It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 157
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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 157
On the snow field where blizzards intermittently raged, thunderous roars and shouts echoed from all directions.
“1 o’clock direction, concentrate firepower!”
“Don’t lower your shields! Even if you die, die standing!”
“You bastards! Won’t you come to your senses!”
All kinds of magic rained down through the air, and the knights in the front lines gritted their teeth as they swung their weapons.
“Kraaaah!”
“Gyaaaak!”
Like waves, the magical beasts swarmed endlessly.
The battle that had begun right after sunrise was now racing toward noon.
“Cease attack! Get down!”
“The Captain is coming out!”
As the shield-bearing knights formed a dense formation, other knights took cover behind them.
The moment the magical beasts approached closely, Kubera standing on the watchtower released his magical power.
“Blaze Explosion.”
Whoooosh!
A massive wall of flames rose up in front of the shields the knights had erected.
Soon the flames split into multiple branches, burrowing between the magical beasts and enveloping them like a net.
The flames, their intensity heightened, finally erupted in a spectacular explosion.
KABOOOOM!
Steam boiled up from the heat and spread thickly. What cleared away the untimely fog was the fierce wingbeats of something.
“Damn it, it’s a Drake!”
“The front line focus only on the ones on the ground! Provide covering fire while preparing the ballistas!”
While Kubera urgently gave orders, the Drake that had soared into the sky looked down at the advance base with bright yellow eyes.
“Kuooooo!”
Just as the Drake let out a rough roar and was about to attempt a glide, suddenly countless silver-white blades surrounded it.
Shwaaaack!
The blades fired in unison mercilessly tore through the Drake’s wings.
Not stopping there, the cold energy that penetrated into its scales froze its blood and muscles.
“Kieeek!”
The Drake left behind a painful scream as it crashed to the ground.
Thud!
Someone appeared above the body of the gasping Drake.
As he swung his diagonally raised arm, a silver-white aura generated in midair mercilessly sliced through the Drake’s neck.
Slash!
Having killed the Grade 1 magical beast with just two attacks, he opened his mouth and shouted.
“Do not retreat! Defeat is not permitted for the Knights of Retis!”
“…Grand Duke!”
“Grand Duke has arrived!”
“Waaaah!”
In the midst of the cheers, Termion was gazing at the battlefield with cold eyes.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“It’s something we do every year, isn’t it.”
Today marked the second day since the Holy Night Festival week had begun.
This year’s magical beast subjugation had been successfully completed. There were only a few seriously wounded, with no deaths at all.
Thanks to this, he was able to enjoy an intimate dinner sitting across from Iolene.
“I heard you caught a Drake again this time?”
“It was nothing special. It was weaker than I thought.”
Iolene looked at Termion, who answered in a calm voice, with renewed eyes.
Perhaps quite hungry, his hands moved constantly between the food on the table. However, his actions clearly showed restraint and dignity.
“So you plan to stay for the entire Holy Night Festival week?”
“Yes. After that, I intend to stay in the Imperial Capital. There’s the New Year banquet, and I need to look after the people at the town house.”
“…You’re going to the Imperial Palace?”
“I’ve already been absent for two consecutive years. I think it’s about time I showed my face.”
Two years ago, the atmosphere in the border kingdom of Melantia was unsettling, so he couldn’t leave his post.
Although it eventually led to a regional war, Retis had been watching Melantia’s movements from early on.
Termion crossed the border as soon as the war began and captured two fortresses in return.
This war, which ended in just ten days, made his reputation tremble not just the Empire but the entire southern continent.
“Still, it’s fortunate that you have leisure this year.”
“Last year was abnormal.”
Termion unconsciously shuddered as he recalled the events of that time.
The period he was tied up in the Gardbale Mountains alone was over three months.
The monster wave, which usually ended by early January at the latest, continued until mid-February, making it literally an emergency situation.
Even Iolene, who had attended the Imperial Palace New Year banquet, had to hurriedly return to the Grand Duke’s Castle and join the advance base.
Thanks to this, the Retis Grand Duchy gained greater profits than ever before, but the losses were equally significant. The casualty count for the Tigel Knight Order alone nearly reached three digits.
“I’ve eaten well.”
“Why, won’t you eat more.”
“I don’t want to trouble the chef any more at this late hour.”
After finishing his meal, he washed up in his room and headed to his office. He planned to enjoy some leisure on the terrace for once.
Though he wore only a thin shirt and pants, the bitter cold of midwinter had no effect on him whatsoever.
