The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 131
“Lady Hedonia! We will be entering soon!”
Meanwhile, outside, they continued struggling with the door amidst their argument.
“The magic circle will activate soon! Hedonia, just stay alive!”
At Robert’s voice from outside, both of them turned their gaze to the door.
“…What will happen once the magic circle activates?”
He knew better than anyone how powerful the magic circle surrounding the ducal house was.
In the letters they exchanged before, he had mentioned that this would be the biggest issue.
“It will primarily target you, Lord Hedonia, as the new source of power. But since I have intervened, you won’t die instantly.”
Though it was difficult to completely break a magic circle he created with other mages, it was still possible to alter it.
Pheon muttered with a calm expression.
“However, after about 10 minutes, the magic circle will start attacking Lord Hedonia.”
“Me?”
As Hedonia pointed to himself with a finger, a gust of wind swept around him.
“…This is.”
Hedonia immediately realized whose power this was.
“It’s Lady Shaelock’s power.”
Then, Rodite appeared before them.
“Everyone is coming this way.”
With a light, breezy voice, she said this and then dispersed into the air.
“…Has the princess and Esban gone to fetch Karina?”
“Yes, it seems they are on their way now.”
“I see.”
Hedonia’s worries about the magic circle faded momentarily, replaced by a sense of excitement.
“Miss Karina will be quite surprised to see you, Lord Hedonia.”
“Indeed, she will.”
Would Karina be happy to see her?
‘Or will she faint at the sight of me…?’
Knowing that Karina was in a weakened state made him worry.
“I’m curious about Karina’s reaction.”
“…Why would you be curious?”
“No particular reason.”
Pheon mumbled, recalling Karina’s appearance.
“Of course, she must believe that Lord Hedonia might have been a guide by now.”
Karina had always known she was a stand-in, and she understood that her role would end once Hedonia awakened.
‘It wouldn’t be good if a rift formed between them.’
To Pheon, the relationship between Hedonia and Karina seemed close-knit.
The dynamic between Hedonia and Karina was an intriguing variable.
Pheon’s words came from his belief that Karina was unaware of Hedonia’s true gender.
His words hit Hedonia like a punch to the gut, touching on a sensitive, unconsidered point.
Hedonia wanted to be someone who could protect Karina.
But what about Karina?
It felt like an unexpected barrier had suddenly arisen.
Hedonia carefully recollected Karina’s words and actions.
‘Stay calm.’
However, he hadn’t liked the situation from the start.
From the very beginning, Karina was convinced that he would become a guide.
Her belief was evident in her words and actions.
‘No, there might be another time.’
In a panic, Hedonia clutched his head.
His mind raced faster than when he had devised the plan to bring down Robert.
…But no matter the scenario, only Karina’s unwavering belief that he would be a perfect guide came to mind.
Her unshakeable faith in the ‘perfect guide’ was deeply ingrained in his memory.
Is this it?
Hadn’t he practically begged for a chance when she initially refused to see him at all?
Doubt crept in naturally.
‘Will Karina be happy that I became an Esper?’
He vividly recalled how overwhelmed she had been guiding Espers for the first time.
As an Esper, his relationship with Karina would change completely.
What if Karina didn’t want this?
‘…I don’t want that.’
An unexpected fear washed over Hedonia.
It didn’t matter if everyone else denied his existence.
It was the same even if they hated or despised him.
But Karina was different.
It wasn’t just about Karina.
He still hadn’t fully brought the House of Apharantes under his control.
Unless he cornered the Duke of Apharantes, Karina might be blamed for awakening Hedonia as an Esper.
…Most of all, what frightened him was Karina’s gaze.
When it came to Karina, his mind couldn’t function properly. Panic-stricken, Hedonia’s breath became rapid.
“Lady Hedonia! Are you inside?”
A loud knocking echoed through the room.
“The door will open soon. We need to go out now.”
Pheon reminded the dazed Hedonia of the situation.
Whatever Hedonia was thinking, he needed to focus on the task at hand.
“Let’s exit through the window together. I’ve already sent the carrier pigeon.”
Pheon had just sent a message to Cayden Cairoze to prepare for departure and was about to lead Hedonia out.
“Wait.”
Hedonia grabbed his hand tightly. The sudden force caused Pheon to stagger.
“…Why?”
Pheon tilted his head in confusion.
“Before we go out… I’d like to change my appearance.”
“What?”
