The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 197
An S-rank esper can block a gate with their power alone.
This means Hedonia, Esban, and Shaelock must be kept far from the chaos that will occur at the festival.
If they intervene, it’s obvious they’ll quickly subdue the situation. He cannot let a plan he has dedicated all his life to fall apart.
Incidents are needed to distract each of the espers.
Adron agreed to handle Shaelock. Initially, he resisted following Cayden’s plan, but he eventually accepted it because he recognized Shaelock’s abilities.
Shaelock’s power, already threatening, continued to grow stronger. Although thought to be stagnant, Shaelock honed and developed her abilities.
Only one person could keep such a Shaelock in check.
The Princess’s only weakness, Adron.
The fear of Adron, instilled since childhood, was deeply embedded in her mind. This fact hadn’t changed even though she had awakened as an esper.
‘It’s a pity I couldn’t bring her in.’
He had been looking for opportunities to capture Shaelock or Pheon, seeing the festival as a good chance.
The choice fell on Pheon, who sought him out first, because he discovered his interest in Karina.
While monitoring Pheon and Shaelock’s actions, I realized Pheon was focusing his attention on an island.
Additionally, his unusual attempts to visit the Apharantes house (mostly blocked by Hedonia) quickly revealed his feelings for Karina.
It was better to bring Pheon in rather than Shaelock.
As a rival in love, he could naturally handle the biggest variable in the plan, Hedonia Apharantes.
Hedonia’s abilities, which included brainwashing similar to his own, were far superior.
That’s why Hedonia’s movements were the most critical.
‘No matter how powerful Hedonia is, he won’t be able to undo all my brainwashing.’
It was difficult to undo the brainwashing of so many at once. No, it was possible, but it would be a mad act.
Even Hedonia would go mad attempting it.
In any case, the variables had to be controlled, and using Karina was the most prudent method.
Because he knew Hedonia’s feelings for Karina were genuine.
Hedonia Apharantes had completely changed, starting from the girl who initially came as a stand-in.
Even after becoming an esper, he continued to care for his guide and lived celibate, avoiding other women.
Despite being an esper, he received the minimum guiding.
He was like an evergreen pine tree, steadfast throughout the seasons.
If his wife had been alive, would he have been the same?
Cayden often asked himself this unanswerable question.
“…Do I really have to go?”
Esban’s question was unexpected.
Having raised him from a young age, Esban’s trust in Cayden was almost fanatical. Esban never doubted the tasks Cayden assigned to him.
“Do you have a reason not to go?”
Cayden asked, hiding his agitation.
“It’s just that…”
Esban started to speak but then fell silent. A thick fog of silence lingered. His heart wandered aimlessly, unable to reveal his true feelings.
“I’ll go.”
“Alright.”
“After this festival is over…”
Esban hesitantly looked at Cayden and spoke again.
“Would you go on a trip with me?”
“A trip?”
Cayden’s eyes widened at the unexpected suggestion. This was the first time Esban had ever said something like this.
Since being confined to the role of a noble, there was no life outside of his duties as an esper and heir.
“I feel like… I-I don’t know you well enough as my father.”
Esban mumbled as if making an excuse, but it wasn’t entirely untrue.
Since vowing revenge, Cayden had kept a strict distance from Esban to prevent any disruption to his plans.
‘After this festival, huh.’
Many things would likely change. They probably wouldn’t be able to go on a trip like Esban imagined.
He didn’t like making promises he couldn’t keep.
But seeing Esban unusually anxious, he felt he should give him an answer.
“Sure.”
Despite the light response, Esban’s face brightened.
“Understood.”
Esban turned away, looking more at ease. Cayden stared at his back.
‘I haven’t given him my affection.’
The concern for Esban, who would be devastated upon learning all of Cayden’s plans, was just the guilt any human would feel.
It should be nothing more than that.
