Translator: Kay

I asked as I headed to my playroom with Ilypia.

Is your summoned clone with Chloe right now? When do you think Chloe will return?

Everything that the spirits alternative form saw, heard and felt was transmitted to the current body. I couldnt figure out how the two selves thought and moved concurrently, but perhaps it was possible since they were a different species.

I think shell be back as early as tomorrow evening.

I see

Depending on ones way of thinking, they could consider the duration as short or long. Id have to make my decision by then. As I pondered over what I should do, the spirit looked at me suspiciously and asked.

Are you hiding something from Chloe?

I didnt know you were such a quick-witted ghost. Did they have something in common since they were both spiritual beings?

Truthfully, rather than that, Ilypia was sensitive to any Claudia-related matters.

Ill tell you about it later. First of all, let me see if its possible with your abilities.

The spirit made an expression that seemed to say, What the hell? Soon after, I showed him the inside of the tent made of red velvet.

Ta-da.

In a space that was large enough to fit five or six people, there were cute dolls stuffed tightly inside and a man buried in between them.

Ilypia turned away for a moment and asked as he rubbed his eyes.

What did I just see?

As if he had suffered a visual blow, he instantly squeezed his eyes shut in pain.

Oh my eyes

Err, this was the easiest place to hide a man of this size. I personally didnt have much choice.

For some reason, I was stabbed with guilt and felt like I had to apologize since he hated it that much.

Or, was there something wrong with the dolls?

Even as an adult, one might still like dolls. Dolls werent the exclusive property of children.

Isnt your reaction too much? Individual preferences should be respected.

What are you talking about when youre the one putting yourself in here at will?

As I was sternly scolding Ilypia, Larry wrinkled his face and quickly slipped out of the tent. He then approached me with a fearsome look as if he was going to hit me but instead pinched my cheek.

It didnt hurt that much since he controlled his strength, but what was he doing right now?

There were only two people in the world who could touch my face. Claudia and Felix. It did not include the devil parasite attached to Felix.

I shook off the devils hand, but his eyes had already widened, and the corners of his lips twitched. It was as if he liked the ways my cheek felt.

Anyway, now that I escaped from the attack, I approached the spirit and asked.

Can you make a doll identical to this guy? I heard he will be inaugurated soon and will then head to the battlefield. Make it very natural so that no one feels any differences.

Ilypia then glanced up and down at Larry, who was vacantly standing there with bloodshot eyes.

It doesnt really matter. But is this a complete human being?

Ilypia suspiciously questioned as he felt a sense of disparity. After pondering for a moment about what to say, I decided to answer really concisely for the time being.

Half devil.

Hmm

Now that the opponent was a devil, he must die! But Ilypia didnt pounce on him.

Unlike on the island, where he lost half his sanity, Ilypia, who regained his original form, was rather calm and more serious.

Until Claudias orders were issued, it was his daily routine to remain behind her and silently guard her like a knight.

Even though it was suspicious enough as it was, he didnt ask any further and just thought about the promise he made with me.

Anyway, he still hated devils, so the spirit approached Larry with a repulsed gaze. And after grabbing his chin, he meticulously examined him from left to right.

Larry was making an expression of Should I shake him off?, but when I moved my thumb across my throat1 without saying a word, he somehow turned sulky.

Its hard to accurately replicate the devil. Ill roughly imitate it, but I cant guarantee it. The people close to him might notice.

He doesnt get along well with anyone, so that part will probably be fine. Due to his personality no, strength? Anyway, I want you to utilize more power than what you used to create yours.

If it remains within the range of my powers, a month at most is the limit.

Well, since hes a killer of thousands and thousands, wouldnt a month be enough?

I asked as I turned to look at Larry. It was an implausible period for an ordinary person, but if it were the power of the devil, it would be sufficient.

Larry slowly nodded as if he was answering my question.

A month is enough.

He was more incredible than I thought. I gazed up at Larry in amazement, and soon after, I pointed my finger at Ilypia and said.

I told you so.

What command do I inscribe?

Just two things. Lead the war to victory and return safely.

The command here was to set the purpose for which the doll created by Ilypia would move.

For example, when he embodied the island four thousand years ago, he engraved an order to feed outsiders.

It was a similar principle to how a person would not properly progress if they wandered around without a goal in life.

So, who is he?

Ilypia only asked about the mans identity after finishing the conversation related to our agreement.

Chloes older brother.

What?

At first, he exclaimed in disbelief, but then he muttered, Oh, so thats why, as if he figured something out on his own.

Thats why you wanted to hide it from Chloe.

Oh, that was what he meant.

Im not hiding it. But can you keep it a secret for a bit? I dont think this is a matter for me to decide on my own. First of all, I have to ask him what he wants to do.

I will stand on the sidelines2 until Chloe returns. But, you have to solve it right away. If I were you, Id tell Chloe as soon as possible so that she doesnt get hurt.

After he said that, he turned his back, indicating that he was about to leave my playroom. Even if he was as rough as sandpaper, Ilypia had become relatively gentle after being comforted by me3.

That bloke had gotten pretty cool.

