The underground river flowed quietly, yet the city around them was gradually coming to life. With no distinction between day and night in this subterranean world, people from all time zones moved about freely. Some were only just waking up to start their day.

Sitting on a bench along the riverbank, Ashe listened to Lys' confession and summarized thoughtfully, "So… you're a princess who escaped from the palace, you're trying to save your sister locked in the tower, and your wish is to abolish the Unattached Ranking?"

"Mhm!" Lys nodded vigorously. "My sister doesn't want to become the Gospel's First either! As long as you take me to see her, let me touch her, and we leave the tower together, she absolutely won't become the Gospel's First. You won't need to assassinate her at all!"

"Hmm," Ashe stared intently at her. "So you're actually a princess…"

"What's wrong? Don't I look like one?"

"It's nothing. I was just thinking… being called Daddy by a real princess gives me a strange sense of accomplishment. Want to say it again for me?"

The white-haired...