Episode 212. Confidence (2)

There are many information guilds in the world, but if you were to ask which one is the best, a hundred out of a hundred would answer, ‘[Iris Guild]’ in France.

Not to mention information guilds run by individuals or families, even those operated by the government are no different.

Other information guilds call Iris Guild ‘An insurmountable wall.’

There are several reasons why Iris Guild rose to the top among information guilds.

The depth of accumulated information and trustworthiness built up over a long period of maintaining the guild.

Their unwavering resilience, which has never collapsed for decades, despite proclaiming themselves as an information guild.

The ability to resolve even the most difficult requests, provided the cost is right.

However, if you were to ask what the single biggest reason contributing to making Iris Guild the best among them, everyone would say in unison.

It’s because of the Guild Master, ‘Isaac’.

The man who single-handedly earned the moniker ‘Emperor of the Night’ and ruled the world’s nights.

Emperor of the Night, Isaac.

He is the Guild Master of Iris Guild and Alice’s father.

During the time Alice was collapsed after receiving a massage from Lee Hoyeon.

In the Guild Master’s office of the French Iris Guild, a man entered, running his hand through his hair.

“Where did that crazy horse bastard run off to?”

Tsk.

Isaac naturally put a cigar in his mouth and exhaled smoke.

He had been continuously tracking the Centaur that appeared in France, but it always disappeared right before he could catch it.

Putting the honor of Iris Guild on the line, he had formed a tracking team led by himself, yet the results were this disastrous; he couldn’t possibly let it slide.

If it were up to him, he wanted to track it for several more days, but he couldn’t just leave the guild unattended.

Because there were accumulated messages.

Due to Isaac’s trait of growing stronger at night, he sleeps during the day and works at night, but in the dark night, even a moment’s carelessness can mean life or death.

Therefore, Isaac ignores all contact that comes during business hours.

Because he is someone who focuses intently on his work, he maintains the top position.

Of course, there are exceptions.

In situations where his daughter and wife’s safety is at risk, he sets everything else aside and rushes to their side.

That’s why Isaac, despite being a womanizer, can maintain his family.

Puff, puff.

Isaac exhaled smoke and checked the documents piled on his desk.

Most tasks are handled by his subordinates, but because there are tasks that require his direct attention like this, he has to stop by the guild once every few days.

“Still in the black… Tsk. It’s decreased damnably.”

After being away for a few days, Isaac sighed as he looked through the mountain of piled-up documents, one by one.

Because of the Centaur that appeared in France, the entire guild’s atmosphere had worsened.

“I thought luck was on our side this year… but then this damn monster showed up.”

Why, of all things, would such an intelligent boss monster appear in France?

Moreover, the creature emitted a dark magic similar to that of a demon, yet slightly more sinister.

According to the researchers, it’s a type of monster that has never appeared before, and they believe its absurd elusiveness is due to that strange magic.

Leaning back in his chair, Isaac flipped through the documents one by one and casually scribbled his signature.

He was tired, and besides, he figured the guys below would have managed it well anyway.

His wife, the most important reason he lived, was the Vice Guild Master and a capable woman.

“Ah, here it is.”

The second reason Isaac lived.

It was his daughter, Alice.

Since the academies in France aren’t very high-level… she’s currently studying abroad at Victoria Academy, the world’s highest-level one.

Despite having a congenital magic disorder, she’s considered a promising talent among her peers.

Seeing her do her best even in difficult circumstances makes his love for his daughter well up uncontrollably.

Of course, she’s going through puberty these days, so it’s a bit tough… but it’ll get better soon.

Anyway, Isaac, worried about his daughter far away, receives weekly reports about Alice.

‘Right before going on a mission, the report clearly stated she was looking for a cure with the Saintess, Baek Ahyoung. And that she stopped doing mana massages.’

Mana massage.

Isaac usually doesn’t believe in such things, but when it comes to Alice’s treatment, if there’s even a sliver of hope, he’s willing to invest any amount.

Because she’s his daughter, Alice.

“The cost spent on the masseuse… Hmm. That’s understandable.”

The recruitment cost itself wasn’t that high.

However, the condition of maintaining Alice’s secret incurred a significant cost.

Even after spending quite a large sum, there was no result… but it’s okay.

Because she’s his daughter, Alice.

“Hmm, second place in the exam… and hiring a new mana masseuse… His name is Lee Hoyeon?”

Lee Hoyeon.

It’s a name I’ve heard somewhere before…

“This guy, he’s the one who took the request voucher.”

A request voucher, which allows direct requests to the Guild Master.

It’s an item that cannot be obtained, even with money.

Giving in to Alice’s rare display of affection, he impulsively gave it away-that’s the guy who took that request voucher.

Of course, up to that point, it’s fine.

Because she’s his daughter, Alice.

If he were a really good friend, he could do that much.

Besides, fortunately, he didn’t have to come himself; it could be resolved by the Korean branch manager.

However, the problem lies elsewhere.

“This guy’s a man.”

Hiring a male masseuse…?

Sebastian had clearly said that Alice only wanted female masseuses.

The documents stated that Alice herself felt the effects.

“… Isn’t this a scam?”

Isaac searched for Lee Hoyeon’s picture on his smartwatch.

Appearing were several articles and interviews.

As he played one of them, Isaac’s expression gradually hardened.

From that young punk… he sensed a strong scent of kinship.

A sly personality and smooth talk.

During conversation, the corners of his mouth naturally curling up.

