22

The most likely method would be to subtly attempt guiding during combat. With multiple Espers’ auras mixed and rapidly changing, the chances of being detected would be low. Normally, distinguishing such subtle differences would be difficult, but for Banteon, who could actually see auras, this approach might work.

However, only a matched Guide or a Guide assigned to the same team would be allowed to be near an Esper during combat. Banteon didn’t fall into either category.

“Team 1, except for Delroz, all have matched Guides. Team 2 occasionally works together with them, but I don’t know anyone there…”

“Wait, isn’t Keslan in Team 2?”

“What? That kid?”

Banteon recalled seeing Keslan’s name on the roster before they set out. Since Keslan didn’t have a matched Guide and was fairly compatible with Banteon, it seemed like a good idea to temporarily join as his Guide.

Despite finding a potential solution, Teeroth’s expression remained troubled.

“That’s… a bit of a problem.”

“What happened?”

“Keslan got injured and was pulled from the operation.”

“What? How did that happen?”

Banteon, who had been in the tent with Keslan just a few days ago, was well aware that there hadn’t been any recent deployments. There hadn’t even been any battles, so how could an A-rank Esper suddenly get injured? Teeroth shrugged off the question.

“Who knows? Maybe he just didn’t want to participate in the operation and pretended to be injured. He’s young, so it’s possible.”

“They wouldn’t remove someone from an operation just for pretending to be hurt. And that doesn’t sound like Keslan’s personality.”

“I don’t know. I’ve never liked the guy anyway.”

It was typical of Teeroth to express his disdain, especially since Keslan often interrupted whenever Banteon was around. While Teeroth was usually wary of the young and cute Esper students who clung to Banteon, he seemed particularly guarded around Keslan.

“I’ll have to ask him about it the next time I see him.”

“What’s there to ask? He probably just slipped and fell while wandering around.”

Teeroth’s dismissive tone was unconvincing—no one would believe that an A-rank Esper simply slipped and injured himself. Maintaining his disinterested attitude, Teeroth suddenly clapped his hands, as if struck by an idea.

“Oh, I’ve got it.”

“What is it?”

“The position of Guide Team Leader is temporarily vacant. If you take that role, you’ll have more opportunities to be near Delroz and Captain Sotenlu.”

Banteon’s face immediately scrunched up in distaste. Guide Team Leader? Just the thought of it sounded tedious and burdensome.

While Banteon was clearly displeased, Teeroth beamed as if it were the perfect solution.

“It’s better than being a temporary Guide for someone else, isn’t it?”

“Well… yes, I suppose so. I guess I don’t have a choice.”

Reluctantly, Banteon nodded in agreement, even though he found the idea far from appealing.

---

“Just the honor of having you with us was more than enough, but to take on a position like this as well, I’m truly grateful.”

“It’s nothing. I should have offered sooner, but I was preoccupied with my thoughts, which delayed my decision.”

Sotenlu, who had been struggling to find a suitable candidate for the Guide Team Leader position, was overjoyed when Banteon volunteered. Despite the reluctance Banteon felt inside, he maintained a professional smile.

“It’s my first time taking on a leadership role, so I’m worried about whether I’ll do well.”

“Though we call it a leadership position, it’s really just a lot of tedious tasks—managing people, filing reports, things like that…”

“Every task is important, especially in times like these. Everything has its value.”

“As expected of you, Banteon.”

The admiration in Sotenlu’s gaze felt almost piercing. Banteon, uncomfortable under such scrutiny, turned slightly away and handed over the prepared Guide assignment list.

“Ah, thank you for your hard work.”

As Sotenlu glanced at the list, his fingers twitched when he saw Banteon’s name at the top.

The position Banteon had chosen was at the very front of Team 1, close to Delroz.

“It’s admirable that you’re leading by example, but… this position is dangerous for your first outing.”

“That’s why I intend to take the lead early on. Once we’re deeper in, I’ll have a more experienced Guide take over.”

“Even so…”

Sotenlu bowed his head in deep thought. Having Banteon at the front would surely boost morale, but if he were to get injured, it would be problematic. As the commander of the subjugation team, Sotenlu was responsible for Banteon’s safety.

After a moment, Sotenlu seemed to have an idea. He raised his hand to signal someone behind him—Delroz, who had been leaning against a tree, waiting.

