Chapter 112: Whip and Candy
Is this the "Whip and Candy" technique?
First came the coldest, most merciless whip that plunged Eikou into an icy abyss — and just when he thought his life was over, he received the opponent's angelic, straightforward confession.
Then followed an even more ambiguous moment of temptation.
Eikou's heart pounded wildly.
He couldn't predict the sharp rhythm of her attacks, but every move made him experience the ultimate highs and lows of life — one second he was in hell, the next he was lifted up to heaven.
He had completely fallen into her rhythm, unable to escape.
Even the great hero Heracles wouldn't be able to endure this level of advanced psychological manipulation!
Damn it, could it be that this woman isn't really Marie… but a gender-swapped version of Jason?!
"Eikou, are you listening to me?"
Marie Alter's gentle voice rang beside his ear,
"Compared to those two girls, isn't my body more appealing to you? Or perhaps… your favorite is still my Third Ascension form?"
I'm sorry, but I really didn't see anything back then — I was completely focused on escaping the hot spring, I didn't have the mood to notice any of that.
Eikou thought silently to himself.
"Even though we were in the same hot spring that time, I didn't peek at any of you," he said seriously. "That's not something I can comment on."
"I see, what a pity then… Next time we go on a date, let's bathe together at Enma-tei. You can look as much as you want," Marie Alter said with a bright smile.
"D-Date?"
"Umu umu."
Marie Alter's soft body pressed even closer to him, like a sly succubus whispering into his ear,
"Hey… Eikou, would you like to go on a date with me for a day during this holiday?"
Before Eikou could even react, she quickly explained:
"Don't misunderstand, this isn't a threat. Even if you reject me, I won't reveal that incident. I'm not the type to expose the secrets of the one I love. I just hope you can be my boyfriend for one day."
"..."
At that very moment, Eikou realized she was manipulating him.
She clearly held a weakness of his that made him break into a cold sweat, yet she was humbling herself to the point of making him feel uneasy.
So this is the true power of the Queen of France — the yearning for love of a maiden, combined with the deep cunning of one who has fallen into darkness — the two didn't cancel each other out, but instead blended into a perfect balance, amplifying every ounce of her charm!
If he refused her now, not only would it fail to make up for his mistake during the hot spring incident, but it would also add a new debt — "She's repaying evil with kindness, and you'd still turn her down? Can you even call yourself a man?"
This psychological tactic of retreating to advance was even more effective than an open threat.
To counter such a move, only hardened masters like Andrew Tate — Sigma men completely immune to women's traps — could escape unscathed.
But clearly, Eikou was the type with a soft heart and thin skin — he couldn't do it!
Damn it… what a terrifying opponent. Even though he could see through her strategy, he was still being drawn in, unable to break free.
If this were a battle, then his opponent had thoroughly prepared and defeated him completely, leaving him no choice but to surrender.
"Alright then…"
Eikou nodded lightly, as if deciding to accept his defeat.
Well, his unwillingness to owe others was one of his natural weaknesses — and she had struck that very spot.
"Don't worry too much, I won't make things hard for you."
Marie Alter narrowed her alluring eyes, her tone gentle and sweet as she said,
"I know there are many girls who like you, and I also know you feel a heavy psychological burden when dealing with the opposite sex — you don't want to hurt anyone. But when you're with me, you don't need to worry about that. When I say just one day, I mean exactly one day. If by then you still feel nothing, I won't force you or cling to you anymore."
"What…?"
Eikou's eyes widened in surprise.
Did she mean… this was practically a matchmaking date?
As long as neither of them developed any romantic feelings during this "date," they could officially end this ambiguous relationship — it would also serve as a way to settle their debt, leaving neither owing the other anything.
Deep down, he knew that this was most likely another one of Marie Alter's schemes — she was probably planning to use this date to pull him even deeper into her grasp.
'But what if this time… I manage to turn the tables on her?!'
After all, it was just a one-day "lover" relationship. What could possibly happen? It wasn't even a real relationship — at most, they'd just go for a walk or watch a movie.
If she could really "conquer" him in just one day, then she'd be too powerful, and at that point, he wouldn't be able to escape anyway.
Eikou's eyes suddenly grew firm and determined.
Alright then — I'll take this challenge!
Last time, because of that hot spring incident, I could only admit defeat.
But this time is different — there's nothing holding me back anymore. I absolutely won't lose to her!
A hero cannot flee in the middle of a decisive battle!
"I understand."
Eikou nodded.
"That's great," Marie Alter said cheerfully. "Then let's set our date for the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow's International Children's Day, and I'll be going to the nursery to take care of the kids."
"Taking care of kids?"
"Umu, I really like children — especially in this Alter Spirit Origin. My personality may be bad, but my maternal instincts have never changed…"
Marie Alter gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and in her eyes flickered a faint trace of melancholy.
In that instant, Eikou could feel a quiet sadness from her — the kind that lingered around a widowed mother.
But soon, her beautiful radiant face lit up with a mischievous smile again. She stepped closer to him and whispered softly:
"So tell me, Eikou — what kind of girlfriend do you want me to play as? A girl your age? Or maybe an older sister type? Or perhaps…"
"A mature girlfriend — gentle and indulgent like a mother?"
Her seductive voice brushed against his ear:
"For example… like this…"
[Marie Alter whispered into your ear several extremely embarrassing play styles.]
[For reasons everyone understands, those details cannot be described explicitly. All that can be said is — Webnovel readers would absolutely love them.]
[But for you — someone devoted to pure love and moral affection — such things were utterly depraved!]
"Y-y-y-you, you, you, you, you…"
After hearing everything Marie Alter said, Eikou's face turned bright red, almost steaming.
"T-too… too embarrassing! I'll never do something like that! Even if we were lovers, absolutely not!"
"Ahahaha!"
Marie Alter's bright and lively face blossomed with laughter — seeing him flustered like this was simply too amusing for her.
"Really, Eikou? I thought since you liked women with big breasts, you'd enjoy that kind of play too. You keep protesting so fiercely, but deep down, don't you actually crave it — to be pampered like a little boy, hmm?"
"T-that's too embarrassing! Who would ever do such a thing?!" Eikou blurted out, his face burning red. "Stop joking around about that kind of stuff!"
"I'm not joking…"
Marie Alter replied softly,
"As long as you have that desire… I can indulge you anytime~."