The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 38
Did I hear that correctly?
“Even if Hedonia finds her place later, exchanging information now wouldn’t hurt. Hedonia is the most astute person I know.”
The female lead is telling me to use the male lead.
“It might be good for the two of you to become closer.”
I was shocked by the follow-up remark.
“…Why is that?”
The reason I was much more flustered than usual was that I had not anticipated such a suggestion at all.
“Well…”
Shaelock’s eyes sparkled brightly.
“Then there would be two good guides, right? There’s nothing better for me than that.”
I was at a loss for words.
‘I heard Shaelock really did things her own way before meeting Hedonia…’
I hadn’t expected it to play out like this.
“I-I see.”
I belatedly realized Shaelock’s gaze had turned peculiar and responded.
“It doesn’t seem to bother you.”
Shaelock peeked at my face and murmured,
“Then, should I just support the two of you getting along?”
No! That’s not it!
The thought of Shaelock pushing me and Hedonia together was even more terrifying because she seemed perfectly capable of doing so.
“Lady Hedonia is not my type. And I like men.”
Thus, I ended up denying the world’s most beautiful Hedonia.
Even as I spoke, my conscience pricked me for not even being able to correctly state Hedonia’s gender, especially since I was in a position of receiving Hedonia’s trust.
Ah, my mistake! I silently offered an apology to Hedonia in my mind.
“…Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“Hedonia’s considered the most beautiful person among those I know.”
I couldn’t deny that statement.
“You lack an eye for people.”
Shaelock looked at me with a pitiful expression.
No, sister. The one lacking an eye for people is not me, it’s you…
“Actually, I prefer men too. I asked because I didn’t know your preference.”
“…”
“Let me know if there’s another Esper you’re interested in. It would be nice if that could be a reason for you to stay here.”
It was unexpected to hear this from Shaelock, who seemed to like my guiding but appeared indifferent otherwise.
From the perspective of someone who guides, it was curious to encounter emotions and thoughts I’d never feel in a lifetime…
It seemed to demonstrate just how much power a guide could wield, which was frightening.
‘In any case, Shaelock is trying to create a reason for me.’
It seemed kind of like a favor.
Maybe among the Espers, Shaelock is the most normal…
“What about Esban?”
“No.”
I take that back.
How could she suggest Esban to me… My eyes grew dim.
Thankfully, the veil hid my face.
“Now, for the last―”
Shaelock was getting up from her guiding, and that’s when it happened.
The door to the hall burst open and a servant rushed in, panting heavily.
“What’s the matter?”
Robert looked shocked by the sudden intrusion, his face contorting with surprise, but the terrified servant seemed not to notice.
‘This is it.’
I had a feeling.
“Your Grace. It seems you must go out at once.”
“What?”
The servant looked almost ready to be killed if he couldn’t convince him.
Swallowing hard, the trembling servant spoke.
“Th-The dungeon has opened.”
“…What?”
Robert asked in disbelief.
The dungeon appearing at the entrance of the capital, spewing forth monsters—
The servant could not continue and collapsed, vomiting blood.
Just that sight alone was enough to convey the severity of the situation outside.
Screams filled the air, a stark contrast to the expressions of terror now painting the faces that were calm moments ago.
“How can monsters be flowing out from an opened dungeon!”
“Where are the Espers who were supposed to be in charge of that area!”
The uproar among the people was loud. The power and authority given to Espers were meant to prevent exactly such situations.
Given the privileges the nobility reluctantly accorded to Espers, they were particularly sensitive about their own safety.
“Everyone, please calm down.”
A man entered through the door opened behind the servant, raising his hand.
He was a handsome middle-aged man, seemingly defying the world’s scarcity of unattractive men.
He was a face I hadn’t seen before.
All eyes turned to him.
“Cayden.”
Robert greeted him warmly, approaching.
“Duke Apharantes.”
The man named Cayden bowed his head, showing respect to Robert.