Chapter 604

After confirming that everyone was present, Heratia turned her gaze to Maria, who was standing to the side.

Maria, as if nothing had happened, turned around and began to lead the way.

Nothing unexpected happened during the journey, and everyone quickly arrived at the designated location.

After changing back into my wetsuit, I was ready to set off.

At that moment, Malitus suddenly pulled out three large bags from behind him.

The items were accurately distributed to several people.

"These are important research subjects, but I can't carry them all by myself. You guys carry them for now... You can also do some research on the way back..."

He spoke calmly.

The others didn't think much of it and simply nodded.

Heratia glanced at Maria again, but after seeing that Maria made no response, she said nothing as well.

Soon, everyone dived into the water and returned to their respective boats.

Those who remained on the ship had no idea what had happened. They simply exchanged glances after hearing Heratia's order to return, and then began to steer the ship into action.

Maria returned to her room.

Everything seemed to have returned to its original, everyday state.

At least for the first week, everything went quite smoothly.

And it was right in the middle of their return journey that Heratia came knocking on their door once again.

Is there something you need?

Maria looked at Heratia in front of her, her tone calm.

Heratia's face, however, held an unyielding solemnity.

She bypassed Maria and went into the room.

After confirming that no one was following them, they slowly closed the door.

"Are you really alright?"

Heratia frowned and looked at Maria.

She still felt something was wrong.

That night, she mentioned Malitus's unusual behavior to Maria.

But Maria didn't answer at that time. She just remained silent for a while and then nodded to indicate that she would handle everything.

Heratia thought Maria had gone to get rid of Malitus.

But looking at the results...

Maria doesn't seem to have made a move?

"It depends on how you define 'being okay'."

Maria whispered, gesturing for Heratia to sit beside her, while she herself sat quietly on the bed beside her, her eyes calm.

"Um?"

Heratia's expression suddenly changed, and then her brows furrowed.

What do you mean by that?

"... nothing."

Maria's eyes were calm; she merely glanced at the observation port on the side of the room.

Not far from them, two boats were traveling side by side.

"But... here, besides you and me, there's no one else who hasn't been parasitized."

"Um?!"

Heratia was clearly stunned for a while after hearing Maria's words.

But in just a few moments, her expression became extremely complicated.

After a long while, she finally took a deep breath.

"When?"

She didn't think Maria was the type to joke around, so since she brought it up, it was almost certain that it was true.

"It was the very night you opened the 'research materials' he sent out."

As Maria spoke, her eyes drooped slightly before slowly moving to Heratia's changing face.

After a long while, she finally let out a soft sigh.

"This parasitism won't change anything for now, but it's like a latent toxin that will erupt at the right time..."

Maria's words sent chills down Heratia's spine.

What would happen if you were parasitized by these things?

Heratia asked the question almost immediately.

But Maria only glanced at her before pointing to the notebook she had placed on the table.

Because life on the submarine was indeed boring, Maria picked up her painting again, something she hadn't done in a long time, and drew some of the Seaborn patterns she had seen.

Upon seeing those bizarre and grotesque creatures, Heratia practically jumped to her feet.

"No!"

She gritted her teeth and spoke firmly.

"This kind of thing... must absolutely not fall into Aegir."

Heratia's voice was strong and clear.

But she silently noticed that Maria hadn't said a word.

Combined with Maria's composure and calmness all along, Heratia felt even more incredulous.

"You... did this on purpose?"

"... not really."

Maria shook her head.

She definitely didn't do all of this on purpose.

But it must be admitted that this development is more in line with her interests.

She needed to put pressure on the Aegir; only then could she more easily push forward with the Hunter Plan.

As for the consequences, how many people will die, and how many tragedies will unfold...

Maria didn't let herself think about it too much.

Without a doubt, this was still an operation built on the threat of death.

Maria was destined to bear this guilt...

This is also the real reason why Maria hasn't been paying much attention to anything that might make her heart flutter lately.

Even she sometimes doesn't know if what she's doing is right.

If Maria needed other people's lives to kill Gordan, she would not hesitate.

The problem is that this time, she's unsure whether the Deep Sea Hunters Project will lead to success.

Perhaps she sacrificed many people, but she still couldn't bring back the future for many more.

Then everything would become meaningless.

"... Maria..."

Heratia whispered, her face growing increasingly conflicted and pale.

This time, she finally didn't back down.

She stood directly in front of Maria, her hands on Maria's shoulders, and questioned her earnestly.

"What are you doing? What is the purpose of all this?!"

Her voice was like that of an angry female leopard, and her pupils flashed with fury.

She certainly didn't mind Maria engaging in some lighthearted, behind-the-scenes entertainment with her within the rules.

But there are limits to it.

Any action taken within the rules must not truly affect Aegir.

Just as she had told Maria before.

She put Maria into Aegir in the hope that Maria could revitalize Aegir, which had become increasingly dull.

But she only hoped to invigorate the fighting spirit of Aegir, not to destroy Aegir!

But at this moment, these creatures called Seaborn truly possess the power to destroy the entirety of Aegir!

This is something she absolutely will not allow!

"..."

Maria did not answer; her grey eyes simply gazed calmly at the woman pressing down on her.

This indifference made Heratia feel extremely uncomfortable.

"I don't really like using rules or similar things to threaten people..."

Heratia looked into Maria's eyes and realized that Maria wouldn't reveal the information if things continued like this.

After a moment of silence, she broke her long-standing habit.

"But... whatever you want to do, you'll need my identity, won't you?"

Heratia took a deep breath, her pearly white teeth biting her lip until a trickle of blood seeped out and dripped onto Maria's lips.

Tell me why all this happened, or... I will not offer you any help!

Heratia spoke, her words firm.

But Maria simply looked at the woman in front of her, paused for a few moments, and then exhaled.

"Sometimes you're very smart, but other times, your naiveté makes me laugh like a child."

"There can be more than one collaborator; for someone who truly wants to achieve a goal, there are always many ways."

Maria slowly rose to her feet.

Even though Heratia tried to pin him to the bed, the difference in their strength was too great.

Faced with absolute power, Heratia was gradually forced into a corner.

Even so, she still looked at Maria with resentment.

But Maria reached out her hand.

Slowly, he stroked the other person's lips.

Just now, the wound that Heratia had bitten herself open has now been completely healed.

Maria had only smeared the blood on the back of the other person's neck last time, and she still had the strength left.

"However... you are special."

Maria whispered, her voice calm.

But her words surprised Heratia.

Am I... special?

Why?

She looked at Maria with a puzzled expression.

But Maria made no attempt to explain.

Her relatively good attitude towards Heratia was due to a combination of factors.

This was partly due to Heratia herself providing her with considerable assistance, and partly because Heratia was Gladiia's mother.