The Extra is a Genius!?-Chapter 147: Scouting with a Saint

The morning light filtered softly through the trees surrounding the orphanage courtyard. Children ran about laughing, and the warm scent of freshly baked bread lingered in the air.

Charlotte stood near a wooden bench, handing out pieces of bread with a bright, content smile. Her rosy hair shimmered under the sunlight, and her yellow-hued eyes sparkled with warmth.

Noel approached quietly, hands in his pockets, his black shirt rustling slightly as he moved through the light breeze.

"Charlotte," he called out.

She turned, blinking once before her smile widened.

"Oh? Pervert? It’s you?" she teased, her tone cheerful and playful as always.

Noel rolled his eyes lightly. "Would you mind showing me around the Holy Capital today? I want... to see it. With you."

Charlotte blinked again, clearly surprised—but pleasantly so.

"Huh? You want me to show you around? Really?" she asked, pointing to herself with both hands.

"Who else?" Noel replied. "You know the place better than anyone here. And... if I walk around with you, it won’t raise rare suspicions."

Charlotte tilted her head slightly, her lips forming a small "o" before smiling again. "That’s true. Everyone trusts the Saint!"

Noel gave her a faint smirk. "Exactly."

"Well..." she tapped her chin with one finger, pretending to think. "I suppose I could give you the best tour ever. But only if you promise to stop being a traitor and a pervert."

"I didn’t promise either of those things to begin with."

She stuck her tongue out at him. "Then I’ll consider this an act of redemption."

Noel shook his head with a faint sigh. "Fine. Lead the way, Saint."

Charlotte turned, motioning for him to follow with a skip in her step. "Let’s go! I’ll show you the best parts of the capital!"

As she led him through the gates and into the heart of the Holy Capital, Noel’s expression turned more serious—his eyes already scanning the perimeter, the patrols, the towers in the distance.

’Time to memorize everything.’

The streets of the Holy Capital were paved with polished stone, clean and wide, lined with flowering planters and modestly elegant shops. The buildings, predominantly white with golden accents, reflected the afternoon sun in soft, radiant hues.

Charlotte walked just ahead of Noel, humming a cheerful tune as she pointed out landmarks—schools run by clergy, a bakery that gave leftover sweets to the orphanage, and a small plaza with a statue of the first Saint.

"And over there is the bell tower! It rings every hour and on holy days it—hey, are you even listening?" Charlotte glanced over her shoulder.

"I am," Noel said smoothly. "Just... taking it all in."

His eyes flicked from one direction to another—there were guards stationed at almost every intersection, clad in white armor marked with golden crosses. Some carried spears, others longswords, and all of them walked with practiced discipline.

Charlotte kept walking, chatting casually. Noel let a few moments pass before asking, "How many Holy Knights are stationed in the capital these days?"

"Huh? Oh, I’m not sure of the exact number," she replied without hesitation. "But there’s always a lot near the church and in the inner districts. Father Orthran says it’s important to keep the peace and keep bad people out."

"I see... Do they rotate shifts often?"

"Hmm... maybe? I think so. Sometimes I see different faces. Why?"

"No reason," Noel replied casually. "They just looked... well-trained."

Charlotte smiled proudly. "They are! The Holy Guard are chosen from all over the continents. Only the best get to protect the capital. Isn’t that cool?"

"Very," Noel muttered, glancing toward a nearby tower. Two guards stood at the top, crossbows in hand. He silently counted how long it took them to switch positions.

Charlotte, oblivious to his deeper interest, continued walking happily beside him. "Want to see the gardens next? Oh! There’s a fountain shaped like a dove. It’s really pretty!"

"Lead the way," Noel replied.

The inner part of the Holy Capital opened like a sacred bloom—elegant spires, broad avenues, and immaculately maintained courtyards framed every step of their walk. Charlotte led the way with light steps, hands clasped behind her back as she spoke with ease and affection for every corner of the city.

Noel walked beside her, saying little, but observing everything.

He watched how the streets narrowed near certain junctions—perfect choke points. He noted the position of towers rising above buildings at regular intervals, each one manned with armed guards. The entrances to critical zones—the basilica, the treasury, the high clergy’s residence—had layered access gates, thick wooden doors reinforced with steel bands, and patrols timed with military precision.

