Chapter 93: Twists, Temptations, and a Dash of Rebellion

Rozally bit her lip. In an ironic twist, her flushed face turned into that of a bashful bride on her wedding night. One hand pressed against the bed while the other clutched his collar as she murmured.

“…Would you like to freshen up first?”

“I don’t want to bathe!!”

Rozally barely managed to restrain Creon, who was violently wrenched free and trying to bolt.

“Ah, I didn’t mean it that way. Absolutely not…! If you don’t want to bathe, then don’t! Creon! Please, calm down.”

“…I don’t want to bathe.”

“Alright, I promise I won’t make you.”

Standing firm with squared shoulders, Creon glared at Rozally in irritation.

“It’s late. Stay here tonight.”

Although as infuriating as a stubborn hound, he was a hound of a stud—an opportunity, really. Sharing a bed with an enchanting woman was bound to stoke desire. Rozally gently tugged at Creon’s clothes, coaxing him onto the bed. It was pure seduction.

‘Now, let your instincts run wild, you mutt. Attack without holding back!’

Rozally parted her lips into a suggestive smile and closed her eyes. But no lips met hers. As quiet settled on the bed, she slowly opened her eyes.

Just moments ago, the man who had been atop her had vanished. As she quickly lifted her upper body, her gaze caught a massive blonde man curled up at her feet—signaling that their intimacy was still in its infancy.

***

In the heart of a bustling street, Lara stood, scanning the area for his arrival. Suddenly, a man in a flowing black robe and deep hood entered, coming to a stop before her.

“Mr. Absolutely Handsome, you look stunning today. Ahh.”

Lara balled her hands into fists and exhaled sharply. He was striking at night, but in broad daylight, his charm truly stood out. The glossy edge of his black cloak seemed ripped straight from a comic book.

Choosing to walk side by side rather than take a carriage—so as not to shorten their time together—Lara strolled slowly down the street. Her obvious cosplay might catch eyes, but unless someone shared her passion, no one would recognize it. In her high spirits, she ignored curious glances.

‘A first date with Mr. Absolutely Handsome… sigh, even if I die, it’ll be worth it.’

On the day he visited the balcony, she never imagined that meeting would lead straight here. Although he never explicitly said ‘date,’ the note he handed her contained a time and place—meaning he’d be waiting today in the upscale shopping district of the capital.

Though Lara ended up arriving an hour early, her excitement was unmistakable.

“Do you think Awesome Handsome sells couples in Magical Girl Lilica? Hetero? GL? BL? I’m not much into drama, but I lean towards official couples. The chemistry between Lord Robes and Lilica—it’s beyond words! Their past as detailed in the character guide… the more you dig in, the better it feels. It’s like the real essence of life.”

“……”

“They staged that scene on purpose to emphasize their connection. By the way, who’s your favorite? Since you’re cosplaying Lord Robes, is he your ultimate crush? Didn’t his backstory just blow you away? Ahh, I was completely smitten by that arc… Now, shall we head in?”

Lara pointed at a luxurious two-story stone building adorned in elegant silver-white. The entrance boasted a garden of rare, exquisite flowers, and as soon as you stepped in, a medley of beautiful floral scents enveloped you.

“It’s absolutely gorgeous. And these flowers as well.”

Finally, a topic she could actually follow. The light blue eyes hidden beneath the robe softened noticeably.

“But when it comes to flowers, nothing beats Erodis’ Flower. That sealed rose—ahh… Initially, Lord Robes and Lilica were pitted as rivals over it, right? Even then, their chemistry was explosive. That spark has an irresistible allure every time I revisit it.”

Clutching a pure white daisy, Lara smiled at him. Watching her, Lord Robes—without missing a beat—picked up a nearby blue flower. In one smooth motion, his firm fingertips gently swept a stray lock from her ear before placing the flower.

Startled for a moment, Lara’s eyes shot open in surprise.

