Episode 483. Deduction

“Ah, I’ll be going then.”

“It’s okay if you just stay.”

“No, no. Talk comfortably.”

Chongchong.

Lee Hoyeon, receiving Irene’s consideration, looked straight ahead.

A screen like a holographic monitor floated up from a blue sphere of magic.

Chiron and Albedo, visible beyond the screen, stood side-by-side.

“Where should I start?”

First, I should talk about meeting Lucifer.

Lee Hoyeon recounted the story of meeting Lucifer as concisely as possible.

No need to ask about Lucifer’s abilities or characteristics. He already knew most of them.

The important thing was the word ‘restriction’ that Lucifer had mentioned.

“So… what I want to ask is, what is this restriction?”

• A restriction, you say.

“Yeah. Restriction.”

• An act that prevents something from being done. That is called a restriction.

Chiron nodded and spoke.

Having lived in the human world for a long time, he knew difficult words too.

“Hey, Chiron. That’s not what I’m asking. Do you think I don’t know the meaning of ‘restriction’? When you said ‘restriction’ in the Underworld, doesn’t anything specific come to mind?”

It was obvious that there was something about Liliana.

It was easy to guess that ‘something’ was a restriction.

The fact that Lucifer mentioned the word ‘restriction’ meant that the word was used in the Underworld.

That’s why he sought out Chiron and Albedo.

While Liliana, with her amnesia, might not know, Chiron and Albedo might know something.

If they could find clues one by one, perhaps Liliana’s memories could be recovered.

• Restriction… I’m not sure. I’ve been around the mercenary world for quite a long time, but I’ve never heard such a word.

“You’re no help.”

• Hmm. But if I don’t know it, I don’t think it’s a word used in the Underworld. There aren’t many things that escape the notice of a Wild Gladiator in the Underworld.

…I thought that was a decent deduction, but maybe not.

Lee Hoyeon swallowed a sigh of disappointment.

In that case, there’s no need to focus on the word ‘restriction’.

• Restriction… I know something.

“What? Albedo. Tell me more.”

Just as he was about to give up in disappointment, Albedo, who had been listening quietly, spoke.

• It’s a secret art passed down among Incubi and Succubi. A magic that erases the emotions or memories of a rational being, with consent.

• Strange Nightmare. Did Incubi have such a secret art too?

• Yes. It’s a technique secretly passed down to Incubi and Succubi. It’s questionable that Lucifer knows this technique… but since he was the winner of the Demon King competition, it’s not strange that he knows it.

“What is this ‘Demon King competition’ you speak of? Isn’t it just whoever is the strongest becomes the Demon King? You said the Underworld prioritizes strength above all else.”

It was always a question whenever he heard about the Underworld.

Shouldn’t it be as simple as the successors fighting and the winner becoming the Demon King?

He wondered why they formed factions and competed.

• It’s because to be recognized by the Demon King’s Castle, one must be the strongest demon and have their own faction.

“The Demon King’s Castle?”

• Yes. The moment one becomes the Demon King, the magic of the Demon King’s Castle imbues their body. An overwhelming power and dignity that creatures of the Underworld cannot resist. And vast amounts of information. Those are the privileges of the Demon King.

“Then doesn’t the Demon King become overwhelmingly strong the moment they ascend? The already strong become the Demon King, and then they receive the magic of the Demon King’s Castle on top of that?”

• What problem could that be? The Underworld has been maintained this way for a long time. Without strong rule, the instincts of demons and demonic beasts cannot be suppressed.

“Still, hmm…”

Lee Hoyeon stopped pondering.

Come to think of it, there wasn’t really a problem.

This isn’t a game, and even if the ruler of the Underworld is strong, it’s none of his business.

“Right. Well, setting that aside, are the restrictions Lucifer mentioned and the ones Albedo knows the same thing?”

• Strange Nightmare. Do you know anything else?

