The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 196
Pheon, still staring blankly into space, nodded.
“And after that, do nothing in the ensuing chaos. Just focus on stopping Hedonia.”
“Understood.”
Most of the espers would clash with each other, bringing chaos to the festival.
Is that all?
A gate, which appeared periodically, would surely open during the festival.
Normally stationed espers would explode in anger that day and attack the commoners.
With the espers self-destructing and monsters rampaging, the empire would turn into chaos.
Many would die, and even if people were somehow saved afterward, the trust in espers could never be restored. As the emperor representing this empire, he could no longer evade this responsibility.
He might survive, but he would experience an even greater hell.
Because of the oath, he couldn’t touch the royal family. So he had been living quietly to draw a bigger picture.
The death of Robert Apharantes was just part of the plan.
The royal family that Adron cherished so much would disappear without a trace.
The honor and power he loved would be buried in the ground.
For him, it would be a very fitting miserable end for Adron.
* * *
Esban waited anxiously for Pheon to come out.
The thought of Pheon confronting Cayden sent a chill down his spine.
‘…That couldn’t be.’
The Cayden he knew was a nobleman who cared about people more than anyone.
There was no way such a person could be the instigator of an incident that threatened not only the lives of commoners but also espers.
Of course, the main reason he wanted to deny this was…
‘The person who raised me couldn’t be like that.’
He couldn’t believe that the father he had respected all his life was not only responsible for people’s deaths but also a criminal threatening the livelihoods of those with similar abilities.
‘Am I being irrational?’
His head throbbed.
It was impossible to think straight.
Creak.
Esban, who was leaning against the wall in the hallway, deep in thought, flinched at the sound of the door opening.
“You startled me. What are you doing here?”
Pheon asked, feigning surprise with a sly tone. Esban subtly changed the subject.
“Did the conversation go well?”
“Conversation? Oh, of course.”
Pheon nodded with a smile. His playful look was just like when he usually teased him.
“I understand that I misunderstood Lord Cairoze. So stop being so wary, Esban.”
Esban hesitated.
Things had gone well, but he felt strangely uneasy. Although it was what he wanted to hear, he didn’t think a simple conversation would resolve his doubts.
“I will also tell Lord Hedonia and the Princess that Cayden is innocent. So, relax. You’re going to get wrinkles on your face.”
Pheon isn’t someone who easily drops his suspicions. Not without a good enough reason.
Would a person who values evidence over conjecture be convinced so quickly?
“See you on the day of the festival.”
Pheon waved at him. Esban frowned as he remained in his place.
The day of the festival?
“…I didn’t have any plans that day.”
Though it’s a day of harmony between espers and people, they hadn’t discussed meeting yet.
Pheon seemed to have said it unconsciously.
His instincts were telling him to be cautious.
‘The festival.’
Esban couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling.
“What’s going on?”
Cayden, who came out of the reception room after Pheon, asked. Esban hurriedly shook his head.
“It’s nothing. How did the conversation go?”
“There seemed to be some misunderstandings… but it ended well.”
…If it ended well, then it must be so. Esban tried to push aside the lingering doubts and focus on Cayden’s words.
“Ah, Esban, what are your plans for the festival this time?”
The deep-seated unease sprouted.
“I haven’t decided yet.”
The topic of the conversation suddenly changed. Esban bit his lip.
“You know that espers have gone missing from our territory as well.”
…I know.
“This time, we asked His Majesty the Emperor to look into the matter more closely, but it would be more reassuring if you went personally.”
I know.
This incident Cayden was talking about was also the reason he urgently entered the palace to meet the Emperor.
But why did he feel so uneasy?
“Go. Enjoy the festival.”
“…Understood.”
Even so, Esban had no choice but to nod.
He had to trust Cayden.
Even if no one else did, he had to believe in Cayden.
Cayden Cairoze was his benefactor and father.
