The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 166
I nodded earnestly.
“High-ranking Espers have started managing lower-ranking Espers. They share ways to use their power in dungeons and exchange experiences.”
It’s surprising they only started doing this now.
Shouldn’t this have been done from the beginning? It seemed that not only the laws and norms for guides but also those concerning Espers were in disarray.
Since the male protagonist is Hedonia and the female lead, Shaelock, is a princess, their roles weren’t properly highlighted.
“…How did things work?”
“We didn’t care about each other except when going to dungeons together. Especially for Espers like me.”
With the existence of Espers and guides emerging in this world, lives began to change, but the system was still not properly established.
Initially, guides and Espers were unfamiliar to everyone, and people don’t usually take much interest in unfamiliar things.
People are naturally afraid of change, so this might be expected.
‘…But change isn’t always a bad thing.’
I also sought a different change, which is why I stepped in as a stand-in and managed to deviate from the original story.
It seems I hadn’t paid enough attention to Espers compared to guides.
Since things have come to this, I decided to pay more attention to the aspects I had been ignoring.
“It must be difficult for you to manage all the Espers by yourself, Lord Pheon…”
I subtly asked, and he readily answered.
“There are four Espers who mainly handle that duty. The royal family appointed us as a sort of commanders.”
Since Princess Shaelock is very interested in the treatment of Espers and guides, it might have been a natural step.
“But lately, there have been more Espers with strange ideas. It’s almost like they’re brainwashing each other.”
Pheon tried to lighten the mood a bit, but the issue was just that serious.
The fact that the emperor, who usually leaves most responsibilities to Shaelock, has taken action and assigned tasks indicates that this is far beyond a typical problem-solving approach.
Pheon must be really overwhelmed with only one body. Managing his duties as the lord of the magic tower, taking care of Espers, and keeping track of public sentiment.
“You must be really busy.”
“Busy, but I always have time for you, Karina.”
“I’ll give you a guiding session since it’s been a while.”
Since the topic came up, I thought I should guide him, and I reached out my hand.
Pheon interlaced his fingers with mine and gently kissed the tips of my fingernails.
“…Yes, I really missed this feeling.”
Pheon looked as refreshed as someone who had just stepped out of the shower.
A moment later, he sighed and glanced at me quickly.
“But I’ve reached a point where I can live without it now.”
Even after receiving all that guiding, I didn’t believe him at all.
“Oh, right.”
Clearing his throat, Pheon resumed controlling his expression and spoke.
“Think about the proposal I mentioned back then. Basically, it means you can live a carefree life as my friend.”
His words naturally sounded less like flirting and more like a proposal to become his guide.
“Think about becoming my guide. Got it?”
No matter how I thought about it, Pheon didn’t seem like someone who would fall into darkness because he wasn’t chosen by Shaelock.
‘You never really know a person, though.’
At least, that’s what my intuition tells me now. I felt I should respond to Pheon’s words, so I quickly opened my mouth.
“I’ll think about it.”
“…Are you really going to think about it?”
A soulless response is bound to be noticed immediately. Pheon chuckled dryly but I pretended not to hear it. I didn’t want to be Pheon’s exclusive guide.
…Unless it was Hedonia.
‘What am I thinking?’
Shaelock is also a good friend. Guiding is necessary for other Espers to survive as well. The level of guiding might vary, though.
‘There’s no need to hold back anymore.’
My face flushed as I recalled Hedonia’s words. It felt like I had developed an impure mind.
“I’ll be heading out now. But…”
Pheon, who had stood up, brushed my cheek lightly as he spoke in a low voice.
“When we meet next time, it would be better if you focused on me.”
There was a chill in his eyes.
“…Yes.”
I smiled as I saw him off, but the cold feeling lingered in my body.
‘Could it really be Pheon?’
He didn’t seem like the type earlier, but seeing this side of him made me suspicious.
…I still hadn’t met Esban, so it was too soon to make a judgment.
‘He’s changed the most since the last time we met.’
Now it’s Esban’s turn.
