It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 22

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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 022

“Your Highness, how could I dare to reproach you? Tempting bait with an inescapable trap—it’s a perfect deception. You were truly magnificent.”

“It’s thanks to Ailesia’s help.”

“Lady Milenov? How splendid.”

Kubera let out a laugh mixed with admiration. The fact that the two had cooperated was unexpected, and such a clean result was even more surprising.

After a moment, he looked at Ailesia with eyes filled with doubt.

“Wait, then the barrier being damaged was also…?”

“I did it on purpose. Though I’ve fully restored it now.”

“As expected, you… what?”

He must have misheard something. Kubera’s mouth fell open in a most uncharacteristic way.

“You restored the barrier?”

Termion also asked back as if he couldn’t understand Ailesia’s words.

“What’s so difficult about that?”

“Even if all the Tigel Knights worked together, it would take at least a full day…”

Kubera trailed off with a bewildered expression after hearing her answer.

‘I didn’t even sense mana wavelengths of that magnitude.’

A dimensional coordinate distortion barrier wasn’t something you could just tinker with like building a sandcastle.

The intruders had penetrated the manor’s interior at most an hour or two ago. That meant the distortion barrier had been broken until then.

“If you can’t believe it, feel free to check for yourself.”

“…Then the reason those guys struggled to the very end was?”

“Their escape route was blocked, so they had to struggle desperately to survive. Though what could they possibly do against the Tigel Knight Order?”

“They wielded quite unusual magical power. I almost had some trouble.”

Termion, who had been listening to their conversation, tilted his head as if puzzled.

“Is that so? I didn’t particularly feel they were stronger than our knights.”

“That’s thanks to Your Highness’s exceptional abilities, isn’t it?”

“I’m still far from adequate.”

Hearing his response, Ailesia wore an expression of “as expected” as she recalled the original story’s content.

‘Even among Aura Masters, he’s on a different level—that’s right.’

Termion maintained a peaceful demeanor without so much as a scratch or drop of sweat. It meant the battle had been that easy for him.

Just how strong would he become when fully grown? It was hard to imagine at this point.

“…Elly has the strongest nerves of all.”

“She’s a child destined for greatness, hehe.”

Perhaps this midnight commotion was nothing compared to the child’s sleepiness, as Elenora slept soundly in Ailesia’s arms.

“She must find your embrace very comfortable.”

“It’s fortunate, really. Thanks to that, she didn’t have to see anything terrible.”

With her slow breathing and relaxed face, she looked exactly as if she were lying in her own bedroom. Termion gently patted his niece’s cheek and turned around.

Now that he’d confirmed Elenora was safe, it was time to wrap things up.

“Put those three in the underground prison, and put this one in solitary with restraints. Be careful—he might try to kill himself.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep thorough watch.”

“We’ll conduct detailed interrogation tomorrow morning. It would be troublesome if they wake up in between, so it’s best to cast sleep magic on them.”

“Should I heal them too?”

“…Minimally. It would be problematic if they died before interrogation.”

Termion answered in a thoroughly displeased voice.

If torture became necessary, they needed to be in good physical condition. Though he wanted to finish them off immediately, this was an unavoidable measure.

“Understood. You’ve worked hard, Your Highness. Thank you as well, Lady Milenov.”

“If you’re grateful, arrange for a special bonus.”

“That’s something you’ll need to discuss with His Highness, hehe.”

Kubera let out a light laugh, saluted, and withdrew.

“Shall we go to the West Wing together?”

“Sure.”

Well, it’s proper to see his niece safely to bed. Truly an exemplary uncle.

Ailesia, who had put her staff into subspace, adjusted her posture slightly. Her shoulder was starting to ache from holding Elenora with just one arm this whole time.

“I’ll carry her.”

“Bear with it today.”

When Ailesia gently refused Termion’s gesture, his eyebrows twitched slightly.

“…I am Elly’s uncle, though.”

The considerably low voice that emerged was probably because he was mindful of the sleeping Elenora. Probably.

“That’s why I’m asking you to bear with it. No matter how trivial the fight was, in that state?”

