The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 64
The outcry from Espers and people drafted in these circumstances was growing.
We had nearly exhausted all places worth searching.
So, the conclusion we reached was that Charlotte had died in the dungeon.
That would also explain her disappearance and why the dungeon hadn’t been sealed for long.
To have to deliver news of a daughter’s death at the first meeting.
An accident in a dungeon that had never before seen such incidents.
“Anyway, they’ll like you, so just make sure to console them well.”
Is that what he calls consolation? I blinked at Esban.
“…You’d probably like them too, wouldn’t you, Esban?”
Esban’s tone was off.
Why does he speak as if he’s not involved when his own Cairoze family would likely feel the same?
Caught by my remark, Esban blinked.
“…I misspoke.”
He quickly turned his head away from me.
“I suppose I would like them too.”
That was the last thing Esban said in the carriage.
* * *
Having grown accustomed to the grandeur of Duke Apharantes’ estate, Marquis Shepherd’s residence seemed small in comparison.
Despite being an ancient lineage, their power didn’t seem all that formidable.
The family had gained some strength recently when their daughter Charlotte had awakened as an A-grade Esper.
But now that Charlotte had disappeared…
The visibly gaunt Marquis Shepherd was waiting for us at the front gate.
The welcome was almost overwhelmingly warm.
“It is truly, truly an honor to meet you, Lady Hedonia. To behold such noble lineage!”
Esban wasn’t exaggerating. Marquis Shepherd grabbed my hand and bowed deeply.
His nearly 90-degree bow was so profound I worried he might hurt himself.
“Though she cannot compare to Lady Hedonia, our Charlotte also comes from a pure lineage, through and through a noble.”
I wasn’t sure if boasting about one’s daughter required so much emphasis on lineage.
“Ah, I see.”
I managed to squeeze out a response.
“Lady Hedonia, a noble among nobles, you truly are different. Even your voice is beautiful.”
Hidden behind the veil, his attempt to find any compliment was almost pitiable.
This voice… the very voice of a commoner you so despise.
The absurdity of his discrimination, unable to discern between the stand-in me and the noble Hedonia, was laughable.
I hardened my face at Marquis Shepherd’s words; I had no desire to utter insincere pleasantries.
* * *
Soon, we arrived in the drawing room where a light refreshment had already been prepared on the table.
“It’s regrettable, what happened to Miss Charlotte.”
Esban spoke solemnly.
“What kind of child our Charlotte is, an A-grade Esper no less. She must be alive somewhere.”
His belief was steadfast.
“Our daughter is so responsible.”
“Indeed.”
The Marquis nodded again at his wife’s words.
Seeing their hopeful expressions made it difficult for me to speak.
“Have you found any evidence?”
“…Unfortunately, the investigation has made no progress.”
“I believe that if we continue, something will turn up.”
Marquis Shepherd spoke as if it were a certainty.
Esban sighed and looked at me.
It was my turn to speak.
“…Regrettably, we haven’t been able to find Miss Charlotte, neither in the dungeon nor outside. This is despite the involvement of S-grade Espers.”
Normally, the involvement of Espers in an investigation was rare.
Espers usually refrain from using their powers unless absolutely necessary.
This is their assurance of status and power.
I took a deep breath to choose my words carefully.
“We need to reach a conclusion now, Marquis Shepherd.”
“…Surely not.”
Marquis Shepherd’s face darkened as he grasped the meaning of our words.
“Yes, it seems Miss Charlotte has died in the dungeon.”
“There was no dungeon she couldn’t conquer!”
Marquis Shepherd exclaimed in denial.
“Exceptions do exist.”
Esban responded calmly.
“…”
Marquis Shepherd, huffing angrily, gulped down the tea in front of him in one go and rolled his eyes.
His hands trembling, he asked,
“Will it be announced that way?”
“What do you mean?”
Esban inquired as Marquis Shepherd murmured,
“I was asking if Charlotte’s death will be reported as an accident due to her lack of ability.”
“…Pardon?”
I couldn’t understand what he meant.
“Isn’t it so that there are no Espers who have died in a dungeon? I see this not as my daughter’s fault but as a problem with the current system.”
He viewed the issue differently.
His view wasn’t entirely incorrect.
“Despite the presence of mages, isn’t it true that the current situation solely supports Espers? There are also talks of Espers being overworked. My child might have been a victim of such circumstances.”
It wasn’t wrong, but why did it feel so unsettling?
My intuition was not mistaken.
“I would appreciate it if other Espers could sign a letter of support for our family.”
Marquis Shepherd soon revealed his true intentions.
“It would be perfect if we could get the support of the Count Cairoze family or Duke Apharantes.”
What he wanted to secure in the face of his daughter’s death was his pride and wealth.
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