The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide - Chapter 164

“After this is all over, let’s go home.”

That was what the commanders always said before they headed out to the battlefield.

As they went to the forefront and pulled the trigger for their own reasons, the image that suddenly came to everyone’s minds was the scenery of their hometown.

The fact that there was a place they could return to gave them the strength to endure harsh reality. Whether it was their hometown or the open arms of their family, it wasn’t all that strange to think of ending such a hellish life to return back to their hometowns.

Floating around in the hazy world of his unconscious, that difficult period of his life moved to one side of his memory.

Unfortunately, in this world, there was no place to call home.

* * *

“Ed is severely injured, Princess Selah.”

The chilling atmosphere was unwilling to melt as Selah appeared.

A strange chill circulated between the people gathered around Ed Rothstaylor and Selah. The numerous nobles who followed Selah also could feel the unusually tense atmosphere, which was making it hard to breathe.

“And naturally, I have also been caught up in House Rothstaylor’s genocide, and I have been injured quite a bit here and there. Thus, this is something the Holy Father Building will not be taking lightly.”

Saint Clarice used the best reasoning she had to somehow secure Ed’s body from Selah.

“As Ed is a baptized follower of the Telos Religious Group, he is being accused of in the actions of harming me, the Saint. Thus, he needs to be taken to the Holy Father Building for a trial of the Holy Law.”

“……”

“The holy law of our religious group is something that even I, the Saint, cannot hastily go against. Thus, Ed’s body must be guided safely from members of the Holy Father Building.”

“The holy law of your religious group deserves respect, but the law within the imperial household is also in a situation where it cannot be easily overlooked.”

Selah quietly lowered her eyes as she spoke.

The holy law of the Telos Religious Group and the law of the imperial household. The one who had the upper hand between the two changed over time.

The fierce confrontation between the religious group and imperial power had spanned hundreds of years. Sometimes, it was the laws of the religious group that took precedence. Other times, it was the laws of the imperial household.

Recently, as Emperor Kroel’s power rose sharply, the imperial household’s laws had begun to hold more power. Thus, if the two collided, the priests of the Holy Father Building had no choice but to be more understanding.

“More than ten high-ranking nobles of our empire have died, and there are many that have been seriously injured. How could the Kroel Imperial Household simply sit still?”

Originally, Princess Selah did not want to confront the Holy Father Building.

However, the situation in itself was completely unusual.

Ed Rothstaylor was a key figure that could lead to a massive change within the imperial power structure in the near future.

Even if it wasn’t Selah, anyone who wanted to hold influence would want to be in control of both Ed and Tanya.

But among all of them, Selah was the person that had first access to the two of them, because she was there at the scene.

However, the people blocking her path on Ed’s side were all incredible individuals.

After meeting them all in person, Selah suddenly couldn’t help but swallow her dry saliva.

They weren’t just friends at Silvenia Academy. They looked like a legitimate group of people that were willing to protect Ed with a desperate level of determination.

Yennekar and Lucy, who played an active part in the subjugating of Krepin, were also staring at Selah with cold gazes.

The reason those two helped stop the disaster at Rothstaylor mansion was because they were determined to protect Ed Rothstaylor, not because they possessed some heroic spirit or drive to reduce the number of victims.

Lucy Mayreel, who was standing blankly in front of the zelkova tree with her white hair fluttering in the air, looked up.

Only then did Selah realize it. That girl was more of a wild disaster that did as she liked rather than a hero.

She was not driven by political logic or a calculation of interests. Money, power, fame—she had absolutely no interest in the values that ordinary people regarded so highly.

She did what she thought was right and didn’t care about anything else… One who lived outside of the world.

Then, was she willing to turn even the imperial household into an enemy if she so decided? As those feelings started to flood her, Selah started to sense it.

If she touched that man recklessly, that girl might get extremely furious.

However, if she left things as they were, it may become an even bigger issue in the future.

Even though he didn’t look like an issue at the moment, incredible individuals like her were already following him.

It seemed certain that the imperial power would be threatened if he gained even a small amount of power or built up his forces.

She realized why Penia Elias Kroel was so cautious of that man.

She had no idea what they saw in him, but he had the power to bring all of those incredible individuals to his side.