The coolness felt on his skin only served to remind him of memories from long ago.
“It’s been a while.”
An ownerless wine glass was placed on the table.
Termion lightly clinked his glass against it.
“I’ve been a bit busy lately.”
As if someone were listening, he calmly conveyed his regards and sipped his wine while gazing at the distant sky.
It was the same aurora he had grown tired of watching just last night.
Yet why did that scenery viewed from here alone feel so special?
‘…It must be because I was with you.’
The seat across from him remained empty. On nights like this, it was a reality that felt particularly regrettable.
Termion put down his wine glass, rose from his seat, and reached inside his shirt.
The pendant hanging around his neck still held its brilliant blue color.
That was all.
Since Ailesia left, he was now facing his tenth winter.
During all that long time, the jewel that resembled her eyes had never once answered his call.
Hum.
A faint vibration spread across his palm.
The act of occasionally infusing the pendant with aura had long become part of his daily routine.
‘What’s the point of this.’
Nothing would happen anyway.
As always.
Even the resignation that came before disappointment had somehow become a habit.
Toward the pendant that shone as usual, he whispered in a low voice.
“Are you doing well? Is Elly healthy too?”
Whooooosh-
Suddenly a wind blew and passed by his side.
The wind was so strong that the pendant on his palm trembled slightly.
That sight seemed like a signal that someone was listening, so Termion continued with a faint smile.
“I am doing well.”
Sparkle.
For a moment, wondering if he had seen an illusion, his eyes widened greatly.
‘The pendant’s light…?’
Just then, the moonlight that had been hidden behind clouds emerged and brightly illuminated the terrace.
‘…Was it my imagination.’
Of course it was. A deflated sigh flowed from Termion’s lips.
He had promised to wait with a smile, but he never knew it would become such an indefinite wait.
‘Elly… she must have grown so much.’
The child who used to flutter her cute twin braids would probably have become a proper lady by now.
‘Would I be able to recognize her right away?’
This was also the only part Termion worried about.
Obviously, all sorts of complaints and scolding would pour out.
No matter how much time had passed, how could he not recognize her?
Ailesia watching from the side would be so excited and tease him all day long.
…No, what do you mean just all day long.
She was probably someone who would tease him for a month, a year, until she got tired of it and still have more left.
‘Even if I get teased for a lifetime, it’s fine, so please…’
Now please, come back to me.
Finally, Termion lowered his head and let out a pitiful word.
“I miss you, Ailesia…”
Whoooosh-
Through the wind brushing past his ears once again, a voice full of mischief seeped in.
“Did you call me?”
How much he must have missed her to even hear hallucinations.
It was exactly like her voice he had heard for the last time.
“What, you called me but won’t answer?”
At that moment, his hand gripping the pendant stopped abruptly.
‘It must be a lie.’
Even if he turned his head anyway, as always, only an empty spot would be waiting for its owner.
Surely.
It surely seemed like it would be so.
“…Ail, lesia?”
There, she was there.
“Hello, Termion.”
With her platinum hair tinged with a subtle green light flowing down to her waist.
She was looking at him with blue eyes like a cold lake.
“Have you been well?”
He who had been frozen like a statue finally managed to move his body.
Termion’s hand slowly extended and carefully wrapped around Ailesia’s hand.
Only after feeling the soft touch could he finally realize that the woman before his eyes was not an illusion.
Really, he had so many things he wanted to say.
He wanted to scold her for being so late, and express his gratitude for coming back.
No, rather than such words.
He just wanted to pull the person before his eyes into his arms completely.
“Ailesia.”
“Yes.”
What pushed away the emotions piled up layer upon layer more than the years that had passed was an extremely ordinary single phrase.
“It’s been… a long time.”
“Yes, it’s been a long time.”
At her greeting, as nonchalant as if she had met him yesterday, one side of his chest began to ache.
Thump.
Termion, who barely calmed his heart that felt like it would burst, continued speaking with a deliberately calm expression.
“You haven’t changed at all.”
“Witches don’t age originally.”
“Before I knew it, I… became an adult.”
“That’s right.”
Ailesia continued speaking with her usual bright smile.
“Our boy has grown up so much.”
The eye level that had been similar when they parted was now at a height where she had to lift her head to look up.
“I won’t be able to tease you like before anymore, Your Highness the Grand Duke.”
Thud.
Termion could clearly hear the sound of his heart crumbling in his ears.
It was the beginning of a terrible fever that had been holding its breath for a long time.
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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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