Chapter 28
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Sometimes, due to shortage, even dedicated Guides had to support others.
“The Security Guard doesn’t rely heavily on abilities, so losing him from the rotation won’t be an issue. And Captain Linton is here as well.”
So, with just one word from Adrien, Samuel wouldn’t have to provide guiding to anyone else.
Adrien stared at him. The sight still unsettled her. But if she excluded Samuel from the rotation, everyone would assume the same thing—
That Adrien Brillante intended to take Samuel Norah as her personal Guide.
“…We’ll decide on that later.”
“Understood.”
“Everyone’s holding their own better than I expected. You all looked so tense I was a little worried.”
Captain Linton appeared from behind, speaking with his usual cheer. Only then was Adrien able to tear her mind away from thoughts of Samuel.
“Throw them into the fire and they’ll learn to survive.”
“Mm, but I think it’s about time we step in.”
At Linton’s words, Adrien turned her gaze—
“No!”
The lion finally smashed through the wall Ricola had raised from the ground. Ricola hastily pulled the earth up again, but at the same time dust began to fall from the ceiling.
Then it came—a faint sound, just a tiny vibration that only an Esper’s sharpened senses could catch. Adrien’s head turned upward. Cracks were spreading across the ceiling—right above Samuel.
“…Ah.”
By the time Samuel noticed, it was already too late. Adrien didn’t have the luxury of thinking. She threw herself forward, firing a razor-sharp beam of light at the lion even as she swept Samuel and Brenda into her arms with inhuman speed.
“Lieutenant Kate! Shield!”
The lion’s dying roar and Adrien’s command overlapped with the deafening crash as the ceiling collapsed. Adrien rolled, clutching the two of them tight, and felt her shoulder slam against the barrier of a transparent shield.
Only then did she open her eyes.
Even inside the shield, the rumble of destruction was clear; through the translucent dome she saw the building crumbling down. And above her, lifting his head from her chest, was Samuel.
“…Commander.”
His voice broke, as though he’d been holding his breath.
“I—I’m sorry!”
“It’s fine, Ensign Ricola.”
Adrien answered with a short laugh when Ricola ran and bowed deeply in apology. She checked Brenda, still tucked against her side.
She then raised her gaze—meeting Samuel’s eyes directly above her own.
Samuel was braced on his forearm, as if trying to keep from putting his full weight on her, which only brought their faces closer.
Against her will, Adrien remembered the guiding in her office. Already, just from the contact of his body, guiding seeped into her.
Her insides tingled, her breath stopped, her heart hammering so loudly it drowned the chaos around them.
“Are you hurt…? Is your body all right?”
“That’s what I should be asking the two of you.”
“I’m fine!”
Brenda blurted, springing upright now that she’d regained her senses. By then the collapse had ceased, and Kate approached, lowering her shield.
“I’ll move in to extract the civilians inside.”
Adrien pushed herself up as Samuel drew back naturally.
“Take Lieutenant Michelle and the rookies with you.”
“And Captain Linton as well, please.”
Adrien nodded, and Kate and Michelle led Peter and Ricola deeper into the building.
“Adrien!”
Linton came rushing over, worry filling his face. He caught Adrien’s cheek in his palm.
“You’re not hurt, are you?”
The instant his hand touched her, the unpleasant surge of his guiding pressed in. Adrien nearly grimaced.
‘I’ve gone soft.’
She had never shown dislike for Linton’s guiding before. She’d always considered it tolerable. But after experiencing Samuel’s—soothing, stabilizing, and laced with undeniable pleasure—Linton’s touch felt more jarring than ever.
“I’m fine. What about the others?”
“All accounted for!”
Adrien, after checking again on Samuel and Brenda, stepped toward the fallen lion.
“…Green blood.”
Her face hardened at the sight. Linton, arriving a step behind, had the same grim expression.
“Why would a lion show the traits of a beast…”
The red eyes, twisted form, and above all the green blood—these were the unmistakable signs of a beast. Of all creatures, only beasts bled green.
“A beast inside the zoo?”
It made no sense. And yet, with the evidence before their eyes, they couldn’t deny it any longer.
“We’ll need to issue a warning.”
“…Yes.”
“The capital may no longer be safe.”
Adrien lifted her eyes, surveying the rows of empty cages.
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