“I think, since we’re both here in the city of Eden, we could probably become good friends in the Surface World too, right? We could walk around the School Festival, drink tea, and chat… just like normal girls.”
Hestia paused, explaining her thoughts in a gentle voice.
Hearing this proposal, Luna’s eyes instantly lit up, her pale gold pupils filled with undisguised joy and longing.
Deep down, she had always yearned to establish deep friendships in the Surface World with the comrades she fought alongside in the Underworld.
She liked these like-minded sisters who helped each other, and she longed for their relationships to transcend the level of battle, becoming true friends who could share their joys and sorrows.
Furthermore, while the true identities of Goddess Angels were kept strictly confidential from the public, many close seniors or peers within the organization already knew each other’s identities in the Surface World.
They even held private gatherings frequently.
This didn’t violate the rules; instead, it deepened their bonds. They were all Goddess Angels, comrades sharing a massive secret and mission.
It was only natural to meet sincerely and support each other in the Surface World.
So, when she heard Hestia take the initiative to suggest this, Luna almost jumped for joy. She wanted to agree immediately, and a cute shop she had always wanted to visit in Eden Commercial Street—reputed to have amazing desserts—instantly flashed through her mind.
The girl opened her mouth, wanting to say excitedly, “Sure, sure! I know a—”
However, just as the words reached her lips, they were caught in her throat as if by an invisible hand and forced back down.
At that moment, a cold and terrifying reality doused her joy like a bucket of freezing water—that Adjudicator with the codename V. That Eternal Night Gospel executive who had left such a spine-chilling message: ‘I will be watching you… forever…’
He was always monitoring her, and he knew that the true identity of the Annihilation Angel, Artemis, was Luna Florea!
If she accepted Hestia’s invitation and met her in the Surface World using her true identity… wouldn’t that mean V, lurking in the shadows, might also discover and confirm Hestia’s real identity by monitoring her?! This was equivalent to dragging an unsuspecting comrade into a dangerous situation where they were being watched or potentially targeted by a dangerous villain.
This kind of betrayal was something Luna Florea would never do. She could never let the kind and gentle Hestia be caught up in this because of her.
Her expression, which had been full of joy and anticipation just a moment ago, froze on her face before being replaced by a layer of deep bitterness and helplessness. Luna’s gaze dimmed for a second. She forced a smile and waved her hands somewhat frantically at the expectant Hestia, her voice carrying clear apology and a trace of imperceptible difficulty.
“S-Sorry, Hestia… well… right now, it might… not be very convenient.”
Seeing the rapid change on Luna’s face, the clear apology, the awkwardness, and her slightly frantic rejection, a flicker of disappointment flashed through Hestia’s crimson eyes, but it was quickly replaced by understanding and consideration.
“I’m the one who should apologize. I was too sudden. I didn’t consider that you might have other plans or considerations, Artemis. Please don’t take it to heart.”
She nodded gently, the gentle smile still on her face. She didn’t press for a reason, only speaking apologetically.
Seeing Hestia being so understanding—instead of getting angry, she even comforted her—Luna felt even more guilty. She quickly waved her hands vigorously, explaining urgently.
“No, no! Hestia, you’ve misunderstood! I definitely don’t dislike you! Not at all!”
The pink-haired girl tried her best to make her tone sound sincere and earnest.
“It’s just… just for now, I have some… um, some ‘concerns’ on my end that I need to handle first. I can’t meet you with my real face for the time being. But!”
Luna took a deep breath, her eyes becoming determined, as if making a vow to Hestia and herself.
“Don’t worry! I’ll be able to handle these troublesome matters very soon! I promise! When that time comes—”
At this point, a bright, confident smile blossomed on her face, and she held out her pinky toward Hestia.
“At that time, I will definitely, definitely meet you in the Surface World! We’ll go shopping together, eat delicious desserts, and be good friends just like normal girls! It’s a promise!”
Looking at Luna’s determined and hopeful eyes, as well as the outstretched pinky representing their promise, the disappointment in Hestia’s eyes was replaced by a warm smile. She also extended her slender finger, gently hooking it with Luna’s pinky.
“Mhm, it’s a promise.”
Hestia’s voice was soft and firm. “I’ll look forward to that day, Artemis.”
The two Goddess Angels made a promise atop the Clock Tower to one day meet sincerely in the Surface World. Afterward, Hestia said no more. She gave Luna a slight smile, and a soft golden glow enveloped her. Her figure gradually faded within the light, eventually turning into countless points of light that vanished, as she took her leave.
Luna stood there, looking at the direction where Hestia had disappeared, then at the finger she had just used for the pinky promise. The smile on her face gradually faded, replaced by a complex expression mixed with frustration, annoyance, and deep helplessness.
It was supposed to be a wonderful, long-awaited promise to meet a close Goddess Angel sister in the Surface World and deepen their friendship… but in the end, it was forced to be ruined by that ghost-like guy hiding in the shadows. Even a small, pure wish between girls had to be spoiled by that damn Arbiter V.
‘Dammit! Dammit!!!’
‘I really… I really wanted to get close to Hestia. I wanted to sit in a dessert shop with her and share cake, listen to her speak softly, and feel her fragrant, soft presence…’
At this moment, her heart full of bottled-up frustration and unvented anger caused Luna to dump all the blame onto the mysterious and elusive Arbiter V.
‘It’s all your fault, you lingering piece of trash.’
‘If you weren’t monitoring me like a pervert. If you hadn’t left that spine-chilling note. Why would I have to be so cautious and worried about just making friends normally?’
Overcome by emotion, Luna even forgot her image and stomped her feet forcefully, her high-heeled boots making a crisp clack clack sound against the metal platform.
She couldn’t help but grit her teeth and complain aloud to the empty Clock Tower platform.
“I hate you, I hate you! It’s all your fault, you lingering pervert!”
It was as if shouting a few curses could slightly alleviate the gloom in her heart.
However, just as the words left her mouth—
A lazy, playful, yet exceptionally familiar male voice drifted slowly from the shadows of the platform behind her, where no one should have been.
“What…”
The voice felt like it was right against her ear, yet also seemed to come from a distance, carrying a certain mischievous laughter.
“…Are you thinking about me?”