Chapter 191
“And how are they doing?”
“There are those who have given up, and among them, a few have even said they want to defect to the Cantabria Empire.”
“That’s good.”
“Yes, but… if they go to the capital, how do you plan to handle it? The Empress surely won’t just let it go. Besides…”
What Zion was most concerned about was that both Bianca and Lea were also werebeasts. If, by chance, the prejudice against werebeasts improved because of the Guides, that would be fortunate. But if not, trouble could easily spill over to Lea.
It was strange, in fact, that no one had suspected the true identities of Bianca and Lea all this time.
Guides had long since disappeared from the Cantabria Empire, so why hadn’t anyone thought to question where Bianca and Lea came from?
“It’ll come out eventually anyway. But I hope, at least, that trouble doesn’t reach Lea. So keep a close eye on the Guides’ actions. Especially…”
Calix had his eye on the suspicious white rabbit werebeast who kept lingering near Lea.
“Keep a close watch on that white rabbit female.”
“Derek has also been keeping an eye on that Guide.”
“She’s hard to read, isn’t she?”
“Yes, it seems so.”
After sending Zion away, Calix decided to try another method to figure out how his wound from yesterday had disappeared. Using his wind ability, he scratched a long line across his own palm.
* * *
As soon as Lea felt better, she went straight to the Guides. She’d been curious the whole time whether those she’d urgently transformed into animal form and sent fleeing had made it back safely, but because of Calix, she’d had to stay bedridden for days.
Fortunately, there was nothing wrong with her head, but until the scratches on her temple were completely healed, he’d kept her right by his side, not letting her move.
Not only that, he’d even told her to transform her into animal form, then placed her on his thigh like he’d done with Luna before, and doted on her cutely.
Remembering those past days, Lea didn’t feel bad about it, but there was a definite difference between when he didn’t know her true identity and when he did. It was honestly mortifying at times.
Only after all that time was she finally able to come outside. Breathing in the fresh air, she hurried toward the Guide barracks. But for some reason, it felt like there were even more stares following her today.
Lea wondered about the hungry looks she was getting from the Esper soldiers. Could it be that the guiding supply hadn’t been sufficient?
‘Why is that?’
She murmured quietly to herself and approached the barracks where the Guides stayed. But just then, she heard voices from inside.
“Why did you three come back here? After you changed sides back then, you should have followed the Leonis soldiers home to your country to the end.”
“El… Elena.”
“Honestly, I don’t want to argue now about whether you were allies or enemies. But if you’ve made your decision, don’t betray us again. How could…”
The voice from inside was trembling. Elena, who was growing more agitated, was expressing her disappointment to the Guides who had once been her comrades.
“How could you choose to save yourselves in that moment? Even if you were enemies, you shouldn’t have done that when you think about the Cantabrian soldiers who sacrificed themselves to protect us.”
“…You’re a true Cantabrian now, aren’t you.”
“If you hate it, then ask to be sent back right now. Or you should have followed the Leonis soldiers, one way or another. Even if they forgot and abandoned you!”
“Hey, have you said enough?”
“No, not nearly!”
Listening from outside, Lea didn’t hesitate. She pushed open the door and stepped inside. The heated mood in the barracks instantly turned awkward at her appearance.
“I’m glad you’re all safe.”
At Lea’s words, the Guides who’d been watching the mood approached one by one. Among them, the two cat werebeasts looked especially worried. One of them, Elena, was the source of the earlier voice. She was the first to speak up.
“Is your injury okay now?”
“You got hurt protecting us, didn’t you?”
Back then, Lea had been running while carrying the two in cat form. When she tripped and fell, she twisted her body to shield the cat Guides in her arms, which led her temple to hit a protruding stone.
“It wasn’t a serious injury to begin with. I’m completely fine now.”
“That’s a relief.”
“We were worried.”
Lea felt a strange emotion at their concern. For the first time, she really felt like she’d been accepted by them.
“Thank you.”
Elena, blushing slightly at Lea’s reply, cautiously asked,
“Did you… happen to hear what we were talking about?”
Lea hesitated for a moment at her question. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop on a private conversation, so it bothered her. But she couldn’t lie.
“Yes, I heard. I apologize for intruding.”
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