Becoming the Guide of the Mysophobic Villain? Absolutely Not! - Chapter 304

“…He’s unconscious.”

Livener said, his face pale.

Livener found the situation overwhelming. Wilhelm had once been his closest comrade. Though there were times when his admiration for Claude seemed excessive, Livener had never considered him a bad person.

But now, the large scar on Livener’s side was revealed to be the result of Wilhelm secretly controlling a mutant on the battlefield.

Wilhelm had attempted to eliminate Claude’s imprinted Guide in a misguided effort to make Claude an invulnerable, flawless being. Despite humanity’s inherent duplicity…

The sense of betrayal was indescribable. However, even though it might have been a misconception on his part, it was impossible not to feel something seeing a comrade he once considered a friend writhing in pain and losing consciousness.

Unlike the hesitant Livener, Claude showed no mercy.

“Wake him up. Even if you have to submerge his head in water.”

Claude’s voice was chilling as he gave the order.

Just as Claude was an absolute authority to Wilhelm, his commands were equally unquestionable to Livener and Daniel. Eventually, Livener lifted a bucket of cold water over the nearly lifeless Wilhelm.

“…Lord Claude, reinforcements from the capital have arrived.”

A cautious voice came from outside the tent. Only then did a faint crack appear in Claude’s otherwise stone-cold expression.

Rose had not been devoured by an intelligent mutant. While Wilhelm had used the mutant to deceive the entire unit, someone collaborating with him had kidnapped her.

Since it was a human abduction, a more thorough investigation was required, and specialists had been requested from the Center.

Suppressing his irritation, Claude stepped outside the tent. There, along with the Espers hurriedly dispatched from the Center, were officials who appeared to be from the government.

They were dressed in suits and shoes that did not suit the dusty, windy border area.

The oldest-looking man among them spotted Claude and walked over without hesitation, extending his hand.

“Chief Investigator Haynes from the Central Intelligence Agency…”

“The Espers Outside the Line.”

Ignoring the outstretched hand, Claude went straight to the point. The investigator’s expression turned peculiar.

“The missing and death cases we presumed to be the work of mutants were actually orchestrated by the Espers Outside the Line. They have formed a faction, collaborating with Espers within the Center, and have now kidnapped Rose. We need to locate their base immediately—”

“I understand your urgency. But let’s take a moment to calm down. There’s an old saying: ‘The busier you are, the more you need to rest.'”

Claude, who had been speaking rapidly, paused. He couldn’t understand why the investigator was talking about taking a break at such a critical moment.

Regardless, the investigator continued, feigning sympathy.

“When you’re in a hurry, you’re more likely to be blinded by illusions and miss the truth. I understand you’re desperate, especially believing that your imprinted Guide was devoured by a mutant. But…”

The investigator couldn’t finish his sentence. As if a giant hand had lifted him, his body was suddenly hoisted into the air by an overwhelming force.

“You’d better watch your mouth. As you said, my patience is running thin, and I have no tolerance for nonsense.”

The investigator’s face turned pale at Claude’s chilling growl, his teeth clenched in anger.

“Th-This is preposterous! You’re saying that Espers Outside the Line have been collaborating with Center Espers to kill people and frame mutants? That’s absurd! What reason would they have for such actions?”

At that moment, a voice suddenly flashed through Claude’s mind.

〈The Center, and most importantly, you, must always remain heroes to the people of Arteon.〉

That was what the Center Director had said when he asked Claude to go on another mission.