Episode 356. Older Sister’s Sacrifice

The Iris Guild’s Team Leader 1’s office.

Irene finished her morning tasks right after arriving at work and stood in front of a large full-body mirror.

Swoosh-

Irene swept her hair back and checked her reflection in the mirror.

A figure so beautiful that anyone would call it attractive.

A body line with curves in all the right places.

Perfect facial features and a small face, too.

As a woman, even her own judgment would rate her stats as top-tier.

“….”

Recently, Irene had been feeling a strong sense of urgency.

The cause was Lee Hoyeon.

Because of that man, Alice’s condition was getting increasingly strange.

‘I have to do something.’

Before Alice is taken away by Lee Hoyeon, I have no choice but to make a drastic move.

For my own sake.

And for Alice’s sake.

Thump-

Irene leaned back into the chair and continued her deliberations.

“…Lee Hoyeon is the problem.”

I have to separate Lee Hoyeon and Alice somehow.

Specifically, Lee Hoyeon.

There might be various ways to break the two of them apart, but since I can’t harm Alice, the angle Irene needs to exploit is Lee Hoyeon.

However, she couldn’t think of any way to stop Lee Hoyeon.

“A weakness? Does he have a weakness…?”

If anything, his womanizing could be considered a weakness, but Irene, just like Alice, was born into a family with a strange atmosphere where capable men were allowed to mess around with women.

Because she, like Alice, had a twisted view of men, she didn’t think being a playboy was a major issue.

It’s because her own father was a huge womanizer, and she grew up watching her mother tolerate it with broad-mindedness.

“…But maybe there’s something to exploit regarding his lust.”

If catching him on a weakness doesn’t work, negotiation is the only option left.

She knew very well what he liked.

Namely, women.

Especially very pretty women.

“….”

In other words, she could express it as herself.

Because she still remembered that night when Lee Hoyeon desired her body.

It was a memory she couldn’t erase, especially since it was tied to the commemoration of Alice’s first night.

“Hoo….”

Shake, shake.

Irene erased the unnecessary thoughts and thought of Lee Hoyeon again.

The goal is to turn Lee Hoyeon’s attention away from Alice, and erase Alice’s interest as well.

Irene got up from the chair again.

Her reflection in the mirror was perfection itself.

She had a body that no man could resist.

“He definitely feels attracted to me.”

The night she spent with Alice last time.

She had certainly confirmed Lee Hoyeon’s lust.

He poured just as much desire onto herself as he did when he was acting horny towards Alice.

He’s probably the type who sows his seed indiscriminately with any pretty woman.

That’s why he desired even herself, with Alice right there.

‘I just need to attract his attention a little.’

Alice was just momentarily shaken by her young heart.

It probably isn’t true love.

The goal is until Alice’s interest in him wanes.

Until then, I’ll turn Lee Hoyeon’s attention to myself.

If I use my body to seduce him, I can make him fall for me instantly.

Because that’s just how men are.

Once Alice loses interest in Lee Hoyeon, she can just cut off her own interest in him.

In the end, the final winner will be herself.

Having steeled her resolve, Irene put on her uniform and left the team leader’s office.

This was the only way.

Because it was okay for someone like herself to be sacrificed for Alice.

*

The next morning.

Wednesday.

“Tomorrow, I’ll be returning. Paris ends today.”

“Would you like some coffee?”

“Thanks. Scarlet.”

I enjoyed the morning in France while drinking warm morning coffee.

I should enjoy this remaining European life.

I gently placed the coffee cup on the table and winced.

“Oof, that’s bitter.”

“That’s why you’re asking for espresso when you don’t even drink it.”

“Since I came to France, I have to drink this. I’m European now.”

“… What does coffee have to do with France?”

“Was it beer, not coffee?”

“Haa.”

Scarlet seemed to give up on the conversation and sat down, drinking her coffee.

I guess I don’t really know much about Europe.

“I’m sleepy….”

“Well, who told you to stay up late?”

Seeing Liliana crawling out of her room like a zombie, I chuckled.

She’s like this every morning; is it a Succubus trait?

“Baby Daddy. How about this composition?”

“It’s okay. But maybe a bit more scale than this….”

Rebecca had been researching magic circles since the morning.

This is practically my work, so I have to help with all my might.

If it were up to me, I’d want to ask Professor Im Sol for help too, but Professor Im Sol also has to fall victim to this magic circle.

That’s why it’s even more difficult.

How can I trick that talent hog with magic?

“Rebecca-ssi. Shall we try applying the magic control orb used back during Pandemic?”

“Ah… that bead-like thing from back then. I’ll think about it.”

“Play with me too! Eeeng!”

“Liliana-nim, would you like a cup of coffee too?”

“Then I want something sweet!”

“Scarlet. Sorry, but give me the same thing as Liliana. This is too bitter.”

“Ah, Baby Daddy. I’ll drink that.”

I handed the espresso over to Rebecca.

This house is really noisy and bustling since the morning.

I feel like the house is gradually getting more crowded.

When we go to Korea, the Nam Daeun sisters will be included too, so won’t it eventually be like about 10 people living together?

“Hoyeon-nim. Someone has come looking for you.”

Just then, Scarlet returned after having briefly checked outside.

“Huh? Who?”

“It seems you’ll have to see for yourself.”

At Scarlet’s words, I headed towards the front door.

If Alice had come, she wouldn’t have said it like that. Who is it?

“….”

