Case 137: Upon a powerful Lilith.

It was over. I really thought it was over.

How could I have placed my hope on this dense, this unfathomably my-pace idiot? I had stressed multiple times that she shouldn't go for glory right away, saying it would backfire, and she even agreed with me!

Did I not know something she knew? Was it just her personality? Why did she have to confess at precisely the worst time...?

My heart sank the moment she uttered those words. I couldn't help but imagine the worst out of this situation. If Lilith were to fight Jeanne, she wouldn't escape easily, and even if she did, she wouldn't be able to move freely in the future. That would affect my current plan.

However, that was only the superficial stuff. I didn't trust Lilith fully. Any reasonable person wouldn't. There wasn't anything to guarantee that she wouldn't betray me. If Jeanne were prudent, she could use Lilith's affection for her and sniff out my information, too. If not Jeanne, then the clever Serendia would.

Maybe I was overthinking. Maybe I was wrong. Just...

''You moron,'' I muttered.

There wasn't any immediate response from the other side. Looking at Jeanne's confused eyes, I imagined the mood there must have been quite tense. Eventually, it was the former heroine who couldn't hold her question,

[What... what do you mean by that?]

She said.

[Calm down.]

I wasn't sure if Lilith's soft-spoken sentence was meant for me or for Jeanne. Unlike both of us, the former demon queen seemed exceptionally composed.

[I mean what I said. Take it literally. So... what would you feel, my heroine?]

[That... I'm no longer the heroine.]

There it was—the typical indecisiveness of main characters. It felt like any other protagonist in any game or story would have these kinds of frustrating moments, but seeing it in real life was just baffling. Although... I couldn't say I didn't have such moments myself.

Nonetheless, the conversation between Lilith and Jeanne continued for a while, with many teasing back-and-forths.

[You're the only one I consider a heroine, Jeanne.]

[Don't call me so comfortably. Rather, you still haven't told me why you're here.]

[My, you didn't answer my question either. How about you go first, and I'll follow?]

[Don't be ridiculous. If you're only going to play around, I'll have no choice but to go all out.]

Jeanne probably didn't realize it herself, but her momentum had completely vanished. Perhaps her impression of Lilith wasn't so bad, after all. I mean, Lilith herself wasn't the kind of demon queen who liked seeing blood and whatnot. That wasn't her image. Maybe the former heroine didn't hate this woman intensely.

Could conversation work...?

At a glance, it really seemed probable. The more I listened to their stupid talk, the calmer I became. Jeanne didn't take Lilith's confession seriously, so for now, the bomb's timer was still ticking. If Lilith could smoothly steer the topic from here, it would still be salvageable, though I doubted she would do that.

Her idiotic confidence frightened me.

No, maybe Lilith knew the way, and I didn't. I should shut up and hope for the best. At this point, Jeanne's sword was still pointed at Lilith. It was a stand-off, but not quite a stand-off. Eventually, it was Lilith who conceded first.

[Well, I won't insist if you don't want to... but my heroine, by meeting you here, I only intend to tell you one thing—I mean no harm to you.]

[...I can't believe your words.]

[Is that so? I, on the other hand, believe my actions have already proved my intentions. I wouldn't have disappeared more than a decade ago if I longed for such a thing.]

[...]

Against a clearly confused Jeanne, Lilith approached her step by step, slowly, elegantly, and with such confidence that she even brushed past her glinting sword, the former demon queen never faltering once.

Her thin hand crept up under Jeanne's watchful yet feeble eyes. Soon, her finger touched the former heroine's cheek. She felt a tremble, and even through the screen, I could almost sense her excitement.

[It was such a delight to meet you after so long, Jeanne. I'm glad I mustered the courage to do so. And... about the things I told you—I'm being sincere.]

[...Huh?]

[Let's meet again sometime. It would be nice if we could go on some dates, don't you think?]

It was a masterpiece. Even I, who had played—not really—three women and seduced my step-sister, could only admit that Lilith's act befitted her succubus queen status. Jeanne was within her grasp the whole time.

Even when she left without looking back, Jeanne couldn't muster a retort. Rather, she seemed... shaken. Almost as if Lilith had managed to reach her heart.

In the end, it was Jeanne and me who were left speechless.

''...How did you do it?'' I reluctantly asked. ''Did you use your power?''

[Not intentionally, at least. I... only said what was on my mind. It felt rather good.]

''You might have a talent for this kind of stuff.''

[Maybe.]

Strangely enough, the call was still ongoing. We had discussed everything we needed to. Even the incident with Jeanne went unexpectedly well. Just... neither of us wanted to stop.

I considered Lilith a stranger, and I was sure she considered me one, too. But sometimes, I suppose even strangers could have a good talk together.

''By the way, I forgot to ask until now, but what happened to the Marchioness?''

[She's been staying with me. There's nothing particularly wrong with her.]

''...I see.''

I wasn't worried about that woman at all. She neglected Lyra so much and caused her great harm, after all. I was simply curious.

...Actually, I had something else to ask Lilith. I hesitated for a while, but I decided that this person wouldn't judge me for it.

''Hey, um... what do you think about Lyra having a crush on me?''

[Hm? It's fine, isn't it? You and she aren't real siblings in the first place.]

''I mean, not in that aspect. I was seeing her as my little sister for years, and then she suddenly confessed to me...''

[You did always dote on her, yes. However, even if you aren't my daughter, your body is hers. I'm certain you noticed that little girl's emotions all along. Am I wrong?]

''That...''

[You were just unwilling to face her. So, I'd say this is at least half your fault.]

''....''

[How about you properly look at her for once? As a woman. Otherwise, you don't know what she would do. That girl's love is quite heavy.]

''...I guess I'll do that.''

After the call with Lilith, I sprawled on the bed, rolling and twisting. I couldn't bring myself to 'properly look at' Lyra. I had already been dismissing her as a potential lover since the very beginning, so it was only natural that I had some reservations.

But... things already progressed in that direction. Lyra kissed me, touched me, and she seemed extremely unwilling to let me go. Running away wouldn't solve anything.

''I guess... I'll really do it,'' I muttered blankly.

Fortunately or unfortunately, there would soon be an opportunity for me to act out that promise. Lyra had just returned to the mansion after a few days.