Chapter 47 - Leaving?

"Oh, sorry if I'm being talkative about our private matters, cousin. I'm just used to being open with my sisters."

Megaera excused herself to which 'Gyges' disagreed.

"It's fine. It's been a long since I have had someone to talk to. Small talk entertains me."

Joren wanted to know more so he used his character's setting to keep Megaera talking.

"Oh, then excuse me for talking all on my own."

Shen continued to talk about how the three of them sisters have been doing all this time. From what Joren was hearing, it seemed that the three of them were the textbook definition of what a shut-in is.

It seemed that Megaera was only awake since she's still binge-watching her favorite drama and that's when she felt something from the cave of Tartarus to which she went to take a look. There, she found Joren who introduced himself as 'Gyges'

"I should apologize for having my guards raised up earlier, Cousin Gyges. The news about someone... exiting that cave would shake the whole Hades. You should know how terrifying the beings are within there."

'This runny mouth of mine!'

Megaera wanted to slap herself for turning the conversation back to Tartarus. She looked and saw that 'Gyges' have an agreeing and bitter expression at the same time.

Joren remembered the hell within that cave. Recalling the scene while he's under the aftereffects of his skill [Bulletproof Will] made uncomfortable. That place had no equal for Joren. Nothing could compare to it.

"Yes"

Joren didn't want to say more since he might say something that would conflict with the setting he has for his facade. After all, he doesn't know a lot about the actual Gyges who he encountered there in Tartarus.

Meanwhile, due to guilt, Megaera tried to switch the conversation once again. The two traveled at the pace that Joren was comfortable with.

However, as they get nearer to their destination, the more Joren anxious had become.

'Oh shit, what should I do once I'm there. Should I keep up the lie or should I tell the truth and just dash away?'

Obviously, the second option wasn't really an option. There's no way that Joren could escape the Goddess of Vengeance once he said that he's lying.

While he was still unable to get the answer to his troubles, in the meantime, he was gaining information from Megaera as she continuously speak and tell stories that Joren didn't ask.

Four hours is a lot of time for a conversation. However, Megaera was still far from finished when the two of them arrived at the UnderWorldLand.

"Cousin Gyges, this is the UnderWorldLand. This place is built to accommodate the souls that come in here. This is so they can have fun in Hades. Hades, our master, wants to change the image of this place so that's why he made it fun. Are you here since you're attracted and curious?"

"You could say that."

Joren replied while his interest was piqued.

"Furthermore, Hades changed his ways from just giving punishments to reinforcing reward to those who follow the rules. You see, the number one thing that Hades hates the most is the people trying to leave his place even after death. There were many who tried to escape with their soul but just incited wrath from Hades, leading them to their forever demise in... the cave..."

Megaera really hated how she always comes back to that topic. On the other hand, she does not know that what she just said heavily hit Joren.

"Oh... then, are there any cases where someone was successful?"

"There were two; Hercules and Orpheus if I'm right." Megaera then explained what Joren already heard from Ness back then. He just remembered when he heard again.

Right then, before they reached the hotel, Joren stopped. He looked at Megaera and said.

"If possible I would like to be alone for now."

"Ah, but..." Megaera wanted to let him enjoy his freedom but at the same time, didn't want any risk of him rampaging as revenge. After all, she doesn't know what goes through his head. Although she told him a lot about herself, they've only met for four hours and it was not enough to gain her trust.

'Gyges' have yet to tell about himself. Well, that is due to the fact that Joren didn't want to say more as to not dig the lie any deeper.

"I just want some time alone and I'm curious about the place here. All I see is fire and burning bodies, this place, I think, will help me forget about it."

Joren was just gambling and didn't know if what he's saying would actually work. However, seeing the pitiful look of Megaera, he knew what he's doing is right somehow.

'As long as it's not a look of suspicion or anger, I'm fine.'

"Okay, Cousin Gyges. I will not report to Hades and the others first. However, promise me by your mother's name, Gaia, that you will not do anything that will harm anyone until we meet again."

Hearing this made Joren ecstatic while he barely kept up a composed expression.

"Yes, I can't blame you for doubting me but I shall put my mother's name, Gaia, into this promise." he just went with the flow while not knowing if what's he's saying is correct.

"Good enough. Thank you for your cooperation. Let us meet again in the future."

Confident in the power of oaths, Megaera left and only when she was out of sight did Joren return to the love hotel. It was already the break of dawn when he arrived and when he entered the room, Ness was already standing in front of it.

"N-Ness... you're awake."

"Where were you?"

She raised an eyebrow, however, from her tone, it doesn't seem like she's suspicious of anything at all. Ness sounded just curious.

"I just went for a morning walk."

After keeping up a facade for four straight hours in front of a Goddess of Vengeance, this little lie doesn't bother Joren anymore.

"Oh, I see. Then, you should be ready. Let's make the most out of UnderWorldLand before we leave!"

Ness excitedly announced to which Joren cheered in return but in reality, he was seriously tired.

'I've once trained for seven straight days, this is nothing!'

He tried to motivate himself. The two of them explored the rest of the UnderWorldLand and have their fun. There are times that Joren felt like breaking down but as usual, he went through it with willpower.

Compared to the time when he was 'training' it was not that hard. He didn't even compare it to the time he entered Tartarus since, for him, that place was incomparable.

After succeeding in having fun, the time for them to leave finally arrived. Ness went on a buying spree at the last second even though she already bought so much during their fun for Virena.

She was preparing her apology but since Joren was there, he avoided her buying too much. Afterward, they exited the Gates of Erebus. During that time, Joren looked around and didn't seem to find Cerberus whom he had expected to meet from the start.

The two of them then returned to the cruise ship and dropped onto the king-sized bed. Ness was satisfied with her trip here.

At that moment, Joren asked.

"When's the time the ship will leave?"

"I don't know... maybe, an hour?"

Ness said but Joren was worried that the cruise ship might leave before he can get the chance to escape.

"Say, while traveling, can you get off the cruise?" Joren tried not to be obvious but hearing his own question, he knew he failed.

"Why do you ask?"

Ness sat up and looked at him with a curious expression.

"I just want to know so that I am assured that I will not be thrown out for some reason and be stuck in Hades for eternity."

Upon hearing this, Ness laughed and just waved her hand.

"There's no reason for you to be thrown out. But I feel you... even though it's illogical, what if we really got off the cruise while traveling?"

Ness pondered but soon just shrugged her shoulders.

"But you don't have to worry. Once we're set off, Charon wouldn't let anyone leave the cruise ship until we reach our destination."

"I see, that's a relief."

Afterward, Joren tried to stir the conversation away. Fortunately, his questions were all abrupt and doesn't have any pattern in the first place so Ness didn't pick up anything.

After half an hour, Joren stood up from the bed and stretched.

"I think I'll get something to eat. I'm hungry again."

"Me too. Even though we just ate. Let's go get something." Ness was about to stand up but Joren raised his hand.

"No need, let me get it for you. I haven't thanked you enough for this trip."

"What? You're thinking about that?" Ness chuckled since it doesn't bother her anymore. She just waved her hand and said, "Sure, be my servant until you repay your debt."

"Yes, Ma'am!"