Episode 576. The Night Emperor Isaac (4)

Huh?

How did things end up like this?

Lee Hoyeon made eye contact with Alice, who was looking at him.

Her gaze wasn’t accusatory.

Rather, the concern filling Alice’s eyes made Lee Hoyeon feel awkward.

‘This is uncomfortable.’

It’s too uncomfortable.

Maybe it’s because I’m wearing a suit, but it’s even more uncomfortable.

Why is she acting like this towards me all of a sudden?

Did I use Emotion Amplification without realizing it?

…That’s impossible, though.

“Alice, um. Just a moment.”

Before I knew it, Alice had placed her hand on the back of my hand.

Whether it was concern or an attempt to stop me from running away, I didn’t know, but Lee Hoyeon slowly continued speaking.

“What information did you find, Alice?”

Alice’s attitude was too firm to be mere guesswork.

She had just returned from a business trip for information gathering.

A trip where she hadn’t been reachable for a whole week.

It was clear she had obtained information about Lee Hoyeon and Pandemic from there.

“If I tell you, will you tell me what you know too?”

Tsk.

Lee Hoyeon took Alice’s hand resting on his.

“…I’ll tell you everything I can.”

I can’t say things like ‘this world is a game’.

But I can share all the information about Pandemic.

And I can tell you my goal too.

“I found a diary kept by Maestro’s secretary in Beijing, where I went with Dad.”

“Maestro’s secretary?”

Alice began explaining what she had seen, one by one.

Maestro’s actions to keep Lee Hoyeon in check, the ominous Black Holy Grail, and that Maestro called Lee Hoyeon the ‘Opposite of Destiny’.

‘Opposite of Destiny…?’

He knew Maestro paid attention to him.

After all, Lee Hoyeon was the protagonist of this game and had greatly disrupted Pandemic’s plans.

But what was this ‘Opposite of Destiny’?

‘…Maestro is that concerned about me?’

Honestly, he hadn’t realized it was to that extent.

He wouldn’t have given such a grand title as ‘Opposite of Destiny’ just for ruining his plans.

If so, then the Emperor of the Night must also be an Opposite of Destiny, and Moon Surin and Im Sol too.

Maestro. He must have seen something special in Lee Hoyeon.

“…”

“…”

He wanted to think a bit more, but Alice’s eyes, gripping his hand tightly, felt burdensome.

It seemed she wouldn’t let go until he said something.

“Okay, Alice. Just as you think, I absolutely must find Pandemic. To get rid of the curse you always talked about, I have to kill the Demon King.”

“You have to kill the Demon King summoned by Pandemic… Preventing the Demon King from descending into this world would yield the same result, right? That’s why you’ve been running around so diligently.”

“That’s true, but the Demon King will descend no matter what.”

“What do you mean?”

“No matter what I do, Pandemic’s plan will succeed, and the Demon King will descend to Earth. That’s what Maestro called ‘destiny’.”

It’s not just because that’s how the original story goes.

Right now, ‘the God of this world’ is possessing the Demon King’s body.

No matter what he does, the Demon King will descend to Earth.

“…Then why are you moving to stop Pandemic? It’s something you can’t prevent.”

“Because I can’t just stand by. If running around like this might even slightly reduce the Demon King’s power, I’m willing to go through this much trouble. And I told you clearly before, didn’t I? I have a strong sense of justice.”

Alice looked at Lee Hoyeon’s face and thought.

People who didn’t stop fighting over interests even when the whole world was suffering from Pandemic’s terror.

If there was someone among them who would ignore those interests and take the lead…

“Alright. Hoyeon-ah. Have you said everything you wanted to say? Then I’ll speak.”

“Um, actually, there’s more… but it’s okay if you go first, Alice.”

“No. You go first.”

There was something Alice wanted to tell him when she arrived.

It was information about Lucifer.

Honestly, she wondered if this was the right atmosphere to talk about it… but since she had told all the other heroines, she had to confess to Alice too.

“…Ahem.”

Lee Hoyeon cleared his throat and continued.