"Are you enjoying the city?" Charlotte asked, twirling a strand of her pink hair between her fingers.

"It’s beautiful," Noel said truthfully "It is clean, safe and quiet too."

"Of course! The Holy Capital is the safest place in the world. Even criminals don’t dare show their face here."

Noel’s eyes drifted toward a checkpoint with white-cloaked guards inspecting a delivery cart. "Yeah... I can see why."

He tilted his head, pretending to admire a statue of an angel mid-flight—his true focus was the small crystal orb embedded above the main gate nearby. A surveillance enchantment, likely. Just like in the academy, but far more refined.

Charlotte walked ahead again, oblivious to his shifting glances and the quiet calculations he was making.

’These aren’t just defenses. This entire place is structured to trap threats the moment they appear. If I’m going to infiltrate the lower levels... I’ll need more than a disguise. I’ll need a full plan.’

"Come on, slowpoke!" Charlotte called from the fountain ahead. "I’m not stopping the tour every time you stare at a rock!"

Noel smiled faintly. "It’s a nice rock."

She laughed, waving him over. "Well, there’s a better one ahead."

And so, the tour continued. But for Noel, the true map of the Holy Capital was already beginning to take shape—one observation at a time.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long golden rays between the marble pillars of the Holy Capital, Noel and Charlotte walked through a quieter residential district—where priestesses tended gardens and elderly followers of the Church strolled slowly in prayer.

The laughter had faded slightly. The mood was gentler, more thoughtful.

Noel glanced sideways at Charlotte. "Hey... do you remember what you told me? That I didn’t smell like something bad."

Charlotte blinked. "Of course I do. Before you betrayed me." She gave him a sideways pout.

Noel sighed. "Right. That."

He paused a few steps later and looked around—clean stone walls, floral boxes on the windows, and the faint scent of incense in the air.

"Let me ask you something," he said. "Do people here in the Holy Capital all... smell fine to you?"

Charlotte raised an eyebrow. "What kind of question is that?" Then she tilted her head as if actually considering it. "I mean... yeah? I’ve never picked up anything weird like that here. Everyone is really nice and devout and... warm."

"I see," Noel muttered, adjusting the collar of his shirt. "Must be a Holy City thing."

Charlotte narrowed her eyes slightly. "Why? Did you smell something bad?"

"No, no. Just wondering," he said, waving it off. "It’s an interesting gift. That’s all."

Charlotte’s pout returned, but this time it melted into a grin. "You’re a weird one, you know that? But I guess it’s better than being a pervert and a traitor."

"I appreciate the promotion," Noel said dryly.

She chuckled and skipped a step ahead of him, humming some hymn under her breath.

Noel’s gaze lingered on her back for a moment, then shifted upward—toward the spires of the central cathedral.

’So whatever they’re using, it’s dulling her sense. Not suppressing it outright—just... hiding the scent. And she doesn’t even notice.’

His hand clenched slightly.

’That makes it worse.’

They returned just before the evening bells rang, their footsteps echoing softly against the polished stone road as the sky turned a dusky violet. The Holy Capital was settling into its night rhythm—priests closing chapel doors, candles being lit on the balconies, quiet hymns floating faintly in the breeze.

Charlotte stopped at the edge of the orphanage courtyard. "Well... I guess this is it," she said, hands clasped behind her back, swaying slightly on her heels.

"Thanks for the tour," Noel replied. "It helped."

She brightened, cheeks lightly flushed. "Of course! You got to see everything, right?"

"Everything yes," he answered vaguely.

Charlotte tilted her head but didn’t press. "Then... I’ll be going in first. See you later, pervert."

Noel narrowed his eyes but didn’t argue. She grinned in triumph and turned around, walking with a spring in her step.

As she reached the door, her smile softened a little.

’I hope this helps improve our relationship a little... and that he forgets the time I split his head open.’

With a quiet laugh, she disappeared inside.

Noel remained a moment longer under the archway, his gaze drifting toward the moon now rising above the city walls.

’Now I know the layout. The guards. The tower placements. The hidden corners.’

His eyes sharpened.

’Phase one is done.’

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