975

 Two weeks after the conquest of the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea>.

Big Mama announced that she would award national treasures to both the Italian and Korean conquest teams based on their contribution to the conquest, without discrimination.

Although there were quite a few complaints from some quarters about why the Korean conquest team should also receive Italian treasures, they couldn't go against Big Mama's will.

"I understand the sentiment, but we're just carrying out what was agreed upon in the prior covenant. If you wanted to argue, you should have done so before, what nonsense are you talking about now... Don't hesitate to arrest those who are inciting. A few months of forced labor should make them docile. How dare they rebel?"

Big Mama's power, with the Mafia families ruling each state under her feet, was formidable.

Moreover, she had been reigning for several decades.

She was essentially Italy itself.

As a result, people's complaints quickly subsided.

And so...

"Welcome. We've been waiting for you."

Finally, on this day, the Pantheon was opened to the Korean conquest team.

* * *

"We sincerely welcome your visit."

Early morning, in front of the Pantheon temple.

The highest administrator, leaning on a cane, came down the stairs to greet the Korean conquest team.

While doing so, he politely asked for understanding.

"I'm sorry, but for the security of the Pantheon, we can't let all of you in. We would appreciate it if those not entering the vault could wait outside."

"Ah..."

It was a perfectly understandable reason.

Those who wouldn't receive Italian national treasures, though regretful, had to be content with seeing off the others.

As those permitted to enter began climbing the stairs...

"Iriya, let's go too."

"What? Ah, yes..."

"..."

Roberto, who had deliberately made time to come along despite having already received his conquest reward, tried to escort Iriya.

Disregarding people's gazes, he unhesitatingly placed his hand on her shoulder.

Startled by the sudden contact, she nodded in a daze, not bothering to shake him off.

Rather, she gave a slight smile.

'Those two?'

Eun-ha, watching this scene up close, was just displeased.

His eyes flashing with anger, he impulsively reached out towards Iriya.

"Eek!? M-Master?"

He roughly brushed off Roberto's hand and boldly grabbed Iriya's waist, pulling her to himself.

Iriya was startled and couldn't help but be flustered after being pulled to Eun-ha's side.

"..."

Roberto and the people present were the same.

Their eyes widened.

Nevertheless, Eun-ha, not minding, spoke to Roberto as if threatening.

"There's no need for you to follow unnecessarily. Since Iriya is our clan member, we'll take good care of her. Besides, Player Roberto shouldn't be able to enter in the first place, right?"

"No. You don't need to worry. I anticipated this and got permission from Big Mama in advance. There's no problem with my entry."

Roberto, who had been quietly looking at Eun-ha, responded with a bright smile.

Eun-ha's face hardened even more.

The two faced off, engaging in a silent staring contest.

"Oh my, why are you both acting like this."

"..."

Iriya, caught in the middle, had no choice but to mediate.

However, in the end, she took Eun-ha's side.

"...I'm sorry, Roberto. I think I was short-sighted. Since others might feel uncomfortable, I'll enter the vault with just my clan members. I'm really sorry, and thank you for escorting me this far."

Iriya, gently bowing her head, tucked her fallen hair behind her ear and apologized sheepishly to Roberto.

Eun-ha, with Iriya backing him, felt unnecessarily proud.

"You heard her? If you understand, you can go back now."

"Master, why have you been acting like this lately? Please, just be quiet for a bit, please."

Iriya quietly scolded Eun-ha.

For her, who usually revered him almost to the point of worship, this was almost unprecedented.

Meanwhile, Roberto had no choice but to nod at her refusal.

"I understand. Then I'll wait outside."

"No, there's no need for that... I don't know when I'll come out, so you can't do that."

"No matter how long it takes, I'll wait. Let's go for a meal when you're done."

"We'll be eating among ourselves. I'm sorry, Player Roberto. Thanks for coming, and goodbye."

"Ah, Master!"

He couldn't stand it anymore.

Eun-ha, abruptly interrupting the conversation, forcibly pulled Iriya away and turned his back on Roberto.

"..."

As Eun-ha looked back while climbing the stairs, his gaze met Roberto's, who remained in place staring up at them.

'Don't pester her.'

Eun-ha conveyed with his eyes.

Whether Roberto read that intention or not was none of his concern.

Soon, turning his head back, Eun-ha asked Iriya as if interrogating.

"Before, you called each other Iriya-san and Player Roberto, when did you start calling each other so casually?"

"What? Since a few days ago..."

"Why?"

"Why... We're friends, and Roberto suggested we call each other comfortably."

"What do you mean friends... Call him Player like before."

"What?"

Iriya, leaning against Eun-ha as she was held by the waist, tilted her head.

Capturing Eun-ha in her green eyes, she hesitantly moved her lips.

"Master, it might be my imagination, but are you perhaps jeal..."

"Jeal what?"

"...It's nothing."

Finally unable to speak, Iriya shook her head.

Then, to dispel the awkwardness, she quickly changed the subject.

"More importantly, Master, I think you should let go of your arm now... Everyone is looking at us strangely..."

"Ah, sorry."

Of course, the people around were viewing Eun-ha and Iriya, who were walking closely like lovers, suspiciously.

Eun-ha, belatedly noticing their gazes after entering the Pantheon, immediately released his arm from Iriya's waist.

Meanwhile, Iriya was blushing as if embarrassed.

"T-Then... I'll be going now."

"Okay, I hope you get a good treasure."

"You too, Master."

As they had to enter different vaults, the two had to part ways midway.

At this time, Iriya, having greeted Eun-ha, quickly retreated as if escaping.

Eun-ha, watching her leave to join Jin Seo-na's group, soon muttered as if sighing.

