The moment I heard those words.

Golden letters immediately flickered on Hades’ chest.

No, they were ‘words.’

The words disappeared and reappeared quickly before I could read them, but there was one thing that was certain, even if I couldn’t read the content.

‘Affection continues to rise.’

From 70 to 80, 80 to 90, 90 to 100…

The fully filled affection wavered and transformed into love, and love also rose steeply.

Finally, love stopped at just one letter.

70 (You I Met Again)

Why had my eyes been blurred all this time? He finally recognized you.

I opened my mouth… then closed it again.

‘… It can’t be.’

All the struggles so far wouldn’t be resolved in just one conversation. This, too, was a device Leo had set up to deceive me. Hades would play with me again, treating me like an unfamiliar human.

But these negative thoughts were buried the moment I saw the expression on Hades’ face.

“… Angel?”

Reaching out towards me with an expression that seemed like he was about to cry, he withdrew his hand again.

“Angel…”

He called my name, the nickname he used exclusively, staggered a few steps back with a twisted expression.

It was to distance himself from me.

Unknowingly, I approached him.

There was only one reason.

Hades needed me.

There was no one else to help him.

And I…

I love him.

“Don’t come closer.”

Hades only took a few steps back, unable to push me away.

“Don’t come closer. What I did to you…”

“What did Hades do?”

I retorted.

“Hades didn’t do anything! Even when he lost his memory, he tried to sacrifice himself instead of me. But why…”

Something welled up in my throat, making me choke.

I tightly closed and opened my eyes.

Hot tears were flowing down my cheeks to the ground.

“Why are you pushing me away? I gave up everything to come back here, forsaking everything for the sake of being with Hades!”

“I’m sorry.”

I shook my head vehemently.

“Don’t apologize. I don’t want to hear an apology. And Hades, do you know this?”

Hades blinked his eyes slowly.

“I will never leave your side.”

“… You said you would leave.”

Hades’ voice was heartbreaking.

“Of course. I’ve never resented that. I should have let you go naturally… Why did I do that?”

Only then did I realize.

Hades couldn’t separate his past self, who was now a Demon King, from his current, real self.

It was only natural.

After a long time, abnormal memories and personalities were crammed into one body, only to barely regain my personality. How could he immediately return to normal?

But I wasn’t worried.

I had overcome even more difficult challenges than this.
The confusion that Hades is feeling right now was nothing.

And I wanted to let Hades know that fact.

“Don’t worry, Hades.”

I smiled quietly.

“I haven’t resented you either. The Hades from back then…”

I approached him again. This time, Hades didn’t step back.

“You were in a state of losing all memories of me.”

“Even if I lost my memory, I still held feelings for you.”

Hades frowned.

“Because of that fact, it was even more confusing. I wasn’t sure about who I am, and my feelings for you were also mixed up.”

“That could happen.”

I looked directly into Hades’ eyes.

“But Hades, please understand one thing. The past doesn’t matter at all. The things that happened here, only we know and remember. I don’t care about it as the person involved, so don’t torture yourself like that.”

“…It matters.”

Hades spoke with a shaky voice.

“I can’t forgive myself when I look back on what I’ve done to you. The things I’ve done…”

Hades’ amethyst eyes were greatly disturbed by his agony. I thought quietly.

Did he want forgiveness from me? Or…

“Hades.”

I opened my mouth quietly.

“Do you really want to apologize to me? Do you think you’ve done something wrong to that extent?”

“…Yes.”

“Then, what about those who have done worse things than me?”

“…?”

Hades couldn’t find words and blinked.

“I mean, the people from Donavan.”

“…!”

Hades’ face twisted momentarily.

“Did you really forget?”

I asked out of curiosity. Hades had a strong attachment and sense of duty towards Donavan. In fact, I was curious why he didn’t immediately head there.

“…Yes.”

Hades nodded.

“I can’t believe it. I wonder what everyone is doing… My goodness, William must be handling everything.”

Hades lowered his head towards me.

“Thank you for waking me up. I have to go back right away if you’re okay, Angel.”

“I’m fine.”

I smiled widely.

A while ago, I was crying, so my face was distorted with tears.

“Let’s go back.”

Fortunately or unfortunately, Hades still possessed the power of the Demon King. Only his memories and personality had revived, but his position as the Demon King hadn’t disappeared.

When Hades lightly shook his hand, the barren wasteland that stretched in all directions disappeared in an instant, replaced by a snowy field.

It was the north.

“So fast…!”

“I don’t know how much time has passed.”

Hades mumbled with a serious expression.

“If I’m too late…”

That’s when screams and roars of various kinds echoed from quite a distance away.