“This scene… you’re recreating that legendary moment from Magical Girl Lilica Volume 6, aren’t you?! Oh my gosh! I can’t believe Mr. Absolutely Handsome is reenacting that for me! I’ll cherish this flower as a keepsake, teehee.”

“……”

Not really, Mikhail thought as he lowered his hand. Though they spoke the same language, he could barely decipher her words. Even if he could, understanding her was another matter altogether.

He knew Magical Girl Lilica was a comic, yet he still wondered if it truly warranted such passion. After all, the characters were fictional—so why the deep obsession? As a typical guy, Mikhail’s empathy fell short.

“But… if this means winning your heart, then that’s enough for me, Lara.”

Recreating Lord Robes’ appearance through magic was a breeze. Although she adored the magical aura enveloping her, Mikhail was content. Being alone with her gave him the thrill of having finally claimed her from the Emperor. He only wished he could understand her more.

“I think Author Hina Takeuri is an absolute genius! The one who introduced comics to this world—a legendary creator! Yet he never shows his face in public. In that chapter 54 interview…(omitted)…I really hope to meet him someday. He’s the founding figure of Magical Girl stories and revered across the 2D universe!”

“……”

Was he always such a chatterbox? Mikhail couldn’t say. Even the quietest person would start babbling in his native dialect when discussing his favorite genre.

Strolling harmoniously along the street, Lara and Mikhail spotted a small carriage parked in the center. Inside the windproof tent of the food stall, customers came and went repeatedly.

“Looks like they’re selling something over there. Let’s check it out.”

When Mikhail nodded from beneath his robe, Lara quickly trotted over to the stall. A large sign hung atop its canopy.

[Healthy ‘Black Carp Bread’ made with nutritious black sesame and black beans]

“Black Carp Bread? It must be a new release. I’ll take about 3,000 won worth, please.”

“Yes! Welcome!”

“…Huh? And you are?”

Inside the stall, Lara locked eyes with a man pouring dark batter into fish-shaped molds. With jet-black hair cascading past his waist, he was none other than Demon King Pereus.

“Mr. Pereus? Are you picking up a second job too?”

“Long time no see. Actually… I quit my job. Haha.”

“What? You quit?”

“Lately, after pushing myself too hard, I started noticing odd symptoms. It might sound strange…I wake up in different places, and I don’t recall anything. People say I’ve been acting bizarre.”

“Oh my… isn’t that like sleepwalking?”

“I had a similar episode before and went to the hospital. They found nothing wrong with my brain, but suggested I might have a split personality.”

“Ah, it’s a relief that your brain seems fine.”

Worried she might have lingering effects from a frying pan blow to the back of her head by Monica, Lara sighed in relief at his comment. Unaware of this, Pereus continued.

“Given my condition, I decided that continuing in the Imperial City was too much, so I resigned. I planned to rest at home and focus on my recovery for a while…”

Pereus trailed off as his gaze darkened.

“To make matters worse, the owner of my castle—Demon King Castle—changed overnight. I was suddenly thrown out onto the streets. Haha… I have some savings for now, but I need to start something to survive.”

“Ah, so that’s why…”

“Yes, with just a modest capital I started this venture. Haha, I even came up with the idea of ‘blackening’ the traditional carp bread—enhancing both its health benefits and flavor.”

Speaking with newfound brightness, the young entrepreneur—freshly resigned and embarking on a new life path—radiated satisfaction.

“It seems business suits me best. Haha, I’m much healthier now. I wonder why I used to stress so much at my old job. It might seem risky to others, but I’m happy with my choice.”

“You’re amazing. I truly think so.”

“Thank you. Haha, I’m a bit embarrassed.”

His full red lips, drawn in a long decadent line, exuded a hint of hedonism. Pereus carefully flipped each carp bread mold to prevent burning, his swift movements precise. Watching him, Lara suddenly voiced a thought.

“Then who is handling your work now, Mr. Pereus? Did you hire someone new?”