‘Listening to nonsense, it seems I’m going crazy too.’

The Demon King quickly reached a conclusion.

It was nothing significant. It was just that he became confused because of the woman in front of him, leading to strange thoughts.

As if he could be the one called Hades.

‘That’s impossible.’

He had been the Demon King even before this woman existed. Whatever Hades the woman was talking about, it was someone irrelevant to him.

However…

The Demon King had to admit.

The woman’s words struck too close to be simply ignored.

For example, why would he want to save humans…

“You.”

The Demon King placed his hand on the woman’s shoulder. It was a move to suppress her, but strangely, it seemed to provoke her even more.

‘A mysterious woman.’

The Demon King didn’t like mysteries.

“What do you know about me?”

The effect was significant. The woman’s eyes immediately began to sparkle.

But her confident opening of her mouth was just a momentary move, and she couldn’t seem to find the right words, looking as if she couldn’t make a proper sentence.

“Hades, Hades is…”

The Demon King silently observed the woman.

“You don’t know anything about me.”

What she knew was all about someone named ‘Hades,’ not about him. Fundamentally, she and he were entirely different beings.

She couldn’t provide a proper answer because she knew that fact.

“Hades is a good person.”

Finally, a trivial sentence popped out.

Hades didn’t bother to hide his disappointed expression.

Seeing her desperately clinging like that, Hades was undoubtedly a person with meaning to her.

To her, he must be a ‘good person.’

“What does that have to do with me?”

“Well…”

The woman raised her head with a determined expression.

“You are also a good person.”

“I am not human.”

“You are a human.”

The woman raised her hand and touched the Demon King’s face. It was only now that he realized their proximity. There was no reason for them to be this close.

And one more thing.

As the distance closed, the fact that he was himself also came to mind.

“Why?”

It was a question about himself, but the woman seemed to interpret it in an entirely different way.

“You also want to save people, don’t you?”

The woman’s touch moved from her cheek to her forehead and then to her lips.

“Hades also did that.”

“My thoughts have changed.”

The Demon King responded firmly.

“There is no need for me to save humans.”

“No.”

The woman raised her head.

“Even if there’s no reason, you still want to save humans, don’t you? Isn’t that right?”

“Haha.”

The Demon King let out a bitter laugh. Truly, it was clear that he was going mad.

The problem was that the statement was not entirely wrong.

If he had to choose between wanting to save or kill humans, he was closer to the former.
Clearly, not long ago, there was an excited expectation of slaughtering humans, but he couldn’t understand the sudden change in himself.

“You’re here.”

The Demon King didn’t turn around. Even without looking, he knew that there were only him, the Holy Sword, and the insane woman in this castle.

“You found the sacrifice yourself. As expected, my lord. Will you perform the ritual right away?”

‘That…!’

I was dumbfounded and stammered. Her appearance looked like an ordinary woman, but her voice alone made it clear.

‘That’s Deneosor.’

Could she originally transform into a human?

Or did she become capable of human transformation by absorbing Hades’ power?

Whichever it was, it wasn’t crucial at the moment.

“It’s regrettable, Deneosor.”

I casually spoke, pretending indifference.

“To not recognize your real master.”

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

Deneosor responded with her peculiar nonchalant voice.

“My true master is the only one here, the Demon King.”

“Since when?”

I persistently probed.

“Since when have you served the Demon King?”

“Is that important, human?”

Deneosor approached me. His face seemed calm at first glance, but upon closer inspection, there was a seething hatred.

“Your role is to stay still and serve as a sacrifice. Don’t even think about useless tricks.”

I stared at him intently.

It was true that sacrifices were needed to save the continent rushing toward destruction.

The previous Demon King didn’t sacrifice his subordinates in vain to perform the ritual.

Even if his abilities were mediocre, being a saint was enough to qualify as a sacrifice.

But now, was there only me who fulfilled the requirements for sacrifice in this position?

“Hades.”

I called Hades in a calm voice. Hades was currently denying my words, but if I could eliminate Deneosor, who was influencing him…

“All the sacrifices made for the ritual were demons. But why am I, a human, considered eligible?”

Hades frowned.

As unexpected as the story was, the teary-eyed Deneosor’s expression when hearing it was equally surprising.

“The essence of demon power and holiness is similar. Rather than lesser demons, you are more qualified.”

‘Look at this.’

I thought to myself.