It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 46

—————
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 046

‘…That’s actually something like Elly’s childcare diary. I wrote down her tastes, habits, and quirks too.’

Did I speak too seriously? Ailesia, feeling a bit guilty, smiled somewhat awkwardly.

“You can just use this room. The one across is Elly’s room, is that okay?”

“Pardon?”

“By the way, the room next to Elly’s is mine.”

“…Do I dare deserve such an honor?”

Calling it an honor made it sound grand, but it wasn’t entirely wrong either.

The room Elenora was currently using was on the fourth floor of the main building of the Grand Duke’s castle. Originally, it was a space only used by the direct family members of Retis.

For a mere maid to occupy one of those rooms was understandably burdensome.

However, the discussion with Termion was already finished, and the Grand Duchess Dowager’s permission had been granted.

“After finishing the monster subjugation, Termion will officially appoint you as a lady-in-waiting.”

“His Highness the Grand Duke will?”

“Then you won’t be an ordinary maid anymore, right? Setting aside the Tigel Knight Order, there won’t be anyone among the Grand Duke’s castle retainers who can treat you carelessly.”

“Good heavens….”

A long sigh escaped from Hilda’s lips, but Ailesia urged her with an even more resolute voice.

“By the way, even now it’s not much different. Keep in mind that there are only two people in this castle who can directly force commands on you. Don’t listen to anyone except Termion and the Grand Duchess Dowager.”

This was also absolutely necessary for Elenora’s sake. Though security might not be as vulnerable as the Grand Duchy in the Imperial Capital, there was still a possibility that informants were hiding somewhere in the castle.

‘If I had my way, I’d like to thoroughly investigate everything, but I don’t have the time.’

In fact, there was another real reason why Ailesia wanted to go to the Gardbale Mountains even if it meant pushing herself.

In the original story, Termion suffers from severe illness for about a week after returning from monster subjugation.

Though fatigue had accumulated from the demanding schedule, the decisive cause was the serious injury he sustained in the Gardbale Mountains.

The important part was that Termion would fall into such a great crisis.

‘If it’s a wound severe enough to cause seizures, it’s no ordinary matter.’

Solving the curse didn’t automatically resolve other issues. Naturally, she had to go and check directly.

‘While I’m at it, I should also look for Elly’s escort knight who appeared in the original story. Though I’m not sure if he’ll be there.’

Hilda asked Ailesia, who was wearing a rather serious expression, in a cautious voice.

“His Highness the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess Dowager aside… what about you, Teacher?”

“Huh? What about me?”

“Don’t you also have the authority to give me orders, Teacher?”

“Me? Authority?”

Ailesia burst into laughter and waved her hands dismissively as if it was absurd.

What authority would a mere private tutor have? At most, she’d assign homework to Elenora.

“I’m just an outsider, what orders? Maybe requests, but if I act up carelessly, Termion will scold me.”

Anyone could tell it was a playful tone. But Hilda inwardly tensed up at Ailesia’s attitude.

‘Even though she speaks like that, she’s someone who makes even that head maid bow her head….’

Previously, she had subtly asked Lady Herman what kind of person Ailesia was, but only got a mysterious smile and an answer to experience it herself.

There were only three facts Hilda knew about Ailesia.

She was the Grand Duchess’s private tutor, a mage with tremendous abilities, and a benefactor of the Retis family.

Above all, the weight of that name Ailesia casually mentioned was overwhelming.

How many people in the Empire could call Grand Duke Retis by name alone? And that too, regardless of public or private occasions.

What was more surprising was that Termion himself never even mentioned that aspect. Apart from the VIP treatment, this was why the Retis family members couldn’t treat her carelessly.

“In that sense, my first request. Could you write down anything you need? Furniture, clothes, whatever you want.”

“What I have now is sufficient. Even the furnishings in this room make me wonder if I should be using them.”

“Really? Well, you’ll get a better sense after staying a few days. Then at least take this.”

Ailesia suddenly handed Hilda a small pouch. It was about the size of an adult’s fist, but a heavy weight was felt on her palm.

“This is…?”

