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.'

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

leaves Jet as

man was enigmatic, but he was already well-received by most of the Adventurers. His fame and power was

Guildmaster Richard nodded as he remembered how he heard the

the final decision will be made after the Conquest.' He smiled

**********

[Meanwhile]

huh? That was

his eyes, he found himself staring

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

creating some

long have y-you

face was very hot, and the dark mask covering it didn't help in the slightest.

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

her bed, collapsing

admitting it

like that? I've been begging you

I even flustered? It's not like you

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

room. Instead, he

couldn't really do anything. He only had one

wouldn't have been able to pry open the mask no

that, a creeping fear popped into his mind.

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

unfounded confidence was driving him

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

"It is."

seriousness about it despite her smile. She seemed to have

It scared Rey.

That's… there's no way