The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide - Chapter 199

As expected, the landscape was gorgeous and a truly superb view.

The coast was famous for being one of the most beautiful areas within the Zahul territory.

After making our way along the forest road for some time, we eventually reached a wide coast. Even the workers, who had been there many times before, exclaimed in admiration.

The coast dazzled under the midday sun. It was as if it were covered in sparkling jewels.

However, by itself it was no different than the coast you would see on Acken Island. What really caught my eye was the towering monastery that was in the middle of the vast sea.

Cledric Monastery.

Even though it was a monster built out of old bricks, the sheer size and grandeur of it was overwhelming.

It was impossible to tell just how tall the spires reaching for the sky truly were. There were at least six or seven that I could see from where I was. The rock beneath it also acted as a natural fortress.

It couldn’t be compared to Ophelis Hall or Trix Hall, the tallest buildings in Silvenia. It was like a castle taken straight out of a fairy tale, floating out in the sea.

“We probably won’t be able to enter now.”

Kylie Eckner, who was sitting across from me—also known as Saint Clarice in disguise—looked out the window as she spoke.

“It seems that high tide is in full swing… we can only enter after sunset, when the tide lowers.”

“Is that so…?”

“Probably on foot. We will have to carry our luggage on our own.”

Kylie, who was sitting across from me and tidying up her uniform, smiled.

Surprisingly, the journey wasn’t that long. About half a day by horse-drawn carriage? It felt like the carriage was moving faster than normal, but the monastery was still a lot closer than I had expected.

Though, in the first place, Acken Island was located right next to Zahul’s territory. Since Cledric Monastery was there, it wasn’t all that far away.

“Regardless of who visits, they will have to exit the carriage and travel there by foot. Whether they are a member of the imperial family or the Saint of the Telos Religious Group, they all need to personally walk across. That is because there is no way for a carriage to pass through such a short-lived road at low tide.”

“It’s a more troublesome place to reach than I thought.”

“Under our God Telos’ protection, we are taught that all human beings are equal.”

“……”

“Well, I’m just guessing that’s what they will tell us later.”

Since the Saint herself was saying that, I didn’t dare argue.

However, the workers sitting nearby laughed out loud.

“Hahaha. This young lady is surprisingly well aware of the meaning behind that monastery. Though, this is the first time I’ve seen you. Are you a student from Silvenia?”

Even though she wore a disguise, she was still a noble girl from a far-off border region.

Though, none of the workers in the carriage could have imagined who she really was. As they naively spoke to her, she calmly continued to act.

“I’m a first year student in the Magic Department.”

Surprisingly, she was rather thorough when hiding her true identity.

Though, in the first place, I felt that she acted less like her real self when she was the Saint.

“I am just a regular student who came to assist Saint Clarice.”

“Oh, the same reason as the young man. Did you meet with the Saint at school?”

“I think you must definitely have a special relationship with her, seeing as she invited you both personally. You two shouldn’t be stuck here sitting in the same carriage as workers like us.”

The chattering workers were already gulping down beer.

Drinking in broad daylight. Though, as long as they were capable of unloading the luggage at the beach, their work would be finished.

There was no way the workers would be allowed to enter Cledric Monastery, which was strictly forbidden to males. So, the nuns from the monastery would have to carry the luggage inside instead.

“It is a great honor for ordinary people like us to be able to move the Saint’s luggage. Even though we are directly helping her, we can’t help but feel like she’s so far away from us. For you two, who are still wearing uniforms, it must be a great honor to personally help her.”

“I’m sure the Saint holds a heart of gratitude towards the workers who are always working hard.”

“This young lady speaks quite nicely. She’s rather faithful, as if straight out of a textbook.”

Seeing Kylie smiling like that, it made me wonder just what kind of expression the workers would make if they were to realize that the person they were praising so much was Saint Clarice herself.

As for me, there were so many extra ears in the carriage that I couldn’t have a decent conversation with her.

In the first place, it was no easy task to have a long and serious conversation with Clarice, since she was always accompanied by an escort or several members of the religious group.

Although she was riding in the carriage as Kylie, who I could have a private conversation with, it was still a difficult situation. If I spoke to her as if she were actually Clarice, the workers would probably find it strange and look at me weirdly.

