episode_0708

After enjoying the wealth of the Iris Guild… no, their power, it was time to relax. The day’s work was done, but normally, it would have been time to return to the Iris Guild and handle overtime.

However, Elise made her way elsewhere, using the excuse of showcasing her friendship with Lee Ho-yeon.

“Is today’s schedule over?”

“This cafe is also part of the Iris Guild’s assets, so if it’s on the agenda, then it’s on the agenda.”

“… Is that so?”

Lee Ho-yeon sat down at the cafe and looked around.

It was a cafe well-known to tourists visiting France.

He remembered seeing it while searching for famous restaurants in France.

But to think this place was also owned by the Iris Guild; where in France hadn’t the Iris Guild’s influence reached?

“Hmm? What’s that over there?”

As Lee Ho-yeon looked around the cafe, he suddenly felt a strange energy.

There seemed to be a lot of empty space behind the cafe.

“So, this cafe’s signature is drip coffee. The beans are… um, what were they called again?”

“Panama Esmeralda Geisha. They’re world-famous beans.”

“That’s right. That’s it. Elise, you’re quite smart, aren’t you?”

“It’s just an area I’m interested in.”

Irene brought the coffee and placed it in front of Lee Ho-yeon.

Listening to the talk about the variety of beans, Lee Ho-yeon took a sip of the coffee.

It was said to be incredibly impressive coffee, but to Lee Ho-yeon, who had cheap taste buds, it was just okay.

“Irene, is there an Iris Guild branch hidden behind that refrigerator?”

“How did you know? It’s hard to notice without magical concealment, did Elise tell you?”

“The air flow felt off.”

So, despite being considered part of the Iris Guild’s assets, this cafe was just a front for hiding a branch.

Wasn’t it somewhat comedic that a cafe set up for disguise was becoming globally renowned?

Lee Ho-yeon chuckled as he sipped his coffee.

“By the way, since today’s schedule is over, do you have nothing to do?”

“As for me, I was thinking of helping out the Iris Guild until the party.”

“That’s great. So, we can spend tonight together too, right?”

“… ”

At Elise’s words, Lee Ho-yeon subtly observed the two of them.

Elise and Irene.

Both of them glanced at Lee Ho-yeon from time to time.

“Well, after being busy for a month, it’s only natural that things have piled up…”

They both wanted to spend time together at night.

In simpler terms, they desired to share a bed.

“Elise… Would it be possible with your father watching us?”

However, Irene was a bit more practical.

Although the relationship between Lee Ho-yeon and Irene Elise, the sisters, was somewhat public, Isaac continued to pretend not to notice.

He wouldn’t allow his daughter to be embraced by another man easily, given how much he cherished and loved her.

Especially if the three of them were found lying in the same room… the thought was unbearable.

“If Lee Ho-yeon sets up a barrier, even your father won’t be able to penetrate it.”

“… But he must know there’s a barrier. Dad isn’t a fool. Right, Lee Ho-yeon?”

“That’s true.”

Lee Ho-yeon hid his expression as he drank his coffee.

In reality… even if the opponent was Isaac, he could hide if he wanted to.

After killing the god of this world, Lee Ho-yeon’s magic had already surpassed human limits.

Even the genius mage Lim Sol would have to impose restrictions when facing Lee Ho-yeon.

No matter how much of a Night Emperor he was, quietly subduing him wouldn’t be difficult if Lee Ho-yeon decided to.

“But Scarlet is here too, and it doesn’t sit right with my conscience to engage in such activities with her around…”

However, Isaac wasn’t the only issue.

Although he hadn’t seen her face today due to being busy, Scarlet had followed him as his secretary.

It bothered him a bit to deceive her for the sake of Elise and Irene’s intimacy.

“Speaking of which, what is Scarlet, who came with you, doing? She’s supposed to be a secretary, but she’s nowhere to be seen.”

“She’s probably learning about the Iris Guild’s operations by now, don’t you think?”

Scarlet was moving around the Iris Guild, getting back into her duties.

“… Wasn’t Scarlet supposed to have left the Iris Guild? I heard she was working as your personal secretary.”

Alice asked, tilting her head in confusion.

It was strange for someone who was about to become the next guild master to return as a guild member without Elise’s knowledge.

“Well, according to the Korean headquarters, she had been working there for a long time, right?”

“Why does that person make decisions on their own like that…?”

Listening to their conversation, Lee Hoyeon smiled.

Dr. Kang Hyorin is treated like a troublemaker even here.

“If she didn’t have the skills, she would have been cut a long time ago.”

