The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 22
The next day, I heard rumors that a banquet would soon be held at the Duke’s mansion.
Although I had resumed special training to learn noble etiquette again, the amount of work had decreased compared to before.
It was thanks to Hedonia, but that didn’t mean there was nothing left to study.
To think I had to do so much for being an understudy…
Maybe, instead of coming to enjoy the honey, I’m walking a path of hardship.
‘No, it’s better than suddenly dying one day.’
Even rolling in a dung field is better in this life. Quickly comforting myself, I immersed myself in studying once again.
Studying while reflecting on the situation was an added bonus.
Including the protagonist espers and those within the Apharantes estate, know that Hedonia, who is currently known to be on the island externally, is undergoing an awakening in the mansion.
The purpose of this banquet was to erase the malicious rumors surrounding Hedonia.
In order to finally break the prejudice that a guide with exceptional abilities cannot heal many people due to physical weakness, it was planned to show the espers guiding, especially through non-contact guiding.
‘People tend to have greater awe towards the incredible.’
The reason Duke Apharantes mentioned non-contact guiding first was not solely due to caution towards me.
It was a well-known fact that guides guided through contact.
However, non-contact guiding was definitely a novel field. It involved maintaining a distance and guiding espers solely through the guide’s mental power and abilities.
This not only demonstrated how remarkable guides were but was also a specialty of Duke Apharantes.
Of course, it wasn’t a skill that could be mastered in just two weeks, so I planned to use a workaround.
On the eve of the banquet, I would pre-guide the espers who needed guiding, reducing the total amount of guiding I had to do.
All the espers were cooperative towards Duke Apharantes. It was likely due to the reputation and achievements the Duke had accumulated over time.
“Imagine pulling out the energy from within your hands.”
Duke Apharantes sat in front of me, furrowing his brow as he twirled his fingers.
A swirling energy rose from his fingertips.
‘…Still, this is surprising.’
He was a better teacher than I expected and a master of non-contact guiding.
Perhaps even this was orchestrated under his calculations.
The more perfectly he appeared to inform me, the more I would trust him.
Unaware that the information he provided me might be limited, I might have fallen into a trap.
‘A master is a master.’
Just watching the Duke wield his power beside me was enough to make me marvel, even though I knew nothing.
It’s suspicious why someone skilled in non-contact guiding would emerge when guiding through contact is more effective. I recall from the books that Duke Apharantes’ contact guiding was quite limited.
‘Is it suitable for use in dungeons?’
Unlike espers who can protect themselves, guides have no weapons to defend themselves apart from healing abilities.
Approaching an esper fighting monsters would be challenging.
“Are you concentrating?”
“Yes!”
I rolled my eyes and faithfully followed the Duke’s instructions. I had to learn everything I could!
I raised my finger, trying to focus on withdrawing energy. However, my mind was filled with too many distractions.
“Concentrate all your attention there.”
The Duke’s gruff voice made me break out in a cold sweat.
“Why can’t you do it?”
His sharp tone pierced through my mind. I glanced at him in frustration, but he stared back at me as if he couldn’t understand me at all.
How could he expect me to understand with just a few words?
‘It’s not as easy as it sounds!’
How am I supposed to gather my focus, anyway?
As I squinted, trying to concentrate, an unexpected memory surfaced.
The moment when Hedonia’s palm covered mine.
The warmth that transmitted a strange sensation throughout my body.
‘Is that the feeling?’
Perhaps this could be a breakthrough.
I recalled the memory and moved my fingers.
Gradually, something akin to a fingertip I felt.
…Oh, is this it?
Just as I marveled at the cloud-like appearance, the door suddenly swung open.
Bang!
Anyone would think someone was breaking in.
Startled by the sudden movement, I instinctively stepped back.
Standing before the door was a woman, her silver hair fluttering around her.
With flushed cheeks as if she had just run, her strikingly lifeless eyes contrasted with her flawless beauty.
Her gaze seemed indifferent to everything in the world.
“The Duke. Please guide me.”
Narrowing her gaze as she approached with determined steps.
Her eyes, reminiscent of milk chocolate, blinked softly.
“…What brings you here, Lady Shaelock?”
the Duke asked, exhaling heavily as he rubbed his forehead.