The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 50
Though his hand remained firmly in mine.
With the argument over, Shaelock sighed and closed his eyes.
“So comfortable…..”
Seizing the chance, I turned my body towards Hedonia.
As I lowered my head and gently pressed against his, Hedonia lifted his gaze.
“Why.”
Swish. As he raised his head, his platinum hair cascaded down like a waterfall.
Its delicate color was like silk.
Since Shaelock was beside us, I didn’t want to speak aloud, so I opened and closed my mouth.
‘Why won’t you let go of my hand?’
Understanding right away, Hedonia rolled his eyes, then leaned back against my shoulder, closing his eyes.
“I’m tired too.”
“……”
“So I can at least do this much, can’t I?”
“…Even though you’re not an Esper.”
With both hands restrained, I grumbled feeling somewhat vexed, but Hedonia cleanly ignored my words.
No, it even seemed like he tightened his grip on my hand instead.
…My fate, indeed.
I exhaled deeply and closed my eyes.
While continuing to guide Shaelock, I had found my own way to rest as well.
* * *
The rustling sound woke me from my slumber. I yawned and blinked my eyes open.
When did I fall asleep?
‘I dozed off without realizing.’
It seemed we all did.
Beside me, Shaelock was sound asleep, and on the other side, Hedonia too had fallen into a deep slumber.
‘Perhaps I should become the staff of love for now.’
I envisioned the two leaning against me.
Anyway, the Esper and Guide would eventually be bound by the inescapable shackles.
‘If I say I came out to rest, the reason is perfect.’
It was easy to slip my hands free from the sleeping Hedonia and Shaelock.
With my hands liberated, my mood instantly improved.
Though my body felt weak… it was better than before.
‘Perhaps Hedonia’s words made me considerate.’
That Shaelock also heeded Hedonia’s words…
‘Could it be a form of affection?’
A good sign, indeed.
I positioned Shaelock and Hedonia to lean against each other.
With their outstanding beauty, their combined looks were truly exquisite.
As I gazed at them contentedly, I recalled the sound I had heard earlier.
It seemed to come from deeper inside the cave…..
‘Did the other Espers return?’
I couldn’t gauge how much time had passed since falling asleep.
As I rubbed my eyes, suddenly an inky blackness filled my vision.
“Kiii……”
The eyes visible in the darkness were red.
‘…The Blackbird?’
My whole body froze.
Why is it here?
What is this?
‘Didn’t two S-rank Espers and a summon go to deal with it?’
Shouldn’t that have been enough to defeat it?
No, in this story, the dungeon is just a side element, right?
Wasn’t the main focus the intense romance between the Guide and the Espers?
My panicked mind wasn’t functioning properly.
Like a helpless human before a natural disaster.
Cold sweat poured down my body. Trembling, I gulped down my saliva.
“…Karina?”
The ever so sensitive cat prince had awoken.
Swooosh……
The Blackbird’s eyes rolled.
I needed to draw the Blackbird’s attention towards Hedonia back to me.
I deliberately raised my voice.
“Lady Hedonia. Please wake Lady Shaelock quickly.”
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Hedonia shook Shaelock’s body.
“Mmm…..”
As Shaelock’s voice was heard, the Blackbird’s eyes slowly shifted towards my back.
Since Shaelock had not fully awakened yet, having the Blackbird’s focus on her would be dangerous.
‘…I need bait.’
My conscience wouldn’t allow me to use Hedonia as bait.
I gulped and waved my hand around.
“Here.”
The red eyes turned towards me.
“Look here.”
“Karina, what are you—”
It happened in an instant.
The Blackbird swooped towards us and scooped me up in its beak.
“Gahck……”
For a moment, I thought it was going to swallow me whole, but luckily that wasn’t the case.
“Karina!”
I heard voices calling me from behind. Turning my head, I saw Hedonia staring at me.
He gazed at me with a distraught expression.
“Aaahh……!”
An involuntary scream escaped my lips.
Though the beak only lightly gripped me, the strange sensation from my body was far from pleasant.
The Blackbird, having soared high into the sky, began to fly away.
I firmly grasped the beak so as not to fall.
I absolutely refused to die like this!
‘Think positive.’
I racked my brain hard.
There’s no way the S-rank Espers would be bested by this single bird.
It was right to assume they had been careless.
‘They must still be alive.’
So they would come rescue me soon.
I just had to stay alive until then.
‘Somehow, I need to signal my location.’
Conveniently, I had the perfect idea in mind.
