Case 136: Upon becoming a cupid for the demon queen.

*****

I had run headfirst into an obstacle—Lilith was going to confess her feelings to Jeanne!

The script was terribly written, like that of a cheap campus romance drama. No, I'd rather this be a campus drama, honestly. I mean, the former demon queen proposing to the former heroine? Damn, that's romantic, but shouldn't the fragile stability of this whole continent come first...?

There was really nothing I could do to stop Lilith at this stage. My power was genuinely sealed, and even if I could get out, I wasn't her opponent. Despite having transferred Lucifer's contract to me years ago, Lilith was still a prime high succubus—an unfairly powerful one at that. Meanwhile, I was a starving little succubus who couldn't even run a few hundred meters without collapsing.

So, the only option left was to persuade her with words.

''Hah...''

I took a deep breath and picked up the phone again. I contemplated what to write for a few moments, then quickly moved my fingers,

[Wouldn't trying to approach Jeanne be dangerous? Are you planning to use a disguise?]

Lilith's response came quickly. Perhaps she also wanted to talk about it.

[It'll be meaningless if she didn't love me as myself. Don't worry. I'll make sure not to let her know of your identity.]

[Even then, wouldn't it be too hasty for a confession right away? You and she fought for years before. If you suddenly appear and tell her your feelings, she would be suspicious, right? Not only would your pursuit fail, but Jeanne would be on alert afterward as well.]

At this point, it was desperation. I knew for a fact that the fickle Lilith would not back down, no matter what. Trying to talk her out of this was practically a lost cause. So, the only thing I could do was to reduce the potential risks as much as possible.

And, as crazy as this might sound, making Lilith's romance a success was the only feasible strategy forward. If we explained our situations sincerely, Jeanne might waver, and if she was charmed by Lilith, even better. I had no choice but to become a cupid here.

Feeling my neurons burning, I finished my earnest persuasion on the phone after a dozen separate messages. Lilith read them all as I sent the texts, and she seemed to hesitate. To be fair, my argument made a lot of sense. If she was going to confess anyway, why do it right away when the possibility of being rejected was the highest?

Wouldn't it be better to slowly build up affection and confess afterward?

Lilith wasn't stupid. She was merely a little slow in processing and understanding emotions. Thankfully enough, her next reply calmed me down significantly,

[What do you think I should do? You've dated for a long time.]

She was asking for my help!

Monitoring and blooming a romance between Lilith and Jeanne was honestly stressful and very much a hassle, but this was a step in the right direction.

[Indeed, I have experience in dating. Leave it to me.]

[Child, can I truly trust you with this?]

[Of course! It'll be a whole lot worse for all of us if you fail, so I'm obviously being serious.]

[I see. What do I need to do first, then?]

Got her.

After confirming that Lilith was willing to listen, I flopped down on the bed tiredly.

''Why am I even doing this...?'' I muttered.

Nonetheless, it was time for the impromptu operation to start. There were lots of things that could either go right or wrong, but first, I needed to make sure Lilith wouldn't get her face blasted off by Jeanne the second she showed up. After all, the former demon queen was still a wanted target across the continent.

''Ah... this is so annoying...''

Exactly three days after that conversation, Lilith went to meet Jeanne directly after a decade and a half of separation.

[Can you see clearly, child?]

''I can. My voice is fine, right?''

[Yes.]

I asked Quasar for another body cam and a communication device—an earbud of sorts. I could talk to my phone, and the sound would be transmitted through the earpiece Lilith wore. This way, I could give her real-time instructions as the situation progressed. This much should be plenty enough, but since Lilith was quite clumsy, however, I needed to pay close attention.

In any case, the first step was to lure Jeanne out alone. Lilith took care of this quite well.

[I left a magical trail on her usual track. She should be able to trace it back to my location.]

''...Her usual track? Did you secretly observe her?''

[I've memorized her daily routine.]

''...''

Those were Lyra-esque behavior, almost. Wait, no, Lyra wasn't a stalker. She would rather act than tail someone in secret.

But after half an hour of waiting, the familiar red-haired heroine finally arrived at the spot. Lilith was sitting calmly on an empty hill near the academy, so it was quite easy to spot an approaching figure.

[Hah... hah... you...]

Jeanne widened her eyes as she took in the former demon queen's appearance.

[Long time no see.]

No disguise, no tricks, no nothing. Lilith faced Jeanne honestly, unfazed even as the former heroine brought out her sword.

[What are you doing here, Lilith?!]

[Relax. I mean no harm. If I wanted to cause trouble, this city wouldn't have been so peaceful, would it?]

Good. Jeanne is faltering. So far, it's going according to plan.

''Don't persuade her too much. It might come off as suspicious.'' I whispered. ''Just state your purpose of calling her there.''

[What do you want? Why did you appear again?]

[...You.]

[What?]

[To meet you.]

There was pure astonishment in Jeanne's eyes. I wasn't sure what she saw on Lilith's face. Did she blush or something? That might have been it. Seeing one's mortal enemy, who was usually stoic, blush while facing them must be a huge shock.

Of course, Lilith was inexperienced, but she wasn't a shy maiden or anything. Her composure quickly returned, and she continued flawlessly,

[For now, won't you sit down with me? I want to have a talk.]

[...]

Jeanne was seriously faltering. Lilith's demeanor must have been quite different from before, and when there was no ill intent felt, it made her wonder many things.

[...If you have something to say, say it.]

Thankfully enough, Jeanne decided to hear Lilith out and not fight her right away, although she didn't let her guard down. If these two fought, the city might end up in ruins.

I couldn't help but gulp nervously. It was all going well. All Lilith needed to do now was to tempt Jeanne with the story of her sudden abdication. It was a fact that the former heroine couldn't get her head around it for a long time. Then, as long as there were more interactions in the future, we definitely had chances.

Go, Lilith! Bring out the charming succubus in you!

[I...]

No, why are you hesitating? Just say you want to discuss that incident! Throw that bait!

''What are you doing? Just say it!'' I whispered aggressively.

Fortunately, Lilith soon uttered the words—

[What if I tell you... that I like you as a woman?]

''...Are you kidding me?''