It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 23

—————
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 023

After a brief pause, Termion nodded at her question.

“It’s just a feeling. I can’t really explain it properly.”

Though he said that, Termion was vaguely aware of that strange gap.

Yesterday’s reaction when Elenora mentioned dating made it clear.

‘Even though it was something a child said, she subtly drew a line. It’s not simply because she doesn’t like me.’

Ailesia accepts Elenora’s affection only in the way she wants and only as much as she wants. Being skilled at hiding things, she just packages it with laughter and jokes.

Rather than doing it deliberately, it felt like that was exactly her role and limit.

“…I won’t interfere carelessly in your relationship with Elly.”

Despite his serious attitude, it was a surprisingly cold statement. Ailesia asked back with an incomprehensible voice.

“After saying all that?”

“I’m not in a position to do that to you. Even if Elly is my niece.”

“Well, that’s true, but.”

“Human relationships… even when blood is connected, things don’t go as you want. It’s even more so with others.”

With those words, Termion firmly closed his mouth.

Throughout their arrival at the West Wing and climb to the third floor, he remained silent. His expression made it difficult to gauge his thoughts.

‘It’s probably not about Elly.’

Who could he be talking about when he said things didn’t go as he wanted?

His father, the Previous Grand Duke? His half-brother, the Former Grand Duke? His sister-in-law, the Former Grand Duchess?

Or perhaps the Grand Duchess Dowager, who was still alive?

‘Termion had a really good relationship with the Former Grand Duke…’

The Former Grand Duke cherished Termion to the point where one might wonder if brothers could be like that.

After Termion entered the Grand Ducal House, even the strained relationship with the Grand Duchess was resolved, and Elenora was born. This happened seven years after their marriage.

Thanks to this, even the Former Grand Duchess treated Termion preciously like a real younger brother.

The outward family relationships of the Grand Ducal House appeared perfectly clean. Perhaps there was content not revealed in the novel.

‘Is there any other possessor whose original story is as unhelpful as mine?’

If I had forgotten the content and was confused, at least I wouldn’t feel wronged. Remembering everything perfectly but still knowing nothing was too much.

“Ah, right.”

Ailesia, who had paused for a moment, passed Elenora’s room and headed to her own.

“I’ll sleep with Elly in my room today. I smashed the terrace door while fighting those intruders earlier.”

“…The terrace door?”

It wasn’t just moderately damaged – she said she smashed it herself. Though he liked her honesty.

Perhaps noticing Termion’s uncomfortable mood, Ailesia subtly avoided his gaze and continued.

“Besides that, the room is kind of a mess.”

Looking back, there was no need to fight so loudly in that manner. Just knocking them out with magic upon seeing them would have been sufficient.

Ailesia glanced awkwardly at Elenora’s room for no reason.

“I got excited without realizing it.”

“You got excited?”

“No, my shoes flew off while fighting.”

“But you’re wearing them properly.”

“Was it those guys’ shoes? Anyway, thanks for escorting me! Good night!”

Ailesia hastily mumbled her words and quickly opened the door and went inside.

Termion let out a quiet laugh at her appearance and turned around.

What on earth had she done to call it a mess? Even if she cleaned up tomorrow morning, he wanted to check in advance.

Thud.

As soon as he entered Elenora’s room, something caught his foot. It was a longsword that one of the retainers had carried.

“This aside…”

Curtains were fluttering through the gaping hole where the terrace door used to be. Around it were fragments of broken window frames and glass shards.

‘What a sight.’

When he unconsciously looked up, there was a black hole punched through the ceiling. It looked like the perfect size for one person to fit through.

‘Baron Baton’s jaw was also half-crushed.’

Whether to call it crushed or twisted. If left as is, he’d probably have trouble chewing anything comfortably for life.

“…Did she beat them with her staff?”

The super strong mage must also be skilled in hand-to-hand combat. He shook his head and left the room.

“Hey, Termion.”

“Yes?”

