“Hahaha!”

Altaire, realizing the situation, burst into rough laughter.

“Haha, ha…!”

A wasteland.

Did Hades Krohiten think that just sending him here was punishment enough?

If so, he was completely wrong.

Altaire knew very well where this place was.

‘In the wasteland… a castle resembling Donoban Grand Castle.’

This place was the territory of the Demon King.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter. As long as I can go back.’

And Angelica had told him how to go back. By sacrificing his own life.

The method was simple. Take one of the many weapons in the castle and stab himself with it.

Altaire entered the castle slowly.

‘There it is.’

Numerous armor pieces and swords were strewn across the floor. Altaire picked up a sword and stabbed it into his chest without hesitation.

‘…?’

Altaire blinked. He felt nothing. What could this be?

‘It didn’t even pierce through.’

Apparently, it was a fake sword.

Altaire tried other swords, but none could inflict even a single wound.

“Huh.”

Altaire clicked his tongue. Placing these fake swords here was undoubtedly a way to mock him.

‘But I know the location of the portal.’

It didn’t take Altaire more than ten minutes to reach the portal of the Demon King’s castle.

Since he was so familiar with the space, Altaire confidently drew the Master Sword and stabbed it directly towards his heart.

‘…!’

Altaire’s eyes widened in shock and astonishment.

The Master Sword turned into dust and disappeared without a trace.

No, it left a trace.

The hands were covered in black powder.

Altaire tried all weapons, including swords, spears, bows, but couldn’t leave a single scratch on his body.

But who said the only way to end his life was with a weapon?

A while later, Altaire stood on the top of a tall tower and looked down below.

It was a high space that seemed bottomless, but he wasn’t afraid at all.

Altaire just threw himself down towards the bottom.

Even if Hades had done something to the castle’s weapons, the laws of gravity couldn’t be violated.

‘…?’

When he came to his senses, there was a thud, and he found himself lying on the ground.

Perfectly unharmed.

‘What… what is this?’

And so, three days passed.

Altaire had tried countless times to end his life, but each attempt ended in failure.

This cursed land didn’t allow him to die.

It was almost natural when you thought about it.

This place was the Demon King’s territory.

And now, the Demon King…

“Damn it!”

Altaire cursed loudly. It was undoubtedly all planned from the beginning. And that bastard was probably laughing at him right now with his all-powerful strength.

“You coward! I demand to be sent back immediately! Right now!”

Despite his loud voice echoing through the empty castle, no one responded.
Altaire slammed his head into the stone wall, but not a single wound appeared. He had no choice but to accept his fate at this point. Being forever toyed with by Hades. That was the only future unfolding before him.

“This is a time differentiator.”

“Why are you smiling, Hades?”

“It’s nothing.”

Hades, wiping away a hint of a smile, looked at Angelica standing in front of him. It was not the time to bother with an ant-like human struggling under his tricks.

The most precious being in the world was standing before him now. Angelica, dressed in a bright-colored dress, twirled around in her place.

“How is it? Do you like it? Amy brought it for me. I came back, and does it make sense not to have a new dress….”

“It suits you.”

It was sincere. Angelica looked good in any outfit.

“And Hades.”

Angelica slightly tilted her head towards him.

“I want to help people.”

“…….”

After a brief silence, Hades finally spoke.

“Not now.”

“Why not?”

Angelica showed no signs of backing down.

“I don’t always want to be by Hades’ side. Of course, it’s not that I don’t like it, but… I also want to be where I can be helpful.”

“For example?”

“For example, treating the wounded….”

“That’s the job of doctors and priests, not that of a saint.”

Cutting her off sharply, Hades immediately countered.

“It’s my job too. With my divine power, I can heal people’s wounds.”

“A few months ago, you said my divine power was utterly useless.”

“Does the me from back then resemble the current me?”

“…….”

Hades stared at her intently.

Angelica’s words were not entirely wrong, but there was a separate reason why he didn’t want her to use her divine power.

‘Too much has happened.’

Even at a glance, Angelica was currently overworked.

Although the events might seem ordinary for an ordinary person, Angelica didn’t seem affected at all, probably because she was a descendant of the gods.

‘But that doesn’t mean you can ignore the physical limits.’

Hades, too, was aware of his fatigue.

However, it didn’t bother him much.

Originally robust, he now possessed a body that transcended human limits.

Naturally, he had to move according to the maximum efficiency. However, with Angelica…

‘It doesn’t mean she has to be constantly by my side.’

Only then did Hades realize.