The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 121
To remove any potential threat posed by an S-class Esper, he needed to incapacitate their powers.
There was one thing he had to do.
‘Stop the guiding.’
Robert was currently the sole guide wielding influence over all S-class and A-class Espers.
If he stopped working, the Espers’ physical conditions would inevitably deteriorate.
‘Public criticism doesn’t matter.’
In fact, Esper disappearance cases were still occurring, causing various levels of damage.
‘How can they trust Espers?’
It wasn’t just the nobles who envied the power and status granted to Espers.
Many commoners felt resentful, instead of celebrating their rise to high positions.
People eagerly wait for the downfall of Espers, always looking for an opportunity.
Reading people was easy.
That’s why he had managed to reach his current position by compensating for his lack of abilities with a sharp mind.
‘The official notice has already been sent.’
Given that his health had genuinely been deteriorating recently, the timing was perfect.
Robert had successfully secured a two-week leave from the Emperor, citing his current condition and the need to support Hedonia, who was about to awaken as a guide.
He had consistently spoken to the Emperor about Hedonia’s potential, and the Emperor had high expectations.
Of course, the Emperor granted the leave under the impression that another guide would temporarily take Robert’s place, but…
‘I’ll ensure the work is done, but without truly doing it.’
In this empire, guides were scarce, and Robert held the highest rank.
For the next two weeks, the guides under his command would use minimal power while handling the schedules of Pheon, Shaelock, and Esban.
It’s challenging to measure how much effort a guide puts in when aiding an Esper.
In reality, the effectiveness of guiding depends solely on the Esper’s perception.
And most guides here had been trained under Robert’s influence.
His discipline had made them treat his words as law.
Of course, such tricks couldn’t last forever.
That’s why he gambled on the two-week period.
‘Spending nearly two weeks without proper guiding will be tough.’
Though it was a childhood memory, it remained vivid.
The frailty of Espers who lacked guiding etched in his mind.
People would cry and cling to their mothers, unable to endure the uncontrolled pain.
Most individuals’ mental strength wouldn’t be enough to withstand it.
Being unable to sleep or even think clearly says it all. Espers might appear strong on the outside, but they are as fragile as glass.
‘An Esper cannot survive without a guide.’
Recently, he had given some freedom to Princess Shaelock, Esban, and Pheon.
It was a gesture of gratitude for keeping Hedonia’s secret… but,
‘When treated well, there are always those who get too comfortable…’
They forget the grace of his guiding.
If he wished, he could use his power as a guide to take control of the entire empire.
‘I confirmed the dark magic thoroughly.’
The curse could kill a person independently of the contract’s activation.
However, it took time for the curse to take effect.
He needed to soak the curse doll in the blood extracted from the target and wait for two weeks.
‘I need to witness the death, though.’
Being his son, Robert knew how tenacious Hedonia could be.
If Karina somehow managed to survive out of his sight, Hedonia would relentlessly track her down.
While he could handle it for now… there was no guarantee he could manage it until Hedonia inherited the Duchy of Apharantes.
‘So she must die in front of my eyes.’
The blood needed for Hedonia’s awakening was almost entirely drawn.
Yet, he continued to draw Karina’s blood to weaken her as much as possible.
He had heard that a weaker body was more susceptible to curses, so he followed that advice.
He reduced the quality and quantity of her food and limited her activities.
Given that Hedonia’s guiding duties and frequent illnesses were well-known, the notion of her needing rest was accepted without much suspicion.
People tended to empathize more with guides, who seemed more relatable, rather than Espers with their unattainable power.
Robert saw no need to change this perception.
He knew it worked to his advantage.
‘It will all be over when Hedonia’s awakening is complete.’
Watching Hedonia struggle with his inability to awaken had been a constant source of frustration.
He had endured, believing that Hedonia would achieve everything he himself had not.
Hedonia’s rebellion didn’t bother him.
Once Hedonia had all that he had prepared for him, he would come to understand Robert’s grand vision.
Hedonia would see that his father’s actions were driven by a profound love and a desire for his success.
