Becoming the Guide of the Mysophobic Villain? Absolutely Not! - Chapter 277
When I wondered when I would ever finish replying to all these letters, I ended up doing it by staying up all night reading and writing.
The next morning, I rubbed my dry eyes and left the house. By the time I arrived at the central plaza of the Center, everyone, including Livener and the additional recruits, had already gathered.
The Esper who had delivered the letters to me sighed in relief as he received my reply.
“Thank you so much, Lady Rose. If you hadn’t written back, I thought I might have to go and beg on my knees to you.”
“……”
Seeing how relieved he was made me feel rather sorry for him.
Would he know? That these letters, which decide whether he can return or not, are actually just trivial things meant to placate that evil Claude.
Anyway, he soon disappeared somewhere, saying there were many things to check before leaving.
Maybe it was because these people were hastily gathered. Everyone seemed busy, and after that, no one paid attention to me. The overall atmosphere was bustling, with boxes filled with food and various supplies lying around with their lids open.
Watching that scene quietly…
I ended up doing something that a person who stayed up all night would usually do, something crazy.
My misdeed was only discovered that night.
“Ahhh…!”
The Esper who opened the box to check the state of the supplies was startled to find me curled up and sleeping inside.
I knew I would be discovered eventually, but I didn’t expect it to be so soon. I should have hidden for a few more days. As long as I didn’t leave the Center far, they could still ship me back even now.
Even though I wasn’t fully awake, the sense of crisis made my mind spin quickly.
And then Livener, who rushed over after hearing the news, said exactly what I had expected.
“Lady Rose, I’ll assign someone to accompany you, so please go back now. If I take you with us, Lord Claude will never forgive me.”
“That’s impossible. I came because Lord Claude called for me.”
“……”
“Didn’t you hear that Lord Claude wrote me a bunch of letters? They were all about needing me there. If you don’t believe me, you can ask the person who delivered the letters.”
Of course, it was a lie, and no one should ever read the letters Claude sent.
But since no one knew the contents of the letters we exchanged, I insisted.
However, as soon as Livener heard my words, he snorted.
“If that was the case, would you be hiding like this? If you had just shown us the letters, we would have taken care of everything.”
“……”
Livener saw through my lie and dismissed it immediately.
I thought he was the easiest and most gullible of Claude’s trio of logs. I saw him differently now.
Anyway, since I had drawn the knife, I had to cut the radish. I couldn’t return so disgracefully less than a day after leaving the Center.
“Ah, we’re in a hurry. When will you get someone to take me back, and when will I go? I’ll just stay here. Like I’m not even here. Lord Livener, just pretend you didn’t know I was here.”
“Lady Rose, it’s not that simple. Claude will definitely be furious…”
“It’s okay. I’ll take full responsibility. I’ll be fine!”
“Yes, you will be fine. You are Claude’s only imprinted Guide. But for taking such a precious person to the battlefield, I’ll get scolded harshly, many times over, for both our shares.”
Livener laughed bitterly.
“……”
I couldn’t deny his words, so I kept my mouth shut.
Should I really go back like this? I haven’t seen him for two months already, and I don’t know how much longer I have to wait.
Two months on the battlefield. By now, he must be struggling as his guiding power runs out. Of course, I know he endured years without a Guide before he met me, but that was then.
Just by reading his letters, it’s clear he’s reached his limit both physically and mentally. Am I really his Guide if there’s nothing I can do for him? Is waiting for him safely the best I can do?
I wasn’t sure. Every impulsive act I committed led to overwhelming consequences. So maybe listening to Claude’s firm stance on this matter was the right thing to do. But…
