The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 23
Only then did I realize the identity of the woman who appeared before me.
The encounter with Shaelock was incredibly sudden. She is an S-rank esper and protagonist like Esban
But I was thankful. After all, we were bound to meet eventually, and I was curious about her appearance.
‘As expected of a protagonist.’
I praised her beauty inwardly. The large pupils visible between the delicate silver hair, like strands of silk, and the perfectly sculpted nose that seemed to have been shaped by the angels. Even her full lips were truly a perfect subject.
Her appearance was so radiant that it was incomparable, even to an extra like me.
“Have we not agreed to meet later?”
The Duke added politely, trying to placate her, to which Shaelock blinked her round eyes and replied.
“I really want to sleep. have me asleep for a bit.”
…Well, isn’t she blunt? I admired her straightforward manner of speaking as I fanned myself.
I had heard that Shaelock did everything as she pleased, but I never expected her to come to the Duke’s office uninvited.
‘They’ll figure it out themselves.’
Even if they went off to guide someone together, it would give me time to practice. While I was assessing the situation, I decided to focus on the energy at my fingertips.
“So, it’s her.”
But Shaelock’s voice shattered my concentration. Was that all?
She walked over to me and stared blankly.
‘…Is she curious about me?’
Judging by her use of the term ‘her,’ it seemed she knew my identity.
Shaelock. The remarkable Princess, the one and only whom even Robert Apharantes, a distinguished duke and guide, couldn’t be disrespectful to.
If Esban was a bigot who discriminated against people based on their status, Shaelock was a star seed who simply made decisions according to her own desires.
She had a strong tendency to become attached to something and delve into it, which led to her rare abilities as an esper.
Summoner.
The ability to summon figures from the past that she had deeply studied and knew inside out, controlling them like her own limbs.
Indeed, she seemed to be the protagonist.
‘It’s a terrifying ability, even to me.’
At present, the figures she could summon were limited to historical warriors. There was also a hint that she could eventually summon even heroes who had been pillars of the country without any difficulty.
‘The limit of what we can know lies in not reading to the end.’
Despite being an S-rank esper, the fact that her abilities were still developing was also important. Her abilities were staggering, but summoning took an immense toll on her mind. Summoning for only 5 to 10 minutes was the most she could manage.
Even with her remarkable abilities, there were clear strengths and weaknesses.
As she pushed her mind to its limits, guidance was essential. This was also one of the reasons why she became intertwined with Hedonia, where he would eventually become a guide.
Shaelock, who had no interest in anything in life, found the one person she needed – Hedonia.
It was inevitable that they would spend a long time together and become closer through physical contact!
‘I hope I can at least witness it later.’
It would be difficult to perceive such things once I leave. It’s a pity.
As I gazed ahead, detached from my thoughts, I felt Shaelock’s intense stare piercing through me. Sitting on the couch with her chin resting on her hand, she was staring at me intensely.
Chilly.
My intuition told me that Shaelock was about to drop a bombshell. Just as I was about to make a run for it, Shaelock spoke first.
“If the Duke is busy, then the Duke cannot guide me right now.”
She extended her index finger, pointing at me. Her expressionless face made it impossible to discern her thoughts.
“Then can she have me asleep instead?”
In an instant, Shaelock closed the distance between us.
I instinctively stepped back, but she followed me immediately. Her reaction speed was akin to that of a ghost.
In the midst of my surprise, Shaelock grabbed my hand. Perhaps it was because I had been learning to focus my mind until just now, but there was something unsettling about Shaelock’s gaze.
Her pupils dilated. Gradually, her expression changed.
The previously expressionless Shaelock raised the corners of her mouth slightly. I stood there dumbfounded, my mouth agape.
Her smiling face was as beautiful as an angel’s.
It was an intense burst of color that made it hard to believe she was the same person as just moments ago.
“Duke, I want to be guided by her.”
Shaelock declared to the Duke.
“What?”
I asked stupidly, and Shaelock continued without hesitation.
“I want to be guided by you.”
Until just now, she seemed to have little interest, but now Shaelock’s gaze was fervent. The grip of her hand was stronger than I had expected.
‘At this rate, my guidance will rival Hedonia’s!’
Did she think my guidance would be better than the Duke’s?
I couldn’t understand why Shaelock suddenly changed her target to me.
Was it because she found it interesting to have a guide different from the Duke?
Or did she instinctively sense a difference in the quality of guidance between the Duke and me?
Either way, it was unsettling for me.
The Duke’s presence made it difficult to stand out as a guide.
‘Even now.’
The Duke’s gaze felt sharp.
“Duke, do you approve?”