An Extra’s POV

"Huu… I forgot to ask how they managed to get here in the first place."

As Richard collapsed back on his seat, he muttered words to himself while allowing the faces of everyone he just met to burn into his memory.

This way, he wouldn't be able to forget them no matter where they met in the future.

'They're all strong and capable. That man especially… Sebas….' Richard pictured the handsome man in his mind.

'He has the aura of a leader!'

More than anything, Richard desired to pick him as his successor. He could already tell that the man was more than capable of it.

'Should I talk to him about it? Try to make him a sweet offer, maybe?' He shook his head as his wry smile widened.

"Nah, that would definitely piss off the Royal Council. I shouldn't try to poach such an asset of theirs—especially when I'm trying to establish good relations with them."

Still, it was such a shame.

'Having someone like that to bridge the gap between Adventurers and the Alliance… wouldn't that be something?'

Richard decided to stop thinking about it, else he would be tempted to throw caution to the wind and ask the man anyway.

'I suppose my options have now been cut down to four potential candidates.'

Out of those four, he already singled Lux out due to her passive attitude. Britta was also very hot-headed and brash, lacking a lot of the emotional maturity that made a great leader, so she was out as well.

'I mean, there's a reason why I still didn't consider her for the position when she was the only competent around.'

That left two real choices; Jet and Sherlock.

'Sherlock is still too young, but he has a lot of potential. If I start early, I could groom him into a capable leader.'

considering how uncertain life was—especially the life of an Adventurer—Richard wasn't sure if he would have enough

that leaves Jet as the

man was enigmatic, but he was already well-received by most of the Adventurers. His fame and power was nothing

in him.' Guildmaster Richard nodded as he remembered how he heard the loud declaration of

after the Conquest.'

**********

[Meanwhile]

back, huh? That was

Rey opened his eyes, he found himself

only an inch or two apart. The moment he finally processed what was happening, he became

yelled, already creating some distance between himself and the

have y-you

face was very hot, and the dark mask covering it didn't help in the slightest. He also found himself stuttering, which further showed

whole thing wasn't that big a deal. "I got bored waiting and wanted to see

walked towards her bed, collapsing

you're admitting it just

I've been begging you to show me for some time now, yet you

even flustered? It's not

sure about that?" Esme made a smug look, rubbing her hands together. "I think I was pretty close back there. You

body never left the room. Instead,

couldn't really do anything. He only

of passive protection, so you wouldn't have been able to pry open the mask no matter how hard

into his mind. 'What if she found a

way around that." As if reading his mind, Esme replied

confidence was driving

on you. You're not even sure it's my real

"It is."

of seriousness about it despite her smile. She seemed to have a sense

It scared Rey.

That's… there's no way you could know for