The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 4
I stared at the carriage door without flinching.
The coachman wore an awkward expression.
“This is for your own good. The Duke is in a bad mood today, leave now.”
The coachman murmured to me while grimacing.
Creak.
The door opened, revealing the person I had been waiting for.
As the Apharantes Duke stepped down from the carriage, our eyes met for the first time.
The duke, with his narrowed forehead and a slight grimace on his face, slowly opened his eyes upon seeing me.
A flash of light sparked in the eyes that had been devoid of any radiance just moments ago.
“Duke, this child is—”
“I will speak.”
In the moment the coachman hurriedly stepped forward, the Apharantes Duke firmly interrupted him.
He approached me confidently.
Indeed, the Apharantes Duke.
‘He has noticed my guiding ability.’
Guides can recognize other guides, and you can roughly estimate their classes.
This becomes more accurate with experience over time.
Given the Apharantes Duke’s long history as a guide, he must have recognized my potential, just as it happened in the original work.
As expected, the Apharantes Duke spoke first.
“Do you know how dangerous it is to block my way?”
“Yes.”
“Did you wish to die on purpose?”
The Apharantes Duke stroked his chin and sneered. His gaze thoroughly examined me.
He must be assessing my current state and trying to gauge where I came from.
If he could make proper use of me.
The threatening tone was meant to crush my spirit.
‘But it won’t work.’
As long as he knew how important I was, the leverage was on my side.
No easy victories.
I lifted my head, responding with a face devoid of any hint of a smile.
“No, I’m quite useful, you know.”
The Apharantes Duke’s voice lowered.
“Insignificant.”
I didn’t cower.
“You must be aware, Duke.”
The fact that the blood of a guide of the same class can save someone undergoing awakening fatigue is a secret known only to a few.
Guides didn’t share information that could be used against them, and most espers had to follow guides’ lead, which made them vulnerable.
But the Apharantes Duke was a guide.
He had worked as a guide to the death for the glory of Apharantes, accumulating a wealth of experience.
He was someone who knew guides well. The Apharantes Duke’s gaze fell on me. His scrutinizing look, reminiscent of the harsh winter, examined me as if I were an experimental mouse.
“Duke, I want to make a deal with you using my abilities.”
I went straight to the point.
“A deal?”
“Yes.”
Our conversation was brief.
Our murmurs were not intended for the ears of the coachman.
Soon, as if he had made up his mind, he spoke.
“I will listen.”
However, there was not a hint of interest in his voice.
“Prepare as a guest, return here at eight tonight.”
The subsequent words were not a suggestion but an order. Once again, it was very much like a Duke.
I nodded without a word.
“Yes.”
“A carriage with a serpent pattern will be waiting for you.”
Even though the carriage filled with medicine was visible here, he did not take me directly to the Duke’s mansion.
Surely, he intended to investigate me thoroughly. He must be suspicious of my existence.
Is the child who appeared at such a perfect timing aware of something?
The term ‘guest’ was excessive. While he intended to use me, his words were like a clear stream.
However, I am upright. There is no connection between Hedonia and me. I am just a guide born miraculously by the grace of God.
Without a hint of hesitation, I bowed respectfully to the Duke.
“Then, until we meet again.”
I had no doubt that he would come looking for me again. It was time for me to reconsider the conditions I would present to him.
* * *
Robert Apharantes returned to the mansion and headed straight to his study. The information he desired was already waiting for him, just as he had hoped on his way back.
The child who fearlessly proposed a deal seemed to hold the key to resolving Hedonia’s current situation.
The information was straightforward. Details about the child were concise.
The fact that the child, raised in the slums, ended up crossing paths with him seemed like an incredible coincidence, albeit a remarkable one…
It wasn’t the first time that children deeply entrenched in poverty begged for mercy. The little girl was no exception.
‘Although her boldness is a bit unsettling….’
Everything seemed to flow according to her desires. Eventually, a bright smile adorned her face.