As he was about to go down the stairs, the door suddenly opened smoothly. Ailesia was looking at him with just her head poking out.

“Do you have more to say? Or do you need something?”

“No, it’s not that.”

Ailesia hesitated, then cleared her throat and spoke.

“Still, I think the heart is more important.”

What was this sudden nonsense? While Termion stood dumbfounded, just blinking, Ailesia poured out her words.

“Blood relations and age differences are important too, and the years spent together are also important. They’re aspects that can’t be ignored. But in the end, isn’t the heart that thinks of and cares for each other more important? You know, like family love, camaraderie, things like that.”

“…”

“Anyway! Elly really likes you, so don’t worry about other things! Now really good night!”

“Ailesia.”

Thud.

With a dull sound, the door closed again. Termion lowered his awkwardly extended arm and smiled bitterly.

“A nagging witch lady.”

Suddenly saying such things, she must have kept his earlier words in mind all along.

He couldn’t readily take a step and was lost in thought for a moment.

‘The heart is what’s important.’

Though he understood it with his head, it was difficult to accept with his heart.

What about his own heart?

What about Elenora’s and the Grand Duchess Dowager’s hearts, and the other retainers’ hearts?

What about Elenora’s already deceased parents, or the Previous Grand Duke?

‘…What about you, Ailesia.’

If he could see her face right now and talk, perhaps this stuffy chest would feel a little relieved.

He stared at the closed door for a while, then turned and headed for the stairs.

Ailesia was tonight’s greatest contributor. He didn’t want to disturb her rest with unnecessary matters.

“Have a good night.”

Leaving a greeting she might not have heard, Termion left the West Wing without lingering.

The next day, Termion woke before sunrise and immediately headed to the underground prison.

Despite the early hour, the knights were standing guard with menacing eyes. The knights who recognized him quietly saluted.

“How’s their condition?”

“Baron Baton and his retainers are relatively fine, but.”

“What’s the problem?”

“…It would be faster for you to see for yourself, Your Highness.”

At the knight’s somehow troubled attitude, Termion immediately headed to the solitary cell.

“Lord Dayford.”

“Welcome, Your Highness.”

Kubera’s completely stiff expression was ominous. He too guided Termion inside without saying anything.

“…Is he dead?”

“According to the knights, he died within seconds of regaining consciousness. They said there was no time to do anything.”

“Any clues?”

“We searched his body thoroughly, but there were no special items.”

Kubera’s voice was deeply subdued. He seemed angry that they had caught the ringleader only to be unable to interrogate him.

The scene inside the solitary cell was gruesome. The dead man’s mouth was wide open, his face completely frozen in terror.

The floor and his clothes were stained with dark liquid, and his limbs hung limply at strange angles.

There was a large wound in the center of the man’s chest. It was such a horrific mark that it was hard to imagine how it could have formed.

“For suicide… something seems strange.”

“It’s similar to symptoms of magical power or aura running wild, but for that to happen, here.”

Kubera pointed at the corpse’s chest with his finger. Termion moved closer to examine the wound.

“His heart is completely destroyed. It’s such a horrific wound that it looks like fire magic was put inside his body and detonated.”

“Is it possible he used magic himself?”

“The restraints are in perfect condition. Unless he was at least a High Mage level, mana control wouldn’t be possible.”

Termion frowned deeply after hearing Kubera’s explanation.

With his common knowledge, he couldn’t understand the current state of this corpse at all. It wasn’t a case of biting his tongue cleanly to die, and this was the first time he’d seen someone commit suicide by bursting their heart.

“I don’t think an autopsy would reveal much more.”

“Still, I’ll proceed with it for now.”

“Be careful just in case. If by any chance the corpse explodes again… It’s horrifying just to imagine.”

Termion, feeling disgusted, headed to another room. It was where the retainers who had tried to kidnap Elenora were imprisoned.

Baron Baton, sensing someone approaching, clung to the iron bars as soon as he saw Termion and let out a shrill cry.

“G-Grand Duke!”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————