It was revealed that Cassie was a princess, but the reaction from Amon’s party was muted.
That was understandable since they were still inside the chairman’s office.
Amon and his party members struggled to mask their expressions as they looked at Cassie.
Sensing the atmosphere, the chairman quickly wrapped up the negotiation.
“This concludes our discussion. It seems like you have a lot to talk about with your friends. You’re dismissed.”
The chairman mentioned that he still had business to discuss with the executives and directly dismissed only Amon’s party.
Amon’s party quietly, yet somewhat hurriedly, exited the room.
Once outside, after closing the door to the chairman’s office, they moved a good distance away before letting out muffled screams.
***
“Hey…! You’re a noblewoman?!”
“Not just a noblewoman, but a princess!”
[I thought there was something dignified about her behavior!]
“Cassie, I’m sorry! I sincerely apologize for all the disrespectful things I’ve said and done! Please, just spare me!”
“Uh… Cassie, have I ever said anything I shouldn’t have?”
The mix of whispers and panicked exclamations was something even they experienced for the first time.
Cassie, watching their reactions, seemed visibly flustered herself.
“Huh? Huh?”
The ones who should have been shocked were Amon’s group, yet Cassie’s bewildered state oddly helped Amon regain composure first.
Amon turned to her and asked, “What’s with that reaction?”
“Well, um… Don’t you have anything else to say?”
“Like what?”
“Why didn’t you tell us sooner?”
“You never asked, so I didn’t tell you.”
“That you deceived us…”
“Deceived you how?”
“You know, like…”
Cassie hesitated, fumbling over her words before finally speaking.
“I mean, what if I said I’ve been playing mercenary and just stringing you along all this time…?”
“Eh?”
Amon’s face twisted into an expression of disbelief.
“Come on. We’ve bled together, eaten together, and slept in the same dungeons. If that’s not enough trust, then who on earth can we trust?”
The reactions from the rest of the party were the same.
None of them seemed to doubt or fear her in the slightest.
There wasn’t a hint of distrust or betrayal in their eyes—just surprise.
It was like hearing that the owner of a local shop was a graduate from a prestigious university—a level of shock that didn’t carry much weight.
Cassie cautiously asked them, “You do know my family’s company is a megacorporation, right?”
“That’s pretty common knowledge online. Of course, we know.”
“Then why are you reacting like this?”
“What, do you want us to kneel down and say, ‘Oh, my glorious princess’?”
“That’s not what I meant…”
“Then it’s fine. Let’s just go. Staying here feels stifling.”
Amon quipped, and the other party members smiled and urged her along.
It was then that Cassie realized her misunderstanding.
These party members weren’t the kind of people who’d distance themselves over a secret like this.
In fact, considering the personal histories they’d shared, they were people who wouldn’t even bat an eye at her revelation.
***
The burly tank who was dishonorably discharged for beating the chairman’s only son into a pulp when he tried to massacre civilians during the European war.
The mute sniper from Israeli intelligence who castrated a superior officer attempting to fund the war through drug trafficking before quitting.
The ogre who faked an accident to blow up his company’s lab when it attempted to test bioweapons in South America, erasing his identity afterward.
The dual-gendered mage who telekinetically plucked every hair follicle of a professor trying to experiment on minors before leaving grad school.
And Amon, whose history defied simple description.
Cassie’s face softened, realizing they weren’t people to be cowed by corporate status.
“Thanks, everyone.”
“Thanks? What’s the big deal about a megacorp? If we wanted, we could turn you into a commoner again.”
Everyone turned their gaze to Amon, who raised his hands defensively.
“Relax, I’m kidding! What, do you think I could just take down a megacorp like it’s nothing?”
The group nodded solemnly.
[You probably could.]
“I bet you’d do it while shouting ‘Amon’ if someone mocked your faith!”
“Honestly… Amon, I wouldn’t be surprised if you did,” another added.
Amon turned to Cassie with a strained expression.
“And you?”
Cassie burst into laughter. “Look at your track record.”
“Why me?!”
Amon’s quiet protests continued until the elevator arrived.
***
On their way down to the lobby, with plenty of room in the spacious elevator, the chatter resumed.
“What’s for lunch today? Cassie, any good spots nearby?”
“This is a corporate plaza. Normally, noblewomen hang out east, in the residential district,” the tank answered in his place.
But Amon pressed on. “Still, you’ve been here for things like ‘Take Your Daughter to Work Day,’ right? You’ve got to know a few spots.”
