19

Teeroth’s eyes widened in confusion, his brow furrowing as he tried to process what he had just heard. A moment later, when he fully grasped what Banteon was saying, Teeroth’s eyes widened in shock, almost bulging out of their sockets.

“What? Wait. What do you mean? Isn’t the Guide supposed to be a woman?!”

“Keep it down. Delroz doesn’t even know yet.”

“How could this be…? I mean, it makes sense, though. There was no one else even remotely similar…”

Teeroth’s expression was a mix of disbelief and realization as Banteon explained the situation. He detailed how he had encountered Delroz on the verge of going berserk one night, and how, thanks to a perception-blocking device, he hadn’t been discovered. Throughout the explanation, Teeroth’s shocked face alternated between disbelief and reluctant acceptance.

Finally, Banteon recounted how Delroz had instinctively found his way to Banteon’s tent.

“That’s how it happened.”

“So you joined the subjugation team to get away, and now you’re planning to follow him to the mine?”

“Yes.”

“Ah, damn it…”

Teeroth ruffled his hair in frustration, making a mess of his dark, reddish locks. It was hard to believe. Even Banteon found the situation absurd, so how could someone who had just heard about it for the first time fully comprehend it?

But Banteon had told the truth. Whether Teeroth believed him or not was up to him.

“I’m planning to stick close for now and see if I can guide him.”

“Why bother? Isn’t it better this way? He’ll just die on his own.”

“What?”

Teeroth’s response was completely unexpected. Banteon had assumed that if Teeroth believed him, he would naturally push for guiding Delroz to prevent him from going berserk.

Unlike Banteon, who had seemingly discarded any sense of morality, Teeroth was someone who diligently carried out his duties, even taking on dangerous tasks. He would grumble, but he always fulfilled his responsibilities.

But Teeroth was adamant. He insisted that there was no need for Banteon to take the risk, even if it meant the entire continent could be split again and everyone on their mission would die.

Banteon, shocked by Teeroth’s reaction, asked again.

“That’s not like you.”

“Are you really going to be matched with him?”

“Well…”

Teeroth had hit on the very thing that Banteon was struggling with. This was a major concern for him. Hearing it from someone else’s mouth made it feel even more real.

There was no way to resolve the situation, not knowing why Delroz’s condition had suddenly changed. If Delroz realized that Banteon’s guiding worked on him, he would likely be bound to Delroz until a new Guide could be found.

If he became a matched Guide, his situation would change drastically from just guiding in emergencies. He would be deployed alongside Delroz on missions, tasked with maintaining Delroz’s condition. In fact, those Espers with matched Guides were given separate assignments and accommodations during this subjugation mission.

The reason for these separate accommodations… was that, for the sake of efficiency, it was common for matched partners to engage in sexual relations as part of the guiding process.

Banteon buried his face in his hands, thinking of the implications.

“It’s horrifying.”

“Then why are you putting yourself in danger? When did you start caring about your conscience?”

“…”

Teeroth’s argument made perfect sense. The Banteon of old would have just cut his losses and run. But something kept holding him back.

Teeroth, seeing that his reasoning wasn’t swaying Banteon, clutched his chest in frustration.

“The team is leaving for the mine tomorrow. Are you really going to go there? You, of all people?”

Teeroth’s question was pointed. Given Banteon’s well-known preference for luxury, how could he possibly survive in the cramped, musty environment of an abandoned mine? No one knew Banteon’s temperament better than Teeroth.

Banteon massaged his aching temples and asked.

“How long would it take to complete an expedition?”

“…This is driving me crazy.”

Teeroth’s expression twisted further at Banteon’s question about the timing. Normally, Banteon himself wouldn’t have understood his own behavior either. If someone had predicted this to his past self, he would have kicked them, accusing them of being drunk.

But this time, the scale was different. With half the continent at risk of being obliterated, he couldn’t just walk away without even trying.

Teeroth let out a deep sigh, pacing the ground as if he could sink into it. After wandering around restlessly, he finally dropped his arms in resignation.

“When we get back, I’m going to request for both of us to return to the center.”

“You’re coming to the mine with me?”

Teeroth’s eyebrows shot up, and he glared at Banteon with a fierce expression.

