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.'

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

leaves Jet as the

but he was already well-received by most of the Adventurers. His

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

the final decision will be made after the Conquest.' He smiled widely and felt himself drift into

**********

[Meanwhile]

huh? That was

eyes, he found himself staring at Esme's

he finally processed what was happening, he became so startled that

that for?" Rey yelled, already creating some distance between himself and

have y-you been

very hot, and the dark mask covering it didn't help in the slightest. He also found

if the whole thing wasn't that big a deal. "I got bored waiting

walked towards her bed, collapsing

you're admitting it just

I lie about something like that? I've been begging you to show me for

It's not like you

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

left the room. Instead, he

couldn't really do anything. He only had one mind,

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

into his mind.

that." As if reading his mind, Esme replied with a

was driving

even sure it's my real face that's

"It is."

despite her

It scared Rey.

no way you could