It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 165
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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 165
Dawn, just before sunrise.
Ailesia was quietly walking alone through the empty training ground.
She had always been an early riser, but since harboring demonic energy, her wake-up time had become even earlier.
Her body was unconsciously craving sunlight.
When she had walked about halfway around the training ground, the fully risen sun brightly illuminated all directions.
“Ah…”
At the tingling sensation rising from her fingertips, she trembled all over.
Whoosh—
Only after a golden luster flowed down to the tips of her hair that hung past her waist did she let out a quiet sigh.
‘I’m still not used to this.’
This sensation she experienced every morning had already been going on for over 6 years.
It wasn’t particularly painful or unpleasant.
If she had to compare it, it felt like being doused alternately with cold and hot water from head to toe?
When changing from day to night, there wasn’t even this kind of sensation. Her body would just feel languid for about an hour.
“Mmm.”
After stretching fully, she turned her steps toward the main building.
She felt like filling a bathtub with warm water and soaking her body in it.
‘That won’t do. This is my first morning back in Retis.’
What time did Elenora go to sleep yesterday? She herself had finished drinking with Termion and lay down in bed quite early.
Before sleeping, she had briefly considered just greeting Hilda and Rebecca, but as originally planned, she forcibly suppressed her longing feelings.
‘…I don’t want to create variables.’
This was the reason she hadn’t written a single letter even while recovering Elenora’s body.
No, what letter. Honestly, she could have returned immediately right after completely removing the curse from Elenora.
Yet she endured and endured again, filling up the full 10 years.
It was because of her anxiety that she might ruin things again.
‘I mustn’t arbitrarily judge situations not revealed in the original work.’
The past 10-plus years spent with Elenora had been a time of painful reflection and introspection for Ailesia.
Though no one held her responsible, she absolutely could not tolerate her own complacent attitude.
The snowball she thought she had rolled perfectly from the prologue had, it turned out, been submerged in muddy water far away.
‘I ultimately… couldn’t restore the 10 years Elly lost.’
Even with 500 years of accumulated knowledge and nearly infinite magical power, she couldn’t completely overcome the constraints of the original story.
That fact had plunged Ailesia into deep self-loathing for a while.
Even so, she had no intention of forcing herself to be overly cautious now.
Just as she had done until now, she wouldn’t turn away from what unfolded before her eyes.
She had simply decided to keep some distance in situations where she didn’t necessarily need to step forward.
‘Somewhere between reality and the original story’s content. I need to maintain an appropriate line.’
When it came to trials that Elenora or others absolutely couldn’t handle, or traps they couldn’t notice, it was right for her to intervene and break through.
She was already prepared to bear the aftermath of such actions.
Instead, she planned to live ordinarily as if present yet absent, just as one member of the Retis Grand Duchy.
‘The protagonist of this narrative is clearly Elly. She must face, resolve, and grow through things herself.’
Only then would the happy ending have meaning.
Decisively, after reuniting with Termion, this resolve had become even firmer.
‘The curse is gone, and he’s become much stronger than expected. Termion could handle most situations and more.’
Even before parting with her, he had been almost on par with Iolene.
Now, even if the Empire’s three great mages attacked simultaneously, they probably couldn’t easily determine the outcome.
So there was likely no one in the Empire who could stop Termion alone.
‘…Though if Melbarik is the mastermind, the story would be somewhat different.’
The Melbarik in the original work had rarely used direct force.
The only scene where he used proper attack magic was when escaping the Imperial Palace with the Third Prince.
Therefore, if he stepped forward, her intervention wouldn’t go against divine providence.
“…Am I being too pessimistic from morning?”
She who had been lost in thought for a while suddenly came to her senses.
‘Somehow I feel like I’m only increasing useless worries.’
She had definitely been thinking about breakfast, but following the stream of consciousness, one thing kept leading to another.
“Hmm…”
Should she try changing her mood? Returning to her room, Ailesia sat in front of the dressing table and looked into the mirror.
Thanks to using Clean Magic right upon entering, her whole body was fluffy as if she had just finished showering.
Since she usually didn’t wear makeup, the only thing to tend to was her hair.