“You think I’m going to let you go alone while I relax here?”

“But… it’s dangerous.”

“And you’re making this decision knowing that? I’m getting old.”

Usually, Teeroth would be horrified at any mention of aging, but he had no problem bringing it up in situations like this. Banteon, aware of his guilt, silently patted Teeroth’s back, knowing there was much more he could say. Teeroth sighed deeply, as if resigning himself to the inevitable.

“Just pack your stuff. I’ll take care of what we need on the ground.”

“Thanks.”

“Yeah, sure…”

Teeroth grumbled all the way out of the tent, even as he left, asking one last time if Banteon was sure about this. It took five times of asking before he finally left, his reluctance evident in every step.

---

Rusty, abandoned pickaxes. Bent, broken rail tracks, and empty carts. Banteon surveyed the desolate, dust-covered entrance of the abandoned mine. Scattered pieces of rotting leather crunched underfoot as he walked through the area.

They hadn’t even reached the main area where the monsters were said to inhabit, but the sun was already beating down mercilessly. It was once a large mine, and they were told they’d have to travel for several days under this harsh sun.

It was a short distance by military vehicle, but since some monsters were sensitive to vibrations, they had to walk part of the way. Orders had come down to wait under shade during the hot day and move at night.

On the opposite side of where Banteon stood, people were setting up canopies, pulling ropes attached to poles to create some cover. Most of the manual labor was being done by lower-ranked Espers.

As he waited under a tree, sand blown by the wind got into his mouth, making him grimace. The unpleasant sensation caused him to frown.

“Save your energy for over there.”

Teeroth, who had approached unnoticed, gestured to the opposite side. There, others were setting up an improvised base and waiting under canopies. Most were Guides assigned to safer positions. Among them, Banteon noticed Delroz, his head slightly above the others.

The sunlight reflected off Delroz’s dark hair, making it gleam.

“I really don’t want to do this…”

“You have to get closer to see what’s going on. Let’s get this over with so we can leave.”

“How am I supposed to observe him with all those Guides around? It’s annoying that he’s right there.”

“It’s not that Delroz is among the Guides; the Guides are the ones hovering around him.”

Teeroth unfolded a map showing the assigned quarters. As he said, the area around Delroz was designated for Espers. The Guides had gravitated towards him.

“Word has already spread that guiding him is difficult. They’re sticking around, hoping they hit the jackpot if they manage to guide him.”

“It’s not a jackpot; it’s a curse.”

“Maybe for you, but to others, he’s as good as gold.”

With a bitter look, Banteon stared at the spot where Delroz was. So many people wanted an SS-ranked Esper, yet here he was, tangled up in this mess.

Delroz looked different from the last time Banteon had seen him in the tent a few days ago. Now, dressed in full uniform and with his usually unruly hair neatly combed, he looked more refined. He no longer had that wild, unkempt aura.

Objectively, he had a handsome face. He was quiet and reserved, but those traits were common among Espers. Apparently, he was also known to be kind to female Guides, so besides his SS-rank, he had plenty of qualities that made him popular.

But what did that matter to Banteon? Those qualities were about as useful to him as a dog’s useless appendage.

Reluctantly, Banteon began to walk closer. Just as he forced himself to move, he noticed Delroz’s head turn in his direction. His gaze slowly but steadily locked onto Banteon.

“Did he just look this way?”

“Looks like it.”

“There’s no way he could hear us from this distance.”

The distance wasn’t the only issue. The wind was blowing sand and dry grass around, making even breathing through the masks difficult. Even if the shelter provided some relief, there was no way Delroz could have heard Banteon and Teeroth talking from afar.

“Maybe he noticed we were talking about him? His instincts are sharp as a demon’s.”

“…Bante, I think he’s smiling.”

“What?”

From this distance, Banteon could only make out a silhouette, not specific facial expressions. However, Teeroth, with his sharper Esper eyesight, frowned as if something about it unsettled him.

And then, he spoke with displeasure.

“He’s coming this way, isn’t he?”

“No way.”

Before Teeroth could finish, Delroz began walking towards them, shaking off the people around him. As they watched, it became clear that Delroz was heading straight for Banteon and Teeroth.