episode_0706

Lee Hoyeon and the core members of the Iris Guild (Ellis, Irene, Isaac) delved into deep discussions to prepare for potential terrorist threats.

Initially, there weren’t many changes from their original plan.

“In the end, it all falls on me.”

There was no complaint.

The harder he worked, the stronger the bond between the wizard Lee Hoyeon and the Iris Guild would be showcased.

While understanding in various aspects, it was undeniably bothersome.

“Guild Master, I have a question.”

Lee Hoyeon roughly organized the stack of documents before speaking up.

“What is it?”

“EK Guild is renowned worldwide, right? Moreover, with other guilds and terrorists joining forces, their combined strength seems formidable… If I hadn’t helped, would the terrorist attack have succeeded?”

Even though it was the Iris Guild, the adversaries’ power was not to be underestimated.

Especially EK Guild, the leading force, possessed considerable strength even when cornered.

Isaac, who blinked momentarily at Lee Hoyeon’s question, firmly shook his head.

“Now that we’ve thoroughly analyzed the terrorist threat… Even if they are strong, the likelihood of Iris Guild alone being able to prevent it is high. There might be some casualties, but the terrorists won’t be able to take over the party leader.”

“True. But it doesn’t seem like the opponents are unaware… Why would they persist with the terrorist attack?”

Simply labeling them as foolish was an insufficient explanation.

Even in the opposing guild, there were likely talented individuals; however, Lee Hoyeon couldn’t comprehend why they would push forward with terrorism in such a disadvantageous situation.

“They are cowards.”

“Cowards?”

“Those who allied with EK Guild mostly didn’t participate in battles against the Demon King. They are individuals who cowered and backed off during the battle crucial for humanity’s survival.”

“…They were truly despicable.”

Lee Hoyeon furrowed his brows.

He still vividly remembered the faces of the hunters who participated in the final battle.

Those who enjoyed privileges without participating in the intense battle wouldn’t escape his attention.

“Guilds that refrained from battle lost trust in exchange for their safety. It’s only natural. They didn’t understand the foundation of the rights they enjoyed.”

Isaac found their movements somewhat laughable.

As time passed, memories of the battle against the Demon King would fade, and seeing EK Guild rampage afterward would surely provoke anger.

“Isn’t it strange for cowards to suddenly lead a terrorist act?”

“If a frightened dog feels its territory is invaded, it will bark first. It’s the last resort of a defeated dog.”

“…It seems killing them off is the best option.”

The more one listened, the more these irredeemable beings seemed beyond salvation.

“If you were fighting at the forefront that day, it’s natural to feel angry. However… that’s why you can’t just kill them easily. They must pay for their sins.”

Isaac chuckled softly, ending his words.

Their every flaw needed to be exposed, ensuring they never showed their faces again.

This terrorist incident would mark the beginning of that process.

“Well, they are trash that can’t be easily disposed of.”

Lee Hoyeon scanned through the list of crimes committed by those lurking in the corner of the table.

Even if they weren’t major criminals, they must have engaged in some wrongdoing, considering they didn’t participate in the final battle.

“No one is entirely innocent, but these guys are truly something else.”

“Are you saying that to the Iris Guild?”

“Why would I? I’m saying it to myself.”

Lee Hoyeon shrugged, placing the documents back on the table.

To grow Iris Guild to this extent, they couldn’t have lived entirely virtuous lives.

“Magician Lee Hoyeon, your emotions are quite transparent. Iris Guild is a better place than you think. You can’t become a father who brings shame to his two daughters.”

Lee Hoyeon offered a faint smile while looking at Isaac.

Occasionally, this man seemed to understand why women were drawn to him.

“Understood. I will cooperate with the Iris Guild as much as possible…”

At that moment, Isaac’s earlier words came to mind.

He had mentioned the need for appropriate titles according to each other’s positions.

“I will cooperate. …Master.”

“…?”

Cough-

Alice, who was quietly sipping her tea, turned her head at Ho-yeon’s words.

Irene, who had been engrossed in their conversation, averted her eyes as if embarrassed.

Sip-

And as he observed the actions of his two daughters, veins bulged on Isaac’s forehead.

‘Who does this bastard think he is…’

Who gave them the right to call me “Master”?

While Isaac understood Ho-yeon and his daughter’s relationship, hearing the actual term “Master” made his blood boil in reverse.

“…But even if Ho-yeon is a powerful magician, we can’t entrust such an important matter without any verification.”

Isaac instinctively spat out aggressive words.

Unnoticed, his favorite dagger lay on the table.

He only thought about protecting his daughter as a father.

“Dad? What are you talking about?”

“Father. Ho-yeon came here for our sake, didn’t she?”

“While I know Ho-yeon is a strong magician… shouldn’t we consider the pros and cons? Magician Ho-yeon. What do you think?”

“…How could I challenge the guild leader?”

Avoiding eye contact, Ho-yeon shifted uncomfortably under Isaac’s gaze.

