Facing Nero's question, Hades did not directly deny it... which amounted to an admission—at least, that was what Nero could assume.
"Hmm... So it really is like that?"
But after receiving that confirmation, Nero instead grew surprised—she released the Enma Blade, leaving it pinned through Hades's shadow, then circled around to face him and began examining him carefully.
Hades, on the other hand, became composed... Nero suddenly reached out with both hands, grabbed Hades's cheeks, and pulled them apart.
"You still love bullying me like this... Big Sis."
Hearing this, Nero wore an expression as if she had seen a ghost. She immediately jumped back a step, and the look she gave Hades became suspicious.
She was no longer certain. Hesitantly, she asked, "Are you really Joe?"
He slowly nodded. "Big Sis, it's been a long time... Your name is Nero, right?"
Nero's gaze instantly turned sharp. She quickly surveyed her surroundings, as if trying to determine something—she remembered that she had never formally introduced herself.
Whether she had been with that little brat Joe or fighting Erha, she had never revealed her identity—the fact that he could name her in one sentence meant it was very likely due to some ability that could distort thoughts, or that he had learned it through some other means long ago.
Of course, there was another possibility: he had known all along.
Known all along...?
"How do you know my name?" Nero asked expressionlessly.
"Of course, you told me yourself." As Hades spoke, he looked directly into Nero's eyes. The conviction and sincerity in his gaze were precisely what Nero found most difficult to accept.
She frowned. "I don't remember ever introducing myself... I even suspect that I fell into your trap from the very beginning without realizing it."
"You did tell me