The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 148
Pheon let out a heavy sigh as he watched Karina finally lose consciousness and collapse.
Hedonia, who was holding Karina’s limp body tightly, didn’t move at all.
The fact that neither Shaelock nor Pheon could make him budge demonstrated his remarkable physical strength.
Pheon pressed his temples, speaking irritably,
“Hedonia, get a grip.”
Inwardly, he saw Karina’s failure to recognize Hedonia as an opportunity to get closer to her.
He had even given Hedonia the appearance-altering potion, only to see this chance squandered.
Pheon picked up the doll that Karina had dropped when she collapsed. Shaelock was busy scolding the summons that refused to fight Hedonia.
‘So this is his first rampage.’
It’s natural for someone with abilities as great as Karina’s to attract attention.
Especially if it’s their first awakening.
Shaelock muttered while struggling beside him,
“We should be grateful he didn’t drag her to a bed. At least he has that much sanity left.”
“…I don’t like this conversation, but I agree with that.”
Since he brought Karina the doll that Robert had stolen, it’s likely he had already encountered Robert.
“Esban is probably meeting with Cayden Cairoze right now.”
Shaelock struggled to separate Karina and Hedonia.
‘It seems like we’ll need to use force to separate them.’
Pheon nodded, conjuring flames in his hands.
“Rampages are a natural occurrence.”
They, too, had experienced it once.
Remembering Hedonia’s earlier calm expression, Pheon remarked casually,
“This is the first time Hedonia looks human.”
It was definitely time to separate Karina and Hedonia.
“He wouldn’t get angry just because he gets hurt, right?”
Knowing that Hedonia’s abilities were mental, both of them were highly focused.
“Hurry up,”
Shaelock commanded, unable to hide her anxiety as she looked at the collapsed Karina.
“Yes,”
Pheon replied.
He directed a bright blue flame at Hedonia’s hand.
“Ah—”
Even in his disoriented state, it was hard for Hedonia not to react to Pheon’s flame, which was much hotter than normal fire.
Pheon sent the flames at Hedonia several more times, as if trying to snap him out of it. When Hedonia grimaced and released Karina from his grip, Shaelock quickly gathered her into her arms.
Approaching Hedonia, Pheon smiled.
“May I hit you once, Duke?”
It was a title given due to Cayden Cairoze’s smooth takeover of the duchy.
“Esban must have warned you, so coming here like this is your fault.”
Pheon whispered, then punched Hedonia’s arm.
Since an ordinary impact wouldn’t snap him out of it, he included the flames as well.
This was purely to wake Hedonia’s mind, with no personal grudge involved.
The fabric burned away quickly, leaving burn marks on the skin.
Only then did Hedonia’s eyes slowly regain focus.
“…What happened?”
Hedonia frowned.
His body, which had felt like hell moments ago, now felt remarkably refreshed, almost as if it had been a dream.
After meeting Karina and holding her hand, he had no memory of what happened next. It was as if someone had excised that part of his mind entirely.
“You nearly killed Miss Karina with your arrogance, Duke,”
Pheon said in a cold tone.
“It was really dangerous, Apharantes,”
Shaelock added, moving Karina further away from him. They subtly increased the distance between Hedonia and the now unconscious Karina.
“Nearly killed her?”
Hedonia frowned. His forearm still felt intensely hot. The picture frames in the hallway were scorched, and Shaelock’s summoned creatures were all present.
Realizing that he might have caused this, Hedonia’s heart plummeted.
It happened right before he could reveal his true identity to Karina.
“Tell me what happened,”
He calmly asked.
Pheon blinked at him, understanding Hedonia’s intense concern when it came to Karina.
‘They’ve spent too much time together.’
…Maybe it was time to give other espers a chance as well.
As he was lost in thought, Shaelock unexpectedly spoke first.
“The moment you tasted Karina’s guiding, you lost control and tried to absorb all her power,” Shaelock, who usually kept a composed expression, was now frowning.
“If Pheon and I hadn’t managed to pull you away, she would have died.”
Her voice, cold as ice, brought Hedonia back to reality.
“Guiding is crucial for espers, but we must always remember,”
“Guides are entirely different from us, fragile beings.”
Shaelock gently brushed Karina’s forehead, speaking in a low voice.
Having lived as an esper for so long, she understood this well, and her words were invaluable advice to Hedonia.