“It’s about Lucifer. And, well, about the dungeon too.”

*

As soon as Lee Hoyeon finished speaking, Alice opened her mouth.

“Does anyone else know?”

“I only told those who fought alongside Lucifer.”

“So ordinary people don’t know. Well, that makes sense, since I’ve never heard of it either.”

Alice was inwardly surprised.

That Lee Hoyeon had planned and then withdrawn such a dungeon.

And that he confessed a fact that no one would have known if he had stayed silent.

It was a different side of Lee Hoyeon than usual.

“…Yes. Alice, do you think I should tell others too? I’ll follow your lead if you think so.”

Lee Hoyeon said with sincerity.

If it would satisfy Alice, he was willing to discard everything he had built up.

Even though his image as a genius mage was precious, it couldn’t compare to Alice.

“No. You can’t do that. You’re Lee Hoyeon, the genius mage. It would be inconvenient if you had such a stain when you come to the Iris Guild as a live-in son-in-law.”

“Live-in son-in-law…”

“Besides, you said you reflected and tried to get rid of it. Lucifer is the bad guy. It’s not your fault.”

“…No. Saying that makes my conscience prickle even more. Please don’t say that.”

He wished she would just curse him instead.

When she reacts like this, I don’t know how to respond.

Whether it’s okay because he reflected, or that creating a fake dungeon itself was wrong.

Lee Hoyeon didn’t know which was right.

There was only one reason Lee Hoyeon told the heroines about the fake dungeon.

He wanted to unburden the feelings left in his heart.

“Lee Hoyeon. No, Hoyeon-ah. You must become an apostle of justice.”

“…An apostle of justice?”

What was she talking about all of a sudden?

He often used the phrase ‘apostle of justice’ jokingly, but it felt strange coming from Alice.

“The whole world is suffering from Pandemic’s terror. Developing countries had their governments paralyzed, and even major powers couldn’t escape the damage.”

“Yes.”

“Even amidst this, the privileged are only looking out for their own interests. Even though the public isn’t stupid, they can’t hide the danger of terror or mines. People actually experiencing it firsthand must be incredibly dissatisfied. That’s when you appear like a hero. Lee Hoyeon, the genius mage who dreams of fighting for the public good. It’s a great image, isn’t it?”

“…Suddenly? And can that even happen?”

Wasn’t this the place where he was just confessing his wrongdoings?

“Don’t worry. The Iris Guild will handle all the media manipulation. The Iris Guild’s influence spreads throughout the world.”

The conversation progressed even though Alice was speaking alone.

No, it felt like she was crunching numbers in her head even before he had answered.

“If you become a hero and then come to the Iris Guild as a live-in son-in-law, we can imprint upon the whole world that the Iris Guild is the world’s best guild.”

“Wait a minute, Alice. Why are you speaking as if that’s a certainty?”

“You came for the Iris Guild’s help, didn’t you? Or not?”

“That’s true, but…”

Lee Hoyeon pondered for a moment.

He would receive help from the Iris Guild, and he would lead the charge in eradicating Pandemic and researching the Black Pillar.

‘…Isn’t that exactly what I planned?’

He had to stop Pandemic anyway, and he intended to lead the research on the Black Pillar.

Of course, being a live-in son-in-law was a bit tough.

“Alright. Alice. I’ll do as you say. Feel free to use my name however you want.”

“But I’m saying this under the assumption that you’ll also act with that much passion. You will, right?”

“Of course. I’ll do everything I can. So, will you help with the research on the Black Pillar right away?”

“I do need permission from the Guild Leader… but don’t worry too much. I’ll ask.”

All she had to do was grit her teeth and put on a cute act while looking at her father.

Alice decided to grant Lee Hoyeon’s request.

Since he wouldn’t lie, it meant he would cooperate in uncovering Pandemic’s scheme centered around the Black Pillar.

Lee Hoyeon would be the face of stopping Pandemic’s terror.

And the Iris Guild would secure profits from behind him.

In the end, the Iris Guild would act similarly to other vested interests, but hypocrisy is still a form of good.