“Skills? It’s because her face is decent that her dad looks out for her.”

“… Is that so?”

Irene replied to Alice while sipping her coffee.

Although Irene had seen Dr. Kang Hyorin’s face several times and was quite friendly with her, she honestly didn’t find her particularly attractive.

“I bet no one dares say that to Elise.”

In fact, people’s sense of aesthetics is something Irene struggles to understand.

Originally, Isaac was the face of the Iris Guild. However, after he became known as the Emperor of the Night, Irene took the forefront.

And now, Elise, the next guild master, represents the Iris Guild.

“Elise is much prettier, cuter, and more dazzling than me… Yet strangely, people don’t seem to react as strongly.”

People like pretty women.

Regardless of age or gender, if a woman is beautiful, she can attract anyone’s favor.

Irene expected Elise’s appearance to captivate the world, given how much she has benefited from her own looks, but oddly enough, there wasn’t much difference between them.

Ah.

Watching Elise eat cake with her coffee, Irene smiled contentedly.

Beautiful. Lovely. Enchanting…

Various emotions crossed Irene’s mind.

“Hehe. Hoho….”

Spending time with Elise in France for the past month in Ho Yeon’s absence allowed Irene to get to know her better.

When waking up in the morning. During meals. Falling asleep.

While Ho Yeon himself was decent-looking, Elise was undoubtedly the most beautiful in the world.

“Elise, why is your sister acting like that? Her eyes suddenly look weird.”

Meanwhile, Ho Yeon shook his shoulders while looking at Irene.

Her gaze was too intense for him.

If he had to compare, it felt like the creepy gaze of a middle-aged man you’d see in the media.

“Just ignore her. She acts like that sometimes. If it bothers you, call a modeling agency to give her a reality check.”

“What kind of illness is that, though?”

Observing Irene’s expression, Ho Yeon distanced himself slightly from her.

And thus, the day of the party approached.

*

On the day of the party hosted by the Threestar Corporation, I was getting ready since morning.

“All right, I think this should do. You don’t really need makeup.”

Tap-tap-

Scarlet standing in front of me smiled satisfactorily, smoothing out the wrinkles on my suit.

I had come out of my room wearing casual clothes, but she insisted on grabbing me since early morning, wondering where the person going to the party like that was.

“Well, are we good to go now?”

“Yes. I could have dressed up more if needed, but… I think this level will best showcase Mr. Ho Yeon’s charm.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

Nodding at my reflection in the mirror, I realized… it did feel a bit more atmospheric.

Indeed, maybe these things require a woman’s touch?

As we left the accommodation and met with the Iris Guild members, the effects of my grooming were evident.

“Wow….”

“Whoa….”

The reactions of the Iris Guild members were quite amusing.

Since enrolling in the academy, it had been a long time since people were surprised by my appearance alone.

“Uh, Mage Ho Yeon! I have something to tell you!”

“Just a moment! Can I have your number too?”

I quickly hid my body from the approaching women’s gazes.

Getting too close to women could put my life in danger.

‘… Am I still in danger?’

I watched the passing Iris Guild members while pressing my body firmly against the wall.

Dozens of people passed by me.

Most of them were women, but seeing some men made me shiver and hide quickly.

“Participating in the party isn’t easy.”

I adjusted my suit again and headed towards the party hall.

*

The party hall was larger than I had expected.

It was reminiscent of the Mage Association in scale.

Since most famous guilds from around the world were participating, I recognized many faces.

“Oh! I see my old friend here again!”

“Guildmaster Cheolhyeol. It’s been a while.”

I smiled and greeted those around me.

It was fascinating how people’s attitudes towards me changed as time passed, but that’s how one’s position shapes interactions.

I was starting to get used to it.

“Every time I see you, your face seems brighter.”

“Guildmaster Asu. You came all the way here?”

“Yes. I was going to send Sol, but he was being lazy, so I had to come myself. By the way… do you have no intention of becoming the Mage Association head?”

“I haven’t even properly participated in the Mage Association, how could I take on such a role?”

“Oh, still saying that. Anyone within the Mage Association who speaks like that has already been dealt with, so rest assured.”

“….”

Surely they wouldn’t have killed him, right?

I shifted my gaze from Asu and moved to another spot.

The party hadn’t properly started yet. The Iris Guild and Thrysta Corporation would enter shortly.

But before that, I needed to finish the task.

“Here. And here, perhaps?”

Yi Hoyeon surveyed the structure of the party hall, infusing magic into various places.