The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 134
Given that Shaelock had openly used her power, it was no surprise her identity couldn’t be hidden.
But she wasn’t intimidated at all.
Neither was Pheon.
“We’ve already created an alibi. Denying it should be fine.”
“Exactly. Rodite’s power overlaps with that of a wind mage.”
They worked well together.
“So… what about Miss Karina now…”
Esban looked at me.
For some reason, I was apprehensive about what he might say next.
‘He wouldn’t suggest taking me to the House of Cairoze, would he…’
He wouldn’t dare make such an outrageous suggestion, right?
But sometimes the unexpected happens.
“I think it would be best for her to stay at the Cairoze estate and assess the situation. What do you think, Your Highness?”
Esban looked at me steadily but asked Shaelock for her opinion.
“I want to go to the island.”
Of course, I had no desire to go to the House of Cairoze.
When I firmly stated my preference, Esban frowned.
Not that I cared…
I just calmly expressed my opinion.
“It would be better for me to stay at my own place than anywhere else.”
“How will you manage essentials on the island?”
“I’ve already discussed it with Pheon.”
Crash. As I conversed with Shaelock, a loud noise erupted from behind. Startled, I turned to see a broken table.
Why did the table suddenly split in two?
Next to the table stood the black-haired Esper, blinking as he looked at his hands.
‘What a troublemaker.’
The more I saw, the less I liked him.
Not only had he unconsciously received guiding from me at first, but now he was deliberately breaking Hedonia’s furniture.
I glared at him.
“So, how exactly is he supposed to help us?”
“Hmm, it seems you don’t like him, Miss Karina.”
Pheon muttered with an amused expression as I voiced my irritation.
“…Of course not. I’m just curious why you brought him, Pheon.”
Even though I didn’t like him, I couldn’t openly show my dislike in front of someone I had just met. Besides, I was genuinely curious about the reason behind Pheon’s choice.
“Indeed, why did I bring this Esper?”
Pheon’s cryptic response made me tilt my head in confusion.
“What do you mean by that…?”
“Rodite’s power is almost out. The door will open soon.”
“And the magic circle will activate. It’ll target you first. You know what kind of attack it will be.”
“You now—”
As Pheon spoke to the Esper, the Esper reacted defensively.
‘It seems he doesn’t get along with Pheon either.’
I really wondered why Pheon had brought him along. Was he that capable?
“Then, Miss Karina, this way.”
Pheon guided me towards his direction.
“Esban will move with that group.”
The Esper sighed as he was assigned his group.
Following a superior is tough…
For the first time, I felt a sense of relatability with that Esper.
At that moment, the four Espers paused.
“There’s a lot of noise,”
“…Yes.”
“We should prepare, then.”
I was startled when I heard the Esper’s voice for the first time.
‘He sounds a lot like Hedonia.’
Somehow, he reminded me of Hedonia even when I first saw him.
I must really miss Hedonia to keep thinking of him while looking at a completely different person, the Esper.
“Then I’ll take care of Karina.”
Shaelock, signaling to Esban, grabbed my hand firmly.
Perhaps because I had already guided him earlier, he didn’t drain my strength this time. Or rather, he did, but the intensity was different.
Shaelock’s face looked much lighter.
Pheon glanced at the door with a wide grin.
“It’s time to cause some chaos.”
He intertwined his fingers, looking genuinely excited.
I raised my hand cautiously. There was something I needed to clarify before the chaos started.
“What is it?”
Pheon tilted his head.
“If word gets out that an Esper used force to take over the ducal house, public opinion will be against us.”
The perception of Espers had already worsened due to the damage caused by missing Espers.
Despite needing Espers, people were reluctantly accepting them.
‘We do need Espers.’
But the current situation wasn’t favorable for them.
‘It’s the same for Shaelock and Hedonia.’
For Shaelock, who wants a fair world for Espers, and for Hedonia, who wants to take control of the ducal house, Robert’s manipulation of public opinion could be a serious problem.
Most importantly, I didn’t want righteous Espers like Pheon, Esban, or Shaelock to be criticized by people.
Shaelock looked at me, resting his chin on his hand.
“You’re not wrong, but… people still need Espers, regardless of their image. Despite everything… there’s no problem with moving forward.”
Shaelock’s momentary silence as she mentioned the distinction was contradictory.
Everyone knew that things wouldn’t end so easily.