In particular, they would think it was ridiculous to hear me talking about the Holy Blue Dragon so confidently.

“Young man, I heard that you are going inside the monastery… I’m sure that will be a very valuable experience for you.”

“That’s true. We only know of its majestic exterior, but we have no idea about what it’s like inside. You will be able to see it all with your own two eyes…”

“Not only that, the place is full of nuns who don’t know anything about the world. I’m sure when they see you, their whole lives will change. HAHAHA!”

Did all guys think the same thing?

After they said all of that, the workers all looked at me as if they were envious. I didn’t know what to say to them, so I only responded that I was simply going to do my job.

Perhaps they thought I was trying to keep quiet and not accidentally reveal any more than necessary, because they all started to gossip amongst themselves after that.

“I don’t think anyone would simply enter the monastery out of curiosity.”

“Well, there’s no need for us to understand something like that. We don’t live in high society like them.”

Honestly, I wasn’t planning to enter the monastery with inappropriate thoughts, but hearing them talk like that… It seemed that they all had the wrong idea.

“It’s not a big deal. I am just… assisting the Saint.”

“How could it not be a big deal when you are helping the Saint herself? Though, I am curious how that granny Abbess is going to react.”

“Abbess… you mean…?”

“That’s right! That Granny Austin!”

Hearing that name from the workers, Kylie started to chuckle as if she knew something.

“Do you know the abbess?”

“Of course we do. When we unload the luggage, she is always the one who brings over the nuns to pick it up from the shore. Inside the monastery, she is called King Granny. When you see her in person you will know the reason right away. Didn’t she say she was turning 109 this year? It’s crazy that she’s even still alive.”

“Haha, that old lady really doesn’t plan on dying. Last time, when she came to pay me for some ingredients, she started giving me all this cream that is supposedly good for the skin… I can’t believe she still has the energy to do all that.”

When I imagined an abbess, the image that came to mind was a faithful and loving nun.

However, I was completely bewildered by the strange reaction of the workers. When I turned to look at Kylie, she was also smiling happily.

“About Abbess Austin… you probably know something.”

“Of course I do. You’ll never forget her once you meet her.”

It was impressive to see Kylie smiling like that. I wondered what the reason behind it was.

* * *

“My goodness! That brat Julien. Even though he’s been married fifteen years, he still acts like a child! Since we know each other, shouldn’t he at least lower the cost by half?! Isn’t that common decency?”

“Granny Austin, did you argue with that Kohelton merchant again?”

“He kept on yapping and yapping! Does he think I don’t know a handful of oysters should cost thirty silver coins?! Does he think they’re worth gold?! I was telling him that the Saint likes oysters, so I needed to buy them to add to the dinner menu!”

“Hahaha. Talking to a merchant, you’re not supposed to tell them how much you need something. You’ve lived so long, yet you didn’t know that?”

“As if I wouldn’t know that! I’ve known Julien since he was a little kid with snot coming out of his nose. I thought he would at least have some consideration for me!’

Hearing that she was 109, I thought she would be an old woman who was on the brink of death… Unexpectedly, she was someone with a rather large and powerful voice.

“That brat! Seeing him lower his head saying that it was the cheapest he could sell them to me… I just couldn’t get angry at him. Haaah…!”

“Well, considering it’s Julien, it’s not a bad deal, King Granny.”

“I’ve been taking care of all those people inside the monastery for all this time, yet all these brats that I’ve known for over thirty years are really starting to push it! Just because the monastery is large, they think I’ve got a large budget!”

Abbess Austin’s angry voice echoed across the shore.

All of the people from the monastery were already out on the shore. They came out early in the morning at low tide, preparing to meet the saint at the shore. They’d been waiting for nearly half a day already, so they must have been quite bored.

I tidied my clothes, brushed off my hood, and stepped out of the carriage.

Carriages couldn’t enter the crumbly, sandy beaches of the coast. The saint’s magnificently large carriage was parked in front of the other carriages that were lined up along the shore. Though, the Saint wasn’t inside.

“Ahhhh!”

Kylie got out of the carriage cheerfully, smiling as she spoke.

“I should head to the saint’s carriage now. Once the sun sets and the road to the monastery opens back up, there’ll be a lot of things I ‘have to do’.”

“Okay. Well… you don’t need to accompany me, right?”

