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

suppose that leaves Jet

already well-received by most of the Adventurers. His fame

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

be made after the Conquest.' He smiled widely and felt himself drift

**********

[Meanwhile]

huh?

eyes, he found himself staring

apart. The moment he finally processed what was happening, he became so startled that

hell?! What did you do that for?" Rey yelled, already creating some distance between

long have y-you been standing

and the dark mask covering it didn't help in

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

bed, collapsing on it in one swift downward

admitting it just

been begging you to show me

am I even flustered? It's

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

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

anytime he did this, his main body couldn't really do anything. He only had

you wouldn't have been able to pry open the

a creeping fear popped into his mind. 'What if she found

could have found a way around that." As if reading his

unfounded confidence was driving

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

"It is."

about it despite her smile. She seemed

It scared Rey.

way you could know