“Spending money I’m giving you separately. For a while, you’ll feel awkward about getting budget approvals. It’s convenient to have emergency funds to move around.”

“May I open it?”

“Of course.”

“Hilda, Elly too! Elly wants to see too!”

“Shall we?”

Hilda put her head together with Elenora and carefully untied the pouch’s string. With a jingling sound, coins packed inside came into view.

“Wow, silver coins!”

“Hmm, I don’t think so?”

“They’re not?”

Ailesia looked at Hilda with mischievous, impish eyes.

Hilda tilted her head and picked up one coin to examine it briefly. Before she knew it, she had completely opened the pouch and was carefully checking its contents.

The weight slightly lighter than silver coins, the much harder texture felt when held, and the faint orange glow flowing subtly on the surface.

As far as she knew, there was only one metal with the same color as silver that produced this kind of luster.

“Mi, mithril coins?”

“As expected, you recognize them?”

“Teacher, what is this….”

Hilda not only gaped but became half-pale with shock.

There were roughly 50 mithril coins in the pouch. Since one mithril coin was worth 10 gold coins, it was approximately 500 gold coins.

With just one gold coin, a four-person commoner family could live for over two weeks. 500 gold coins was an amount equivalent to a month or two’s budget of a decent small to medium noble family.

“If it’s not enough, let me know. No, should I just give you more? It’s not even that much anyway.”

Ailesia took out five or six more pouches of similar size and lined them up. However, she soon looked like she remembered something, put away three pouches, and took out two much larger pouches.

“This one’s silver coins, this one’s gold coins. Mithril coins are a bit inconvenient, right?”

“I suppose so…?”

Mithril coins were so valuable that they were only used among nobles and merchants. Pulling out mithril coins in personal transactions would obviously cause a commotion.

‘…Just what kind of work did she do before?’

Hilda, whose complexion had barely returned to normal, shook her head. Being able to readily produce this much money meant Ailesia was an extraordinary person.

“Go out to the castle town tomorrow and visit a bank. It’s convenient to set up a secret account.”

“…A secret account?”

“If you bring that much, they’ll set one up for you automatically, right?”

It had been so long since she’d been to a bank that her memory was hazy. What was the minimum deposit for a secret account? She vaguely thought it was around 100 gold coins.

“If you need it, I’ll go with you. We can also tour the castle town with Elly.”

“Aren’t you busy with the expedition in two days?”

“I’m free since I just need to show up.”

It was still 10 years too early for Hilda to grow into the loyal lady-in-waiting and strategist Lady Forthen.

The current Hilda was just a girl in her prime. She couldn’t miss this opportunity.

‘Shopping with a cute niece and pretty younger sister? How can I resist?’

Buying lots of clothes, eating delicious food. When there are new encounters, friendly activities are necessary. That’s how you build affection.

“I’ll be in your care.”

Perhaps already adapted to Ailesia’s personality, Hilda simply bowed her head politely.

Two days later. From early morning, everyone in the Grand Duke’s castle was moving busily.

Six carts loaded with various support supplies including food were prepared. The knights were already fully armed.

“I’m planning to stay at the advance base for about two days. Please take good care of Elly during that time.”

“I will serve her with utmost dedication.”

Hilda bowed to Ailesia with a stern expression. Her attitude was so resolute that one might think she was the one departing for monster subjugation.

“Little one, listen well to Hilda and have fun playing. You can manage well even without Teacher, right?”

“Yes! Elly can do well on her own!”

“If anything happens, contact me right away. Don’t wander around alone and stay close to Sister Hilda or the Knight Uncles. Make sure to eat lunch and dinner with Grandmother.”

“I’ll stay quietly in the castle until Teacher comes back!”

Termion, who had been watching them from a short distance away, gave another earnest reminder to the two knights standing before him.

“Never leave your posts at the same time. If there’s an emergency situation, don’t hesitate to ask the Grand Duchess Dowager for help.”

“We will keep that in mind, Your Highness.”

“…I’m sorry for burdening you with such a difficult task.”

Perhaps it was because he had left capable knights who should be on the front lines of Monster Subjugation as guards. A hint of bitterness crept into Termion’s voice.

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