The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 15
The only guide who could allow the highest-ranked espers to use their abilities to the fullest, without considering fatigue or pain, was Duke Apharantes.
Because he had the highest matching rate with them.
Even though lower-ranked guides could provide guidance, complete healing was impossible. Such fatigue was also one of the reasons they fell into evil.
If Hedonia becomes a guide, there would be no reason for me to guide the protagonists…
Because I can guide lower-ranked espers later on.
Above all, Karina is a truly rare high-ranking guide. It would be a waste to completely ignore her abilities.
‘I should ask Duke Apharantes to tell me how to guide.’
He might not reveal it properly given his personality, but it’s better than not asking.
If he explains that showing people how to heal as a guide would be more helpful, I would agree.
In the field related to Hedonia, he was always weak.
Apart from learning the role of a guide, there were also things the male lead was curious about.
Karina, who took on the role of a stand-in, probably wouldn’t be well-received by him.
‘It’ll be fun to watch.’
In my past life, I worked in the service industry and encountered all kinds of words. As someone who has reached the state of detachment, the complaints of the main leads towards the guide would not even leave a trace of a wound on me.
‘I wonder if they’ll unleash the horror of complaints.’
I decided to look forward to it for once.
* * *
Eventually, I reached the gathering.
As I stepped inside, a man who had been looking out the window turned his head towards me.
The man’s eyebrows twitched ever so slightly as he observed me.
‘Is he surprised?’
To someone seeing him for the first time, he seemed inscrutable. If Hedonia’s emotions were murky, this man was completely unreadable.
“Oh, you must be little one of the Duke Apharantes.”
The toneless voice seemed to praise my hair color and eye color.
I half expected him to sneer something about a lowly commoner like me… But surprisingly, he didn’t.
Even in the novel, Esban often reproached Karina for her behavior and lineage.
Is it because I don’t act as frivolously as the Karina in the book?
The man with jet-black hair is like the eye of a storm. His demeanor, devoid of any strong emotions, gives the illusion of looking at a doll.
Seeing the dark circles under his eyes, it seemed like he hadn’t slept for at least a month. I hesitated, realizing I hadn’t even greeted him yet, and bowed my head.
“…You are the one who will be the proxy for Hedonia for a while.”
“Yes, I am Karina.”
I finished my introduction, but the man didn’t even flinch from his seat. It seemed he didn’t want to talk about himself.
It didn’t particularly bother me. I already knew what kind of person he was.
Seeing the sword resting beside him with his black hair, it was clear.
Esban, known as the Sword Master, a deity of swords who had reached a level beyond human strength.
He was the eldest son of Count Cairoze, who supported this country, and the hero who closed the dungeon in the capital and defeated the demons.
‘…There has never been a proper depiction of Karina’s first encounter.’
That’s understandable, considering Karina was just a brat who appeared early on and disappeared. No one cared about how she met the espers.
Anyway, Esban’s first impression was like,
‘A tired office worker.’
There are many people to guide, but few who can guide, so it was only natural that not everyone could be fully guided.
Today, it seemed like even Esban came for guidance after a long time.
The head maid said that Esban and I would only exchange light greetings and part ways. Soon, the maids would come to take Esban away.
Before that, I tried to think of a way to increase his favor towards me, I was struggling.
‘…Even though I can’t guide, can’t I offer help through light contact?’
If someone is hostile towards me, I need something to alleviate that hostility. We’ll have to keep seeing each other. Facing someone who dislikes me with all their might is exhausting.
Kindness breaks down barriers between people and indebts them to each other. Being a noble person, if he owes me, I might be able to use it later.
As I pondered, I stood before Esban.
As his jet-black hair slightly inclined to the side, he seemed indifferent.
“…What is it?”
I extended my right hand to him. It was a gesture to signify that I know about guidance, that contact between us is necessary.
“You might feel more comfortable with some contact.”
As his brows furrowed, almost as if he were asking, “Why you and I?” I quickly provided an explanation.
“Besides, I am a high-ranking guide. We’ll be seeing each other in the future.”
“….”
Esban raised an eyebrow. After a moment, he spoke in a cold voice.
“Trying to win my favor?”
…Was it that obvious?
I swallowed the words that rose up to my throat and nodded.
“Yes.”