Chapter 310
Among the Guides, sighs and curses erupted. Their unexpectedly intense reaction made me widen my eyes in surprise.
“Uh, why…”
“Whoever he is, that guy ruined your life, didn’t he?”
A Guide asked, fuming. I felt a bit peculiar.
The people in front of me had no idea who Claude was. Unlike the people from the Center, who treated me like a commoner who had seduced a high-ranking Esper to rise in status, these people empathized with my situation and cursed Claude.
Of course, it made sense since they had been kidnapped by Espers long before the Center was established…
“Obviously. He was so desperate to have you that he turned your peaceful, calm life upside down without any regard for your will.”
Helga criticized harshly.
…That’s not entirely wrong.
Indeed, at the time, it felt like a thriller.
Because of the original game’s ending, Claude seemed like a terrifying serial killer who would snap necks if things didn’t go his way. It was scary to have him suspecting me as a Guide and constantly hovering around, making me want to avoid him.
But…
“…Lord Claude is a good person.”
I interrupted the Guides who were already spitting insults at Claude, speaking softly. The Guides looked at me with puzzled expressions.
“Are you defending him? If it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t have been exposed as a Guide, nor would you have been dragged to a place like this?”
“That’s true. But ultimately, it was my choice to stay by his side. And while I’ve made countless mistakes and done things I regret… I’ve never once regretted my decision to choose him.”
As they said, if I hadn’t met him, I might never have been exposed as a Guide, and I wouldn’t have gone through the turbulent experiences I did. But…
Before meeting him, my life was peaceful yet monotonous, repeating without purpose. His presence, which spread ripples through the still waters of my life, was indeed startling.
But looking back now, perhaps he was the one I had been unknowingly waiting for my whole life.
So…
“…Because it was the first time I experienced being loved so wholeheartedly… Even if I could go back, I would make the same choice.”
It doesn’t take much to make a person live. No matter how hard it is, if there’s a place to stand firmly, they can endure. For me, that place was him.
As I rambled on, tears that hadn’t come out during the tension started welling up.
What is Claude doing now? It’s been a few days since I disappeared, so he must be searching for me everywhere. He’s probably blaming himself for not sending me back to the Center.
…I should have listened to Claude. Regret always comes too late.
Every effort I made to help him always backfired, as if proving I wasn’t a suitable match for him.
I always acted impulsively, messing things up, and I was someone who couldn’t resolve issues on my own. It’s the same now.
It was miserable, but I had no choice but to accept it. Besides desperately hoping for him to come and rescue me, there was nothing I could do.
Will there be a chance to go back? Helga has been trapped for 16 years, so why would I be any different?
Maybe I’ll never see Claude again…
Sniffling, I forced myself to hold back the tears.
“An Esper? Cherishing a Guide? Why?”
Helga raised her eyebrows, as if she really couldn’t understand.
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