CHAPTER 130: ’THE WHITE DEMON’

At first, the Witch of Lust carried a smile that would charm even the coldest of women.

Then, upon a snowdrop on her shoulder, Mel shuddered in utter fear.

"Uh-Partner..."

Mel pointed upwards; the snowy sky baring a weight that transcended space as she imagined Lila glaring at them from afar.

"Don’t you think it’s a little too early to expose us?"

She tilted her head as she whispered. "I’m afraid that Lila might over-react and... you know."

Having barely stopped Nyrel for her amageddon plan, Mel sincerely wished a close-second won’t happen in her Partner’s presence.

"It’s alright." Maria chuckled into her folded hands. "I may only be an Exarch Rank, but being capable of every Witch’s Abilities has its convenience."

Her shoulders hunched back for a relaxed posture, as she tapped Mel’s chin.

"To Envy, it must have looked like you were talking to the air, so try not to sound too suspicious."

"That-"

Then you should have told me earlier! I almost muttered your name out loud!

Pouting a little, Mel shifted back to Nyrel; the necromage’s face remained dazed as confusion crossed her gaze.

Though her maid’s grasp merely held firm, unbothered

Maria’s preparation was thorough; even Nyrel and her maid failed to spot her.

’Truly, ’ Mel sighed, switching to Telepathy. ’You’ve saved me.’

Though she never planned to harm Nyrel directly, Mel originally wished to scare her a little.

Poisoning Lila’s sister was a crime she couldn’t easily forgive, and Mel herself was always a powerful witch and a villain.

’Don’t be like that.’ Maria’s graceful voice flowed and soothed her heavy mind. ’I can fully understand how frustrated you are.’

Maria’s hands wrapped around her waist from behind, as Mel held back a minor hiccup.

Her Partner’s daring was in the whole show again, undeterred by the falling snows.

’But please understand,’ the Saintess breathed hot air into Mel’s neck.

’I need Nyrel’s memories intact. The Holy Church has more than enough artifacts and... methods to obtain information from her.’

’More efficient than mine?’ Mel’s lips pursed. ’Or... is it for the Church that you need her?’

’Something like that.’ Maria’s grasp tightened possessively, as her cheek nuzzled into Mel’s shoulder.

’Remember that Envy’s snow has reached everywhere, and other factions within and without began to move.’

A strictness flashed on Maria’s golden eyes, before they softened upon glancing at Mel’s cute curious face from behind.’

’So,’ Maria raised her hand and cupped Mel’s lips into an ’o’ shape.

’Not now. And you wish not to judge her yourself, but allow Envy to do so, don’t you?’

Maria’s tender murmur slithered into Mel’s mouth, stimulating her every sense.

’Uh...’ Mel’s head grew hazy, her tongue licking at the teeth to ground herself in reality. ’I... yes.’

But she did agree with Maria; her personal rage aside, Lila should’ve been the one who chose to forgive or judge her instead, not her.

’But even then...’ Mel’s brows curled to a sad frown. ’I do feel it’s the best if Lila never sees her.’

Her possessiveness screamed at her to protect Lila, yet her love told Mel to cherish Lila and allow her lover to grow as a person.

’Of course.’ Maria’s thumb brushed Mel’s lower lips, admiring the blush blossoming at her Witch’s cheeks.

’But with Lila as a Witch, she was bound to encounter the truth one day.’

A pause as Maria’s gaze locked with Mel’s, then she continued.

’Mel. You’ve been preparing for Lila for ten years.’ Maria’s index tapped the upper lip of Mel’s.

’Trust in yourself. Trust in Envy. And if not...’

She mustered up the ’kindest’ smile. ’Trust in me.’

’Maria...’

Her heart fluttered at her partner’s sincerity, as Mel restrained herself to prevent fidgeting like an innocent maiden in love.

The sweet taste of someone recognising her efforts, by her Partner who has accompanied her for so long, beckoned her to embrace with complete openness.

As her bottom surged with a renewed wetness, Nyrel observed this scenery in silence.

The maid above her seemed oblivious, but Nyrel’s cautious stare knew better.

Catching Mel’s tiniest flickering of embarrassment, the Necromage deduced Mel must have been talking to someone.

But... who? Who would cooperate with an all-powerful, unpredictable Witch like her?

Her mind scoured to piece together the clues, then drifted back to the reports about the airships.

So, the brief suspicion she once held flared up; her eyes widening in pure shock.

The Airship Operation, the one that sought to cause chaos and sour the Saintess’s reputation, had been reported by the spy as a belated failure.

Aside from completely restructuring her whole scheme, Nyrel thought it would only cost a delayed capture of Mel. Yet...

She glared at Mel, or what seemed to be behind Mel.

The domino chain of failures is taking place; the invisible grasp as if someone were there yet not there.

Worse, was her ability to grasp others like a pawn.

"Mel Sakura."

Her words distracted Mel, as she peeked at Nyrel.