“If we go together, we’ll just stand out more. That’s because I’m going to change back now.”

She spoke as if she were going to do something amazing, but she was just turning off the magic engineering equipment she was wearing.

I nodded, my hand waving farewell to her as I walked towards the front of the group.

“Oh! Is that the Rothstaylor boy? You must be having a hard time with the political situation being so rowdy!”

House Rothstaylor was currently in the middle of a crisis. However, at one point in time, it was considered the most powerful family within the empire—the most famous among the dukes.

No matter how bad a spot the House was in, it was still a family that a nun wouldn’t be able to speak casually with.

And yet, Abbess Austin smiled wide as she didn’t hold her words back.

Hearing the name Rothstaylor, the workers I was riding with earlier all changed their expressions completely.

I was just a boy who was casually sitting with them in a shabby carriage. They thought that, at most, I was just an heir of some noble family on the outskirts of the empire, one without any authority or power. They could have never imagined I was from House Rothstaylor.

They all looked as if they were thinking back on what they said earlier when they were drinking beer, hoping they didn’t make a mistake.

I went to the abbess, tying the hem of my robe tight as I bowed my head in greeting.

“I am Ed Rothstaylor. I will be in your care over the next few days as I assist the Saint.”

“…Hey, hey! I’ve lived for more than a hundred years, yet I’ve never seen a noble bow their head, showing their respect to some old abbess on the outskirts of the empire.”

“I was only reinstated into House Rothstaylor recently. Before that happened, I lived as a commoner. It is only natural to treat someone who has lived for more than a hundred years with basic courtesy.”

“You’re a completely different boy than I thought you’d be! Hearing all of the stories from my friends in the capital, they all spoke of how the people under Duke Rothstaylor were crazy…”

That was rather disrespectful.

That granny didn’t seem to be backing down even in front of a noble from an influential house. All of the workers and nuns around us watched on as if it were expected.

When a person had years and years of experience behind them, they had the power to naturally gather the respect of those around them.

Even though she didn’t have any real authority, the fact that she had faithfully followed the Telos Religious Group all her life meant that she was treated as one of the highest elders—someone who was untouchable within the religious group.

She reminded me of those grandmothers who had been doing business in a corner of the market for decades.

Although she was dressed in a neat uniform, her hair was completely white and the wrinkles across her face showed her age.

Her eyes were as white and lifeless as her hair. It looked like she couldn’t see out of one of her eyes at all, as the pupil wasn’t responding. Her fingers also trembled from time to time because of the lack of strength in her arms.

Since she’d lived a life as long as nearly two people combined, it couldn’t be helped that her health would be declining. Nevertheless, she still showed a bright, lively spirit. She put her hands on her waist, puffed her chest out, and abruptly shouted out, “It’s getting cold!”

It looked like she wouldn’t back down and speak respectfully even if one were an aristocrat or a count.

I started to understand what the workers were saying on the carriage. The way she spoke, there was no such thing as respect, politeness, or manners… Yet she still had a mysterious attitude around her that didn’t offend.

The highest elder within Cledric Monastery, and one of the few who had stayed with the Telos Religious Group for over eighty years, as well as a nun who was able to control young troublemakers who were full of themselves.

Working in the field for over eighty years, she was able to take care of anything, as easy as breathing.

She had read and deciphered the holy book more than the Archbishop or the Holy Father himself. In fact, occasionally high-ranking bishops would come to her and ask for help in explaining the holy book. Even the most high-ranking clergy would bow their heads towards her.

I handed the gift Bell prepared over after removing it from my leather bag.

“This is a gift from Bell Maya, the head maid of Ophelis Hall at Silvenia Academy. She asked me to deliver this to you personally.”

“Bell?! That little girl became the head maid at Ophelis Hall?! Time sure flies by fast! It feels like just yesterday they brought over the deceased Elris!”

“Is that so?”

“Gosh. I shouldn’t talk about her past, but she didn’t have the greatest of childhoods. It’s a relief to hear that she is doing well now! She’s a good kid! She’s doing great!”

“If it’s about Baron Flanchel, I’ve heard his story from Bell herself.”

Abbess Austin fell silent for a moment, seemingly speechless.

She had both hands on her waist, frozen like a statue.

