What to do? The thought didn’t even come to mind. The situation was so pitchblack, with no exit in sight.

Then, unexpected words came through.

“I sincerely thank Your Grace for your generosity.”

I stared intently at Altair.

Ignorant of the cause of the snowstorm, he could speak so calmly.

“…We should be thankful.”

Hades responded in a low voice.

“Stay here until a residence is arranged.”

“Does that mean I shouldn’t leave the main hall?”

“Exactly.”

There was not a trace of humor in Hades’ voice.

“Be prepared to pay a corresponding price if you leave.”

And then he rose from his seat.

I reluctantly followed Hades out of the main hall.

I had many questions to ask, but could not bring myself to speak in a hallway filled with ears.

But that wasn’t all.

‘Surely… I didn’t see Isis.’

Her real name was Theaisis.

In the game and in the outside world, she was known as a shaman named Isis.

Surely an indispensable character in Leto’s entourage, her absence meant…

‘Could it be that she’s also been possessed?’

I frowned.

At this rate, all major characters may have been possessed one by one.

‘The only one who knows the truth is Altair.’

I wanted to converse with Altair as soon as possible, but it was difficult with Hades keeping him confined in the main hall.

We walked silently through the hallway.

“What’s your relation with that person?”

“…?”

I was startled and looked at Hades.

‘Was it that obvious?’

I couldn’t detect any emotion on Hades’ rigid face, but it must be boiling underneath.

And for good reason.

I had shown interest in a suspicious foreigner.

But to respond here with ‘I don’t know, I was just curious,’ would mean…

‘He wouldn’t believe me.’

I swallowed dryly.

“He’s someone I used to know… I never thought I’d see him again, so I was surprised. That’s all.”

Hades’ eyes narrowed.

“He didn’t seem to recognize you.”

“How could he?”

I shrugged.

“I’ve changed a lot.”

Thankfully, Hades seemed to agree with this.

“A fair point.”

He chuckled.

“The chick has turned into a rooster.”

“…That’s a strange way to put it.”

“It means you’ve become confident.”

Hades looked at me with a soft gaze.

“You used to hide everywhere before. Now, I like that you don’t.”

Hades was right. I didn’t need to hide anymore. I could present myself confidently in front of anyone.

It was possible because the people of Donovan, who followed Hades, accepted me.

“I think it’s thanks to Your Grace.”

I spoke with sincerity.

“Your Grace has always given me opportunities and openly accepted my help. If not for you, today’s situation would have been difficult.”

Hades shook his head.

“I didn’t give you the opportunity. You always created your own.”

He then looked deeply into my eyes.

“So I want to ask, Angelica.”

I had a bad feeling.

The only matter Hades would ask about with such seriousness had to be one.

‘He didn’t believe my earlier excuses.’

I couldn’t blame him; they were poor excuses…

‘But I can’t tell him the truth.’

Before I knew it, Hades’ violet eyes had approached me.

“Is that man… someone precious to you?”

“No!”

The answer burst out before I could think.

As I covered my surprised mouth, Hades chuckled softly.

“Then that’s fine.”

“You won’t ask further?”
I couldn’t contain my curiosity. Obviously, it was in my favor that Hades didn’t press further and stepped back, but wasn’t it normal to want to dig a little more?

Hades lowered his head.

“No need anymore. It doesn’t seem like you’re scheming with that man.”

“Scheming?”

I made a face as if I was about to throw up.

“To think that I would be with such a person…”

“He wasn’t a virtuous person, I assume.”

“I didn’t know him well enough to discuss his character.”

I answered honestly.

“He probably didn’t even notice me.”

That was precisely what made my blood boil.

Altair had never mentioned me.

Even though he knew full well that I was hot on his heels.

Even when some user directly asked him about me.

‘Ah… I’m not interested in people who are worse at the game than me.’

When I heard that, it took all my effort not to explode with rage.

But now, those minor issues felt almost cute.

After all, it’s just a game. What does it matter?

Altair, no matter how much he ignored me, would have to join hands with me under the same circumstances.

And who knows? He might turn out to be a decent person once we actually interact.

Hades squinted at me.

“Do you want to talk to him?”

I avoided Hades’ gaze. I had no idea how he’d react if I said yes.

Fortunately, Hades seemed to have seen through my hesitation.

“I’ll call him for you.”

“There’s no need for that.”

I responded quickly.

There would be no point in having a proper conversation with Altair as long as Hades was listening.

“I’m just curious, that’s all… But let’s forget it. I’m a person of Donovan, right?”

Hades furrowed his brows.

“Can’t you be a bit more honest, saintess?”

He only called me ‘saintess’ when he was outright chastising me.

I felt a bit wronged.

How could I say, ‘If Your Grace is listening, I can’t have a proper conversation!’?