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.'

uncertain life was—especially the life of an Adventurer—Richard wasn't sure if he would have enough of it to properly mold

suppose that leaves Jet as the

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

Zephyr in him.' Guildmaster Richard nodded as he

the Conquest.' He smiled widely and felt himself drift

**********

[Meanwhile]

back, huh?

Rey opened his eyes, he found himself staring

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

already creating some distance between himself

y-you been

covering it didn't help in

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

sighed and walked towards her bed, collapsing

you're admitting it

been begging you

am I even flustered? It's not

together. "I think I was pretty close back

Instead, he simply shared his senses with his duplicate through

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

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

creeping fear popped into his mind. 'What

I could have found a way around that." As if reading his mind, Esme

was driving

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

"It is."

despite her smile. She seemed to

It scared Rey.

way