Lily blinked slowly, as if trying to discern whether Frondier was attempting a misplaced joke. Of course, there wasn't a hint of playfulness on his face.
"...Did you just say I'm Satan's subordinate?" Lily asked, frowning.
This time, it was Frondier's turn to scrutinize her expression.
'For now, I'll choose to believe this face.'
Truthfully, after encountering someone like Selena, Frondier had lost confidence in his ability to read expressions. But currently, he had too little information to understand Lily, especially with her own memories missing.
He had hoped his words might trigger some recollection in Lily, but it seemed that hadn't happened.
"Yes. Based on my investigations and the information I've gathered, it's almost certain."
"...What information led you to that conclusion?" Lily's face remained skeptical.
Frondier provided a brief explanation: the contract between Satan and humans, the current state of the devils sent to the Empire as Satan's agents.
While unbelievable, considering the context, it was plausible. No, more than plausible, it was the most accurate explanation for her memory loss. She must have realized that.
"...If I'm one of Satan's devils, what happens then?"
"The ones affected are you and the devils hiding here, not Satan. He remembers his devils clearly. If he knows a way to restore their memories, yours will return as well."
In that case, Lily would become Satan's subordinate again.
Lily, who had grown from her past and become one of the Zodiacs, siding with Satan. For the people of the Empire, it would be an unimaginable horror.
"...I won't do that, Frondier."
"I don't remember anything about Satan, and I've dedicated myself to protecting the Empire. You know that, right?"
Frondier remained silent in response to Lily's plea.
What Lily was saying was likely true. For a devil, all her memories resided within the Empire.
She must have formed bonds with humans and found ways to satisfy her desires.
Having risen to the rank of Zodiac, it was safe to say she had seamlessly integrated into human society.
Of course, her hobby of collecting handsome knights was a bit eccentric, but considering they were all former criminals, there was ample reason for leniency.
However, that was solely because Lily currently lacked any memories of Satan.
Frondier didn't know how long she had been in the demon realm or the extent of her loyalty and obedience to Satan.
He didn't know if those feelings were stronger or weaker than the information she had acquired in the Empire. Naturally, Lily herself wouldn't know either.
Therefore, he also didn't know which side Lily would ultimately choose if her memories returned.
"...You don't believe me."
Lily said, reading Frondier's expression.
He didn't doubt her current words, but he also didn't know everything about her.
Therefore, it all came back to this.
"Yes, I don't believe you."
Frondier couldn't deny it. Even with all her memories restored, Lily would still be Leah Lis.
Lily was momentarily surprised by his words, opening her mouth before quickly closing it again.
Frondier held too many of her weaknesses.
Moreover, the chances of her defeating him in a direct confrontation were slim. She had already tried and failed to escape.
"...So, what are you going to do with me?"
In other words, what happened to Lily now depended entirely on Frondier.
But Frondier simply stared at her in silence.
"Lily, let me make one thing clear."
"I seem to be under the influence of your power."
Doubt flickered across Lily's face before she spoke with a hint of disbelief.
"...You don't mean 'Charm,' do you?"
"Is now really the time to say that? With that face? While having this conversation?"
Even Lily herself found it hard to believe that Frondier was under the effect of Charm.
And even as he spoke, she couldn't comprehend it at all.
Were these the expressions and tone of someone charmed, directed towards the object of their enchantment?
"I wanted our relationship to continue as it was. To simply keep spending time together peacefully."
"But to achieve that, I've taken a rather long detour."
Frondier's realization that he was charmed wasn't just a feeling. There was a clear trigger.
'Come to think of it, it was when Lily first used her devil power on me.'
Frondier had been enraged. He hadn't expected his emotions to be so intensely shaken.
Sure, Lily had done something he disliked, but was it enough to cause such a reaction?
Whether due to the curse of Sloth or his own personality, Frondier rarely experienced such anger. The most prominent instance was when Edon, the number one Pro, had threatened Ellen.
But had Lily done anything as despicable as Edon? Ultimately, he was left tilting his head in confusion.
'It was a fierce battle between the Charm Lily cast on me and my own disposition. The anger was a backlash.'
Frondier definitely had resistance to devil powers. He possessed the power of his soul and had long resisted the curse of Sloth. The anger he felt then was a byproduct of that resistance.
'If I hadn't been consumed by anger, I might have found a wiser solution.'