‘Something other than simply tying it up… isn’t there anything?’
No matter how she tried shaping it with her hands, nothing seemed satisfactory. It seemed to be because her hair was so long.
‘…I can’t just cut it all off.’
Her teacher Rubia had really loved her hair.
She would embrace it tightly and stroke it down, saying there was nothing more ecstatic, or something like that.
Even after Rubia passed away, those words stayed with her, so she continued maintaining that length.
After awakening from the barrier, she had tried to cut it several times, but each time Elenora would cry and make a fuss.
“Sigh.”
Why can’t I do what I want with my own hair?
While chuckling at the somehow amusing thought, she heard a knock from outside.
“Yes, please come in.”
She answered unconsciously, but silence flowed even after the door opened.
When she turned her head, a woman with blue hair was staring at her with completely reddened eyes.
Soon, slowly bowing her waist, she displayed a perfect curtsy as before.
“Hildegard Forthen greets Teacher.”
“Oh my, Hilda?”
Look who it is. The moment Ailesia rose from her seat in delight, Hilda ran over first and embraced her.
“Huh?”
“Teacher… *sob*”
“…Have you been well?”
“Are you… are you healthy?”
“Of course.”
Who would have thought that Hilda of all people would show such an intense reaction.
In the original work, she was described as someone who wouldn’t bleed a drop even if pricked with a needle.
No matter how difficult or painful things were, she never showed it in front of others.
“You’ve really become a proper lady now.”
“…I’m embarrassed to hear such words from Teacher.”
Hilda, who hugged Ailesia once more with a bit of strength, slowly separated from her embrace.
“I’m sorry, I tried to greet you right away last night… but the Grand Duchess wouldn’t let me go.”
“I went to bed early yesterday because I was tired too. Since I’m back anyway, what’s so important about greetings?”
“You’ll stay in Retis continuously now, right?”
“Of course.”
As if those words made her so happy, Hilda smiled brightly and firmly grasped Ailesia’s hands.
“Why did you wake up so early today? I don’t think you used to be like this before.”
“It became a habit these past few years. I wake up just before sunrise and take morning walks.”
“Walks? At this time?”
“Yes. Then I thought I’d try changing my mood and was playing with my hair, but I have no talent in this area.”
“…Um, excuse me.”
Hilda swallowed her saliva and asked Ailesia in a cautious voice.
“May I… do it for you?”
“Huh? Really?”
“Actually… I’ve always wanted to style Teacher’s hair. But you always just wear it down.”
“Eh? You should have said something.”
What’s the big deal about touching some hair?
If she had known Hilda had such an interest, she would have let her do whatever she wanted long ago.
“When you went to the Imperial Palace banquet, you seemed terrified of grooming… so I thought you didn’t like it.”
“That time was… Sigh. Anyway, you’re saying I can ask you to do it?”
“Of course! Please wait just a moment, I’ll go prepare everything right away!”
Before she could even respond, Hilda rushed out of the room with hurried steps.
Behind her retreating figure, Ailesia’s soft laughter could be heard.
“Thank goodness.”
Hilda entered her own room and clasped her hands together with a flushed face.
Recalling the story she heard from Elenora last night, she was already feeling excited for no reason.
“Hey, you know, can’t you meet Teacher tomorrow morning instead?”
“…Is there some problem with Teacher by any chance? Is she not feeling well?”
“It’s not that at all.”
“Then why…?”
“Geez, Teacher is drinking alcohol with Uncle right now!”
“…Today just isn’t the day, hmm.”
“Since she’s back anyway, we’ll see her every day. I understand, Grand Duchess.”
Teacher, you haven’t changed one bit in 10 years.
The beauty that was shocking itself when they first met was still the same, and her personality that was always bright and cheerful like sunshine remained unchanged.
Moreover, Termion had now become a fully grown man who had completely shed his boyish appearance.
The time to fulfill the Grand Duchess’s wish, as well as hers and Rebecca’s, was finally approaching.
“…Hehehe.”
Hilda’s hands moved more cheerfully than ever as she gathered her beauty tools.
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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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