The Extra is a Genius!?-Chapter 171: The Last Request

Just as the group was finishing their preparations to leave, a young acolyte approached Noel near the orphanage gates.

"Sir Noel," the boy said, bowing slightly. "His Holiness would like a moment with you. Alone."

Noel exchanged a glance with Marcus, then gave a short nod. "Alright. Lead the way."

The acolyte guided him through a quiet corridor of the cathedral complex, where the bustle of the morning couldn’t reach. They stopped before a heavy wooden door. The boy knocked once, then opened it and gestured for Noel to enter. ƒгeewebnovёl_com

Inside, Pope Orthran sat near a sunlit window, dressed in modest white robes without a trace of ornament. His staff rested against the wall, unused.

"Noel," he said with a soft tone. "Thank you for coming."

Noel nodded. "You asked for me."

Orthran studied him for a moment, then motioned for him to sit.

"There’s something I’d like to ask of you... personally. Not as a leader of the church. As her guardian."

Noel sat across from him, silent.

"Charlotte," Orthran continued, "is all I have left. My only family. I raised her from infancy. I’ve done many things wrong in my life... but I don’t want her to suffer through the same things I did."

His voice didn’t waver, but his hands were tense over his knees.

"I can’t watch over her while she’s at the academy. But you’ll be there."

Noel met his gaze.

"I’m asking you to protect her. For real. Not just physically."

Noel gave a single nod. "I promise."

Orthran exhaled, closing his eyes for a second as if a weight had shifted.

"Thank you."

Orthran stood up slowly and stepped closer. "Then allow me, at least, to give you this."

He raised a hand and placed two fingers gently against Noel’s forehead. A soft glow—barely more than candlelight—flashed for a second before fading.

It felt warm. Not powerful. Not magical. Just... human.

"A blessing," Orthran said. "No enchantments. No effects. Just a wish from an old man."

Noel frowned slightly. "You didn’t have to do that."

"I know," Orthran replied. "But I wanted to."

"I don’t like people using blessings on me," Noel added.

Orthran chuckled under his breath. "Now I see why you caught Charlotte’s attention."

Noel narrowed his eyes. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

Orthran gave him a faint smile. "She may carry the title of Saint, but she’s still a girl your age. With feelings. Curiosity. That spark in her eyes... it’s not something you see often in a place like this."

Noel looked away for a second. "...Oh."

Orthran laughed. "So you’re not as dense as I feared. Good. Just... take care of her."

Noel exhaled through his nose. "I already have a girlfriend."

Orthran raised an eyebrow, completely unfazed. "And?"

Noel blinked. "What do you mean ’and’?"

The pope gave a slight shrug. "You’re the one who saved the Saint. And the Imperial Academy, from what I hear. A man with accomplishments like yours is allowed...flexibility, if I’m not wrong most patriarch or matriarch have more than one partner."

Noel stared. "How do you even know all that?"

Orthran smirked. "Nicolas and I go way back. He keeps me informed when something... unusual happens."

Noel muttered, "Of course. Between old men, you all know each other."

Orthran leaned forward slightly, mock offended. "Hey now, I’m not that old."

Noel rolled his eyes.

Orthran straightened again, and his expression turned calm. Warm.

"Just take care of her. That’s all I ask."

Noel stood. "I will."

They shook hands.

Noel stepped out into the courtyard, where the others were already gathering near the carriages. The morning sun was rising fast, and the air was warming up.

Two carriages waited by the gates—both reinforced for long travel. Garron was helping the coachman load a few crates while Laziel stood nearby, arms crossed, clearly not thrilled.

"I swear," Laziel muttered, "if I end up stuck next to him the whole ride, I’m jumping off halfway."

Garron raised an eyebrow. "I heard that."

"You were meant to."

Clara stood to the side with a folded map in hand, explaining something to Marcus, who was nodding along with half his attention. Charlotte stood apart from them, dressed in a light traveling outfit, a simple satchel over her shoulder. Her veil still absent, hair down and swaying in the breeze.

Noel approached.

"All set?" he asked.

Charlotte turned and smiled. "Everything’s ready."

They all started loading up—Marcus and Clara in one carriage, Garron and Laziel reluctantly in the other. Noel paused beside Charlotte.

"This is it, then."

She nodded. "One step closer."

He offered her a hand to help her up. She took it.

The carriages rolled out of the Holy Capital just past midmorning, wheels rumbling over the cobbled streets before transitioning into the packed dirt roads leading westward toward Teralis.

Inside the second carriage, Charlotte sat beside Noel. Across from them were Laziel and Garron—already bickering over who had more room. Garron had clearly won that battle by existing.

Noel leaned against the side of the window, arms crossed, half-dozing. Charlotte, meanwhile, quietly reached into her bag and pulled out the Sancta Veil.

Without saying anything, she slipped it over her head.

Her features shimmered faintly. Her pink hair darkened into a deep red, eyes shifting to a soft hazel. The transformation took only a second—but it was enough to change her entirely.

Noel turned his head and looked at her.

"I guess we’re going full disguise now?"

Charlotte adjusted the veil, checking her reflection faintly in the window glass. "Better safe than being recognized. It’ll be easier this way, especially once we reach Valon."

He studied her new appearance for a moment. "Still weird."

"You’ll get used to it."

Garron snored once. Laziel sighed loudly. Charlotte leaned her head back, letting her eyes close for a while.

Outside, the road continued forward—stretching past green fields and slow rivers under a sky without clouds.

By the time the carriages reached Teralis, the sun had already begun to dip toward the horizon.

Unlike the stone cities of the Holy Capital, Teralis rose from the forest itself—vast, ancient trees stretched high into the sky, their trunks thick as towers. Bridges of polished wood and enchanted rope connected the upper canopies, forming walkways between dwellings that glowed faintly with natural light.

The summer warmth brought color to everything. Vines bloomed along the trunks, birds sang from hidden nests, and the air smelled of flowers, moss, and fruit.

Elves moved gracefully through the walkways, but the ground level bustled with activity too—human merchants setting up portable stalls, children chasing each other beneath lantern trees, and a few half-beasts lingering near the docks, speaking in low tones. The city felt alive, layered, and quietly watching.

Noel stepped down from the carriage, adjusting the strap of his bag. The ship that would take them to the port close to the Valon capital was already waiting—moored to a natural wooden pier grown directly from the roots of one of the great trees. Its sails were furled, marked with the golden insignia of the royal routes.

As the group approached the ramp, Noel felt it—that prickling on the back of his neck.

He looked up.

Standing on the upper deck of the ship, side by side, were Elena and Elyra.

Both turned as if in sync, their gazes finding his immediately.

Their expressions unreadable. The wind caught Elyra’s hair just slightly. Elena tilted her head.

A chill slid down Noel’s spine despite the summer heat.

’I have a feeling that this ride will be a long one...’

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