It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 55

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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 055

“T-Teacher? When did you return?”

“Just a moment ago. I was looking for you to have dinner together.”

Six people in total, including Sophia collapsed on the floor. Ailesia, who had clearly memorized the faces of the maids, continued speaking.

“What kind of crazy things are these lunatics doing for fun? What? Just one child?”

Not satisfied with tormenting Hilda, they dare spout such nonsense to Elenora? I was wondering how to handle this when Sophia, who had abruptly gotten up from the floor, shouted venomously.

“D-do you think you can just get away with this?”

“What exactly did I do?”

“How dare you lay hands on a servant of the Grand Ducal House! What kind of rudeness is this!”

“Uh…”

So this is when you use the expression “mind going blank,” right?

They say when absurdity goes too far, laughter comes out instead of words. I guess this is what that feels like.

“No matter how much of a guest you are, you have no right to do this!”

“Pfft.”

Ailesia couldn’t hold back and let out a small laugh.

This woman named Sophia even knows exactly who she is. Yet she’s showing this kind of attitude, which means the person backing her is no ordinary individual.

“So?”

“Pardon?”

“So what can you do? What, are you going to incite the servants like you were trying to do to Hilda and damage my reputation? Do you think someone will gleefully kick me out then?”

I once had this thought while reading web novels.

‘Why are all the characters who appear as villains so stupid?’

Even with just a little calm thinking, these things were obvious, but I couldn’t understand why they ruined everything with reckless actions.

‘But experiencing it firsthand, I understand now.’

Unlike modern people who consume countless information through various media in real time, these people can’t achieve self-objectification.

They firmly believe that only what they’ve directly experienced is the entirety of the world, so their thinking is bound to be shallow.

“I don’t know who’s backing you, but the person who hired me is Termion, you know? So, here’s a question.”

Tap.

Ailesia placed her hand on Sophia’s shoulder and smiled brightly.

“Will your backer protect you even while opposing Termion, or will they pretend not to know you?”

“Th-that’s…”

“Next question. What would be faster – me, a mage, burying you right here, or you escaping from here to tattle to someone?”

Creak.

The force in her fingertips gradually strengthened as much as Ailesia’s smile deepened.

“Ahhhhh…!”

“Oh my, how hard must you work for your muscles to be knotted up this hard. How pitiful.”

“Aaaaah!”

Unable to bear it any longer, Sophia struggled desperately to break free, but Ailesia’s arm was immovable.

Rather, the fingers touching her shoulder only dug deeper inside.

“I’ll let today’s incident pass quietly. If you want to keep working at the Grand Duke’s Castle, watch your mouth carefully, okay? Second-class maid Sophia?”

Thud.

As soon as she released her hand, Sophia collapsed helplessly on the spot. Ailesia clicked her tongue briefly and approached Hilda.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I’m fine, Teacher.”

“Have you eaten dinner?”

“…Not yet.”

“Then let’s go eat together. Actually, I was too busy to eat anything either.”

“What? B-but…”

Hilda glanced at the maids with a troubled expression, but Ailesia wrapped her arm around Hilda’s shoulder and strode forward.

“Baron Baton, remember?”

“…I understand.”

Clever Hilda indeed. Seeing her quickly return to her usual calm expression, she seemed to have grasped my intention with just that brief remark.

“Grrrrr…!”

Sophia’s voice, filled with indignation, could be heard from behind, but Ailesia curved her lips as if she had expected this.

‘Please go and tattle, please.’

I had returned just to rest for a bit, but I didn’t expect to catch a tail like this.

Though there was no concrete proof, it was an obvious fact that a traitor was hiding here too. I had already finished discussing this with Termion on the way to the Grand Duke’s Castle.

However, perhaps because they were being cautious of Iolene, none of them showed any significant openings. But fortunately, this incident occurred.

“It probably would have been easier to win over the servants here than at the town house.”

“Pardon?”

“It may be called the Grand Duke’s Castle, but the climate is harsh and it’s in a remote location. Perfect conditions for accumulating dissatisfaction, don’t you think?”

“That seems right, Teacher. Several servants have complained about wanting to change their workplace. They said they’d prefer to go to the Imperial Capital if possible.”

