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.'

life of an Adventurer—Richard wasn't sure if he would have enough of it to properly

that leaves Jet as

he was already well-received by most

will of Zephyr in him.' Guildmaster Richard nodded as he remembered

the Conquest.' He smiled

**********

[Meanwhile]

back, huh? That was

he found himself

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

creating some distance between himself and the girl who simply

have y-you been

the dark mask covering it didn't help in the slightest. He also found himself stuttering, which

ago." Esme shrugged, almost as if the whole thing wasn't that big a deal. "I got bored

her bed, collapsing

admitting it just

would I lie about something like that? I've been begging you to

I even flustered? It's not like

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

left the room. Instead, he simply shared his senses with his duplicate

couldn't really do anything.

have been able to pry open the mask no matter how hard you tried!" Rey said, folding

creeping fear popped into his

that." As if reading his mind, Esme

confidence was driving him

you. You're not even sure it's my real face that's under the mask

"It is."

an aura of seriousness about it despite her

It scared Rey.

there's no way you could