‘The situation is much worse than I expected.’

Instead of hastily entering the quarters of the priests, Hades stood still, listening intently. Loud noises echoed from a distant corridor.

The voices of the priests and the knights mixed together, creating an uneasy atmosphere.

“What did you just say? Say it again!”

“If we’re not here, our lives will be at risk… ugh!”

“Did you attack the priests? The priests brought by the Grand Duke himself!”

“Grand Duke? Nonsense. You guys are probably deluded by some special nonsense!”

Hades flung the door open. Following him, William stepped in with a stern expression.

The formidable presence of the two was more than enough to instantly calm the rampaging knights.

The problem was…

“Your Excellency, we didn’t come here to witness this kind of situation. Please let us return!”

“…”

Without expression, Hades scrutinized the knights and priests one by one. Among the knights, there was not a single one whose name he didn’t know.

Some had grown up together since childhood, others became knights and built camaraderie while defeating demons, and some were like uncles guiding him since his early years.

In short, the knights were his family.

On the other hand, the priests…

‘They are my hope.’

Hades thought bitterly. In fact, there was a separate reason why he had gathered the priests by force.

To somehow turn himself back into a human, that was the goal.

He was well aware that this power was not normal. He also didn’t want to torment Angelica. He wanted to let go of everything at the right time.

For that grand goal, he needed the priests to trust and cooperate with him.

But now, in this situation…

‘I’m screwed.’

Hades sighed softly. He couldn’t blame the knights. He was the one who initially intended to create chaos.

However, at the moment, it was clear who needed to be held accountable.

“The priests are my guests. Harming a guest is tantamount to dishonoring the host. Since you have dishonored me, you no longer have the qualifications to be knights.”

“Y-Your Excellency…?”

The knights, who had been cursing at the priests just a while ago, fell silent. Hades continued, scrutinizing each of them with an expressionless face.

“And who are ordinary guests here? Aren’t you here to treat your friends, brothers, and comrades? Don’t pretend not to know the benefits you’ve received.”

“…We are sorry.”

Only one knight, who seemed to have some sense, spoke up.

“On behalf of all of us here, we apologize to the priests.”

As soon as the words ‘all of us’ were uttered, hostile glares shot from all directions. Hades swallowed a bitter smile. In fact, there was nothing wrong with what the knight said.
The knights as a whole should apologize, and if no one speaks up, I had to step forward. However, the result made it seem as if I were the commander of the knights.

“What do the priests think?”

The priests exchanged glances. Although they were deliberately brought from different places, they seemed to communicate well due to the commonality of being priests.

“We still cannot believe it.”

One of them spoke.

“Your Excellency’s kindness and protection are certain, but we were attacked in our residence. How can we trust and act with Donovan in the future?”

“That’s a valid point.”

Hades nodded.

“In that case, what would satisfy you? Should I punish my knights?”

“…!”

The knights stared at Hades with wide eyes, but he paid no attention. Suspicion about him had already spread among the knights.

There was nothing to lose by further deepening that perception. However, if the priests lost their faith, Angelica would die.

Now, Hades was so cornered that he thought he could reject all the knights and join hands with the priests.

That’s how cursed and undesirable his fate had become.

Because he wanted to cast off a life as a demon and not as a human.

But William, who knew nothing about these circumstances, was just on the verge of fainting.

“Your Excellency! No, it can’t be.”

“It can’t be.”

Hades slowly turned around to look at William.

“William has always been my loyal right arm. My will is William’s will, and William’s will is my will. Is even William raising objections to me?”

“P-Please stop.”

William began to stammer. Just when he thought everything had returned to normal, Hades, who suddenly started acting strangely, left him dumbfounded.

Of course, the knights didn’t do well.

It was right not to blame the priests, considering the injured civilians groaning in pain. Especially, it was even more appropriate not to blame the priests when considering the continuous provocations from the knights.

However, Hades also didn’t acknowledge it.

Now, each knight was precious in this critical period.

But at the moment, he was so pressured that he thought it would be okay to reject all the knights and join hands with the priests.

That’s how cursed and undesirable his fate h
Yes, there’s no way that the Hades Krohitenner, whom I’ve known since childhood, would say something like a mad tyrant and try to carry it out.

So, that means now…