“Delroz, could you spare a moment?”

Delroz turned his head, frowning at the summons. Despite his displeasure, he approached in long strides, crossing his arms as he looked down at the two men.

“Ah, Delroz, this is our new Guide Team Leader, Banteon Aethlant…”

“I know.”

Delroz rudely interrupted the introduction, stepping into the conversation. Sotenlu, seemingly used to such interruptions, continued without missing a beat.

“I was wondering if it would be possible to assign Banteon as your temporary Guide.”

“What?”

It was Banteon who responded in surprise. What was Sotenlu thinking? Banteon’s eyes flickered with uncertainty. While he had planned to look for an opportunity near Delroz, he had never intended to be his temporary Guide.

Delroz also didn’t seem pleased with the suggestion, his frown deepening as he looked between Sotenlu and Banteon.

“There’s an opening for a temporary Guide with Delroz due to some personal circumstances. It would be safer than having you at the front lines of Team 1…”

“No need.”

Banteon cut in before Delroz could respond. “Personal circumstances,” he thought. The truth was, no Guide could successfully guide Delroz, which left the position vacant. The last thing Banteon wanted was to be forcibly placed in that role.

“I accepted the risks when I came here. You don’t need to worry about me.”

“It could be dangerous if monsters appear.”

“Ah.”

Delroz, who had been listening to the conversation, chuckled softly, rubbing his chin.

“So, you want me to protect this valuable person to avoid any injuries?”

Delroz’s gaze quickly scanned Banteon, the look in his eyes far from kind. His gaze lingered momentarily on the small scratch on Banteon’s cheek before moving on.

“Fine. I don’t mind.”

“The temporary Guides are also assigned personal guards, so he’ll be fine,” Banteon said, ignoring Delroz’s agreement and addressing Sotenlu. C-rank and lower Espers were responsible for protecting Guides rather than participating in combat. That should be sufficient.

Sotenlu shook his head. “This time, we have a lot of inexperienced Espers.”

“Everyone has to start somewhere. I don’t have much experience in subjugation missions either, so we can learn together.”

Sotenlu seemed unwilling to back down. Just as Banteon was about to say more, Delroz gave him a cold, unimpressed look.

“If he wants to be monster food, let him.”

“Delroz…”

Sotenlu, flustered by Delroz’s harsh words, tried to intervene, but Banteon turned to Delroz, his temper flaring.

“Maybe it’s safer to have a C-rank guarding me than someone who doesn’t care about protecting Guides.”

“What?”

“You said it yourself yesterday—plenty of people are willing to guide you, even without protection. How am I supposed to trust someone like that?”

Delroz’s face twisted as he remembered his words from the previous day. His lips curled into a smirk, even as he struggled to come up with a retort.

“Quite the memory you have.”

“It’s something of a habit.”

Banteon’s calm reply only made Delroz’s smile widen.

“So, that’s how you want to play it.”

Delroz uncrossed his arms and looked at Sotenlu.

“Put Banteon Aethlant down as my temporary Guide.”

“Delroz, that’s not what he meant…”

Ignoring Sotenlu’s protest, Delroz stepped closer to Banteon, invading his personal space.

“You insult me like that and think I’ll just let it slide? I’ll protect you—every single hair on your head. So be grateful and stick close. Don’t make it harder than it has to be.”

With that, Delroz turned and walked away without waiting for a response. As the oppressive presence of Delroz faded, Sotenlu let out a shaky breath, clearly unsettled by the exchange.

Caught between both men, Sotenlu looked to Banteon for guidance.

“So, what do you plan to do?”

“…”

A sigh escaped Banteon’s lips, one that felt like it carried the weight of the world. He could feel the lines on his face deepen with the stress. Meeting Sotenlu’s worried gaze, Banteon forced a polite smile.

“It’s fine. Let’s proceed as Delroz suggested.”

“I haven’t known him long, but despite his rough words, he didn’t seem like a bad person.”

“I understand.”

Banteon responded, but in truth, he didn’t understand Delroz at all. As he maintained the polite façade for Sotenlu, his mind raced.

In the end, things had worked out. He’d achieved his goal of getting close to Delroz, and the odds of successfully guiding him had increased.

But despite the apparent success, Banteon couldn’t shake the unease growing in the pit of his stomach. Even though things had gotten easier, a part of him felt distinctly unsettled.