“Ah.”

Come to think of it, holding a child while wearing blood-stained clothes was inconsiderate. Termion made a short sound of understanding after hearing Ailesia’s point.

Ailesia deliberately walked while looking only ahead. It was then that Termion felt slightly awkward seeing her avoid meeting his gaze.

“You don’t need to be so anxious—I won’t steal her away.”

He quickly turned his head at the unexpected words. However, Ailesia’s gaze remained fixed straight ahead.

“What do you mean?”

“She’s your niece, your family. In the end, you’re the one who should be by Elly’s side.”

“…That’s obvious.”

“So be moderately jealous. I’m just like a childhood memory, that’s all.”

A gentle melancholy appeared in Ailesia’s eyes as her steps slowed slightly from before.

‘If only I could remain just as a childhood memory…’

It had been about 450 years since her teacher Rubia returned to nature’s embrace. Her memories with Aunt from before the possession were over 500 years ago.

Despite such an immeasurable passage of time, her memories of those two people remained as vivid as yesterday. The same was true for the countless experiences she’d accumulated in this world.

Even before learning magic and absorbing the Dragon Heart, she had already lived 700 years. By that point, Ailesia could be certain that her true nature wasn’t that of an ordinary human.

‘I’ll probably live at least another two thousand years.’

Even if Elenora safely reached her happy ending, she would continue to remain in this world.

She had prepared herself for this since realizing her transcendent state. It was just that being aware of her position in the middle of the story’s flow made it feel fresh again.

An extra who lived long before the original story began and would continue living long after it ended. It was a truth she understood intellectually but found difficult to accept emotionally.

Shaking off her thoughts, she chattered in a deliberately bright voice.

“Well, I’d be proud if Elly occasionally thinks of me even when she’s grown up. Like, ‘Our teacher was really strong and pretty.'”

“…It’s not easy to understand.”

Termion’s mind was nothing but confused as he looked at Ailesia.

When had she ever not cherished and cared for Elenora more than anyone else in the world, so why was she saying such cold things now?

No, calling it cold was strange too. How could that expression be considered cold?

‘Rather… isn’t it lonely?’

Why was she speaking as if she would leave soon, while looking at Elenora in her arms with eyes dripping with honey?

It reminded him so much of his former self that he felt a surge of emotion and spoke somewhat impulsively.

“You’re welcome to stay with the Retis Family for life.”

“Huh? For life?”

Ailesia, who had flinched momentarily, smiled gently.

“Oh, come on. Elly will become an adult someday too. She’ll marry someone wonderful and have cute children who look just like her. It would be a nuisance for me to stick around.”

“…What if Elly wants you to?”

“We can think about that when the time comes, can’t we?”

Termion felt irritation slowly rising at her attitude.

When you pour out so much affection, isn’t it okay to hope for a little something in return? Her behavior, as if she were sick from being unable to devote herself enough, was simply grating.

“Why do you have so little desire?”

“But I’m very greedy?”

No desire? That couldn’t be right. Ailesia tilted her head as if it were completely wrong.

Of course I’ll raise Elenora to be strong and capable, and I must keep Termion alive until the end.

I’ll also help the original Male Lead so he can have a sweet romance with Elenora. Naturally, I need to finish off those bastards who are the root cause of this current situation.

If possible, I’m thinking of meeting and building friendships with the original story’s mages like the Magic Tower Master and Grand Duchess Dowager, and exchanging knowledge with them.

Besides that, there are still plenty of enjoyable things left to experience in this world—exploring remote lands, vacationing at tourist spots, collecting rare items.

‘With so many things I want to do, how could she say I have no ambition? Ridiculous.’

However, Termion couldn’t know her thoughts. He had somehow moved close beside Ailesia and continued speaking.

“As much as you cherish Elly, Elly also likes you very much.”

“I know. I’m grateful for that.”

“If you know that, then please accept Elly’s affection honestly, just as it is.”

Upon hearing those words, Ailesia unconsciously stopped walking abruptly.

“…Don’t I seem to be doing that?”

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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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