The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 95
The entrance of the passageway was completely blocked by the fallen debris from the collapsing building, making it impossible to return.
“If the front is blocked… then we’re completely trapped here.”
At Esban’s murmured words, I shivered uncontrollably.
Dying trapped in a passage like this was something I absolutely wanted to avoid.
Sensing my shiver, Esban glanced at me briefly before looking ahead and asking,
“Are you scared?”
He seemed genuinely surprised.
His face, with one eyebrow raised arrogantly, reminded me of the first time we met.
When he didn’t understand my situation at all, and was more concerned with saying what he wanted.
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m human too.”
I retorted, feeling a bit distressed.
“You seemed fine in the dungeon too.”
“I was pretending to be fine. There’s a difference between being fine and pretending to be.”
“That was an act?”
“Yes, I’ve gotten quite good at pretending to be fine.”
“Why?”
The conversation with Esban, which I thought would end quickly, unexpectedly continued.
It was strange that he was asking me questions at all.
He had always been the most wary and dismissive of me.
Living as a noble his entire life, Esban probably never had to think about these things.
“It’s a necessary skill for survival.”
I answered with a sigh, glancing at Esban.
Everyone is ignorant about things they haven’t experienced, but Esban was particularly annoying.
Maybe it’s because I never had a good impression of him in the first place.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen his face this close.’
Esban’s face was clear and clean. If he didn’t constantly behave like an arrogant noble, dismissing everyone, his impression might have been much better.
Sensing my gaze, Esban turned his head back.
“…That is true.”
His eyes were dark, as if peering into an abyss.
Seeing emotions in his eyes that I hadn’t noticed before made me feel strange.
‘Why…’
Why did it seem like Esban not only understood but also empathized with everything I said?
It was different from when I talked to Shaelock about my situation.
Although Shaelock offered advice, he never truly understood my predicament.
‘…Is he acting?’
But Esban had no reason to sympathize with or understand my situation.
For a brief moment, it felt like I had glimpsed a deeply hidden part of Esban’s inner self.
Something completely different from his outward appearance…
Something I had never expected.
Perhaps feeling my intense gaze, Esban blinked and then spoke.
“Just pretend you didn’t hear what I just said.”
Does he know that his words only make me more curious about him?
A loud noise echoed again.
Rumble…
With a foreboding roar, sand began to trickle down between the bricks forming the passageway.
“We need to pick up the pace.”
Esban turned his head and spoke politely.
‘He seems like a completely different person when dealing with Hedonia…’
People do have many facets.
Hedonia nodded.
“Do as you wish.”
It seemed he could still keep up.
The passageway, which seemed endless, gradually widened.
But then…
“I-It’s blocked.”
I was dumbfounded upon reaching the end of the passageway.
Just as Esban had predicted, the path was obstructed.
“This is all because of Esban’s jinx.”
Doesn’t he know that words can become reality?
Although I spoke resentfully towards him, Esban didn’t flinch. It was as if my words weren’t worth responding to.
Setting me down, Esban drew his sword.
“If we can’t go through…”
His sword traced a circular arc, shattering the debris blocking our way into tiny pieces.
“We’ll make our own path.”
…Moments later, the path was cleared as if it had always been open.
“…I see.”
I realized that the thinking of an Esper is fundamentally different from that of ordinary people.
“Let’s move.”
Esban extended his hand to me once again.
‘There’s no need for me to be carried anymore.’
Not wanting to show myself with Esban in front of Hedonia, I waved off his hand.
“I’ll walk from here.”
“…Suit yourself.”
Esban clenched his fist and muttered.
With Esban leading, me in the middle, and Hedonia behind, we ascended the stairs.
“Ah, you’re here?”
The stairs led to a small hut.
Even though we moved quickly, I expected we’d be far from the alleyway by now…
I never imagined we’d end up in a place like this.
“You’re later than I expected.”
Shaelock, who had been sitting on a make-do chair made of old planks, stood up with a smile.
Next to her, the Marquis of Shepherd was on the ground, unable to move.
Around him, the burly men who had skillfully escorted Shepherd earlier lay sprawled out like decorations.
“P-Please let me go. Your Highness, please!”