It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 120

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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500 Years as Just an Extra,

 

The Original Story Still Won’t Begin

 

Episode 120

 

“A fake, you say?”

 

“Yeah. A fake. A replica.”

 

Her tone was as casual as if she were reporting today’s weather. Meanwhile, Ailesia’s posture as she tilted her teacup was beyond peaceful—it was simply elegant.

 

“There’s no way they’d hand over real Dragon Bone. Do you know what kind of item that is?”

 

“…Then what about the magical power reaction we saw at the shop?”

 

“Just a light coating of bone powder on the surface. It’ll crumble after three or four uses at most. If it’s 7th-tier magic or higher, it’ll be blown away in one go.”

 

“Ha.”

 

In other words, she had scammed the Secret Auction House. No, to be precise, not the auction house but the Kaif Duchy.

 

“Actually, I was targeting the Imperial Palace, but whatever works.”

 

“You really got them good.”

 

Termion, whose expression had been grim ever since entering the office, lifted the corners of his mouth enough to show his teeth.

 

Even if the auction house had connections to the Kaif Duchy, they had essentially thrown at least 4 million gold into midair. No matter how wealthy a ducal house was, this had to be a painful blow.

 

“The Chief Steward is going to have a hard time. If they try to use that replica for anything, it’ll definitely be exposed.”

 

“I can know for certain the moment it disintegrates. If I know the exact timing, finding traces should be easy, right?”

 

“That’s true, but… isn’t there a risk of it being misused?”

 

“Don’t worry. Dragon energy is incompatible with demonic energy. That’s also why I’m not affected by dark magic.”

 

Even if they tried to amplify demonic energy with the fake Dragon Bone, they would obviously just waste innocent sacrifices. Though it was merely bone powder, it was still Master’s Legacy, so the effect would be certain.

 

“That’s all well and good, but it’s unfortunate we have to wait until something goes wrong on their end.”

 

“Isn’t there something faster and simpler? It’s too bad to give up like this.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Termion, who had been lost in thought for a moment, checked the time and asked Ailesia.

 

“…It’s gotten quite late at night, but would you like to come along?”

 

“Where to?”

 

He roughly tidied up the teacup and stood up from his seat.

 

“There’s someone who’s the most powerful nagger in the Empire.”

 

* * *

 

Despite it being nearly midnight, Iolene welcomed Termion and Ailesia with a smiling face.

 

“What brings you here? You’re not here to say goodnight, I assume.”

 

“There’s something urgent I need to discuss with you.”

 

“Teacher too?”

 

“I ended up causing trouble for no reason, Grand Duchess Dowager. I’m sorry.”

 

Ailesia bowed her head and subtly glared at Termion, but he casually stepped inside the door.

 

“Shall we have some tea?”

 

“No. You must be tired, so I’ll tell you as quickly as possible and withdraw.”

 

“How utterly graceless. Sit down.”

 

What business could bring these two together at such a late hour? From the atmosphere, it seemed like quite an important matter, but even the perceptive Iolene couldn’t easily guess.

 

‘Surely they’re not here to suddenly announce they’re getting married.’

 

She had been hearing rumors within the family about the unusual atmosphere between Termion and Ailesia lately.

 

Since Hilda was faithfully reporting the day’s events to Lady Herman, it was natural for the stories to reach Iolene’s ears.

 

‘But you never know.’

 

Iolene, who couldn’t abandon a glimmer of hope, had no choice but to stiffen her expression as soon as Termion spoke his first words.

 

“We’ve captured evidence that the First Imperial Consort is behind those who use dark magic.”

 

“…What did you say?”

 

Baron Baton’s testimony, Knight Noid Warren’s betrayal, the large crystal found on the drake in the Gardbale Mountains, and the recent secret auction house incident.

 

Everything that had happened so far flowed smoothly from Termion’s mouth without hesitation.

 

“…So we expect the Kaif Duchy is also involved, but we lack decisive evidence.”

 

“Is this Sigmund fellow trustworthy?”

 

“He wasn’t someone who was genuinely loyal to them from the beginning. By now, his children should have been safely rescued and brought to the castle.”

 

“That’s fortunate to hear. The First Imperial Consort has clearly gone completely mad. What on earth could be her purpose for such terrible acts…”

 

Though she had already received rough reports from Kubera and Baron Gavin, hearing the detailed circumstances was beyond imagination. Especially the truth about the epidemic that had ravaged Montid Territory was cruelly shocking to the point of making her teeth chatter.

 

“Are you keeping those evidence pieces safe?”

 

“I have them with me. Shall I show you?”

 

“If it’s alright, please do, Teacher.”