Weeds that would eventually run wild should be trampled down while they were still young. However, Selah couldn’t think of a way to do so at the moment.

Saint Clarice even seems to be thinking of using her political influence. Unless Selah personally mobilized the imperial army, she wouldn’t be able to stand up against her.

If she didn’t secure Ed Rothstaylor, there was no telling when she would have the chance or cause to subdue him again.

Selah’s intuition was screaming. This is her last chance.

If she couldn’t crush him with her authority, she needed to bring him to the imperial court either by means of a compromise or through deceit.

The next time she met with Ed Rothstaylor, there’s no way of telling what position he would be in.

“Ed Rothstaylor’s efforts deserve praise.”

Selah slowly closed her eyes and opened them as she spoke.

“We need to take him to the imperial household to treat him. We also need to report his efforts to my father so that he will be appropriately rewarded.”

As Selah said as much, the atmosphere among everyone there flipped.

Selah had backed down. Struggling to believe that fact, the nobles that were present started to murmur.

They couldn’t complain or ask Selah what nonsense she was saying. So, all they could do was stare at each other in bewilderment at her unexpected reaction.

“Of course, the same goes for Tanya Rothstaylor. The reason I am trying to take these two is because I understand their position the best and I want to fully represent them within the Imperial Household.”

Seeing Selah’s reaction, Lortel chuckled under her hood.

Even though she said as much, Selah would try to hand Ed Rothstaylor’s body over to the Elte Company rather than the Imperial Household.

If they believed that, then Ed Rothstaylor would come under Lortel’s management in the end anyway. Thus, through the support of the Elte Company, he would be able to recover his body, regain consciousness, and think of a new plan to stab Selah in the back.

Checkmate.

After pushing Selah to that point, no matter what option she chose, she wouldn’t be able to avoid creating a beneficial situation for Ed Rothstaylor.

Whichever path she chose, she’d be left with nothing but a path leading off a cliff.

That was why the merchants of Oldek never turned Lortel into an enemy.

Of course, everyone there was looking at Selah with a look of doubt.

It was suspicious that Selah, who often used her status and authority, had suddenly changed to such a cooperative attitude.

However, Selah’s words were like the devil’s temptation.

If Selah really joined Ed’s side, when the imperial family investigated the truth, she would have the upper hand.

Princess Penia would also be on Ed’s side… If the two of them supported him, it might be the lottery rather than a punishment.

“……”

It went without saying, but once Ed’s body was handed over to the Imperial Household, it couldn’t be taken back.

Once Ed’s life was held hostage, everyone on his side would be unable to act hastily. Therefore, it was difficult to hand over Ed’s body to Selah.

However, that didn’t mean that they wouldn’t chase after his body in the Imperial Household. Ed Rothstaylor’s body was in desperate need of rest.

“The investigation of the truth and the hearing of the events isn’t necessarily done by the imperial household.”

At that moment, Tanya stood up, covered in dust, as she spoke.

“I will remain here at the mansion.”

At those words, Selah and everyone else’s eyes turned to Tanya.

“There may still be servants who survived and the restoration work on the mansion site needs to be started. I can’t leave this place like this. I’ll also have to recover my father’s body too. I’m sure those of the imperial family will need to return soon as well.”

“Then…”

“I will take responsibility for the remaining power my house has.”

Tanya’s eyes remained alive.

Even though she didn’t have anything in her grasp anymore, she didn’t feel emptiness nor disappointment. Rather, only a strong will remained.

“Whether it’s prison or a reward, I want to receive it after I finish what I have to do.”

Tanya quickly pulled out a ragged thing from her pocket. It was the torn cloak that Arwen was wearing.

The cloak was already covered in dust and frayed here and there, but… the eagle, symbolizing the valor of the Rothstaylor family, was still visible.

Tanya put the cloak on as she tied her hair back in the wind.

“Like it or not, I am the heir to House Rothstaylor. That’s why… From this moment on, I am now the head of House Rothstaylor.”

In front of the broken and burnt down Rothstaylor’s mansion, Tanya spoke proudly, unwilling to back down.

“I will make decisions about matters regarding my house, and I will also decide what to do with my older brother’s body. Because I am the head of house.”

At those words, the whole group hardened like ice. Only Lucy continued to stare at her with tired eyes.

