Facing Hell’s counter-question, Luna froze in place.
Her pale golden eyes continued to stare directly at Hell’s mask, and her lips parted slightly, but she couldn’t make a sound. She found herself unable to answer the question.
‘Someone else’s life’ — that was Hestia’s life. It was the life of that blond girl who had gently bestowed a Blessing upon her, smiled as they made a pinky promise, and waited with anticipation for their “future of shopping and eating sweets together.”
It was also… her own life.
She had just said she was “willing to do anything.” But what did “willing to do anything” actually entail? Had she thought about it?
It wasn’t the small caution of tactical adjustments, the risk of taking a few hits during battle, or even the humiliation and death she might have faced when dealing with T yesterday.
Instead, it was — betting her entire being, her entire future, and her entire existence as both Luna Florea and Artemis.
It meant turning herself into this villain’s “property.”
It meant accepting that she would no longer be a pure, radiant Goddess Angel, but rather someone bound to a name forever shrouded in shadows.
It meant accepting that — even if her companions finally destroyed the Eternal Night Gospel one day — she might never be able to return to their side.
Had she really thought all of this through when she spoke those words?
Luna’s eyelashes fluttered gently. The knuckles of her hand, which was gripping her collar, turned white.
But…
If she didn’t do this, Hestia would —
“I…”
The girl spoke, her voice somewhat dry. She swallowed, trying to loosen the tightness in her throat.
“I don’t know.”
Luna finally forced the words out, being honest to the point of cruelty.
“I don’t know exactly what you mean by ‘bearing someone else’s life.’ I don’t know what you need me to do. I don’t even know… if I can actually do it.”
The girl paused as the wind lifted her pink ponytail, the tips of her hair brushing against her slightly flushed cheeks.
“But I do know…”
She raised her head and looked directly into that expressionless white mask again, staring at the flowing, ominous ‘V’ symbol.
“If I do nothing and just watch you target Hestia — “
Her voice trembled slightly, yet it was clearer than before.
“Then I will definitely regret it for the rest of my life.”
The wind whistled over the top of the Clock Tower, whipping Luna’s hair and the hem of Hell’s black trench coat. The two figures stood in a standoff beneath the afternoon light.
Hell remained silent for a long time.
It lasted so long that Luna almost thought he wouldn’t answer, so long that she began to doubt if she had said something wrong again, and so long that the fingers gripping her collar began to grow numb —
Then, she saw the masked man let out a soft sigh.
The sigh was very faint, nearly carried away by the wind. But Luna heard it.
It wasn’t mockery, it wasn’t impatience, and it wasn’t even any of the emotions she had anticipated.
It was just a sigh.
Like a weary person facing a stubborn child, he had finally chosen to drop the meaningless interrogation.
“You really are… naive.”
Upon hearing this, Luna’s tense shoulders actually relaxed a fraction, but a more stubborn fire ignited in her pale golden eyes. She didn’t shrink back because of Hell’s evaluation; instead, she took one small step forward, tilted her head back, and looked straight at the inscrutable white mask.
“I am naive.”
Her voice was crisp and firm, carrying the clear ring unique to a young girl.
“I’m not an adult yet. I don’t understand the complex trade-offs you adults make. All I know is — “
The girl paused, her pink ponytail swaying gently in the breeze.
“I want to protect the partners by my side. What’s wrong with that?”
Hell looked at Luna’s self-righteous expression, and for a fleeting moment, some expression seemed to change behind the mask. He didn’t respond to her point but instead changed the subject, his tone remaining flat.
“However, it seems you’ve misunderstood something.”
“Misunderstood? What did I misunderstand?”
Luna was stunned and tilted her head slightly, confusion appearing in her pale golden eyes.
Hell remained leaning against the railing, his black trench coat flapping in the wind. He spoke unhurriedly, a trace of faint helplessness in his voice.
“I may not be a good person, but… I’m not a villain without a bottom line.”
Luna blinked, seemingly not expecting him to say such a thing.
“Otherwise, while you were unconscious yesterday, I could have easily stripped you bare to take photos or record videos to threaten you however I wanted. Would I really need to negotiate terms with you using Hestia like this?”
Hell spoke very bluntly, so bluntly that a flush instantly rose to Luna’s cheeks, though it was unclear if it was out of shame, anger, or something else. She opened her mouth to argue, only to realize… she had no way to refute him.
Because he was telling the truth.
She had indeed been unconscious yesterday, completely devoid of any ability to resist. And this guy truly had not done anything to harm her. Not only that, but he had untied her ropes, given her food, and even pointed out the flaws in her combat style.
Luna pursed her lips, suppressing her strange emotions. She looked up, her pale golden eyes meeting the mask as she asked the question that had been circling her mind for a long time.
“Then… what exactly is your goal?”
Hell seemed to have expected her to ask. He turned his head slightly, and the red ‘V’ on the mask flowed under the light as if it were staring at her.
“I already told you yesterday.”
His voice was very calm.
“I am very interested in you — Annihilation Angel Artemis, or rather, the person known as Luna Florea.”
Luna’s heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to remain calm and continue listening.
“As long as you cooperate with my actions from now on, I won’t make you do anything over the top.”
Hell paused, and the flowing ‘V’ seemed to flicker.
“And of course, I won’t lay a hand on your Goddess Angel companions, your classmates, or your family.”
Hearing this, the heavy stone hanging in Luna’s heart finally settled a little. Although she still wasn’t clear on his true purpose, at least… at least Hestia was safe for now.
She no longer had the luxury to wonder why he was “interested” in her.
Right now, she had no other choice.
The girl took a deep breath and nodded. Though her voice still held a hint of resentment, it was mostly filled with the acceptance that follows helplessness.
“…I promise.”
She paused, then asked, “What do you need me to do?”
Hell seemed satisfied with Luna’s decisiveness, though he only spoke plainly.
“First, from now on, you cannot attack me when you see me.”