Having parted from Alicia, I walked for a while before I couldn’t hold back a question any longer.

“Why aren’t we staying at the temple?”

Iskariel looked back at me.

“Why do you think we’re not going to the temple, child?”

I bit my lip in realization. Right, this was my first time in the royal palace. Naturally, I wouldn’t know that we weren’t headed for the temple.

The problem was that I had no choice but to know.

“That’s… If it’s the temple, we’d have to go outside the palace. But we’re only moving inward.”

Iskariel chuckled.

“Half right, half wrong. There is a temple within the palace too. But it’s true that we’re not headed there.”

“Why?”

Iskariel looked at me.

“I have someone I want you to meet.”

I swallowed dryly. The question I wanted to ask wasn’t about why we weren’t going to the temple. Specifically…

‘Why are we heading toward the underground tomb?’

I couldn’t outright ask Iskariel. If I did, he might start suspecting my identity. So I kept my mouth shut and feigned surprise when the entrance to the underground tomb appeared.

“Lord Regent, this is…!”

The Regent took my hand and pulled me. His grip was unforgiving, as if no resistance would be permitted. I glanced around as I was led along.

‘I’ve never been here before.’

I knew of its existence, but the underground tomb of the palace was a MacGuffin in Leodel. It seemed important but was actually a waste of time. During my intense rivalry with Altair, I hadn’t had the time to explore it.

Various sarcophagi were placed along the narrow corridor on either side. The sarcophagi varied in size and color, but one thing was the same: the likeness of the tomb’s owner was engraved on the lid.

The Regent stopped in front of one sarcophagus.

“…My daughter, Angelica.”

“…!”

I took a deep breath.

‘I get one thing.’

The moment he saw me, Iskariel must have been sure I was of his bloodline. Not just the name Angelica, but my face closely resembled the owner of the sarcophagus.

“…I sensed your lingering doubts.”

Iskariel’s voice sounded somewhat mournful.

“You are of my bloodline. My daughter died long ago, but knowing her descendants live brings me comfort.”

I stared at him vacantly. These emotions of sorrow should be directed not at me, but the real Angelica.

‘The real Angelica would have been sincerely moved.’

Because Angelica was an orphan who didn’t even know her parents, and was only mistreated and exploited.

If such a loving ancestor had appeared to her, Angelica would have abandoned everything to go with him.

‘Iskariel must be… quite taken aback.’

But I was not the real Angelica. The real Angelica should have died months ago, and the life I had lived since becoming her was entirely mine.

Therefore, I had no intention of sympathizing with Iskariel’s feelings.

“I can’t be a replacement for her.”

“I never even thought such an outrageous thing!”

I recoiled, stepping back. The usually gentle Iskariel had unleashed a fierce tone.

“Angelica was my light, my world! How can you even suggest that you could replace her? When I found out that Angelica had died, I…”

I silently waited for his next words. Fortunately, Iskariel seemed to quickly regain his composure.

“Forgive me for showing you something so ugly. Anyway, I have only one wish. That you stay by my side. If you grant this wish, I’ll give you anything you want.”

I took a deep breath. Iskariel was powerful and therefore dangerous, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t use him.

I looked straight into his eyes. Eyes, blue like mine, met my gaze unflinchingly.

“…I want the Demon’s Eye.”
Iskariel’s response came out a bit late.

“What do you plan to use it for?”

“Is that important?”

Iskariel’s eyes narrowed, and a clear voice flowed from his mouth.

“It is.”

Along with a boltfromtheblue remark.

“We’re not the type to use the Devil’s Eye.”

I doubted my ears.

“That can’t be… Even the most devout can’t not use the Devil’s Eye…”

Iskariel did not answer. Instead, he slowly turned his body and left the underground tomb.

I hurriedly tried to follow him, but a cold voice stopped my feet.

“Do not follow me.”

It was a voice that seemed to deny our very bloodline, so cold and dry.

“I’ll consider the Demon King’s subjugation as something that never happened.”

“Regent…”

But the Regent vanished in the blink of an eye, and I was left alone in the empty tomb.

‘…What do I do…’

I first looked around, but there was nothing of interest. If there was something useful here, other players would have already posted about it.

‘…I must find Hades first.’

I clenched my fist.

I had no idea where Hades had fallen, but there was a way to make him come to me.

(This is a time separator.)

“Your Highness Vyillan.”

Hades quietly chuckled to himself. His choice was indeed correct. Vyillan had always been oblivious to his surroundings, showing no suspicion even when being constantly followed.

“Where have you been?”

“I met an old friend.”

Vyillan mumbled absentmindedly.

“Hasn’t changed a bit since before.”

“Your Highness’s friend is…”