• …Chiron might not have known since he was in seclusion, but there were strange rumors circulating among the upper echelons of the Underworld.

“Strange rumors?”

• A mutant with magic that defied the Demon King’s authority appeared… For the sake of the Underworld’s order, the irregular must be eliminated quickly. Those were the rumors.

The authority of the Demon King’s Castle, which maintains the order of the Underworld, is absolute.

It wouldn’t be a problem if it were a low-intelligence demonic beast, but if it were intelligent and possessed power, it could be an issue.

Hearing Albedo’s words, Lee Hoyeon frowned.

“Are you saying that’s Liliana?”

• I don’t know for sure. However, it’s certain that Liliana-nim disappeared shortly after those rumors surfaced.

The rumors that spread through the Underworld’s social circles.

They disappeared quickly, so he thought they were just gossip, but if Lucifer said it, it could be sufficient evidence.

Albedo nodded and continued.

• At the time, it wasn’t a major rumor, and since no connection to Liliana-nim could be found, it was overlooked. But if Lucifer said so, there’s room for suspicion.

• Ho. Is that so? Indeed, there are many questions surrounding Killer Queen. It was strange that she was so strong for a Succubus, and it was suspicious that such a powerful woman was living in the human world with amnesia.

At Chiron and Albedo’s words, Lee Hoyeon tilted his head.

It seemed to make sense, yet something felt off.

“…Something doesn’t sit right. Isn’t this a problem that would be solved if Liliana became the Demon King?”

• I don’t know the exact circumstances either. It wasn’t a big rumor, just one of those urban legends that vanished instantly.

Kuk-kkub.

Lee Hoyeon rubbed his hands together, letting out an uncomfortable groan as he looked at Albedo bowing his head.

He knew the Underworld folks were strange, but he still couldn’t understand.

“For now, it’s almost certain Liliana is under a restriction. Albedo, can’t you do something? You’re supposed to be the best among Incubi, right?”

• If it were a restriction within my level, I could have broken it. But when I met Liliana-nim, I felt nothing. The fact that I couldn’t sense anything means the caster’s power is far greater than mine.

“Then who cast the restriction? You said only Succubi or Incubi can cast it. If it can only be used on a rational being, isn’t it an Incubus?”

• There are no Incubi superior to me in the Underworld. However, there are Succubi. The Succubus Queen, the Demon King’s consort. While her combat power is lacking, she possesses overwhelming abilities in the realms of seduction and magic.

“…The Succubus Queen is Liliana’s mother.”

• Yes. I don’t understand it either… but if Liliana-nim was placed under a restriction, that’s the only possibility. The Succubus Queen would likely disregard the constraint of having to target a rational being.

Lee Hoyeon frowned.

The more he heard, the more frustrated he became.

If he got the chance, he decided he had to destroy the Underworld, no matter what it took.

Useless bunch, not helpful in life.

Still, something positive was that he had gotten a little closer to Liliana’s memories.

If he could just meet the Succubus Queen, he figured he could handle it somehow.

Of course, he didn’t know where the Succubus Queen was.

“Right. Hmm… From now on, I’ll think about it. Is there anything else you know?”

• If I were still in the Underworld, I would have searched for more information, but…

• I’ve never heard of this ‘restriction’ before. I’m sorry, human. I can give you information about Lucifer, though.

“Information about Lucifer is fine. …Actually, just in case, write it down and send it to me. I’ll handle the restriction part myself.”

There was plenty of information in the original work, but he decided to take it just in case.

• Understood. Farewell, human. Please send my regards to my dear friend, the girl Alice.

• Yes….

“Alright. I’m watching, so don’t cause trouble and behave yourselves.”

Lee Hoyeon bid farewell to Chiron and Albedo and ended the connection.

Albedo seemed to be doing well, which was fortunate, considering he had felt personal guilt.

Kkiik.

“Is it all done?”

“Yes. I’m sorry it took so long.”

