even daring to think about doing something like this to Maria!

Maria is a special existence, a herald of salvation.

She embodies nobility and sanctity.

Someone I absolutely shouldn’t dare to manipulate, control, or interfere with through mere hypnosis.

I realized this when I was executed on the guillotine in my previous life.

And I understood then—Maria is truly the exceptional one. For a while, I mistook Shine Stella for that special presence, but she was merely a misidentified figure.

…Let’s stop dwelling on these thoughts. I’ve clearly recognized them through my recent musings. Maria’s situation is water under the bridge. It’s unfortunate, but we’ll have to accept that she won’t be hitting me anymore and move on.

“Huuh… Did you understand everything I said…?”

Young Maria sniffles as she speaks. I nod.

“Yeah. I’ll keep it in mind.”

“…Ah, uh, oh!”

Smack!

Maria stops crying. The drizzle soaking my clothes ceases. Realizing she’s been embraced by a man, Maria quickly pulls her upper body away from me.

“Are you okay?”

“Ah, yes, yes… Sorry for behaving so improperly.”

“It’s fine. Friends are there to lean on when it’s tough.”

“B-but my tears soaked your clothes…”

“This? Don’t worry about it.”

Beatrix will probably help if I ask her. Actually, it’s kinda nice that Maria’s scent lingers on my clothes? I snuffled like a pervert.

“I feel like I owe you too much, Evans-sama…”

While I’m lost in sniffing Maria’s lingering scent and the traces of her tears on my clothes, Maria quietly calls out to me. I widen my eyes.

“Owe? What do you mean?”

“You’re always helping me and guiding me… Isn’t that owing you a favor?”

“Just normal stuff. If anything, I’m the one receiving help. You might not realize it, Maria, but your existence affects me more than you think.”

“Really?”

“After coming here, Aru gained the fearsome title of ‘Grim.’ Because of that, classmates stopped picking fights with us, but at the same time, everyone started avoiding us subtly. And since I hang out with Aru, I’m no exception.”

“Why…?”

“You know how kids are—they spread rumors like crazy. They probably came up with all sorts of wild ones, like ghost-eating spirits or blood-sucking demons. Actually, exaggerated rumors are still floating around, but thanks to you, Maria, they haven’t gone to such extremes.”

“Why? I haven’t done anything…”

“You’ve been hanging out with us. Just knowing that the Holy Order’s Saintess walks with us makes the kids think twice before spreading nonsense. If we approach them first, they probably wouldn’t avoid us either! See, Maria, just by existing, you’ve been a big help to me and Aru.”

“Aha, yes. Knowing I’ve been helpful to you brings me great joy, Evans-sama.”

Actually, Maria, you’ve helped me countless other ways too, but there’s no need to mention all of them.

I sit beside Maria again. She looks puzzled, but I smile and point to the book. Maria makes an ‘Ah…!’ face and looks at the same book.

“We’ve had our little cry fest. Let’s get back to reading, shall we?”

“Ugh… Please don’t tell anyone else I cried…”

“Got it, got it. Now look here.”

I grab the book more enthusiastically than Maria. The book was lying face down on the desk.

Just as I was about to open its pages, something strange happened.

I freeze.

It’s bizarre. Since devouring the Dragon King’s energy, I haven’t experienced physically “freezing” like this.

As I start slipping into an irresistible deep slumber, Maria and I read the book’s title together and turn to the first page.

Something I didn’t pay attention to earlier.