To claim to be the head of a family that was already in ruins was the same as declaring ‘I will be burned to death’. House Rothstaylor was a family that plotted rebellion against the imperial household, slaughtered various high-ranking nobles, and even plotted to summon an evil god.

However, the exact investigation behind the truth of the incident had yet to be completed… Thus, until they were confirmed guilty, she could exercise the right to make decisions according to the house’s law.

“Whether my older brother Ed goes to Pulan, Oldek, the Holy Father Building… or the Imperial Household… That is up to him to decide…”

“But right now, Ed is unconscious.”

“No. He just woke up. That’s why I also woke up.”

Lucy spoke against Clarice’s words. And the moment she said as much, a strange sound was heard.

Thunk

It was the sound of a dagger being shoved into the zelkova tree.

Suffering from a high fever and chills, it was difficult to control his body. However, Ed slowly stood up, leaning his weight on the dagger. Ed’s group, who were all facing Selah, all looked back at him in surprise.

“Ed!”

Yennekar quickly ran over and supported his body. Just by grabbing his shoulder, she felt his fever. Yennekar swallowed her dry saliva.

Ed’s physical condition was more serious than she thought.

“Ed, we need to go somewhere and get you treated…”

“Cough, Cough…!”

Ed’s eyes could slowly be seen through his disheveled bangs. He could see the faces of everyone around him.

“Keuk. Sigh… Cough….”

“Brother. Right now…”

“I vaguely… heard… what you were talking about…”

Grasping his hazy consciousness, Ed found of his center of gravity.

He wasn’t in a situation where he could comprehend much, but Ed clenched his teeth as he opened his mouth.

“I am… Cough… Cough…”

Tension grew between everyone present.

There was still quite a while left of Silvenia’s break.

Yennekar Palerover needed to return to Pulan as planned, and Lortel Kehelland needed to return to Oldek to finish her business.

Clarice was also in a position where she needed to return to the Holy Father Building. Lucy had an expression that said she would be fine regardless of what happened.

Princess Selah also intended to take Ed to the Imperial Household to finish things.

It wasn’t difficult to choose who to follow. Lortel had already used all her business tricks, so no matter which option he chose, the situation would ultimately be in Ed’s favor.

Therefore, there is no such thing as a correct answer. Ed Rothstaylor just… had to say whatever came to mind.

“Cough, Cough, Cough…”

So, who would he follow in the end?

Here at the burning mansion, he had ended his long and bitter fate with House Rothstaylor.

However, there was still a lot of work left to be done. There was still a journey in that remained.

Even then, Ed Rothstaylor… wanted to rest for a while.

* * *

The Imperial Central Army entered the mansion.

The well-trained Central Army quickly controlled the scene as they skillfully divided their numbers and began investigating.

Princess Selah looked at them as she wiped her face. She remembered the man who looked at everyone with a dying expression on his face.

“Ed Rothstaylor.”

In front of the majestic imperial carriage, Princess Selah looked up at the ruined Rothstaylor mansion.

“Just what sort of worth does he have…?”

In the eyes of Princess Selah, she couldn’t see his abilities.

However, because of the talented individuals gathered around Ed Rothstaylor, she couldn’t easily lay her hands on him.

The intuition she currently felt was that his existence was likely to act as a bigger variable than she had originally thought in the future competition for the throne.

“By the way, I don’t see Penia.”

After leaving the tent with cold eyes, Penia had never shown up again.

“I heard that she made a report to the imperial army and immediately rode back to the imperial household on horseback.”

“What? She went back to the imperial household?”

“It seems… She has decided on something… It seemed as if she planned to arrive at the imperial household before you.”

Selah frowned as she closed her mouth. Even Penia, who was lethargic, now seemed to have developed a will.

It wasn’t hard to figure out what she was up to, but right now, she was far away.

She was already busy worrying about Persica, but if Penia started to eye the throne, things would become even more complicated.

After all, Ed Rothstaylor was a landmine in many ways. The repercussions were too great if you tried to hastily tamper or dismantle him.

Selah swallowed her dry saliva.

Still, she couldn’t neglect him. She needed to constantly remember him on one side of her mind.

Sitting next to the carriage, she saw a number of nobles returning to their estates after being investigated.

