The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 62
I grabbed Hedonia’s wrist and pulled up a chair to sit closer to him.
“I can’t deny what you said… but my feelings for you aren’t just that.”
It was necessary to clear up his misunderstanding.
“I truly hope that you overcome your awakening pain and become the perfect guide… I want to look after you in every way I can.”
Initially, I thought we were just mutually using each other, but now things are different.
Hedonia had sought me out even in the dungeon, and afterward, he had looked out for me in front of Robert.
I truly hoped that his life would go smoothly from here on out.
“I have no doubt that you will become someone much greater than me.”
It’s not just a belief, it’s a fact…
But that’s a secret.
“…Do you think I could become someone great?”
“Yes.”
“What if I can’t become a guide?”
That would be completely off script.
“Then you would have to be guided by me.”
“Is that a problem?”
I smiled as I looked at him.
“You might end up depending on me for life.”
Hedonia had lived all his life under his father’s shadow.
“You wouldn’t want that, would you?”
It would be absurd for him to step back into the shadows because of me, especially since an Esper can’t live without a guide.
Hedonia’s face, which had been red, regained some of its natural color at my words.
“…You have a way with words.”
Hedonia muttered softly, his eyes narrowing like a cat, reminiscent of when I first saw him.
‘I’m glad it’s not the face I saw earlier.’
“Hey, you know it’s not just an excuse.”
I chuckled and stood up.
“See you tomorrow then.”
Hedonia nodded.
I left the room with a smile.
Perhaps because the image of his shocked face was still vivid in my mind, I hoped he wouldn’t wear that expression again.
* * *
Robert Apharantes closely observed Karina as she left Hedonia’s room.
Her appearance was no different than usual. There was no hint of any special tension between the man and the woman.
‘Hedonia has protected that girl…’
However, the more he thought about Hedonia’s actions, the more it bothered him.
After all, since she would leave once the contract ended, there seemed no need to worry…
But the strange tension with other Espers and that girl that seemed to plague him were numerous.
He had drafted a contract, and since she was staying at the mansion as Hedonia’s double, it was unfortunate that he couldn’t harm her.
If she had been an ordinary guide, he could have handled it at his level, but that opportunity was missed.
Considering Hedonia’s condition now, he couldn’t kill her either.
The successful handling of the awakening pain was entirely because of Karina.
‘I must keep Hedonia as far away from her as possible.’
They should not meet except when necessary, like during blood transfusion.
He should pair him with other Espers under the guise of guiding.
It seemed like he had made connections with S-rank Espers through this incident.
While the Espers of the three houses needed regular management, it had become quite burdensome lately.
For now, he would make full use of Karina until the end of the awakening pain, until Hedonia could take over her place.
No matter how exceptional the abilities of that commoner guide might be, she could not surpass him or Hedonia who would awaken later, given the power accumulated over a long time.
…After all, excluding his mother’s era, he, Robert, was the most outstanding guide among those currently existing.
‘Meanwhile… this incident does seem suspicious.’
Regardless of Hedonia’s routine, the fact that this dungeon hasn’t been resolved immediately warrants investigation.
Although dungeons periodically appear, until now, Espers have been able to clear them without much trouble.
However, the A-grade Esper Charlotte, who disappeared this time, has not been found around or inside the dungeon.
Could she have died in the dungeon?
But from what was heard in the carriage returning, the dungeon boss this time wasn’t particularly threatening.
Is there something they haven’t noticed yet…?
It seemed necessary to discuss this further with Cayden for subsequent investigations.
‘It’s good that the Esper needing guidance has disappeared, but…’
Managing the influx of Espers was both satisfying and exhausting.
But complications were problematic.
Especially if they were uncontrollable factors due to his power.
Still, up to now, everything had been within his control.
Once Hedonia awakens as an S-grade guide, his life’s purpose will be perfectly complete.
He was almost there.
Just the thought gave him the strength to move forward.
Of course, there was not a complete absence of anxiety in his heart.
What if Hedonia fails to surpass Karina upon his awakening?
…What if Hedonia fails to become a guide?
‘Then I’ll have to kill her.’
The reason for contracting Karina was solely for Hedonia’s benefit.
He couldn’t consider any other outcome.
Because he would make it so.
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