It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 166
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
500 Years as Just an Extra,
The Original Story Still Won’t Begin
Episode 166
“Knight, Rebecca Roagis. I sincerely congratulate Teacher on your return.”
Before breakfast, Rebecca came to her room and suddenly knelt on one knee, bowing her head to Ailesia.
“Uh… Um, Rebecca?”
“Yes, Teacher.”
“…Have you been well?”
After being momentarily stunned by the sudden greeting, Ailesia finally came to her senses and asked a slightly scattered question.
“Of course. I’m relieved to see that Teacher also looks healthy.”
“By the way… Roagis? Not Senberg?”
“Ah.”
Rebecca stood up and scratched the back of her head with an awkward expression.
“Well… I received a baronetcy from His Highness the Grand Duke.”
“My goodness! It’s late, but congratulations!”
“Thank you.”
Now the mystery was solved. It was something that had puzzled her a bit when she first met Rebecca.
‘So she completely became independent from the Senberg family!’
Well, with that level of skill and achievements, there was no way she’d remain just an ordinary knight.
The Blair Empire doesn’t discriminate by gender in title succession. But it was still a system premised on the heir’s marriage.
Rebecca was a knight to her very bones, and having already passed marriageable age, there was no need for her to force herself to find a marriage partner just to inherit the Senberg family.
‘She’s not the type to cling to the head of house position anyway.’
If Rebecca were an only child it might be different, but with her younger brother Ronel around, her options had actually broadened.
“I tried to greet you right away last night… I’m sorry.”
“Pfft, I heard from Hilda. Elly clung to you?”
“Well, that’s, haha.”
Rebecca couldn’t even respond properly and just laughed awkwardly.
How could she say exactly the same thing as Hilda without missing a single word?
It seemed like the two had become close friends while she was away.
“Where are you staying now? In the knight order lodgings like before?”
“No. His Highness granted me a manor in the inner castle, so I commute to work.”
“Now you’re not just a knight but practically a retainer.”
“I think it was better when I was just a knight.”
The duties she’d been assigned seemed quite demanding, as Rebecca answered with a bitter smile.
Hearing the story, it made sense.
Her rank had risen a level even among the senior knights, so now she was unofficially like the vice commander of the Tigel Knight Order.
She rarely went into direct combat anymore, focusing on command and administrative duties, which seemed to cause considerable stress.
“You’ll be comfortable soon, so just hang in there a little longer.”
“I’m already looking forward to it.”
Now that Elenora had returned, Rebecca would also return to being an escort knight.
Of course, the Tigel Knight Order would have to endure the loss of such high-level personnel, but they’d manage somehow.
“Let’s all have tea together after the meal. You’re not busy, are you?”
“Even if His Highness the Grand Duke ordered me, I’d pretend not to hear.”
“Oh, that might be a bit troublesome?”
Termion has a tendency to get sulky. Has he gotten better with age now?
Rebecca seemed to have similar thoughts, as laughter burst out naturally the moment their eyes met.
Two days before the last day of the year, people began gathering in the grand banquet hall.
Termion had been summoning retainers and servants every December 29th to give awards and provide meals.
It was Retis’s year-end event that had been going on for 10 years, which could be seen as a kind of closing ceremony.
When the atmosphere was heating up with laughter and chatter, Termion appeared on the platform.
“Oh, His Highness the Grand Duke has come out.”
“He looks particularly happy today, doesn’t he?”
At the voices heard from around them, several people flinched and looked around nervously.
Unlike those who had been enjoying vacation during the Holy Night Festival or were outside on minor duties, those who had been in the main castle the whole time were itching to talk.
“Do you know something?”
“Ahem, just wait and see.”
Similar conversations took place here and there, regardless of whether they were retainers or servants.
Especially those answering seemed to be trying hard to hold back laughter, their lips twitching.
“Shh, His Highness is speaking.”
After the small commotion died down, Termion looked around at the people and slowly opened his mouth.
“I express my gratitude to everyone who worked hard throughout the year. Compared to last year and the year before, there wasn’t really any particular hardship.”
“Hahahaha!”
After brief laughter passed, a gentle smile appeared on Termion’s lips.
It was a bright expression rarely seen from him.
“Oh my…”
“This must be part of employee welfare too, right?”
“Just looking at it is heartwarming.”
