The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 1
An island of my own, I still can’t believe it.
I gazed upon the magnificent mansion with a contented smile.
The pristine white walls and sky-blue roof, a sight that never grows tiresome, reminiscent of Santorini in Greece.
A mansion exclusively for me, a sanctuary where safety is a given. In a world filled with dungeons, magical creatures, and monsters, I found my happiness.
‘So, this is what happiness feels like.’
Moreover, there’s no need to worry about what crazy events might unfold this time during guiding.
‘…Although I probably won’t be guiding for the rest of my life.’
Hedonia, the male lead, the unparalleled S-Class Guide, had the main characters all wrapped around his finger.
I leisurely strolled across the sandy beach and entered my room in the mansion.
The opulently decorated ornaments, the music box, and the dazzling new white piano I recently acquired all caught my eye.
I always enjoy spending money. It’s exhilarating!
‘This is what wealth feels like!’
As I opened the window, I gazed at the sea dyed red by the setting sun.
How mysterious and beautiful the wonders of nature can be.
Enduring the nonsensical chatter of the male protagonists all this time was worth it.
‘I guess donating blood has its merits after all.’
It was more like freeloading than anything else.
While being a Guide brought in a good income, owning an island was an entirely different story.
From the beginning, it was like trying to catch a falling star for a commoner to buy an island.
Islands were nothing but retreats and vacation spots for the nobility.
The nobles, realizing that magical creatures and monsters tended to appear in densely populated areas, had acquired every single island out there.
‘But hey, I got it after donating blood a few times!
However, due to spending the past six months merely enjoying myself on the island, I remained oblivious to the outside world.
I needed time to recuperate, just as long as the period I worked as a Guide. That’s why I hardly ventured out to dungeons.
Even though Hedonia had taken control of Apharantes, the desire to leave the island hadn’t surfaced yet.
‘Thankfully, dungeons seem to appear here only periodically.’
Although my conscience pricked me a bit for living as an irresponsible unemployed person, I quickly fixed my mindset.
‘After all, there’s the male lead.’
In this reverse harem, regardless of the main character and love interests, Hedonia, who boasted extraordinary abilities, became their Guide. What could possibly go wrong?
‘I wonder if Hedonia awakened well?’
As someone who hadn’t seen Hedonia’s final appearance, there was some concern. However, since he had made it clear that he wouldn’t see me first, there was nothing I could do.
It was a bit disappointing that the friendship built over the past six months had come to an end, but I understood that he might not want to show himself to me.
I respected his time, which would now be spent with the female lead, along with his blood-red vengeance. The communication between a Guide and an Esper was crucial.
Zzzing.
The sound of someone arriving at the teleportation magic circle could be heard.
At the appropriate evening hour, the summoned chef would likely prepare a meal.
‘What should I ask for?’
I strolled leisurely towards the magic circle located in the basement of the mansion.
However, when I opened the door connected to the magic circle, I was taken aback.
‘Huh?’
Unexpectedly, there were three guests. Moreover, they were individuals I thought I wouldn’t have to see anymore.
“Karina!”
“Karina.”
“…I was trying to come alone in secret. But these people followed me.”
From Swordmaster Esban to the mage Pheon and the summoner Shaelock, they all kneeled before me, the Guide they had followed in Hedonia’s mansion. I asked in astonishment,
“What’s going on, everyone?”
“We have finally come to receive your choice,”
“…Excuse me?”
I was taken aback by Esban, a born noble, saying something I never expected to hear in his lifetime. My eyes clouded with confusion.
“Meeting after half a year…”
Unfazed by my indifferent reaction, Esban continued speaking. However, his face was noticeably red, and he seemed fully aware of how absurd his actions were.
“I’ve hoped to go to the dungeon with you again.”
…What is he talking about?
‘Why is he saying that in front of me?’
Shaelock, the beautiful female lead, carefully observed my reaction and began to explain hesitantly.
“That’s because, Rini… I wish for you to be my Guide.”
Shaelock moved gracefully, coming closer to me.
“Rini…”
It was the moment she reached out her hand towards me—
“Your Highness, please observe the proper etiquette. I was the one who spoke to Karina first.”
Esban intervened again, blocking Shaelock. She gave him a cold glare. A tremendous tension arose between them.
‘What the, the female lead and the male lead are in opposition to each other?’
Esban’s gaze, who should have built a bond and eventually loved Shaelock while working as Espers, seemed unsettling.
…It seems like Esban has seriously messed up somewhere.
“No, I will be taking Karina with me!”
The next to interject was the furious voice of Pheon. Flames flickered around the enraged Pheon. I panicked and gestured.
Not in my house!