Since the Iris Guild was putting Lee Hoyeon forward, they had to secure this much profit.

Official documents and evidence sent worldwide. That was all money, too.

‘…It’s not a bad deal.’

Alice thought about the topic she had momentarily set aside.

Lucifer.

She was honestly a bit surprised that he had designed Lucifer’s dungeon.

She knew he was a crazy playboy, but she didn’t know he was that crazy.

‘But… something has changed.’

She needed time.

She felt like she might see something if she watched him by Lee Hoyeon’s side.

“Haa… This is exhausting. I waited a whole week just to hear that. I can finally go back.”

Lee Hoyeon glanced briefly at Alice, lost in thought, then leaned back in his chair and let out a sigh of relief.

Now that he had the Iris Guild’s cooperation, all he had to do was return to Korea and continue his research.

“What do you mean, ‘go back’?”

Alice tilted her head at Lee Hoyeon’s words.

“Since you said you’d help, I need to go back to Korea and do my best too.”

“You’re staying for a week.”

“Huh?”

“Stay at my house for a week. You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

“Of course, I remember. But why use it now?”

“But right now is a bit… um, as you know, I have things related to Pandemic to take care of. I have so much to do once I get to Korea…”

“What do you need to do? We’re helping you fully. You just need to rest at my house.”

“Victoria Academy…”

“It’s closed indefinitely. Besides, you’re treated as a hero, so you can rest even more. The Iris Guild will send official notices worldwide for cooperation requests, so you don’t need to move.”

…I can’t argue with that.

Alice would be much faster than him running around frantically.

“R-right. The Guild Leader is here too.”

“Dad will be fine. I can persuade him.”

“…Hmm.”

No matter what he said, she slipped away.

This shouldn’t be happening. I need to go back to Korea and see the heroines’ faces.

As soon as Lee Hoyeon’s troubled feelings showed on his face, Alice smirked.

“Are you going to refuse? Then I don’t know how I’ll react… Don’t you need the Iris Guild’s cooperation?”

“…”

He thought she had matured after her successor training.

No, had she really matured? It seemed like his Alice had just gotten smarter.

‘There’s no escape.’

There was no choice.

Since he had received the Iris Guild’s cooperation, he could stay for another week.

Besides, it wasn’t just anyone; he’d be staying with Alice.

Lee Hoyeon gave up cleanly and slightly bowed his head.

“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble. I’ll impose on the Iris Guild for another week.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll treat you like family staying at our residence.”

“I feel like I might get killed by the Guild Leader.”

He didn’t want to get stabbed after meeting his father-in-law for the first time in a while.

‘…Well, it’ll work out somehow. Everyone’s an adult.’

Actually, this wasn’t the first time.

He had come to France before, and he had visited the Wizard Association during his vacation.

Moreover, the situation was even more serious now with the need to deal with the Black Pillar.

The heroines would understand, surely.

‘Thinking about it, I also need to get the Orb of Memory from Chiron.’

He had been so engrossed in magic research that he hadn’t received updates on the situation.

I definitely need to visit him tomorrow.

“Everything’s decided, so I’ll be going now.”

“Are you going to sleep?”

“No, I need to send out the urgent official notices first. That way, we can start the investigation immediately tomorrow.”

“Will you be alright? You look very tired.”

“I know my body best. Stop looking at me like that and take care of yourself.”

Alice left the drawing-room, yawning after saying that.

Admittedly, Lee Hoyeon wasn’t in perfect condition either.

But he was probably better off than Alice, who looked like she could fall asleep at any moment.

She chose to do what needed to be done as the successor of the Iris Guild.

“As expected, capable women are cool.”

Grumble-

As soon as his concentration broke, his stomach growled.

For days, the only things he had eaten were a chocolate bar and milk that Scarlet had packed for him.

Just as Alice had said, Lee Hoyeon wasn’t in good condition either.

“…I guess I should go get something to eat too.”

Lee Hoyeon snapped his fingers to tidy up the drawing-room, then stumbled outside.