Not only the women who were subtly blushing, but even the men were looking on warmly when—
“In that spirit, let me share one more piece of good news.”
At Termion’s words, everyone fell silent upon seeing the two women who appeared on the platform.
“It’s been a while since I greeted you. I am Elenora Vies von Retis.”
“Waaaah!”
Cheers like screams burst out from everyone who heard Elenora’s voice.
“The Grand Duchess, the Grand Duchess!”
“My goodness, dear me!”
“Liriana, thank you! Thank you!”
While everyone was in a frenzy, Elenora seemed displeased and shouted at the people.
“Hey, Teacher came with me too! It’s not just me!”
“…Waaaah!”
“Teacher Milenov!”
“Finally Teacher has come too!”
Unlike before when it was regardless of age or gender, this time the men’s cheers were particularly loud.
“Uaaaah!”
“Teacher Milenov!”
“Our goddess has returned!”
Especially the Tigel Knight Order was shouting frantically, almost like fanatics.
The look in their eyes as they gazed at Ailesia was truly overflowing with camaraderie and reverence.
“Why, why are they like that?”
When did I become so popular? What did I even do?
Ailesia was startled by the unexpected enthusiasm and stiffened, so Termion chuckled and supported her.
“They’re people who were at the advance base 10 years ago.”
“…The advance base?”
“A few are still stationed up there, but most are working at the Grand Duke’s Castle. They could truly be called Retis’s finest elites.”
“Ah…”
Well, 10 years is enough time for even a newly appointed youngest knight to become a veteran.
Looking closely, some faces seemed familiar.
They were probably knights who were there during the drake subjugation.
“Today is a joyful day, so eat and drink to your heart’s content! I ask for your continued support next year as well!”
“We pledge our loyalty!”
“Glory to Retis!”
“Grand Duchess! Teacher! We congratulate you on your return!”
Ailesia and Elenora made eye contact and burst into laughter almost simultaneously.
It wasn’t the flashy and grand welcome ceremony they had expected, but this was actually more satisfying.
They could feel the sincerity of the people welcoming them, and above all, the lively atmosphere was wonderful.
Literally, it felt like coming home.
‘…I see.’
The log cabin where she lived with Master was still the same as before.
But now it seemed Retis had also become another home to her.
“Teacher.”
“Yes?”
“Are you happy that Elly came back with you?”
“…How about you, Elly? Are you happy?”
“Yes. So very much, truly.”
Holding tight her adorable disciple who nestled into her embrace, Ailesia also whispered softly.
“When our Little One is happy, Teacher is happy too.”
“It was a hectic day.”
“Aren’t you a bit tired?”
“Not really? This is just feeling drowsy from being in a good mood.”
Hilda’s hands brushing her hair seemed to have magic cast on them.
Otherwise, how could a simple brushing feel this blissful?
She thought she could understand the feelings of dogs and cats that constantly whine to be petted.
“But Teacher.”
“Yes?”
“Your hair color is different during the day and night… My eyes aren’t playing tricks on me, are they?”
“No, it’s exactly as you’re seeing it.”
“…I won’t ask about it. It would probably be hard to understand anyway.”
Hilda, who had paused her hands for a moment, continued speaking in a deliberately bright voice.
“Looking at you like this, you seem even more elegant at night. Anyone would mistake you for a moonlight spirit.”
“Ahaha, surely not.”
Even though she said that, Hilda had probably already roughly figured out the situation.
A perfectly normal person’s hair color changed after going on a recovery trip with Elenora, so naturally it would seem strange.
There was no way Hilda, who was second to none in intelligence in the original work, couldn’t deduce at least that much.
“Should I just leave it down when you sleep?”
“Just tie it once in the middle. Sometimes it feels like I’m sleeping under a blanket of my own hair.”
“Then I’ll arrange it so it won’t be uncomfortable.”
…She didn’t know why the standard for ‘not uncomfortable’ was twin tails, but this was refreshing in its own way.
Fortunately, it was just divided and tied while down, so it wasn’t too awkward.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Hilda quickly tidied up the beauty tools and brought out tea that had been brewed in advance.
“You’ll be going down to the Imperial Capital soon, right? When will you leave?”
Admiring Hilda’s elegant form as she tilted the tea pot, Ailesia replied in a listless voice.
“Well? Tomorrow right away?”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————