The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 108
I glared at him and muttered.
“Extend your hand, please.”
“Let’s start with that.”
Pheon smiled and extended his hand. As I took his hand, I began to transfer my energy.
Pheon took a deep breath and then exhaled, a pleased smile spreading across his face.
“Hmm… your control over the energy has definitely improved since the first time.”
“Is that so?”
I asked, pleased.
There’s a distinct difference between feeling like you’ve improved and hearing it from someone else.
“Yes, now I even want to hug you.”
Hugging was manageable.
I nodded and embraced him.
Despite being a mage, Pheon was quite well-built, so it felt like I was enveloped by him.
Being in his arms reminded me of the scent I noticed when Hedonia hugged me.
It wasn’t something I consciously wanted.
But Hedonia has a way of intruding into my daily life unexpectedly.
I wondered if Hedonia felt the same.
Did he think of me even when I wasn’t around, when he was talking to others?
I knew I shouldn’t wish for it, but I couldn’t help it.
I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to push thoughts of Hedonia away.
And I focused on Pheon.
After the hug, the smile on Pheon’s lips grew even wider.
“It’s been a while since my head felt this clear.”
“…Is that enough guiding for now?”
Though I thought I’d be okay, guiding two Espers seemed to be quite taxing.
Seeing me panting, Pheon nodded.
“Hm, I would like to do more… but I don’t want to see you collapse from guiding, so we’ll stop here.”
I knew his gaze lingered on my lips, but I pretended not to notice.
If we continued the guiding any further, I might actually die.
“Alright, let’s get to the main point.”
Pheon then pulled a rolled-up parchment from his pocket.
“…This is?”
“These are the addresses and passwords of the exchanges where the proceeds from the jewels are deposited. They’re spread across several places, so you can withdraw from them gradually as needed.”
As he said, the parchment listed the names of each exchange, the pseudonyms used, the required passwords, and the amounts deposited, all meticulously organized.
Seeing such a thorough and systematic approach, I felt a newfound confidence in Pheon.
‘I’m really glad I entrusted this to Pheon.’
I understood why he was renowned for his expertise in handling gem and currency trades.
With such meticulous handling, even I would want to keep giving him more tasks and transactions.
“This way, there’s no worry about the Duke of Apharantes tracking it down later.”
“…The amount is quite substantial.”
I smiled with satisfaction as I looked at the deposited amounts.
I knew it would be expensive, but I didn’t expect this many zeros.
“I paid special attention to it. Also, I appreciate you not disclosing anything about what happened when you followed me.”
His words were a clear message to keep quiet in the future as well.
“It will be the same going forward.”
“Miss Karina, you’re quick-witted, which I appreciate.”
He looked at me as if I were a student he was teaching.
“Miss Karina, you know that Lady Hedonia’s awakening isn’t far off, right?”
“Yes.”
“Have you decided where you’ll live after that? What will you do?”
“…I plan to stay on the island for a while and figure it out slowly.”
“That’s perfect. Why don’t you come to the Magic Tower?”
Pheon suggested with a smile.
The flow of the conversation was so natural that I almost nodded without thinking.
“…What? But I’m not a mage. How could I?”
“If you’re not a mage, we’ll just make you one.”
Pheon said this without batting an eye.
“…What do you mean by making me one…?”
“If you come to the Magic Tower, I can arrange a fake identity for you. You drank the potion I gave you today, right? You felt its effects, didn’t you?”
He began his pitch.
“You don’t think Robert will leave you alone, do you?”
Like Esban, he didn’t trust the Duke of Apharantes.
He might not know about the agreement between Robert and me, but…
‘Even if he knew, he would probably say the same thing.’
Given the way Robert had threatened me, it made sense.
“If you stay at the Magic Tower, we can protect you. It’s safe and comfortable. And if people know you’re acquainted with me, they won’t dare mess with you.”
His offer was certainly tempting.
But I couldn’t fully trust his words.
“What’s the price you want in return?”
Nothing in this world comes for free.
Pheon isn’t someone who ignores profit and loss.
In fact, he’s very shrewd.
“Oh, that’s simple…”
Pheon’s eyes glinted dangerously.
“Just guide me for the rest of your life.”
Then, Pheon’s eyes softened with a smile.
“And avoid meeting Hedonia Apharantes.”
He said it as if it were nothing.
“That’s not too difficult.”
As expected.
When someone says something isn’t difficult, it usually means the opposite.