“Then, young Rothstaylor boy, I guess you’re an adult now. That little maid, who was always quietly judging others… She was rather trapped in her past emotionally, thinking of herself as a traitor. But I guess she’s changed now, to the point that someone like you gained her recognition. You must be a fairly competent person then.”

“…I do not know. Bell never seemed that critical of others to me, though.”

“Don’t judge a book by its cover! I know she would hate me saying this, but that little girl has a miserable temperament, always being highly wary of others! The only reason she is able to act kind towards everyone is because she doesn’t fully treat them equally.”

Another unexpected story.

Bell Maya was known as a kind and caring maid within Ophelis Hall, one who approached everything with sincerity, handling everything with certainty.

“Well, it seems that young girl has gotten better than she was in the past. I guess people really do grow up quickly…. Before this old woman realized something, she had already become an adult.”

Abbess Austin laughed out loud as she quickly gave out instructions to the nuns, who had followed along, telling them to grab and organize the luggage.

The saint’s carriage was in front of me. Everyone was being cautious, whether they realized it or not—except for the abbess, who didn’t give a damn and only focused on making sure everything was getting done.

In the first place, the large-scale ceremony that the saint and various distinguished guests were attending was nothing more than a simple annual event for her.

She had served a total of four saints throughout her long life. To such an incredible and experienced person, there was no hesitation or worry in preparation for the event.

“Anyway, things are going to be a headache. Even though your house is in chaos, you’re calmer and more collected than I thought. It’s as if you have a perfect personality… Which is why your visit to the monastery isn’t going to be easy for you.”

“…Pardon?”

“That’s because there isn’t a decent guy anywhere near here these days! If I were ninety years younger, I’d give it a shot, too! HAHAHA!”

After saying that, she smiled widely again. I didn’t smile back, staring right at her.

“…I thought that was pretty funny… I guess my humor doesn’t work well with young kids these days.”

“Honestly, I am rather flustered.”

“Well, when you get as old as me, you’re able to look deep into someone with just a glance. Even though you act like a noble, you still have all the qualities a young girl would want in a husband.”

Saying that, Abbess Austin glanced around. She spoke with her eyes.

I looked around and I noticed the nuns who came with Abbess Austin. Each and every one of them looked my way with nervous expressions on their faces.

There were about twenty of them, all doing their own tasks while simultaneously glancing my way. The tension between them was clear.

A clumsy red-haired nun, who was behind the carriage, stuck her head out. She looked my way before hiding again. Another nun with neatly braided black hair, who looked rather sincere, played with her red ears as if embarrassed.

“Rumors are already going around in the monastery. ‘A gentle, dignified nobleman who even the saint acknowledged will come to the monastery for a few days.’ What else was there? ‘His appearance could even make the gods in the sky jealous!’ ‘His personality is so thoughtful, he even listens to all the birds that pass by.’ ‘His magic skills surpass his young age, which is why his rank within Silvenia is so high…’ And that he’s ‘like a prince who flirts with the hearts of various young girls of influential families.’”

“……”

“It’s scary how out-of-hand a rumor can blow up. The fairy tale delusions of these teenage girls even scare me, although I’ve been right next to them for all these years. Still, isn’t it better for those girls to act their age once in a while? Though, I guess since all the expectations are about you, you must not think the same.”

I pressed on my temples as if I had a headache. Abbess Austin burst out with an exhilarated laugh, as if seeing me like that was hilarious.

“HAHAHAHA! Still, since you were born with a stick between your legs, you should enjoy situations like these! Where else would you have the chance to experience being the center of such rumors? Receiving the undivided attention of all these beautiful girls at once? So, spread your shoulders wide and stand tall! Have a little fun! But…”

Surprisingly, she was rather open-minded. She was the exact opposite of the image I had of an abbess. Being in a monastery, I thought she would highly value asceticism, although that didn’t seem to be the case.

“…At night, make sure to lock your door.”

“…Are they going to break in…?”

“In my opinion, girls of that age are harder to control than the crude mercenaries of the lawless region of Kohelton. Although this old lady tries to keep them in check, sometimes they break out and cause a scene. Whenever a man comes to the monastery, it becomes a major event. That’s why we have a policy that normally forbids outsiders from entering. However, now that you—a young, handsome aristocrat—are visiting, it’s obvious what they will try to do.”