A procession of glamorous carriages went off towards their respective estates. Among them, she could see the carriage in which Yennekar Palerover was riding in, as well as the one in which Lortel was riding in. Of course, she could also see the ridiculously grand and large carriage of the Holy Father Building.

In any case, from the position of the imperial family, they needed a person involved in the incident to properly testify about what had happened at the mansion.

Ed Rothstaylor was the most suitable to do so. But in the end, Selah was unable to secure Ed due to those who protected him.

Instead, she negotiated to take another person who was directly involved in the incident to the Imperial Household to testify in his place.

However, that person couldn’t be held as hostage or move according to Selah’s intentions. Among Ed’s party, she was the one that was most difficult to control.

Selah, guided by Dest, climbed into the carriage as she looked at the girl across from her, who waved her legs in the air. There was no such thing as etiquette in her at all.

It was quite the sight to see that large witch’s hat on her head as she twirled her messy white hair.

As if ignoring the princess in front of her, the girl lay down in the carriage and exhaled quietly.

Lucy Mayreel.

The magician who would attend the imperial investigation as a replacement for Ed Rothstaylor… A time bomb that was impossible for Selah to control.

It was unlikely that the magician would be cooperative. So, all Selah could do was send her back after investigating as much as she could.

It was a completely unsuccessful compromise.

* * *

Lortel’s completed villa was not as big as expected.

With her resources, she was able to build the largest mansion on Acken Island. Bell Maya tilted her head at the surprisingly modest scale.

Still, after seeing Ed’s camp, it made sense. If Lortel’s residence was too large, there would be a feeling of incongruity.

Lortel just wanted to live right next to Ed, not to overwhelm him with her tremendous wealth.

That was why the size of the small villa was understandable.

“Once she comes back from break, she can live there right away.”

The northern forest where the crescent moon shone.

Bell Maya, who came to inspect the camp after her day’s work, felt a sense of emptiness.

The biggest reward she got from working as a maid in Ophelis Hall was being able to help students who were having a hard time adjusting to an unfamiliar environment and maintaining their lives.

That was why the vacation period, when all of the students left Acken Island, felt empty. She was already quite used to it now, but when she walked around the empty Ophelis Hall and school grounds, she got wrapped up in that strange feeling.

That said, once school started again, she would become too busy all over again… There was no middle ground. Though, it was not a bad environment for her, as she was a workaholic.

After closing the door of Lortel’s small villa, Bel Maya stretched to relieve her body.

As her body was always rigid and cold, seeing her stretch looked unnatural. It was as if a robot was stretching.

Perhaps because there wasn’t anyone there to watch, she could relieve a bit of her tension.

Naturally, Bell Maya was also influenced by the relaxed atmosphere of late summer.

The shadow of a grasshopper ran past under the crescent moon. Only then did she become aware of the sounds of bugs late in the summer night. The sound of nature tickled her ears.

Leaves swayed under the moonlight. The sound of them brushing past each other faintly within the camp.

It was extremely peaceful, as if she had come to another world.

With that thought in mind, the moment she turned around to return to Ophelis Hall, a boy appeared among the grass.

“……!”

Bell Maya, who normally maintained a somewhat dull expression on her face, was caught by surprise.

Ed Rothstaylor, who she thought had returned to his house… stumbled through the grass as he walked into the camp.

At a glance, his face was red, and he was limping. He was not in his normal condition.

As Bell Maya was caught off guard, he slumped down on a tree stump near the campfire… and dropped the leather bag he was carrying on his shoulder.

His bag fell to the floor, rolling over a few times.

“Y-Young master Ed? Weren’t you coming back to school at the end of break? The others that went with you… what…?”

As Bell Maya questioned him in bewilderment, Ed Rothstaylor grabbed ahold of his hazy mind as he swept his hand over his face.

“You were at the camp, Bell.”

“…huh? Ah, yes…”

“Light me a fire. It’s a bit difficult for me to use magic right now.”

Speaking in a dying voice, Bell lightly drew on her magic power as she started a campfire.

As if welcoming the owner who returned after a long absence, the campfire subtly lit the surroundings.

Ed sat in front of it as he swept at his face. With his forearms resting on his knees, he looked down.

The warm heat tickled his face.