“They probably say it without much thought, but that’s usually where true feelings leak out.”

“The hazing also got worse from the day after His Grace the Grand Duke left.”

This is why conversations with smart people are enjoyable. They grasp the key points immediately without me having to ramble on.

Moreover, Hilda hadn’t just been idle during this time either, as she had surprisingly collected quite useful information. I could tell just from what she said next.

“The Administrator and Finance Officer seem to be on very bad terms. The servants also seem to be subtly divided into factions.”

“Even with the Grand Duchess Dowager present?”

“The Head Butler is mediating. The Grand Duchess Dowager is… how should I put it… it feels like she’s deliberately using it moderately?”

“Ah.”

I roughly understand what kind of situation this is.

There are about 200 servants residing permanently at the Grand Duke’s Castle. Including the retainers living in the outer castle and their families, the number would be enormous.

Controlling them all in perfect order would be difficult even for the Grand Duchess Dowager. So she probably turned a blind eye to the factions to naturally create checks and balances.

‘It’s an efficient method… but that’s only under the premise that everyone is loyal to Retis.’

If external forces had intervened, the story would be different. I could tell just from Sophia’s attitude earlier.

Showing such an attitude toward Ailesia, whom Termion personally requested to be treated as an honored guest of the family? No matter how influential a retainer was backing her, it wasn’t the kind of audacity a mere maid should display.

And soon, Ailesia would realize that this situation was more serious than expected.

“What? What do you mean by that?”

“Do I have to say it twice? Dinner time passed ages ago, so what are we supposed to do if you come late asking for food? What were you doing when everyone else was eating?”

“It’s not like I’m asking for something grand! How hard is it to bring out a few pieces of bread and two glasses of milk?”

“Ugh, I don’t know. We’re people too, so we need to rest, don’t we? The ingredients are almost all gone anyway, so what do you expect us to do? Tsk.”

I had stopped by the kitchen intending to grab a simple bite, but the response I got was ridiculous.

No matter how strongly Hilda protested, the servants in charge of the kitchen all showed consistently indifferent reactions.

“Really? Then there’s nothing we can do. I guess we’ll have to starve.”

Behind Hilda, who was stamping her feet in frustration, Ailesia suddenly poked her head out.

Nearly a span taller than other women, with blue eyes and flowing blonde hair. There wasn’t a single servant in the Grand Duke’s Castle who didn’t know the Grand Duke’s daughter’s tutor.

“No, it’s troublesome if a guest has no sense of the situation. Did you really think the Retis family wouldn’t have even a single piece of bread left? If it’s that poor, you’d only become more of a nuisance by continuing to make a fuss.”

“T-T-Teacher? Th-that’s not it!”

“W-we thought you weren’t at the castle!”

“That’s not the problem! Teacher, haven’t you had dinner yet?”

“Sorry for disturbing your break time. Well then, goodbye.”

Whether the kitchen servants were startled or not, Ailesia waved her hand cheerfully and exited without regret.

The place she headed to next was the dining hall on the first floor. It was a room only available to the direct line of the Retis family.

“Oh? Teacher?”

The person guarding the door was Ronel. He widened his eyes and soon gave a precise military salute while grinning.

“My goodness, when did you return?”

“Not long ago. Elly is inside, right?”

“Yes. She’s having a meal with the Grand Duchess Dowager. Would you like to go in?”

When Ailesia nodded, Ronel knocked on the door and raised his voice toward the inside.

“Grand Duchess Dowager, Teacher Milenov requests an audience.”

“What? Bring her in at once!”

The Grand Duchess Dowager’s surprised voice could be heard briefly, and as soon as Ronel opened the door, Elenora came running straight toward Ailesia.

“Teacherrr!”

“My little one, have you been well?”

Now accustomed to it, Elenora wasn’t surprised even when her body suddenly floated up in the air. As soon as she settled into Ailesia’s arms, she was busy wrapping her arms tightly around her neck and nuzzling her face.

“Teacher! Why did you come so late!”

“Sorry. I had a lot of things to take care of.”

“Elly missed you so much! Waaaah!”

Ah, it feels like all the accumulated fatigue is melting away. Elenora therapy is the best.

“Teacher did wrong, so please forgive me just this once, my pretty Elly. Okay?”

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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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