The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 49
‘For someone who could barely move, how did he muster such strength…?’
It was even more astounding because Pheon’s strength was no trifling matter.
Even now, before he had fully regained his power, he was like this, making it unimaginable how formidable he would become later.
It seemed Pheon felt the same way.
“…Just where did you get such strength from, Lady Hedonia?”
Rather than pointing out Hedonia’s rudeness in separating us, Pheon showed more interest in his power.
“Isn’t it just because Pheon is a weakling?”
When Shaelock asked with an innocent face, Pheon let out a hearty laugh.
However, there seemed to be a vexed expression on his brow.
“Ha ha ha… How could that be? While my strength may be inferior to Esban, surely you know that my strength far surpasses that of an ordinary person, Your Highness.”
“I don’t know.”
Shaelock scratched her ear.
“Nevermind then.”
She appeared entirely indifferent.
Her my-way attitude wasn’t limited to just me.
‘Should I consider this fortunate…?’
Whether vexed or not, Pheon let out a very deep sigh.
“Come now, let’s hurry out and deal with that Blackbird.”
Sensing the tense atmosphere, Christopher stepped forward.
“I don’t have much time left.”
Shaelock shook her head at his words.
“No need to worry about that. The guide here will supply you with power in real-time.”
Shaelock pointed at me.
“Oh? Really?”
Christopher’s eyes sparkled as he looked at me.
“Does that mean I can really go all out?”
“Yes. Have fun like when you were a Sword Master. It’s a chance to test how much power I can supply through guiding.”
“It’s been so long since I’ve had this freedom…!”
With a rapturous expression, Christopher clenched his fist tightly.
It seemed his whole body was tingling with anticipation.
‘…But she’s using me.’
While the words were pleasing to hear, I didn’t feel too good about it.
Hedonia, who had separated Pheon and me, leaned against the cave wall, gasping for breath.
Separating Pheon and me seemed to have drained all of Hedonia’s remaining strength.
“Lady Hedonia.”
I approached his side and supported him.
“Then we’ll be going.”
“We’ll be back.”
“…Be back.”
After Pheon, Christopher, and Esban bid us farewell, they exited the cave.
The swirling winds around us felt ominous.
It was clear the Blackbird was circling the area, searching for us.
The cave grew quiet as they left.
“Don’t make a fuss over this much.”
With trembling hands, Hedonia pushed me away.
“It’s about time for you to have a drink.”
I whispered softly to Hedonia. His expression soured.
“Before that, I’d appreciate it if you could guide me first.”
Shaelock, who had silently positioned herself behind me, tapped my shoulder.
“I’m running out of power. I’ve been summoning Christopher from earlier. Quite a bad headache.”
“…But you look fine.”
“I am just pretending to be fine. It’s not just me, all Espers are like this.”
Her face was calm as she gently deflected my words with her own opinion.
Like the calm before a storm.
“We are broken beings, somewhere along the way.”
I momentarily lost my words.
Unable to fathom the long anguish she must have endured to arrive at such a conclusion.
If her intent was to prick my conscience, she succeeded flawlessly.
“…Please, sit here.”
Shaelock plopped down beside me.
Suddenly, I was seated between the heroine and the male lead.
With eyes tightly shut, Hedonia bowed his head, resting it on my shoulder.
Though likely unintentional… following suit, Shaelock too leaned against my shoulder.
“Let’s hold hands too.”
Shaelock naturally took my hand as she spoke.
Opening one eye, Hedonia glanced our way and scoffed.
“Karina, don’t hold on too long. You might end up knocking yourself out again.”
“Ah right, I did pass out.”
Recalling Hedonia’s words, Shaelock nodded.
“But the person involved isn’t saying anything. Why are you making more of a fuss on the side, Little Duke Apharantes?”
She asked the question as if unable to comprehend.
Uh… Well, that’s true.
As I opened and closed my mouth, Hedonia let out a snide laugh.
It was mocking, that laugh.
“It must be because Your Highness only knows how to use people that you could ask such a question.”
Whether displeased by Hedonia’s elegant retort or not, Shaelock’s brow furrowed.
“…Isn’t it the same for you, Hedonia? You’re no different, so why have you been provoking the Espers’ pride from earlier?”
…It was clear she was deliberately grating on Hedonia by addressing him by name!
“I—”
Hedonia raised his voice as if he was wronged.
“I!”
Unable to just watch the bickering between the heroine and the male lead, I bellowed in a thunderous voice.
“We should just do our best in everything!”
I firmly grasped Shaelock’s hand and channeled my power into her.
Tightly holding Hedonia’s hand as well.
‘Please, just seal those dreadful lips…’
My intent was for Hedonia to just stay quiet.
As I squeezed his hand, Hedonia flinched.
Ever perceptive, it seemed Hedonia understood my intention.
“……”
He immediately sealed his lips.
