Episode 573. The Night Emperor Isaac

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

In the quiet room, only the clock hanging on the wall was ticking.

Creeeak-

Breaking the silence, the door slowly opened, and the light from the hallway pierced into the room.

Eventually, the blonde beauty who entered the room closed the door and slowly walked.

She immediately threw off her outer coat, let out a sigh, and sat down.

“Hoo….”

Swoosh-

As soon as she sat at the desk, she roughly went through the piled-up documents, checking only the important ones.

Even though she just came from a meeting, seeing the work piling up made her brow furrow furrow naturally.

As the 1st Team Leader of the Iris Guild, she couldn’t help that her lifestyle pattern was ruined, but seeing the work continuously piling up even in the middle of the night made her only sigh.

There’s a saying that the elites of the top 1% lead the world.

She knew she had to take responsibility as an elite, but whether it was because she rested too much, returning to work wasn’t easy.

“If I had known it would be like this, I would have returned sooner.”

A week had already passed.

It was already a week ago that Lee Hoyeon came to the Iris Guild, got lodging, and dropped a bombshell statement that quickly ended Irene’s vacation.

Because of that man, just as her sweet vacation ended, she wanted to handle work quickly, but things weren’t flowing as she thought.

The biggest problem was that the Guild Master and Alice were still missing.

To be precise, they weren’t missing, but on a business trip… but with this much lack of contact, it would be more accurate to consider them missing.

She had already ordered Iris Guild members to chase after the Guild Master.

But still….

“How could the guild members find Dad? It would be faster to find someone prettier than me in Paris.”

The name “Emperor of the Night” wasn’t earned easily.

If she were caught by the guild members, she would have handed over the position of Iris Guild Master to Alice long ago.

For reference, the probability of finding someone prettier than Irene in Paris is 0%. (Irene’s thought)

Since the Guild Master was absent, the agenda Lee Hoyeon brought couldn’t even be started, and eventually Irene was handling the Iris Guild’s tasks instead of Lee Hoyeon’s business.

If it was going to be like this, I wouldn’t have given up my vacation.

‘Lee Hoyeon is also a problem. He said it was an extremely urgent matter, making me give up my vacation too, so why is he just holed up in his lodging?’

For the first few days, he claimed to be researching magic and stayed locked in his room, then he started wandering the training room and even talking with me.

But before she knew it, he was holed up in his lodging again.

Since he’s staying at the Iris Guild anyway, would it hurt him to teach the guild members some magic?

According to Scarlet, it’s magic research, but what kind of magic research is he doing that he won’t even show his face?

If it weren’t for Lee Hoyeon’s story, there would be no reason to look for the Guild Master like this.

He wants help, and if it’s such an urgent matter, he should take action too.

Why is he holed up in his room again?

“… A guild that can’t even properly track the Guild Master’s whereabouts has no right to talk.”

Sigh.

Irene sighed and smacked her lips.

Whose fault is it anyway?

It was her decision to help Lee Hoyeon, and she knew it would benefit the Iris Guild.

Lee Hoyeon probably didn’t expect to be like this for a week either. From what she heard, he intended to finish quickly and return to Korea.

Irene looked through the documents out of frustration, but the reports about the Guild Master were useless.

It wasn’t a matter of whether he was meeting other women anymore.

She just hoped that things she didn’t want to imagine wouldn’t happen.

Of course, her father was someone who could survive even if thrown into hell, so nothing should happen to Alice.

If anything were to happen to that precious child, Irene might follow her in shock.

She couldn’t live her whole life just looking in the mirror.

“… Come to think of it, when Father returns, isn’t it the first introduction to Lee Hoyeon?”

It suddenly occurred to her.

Since Lee Hoyeon was an orphan, it was like the first meeting between the families of both sides.

What they call a formal meeting of families.

Fortunately, her father and mother were not the type of people to discriminate, so him being an orphan was not a problem at all.

“Still, it’s the first introduction to Father, should I make him wear a suit? But it might seem like I’m caring too much. Hmm, I am a bit worried he might show up looking like a beggar.”

Lee Hoyeon isn’t the type to dress particularly well.

He has such a good frame that even if he throws on any old clothes, he gets a model-like fit, so it’s not noticeable.

‘Right. There’s no harm in making a good first impression.’

Father seems to like Lee Hoyeon, but you never know.

Besides, Alice will be there too.

As an older sister, she knew Alice’s taste well.

What they call ‘impressive attire’.

It’s Lee Hoyeon after a long time, so if he shows up looking even more dashing, my sister will like him even more.

“A suit… He probably doesn’t need a custom-made suit. Even if I send him an off-the-rack one, his proportions are good, so he’ll look great.”

If I rummage through the guild warehouse, there will be plenty of off-the-rack suits for infiltration.

I’ll just send one that fits his size.

Tick-tock.

“Hello. Yes. It’s the 1st Team Leader. To VIP Dorm Room 301, send one spare off-the-rack suit. No, no. A men’s one. Yes. It’s for Lee Hoyeon. Just send whatever.”

Click.

After hanging up the phone, Irene, who was about to skim the documents again, frowned.

Still, it’s a gift, so sending clothes lying around in the warehouse isn’t that a bit rude?

“If someone gave me clothes lying around in the warehouse as a gift… Hmm. I might feel bad.”

Originally, Irene didn’t pay much attention to matters concerning anyone other than Alice, but she found herself worrying quite a bit about Lee Hoyeon’s matters too.

After a brief moment of thought, she realized she was wrong.

My thinking was too shallow.

Irene nodded.