All eyes turned to Cassie.
She chuckled and nodded.
“I know a restaurant. Let’s go there.”
“It’s not fine dining, is it?”
“How could I take you guys to fine dining? Besides, those places require reservations.”
“Great! Today, we’re draining Cassie’s wallet dry.”
“Hey! I’m already low on allowance because of gear expenses.”
“Come on, princess, don’t be so stingy. How much could we possibly eat?”
“You’re one to talk, squeezing fifty dollars out of a mercenary café meal!”
“My powers use a lot of stamina!”
“Fine… Before we get there, let me at least teach you basic table manners.”
“Ooh, table manners? Cassie, you’re creating distance between us.”
“What can’t I say?!”
As Amon joked, they arrived at the lobby.
Their outfits screamed “mercenary” compared to the sea of suits, but with Cassie at the front, no one dared stop or look down on them.
[Oh, they must be with the young lady.]
[What business deal are they here for?]
Even among staff unfamiliar with Cassie’s face, no one thought to provoke them.
Any employee with social awareness knew better than to risk it under such scrutinizing gazes.
They walked unimpeded toward the exit—until a group of suited men blocked their way.
The party exchanged confused looks.
Cassie, who had been grinning moments earlier, now wore a dark expression.
Before anyone could ask why, the group parted, revealing a man stepping forward.
“It’s been a while, Cassie.”
“Owen… Brother.”
Cassie’s expression was far from welcoming.
It brimmed with disgust, anger, and fear.
Amon glanced up at the man—tall, around 190 centimeters.
Though not as towering as their tank, his raised chin as he looked down at Cassie and Amon made him insufferable.
‘And his words?’ Just as unpleasant.
“Owen, stop playing in the dirt and come back home, Cassie.”
“Shut up. Dad probably has another 80 years before retiring anyway. Besides, I’m not interested in the chairman’s position.”
“But Father has chosen you.”
“I already told you—I’m not interested.”
“You need to start training now if you ever hope to reach even a fraction of Father’s level. I’m doing this to support you.”
“Then why don’t you do it? You’re more capable than me.”
“That’s not possible, Cassie. Mother said it, and so did the prophecy. Our family follows her words—”
At that moment, an intense aura of killing intent radiated from Cassie, pressing down on everyone present.
She lowered her head, making it hard to see her expression.
Her voice, rough as though scratching her throat, broke the silence.
“Don’t… mention that woman in front of me. Don’t talk about that fraud either.”
“A fraud? That was a prophecy.”
“Owen, I warned you.”
Her hand moved toward her back, where a collapsible spear was strapped.
Owen’s bodyguards tensed, their hands reaching for their weapons.
Security guards watching from a distance crouched low, ready to intervene at any moment.
The tension in the air was thick enough to cut.
Cassie, as if issuing a final warning, muttered in a low voice.
“Stop forcing your beliefs onto others, Owen.”
“What are you talking about, Cassie?”
“If you want to preach, then become heaven itself and approach others. Dragging them to heaven and locking them in isn’t heaven by any definition.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Owen, we have a duty to spread Mother’s words to others.”
“Duty, my foot. If you’re going to spread something, make sure it’s the truth. What you and that woman believe in is a scam. Wake up.”
“Cassie—”
“And stop introducing my friends to that pathetic priest.”
“Cassie! The prophecy has always been right! It’s the real thing!”
“Prophecy, my foot! I’ve told you a hundred times—it’s your power!”
Thud!
Owen stomped his foot, cracking the floor beneath them.
The metal detectors at the entrance flared red.
The hostility between them surged to its peak, as though they were moments away from clashing.
But just then, Amon grabbed Cassie’s hand.
“Wh-What!?”
“Greetings, Brother Owen.”
Owen’s eyebrow twitched at Amon’s sudden intervention.
“Brother?”
“Ah, I must apologize for my delayed introduction. My name is Amon, a companion of Cassie. Since you’re her brother, I addressed you as ‘Brother Owen.’ Was that inappropriate?”
Owen’s gaze traveled down to Amon, scanning him from head to toe, stopping at the cross necklace around his neck.
Staring at the necklace, Owen’s demeanor shifted.
His voice turned polite, though his words dripped with condescension.
“My apologies. I assumed you were a mercenary Cassie hired, not a companion. Please forgive my earlier rudeness.”
Of course, his tone was far from kind.