Did I complain for no reason? The atmosphere seemed good, so I casually mentioned it…

“I don’t ask for much. It should be fine to lend a hand for a brief moment, right?”

Of course, he knew.

Even if they were to fight at night, Isaac couldn’t defeat Ho-yeon.

However… if luck was on his side, he might land a blow on the thief who took his daughter.

“Dad, stop. Don’t get involved.”

“Father, you said not to engage in fights with no chance of winning.”

Nevertheless, Alice and Irene’s firm words struck a chord with Isaac.

He looked at his two daughters with a lost expression.

“Daughters, how could you say such things to your father…”

“It’s because we care for you. We don’t want to see you make mistakes with Ho-yeon.”

“Father, even considering the authority of the guild leader…”

Alice and Irene shook their heads earnestly.

They genuinely worried about Isaac.

The more they cared, the more despondent Isaac’s expression became.

‘The people of the Iris Guild all seem strange.’

Ho-yeon chuckled while watching the three banter.

*

“Finally, the nuisance is gone. Now we can talk properly. Haa… suddenly feeling strange.”

Alice sighed as she tidied up the scattered documents on the table.

Inside the office, only Alice, Irene, and Ho-yeon remained.

‘Isn’t calling someone a nuisance a bit harsh, especially when it’s their biological father?’

Recalling the scene from earlier, Ho-yeon observed Alice’s reaction.

After finishing official matters, Ho-yeon planned to spend time catching up with Alice, Irene, after a long time.

– Let’s relax now that we’ve met after a long time. Magician Ho-yeon.

However, Isaac stayed until the end.

Despite whatever Alice and Irene said, he refused to leave and was eventually taken away by the assistant guild leader who appeared from somewhere.

– Ohoho. Take good care of the girls. Magician Ho-yeon. Darling, come here.

– Wait, honey. I’m the guild leader. You should talk to me, not Ho-yeon! Ugh…

Isaac was dragged out into the night, making his title of Night Emperor seem pale.

His departure resembled Scarlet being taken away by the Iris Guild members.

Certainly, today’s Iris Guild seemed peculiar in some way.

“Now… shall we have a real conversation with Magician Ho-yeon, whom we haven’t seen in a long time?”

Alice smiled as she brought the teacup to her lips.

Since Dad is gone, it’s finally time to unwind with Ho-yeon.

“Alice, it feels too formal when you address me like that. Please stop.”

“Yeah. Little sister, there’s only us here now, so feel free to call us casually, right?”

“…What’s wrong with both of you? Can’t I even joke around?”

Alice blinked at them, looking back and forth.

No, I saw Irene.

Although Lee Hoyeon was originally a frustrating guy, it was strange to see Irene react like that.

“Unni. Whose side are you on? You shouldn’t be like that.”

“Whose side is there….”

Avoiding Ellis’s gaze, Irene was secretly flustered.

It was because she had just sided with Lee Hoyeon’s words, not Ellis.

‘What have I done to Ellis, who doesn’t even hurt my eyes….’

Even if she committed murder in front of her own eyes, Irene would still take Ellis’s side first.

“It seems like you’ve lost your mind…. Ugh, ugh.”

It’s definitely messed up because of Lee Hoyeon, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.

Irene shook her head while biting her lips.

“Unni…?”

Watching the confusing sight of the two sisters up close, Lee Hoyeon quietly sipped his tea.

Indeed, these two were from the Iris Guild. It seems they’re not normal.

“Still, it’s nice to see you after a long time. Ellis, you’ve been appearing a lot in the news lately.”

“…Yeah, that’s right. I’m going to become the guild master of the Iris Guild. I’m stepping into the position I can handle.”

As Ellis looked at Irene, she turned her head back at Lee Hoyeon’s words.

“Oh… You’re graduating from Victoria Academy, right?”

“Of course. How prestigious is graduating from Victoria Academy? Are you thinking of dropping out?”

Victoria Academy is the world’s best educational institution.

Just having a graduation certificate proves one’s elite status, so there’s no need to drop out.

“No, I’m not thinking of dropping out, but the world is making me that way.”

“…?”

Ellis hesitated for a moment and then stopped her thoughts.

Normally, you shouldn’t dwell too deeply on Lee Hoyeon’s words.

“By the way, Lee Hoyeon, do you have any plans before the party?”

“Plans?”

The party is in three days.

There are two days left.

‘I was planning to tour France with Scarlet before coming here….’

Before coming to France, Alice and Irene seemed extremely busy.

Since Scarlet seemed to have a lot to do anyway, spending some time with them for a day should be fine.

“I plan to rest in France. If there’s anything to do at the Iris Guild, I’ll do it.”

“Is that so? Good. I needed to announce the strong alliance between the Iris Guild and Lee Hoyeon the magician.”

“What’s that about?”

“You’ll find out when you come with me.”

Alice smiled, looking the happiest she had all day.