And only after seeing the face visible outside the door did I realize.

Somehow, Scarlet’s expression seemed a little sulky.

I carefully spoke towards the door.

“…Who is it?”

“- It’s Irene. Can we talk for a bit?”

*

As I stepped outside wearing just an outer coat, I saw Irene standing there in her Iris Guild uniform.

I don’t know if she stopped by on her way to work or came after arriving at work, but dressed up like that, she really is pretty.

It’s like looking at an office lady photoshoot.

I gave Irene a slight bow and greeted her.

“Hello. Irene-ssi.”

“… You’re polite, I see.”

“I’m famous for being polite.”

“Haa, enough of that. Follow me. We need to talk.”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

Click-clack-

As soon as Irene received my greeting, she took the lead and walked away.

Those sisters sigh at the drop of a hat.

It’s a bit absurd that she showed up out of the blue and told me to follow her… but I can’t just refuse.

“Where are you going?”

“… Just follow me for now.”

Irene went into the Iris Guild’s main building, and I followed her.

Naturally, no one eyed us suspiciously, and we went straight down to the 3rd basement floor via the elevator.

Passing through a dark corridor, we arrived at a rather spacious room.

“…Where is this?”

“You can consider it my private training room.”

I thought the group training room was crappy, but it seems high-ranking members get private training rooms.

Surely she’s not planning to pounce on me here…?

As I looked nervously at Irene, she was looking back at me with a similar expression.

After a moment, Irene spoke first.

“Hoo. I’ll get straight to the point. You. Give up on Alice.”

“…Why?”

“I can’t stand seeing Alice get ruined anymore because of you.”

“…… Hmm.”

I looked at Irene’s face, considering.

Irene looked at me with a determined expression.

It was the look of someone determined to end things here.

‘Why is she acting like this again?’

Haa.

The truth is, this is why Irene is difficult.

She’s such a crazy bitch, I never know where she’ll jump next.

So, even before coming to France, I had planned to use Irene as a tool to increase Alice’s favorability rating.

She had high capture points, so I was trying to find an opening, but things have annoyingly turned out like this again.

“You know Alice’s condition has improved recently? Her innate mana disorder was fixed, and her self-esteem has risen a lot. She’s heading in a good direction, rather than being ruined.”

For now, I attempted persuasion.

Because humans have the means called conversation.

“…That’s the problem. Alice is becoming even more dangerous because of you.”

“What does that…”

“The more she’s deployed into actual combat, the higher the risk of her getting hurt. Even if you didn’t do those things, I can protect Alice for her entire life.”

“….”

Speechless, I confirmed Irene’s firm expression.

That face showing she believed her thoughts were flawless.

I don’t think I can persuade her.

Her way of thinking was completely different from ordinary people.

‘She’s similar to Alice, yet different.’

Their personalities are somewhat similar, but I can’t see any possibility of capturing her.

I captured Alice through physical affection, so I wanted to do the same with Irene, but…

Using a massage as an excuse for sex with Irene doesn’t make sense, and forcing her carries too great a risk.

No, forcing her is a crime in the first place.

‘It’s a shame, but should I give up…?’

If I leave now and continue my relationship with Alice, there’s nothing Irene can do.

However, since I slept with Irene, guilt will remain.

“I’m sorry. If you’re going to say that, I’ll just leave.”

If I do this, I won’t be able to restore my relationship with Irene.

It’s a shame, but I have to discard what needs discarding.

Just as I had decided to give up on Irene.

“…Wait a moment.”

Rustle-

Irene started taking off her uniform.

Not content with just taking off her outerwear, Irene even removed her blouse, instantly becoming clad only in her underwear.

Her face bright red, Irene continued speaking, her lips trembling.

“…?”

“W-well, anyway, your goal is Alice’s body, right? … Just be satisfied with my body.”

“…Are you serious?”

“W-well! You can be satisfied with this…! Anyway, isn’t your goal women?”

Irene’s hands were trembling violently.

She looked at me resentfully, as if she had made some great sacrifice, but anyone would think I had threatened her.

‘She’s fallen for Alice way too much.’

She confirmed she was inferior to me in magic last time, so is that why she’s acting this way?

If she thought I would fall for this…

“…Irene-ssi. Would you like to come here?”

I swallowed hard, looking at Irene’s cleavage.

I’m not falling for it; I’m just trying it out.

*

‘It’s nothing special.’

Irene, who had taken off her uniform in front of Lee Hoyeon, met his eyes.

All I need to do is separate Lee Hoyeon and Alice somehow.

After that, I’ll be able to return to normal.

Irene frowned as she watched Lee Hoyeon approach, his eyes shining.

Anyway, she doesn’t get excited by men’s bodies.

There’s no reason to like rough, dirty bodies when there are women with beautiful curves like herself and Alice.

“… Hhht.”

Irene gasped as she watched Lee Hoyeon place his hand on her chest.

It felt strange because it reminded her of the night a few days ago.

Lee Hoyeon, who was watching her reaction while touching her chest, asked Irene.

“What possessed you to do this?”

“You can do whatever you want with my body instead. Unlike Alice, I’ll do anything for you… so take your hands off Alice.”

“Wow….”

Lee Hoyeon looked at Irene and thought.

Should I call this a tear-jerking sacrifice? Or should I call her a proper crazy bitch?

‘Maybe this could work.’

Capturing her through lust.

If she’s giving me a chance like this, it’s only polite to try.