While appearing to acknowledge his mistake, his words were laced with disdain for mercenaries.
Amon, however, didn’t seem to mind.
He knew that, in many cases, mercenaries’ reputations deserved such disdain.
For someone like him, who judged others by their actions, such words carried no weight.
“It’s no problem. The fault was mine for delaying my introduction.”
“Very well. By the way, are you a follower of the Goddess?”
“Yes, I attend church.”
“Ah, a rarity in this world—a devout believer.”
“I believe this world needs the Word.”
“Indeed. I, too, am a follower of the Goddess.”
Owen rolled up his sleeve, revealing a tattoo of a cross.
Cassie’s eyebrow twitched at the sight, but Amon, with an unreadable expression, regarded the tattoo.
“That’s an impressive tattoo.”
“To think someone appreciates it! Cassie has chosen excellent friends.”
“Ha ha. I also consider meeting Cassie to be the Goddess’s blessing.”
Somehow, the focus of the conversation shifted from Cassie to Amon.
The two moved slightly to the side of the entrance, settling into a lounge on the ground floor to continue their talk.
Their conversation centered on faith—how they lived their daily lives in accordance with the Word.
Throughout the discussion, Owen demonstrated a devoutness that rivaled Amon’s.
However, Cassie’s expression grew darker with each passing moment.
Then, Amon brought up a sensitive topic.
“You mentioned a prophecy earlier.”
“Ah, are you interested?”
Owen’s face lit up with excitement, in stark contrast to Cassie, who recoiled as if horrified.
She tried to stop Amon, but he placed a calming hand on her thigh, silently signaling, ‘Let me handle this.’
Owen, oblivious, launched into an impassioned account of the prophecy’s achievements.
“It started when I was fifteen.”
He had been introduced to a priest by his mother, who taught him how to receive prophecies.
Following one such prophecy, he made an investment—and hit the jackpot.
From then on, Owen relied on prophecies, achieving consistent success.
Over time, he gained recognition in the company, not as the chairman’s son, but as a financial prodigy.
Even after his mother divorced his father, having emptied company funds to donate to the church, Owen continued to attend.
Unlike his mother, he only tithed a portion of his salary, which his father reluctantly tolerated.
“What do you think? Would you like to visit that church with me?”
Owen’s eyes gleamed with an unsettling fervor, reminiscent of a cultist.
Even his bodyguards winced at his expression, while Cassie and Amon’s companions were visibly uneasy.
Yet Amon, staring directly into Owen’s eyes, remained unperturbed.
In a calm tone, he responded.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.”
“Everything we receive on this earth is the Mother’s grace. If She has blessed you, it is indeed something to be grateful for.”
“Exactly.”
At that moment, everyone thought Amon had fallen under Owen’s influence.
But then, Amon’s tone darkened.
“Unless the Mother has said otherwise, did She ever decree that Her will be spread through prophecy?”
“What?”
The room’s atmosphere shifted as Amon recited Scripture, his voice cold and sharp.
“Beware of false prophets. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Let their ashes be buried where no one treads, leaving only trees that bring benefit to the world.”
Amon’s hand moved toward an ashtray, as if preparing to strike.
“Now, tell me again. Who gave the prophecy?”
Owen stared into Amon’s eyes and finally noticed something was off.
Amon’s gaze wasn’t calm—it was the serenity of someone who had embraced madness as inner peace.
Owen stumbled to his feet, panic written all over his face.
“Ha ha! My apologies—I just remembered I have a meeting in ten minutes. I must take my leave.”
Laughing nervously, Owen hurried off, his bodyguards following behind.
One even gave Amon a discreet thumbs-up as he left.
With the room empty except for Amon’s party, Cassie let out a deep sigh and collapsed onto the sofa.
She patted Amon’s shoulder and said, “Wow, that was satisfying. Your acting was incredible. You should win an award for it.”
“Acting?”
“You know, all that Scripture reciting.”
“That wasn’t acting.”
“…Wait. Were you actually planning to hit him with the ashtray?”
Cassie mimicked swinging her arm downward.
Amon nodded.
“Why else would I grab it?”
Cassie was speechless.
Behind them, the party members whispered nervously.
“Should we start attending church this weekend?”
[What if we mess up and he calls us false prophets before hitting us?]
“He might use a sword instead of an ashtray next time.”
“At least I already have a baptismal name.”
It wasn’t until Amon assured them he wouldn’t do such a thing that they stopped searching for nearby churches on their apps.