Just as she was about to call the management team again.

Bang bang!

[1st Team Leader! Are you there!]

“Who is it? I’m inside, so just tell me.”

There’s no one in our guild who would knock with such force, as if trying to break down the door.

Judging by the rude behavior, did Dad return?

[The Guild Master and Young Lady Alice have returned!]

“I’m coming out now!”

At the words that followed, Irene’s eyes widened, and she completely forgot about the suit that had just occupied her mind.

Forget the custom suit.

That wasn’t important.

Her beloved sister and her troublemaker father had returned.

Irene threw down the documents in her hand and rushed out of the Team Leader’s office.

*

Rustle- rustle.

“Come to think of it, right. How long have I been locked up in the lab? I had the windows closed, so I don’t know how many sunrises I’ve missed.”

“Today marks the seventh day in France. Soon, after midnight, it will be the eighth day.”

“Wow… I can’t believe I didn’t starve to death.”

Nom.

Lee Hoyeon put the chocolate bar and milk Scarlet bought into his mouth.

Clearly, during research, he didn’t feel hunger or thirst, but once the food and water entered his mouth, his body finally reacted.

‘Even though the result of suffering so much, even starving myself, is a bit disappointing… I guess it can’t be helped.’

A wasted week.

… He didn’t want to call it that.

It was a shame he couldn’t use the incredible magic called [Hall of the Moonlit Palace], but he hadn’t lost his magical achievement.

The realm of gods.

The laws of the world.

His head still hurt from hearing such absurd things.

But then again, the fact that he possessed this world in the first place was absurd.

He had to think as positively as possible.

‘The existence of the divine realm means there’s also a human realm. So, does one become a god the moment they transcend humanity?’

“… That sounds too awkward. It would mean Lee Hoyeon’s magical achievement was equivalent to becoming a god.”

No matter how talented Lee Hoyeon was in magic, he knew best that it wasn’t to that extent.

The gap between humans and gods must be immense.

Lee Hoyeon creating [Hall of the Moonlit Palace] was a result of countless coincidences.

‘A mere human reaching the realm of gods… that goes against the laws of the world. So, as long as I don’t step into the divine realm, I can do anything.’

If the divine realm is 100, then up to 99. Or rather, up to 99.9999.

Can’t I do something I’ve already accomplished twice?

If I control magic to its absolute limit, even the laws of the world won’t be able to stop me.

Rustle- tug.

Scarlet’s touch snapped Lee Hoyeon out of his thoughts.

The neat suit and tie, completed by her hands, felt awkward but somehow felt good.

“There. It’s done. Hoyeon-nim.”

“Scarlet, so why am I wearing this?”

“I don’t really know either. Young Lady Irene said it was a gift she sent urgently.”

“I know that much from what I heard. Did Irene-ssi tell you to wear this?”

“No. But she said it was a gift sent urgently. Since you’re going to see the Guild Master, perhaps she prepared it for your image?”

Is that so?

Did Irene care about me that much? he thought, but there’s no other possibility, right?

Giving a suit as a gift out of the blue must mean she wants me to wear it.

It’s fortunate since I only had casual clothes.

“Doesn’t it feel awkward? I’ve never worn clothes like this before.”

Cadet uniforms were a type of suit, but this was the first time he wore something that could be called a ‘suit’.

As Lee Hoyeon turned side to side, looking at Scarlet, Scarlet blinked blankly and opened her mouth.

“Really… You were blessed with good looks. Congratulations.”

Clap. Clap.

Scarlet shook her head and clapped.

“Don’t do that, it’s embarrassing.”

“I’m genuinely impressed. With this level, you could easily charm the sisters of the Iris Guild.”

“Please, use milder words…”

Why does she like the phrase ‘stir-fry and eat’ so much?

It’s not the kind of thing you’d expect from a pretty girl.

“It’s because you’re truly amazing. Wow….”

Seeing her admire so purely made me feel embarrassed… but am I really that cool?

Scarlet’s reaction boosted his confidence.

Seeing Scarlet’s slightly flushed cheeks, a bit of mischief rose within him at the same time.

Lee Hoyeon gently stroked Scarlet’s jawline and smiled.

“Come closer. Scarlet. I can’t hold back anymore.”

“Huh? You need to go see Young Lady Alice. What are you talking about?”

“….”

“Even though it’s night, you should know when to hold back.”

“Mm-hmm…”

Lee Hoyeon slumped his shoulders with a dejected expression.

Bad timing, I guess. Maybe I should have tried it on the bed later.

“Alright, cheer up. Let’s go quickly to see Young Lady Alice and the Guild Master.”

“Okay. Aren’t you coming?”

“I came as Hoyeon-nim’s secretary. Later, personally, I’ll catch up with the Guild Master.”

“Right. I should hurry. It’s already late.”

I don’t know exactly when the Guild Master and Alice returned, but it’s better to see them quickly before it gets any later.

After greeting Scarlet, Lee Hoyeon went outside the lodging.

Meanwhile, Scarlet, left alone, shuddered as soon as Lee Hoyeon’s magic dissipated and collapsed onto the chair.

“… That was a close call.”

Her heart was still pounding.

If it weren’t for that man’s smirk, which clearly looked like he was joking, Scarlet might not have been able to resist.

“Haa, hoo…. Calm down.”

Scarlet placed a hand on her chest and took deep breaths.

A suit looks so good on him, so why does he only wear shabby clothes? That’s practically a crime.

When I get home, I need to have a serious discussion with Rebecca-ssi and Daeun-yang.

With that thought, Scarlet stumbled back into her room.