Abbess Austin pounded on her chest, clearing her throat with a groan as she continued.

“Well, it’s up to you to decide how much fun you want to have, but… I still want you to be careful. I won’t explain in detail, but many of the nuns here have rather difficult backgrounds. A few are illegitimate children of noble families, who can never be publicly revealed. There are also kids that were born with cursed blood. Anyway… Many of them were placed here thinking that if they believe in God, their problems will be solved. But just leaving them in this place with me won’t necessarily solve anything.”

“……”

“Many here were born without any luck, and I am in a role where I need to take responsibility for them until the day I die. But you, your future is bright. Not only will you be their prince charming, showing them the pleasure of a forbidden love, but you also have the power to show them a future more than anything they can imagine. Well, I guess that’s obvious.”

She let out a heavy sigh, not putting her arms down.

It wasn’t a pleasant story to hear, but it was one she needed to say. She didn’t look happy having to say it, either.

“Haha… Anyway, I’m sure you understand. When you get to be my age, you start babbling about all sorts of things. Now all I can do is worry about the future. This old lady can’t be proud of a single thing, even though I’ve lived such a long life.”

“That’s not true. I have heard a lot about you. You can’t help but be worried about those things.”

“…Well I’m relieved that you seem to be much more mature than other nobles. I’m glad the saint has a good eye for people. Alright. Since I approve of you, let me ask you a favor.”

“A favor?”

Abbess Austin’s aggressive temperament probably came from her struggle to stay alive all those years.

Nevertheless, Abbess Austin’s sincerity and care towards the nuns was plentiful.

Then, for some reason, Abbess Austin lowered her voice drastically. It was as if she didn’t want to be overheard.

“Even though the nuns of this monastery are to live a celibate life, separated from the rest of the world… They are only human.”

“……”

“Following the will of God is important, but I also think having dreams at a young age is necessary. It’s proof that you’re really alive. That’s why I don’t want to break the illusions and fantasies these girls hold dear, even though I’m sure it will eventually come to pass. What I’m trying to say is, please act as their prince as much as possible.”

That was something I couldn’t guarantee.

As for me, I was just a regular person who was also struggling to survive.

“During midnight prayer, have you ever seen a nun looking up at the stars at night, joyfully daydreaming? I’m sure you haven’t.”

“……”

“I live as a servant of my God. But thinking back on myself, I realize that I am just a human who is in charge of taking care of all these kids. I don’t want to take away their humanity by pushing faith.”

She put on a smile as she continued.

“They are my daughters, who came from my heart.”

She then said a joke, as if she was embarrassed.

“Even at this age, I still have some stamina left. Enough to have 270 daughters.”

I felt a connection to Abbess Austin, who truly raised the nuns like her own daughters… So, I decided to give it a try.

“I will try my best.”

The corners of her lips rose sharply when I said that.

An elder of the Telos Religious Group for over eighty years, one who was in charge of the monastery for nearly fifty. I could see why everyone called her King Granny.

She was someone who deserved the utmost respect. Since it seemed like I understood what she was trying to tell me, she suddenly said something unexpected.

“By the way, can I tell you something that will make you even happier?”

We had to wait until the sun set for the path to open up anyway.

Perhaps because she had no one else to chat with, the abbess spoke quietly to me, as if she knew everything.

“This is a secret, but I support the Princess of Benevolence, Penia.”

Princess Persica’s visit. It seemed that she had already realized to some extent that the purpose of my visit was to have a conversation with her.

Despite being trapped in the monastery, it was impossible to be completely oblivious to news regarding the battle over the throne.

Abbess Austin smiled softly, a clear reminder that we were allies.

* * *

Bang.

The lid of the box flew high in the sky.

A female magician poked her head out of the carriage as she brushed her hair back. Inside the box were several leather bags that she had been carrying with her.

Inside were a simple wand and magic supplies. And lots and lots of jerky.

Could it be called a change for her? Not really, since she was just taking a nap like always.

Rather, since the carriage swayed subtly, she became even drowsier—making it an unexpectedly great place to have a nap in.

“……”

Lucy Mayreel stretched as she came out of the luggage compartment with her usual blank and tired face.

Drool marks were clearly visible on her lips.