The Extra is a Genius!?-Chapter 151: Beneath the Blessing

The confessional remained cloaked in quiet. Only the soft creak of the wooden divider and the dim flicker of candlelight reminded them of the sacred space they occupied.

"What?" she finally said—no confusion in her tone, just calm curiosity, as if she had merely been waiting for Noel to confirm something she already suspected.

Noel nodded slowly, though she couldn’t see it. "Yes. Someone inside the church wants to kill you. Because of your position as Saint."

Through the carved screen, he could make out her silhouette—still, composed.

’She’s not surprised,’ Noel thought. ’Almost like she’s heard this before.’

"I see," Charlotte said, her voice level. "I suppose it was only a matter of time. But I didn’t expect the threat to come from inside the Holy Capital."

"You’re taking this... better than I expected."

"I’ve had time to consider the possibility," she replied. "There are always those who resent the Saint—or who want the title for someone else. Being targeted is part of the role."

Her tone stayed serene, but her next words carried more weight.

"That doesn’t mean it doesn’t scare me."

Noel leaned back slightly on his bench. "Are you okay? You don’t sound like your usual self."

"I’m not always like that," Charlotte said from the other side. "Cheerful. Innocent. People expect the Saint to smile, so I smile. But I know when to be serious."

She paused for a second, then added, with a wry edge, "Besides, you’re the one who ruined my moment of freedom, remember?"

"Oh, come on," Noel said. "Still holding that against me?"

Charlotte gave a quiet laugh. "I’m teasing. Mostly."

There was a soft sound as her hand brushed the wooden lattice between them.

"So... why do you think they’re targeting me now?" she asked.

"Because of your blessing," Noel said.

"What about it?"

"When you purified the rivers and lakes—the ones that were contaminated... That’s when you officially became the Saint in the public’s eyes. Whoever caused that outbreak probably hoped it would weaken you. And you did."

Charlotte exhaled softly. "News really does travel fast..."

"It wasn’t the church, was it?" Noel asked, narrowing his eyes, even though she couldn’t see him.

"No," she said firmly. "I’ll admit the timing was... suspicious. But it wasn’t them. And the outbreak wasn’t widespread—just the origin source."

"I know."

There was a pause.

"You know?" Charlotte asked. Not defensive—just curious.

"I made the cure."

Silence.

"The Iskandar family took the credit," Noel continued. "I’m not asking you to do anything with that info. Just... thought you should know since I’m trusting you."

A moment passed before Charlotte replied, her voice softer than before. "I believe you. And thank you... for helping."

Noel didn’t answer. He wasn’t looking for thanks. Just understanding.

Charlotte shifted slightly behind the screen. "Do you have any idea who it might be? Who wants me dead?"

Noel shook his head to himself. "No. No names. Just... a feeling. Patterns. A sense that I’m running out of time."

"Then you’re stuck," she murmured.

"Basically."

Another pause. Then her voice lifted, just a little.

"Well, you’re in luck. You’ve got me now."

Noel arched a brow. "Just like that? No questions asked?"

"You already told me someone wants me dead. That qualifies as serious," Charlotte replied. "And I told you before—your scent isn’t one of a bad person."

"You’re really going to keep using that as your standard?"

"Of course. Why else do you think I haven’t kicked you again?" she said lightly. Then added with mock menace, "Yet."

He sighed. "Glad to know I’m being evaluated like fruit at the market."

Charlotte chuckled. "Besides... Marcus, Garron, Clara—they all trust you. Even Laziel, and he doesn’t trust anyone."

’Well, I did save his life. It’s the least he can do. And she’s sharper than I thought... In the novel, she only ever showed her cheerful side,’ Noel thought. ’Kindness isn’t the same as naivety.’

"I’ll help you," Charlotte said, now serious again. "But I need to know—what’s your next move?"

Noel glanced at the floor beneath the booth. "Right now? Nothing useful. I snuck in, looked around. All I saw were sleepy priests and drunk clerics playing cards."

"No evil rituals in shadowy chambers?"

"Not even a suspicious book on a shelf," Noel muttered. "Feels like I’m chasing a ghost."

Charlotte hummed thoughtfully. "Sometimes shadows whisper before they take shape."

That made him look up. There was depth in her voice—more than he expected.

Then, after a pause, she added: "Also... next time you decide to impersonate me, maybe ask first?"

He scoffed. "Right. I’ll put it on the list of things to apologize for."

"Good. You’re building quite the list, traitor."

Noel rolled his eyes, but didn’t argue. The candle between them flickered, its light dancing through the wooden screen.

The confession room was still, filled only with the faint scent of melted wax and old wood.

Charlotte spoke again, voice quieter now. "Then let’s think together. Who would benefit from my death?"

Noel exhaled slowly. "There’s a group... a faction, maybe more than one. People who want to bring down the world as we know it. Tear down everything—faith, order, balance."

He paused.

"And you, Charlotte... as the Saint, your miracles are unique. There’s no one else like you. That makes you a problem to them. Something that needs to be removed."

Charlotte stayed silent, her figure still behind the divider.

"It could be anyone," Noel continued. "And if they haven’t made a move yet... that’s the strange part. Right now, you’re still recovering from your last blessing, right? Miracles like that take time to recharge."

"Yes," Charlotte replied slowly. "Weeks, sometimes months."

"Exactly," Noel said. "This should be when you’re most vulnerable. So why haven’t they struck yet?"

A beat of silence.

Then Charlotte, with a faint smile in her voice: "You seem to know an awful lot about Saints."

Noel shrugged, even if she couldn’t see it. "I like to stay well-informed."

Charlotte’s voice came through the carved screen, quieter now, almost hesitant.

"Noel... have you ever killed someone?"

He didn’t flinch. His reply was calm.

"You got your answer to that question the other day."

A brief silence. Then she asked again, more softly, "For survival?"

"For survival," Noel said, "and for people I chose to protect."

He paused.

’And for the system too... but I can’t say that out loud.’

Another pause. The candle flickered between them.

"Do you think... you’ll have to do it again?" Charlotte asked, her tone laced with worry, but no fear.

"I hope not," he said. "But yes. I probably will."

A beat.

"If that time comes... I hope it’s not because of me."

Noel blinked. That, he didn’t expect.

"What?"

"I mean it," Charlotte said, her voice sincere and unwavering. "If someone tries to hurt me... don’t throw your life away. I don’t like it when people sacrifice themselves for others and get nothing in return."

"But you’re the Saint," Noel replied. "Aren’t you supposed to want what’s best for everyone?"

"I can be selfish too," she said simply. "Even as a Saint, I’m still a person."

Then, a small smirk slipped into her tone.

"And you know I already know your secrets, right?"

Noel exhaled slowly. "It was a confession, wasn’t it? I assume that makes it... privileged information."

Charlotte let out a soft laugh. "You’d know, wouldn’t you, pervert?"

Follow current novℯls on f(r)eewebnov𝒆l