The castle was turned upside down in an instant. Not only was Knight Tobias, or rather, Tobias Jizen, famous for his exceptional skills that earned him the position of knight commander at a young age.

Many initially refused to believe the news that he had betrayed, since everyone liked Tobias for his melancholy personality combined with wit, and he had high standing as a knight commander.

For instance…

“It can’t be, Your Holiness! There must surely be a mistake.”

“I saw it with my own eyes.”

I lowered my head. Amy slumped into her chair, her face shocked.

“I can’t believe it…”

I didn’t reveal Tobias’s misdeeds to persuade her. Amy seemed shocked enough already.

“The banquet is ruined, then.”

I mumbled to myself. Since it was revealed that Tobias was a spy for the empire, the perception of the imperial delegation would naturally deteriorate.

Amy lowered her head.

“The plans are still on. His Majesty has commanded that the farewell banquet be simplified, but not canceled.”

“Really?”

I questioned my hearing. What was Hades thinking? It would have been proper to let the delegation quietly leave.

‘…Ah.’

Sudden realization struck me.

This was a kind of message Hades was sending to the delegation. We will send you back graciously, but we won’t forget what you’ve done.

‘How like Hades.’

I smirked bitterly. There would be no one as terrifying as Hades to have as an enemy.

‘I should never turn him into an enemy.’

Of course, things don’t always go as planned, but I can make an effort to improve our relationship.

The issue is…

‘How do I improve it?’

I’ve already done everything I could to impress Hades. Even helped with monster extermination to the extent that he thanked me personally.

So why doesn’t it improve?

I was pondering this when…

“Are you going to keep lying there? Get up and move that heavy ass of yours.”

A grating voice rang out.

‘Denesor!’

My head automatically turned toward Denesor, standing beside the bed in the form of a greatsword.

“What are you so surprised about?”

“…I’m a sick person. The doctor said I shouldn’t overdo it.”

I whispered softly, so Amy wouldn’t hear.

“Hmph, do you know why that is?”

“What is it?”

“You’re far from me, you idiot.”

“…!”

I opened my eyes wide. Indeed, my condition worsened abruptly when I was forced into the ‘corridor’ separated from Denesor.

But I thought it was due to stress…

“If we’re apart, it’s not good for you. So don’t let some brat snatch me again, understand, Master?”

“But I’ve been fine before when we were apart.”

Denesor responded with a tone of disdain.

“That was when you’d just become my master. Considering how close we’ve gotten, it’d be strange if you weren’t unwell.”

“Hold on.”

I interrupted him.

“Are you saying… the longer I have you, the more dependent on you I become?”

My voice trembled at the unforeseen possibility.

“That’s correct.”

Denesor answered smugly.

“But having me makes you feel much lighter, doesn’t it?”

“I thought that was because of training.”

“Stop kidding.”

If Denesor had hands, he’d be clapping them now.

“You were already weak. What’s training going to do? Be grateful; it’s all thanks to me.”

“…”

I was left speechless for a moment.

I had sensed that I shouldn’t lose Denesor until the moment I escape this game.

But not losing him and being inseparable are two entirely different things.

“Are you going to suck away my life force next?”

I couldn’t stop myself from asking the dire question.
I didn’t want to become a ruthless killer in Deneosor, devoid of blood or tears, like the Hades in the game.

“Impossible.”

Deneosor’s tone now suggested disappointment.

“Don’t you trust me that much, master? Unless you wish otherwise, I will never lay hands on your power.”

I sighed. For now, I had no choice but to trust Deneosor’s words.

Even if he was lying, I still needed Deneosor’s power to escape the curse’s influence.

‘If I defeat the Demon King, I can also break free from Deneosor.’

The best outcome would be escaping the game, but I would be happy just to get away from Deneosor.

It wasn’t that I disliked Deneosor.

There had been some affection between us.

But Deneosor was a demon sword after all, tempting and corrupting people. He was not a companion for life.

“……Alright.”

I responded slowly.

“I need to practice with the dagger.”

“Who will you learn from this time?”

“Obviously, the Duke.”

A satisfied answer came back.

“I thought so. I didn’t like that foolish guy from the start.”

I chuckled.

“Shouldn’t you have told me he’s a traitor?”

“Would you have believed me if I did?”

“……”

He was right. I might have just avoided Deneosor instead.

“……Tell me next time. I’ll make the judgment.”

“I’ll decide whether to tell or not, novice saint.”

While we were arguing, someone knocked on the door from outside.

When Amy opened the door, Sir William entered the room with a stern face.

“It’s been a while, Lady Saint.”

“Yes, it has. Have you been well?”

“Yes.”

Sir William nodded, took a seat in the armchair next to the table.

“What brings you here?”