The smell of grass, along with the familiar sound of insects at night, stimulated the tip of his nose. Ed felt the tension in his shoulders loosen as his stiff muscles slowly relaxed.

Bell Maya looked at him… and stood behind him, not saying a word for a while.

The shadow of the camp that was cast from the falling moonlight split into several other areas as the camp was covered in a new source of light.

It was as if the heat of the flickering flames rubbed against his body.

“…was it a difficult journey?”

Bell, who had been waiting for Ed for a while with her hands clasped behind her, asked slowly.

Ed thought for a moment upon hearing that question.

Those who roamed the battlefield would eventually wander in search of a place to return home to. Was he any different?

The traces of his suffering, crawling through the dirt, and clenching his teeth after falling into this world for the first time was the entirety of his camp.

The first wooden shelter he made, the first fishing rod he made, the first campfire he made, the cabin, spear, hunting tools, clamps, wild animal skins, magic training textbooks, woodworking bench, hammer, fishing net…

Turning around and going home, was the camp his place to return to?

The camp where he suffered through countless hardships. He was more attached to it than he thought… He wanted to come back even when his body was in shambles.

Ed refused the proposals of all his allies to return with him. Thus, he ended up coming back to the camp on his own.

Yennekar, who was about to abandon her plans to return home. Lortel, who was willing to follow after him even at the expense of her business. Clarice, who tried to adjust the entire schedule of the Holy Father Building. He refused them all. Tanya even encouraged him to return alone and recover his body, as she would stay behind at the mansion to finish what needed to be done.

He glanced up at the crescent moon in the sky… and pondered on Bell Maya’s question.

Was the journey difficult?

Of course, the journey over break was difficult.

Returning to Rothstaylor mansion, fighting for his life, somehow ending his relationship with House Rothstaylor, and his body ending up in shambles. Although it was a brief summary of the journey, it was so arduous and difficult that even Ed, who never complained before, had no choice but to let it all out.

On top of that, there was still a lot of work left to be done.

He somehow ended his affairs with House Rothstaylor, but it seems that he exerted some influence on the imperial household’s power structure. He also had to think about what to do with the remaining power that House Rothstaylor held. There was also still no clear way to defeat The Holy Blue Dragon Velbrok, and there were still plenty of academic schedules that filled the next semester.

Of course, looking back on the road he passed, it had never been easy for him. From the days when he lived alone in the forest, trying to survive, till now… Ed lived every moment doing his best.

And in the end, the place he wanted to return to after finishing all his work was… in front of that very campfire.

“It was difficult. I almost died several times.”

Then Ed answered.

“So… I wanted to quickly come back here.”

“……”

Bell glanced at Ed’s back, clasping her hands. He looked like he needed to receive medical treatment right away. But right now, it seemed he wanted to be alone.

Still, she was worried about leaving him unattended. Thinking about it for a little while… she finally realized something was different.

“By the way… you’re finally talking casually to me.”

“Yeah, you win.”

“I’m glad you understand. However, what caused such a sudden change of heart…?”

“Hey, Bell.”

Ed had his head lowered as he called out Bell’s name softly.

Through his journey that vacation, it felt like he finally tasted the life of Ed Rothstaylor.

Act 1, Scene 1. The life of a third-rate villain who was the first to leave.

The moment the whole journey began… Vaguely remembering the senior maid who discovered Ed Rothstaylor trying to end his life, stopping him. He then spoke in a quiet voice.

“You were a better person than I thought.”

“……”

“I am grateful for you in many ways.”

At his sudden words, Bell tilted her head for a moment… She then lowered her head as she said.

“You think too highly of me.”

After saying that, Bell left the camp, leaving him alone in front of the campfire.

She suddenly turned around and saw him resting in front of a soft campfire in the dark forest.

From tomorrow onwards, she felt she should definitely check on his physical condition… But for tonight, she thought she should let him enjoy the camp alone.

The head maid of Ophelis Hall was always good at getting things done. Reading her employer’s inner thoughts and letting them do as they pleased was a necessary virtue to have.

And like that, Ed Rothstaylor sat in the corner of the camp for a while looking at the bonfire.

There was a lot of work left to be taken care of, but he needed a moment to forget it all and take a break.

The quiet summer night deepened. The bright crescent moonlight shone through the forest.

The long summer vacation was slowly coming to an end.