The Extra is a Genius!?-Chapter 154: Echoes Behind the Walls

The white stone gates of the Holy Capital stood tall under the morning light, welcoming travelers with quiet solemnity. Marcus, Charlotte, and the elf nun passed through without issue, the guards barely giving them a second glance.

As they walked along the cobbled path that led toward the inner district, the nun hummed a soft tune to herself, her voice light and distant, almost childlike.

Charlotte glanced sideways, visibly distracted.

"Do you think the pervert will be okay?" she asked.

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "I don’t even want to know how he earned that nickname. But yeah... I imagine he’ll be fine. He’s more capable than most."

"I just... can’t help but worry. I told him not to do anything reckless if someone ever targeted me," she murmured. "But he’s the type who—"

"—can’t sit still when someone he cares about is in danger. Trust me, I know. He’s like me in that sense."

"I see..."

They passed through a smaller archway where warm rays of sun filtered through stained glass windows of a nearby chapel. Marcus adjusted the bag on his shoulder.

"The first priority was making sure you got here safely. I was originally supposed to accompany Noel, but we couldn’t leave you on your own."

"But doesn’t that mean he’s alone now?" Charlotte asked.

"Not exactly," Marcus replied. "Let’s just say... he’s got a loyal companion by his side. Or maybe... a daughter."

Charlotte froze mid-step.

"Noel’s a father!?" ƒrēenovelkiss.com

The elf nun turned toward her, puzzled. Charlotte quickly shook her dress.

"Ah, sorry. There was a bug crawling on me."

The elf nun smiled gently. "Oh, don’t worry. These little creatures don’t do any harm."

Later that day, the group arrived back at the orphanage. The building stood quiet, basking in the golden hue of the setting sun. Children’s laughter echoed faintly from the courtyard as Clara greeted them at the entrance.

"How did it go?" she asked, brushing her hands on her apron.

"Good," Marcus replied. "The elven family was kind. It all felt genuine."

"I’m glad. I hope Mira has a good life with them," Clara said with a warm smile.

Laziel stepped into the doorway, wiping his hands with a cloth. "Why isn’t Noel with you?"

"He stayed behind to buy some gifts for the children," Charlotte answered quickly.

"Oh, how thoughtful of him," Laziel nodded.

"Yes, yes," Garron added, arms crossed with a grin. "Despite being the cold and brooding Noel... deep down, he’s a kind and generous kid."

"Just don’t say that when he’s around," Laziel muttered with a smirk.

They made their way into the courtyard where a few children were playing with handmade dolls and sticks shaped like swords.

"By the way," Charlotte looked around, "where’s Erick?"

Clara paused for a moment. "Ah, he left a few hours ago. A family came to adopt him."

"I see..." Charlotte’s shoulders dropped slightly. "I was hoping to at least say goodbye. I really grew fond of him."

Marcus glanced at her, his expression tightening just a bit.

’Another adoption... on the same day? This is starting to feel really off.’

The sky was tinged orange, the sun dipping low behind the rooftops of the quiet village on the outskirts of the Holy Capital.

Hidden among the dense branches of an old tree, Noel sat perched between thick leaves and shadows, barely visible from below. From his elevated spot, he had a clear view of a modest house with a small garden—Mira’s new home.

’Seems like everyone returns to their roots eventually...’

He had been watching for hours.

The first hour, he saw them outside in the garden. Mira had looked shy at first, but the parents played patiently with her, coaxing laughter from the little girl until she began to relax.

By the second hour, they had moved indoors. Through a gap in the curtains, Noel could see them eating together in the dining room—just the three of them, like a family trying to rebuild itself.

The third hour was silent. Mira had been put to bed for a nap. Her small form was curled up on the sofa, hugging a pillow.

’Three hours... this is starting to get suspicious even for me,’ Noel thought. ’I was supposed to be buying gifts. If anyone asks, this’ll be a tough one to explain.’

He shifted slightly, preparing to climb down.

But then, Noir—perched silently behind him—suddenly tugged at his pants with her beak.

Noel blinked. "What is it, Noir?"

Noir didn’t make a sound. She growled low and deep, her violet eyes narrowed and glowing faintly in the dimming light. Her sleek black fur, streaked with subtle purple highlights, bristled as she lowered her body, every muscle tense.

Noel followed her gaze—and froze.

A carriage had just arrived.

It wasn’t the same one that had brought Mira earlier. This one was darker, with no crest, drawn by two black-coated horses. Three figures stepped out. One of them, unmistakably, was the old priest from the Holy Capital.

His gray brows furrowed slightly as he looked at the house, then relaxed into something softer—almost gentle.

’Why is he here...?’

Noel narrowed his eyes as the priest walked up to the front door and knocked. The foster father opened. A few words were exchanged, then they were invited inside.

From his vantage point, Noel couldn’t hear anything... but he saw it.

The priest handed over a small pouch—clearly heavy with coin. The foster parents looked hesitant at first, then nodded.

Moments later, one of the other men lifted Mira from the couch. She didn’t stir.

’She’s still asleep...’ Noel’s heart sank.

They carried her out in a white sheet as if it were nothing. The foster mother looked away as they placed the girl in the carriage.

Noel’s jaw clenched.

"Shit... I knew something was off," Noel muttered, eyes narrowing. "In the novel, it was just one person... the Sixth Pillar."

He clenched his fists as he watched the carriage door close.

"But this... this looks bigger. Coordinated. There’s more than one of them now."

He glanced at Noir, who stood beside him—silent, alert, a shadow among shadows.

"The good news..." he added quietly, "is that I’m not alone either."

—-

The carriage moved swiftly under cover of twilight, following a winding dirt path away from the village. Noel stayed well behind it, cloaked in silence, with Noir at his side. The wolf’s paws made no sound against the earth.

They had left the main road that led to the Holy Capital’s front gates.

Instead, the carriage veered west—toward a less-traveled region of the outer wall, where few guards patrolled and fewer citizens passed.

Noel frowned.

’They’re avoiding the main entrance...’

Eventually, they reached a section of the wall covered in ivy and shadows. There was no gate, no visible passage—just stone and moss.

But the carriage didn’t stop.

It passed straight through.

Noel stopped just short of where the wall had swallowed the vehicle, his breath caught in his throat.

"A magic veil..."

He stepped forward cautiously and reached out. His fingers met what felt like still air—but something shimmered faintly when his hand passed through.

"Illusion magic, then. A high-level barrier, hidden in plain sight."

Behind him, Noir let out a low, questioning growl.

Noel’s eyes hardened.

"Looks like I finally have something."

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