"What am I doing now..."

Eun-ha, who had arbitrarily interfered with Iriya as if she were his woman, felt pathetic about himself.

It was petty.

"Sigh... She said nothing happened... What is she, what is she really trying to do..."

Meanwhile, Jin Seo-na was quick-witted.

Before getting on the elevator, Jin Seo-na glanced at Eun-ha and sighed deeply.

Her tongue clicked involuntarily out of frustration.

And she worried.

"How should I tell Ha-yang? I was supposed to keep a close eye on Eun-ha to make sure he doesn't stray... Sigh... I'm going to get scolded by Ha-yang too."

* * *

"I'll be keeping all the devices you have. Thank you for your cooperation for the security of the vault."

"Yes, here you go."

According to the agreement between Korea and Italy, Eun-ha was to receive two Italian national treasures.

Having already secured one piece earlier, Eun-ha stood in front of the highest-grade vault to receive the remaining one.

"Then please take your time looking around. I hope you have a good time."

"Thank you."

The door of the highest-grade vault opened.

Eun-ha, sent off by the highest administrator, went inside.

The moment he fully stepped into the vault, he found himself in a mist.

'Yu-seong earnestly told me to wish for it. Let's go.'

The treasure he wanted to find was already decided.

Eun-ha, yearning for that treasure, blindly advanced through the mist.

Then, without fail, the treasures being kept in the vault appeared before his eyes.

"It's you guys again."

The treasures followed Eun-ha, playing coy as if asking to be taken.

Nevertheless, Eun-ha continued walking without being tempted.

"I'm sorry, but I hope you find better owners than me."

Eun-ha casually dismissed the treasures.

Then, even the treasures that had been enthusiastically flattering gradually fell away.

Before he knew it, Eun-ha was walking alone in the mist.

'I hope it appears soon...'

He didn't know how much time had passed.

No more treasures appeared.

Still, Eun-ha continued blindly through the mist without stopping.

'According to what Yu-seong told me... This one is as picky as the Wisdom of Metis.'

It was then.

Whoosh!

"..."

Suddenly, a golden light burst forth from ahead.

Sensing it was the treasure he was looking for, Eun-ha immediately quickened his pace.

He pushes through the mist.

At some point, Eun-ha could see that the surrounding mist was being pushed back by the golden light.

And soon after.

"...I found it."

Eun-ha could face the treasure.

The treasure, flashing golden light, a scepter, sent a thought with a dignified male voice.

I am the adversary of the father.

The rebel who overthrew his own father.

The one who ended the previous myth and began the next.

The god above gods, the supreme deity of Olympus.

God of the sky and lightning, and god of kingship.

My name is...

I know without you telling me.

Eun-ha, who had caught the thought midway, grasped the scepter.

And he spoke the name of the divine figure residing in the scepter.

"Jupiter."

Jupiter of Roman mythology.

In Greek mythology, this god was also called Zeus.

* * *

"Good."

Its registered name as an Italian national treasure was the Scepter of Genoa.

Its formal name was the Scepter of Jupiter.

Eun-ha, having obtained the treasure he was looking for, raised the corners of his mouth.

"Shall we head back now."

Eun-ha decided to leave the vault and moved his feet.

Then suddenly, a lingering attachment arose.

'Come to think of it... The Aegis didn't even appear this time.'

The Aegis, which had given him the strongest attraction next to the Wisdom of Metis last time.

Eun-ha couldn't help but feel regret at not seeing the Aegis.

'Did it get upset because I kept rejecting it...'

It can't be helped.

Even if he were to see the Aegis, he wouldn't be able to take it as he had to secure the Scepter of Jupiter.

In that case, it might be better to leave the vault without seeing it.

It was when Eun-ha was resigning himself to this thought.

Woong!

"...Huh?"

As if responding to Eun-ha's wish, the Aegis appeared ahead.

The Aegis flashed blue light, making a vibrating sound as if calling Eun-ha.

Eun-ha approached the Aegis quickly without any hesitation.

"...It's been a while."

Woong!

The Aegis responded.

Feeling the same attraction as before, Eun-ha couldn't help but smile.

On the other hand, he had to apologize.

"I'm really sorry. It seems I won't be able to take you this time either."

...

The Aegis stopped vibrating.

Eun-ha felt bad, thinking it was disappointed.

Just then.

'Huh?'

Behind the Aegis, a mirror revealed itself from within the mist.

Eun-ha couldn't help but be perplexed by the sudden appearance of the mirror.

Meanwhile, the Aegis turned to face the mirror.

The Aegis was reflected in the mirror.

Right after, the mirror's surface emitted light and...

"Huh?"

Eun-ha had to doubt his eyes.

A blue shield resembling the Aegis rolled out from inside the mirror.

'What's this...'

There were now two Aegises.

However, Eun-ha soon sensed that while the two shields looked the same externally, the energy they contained was different.

Then he wondered.

'Why did it copy itself?'

It was then that the original Aegis reduced itself, changing to the size of two finger joints.

Then, facing the mirror, it emitted light.

Whoosh!

The blue light is reflected in the mirror.

The Aegis, hit by its own light, instantly turned to stone.

"..."

Eun-ha blinked blankly, unable to understand the situation.

Meanwhile, the Aegis rolled over and lightly tapped Eun-ha's toes.

As if asking to be taken...

No, it was certainly not a misunderstanding.

Because then a thought was heard.

Pick me up.

"...Huh?"

Put me in.

"...?"

Hide me.

"..."

It's alright, take me.

It was a woman's voice, dignified and strong, yet imbued with wisdom and kindness.

"...Is this really okay?"

Eun-ha decided to take it for now.

He put it in his bosom and hid it securely.