“I’m not insane.”

Hades’ voice remained steady, but I, too, found myself sympathizing with Deneosor.

“Ending oneself… it’s absurd!”

Hades seemed puzzled by Deneosor’s reaction.

“Why are you so surprised? I’ve lived for a long time. There’s no reason to keep on living.”

“Then, what’s the reason to die?”

Deneosor almost yelled.

“Do you even know what efforts I’ve made…!”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

Hades showed no emotions. The act of willingly ending one’s life, even for a Demon King, would typically be feared or at least a decision with some apprehension. However, to him, it seemed like a decision as mundane as having a meal.

“You’re just a sword yourself.”

“…….”

Deneosor closed his mouth in shock. I was not much different. There was nothing in Hades’ words that I could comprehend.

If it were the Hades I knew, he wouldn’t casually reject the Holy Sword, which he recognized as his subordinate. At least, he would have thought about the security of the Holy Sword after his demise. But the current Hades…

“He doesn’t care. Not about himself, nor others.”

A chill ran down my spine. It might be better if the Hades who became the Demon King hated humanity or intended to spread demons by forming an alliance with them, rather than him casually advocating for his own demise in such an indifferent tone.

“Think, think.”

I pressed my throbbing forehead.

Even though he became the Demon King, his nature hadn’t changed, and the decision might have come from a purely altruistic mindset. If I put in a bit more effort…

“No.”

I faced reality. If it were a decision born out of altruism, there should be some hesitation or fear in his heart. That decision was made because he didn’t value his own existence.

“You don’t want to live anymore.”

Without realizing it, the words slipped out.

I was startled and quickly covered my mouth. I wasn’t a fool, and I could immediately understand that what I said was the worst possible thing. It wasn’t because of mere affection. If Hades affirmed that statement…

I might not be able to live.

“Why do you think that way?”

Fortunately, Hades didn’t affirm or deny. He just looked at me with a cold expression. I swallowed hard and spoke.

“It seems like you’re looking for an excuse to die.”

And the fleeting expression on Hades’ face completely changed my suspicion into certainty.

“…Humans shouldn’t pretend not to know.”

“You were human too!”

I shouted desperately.

“Hades, don’t you remember? Hades… was not a warm person. He was as cold as the northern ice.”

Since when?

Tears welled up in my eyes.
“But I was a human. I knew how to sacrifice for others, and I valued my own life. I wished to live meaningfully as there’s only one life to live…!”

“You got one thing right.”

Hades responded to me with empty eyes.

“Yes, I’ve been granted eternity. I’ve tried everything, but it all seemed meaningless. Now, I intend to put an end to it.”

“It’s not you who lived for eternity.”

I tried to persuade him, but Hades’ cold voice blocked my efforts.

“Hades…”

“It would be better to forget that name ‘Hades.’ It clouds your judgment entirely.”

Hades turned away from me and distanced himself from Deneosor. I looked at Deneosor. He still stood there, dazed with a shocked expression.

“Deneosor.”

Deneosor flinched as if pricked by thorns.

“It worked out well. If Hades perishes, you will return to how you were before. You’ll be just a sword, trapped without the ability to do anything.”

“…Your situation will be quite different, won’t it, human?”

Deneosor’s voice was filled with sarcasm.

“You’ll likely live a lonely life. Never returning to the original world, lost even the reason for coming back.”

I gritted my teeth.

“That’s not true.”

Even without Hades… even if I couldn’t stop Hades.

I wouldn’t regret returning to this world.

At least, I could live in Hades’ world, protecting the world he cherished.

And someday, I might meet Hades again.

Whether in the afterlife or through reincarnation, it didn’t matter.

What did it matter if I couldn’t meet Hades again after this possession?

With that hope alone, I could live my whole life.

“Where are you going?”

Deneosor threw words as if indifferent, but he couldn’t hide his desperation.

I turned around and stared at him.

“I’m going after Hades.”

“It’s too late.”

Deneosor shook his head.

“If I could have stopped him, I would have done it long ago. But the power he possesses now… no one in this world can stop him. Since he chose self-destruction, he will witness the end.”

I remained silent.

Deneosor’s eyes sharpened, and then a sharp laughter burst out.

“Haha, did you really think you’d be different?”

Of course, I also knew.

Hades doesn’t remember me at all. The memories we’ve built over the past few months are meaningless to Hades; they are just someone else’s memories.

The memories he currently holds are only the memories of previous Demon Kings.

But…

“Do you really wish for Hades not to perish?”

It wasn’t a question thrown by Deneosor; it was a question I threw at him.

“Are you saying that?”