The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 165
When I was on the island, I thought it wasn’t an issue I needed to worry about.
‘I’m not sure if it connects to the current situation, but…….’
Given that this problem has been affecting not just Hedonia and Shaelock, but also other Espers in the long run, it seemed best to resolve it.
‘In the original story, one of the Espers fell into darkness because they weren’t chosen by Shaelock.’
Firstly, there was no chance that Hedonia would fall into darkness just because he wasn’t chosen by Shaelock.
The idea of the two of them falling in love is an event that would never happen, even if the heavens and the earth were turned upside down.
‘Then there are only two choices left……’
Could it be that either Pheon or Esban falls into darkness?
‘No, to begin with, this might not even be related to the current missing person case.’
I also started to doubt whether I was forcing what I knew about the original story to fit the current situation.
‘I should talk to Hedonia more about this later.’
Talking with Pheon or Esban, who would soon come in, might not be a bad idea.
Since I had started interacting with Hedonia, Shaelock, and other Espers again, I needed to address the risk of them falling into evil.
As Pheon sat down and sighed, he ran his hand through his hair.
“Karina. There was a good reason I couldn’t come to see you.”
A groan escaped at his tone. Ugh, this really isn’t it.
“Are we really going to drop formalities?”
“Huh?”
Pheon tilted his head and glanced at me sideways.
“Isn’t it obvious? We decided to be friends. And if you count the time, we’ve been friends for quite a while.”
“The time, yes, but we haven’t really seen each other much. Could you please stop speaking so casually…….”
Pheon’s speech was harder to endure than Esban’s formal speech.
When I pleaded tearfully, Pheon chuckled and extended his finger.
“Only if you promise to have lunch with me later.”
He wiggled his pinky.
Reluctantly, I hooked my pinky with his, thinking it would be better to have lunch.
Only then did Pheon smile brightly. A raw emotion contrasted with his usually perfectly polite demeanor.
It felt like I was seeing Pheon’s true feelings for the first time.
“Do you know why I couldn’t come to your island?”
Finally, the tone I was familiar with emerged.
“I thought it was because you didn’t need to come anymore. Since my role as a stand-in ended.”
It was refreshing to glimpse his inner self.
I honestly poured out my feelings, caught up in the moment.
“No way. I really intended to come. But Lord Hedonia and the Princess kept interfering so much……”
Pheon shook his head, his eyes looking truly weary.
…Even though he’s a main lead and the lord of the magic tower, it seems he couldn’t handle Shaelock and Hedonia.
“I tried to take care of most things… Were there any inconveniences for you?”
Indeed, if it weren’t for him, life on the island wouldn’t have been so comfortable.
“No, I’m really grateful for that.”
At my words, Pheon smiled brightly.
“Then let’s go see a play together? We can meet freely now.”
Pheon winked as he asked. I hesitated before speaking.
“There’s something I’m curious about first.”
“About me? Ask anything.”
“Are you okay right now, Lord Pheon?”
Asking about his current state was essentially asking about the situation outside.
And since Pheon had been a great help in my escape and daily life, and I knew why he couldn’t come… there was no reason not to ask.
“You’re looking out for my well-being? Thanks.”
Pheon chuckled lightly and spoke calmly.
“I’m not in perfect shape, but it’s more livable than I thought. At least I don’t have to see that disgusting face.”
“You mean the Duke?”
Pheon squinted his eyes. It seemed he didn’t like my choice of title.
“He’s already stepped down. Just call him Robert. You can even add some curses.”
…The words “Duke of Apharantes” stuck in my mouth, making it hard to curse.
Seeing my mouth open and close awkwardly, Pheon burst into laughter.
“You always exceed my expectations, Karina. Anyway, the number of guides has increased, thanks to Lord Hedonia.”
If Pheon spoke this way, it seemed that the treatment of guides had indeed definitely improved. It was evident that Hedonia had worked hard for the guides.
“…But I heard that Espers are having a tough time in comparison.”
“That’s right. As much as people harbor resentment towards Espers, the Espers have started to feel increasingly wronged.”
I recalled the dungeon I had visited with Pheon and the malicious wizard there.
“Espers go on missions, anxious about their potential disappearance at any moment, but the public opinion keeps getting worse, driving them crazy.”
They risk their lives for their missions, but people only focus on their failures, not their successes.
I would feel disillusioned too.
“Convincing the Espers under me has been tough as well.”
“Under you, Lord Pheon?”
I knew he was a high-ranking Esper and the lord of the magic tower, but it was a peculiar phrase. Has a position for managing Espers been established?
“You’ve heard that Espers have been continuously going missing, right?”
Like Shaelock, Pheon brought this up naturally.
‘It really is a serious issue.’
