Please Don’t Sponsor the Guide - Chapter 44

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At least this was a familiar face. Her cousin, Melonie, slipped in beside Adrien with a bright smile, not caring at all who got pushed out of the way in the process.

Strangely enough, it was usually Adrien who’d catch the eye of the displaced person and offer a sheepish apology.

“You came back to the capital and didn’t even contact me? Honestly, I’m so hurt right now!”

“Sorry. Work with the Security Guard has been busier than I expected.”

“So, is it true? The famed ‘Light of Justice’ has joined the Security Guard?”

Others, who had been intimidated by Adrien’s presence and hadn’t dared approach, now started joining in.

Suddenly, Adrien realized that everyone on the couch was watching her expectantly. She gave them an empty smile.

“Yes, I figured after so long serving far away, it was time to work closer to home.”

“That’s wonderful. The capital must be much better than some far-off, harsh outpost, isn’t it?”

“Absolutely. It means you can even attend parties like this.”

“So, how is it, working with the Security Guard? Oh, and by the way—one of the kids I sponsor just got accepted to the special military academy!”

“Really?”

“Yes! After hearing that the ‘Light of Justice’ joined the defense corps, he wrote me that she wants to join the city corps too!”

As the nobles chatted and laughed, Adrien’s thoughts wandered. Come to think of it, she’d sponsored a child as well—a girl named Sammy Norah. Sponsorship ended when the child reached adulthood, so Sammy must have turned twenty this year and her support probably stopped last year.

‘But can someone really become independent the moment they turn twenty?’

Adrien wondered about it for the first time. The staff from her family managed all the sponsorship payments, so she assumed they’d stopped right on schedule. But the idea that a twenty-year-old common girl could instantly become financially independent seemed doubtful.

“So, which did you sponsor, Lady? Esper or Guide?”

“Oh, of course an Esper. Guides are so rare.”

“Same here!”

“It’s always like that, isn’t it? Ordinary folks like us mostly end up sponsoring Espers. Guides are usually taken in by people who really need them.”

It dawned on Adrien that the conversation was taking a strange turn. And now, everyone’s eyes were back on her. Melonie looked noticeably uncomfortable—she shifted and waved her hand, almost as if signaling someone, then froze as her gaze met Adrien’s.

“Uh, Addie…”

A sense of dread crept up Adrien’s spine.

“Surely the Light of Justice has sponsored a wonderful Guide, right?”

“Wasn’t the one you sponsored about the age to reach adulthood now?”

“Oh, then you might have met them! What level are they?”

Adrien was completely lost. The barrage of questions was dizzying. Just then, Linton placed a gentle hand on Adrien’s shoulder, flashing a radiant smile.

“Aren’t you all a little too interested in Adrien’s former sponsoree?”

“Oh my, Mr. Vionne! Young Count Vionne is here!”

Adrien was suddenly hit with an unpleasant surge of guiding energy—she nearly grimaced, but at least it didn’t make her nauseous like before.

Standing under the chandelier, Linton looked dazzling, almost like a pair with Adrien thanks to his blond hair. Guests murmured in admiration at the sight.

“Sponsorship is about genuine goodwill. Even if Adrien’s former sponsoree tried to repay the favor, she’d just send them on their way.”

Isn’t that right, Adrien? His eyes seemed to ask. Adrien quietly nodded.

“That’s right. I feel the same way.”

She had chosen Sammy Nora without knowing anything except her name, age, and gender. There were a few more details—Sammy never liked teddy bears, and occasionally showed a surprising romantic streak—but none of that would interest the nobles.

“I’m pretty sure she’s not a Guide. I just picked her based on her name, honestly.”

“Oh… really?”

The nobles’ expressions turned subtly odd. Adrien glanced up at Linton, but he just kept smiling.

“Even if there’s no debt to repay, sponsored children often visit to say thank you, don’t they? Hasn’t that ever happened to you, Lady Adrien?”

“No, never.”

“Not even a letter saying they’d like to meet?”

Adrien paused to think. She couldn’t recall ever receiving a farewell letter. Sammy had never been the warmest kid, but she wasn’t impolite either. Adrien had even thought they’d become fairly close—at least close enough for a final farewell.

Realizing this left her feeling strangely empty.