The clinking sound of chains echoed, audible even before reaching the underground dungeon. Hades furrowed his brows. Considering there was only one prisoner in the dungeon at the moment, the identity of the person noisily rattling the chains was evident.

Upon reaching the dungeon, William, who had been waiting, immediately kneeled.

“Your Highness, I have nothing to say. The responsibility is all mine….”

“Rise, knight.”

Hades sneered.

“I, too, share the blame for not considering that they might have a magic stone. For this incident, I will not fault anyone.”

“Thank you for your mercy, Your Highness.”

Guided by William, Hades entered the dungeon. He felt Angelica, who had been following him closely, shrink back.

“Are you scared?”

“…It’s cold.”

Hades pulled Angelica partially into his embrace.

“And now?”

“It’s still cold.”

“Endure it a bit longer.”

He had no intention of sending Angelica outside just because she was sensitive to the cold. Shujecin had escaped. That meant no place other than his side was safe.

The series of events strengthened his resolve to protect Angelica. Unless absolutely necessary, Hades had no intention of letting Angelica out of his sight.

Tobias was imprisoned in the deepest part of the dungeon. As they got closer, conversations that were previously drowned out by the clinking sounds became audible.

“Why did you do it?”

“Why should I tell you?”

“Because…!”

“It’s better not to know some things, Mitchel.”

Their conversation ended as Hades entered. His gaze settled on Tobias, whose feet were bound to the floor by unyielding chains.

Considering the circumstances, Tobias looked remarkably well.

‘Was he treated well because he was the leader of the knights?’

It wouldn’t have been strange if he had been dragged in with broken bones. Especially since William had almost lost his life due to Tobias.

“How can I trust your words?”

Hades cut straight to the point. He had no intention of wasting time on pleasantries. Not when Shujecin’s whereabouts were unknown and time was of the essence.

Tobias chuckled.

“Is that what you want to ask now?”

“Yes.”

Hades shot him a cold glare.

“Transportation magic stones aren’t easily obtainable. Even for someone like Shujecin, it’s not a sure matter.”

“…”

“Tell me. How did you know?”

Tobias’s answer came slowly.

“I might be lying.”

“No.”

Hades shook his head.

“You’re telling the truth. You have some sort of compelling reason.”

“Heh.”

Tobias let out a short laugh.

“Whatever the reason, isn’t the important thing that he escaped because nobody thought to search him?”

“Yes, that’s my mistake.”

Hades readily admitted.

“But it’s not something you can complain about.”

Tobias looked him directly in the eyes.

“…I also received a transportation magic stone. Or something I thought was one.”

He pointed at his waist with his chin.

“But it didn’t activate. He gave me a clever fake and took the real one for himself.”

“…Typical of him.”

Hades muttered to himself. It was truly in line with what he had seen and felt about Shujecin.

“I did harbor the hope that it might activate, but it seems I was wrong.”

Bending down, Hades took the magic stone from Tobias’s waist pocket. Tobias simply looked at it with a resigned expression.

“A dud.”

Hades made a cold assessment. It was indeed a magic stone, but it was empty, not yet imbued with a functional spell.
Magic stones imbued with magic and empty magic stones could be distinguished by anyone who had received training.

But since Tobias, who had grown up as a commoner, hadn’t received such training, he had been deceived by Shuzejin.

Hades threw a magic stone to William, who was waiting behind him.

“Keep it. We may need it someday.”

“Yes.”

“And you…”

Hades stepped on Tobias’ leg. The pathetic ankles of the knights he had just seen came to mind. No doctor could possibly restore them to their original state.

“You have more to answer to me.”

“What is it?”

Trying to hold back a groan, Tobias gritted his teeth and spat out each syllable.

“What did you do to my mother?”

“Mother?”

A questioning light appeared in his violet eyes, eerily resembling his own.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean what did you do to Tatiana Croitner?”

“I did nothing…!”

“Then how did you get this necklace?”

Hades tried to maintain composure, but he couldn’t hide the slight tremor in his voice.

“This is my mother’s…”

“I have never even met her.”

Tobias clearly looked flustered.

“When she passed away, I was being educated in the Empire. Even if I had been in Donovan, I would have been too young to do anything.”

“…”

Hades hesitated for a moment. Not because Tobias was brazen, but because he realized that his words were true.

Indeed, considering the relatively young age of Tobias, it would have been impossible for him to harm the late Duchess.

Then…

“Who did you get this necklace from?”

“…I can’t say.”

“Speak.”

Hades applied more pressure to Tobias’ leg.

“There are ways to make you talk if you won’t.”

“…My answer will still not change.”

“Huh.”

Hades chuckled darkly.