It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 172

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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 172

“Do you recognize it?”

“…Long ago, just once, Master showed me a sample. Even that was barely the size of a handkerchief…!”

Ivory-colored fabric with a subtle blue shimmer. From a distance, it looked almost like a metal plate, but the texture that actually touched one’s fingertips was surprisingly thin and translucent, revealing silhouettes halfway through.

The legendary material that every fashion designer dreams of working with, silk called ‘Elven Silk,’ was held in Ailesia’s hands.

“Where on earth did you get this?”

“That’s not what’s important. The question is whether you can make a dress with this.”

Unlike Ailesia who answered with a grin, Merisa was engulfed in deep contemplation.

She wanted to try it right away, but knowing the value of that silk, she couldn’t dare make any rash promises.

“To be honest… it won’t be easy.”

“Why? With your skills, Merisa, it should be more than enough.”

“Elven Silk requires special tools for everything from cutting to fitting to finishing. Our dress shop isn’t prepared for that level of work.”

Merisa’s voice was filled with regret. However, she was someone who was more critical of herself than proud of her abilities.

She couldn’t waste that expensive fabric due to her own greed, and more than anything, she didn’t want to see Ailesia disappointed.

“Rather than attempting it half-heartedly and ruining the material, it would be better to give up. I can’t make a customer’s trust the sacrifice for my own desires. I’m sorry.”

At Merisa’s polite refusal with her hands clasped together, the smile on Ailesia’s lips deepened a little more.

‘This should be enough to trust her with it. While I’m at it, should I make an investment too?’

Even when she had gotten into a dispute with Countess Sergel before, Merisa’s attitude of trying to resolve things without any trouble had been impressive.

Considering Countess Sergel’s influence at the time, it probably wasn’t an easy decision.

Yet she had tried to look after her customer’s welfare first, even at her own expense, so she was certainly someone with a kind and upright character.

“So you’re saying there’s no problem with your skills themselves, right?”

“I’m confident I won’t lose to any designer in the Imperial Capital. Unless it’s someone who already has experience working with Elven Silk.”

“Good. Then I’ll entrust it to you.”

“Pardon? But…”

When Merisa couldn’t readily rejoice and showed a flustered expression, Ailesia placed a large box on the desk.

“I can lend you the tools. How about it?”

“Tools?”

Instead of answering, Ailesia opened the box. Then Merisa, seeing the items inside, showed an expression not much different from when she first saw the Elven Silk.

“Scissors and needles made of adamantite, and mithril thread. These gloves and thimbles also have special magic cast on them for work.”

“…Equipment for handling Elven Silk.”

“What’s in the bottom compartment are dyes, and if you need more, just let me know. I have plenty.”

Ailesia even took out additional fabric and placed it on the desk. It was enough to make three dresses and still have some left over.

“How about it, will you try?”

Merisa swallowed hard and soon clenched her fists and nodded.

As a designer and as a dress shop owner, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Money and fame were no longer important issues.

“There are also design drafts in the box, so you can make it as is or come up with something completely new. And this is a reference sample.”

What Ailesia finally took out was a black dress hanging on a display mannequin. It was the very outfit she had worn to the Imperial Palace banquet 10 years ago.

“This should be enough to get inspiration, right?”

“…Is this really made by human hands?”

Merisa, captivated by the dress, asked in a dazed voice.

Just by looking at it once with her eyes, countless inspirations were bubbling up and floating around in her head. Her hands were itching to start cutting right away.

“If I’m satisfied with the result, I’ll give you the same amount of Elven Silk as I’m commissioning today, along with the tools. How about it?”

Ailesia’s proposal was a condition that couldn’t even be converted into money. Setting aside the price, there was simply no way to obtain Elven Silk or adamantite sewing tools.

“I’ll do my absolute best!”

Merisa unconsciously answered loudly, just like when she was first learning the trade.

Contrary to Termion’s expectations, the shopping at the dress shop ended quite early.

After resolving the most important Imperial Palace banquet dress, all that was needed were Elenora’s everyday clothes.