A womanizer’s signature charming eye smile that captivates the opposite sex.

Lastly, a damnably handsome face.

Moreover, his abilities are incredibly outstanding.

He’s regarded as the future of wizards worldwide, apparently.

It was like… seeing his younger self.

Isaac’s instincts were telling him.

That guy isn’t ordinary.

He’s not the man who will make your daughter happy.

“Maybe I should take a short vacation.”

It was time to give the tracking team chasing the Centaur a break.

A few days off should be fine.

Isaac immediately put down the documents regarding Alice and left the Guild Master’s office.

In a room near the Guild Master’s office, a blonde beauty was working.

Isaac naturally approached the beauty.

“Honey? I have somewhere to go for a bit.”

“You’re not going to meet another woman, are you?”

“How could you? I only have eyes for you. I’m going to see Alice.”

“Hmm. You wouldn’t sell out Alice too… Alright. Mwah.”

Isaac immediately began preparations to leave for Korea.

And thanks to that hasty decision, he failed to read the sentence written on the back of the paper.

---

P.S. If the Guild Master happens to visit in person, I suspect Miss Alice will be quite upset. Please leave the work here to me and focus on guild matters.

• Sincerely, Sebastian –

---

*

“Aah…”

The sunlight, piercing through the inside of my eyelids, woke me from my sleep.

When I opened my eyes, the blackout curtains, installed to block the morning sun, were wide open.

“… Looks like I slept with them open yesterday.”

I didn’t open them, but there’s a possibility Liliana slept with them open.

Since it’s the weekend, it’s nice not having to go to the academy.

When I was hospitalized, there was no distinction between weekdays and weekends, but after just one day back at the academy, I’m happy about the weekend-people are truly strange.

“Mmmph…”

Liliana, trying to avoid the sunlight, was fast asleep with her face buried in my chest.

She was so depressed yesterday, yet she’s sleeping soundly again.

Of course, this is better than her being depressed.

I pinched the chest of Liliana lying next to me once, pulled the covers up, and got out of bed.

The time was 6 AM.

Since it was this early, probably no one else was awake…

Oh, wait.

The clinking sound could be heard from the kitchen.

Among those living in the dormitory, only two people go into the kitchen.

But Scarlet isn’t here, so that leaves one.

I, still in my pajamas, went into the kitchen and greeted them.

“Good morning.”

“You’re awake. You were sleeping soundly with Miss Liliana,” she said.

“… Ahem.”

I felt unnecessarily embarrassed and gave an awkward laugh, but Nam Daeun, seemingly unbothered, moved her hands busily.

Getting closer, I saw she was making simple dishes like kimbap and rolled omelets.

Cute octopus sausages and character fish cakes were a bonus.

“What are you making?”

“Today, Dahee and I planned to hang out.”

“Oh… I’m jealous. Take me too.”

I didn’t have anything planned for today, so I was wondering what to do-this works out perfectly.

“No. Today is our time, just the two of us.”

Seriously, this pair of sisters spends time alone together every day; how much more time do they need?

Still, seeing Nam Daeun happily smiling while making kimbap made me feel good.

I, wanting to tease her, placed my hand on Nam Daeun’s chest and started playing with it.

“Feed me those sausages.”

“I bought those sausages, the same amount for Dahee and myself… Can’t you eat the rolled omelet instead?”

Nam Daeun looked at me with a slightly troubled expression.

Seeing that expression just makes me want to tease her more.

I, moving my hand more vigorously on her chest, continued speaking.

“We’re dating, remember? You said it yourself, and now you’re acting like this?”

The day I finished avenging Park Min-gyu.

Nam Daeun said it when I was having a meal with Dahee.

Mentioning that, just as I expected, Nam Daeun’s face slowly started to turn red.

“… Eat all of mine.”

“I’m kidding. How could I possibly take yours?”

“That’s mean.”

“Heh, come to think of it, where’s Dahee?”

“She’ll wake up soon. We were supposed to wake up together… but since you and Miss Liliana were sleeping naked, I couldn’t wake her.”

“… Sorry.”

If you suddenly say that, what am I supposed to do?

Feeling sorry towards Nam Daeun, I slightly released the hand that was on her chest.

“By any chance, was it you who opened those blackout curtains?”

“Yeah. I couldn’t shake you awake.”

“… Oh.”

To think she wouldn’t touch her sleeping boyfriend’s body-is there such a virtuous wife in the world?

Moved, I tried to hug Nam Daeun, but creak-the sound of the door opening was heard.

I quickly removed my hand from Nam Daeun’s body.

“Unnie… why didn’t you wake me.”

“Sorry, Dahee. You’re awake?”

Nam Daeun gently pushed me away and ran to Nam Dahee.

Tch.

It feels like I’m the only one who ended up looking like trash.

I lounged on the living room sofa and checked my smartwatch.

“Lucy and Lumi… I should ask what they’re up to. Ahyoung-ssi will probably be busy. Ah, I also need to have a meal with Surin noona.”

I sent messages to Lucy and Lumi, and also sent a message to Surin noona asking what she was doing.

Ting-

“Oh. That was fast.”

As soon as I sent the message, a reply arrived.

• Surin noona : I didn’t have any plans today, so I was planning to rest. Do you want to hang out with me?

• Me : Yes. To celebrate my discharge, how about lunch?

• Surin noona : I’d love to.

The early bird catches the worm.

Today, I must meet my Surin noona.