After joining up with Kim Dokja, I was able to reach Persephone quickly, guided by our state-of-the-art navigation (the judge).
[Finally, the guests I invited have arrived.]
Fwoosh!
At that moment, the blue candles on the dining table in the center of the hall caught fire, and as the flames grew stronger, an oval table with a classical, ancient atmosphere revealed itself.
The massive table was laden with a variety of luxurious foods, and on the opposite side, the figure of a person looking at us could be seen.
Kim Dokja slowly began to speak, his expression slightly tense at the voice coming from across the table.
"It is an honor to meet you, 'Queen of the Darkest Spring.'"
[To think you know my modifier. You are a polite incarnation.]
"You flatter me."
[What is more interesting is that your soul remains unshaken even after hearing my True Word.]
After Kim Dokja finished his greeting, although I had many things I wanted to say, I first bowed politely and greeted Persephone.
"It's an honor to meet you, 'Queen of the Darkest Spring.' I apologize for the havoc in Tartarus."
[Fufu. It is fine, as it happened due to my 'minor prank.' Savior of the Night Sky.]
Soon, her hand across the table moved, pointing to the chairs in front of us as she spoke.
[Sit down, Incarnation Kim Dokja and Savior of the Night Sky.]
Kim Dokja and I looked at each other for a moment, nodded, and quietly took our seats.
Once seated, Kim Dokja looked at Persephone and asked.
"Excuse me, if I may, could I ask one question?"
[Speak.]
"Is your current appearance your True Form?"
[Of course it is a Symbolic Body. Perhaps the Savior of the Night Sky beside you could handle it, but my True Form is not a shock a mere human like you can endure.]
Hearing Persephone's words, Kim Dokja stared at her Symbolic Body.
It was natural for him to be unsettled; Persephone's current appearance was that of the old woman Kim Dokja failed to save during the first scenario.
Sensing Kim Dokja's discomfort, Persephone slowly spoke.
[It seems older women aren't your type?]
"It's not a matter of type."
Despite Kim Dokja's firm tone, Persephone didn't look bothered at all; she simply gave a benevolent smile and said,
[If this appearance is uncomfortable, I can change it to another.]
Crackle!
Small sparks flew from her feet, and gradually her appearance began to change from an old woman to someone else. Soon, she took on the appearance of Yoo Sangah.
Kim Dokja was flustered by the change and asked her to change it back, but he was lightheartedly ignored. Then, Persephone spoke in a serious voice.
[Well then, shall we begin our conversation?]
At those words, Kim Dokja and I nodded and looked at her.
[First, Incarnation Kim Dokja and Savior of the Night Sky, I apologize for dropping you into Tartarus as a prank.]
Kim Dokja looked confused, wondering why she would do such a thing, but it was easy for me to realize it was a test of my Status and a test to see if Kim Dokja was fit to be their successor.
'Of course, the Great Sage was the one who actually judged that...'
[Shrugs]
As I thought that, I felt as if the Great Sage was actually shrugging his shoulders.
"Well, it's fine. Thanks to that, I got to sightsee Tartarus even if I didn't want to, and I got to stretch my muscles."
[Stretch your muscles...]
At the mention of "stretching my muscles," Persephone's complexion momentarily turned pale.
It seemed she had suffered quite a bit (though it was her own fault) because of the havoc I wreaked in Tartarus.
"Now... skipping the trivialities... what is the reason you invited Kim Dokja and me?"
Despite my words sounding somewhat rude, Persephone replied calmly without taking offense.
[One reason was to check what kind of person the newly ascended constellation, the Savior of the Night Sky, is. Another was to satisfy my curiosity about the Singularities the children of Olympus were talking about... let's leave it at that.]
"Is there no other reason besides those?"
[For now, those two are the only reasons I called you.]
"Can you swear that on the River Styx?"
At the mention of the River Styx, Persephone, who had been composed, flinched and became agitated for the first time.
"I knew it... you had another reason."
[...Fufu, you have excellent judgment. You're right. Besides the two I mentioned, there is one more reason...]
Saying that, Persephone glanced at Kim Dokja before finally speaking.
[I wish to bestow a task upon you.]
And finally, it had arrived.