I swiped under my nose with my finger.

Keep your promise.

I was rather touched and decided it would be better if I didnt break the pleasant mood.

Of course I will.

I vigorously waved my hands from side to side and thanked him for his help.

After those affairs were all sorted, I was left alone with Larry.

I took him back to the cottage which Felix had used just before he left.

Even before and after he left, that place was restricted from the servants. Thus, there was no place more suitable place than this.

As expected, even though I didnt say anything to the devil, he followed me around like a baby bird following its mother.

Where are we going?

Im going to talk to Fel.

We barely reunited, but their time was shared, so there was a lack of conversation. But after the devil fell asleep, wouldnt the twelve-hour duration be enough for a serious discussion?

Wait, now that I think about it, can I finally talk to Felix without any interruption?

I couldnt control the corners of my mouth from twitching and mindlessly continued walking. Larry seemed quite dissatisfied with me and chased after me with stomping steps.

In my arms, I was holding the items that I had asked the servants to bring. At that moment, Larry, who had been trailing behind me, snatched my luggage and took the lead in walking.

The memory of Felix adamantly insisting that he would carry my luggage since he was a sorcerer4 came to mind.

I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand and followed after him.

But what are we going to do?

You can quietly lie over there.

I pointed my finger at the bed located in the center of the bedroom and said.

Why?

Do you want me to sing you a lullaby?

It lacked sincerity, but the melody of a popular folk song flowed out of my mouth. I didnt know the lyrics well, so I hummed it roughly and diligently set up what I brought with me.

It was morning, so it might be too bothersome if it was too bright, so I pulled out the blackout curtain first. Then, after pouring wine into the glass, I gradually placed cheese and snacks onto the plate.

It was when rose petals were sprinkled on the floor and candles were lit Larrys expression grew worse and worse, and in the end, he screamed loudly.

Are you going to sleep with him?!

Gosh, you surprised me.

I looked back at Larry as I pressed the palm of my hand over my pounding heart.

No, Im not? I just wanted to create a good atmosphere for a conversation?

This isnt a good atmosphere to talk in! No matter how you look at it, isnt it a great atmosphere to have a conversation with your body?

The devil, who noticed my secret intentions, kept raising his voice. It was as if he feared someone who wasnt even the devil of pleasure.

If Fel agrees, theres nothing we cant do, right?

That was one of the reasons why he kept avoiding me, so if we did it once, he would feel reassured and wouldnt make a big deal over it.

A conversation with words or our bodies didnt matter as long as it was with Felix.

I just wanted to say, Whats good is good, and create an atmosphere. It was possible that Felix might run away again. If that was the case, it couldnt be helped.

If we could simply have a serious conversation with each other without him avoiding me, that would be enough for me.

First of all, the purpose was to talk. We needed to communicate.

Anyway, why on earth was he getting mad? It was the first time in my life that I saw someone wear an angrier face than Lucas.

Whats wrong with that?

Its your first time, so how will you handle the devils desires?!

Devil, are you really suffering from memory loss? I hope youre aware that youre the one who instigated Fels desire to leave.

The thought of seeing Felix soon made me in a good mood.

I didnt get angry at Larrys ridiculous behavior and spoke as calmly as possible.

Dont disturb me, go wash your feet and sleep.

But isnt it a good thing for you if Fel succumbs to temptation?

I-it doesnt really matter anymore. Since Ive already eaten half of his soul.

Really? Then thats a relief for me.

Now that I thought about it, it was fortunate in many ways that Fel endured his desires. Because, back then, he used to share every one of his senses and memories with the devil.

If we had a relationship at that time, that devil would experience every moment of it. Looking back, it was almost terrifying.

Im sure he remembers the kiss at the sea.

Even that was unpleasant.

I finished what I was doing and rubbed my lips meaninglessly.

In the first place, the person giving the rice cake5 was asleep and didnt know what the devils thoughts, or about this conversation itself.

Lets put that problem aside for the time being since I have a lot to say. I have to ask Fel about his future plans, Ill tell him about our plans, and then well discuss how to tell his family

But it was then. Larry approached with an anxious expression and grabbed my wrist and neck. I reflexively tried to shake him off, however, before that, he forced me to look at him.

His face was pale.

Hes dangerous.

T/N: Thanks for your everlasting patience, everyone! My updates might continue to be a bit irregular due to my studies but Ill do my best to get the chapters translated every week! >_< Please take care of yourselves and stay safe, everyone!

1. To move your thumb across your throat is a throat-slitting (or beheading) gesture normally used to threaten someone with death.

2. Stand on the sidelines means to not get involved or take part.

3. Irene is talking about how she comforted him back on the island in Chapter 79 with the speech about human virtue.

4. In Chapter 7, Felix insisted on carrying Irenes luggage. and Irene concluded it was because Hes a sorcerer, so no matter how heavy it was, it must feel like carrying a feather.

5. This plays on the Korean idiom, Dont drink the kimchi soup first before being offered rice cake. Traditionally, kimchi soup is served with rice cake to help you wash it down and digest. Essentially, the idiom is saying you shouldnt assume that something will happen until it actually does.