That solution, of course, included eliminating Lily.
He didn't necessarily have to kill her himself. If he had revealed Lily's identity as a devil to the Empire and set the Imperial Palace in motion, the citizens would have become aware of the possibility of devils lurking within the Empire.
Naturally, the entire Empire would have mobilized, making it easier to find the hidden devils. Additionally, it would have been much simpler to put pressure on the Dark Guild associated with Lily.
At the time, Frondier's mind had been clouded by anger, preventing him from thinking clearly. He had been solely focused on the choice of whether to kill Lily with his own hands. That was precisely what Gregory had pointed out through the crow's mouth.
──I won't interfere with whatever you do.
Gregory had made it clear that he wouldn't mind if Frondier killed Lily. He even suggested it might be the right decision.
However, it had to be a decision made with sound judgment. That was what Gregory expected from the Frondier he knew.
"I was angry with you, and I exhausted my mental energy trying to suppress that anger, leading to poor judgment. Thanks to that, I ended up struggling alone to find the devils in the Empire."
Frondier had succumbed to Lily's Charm.
Only after clearly recognizing and acknowledging this did his mind become sharper.
"...I see. Charm works continuously, and resisting it constantly drains mental energy. So..."
Lily calmly accepted Frondier's judgment.
"Our contract ended today."
"I regret that things have come to this."
Lily understood Frondier.
Lily, who might return to Satan's side at any moment.
The 'Charm' that continuously influenced Frondier.
Frondier, who had to protect the Empire at all costs.
His choice was ultimately inevitable. Lily would have done the same in his position.
"Try not to move. It will lessen the pain."
"...Just get it over with."
Lily stood up, her arms hanging limply at her sides, her chest puffed out, and her eyes closed.
A posture even more defenseless than when she had faced Frondier before, as if offering her life to him.
After observing her for a moment, he spoke.
"...Open your eyes, Lily."
"That's harsh. I'm scared to death."
"With your eyes closed, things won't proceed smoothly."
As Lily opened her eyes, puzzled by his phrasing...
The moment her eyes met Frondier's, a tremendous pressure washed over her.
It was Frondier's 'devil power.'
Lily instinctively tried to unleash her own devil power. It was both a reflex cultivated as a Zodiac and a survival instinct as a devil.
"Don't resist, Lily."
Frondier's cold, stern words.
Only then did Lily finally understand what he was trying to do.
"You no longer have that choice."
With that, Lily simply accepted Frondier's power.
The devil power, the form of his soul, poured into her.
Lily had lost her memories of Satan, just like the other devils in the Empire. They had become non-existent in the demon realm.
Satan must have intended to use the devils he had planted in the Empire again someday, but...
A 'contract' was inherently neither on the side of the devil nor the human.
A contract that was solely convenient for Satan couldn't exist.
Becoming non-existent meant that the devil power Satan had exerted on them had naturally been severed.
Just as Frondier had subjugated the devils in the Empire.
Lily fully accepted Frondier's power.
Frondier had subjugated many devils with his power until now.
However, none had accepted his power as completely and purely as Lily.
As Frondier withdrew his devil power...
Lily closed her eyes gently and smiled peacefully.
Lily lowered her body, kneeling on one knee and bowing her head towards Frondier.
"...This is a bit awkward."
Yet, her tone and manner of speaking remained unchanged.
She smiled as if pleased with something and said,
"So that's what you meant by severing ties."
The relationship Frondier had desired.
Lily as a Zodiac, and Frondier as her acquaintance.
A connection with a degree of closeness and trust, formed through a brief period of working together.
That was what Frondier had wanted. Even if Leah Lis was a devil, he wanted their relationship to be human.
But that was no longer possible. Not everything would go according to his wishes.
"Even if your memories return, even if you wish to return to Satan's side at that time..."
Therefore, this was the only choice Frondier could make.
"I won't let you go."
"Follow my orders, Leah Lis. I don't care how you change when your memories return. Turn the entire demon realm against me if you must. I will kill your former master."
To prevent Lily from going to the devils even if her memories returned.
To ensure she remained a pillar of the Empire as a Zodiac.
To keep Lily from the devils' side, he would use the logic of devils.
"Even if your memories return, remain as you are now. Hide any hostility, anger, or regret you may feel towards me deep within your heart and never show it. Live with it hidden until the day I die. When that time comes, remember these words. I am your master, Leah Lis."
These words might be cruel to Lily.
She, who had lost her memories, had a true home and a master to serve.
However, now that she had submitted to Frondier, she had to stay by his side even if she recalled all of that.
Upon hearing those words, Lily smiled faintly.
With a face as clear as a cloudless sky, unfitting for a devil, she said,
"As you wish, my master."