The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 40
“There’s no helping it. Just make sure to assist the Espers well. With the abilities you’ve learned so far, you should be able to guide them at least halfway.”
The Espers’ faces became peculiar at Robert’s words, which completely underestimated my abilities.
Fortunately, Robert didn’t realize this because he was looking at me.
“Let’s head out then.”
Shaelock moved first.
“…I will follow too.”
I was surprised by Hedonia’s unexpected words and then fell silent again.
‘Right. Hedonia also entered this dungeon.’
It was also the first encounter between Hedonia and Shaelock in the original work.
“I need to go there and… find out more about what I have to do in the future.”
“Finally accepting your fate as a guide, are you?”
Robert’s eyes sparkled as he completely misinterpreted Hedonia’s reason in his own way.
“Perhaps.”
Hedonia responded briefly with an indifferent face.
It was a reply that could only be seen as an affirmation.
“I’ll have the carriage prepared immediately. You should discuss with the Espers about what to do in the dungeon. Following Esban would be the best option for you.”
Wagging his finger at me with advice, Robert went to prepare the carriage for Hedonia and the Espers to ride.
Standing stiffly in my spot, I awkwardly smiled at the Espers surrounding me.
“What should I do in the dungeon?”
“Just stick close to an Esper. For example, me.”
Shaelock was the first to speak up.
“Lord Shaelock is a summoner, so isn’t there a limit to using those abilities? I, who can use fire, might be better.”
“…A mage is physically weaker after all, and their reactions aren’t as fast as a swordsman’s. I’d prefer not, but being by my side might be safest.”
Esban opened his mouth with a sigh. What was absurd was the sincerity in his tone as he promoted himself over the others.
“All three options seem subpar.”
Hedonia, standing askew in front of the Espers like he was on the set of Produce 101, murmured.
“Even after all this time, that personality hasn’t changed.”
Pheon replied as if he was used to it.
“Someday, there will come a day when you’ll please Lady Hedonia.”
Esban’s attitude was the same.
“It’s really not much longer now.”
At Shaelock’s words, Hedonia’s body flinched.
“…Right.”
Seeing Hedonia respond so meekly, I was astonished to the point of almost fainting.
That the seemingly unapproachable kitten had become so tame was astonishing.
Is this the power of the main character?
It seems destiny really does play a role. Their bond appeared to be quite deep.
‘But the fact that Hedonia is pushed towards me is troubling…’
Could the original work’s power not influence their love?
Just like I had no choice but to play a stand-in role.
Even if the way Hedonia acts and the way they are connected changes.
There’s another reason I’m spinning these happy thoughts.
‘I wish Hedonia wouldn’t go to the dungeon with us.’
In this dungeon, Hedonia comes to realize how useless he is as a human and becomes frustrated.
Lamenting over how little a normal human, neither an Esper nor a guide, can do.
This became a lifelong scar for Hedonia.
Though he made use of his intellect to fully play his part, separately, it was a trauma he would repeatedly dwell on.
An unforgettable memory even after awakening as a guide.
‘It’s not right to let him go, knowing all this.’
It’s not like I only have positive feelings towards Hedonia.
His personality is nasty, and he’s a person not so different from Robert in trying to use me.
But he is also someone who has shown me kindness and goodwill.
I honestly wanted to prevent such a person from bearing a lifelong scar.
‘Now is not the time.’
I must look for an opportunity while we’re on the carriage.
I clenched my fist tightly.
* * *
Given that it was impossible for Hedonia, the Espers, and myself to all ride in one carriage, we were split into groups.
Hedonia and I.
And the rest of the Espers.
The fact that Shaelock, despite being a princess, did not have a carriage to herself was a bit of Robert’s spite. He was displeased that she had sided with Pheon this time.
It was something that could happen given the power dynamics of being a guide.
Fortunately, having some time alone with Hedonia turned out to be a good thing.
As soon as we boarded the carriage, I got straight to the point.
“Lady Hedonia.”
“Why.”
“Perhaps Lady Hedonia doesn’t need to get off at the dungeon?”
At my words, one of Hedonia’s eyebrows rose.
He reached out to me without hesitation, lifting my veil and pushing his face close to mine as he asked,
“Why would that be?”
Well…
“Do you have something to hide from me?”
What do you mean by that?
t/n: Produce 101 is a reality television talent competition of the South Korean entertainment industry.