The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 58
Of course, I was satisfied.
There’s a saying that a crow trying to imitate a stork splits its legs.
Hedonia also secured treasures appropriate for his contributions.
Although he received less than the three Espers, it was a similar amount to what I got.
It seems Hedonia had performed his role well while I was taken away by the Blackbird.
Considering the wealth of the Apharantes Duke’s family, his reward might seem modest, but I was glad that Hedonia’s abilities were recognized.
‘Even if he hasn’t awakened yet, the protagonist is always different.’
After we finished dividing the rewards and tore the scroll, we arrived back where we had initially started.
The space, where not a soul could be seen, was as quiet as if no monster had ever roamed there.
‘Now it’s time to go back and rest.’
Perhaps because I had survived a brush with death, my body was screaming for rest.
However, my desire for rest was not immediately fulfilled.
“…Hedonia.”
Standing beside us was Duke Robert Apharantes, his face ashen with fright.
This was a stark contrast to his usual compulsively clean and refined demeanor.
“Where have you been? Do you have any idea how much—”
His hair was disheveled, and his eyes were chillingly dark.
At that moment, I understood the situation.
Robert hadn’t expected Hedonia to enter the dungeon.
The sudden disappearance of Hedonia must have thrown him into a panic.
‘…He must be furious.’
After we entered the dungeon, not many could have roamed around here.
Civilians had been barred from entering since the dungeon opened, and given Hedonia’s confidential status, the Duke had to take action himself.
He must have been frantic not knowing whether his son was alive or not.
“I went into the dungeon. I did what I had to do.”
That was all Hedonia said to the agitated Robert.
“You went into the dungeon? In your current state?”
His incredulous gaze then shifted to the pile of gems Hedonia had brought out.
“This is my reward.”
“…Do you realize how critical your condition is right now, Hedonia?”
“I made it back alive. That’s enough. I really need to go home and rest or I might actually die, so I should get going.”
Despite the angry tone, Hedonia stood unyielding like a mountain. It was clear he would not be easily shaken.
Watching the two confront each other was fascinating, but…
I felt threatened.
‘…This is dangerous.’
I could clearly see Robert’s anger might shift towards me, and it made me anxious.
He doesn’t blame Hedonia. He cherishes Hedonia too much.
But the people around him are easily made targets of blame.
“Have you forgotten the contract?”
Just like now.
My intuition was not wrong.
Suddenly, Robert, standing in front of me, struck my cheek with his hand, his voice filled with rage.
There was a sharp crack.
With a tremendous sound, my head whipped to the side. Staggering, I eventually lost my balance and collapsed to the ground.
My mind went blank. For a moment, I couldn’t think of anything.
The sharp pain on my cheek was intense, throbbing as if it was bruised.
‘I even protected myself from the Blackbird.’
It turns out I needed to be more cautious in society than in the dungeon.
Perhaps this is why they say humans are the scariest.
It was also a moment that showed just how despicable Robert could be.
“Are you insane?”
Hedonia, shocked, stepped between me and Robert.
Clenching his teeth, Hedonia raised his hand and struck Robert’s cheek, just as he had done to me.
“Don’t get angry just because things didn’t go your way. And you call yourself a Duke?”
The calm voice somehow made people more tense.
The depth of the repressed emotions could be glimpsed, it was overwhelming.
Yet, despite the voice filled with rage, Robert did not flinch.
“You seem to be getting healthier, Hedonia.”
Instead, he patted Hedonia on the shoulder and smiled.
It was a remarkably affectionate face for someone who had just struck him.
Seeing his unaffected demeanor sent chills down my spine.
He glanced at the Espers briefly, then justified his actions.
“You have to be punished for the mistake of sending him into the dungeon. It’s not as if your life was in danger, right? This is a justified action, totally separate from our contract.”
It certainly wasn’t life-threatening, but his words were shamelessly absurd.
“That sounds like nonsense, Duke. You were just angry.”
At Shaelock’s words, I vehemently nodded inwardly.
Indeed, Shaelock was the only one who could deal with the Duke so directly.
“Unprovoked violence is distasteful. Act in a manner befitting your usual image.”
Shaelock surprisingly raised her voice.