Mulling over her speech, Nyrel’s lips parted, closed, then parted again to speak.

"You’re perhaps tempted, or offered something by that White Demon, but please. Do not ever trust her."

She gritted her teeth against the bile of anger in her throat. "Maria Sableheart... is the most vile woman I’ve ever known. Even our Master Pride has fallen..."

Unfortunately, Mel blinked and tilted her head, her brow raising in confusion.

In her eyes, Nyrel’s mouth was just... moving without any voice.

Her lips barely warped with minimal movement, as if a barricade of perception blocked her from guessing Nyrel’s words.

’Partner...’ She squinted at Maria, still idly playing with her lips. ’Mind explaining what you did to Nyrel?’

’Oh, don’t mind.’ The Saintess shrugged. ’Mere cursory words would only pollute your ears, Mel.’

’Oh, thank you! I guess I shouldn’t have bothered- as if!’

Mel pouted again, protesting in her mind, her lips clasping over Maria’s fingers with the gesture.

So cute... Ah... I want to violate her and present Mel to that Envy...

A subtle flick of her gaze to above, and Maria’s thumb slid her way inside.

"Mmm!"

A muffled yelp escaped from Mel’s lips as she blushed furiously, her waist wiggling against her shuddered pelvis.

"’My little Mel has grown rebellious, huh?’"

Hot breaths puffed into Mel’s ear, as Maria’s Telepathy echoed gently in her head.

Mel buckled against Maria’s firm grasp, almost melting against the two teasing sensations.

’Maria...ah!’

As the Saintess’s palm stroked her thigh, Mel’s eyes misted in a silent surrender.

"’Relax yourself, my Mel.’"

Just one order, and Mel’s shoulders loosened; her back leaning onto Maria’s front.

"’That’s it...’" Maria arched her waist, caving her chest for Mel’s cushion.

"’You have worked hard destroying those Headquarters, no?’"

Licking her lips, Maria’s palm traced up Mel’s thigh before drawing circles on Mel’s pelvis.

"’Leave all the cleanup to me, then.’"

’Maria...’

Panting desperately, Mel’s hat threatened to slip off before a strange force tugged it back to her hair.

Shadow loomed over Mel as their heated golden eyes locked with each other’s.

Yet as Mel leaned in, Maria’s thumb in her lips pushed her back; the only barrier between their lips.

’Please... Maria...’

"’Hehe. Don’t worry.’"

Then, Maria’s hands settled on Mel’s thighs, before prying them open.

Her brows raised; the little wet spot on Mel’s skirt too recognisable.

"’Mel...’" Maria’s voice grew heated, her tongue darting out. "’I can’t wait for tonight.’"

Her tongue tip was etched onto Mel’s earlobe, and the little gasps she elicited were a small victory as Maria teased Mel’s ear more.

Witnessing the bizarre scenery from her blushing Master, the maid tilted her head with her arms still latched onto Nyrel’s.

Her Master must have caught a cold. As expected, Envy’s winter was not to be underestimated.

Meanwhile, Nyrel stopped yapping; her narrowed eyes cautioned against Mel’s ’ignorance’ and fidgeting frame.

The snow breeze howled a silent complaint around them, as if equally confused by this scenery.

Then, Nyrel heard it.

A malicious, indifferent tone, carried with wisdom that matched... won against her Master’s.

’It has been a while, Nyrel the Necromage.’

Nyrel’s figure shook as she snapped her gaze aside before landing back on Mel’s.

Aside from Mel’s relaxed... well, overly ’relaxed’ expression, Nyrel couldn’t find the source of the greeting.

The greeting... that was declared once, when the Saintess strolled in and one shot the Ice Dragon.

’It indeed has.’

Fear struck her chest cold; the gentle snow from the Witch of Envy was almost too tame in comparison.

Because the Saintess’s gentle voice came not from benevolence.

But an outright arrogance as if looking down upon everyone below her.

’Envy’s awakening... and your little scheme has indeed outmatched my expectations.’

The smirk in her ’monologues’ was too unmistakable for Nyrel.

Sighing, she muttered in her head. ’So? Shall I celebrate surprising the greatest archenemy of my Master?’

’Perhaps.’

Then, she froze at the edged malice in the voice.

’But you have almost told Mel of something you shouldn’t. Trying to break my bond with her.’

As her teeth grazed Mel’s earlobe, Maria just stared at Nyrel, more occupied by the sweetness of Mel’s moan and her skin.

’Though I have you to thank for as well.’

After all, Wrath and Calina wouldn’t have adequately met if not for Nyrel’s schemes.

And Envy wouldn’t be as mad if not for her interruption here.

She grinned to herself as she imagined once again.

The distant glare from the Witch of Envy on the cliffside.

As she desperately, desperately held back from freezing the World in its entirety.

Maria found it unfortunate, yet fortunate as well.

Unfortunate for her selfishness.

And fortunate for her Mel.