And Termion repeated exactly what Ailesia had done 10 years ago.

“First, purchase everything that fits the size. The rest can be altered and brought after the Imperial Palace banquet, so don’t feel burdened and work on it.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“And… is there anything else you need, Elly?”

“I’m fine. What about you, Teacher?”

“Rather than me, shouldn’t we get Termion a banquet outfit?”

Combining the clothes she had collected before with the clothes Master had passed down to her, there would easily be over a thousand outfits. Ailesia was more concerned about Termion’s clothes than her own.

“I can just wear the Knight Order uniform.”

“What are you talking about? You should dress up nicely and go crush everyone’s spirits.”

“Right, Uncle. With that face and that body, wearing a Knight Order uniform would be a national loss.”

“…I remember hearing something similar before.”

“Why are you looking at me?”

Ailesia calmly met Termion’s narrowed gaze.

That was so long ago and you still remember. What’s important now isn’t that.

“Merisa, can you also tailor men’s formal suits?”

“It’s possible, but…”

“Time is the issue, right? How about not taking any other orders or reservations for exactly ten days after today? Instead, I’ll compensate for the lost sales at double, no, triple the amount.”

Despite Ailesia’s radical proposal, Merisa couldn’t readily speak up.

Of course, it was an incomparable condition in the short term. But if she had to refuse all customer reservations during that period, there was a great risk of losing customers’ trust in the long term.

Perhaps knowing Merisa’s concerns, Termion deliberately scolded Ailesia.

“How can you try to solve everything with money like that? There’s something called business ethics in the industry.”

“You know you’re saying this because of your own clothes, right?”

“Of course.”

Termion grinned and then spoke to Merisa.

“One thousand gold as advance payment, and separately, an amount equivalent to ten times the expected sales.”

“Huh?”

At his unexpected words, Ailesia showed a bewildered reaction.

He was talking about money, but now he’s going even further? Besides, with that amount, you could just buy the entire dress shop.

“In addition, you may advertise as the exclusive dress shop of the Retis Grand Duchy. How about it?”

“Shall we start by looking at design drafts and selecting fabric?”

Merisa showed a bright smile as if she had completely erased her worries.

It was a contract with the Retis Grand Duchy, no less than the Empire’s greatest noble family. She would certainly gain influence that could create customers even where there were none.

“Will this do?”

At Termion’s question, as if seeking praise, Ailesia deliberately glared at him with sulky eyes.

“…Then let me add one more thing.”

“Please tell me.”

“Merisa, actually I have quite a few design sketches. How about we create a brand in collaboration with Retis and sell them?”

“Yes, y-yes?”

With the sudden flood of good fortune, Merisa just felt like her head was spinning.

Not only her, but while the other staff members were also standing there dumbfounded, Ailesia continued speaking.

“Of course, everyone knows that you’re the Imperial Capital’s best designer, Merisa. But wouldn’t you like to become the Empire’s best, and furthermore, the continent’s best?”

“…Me? The continent’s best designer?”

“You already have sufficient skills, so all that’s left is capital and distribution, right? Retis should be able to help with that.”

“We can supply any materials and fabrics you want. The wool from the Duchy is of the Empire’s finest quality. Not to mention various leathers obtained from magical beasts of the Gardbale Mountains.”

With Termion joining in as if he had been waiting, it was a miracle that Merisa didn’t just faint standing there.

She could only give an answer after taking several deep breaths.

“I gratefully accept both of your proposals. But, um…”

It was certainly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. However, Merisa couldn’t understand at all why these two people were showing her such favor.

“Whether I dare to enjoy such fortune… honestly, I don’t know.”

“You don’t need to feel so burdened by this.”

Ailesia approached Elenora, who had been quietly looking at clothes until then, and pulled her into a tight embrace.

“This is simply the result of your kindness being repaid—the kindness you showed when you desperately tried to protect a young child customer 10 years ago.”

“That’s right. I was truly grateful back then.”

When Elenora gently bowed her head, Merisa finally forced back her welling tears and bowed her head in return.

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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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