The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 128
Esban then swiftly passed by me and grabbed the door handle.
Esban, who had locked the door in case of any unexpected situations, opened the window.
“The confusion will help us escape, Your Highness.”
At Esban’s words, Shaelock smiled broadly.
“And no one would think of escaping to the lady’s room. Especially after it’s already been searched once.”
There is a saying that the darkest place is under the lamp.
Shaelock and Esban decided to use this to their advantage.
It was also an opportunity to check on Hedonia’s condition.
“I think it’s a good idea.”
As I agreed, Shaelock stood up.
“Then, if we’re going to create confusion, let’s do it properly.”
“Are you going to use your powers?”
“Yes. Considering the situation, it seems easier to use our powers now and deal with the consequences later.”
Robert knows well that Pheon isn’t the type to act alone in such matters.
Even though they are rivals, the fact that Pheon came to receive a guiding from him shows this.
“Then I will use mine as well.”
Once I disappear, it’s only natural that Esban and Shaelock will become the targets after Pheon.
Shaelock and Esban, having already decided to use their abilities to the fullest, made up their minds.
“If they come, let them. It’s not like I’m in my usual form anyway.”
Shaelock’s face shone brightly as she spoke confidently.
“Robert Apharantes won’t be necessary anymore, right?”
She turned to me with a bright smile.
“The time to cater to him has passed.”
Wind flowed from Shaelock’s hand.
From her hand, Rodite emerged.
“Rodite, please.”
“Yes.”
Nodding at Shaelock’s words, Rodite’s body scattered into the air.
As she disappeared, a breeze was felt around us. My hair fluttered. Then, the wind exited the room.
“Ahhh!”
Screams were heard from outside.
Esban opened the window.
“Do you know where the lady’s room is?”
I’ve been in and out of there several times.
I nodded confidently.
Even though I’m not familiar with the mansion, I could find Hedonia’s room with my eyes closed now.
“Then let’s go and check.”
* * *
Realizing the situation was dire, Pheon swallowed hard.
“…Hedonia? You need to wake up.”
Pheon urgently approached Hedonia and shook his shoulder.
Gradually, focus returned to Hedonia’s eyes.
“Huuu…”
Hedonia let out a groan mixed with pain. His face contorted in a grimace, but he regained consciousness. Pheon sighed in relief.
‘I thought he was a goner.’
It was a close call.
‘…Is this a side effect of the awakening?’
The attendants would soon come back to check on Hedonia.
Preparations to leave had to be made… but Hedonia’s condition was alarming.
Pheon was also in a state of confusion.
‘Now that he’s awake, should I tell him that Cayden Cairoze is ready?’
Or should I wait for another opportunity?
It would be hard to find another perfect day like today.
If they discovered people had infiltrated, the defenses of the Apharantes family would become even stronger.
As Pheon hesitated, a loud scream erupted from Hedonia’s mouth.
AAaaargh!
He screamed nearly in a fit of convulsions.
With this, a tremendous power was released around Hedonia.
“…What?”
Pheon glared at the unexpected situation.
The sudden overwhelming force made it hard to breathe. Pheon blinked and pinched his own cheek.
‘…Have I gone crazy now?’
It was an uncharacteristic action, but he couldn’t help it.
The power filling the room was hardly that of a guide.
Pheon let out a dry laugh.
‘Then If I’m not actually crazy…’
There was only one explanation.
“Beeeeep—”
A loud alarm sounded as the Duke’s protective barrier activated.
A new power, unregistered with the Duke’s defenses, had triggered the protective magic.
Beeeeeep!
The noise grew louder.
People could be heard rushing toward them.
‘We’ve been discovered anyway.’
Pheon decided to buy time to discuss the situation with Hedonia.
His hand waved in the air.
Click.
The door locked instantly. His thoroughness was evident as he moved furniture to block the door.
It was time to confirm an important fact.
Unusually tense, Pheon spoke.
“Hedonia.”
“…What is it?”
Hedonia responded with a clearly exhausted voice.
Pheon let out a deep sigh.
He never thought he would have to ask this question…
“Have you perhaps awakened as an esper?”
He needed to confirm.
The power emanating from Hedonia was definitely not that of a guide.
No, it was closer to his own power.
And it was very strong.
“…Do you sense something?”
Hedonia asked Pheon with a blank expression.
“Yes.”
When Pheon nodded, Hedonia let out a hollow laugh.
He, too, could feel the changes in his body.
The long-awaited awakening had finally come to an end.
But the result was vastly different from what he had envisioned all his life.
‘I can feel the power.’
It was the power Hedonia had longed for.
Hedonia raised his hand and clenched his fist tightly, then nodded.
“That’s right.”
He had no choice but to admit it.
Hedonia Apharantes had become an esper, not a guide.
‘What a turn of events…’
Pheon pressed his temples, feeling a surge of headache.
It was one challenge after another.
