Chapter 229. In the Clubroom
The Emperor of the Night.
The one who reigns among assassins like a monotheistic god.
'If he commands, it shall be done.'
It is the rule of the Iris Guild—and of all assassins.
That very Isaac was standing before her.
Scarlett swallowed hard as she looked at Isaac sitting naturally on the sofa.
It didn't matter how or when he got in.
If he wanted to, he could go anywhere.
Though Isaac looked completely relaxed as he lounged on the sofa... there wasn't the slightest opening.
After a short silence, Isaac spoke first.
"Is Elise doing well? I came straight here without checking, so I didn't get to see her."
"She's probably resting at the mansion right now. Shall I contact her?"
Why did he come?
Isaac, the famously doting father, came to her without even telling Elise—there had to be a reason.
"No, no. It's not about that. I came to ask something. You know Lee Hoyeon, right?"
"... Yes."
Scarlett barely managed to hide her surprise.
She hadn't expected that name to come from Isaac's mouth.
"I heard he made a massage contract with Elise... is that true?"
"It is."
"A 20-year-old guy, same class as Elise?"
"Yes."
"Hmm...."
Isaac tilted his head slightly, letting out a hum.
"What do you think? Could there be another motive besides massage in that contract?"
'Of course he's suspicious of that.'
Honestly, if her daughter were giving huge amounts of money to a 20-year-old guy with no massage experience for massages, Scarlett would have reacted the same.
Especially with Lee Hoyeon's looks and the rumors surrounding him—no wonder he's concerned.
Of course, that would be if it were her issue. Right now, it was someone else's.
Scarlett had to defend Lee Hoyeon.
"Only Miss Elise knows the truth... but the Miss Elise I know wouldn't do something like that."
"Ah, yeah. That's right. Elise is smart... there's no way."
Isaac furrowed his brows again, falling into thought.
There's no way the daughter he loves would act that way.
So what's the reason?
Naturally, the only thing that came to mind was Lee Hoyeon.
"Scarlett. Do you think he's better than the top-class massage therapists I hired?"
"...."
Scarlett couldn't say anything.
She didn't know those previous mana therapists, but they were likely world-class.
Comparing them to Lee Hoyeon was ridiculous.
She had tried to defend him somehow, but the man's aura was too intimidating.
One wrong word and she felt like she might end up in a bad spot.
"About this massage thing—do you think it really works?"
"Miss Elise said it worked. She said it had tremendous effects..."
"Really? And there weren't any ulterior motives in the massages? Not Elise's words—your opinion."
"... I'm not sure."
"... Not sure?"
Isaac, who had been staring into space while talking, slowly turned his head.
Then his eyes met with the tense Scarlett's.
"Not sure, Scarlett?"
"... At least she said it worked, and also...."
"Scarlett."
"... Yes."
'So it really won't work.'
When he asked for her opinion rather than Elise's, Scarlett had already predicted this outcome.
She had hoped to bluff her way through, but clearly this wasn't a man who could be fooled so easily.
The moment Isaac came in person, she couldn't stop him from meeting Lee Hoyeon.
"Are you lying to me right now?"
"... No."
The Emperor of the Night.
He could tell lies apart.
Not only lies—he could sense any ill intent behind words spoken to him.
Truly an ability optimized for an information guild.
Scarlett knew that, which was why she'd tried to speak indirectly… but it was useless.
"Tell me honestly. Was there any ulterior motive from Lee Hoyeon?"
She considered risking a lie, but that would only make him more suspicious.
Whether she said "I don't know" or "No," it wouldn't help.
She could dodge and twist her words without lying—but he wouldn't miss that either.
She didn't have time to come up with an elaborate ruse.
And if her relationship with Lee Hoyeon got exposed, that would be even worse.
In the end, Scarlett spoke, trying to look as reluctant as possible.
As if she didn't want this situation.
As if she hated the thought of a good student getting dragged into trouble.
