Overwhelming.

Suzhejin Byungbaek stood tall, staring straight ahead.

The severed heads of the demonkin slain by the Northern knights were stacked high on the ground.

‘I couldn’t do anything.’

Even the mage who had long served Byungbaek couldn’t cast a single proper spell.

It was out of concern that it might interfere with the overwhelming tactics of the North.

‘I thought I knew the extent of Hades Croitner’s power.’

Yet the power he had witnessed just now was beyond mere description as an exceptional swordmaster.

‘If he’s this strong without the holy sword…’

Shivering, Suzhejin momentarily recalled Hades Croitner wielding the holy sword.

‘I need to somehow get the holy sword.’

The unexpected blizzard was on his side. It had given him more time to steal the holy sword.

Suzhejin gathered his troops.

It was time to return to the castle and secretly praise Hades.

(This is a time separator.)

‘Phew.’

I let out a sigh of relief. I couldn’t gauge the situation due to the blizzard, but it was certain the demonkin hadn’t advanced further.

‘Is there a way to get a better look?’

Just as I was about to ask Denesor for any ideas—

A voice filled with shock came from behind.

“Are you here, Your Holiness!?”

I turned my face with a grimace. I thought I had slipped away, but I was found.

“Yeah, it just happened.”

“What do you mean ‘just happened’? Come down immediately.”

“I’ll come down in a little bit.”

“What are you saying?”

Already blunt, Amy didn’t even bother to mince words.

“Do you want to get buried in the snowstorm? If you don’t come down right now, I’ll drag you down myself.”

“His Majesty would dislike that.”

“No.”

Amy spoke firmly.

“He would praise me. Might even give me a raise.”

I hesitated for a moment. I knew from spending the whole day with Amy.

She was sincere.

‘What on earth did Hades say?’

Still, there was no need to stay. The closer the blizzard came, the harder it was to gauge the situation.

“I’ll come down, Amy.”

“You made the right decision.”

Amy replied contentedly and led me.

“Let’s hurry. My God, Your Holiness! Your hands are like ice.”

“It’s not that bad.”

“What do you mean it’s not that bad? We must prepare a bath immediately.”

A smile formed at the sight of Amy hustling.

“People are fighting outside, and you’re talking about a bath?”

“His Majesty will surely win this time too.”

Amy spoke as if it were a ridiculous notion to consider otherwise.

“You’ve seen it. Would His Majesty lose to mere demonkin?”

My mouth went dry. She spoke from ignorance. If I hadn’t been here this time…

‘This castle would have fallen.’

Kindhearted Amy, the knights who revered me as a true saint for saving them once, the increasingly amiable servants.

And Hades Croitner.

They would have faced death or a fate worse than death.

Lost in thought, I heard Amy’s voice drop.

“As much as you worry for His Majesty, don’t ever be this careless again. You could be pushed.”

I looked at Amy.

“By who?”

“That…”

Amy hesitated.

“You know.”

I stared intently at her.

“You eavesdropped on my conversation with His Majesty, didn’t you?”

Amy’s face turned red.

“I didn’t mean to! But I was curious. You started avoiding me all of a sudden, so I wanted to know why.”

My eyes narrowed. Amy’s words seemed plausible, but something felt off.

‘Amy knows that Hades and I are special.’

She should think it natural for me to want privacy, considering my closeness to Hades.

Still, she eavesdropped, suspecting another motive. I couldn’t easily accept it.

‘Could Amy possibly…’
But if Amy was the spy from Shuzhechin, or if Hades had been searching for the ‘traitor,’ would she so carelessly reveal that she had eavesdropped on our conversation?

‘I must keep an eye on her.’

It was as I was entering the corridor to my bedroom after descending from the tower. A loud cheer that seemed to shake the entire castle rang out.

“……!”

My entire body trembled, and an intuitive thrill surged through me. It was a complete victory. No one would cheer like that if the losses were significant, no matter the victory.

Without even asking Amy for her opinion, I rushed downstairs.

“Holy Lady!”

Amy initially seemed to want to hold me back, but she quickly gave up.

“Pl, please walk a little slower. Hu, huff!”

I slowed down, and Amy grumbled.

“When did you get so good at running? You used to get out of breath just like me.”

I couldn’t say that I was wearing ‘Hermes’ Breath,’ which increased my speed, so I answered with a smile.

“Just thinking of meeting His Highness makes me naturally walk faster.”

Amy chuckled.

“Do you like His Highness that much?”

“……Yes.”

My reply was a beat late, but fortunately, Amy didn’t seem to notice my hesitation.

“You two really are a perfect match. Like soulmates!”

I didn’t reply. What would Amy think if she knew I was planning to leave within a few months?

‘Once it’s certain that I’m leaving… I should give her some jewelry or something.’