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.'

Adventurer—Richard wasn't sure if

that leaves Jet as the optimal

well-received by most of the

as he remembered how he

decision will be made after the Conquest.' He

**********

[Meanwhile]

huh? That

eyes, he found himself staring at Esme's

so close to his—about only an inch or two apart. The moment he finally processed what was happening, he became so startled that he nearly jumped out of the room that his

did you do that for?" Rey yelled, already creating some distance between himself and the girl who simply stared

long 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 how flustered

as if the whole thing wasn't that big a deal. "I got bored waiting and wanted to see if I could remove the

walked towards her bed, collapsing on it in

what? And you're admitting it just

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

flustered? It's not like

a smug look, rubbing her hands together. "I think I was pretty close back there. You just

original body never left the room. Instead, he simply shared

did this, his main body couldn't really

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

a creeping fear popped into his mind. 'What if

that." As if reading his

confidence was driving

You're not even sure it's my real face that's under

"It is."

swift response had an aura of seriousness about it despite her smile. She seemed to

It scared Rey.

That's… there's no way