"... I can't say there was absolutely no ulterior motive."
"Take me to him. Right now."
"... Yes."
Isaac rose from his seat and walked out.
Only then did Scarlett let herself exhale.
Hoo—
A bad situation, but not the worst.
What if she'd stayed with Lee Hoyeon longer?
If it were revealed she was playing double agent between Iris Guild and Lee Hoyeon....
Gulp.
Scarlett swallowed hard.
She was amazed at Lee Hoyeon's instincts.
She'd thought all that talk about beast senses was nonsense... but maybe some people really are just built different.
*
Sunday afternoon.
I opened my notebook and slowly started planning for next week.
"I've got to hang out with Lucy and Lumi. Oh, right, A-Young is coming back too."
[Meet Baek A-Young]
[Hang out with Lucy and Lumi]
I wrote down everything I needed to do as it came to mind.
- Sis, what's this?
- ...! D-don't touch that.
- Huh, that's my streaming outfit....
I could hear the girls chatting over there, but I stayed focused on my notes.
"Expo with Professor Im... that's locked in. No plans with Surin noona yet... Probably one massage session with Elise."
[Go to the expo with Professor Im Sol.]
[Massage with Elise (?)]
[Meet with Surin noona (?)]
I really could use three bodies at this rate.
Why do I have so many things to do?
"I have to meet with Rebecca too. Still so much to learn about rune barriers."
[Learn rune barriers from Rebecca (?)]
- Hey! Give me back my chocolate!
- Sis! Help me!
- ... Miss Liliana. Please just hand it over....
"Sigh."
I sighed and gave up trying to focus.
There was no way I could concentrate.
I stood up and headed toward the source of the noise—the kitchen. The voices grew louder.
"Wanna eat chicken?"
"Liliana unnie, let's eat something else!"
"... I think I've had enough chicken too."
"Gasp, what about grilled chicken then?"
That damn succubus was obsessed with chicken again.
I walked into the kitchen and placed a hand on Liliana's shoulder.
"Hey, hey. Let the kids eat what they want."
"Tch. Fine."
"Liliana. Also clean your room. Your streaming outfits are lying around under your bed."
"Yessir~ Got it!"
"... Hey."
"Ow, that hurts. Aaang...! Okay, okay!"
"Think about how bad this is for the kids' emotional development. Hm?"
I kept scolding her while pinching her cheeks.
"Hrk, huuu...."
I left the sniffling Liliana behind and thought to myself.
'Maybe I really do need to find a bigger house.'
I had no space to focus, the kitchen and bathroom were small, the dining table cramped.
It was all because the dorm was too small.
With four people, we couldn't stay in a dorm forever.
Especially with the recent attack... It's not like I'm short on money—maybe I should get a nice place like Elise.
"Now that I think of it, I should head out."
If I don't go now while I have time, I'll keep putting it off.
I've got too much to do next week.
It's already piled up from putting things off—gotta act fast.
"Hm? Where you going?"
"Dorm's too cramped. Going to check out some places."
"I'm coming too!"
"No. Stay and rest."
Liliana coming along would just be noisy and unhelpful.
Based on experience, that was guaranteed.
"Aw, why! Take me too!"
Ignoring her whining, I got ready to leave.
Luckily, Nam Daeun and Nam Dahee calmed her down with the promise of chicken.
"Thanks, Daeun."
"It's nothing. Come back safe."
While Liliana played with Dahee, Nam Daeun saw me off at the door.
She didn't need to, but said it made her feel better, so I let her.
"I'll be back."
"Yes. See you soon."
"What's with that?"
Why the sudden formal tone?
"... Just trying it. Feels more like a proper send-off."
"Heh."
I grabbed the blushing Nam Daeun by the waist and pulled her close.
★ Heroine Status Window
[Nam Daeun]
- [Affection: 100] (+0.3)
- [Lust: 80]
- [Appetite: 35]
- [Fatigue: 45]
Current Status: Was that joke not funny after all...?