“No, no. This is fine. Would you like to stay for a cup of tea?”

Lee Hoyeon smiled as he looked at Irene, who had entered after opening the door.

“I’m still a patient, you see. I think I need some rest.”

“Ah… right. You seemed perfectly fine, so I forgot. How on earth are you getting around?”

“Exactly. My body isn’t back to normal yet, so I need rest.”

“Okay. Alice should be here soon too…”

“I’ll definitely come next time. I’m just really tired.”

He was tired, and he had a lot to think about.

Lee Hoyeon left Alice’s house, leaving a disappointed Irene behind.

As he returned home, he sensed several presences. The women who had gone out must have returned.

As expected, Liliana walked up to him the moment he entered the entrance hall.

“Ehhng. I came because you were discharged, but where did you go?”

“I had something to take care of. What about you?”

“I went grocery shopping with Rebecca and Scout.”

“You need to be careful. What if something dangerous happens while you’re wandering around? You met Lucifer just the other day.”

“Hmm… That’s true, but. I have to eat.”

“Just order delivery for a while.”

Rebecca and Scarlet probably moved to cheer Liliana up, but safety was more important.

“Ung…”

“I’m worried about you. If you want home-cooked meals, I’ll buy them for you.”

Lee Hoyeon glanced at Liliana, licking his lips.

To think such immense power was sealed within her. He couldn’t believe it no matter how he looked.

Liliana blinked, catching Lee Hoyeon’s gaze. Lee Hoyeon chuckled and pulled Liliana into a hug.

“Sigh. Come here.”

“Ung?”

Lee Hoyeon stroked Liliana’s back.

The soft skin, characteristic of a Succubus, felt pleasant.

“What? Are you trying to get your hands on my body right after you’ve recovered?”

“That’s for nighttime.”

The fortunate thing was that Liliana seemed to be in good condition.

When he first saw Chiron, he was in a complete state of panic.

★ Heroine Status Window

[Liliana]

• [ Affection : 99 ] (+ 3.8)

• [ Lust : 90 ]

• [ Appetite : 50 ]

• [ Fatigue : 40 ]

Current Status: She’ll be fine as long as Lee Hoyeon is here.

Although she was concerning in many ways, in the end, Liliana was just Liliana to Lee Hoyeon.

“Just trust me, Liliana.”

“Yeah. Of course.”

Lee Hoyeon had a hunch that he might uncover information about Liliana’s situation while dealing with the Demon King.

*

“Hmm…”

Lee Hoyeon lay on the bed, reaching his hand towards the ceiling.

For the sake of managing his condition, he’d have to take a break from the Academy for a while.

Since they had witnessed such a sparring match, the Academy would surely grant him leave.

‘It seems like all the immediate tasks are finished.’

According to Baek Ahyoung, Im Sol was in a more serious condition than him.

He needed to give her time to recover to receive the reward.

He wasn’t a pervert who would demand things from a patient.

“Right. I should let them know I’m discharged.”

Bbiik. Bbiik. Bbiik.

Lee Hoyeon sent messages while lying in bed.

Alice, Moon Surin, and the Lucy-Lumi sisters.

The quickest reply came from Moon Surin.

• Surin noona: Sorry I couldn’t visit sooner. I was handling some aftermath.

• Me: It’s okay. Speaking of which, where did you go this afternoon?

• Surin noona: Ah. Someone came to see me briefly, and we had an important talk.

‘Who did she meet after parting ways with me?’

During the afternoon sparring session, there was a period when Surin noona was absent.

Could it be student council work?

It wasn’t particularly important, so Lee Hoyeon quickly dismissed it from his mind.

Ttirring-

Just then, another message arrived.

• Lucy: Hoyeon. Can you meet me now?!

• Lumi: Hoyeon-ssi, perhaps… could we meet?

“…What?”

Seeing the messages arrive simultaneously as if by appointment, Lee Hoyeon blinked.