 

“It’s not a big problem unless the dark magic activates, but just contact with demonic energy itself is harmful to the body, so be careful.”

 

Ailesia took the poacher’s necklace and the crystal extracted from the drake out of her subspace and placed them on the table.

 

“Let me examine them for a moment.”

 

Iolene, who was carefully examining the objects, stopped her hand that was about to reach out carelessly and drew up her magical power. It was to avoid direct contact with the demonic energy, as Ailesia had advised.

 

‘Red color… No, closer to orange?’

 

Befitting a mage who primarily used fire magic, Iolene’s magical power felt similar to blazing flames.

 

The red light that deeply colored her entire hand was like a high-purity ruby shaped into smoke.

 

“This crystal is an interesting object.”

 

Iolene, who was holding the crystal up to the light, showed a strange smile.

 

However, unlike her gently curved lips, a cold gleam like a sharp blade leaked from her narrowed eyes.

 

“There seems to be some demonic energy still remaining inside, but with the Grand Duchess Dowager’s magical power, it shouldn’t be a problem. Demonic energy is ultimately a type of magical power too, so you can just suppress it with force.”

 

“Hoho, you flatter me. However, what I found interesting wasn’t the demonic energy, but the crystal itself.”

 

“Is there something unusual about that crystal?”

 

“Well, you wouldn’t know. You have absolutely no interest in this sort of thing.”

 

Iolene, with the crystal on her palm, began slowly injecting magical power into it.

 

When the interior of the crystal was half-tinted red as if water was rising, she removed her hand from the crystal and placed it back on the table.

 

“This is an artificial gem made by processing magic stones. More precisely, it’s called a Temp Crystal.”

 

“I’ve never heard of it.”

 

“You’d rarely see it on the market. It’s used for operating large-scale barriers or teleport gates, and there are only two places in the Empire that produce this.”

 

“Two places? Where are they?”

 

“One is the Magic Tower, and the other is…”

 

Iolene, having finished examining even the gem embedded in the pendant, continued in a cold voice.

 

“To the Kaif Duchy.”

 

Withdrawing the magical power from her hands, she glanced out the window.

 

The garden that would normally be dimly visible was now dyed black, submerged in the night sky. The new moon was approaching, and even the less-than-half moonlight was obscured by clouds.

 

“I should go to the Imperial Palace tomorrow morning. I need to meet the Emperor.”

 

A subtle anger flickered across Iolene’s face as she mentioned the Emperor without even using honorifics.

 

* * *

 

The Imperial Palace, which would normally be quiet in the morning, was bustling due to an unexpected visitor.

 

Iolene, with her red hair elegantly pinned up, wearing a dark green velvet dress and a silver robe over it, stared at the building entrance with an indifferent expression.

 

“G-Grand Duchess Dowager, what brings you here at such an early hour?”

 

“Is His Majesty inside?”

 

Iolene’s voice was filled with such coldness that it made the Chief Chamberlain’s hurried question seem meaningless.

 

“He finished his breakfast a moment ago and is currently taking a walk.”

 

“I cannot disturb His Majesty’s rest. I’ll wait.”

 

“My apologies. Please wait just a moment.”

 

Who would dare interrupt the Emperor’s schedule in the middle of the Imperial Palace? However, the Chief Chamberlain moved with an even more urgent expression than before.

 

Upon reaching the entrance to the Central Garden, he could see the Emperor enjoying a walk shoulder to shoulder with the First Imperial Consort. The Chief Chamberlain checked his attire, steadied his breathing, and carefully approached.

 

“Your Majesty, I apologize for interrupting your walk. I have urgent matters to report.”

 

“What is it? There’s still plenty of time before the government meeting begins.”

 

“The Grand Duchess Dowager of Retis has entered the palace. She is waiting at the entrance, requesting an audience with Your Majesty.”

 

According to protocol, no one could address someone with honorifics in front of the Emperor. However, Iolene was the sole exception.

 

“Your Majesty, the Grand Duchess Dowager of Retis has entered the palace.”

 

“…What did you just say? The Grand Duchess Dowager ‘has’?”

 

The Emperor had flown into such a rage on the spot that he even temporarily suspended the meeting. Even the other ministers who had been sitting quietly ended up having to endure harsh words.

 

“The Grand Duchess Dowager?”

 

“Yes, she said she would wait outside until Your Majesty’s walk was finished…”

 

Before the Chief Chamberlain could finish his answer, the Emperor’s face contorted as he burst into angry shouts.

 

“What kind of rudeness is this, not even being able to escort her here! You should have at least brought her inside first before sending word!”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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