Not the Female Lead, But An Extra - Chapter 21. Purifier Seraphina
Chapter 21. Purifier Seraphina
How should I take this?
First, they say I’m a rare talent that appeared after years and shouldn’t die easily, even giving me training!
And now the deployment location they’ve decided on is the Grodes Mountains?! Isn’t that the toughest place in this world?!
I wanted to protest that this was too much, but I held it in.
Partly because I wasn’t in a position to say anything to Johann, the Emperor, but also because we were already on terms where I could subtly say whatever I wanted… More than that, it was because of Claude approaching with a murderous aura.
I couldn’t argue about how I could go to such a place right in front of the person guarding the Grodes Mountains.
Fortunately, it seemed my assumption about going to the Grodes Mountains was a misunderstanding.
Johann raised the corner of his mouth coldly as he watched Claude approach with Jesuf.
“It’s been a while.”
“Indeed.”
“Should I call you… the Guardian of the North?”
“I wonder if you really acknowledge me as a guardian. You keep ignoring my requests for support.”
Watching the two growl at each other as soon as they met, I tensed up.
It was like two beasts eyeing each other, waiting for a chance to tear into one another.
By the way, what’s this?
The atmosphere feels like they’re just meeting for the first time…
Is it not decided that I’m going to be deployed to the Grodes Mountains? Then why is Claude here?
The reason became clear soon enough.
Johann opened his mouth in his characteristic teasing, nonchalant voice.
“I thought someone of your skill wouldn’t have any problems.”
“I wonder if you’re trusting me too much. It seems you’ve been sleeping comfortably, not caring about guarding the borders.”
As Claude spoke, grinding his molars, Johann replied shamelessly as if to say ‘What are you talking about?’
“You’re quite loose-tongued to the busy Emperor who has to look after the entire empire.”
“Your skin is glowing from eating and sleeping well.”
“I was born with good skin.”
“Stop talking nonsense…!”
Snap!
It sounded like a string of patience had snapped. At least, that’s what I thought I heard.
Hmm.
So Johann doesn’t just tease me.
While feeling a sense of camaraderie that I wasn’t alone, somehow Claude seemed even more pitiful than me.
From what I heard, it seems his requests for support for a knight order are always rejected. He must be having a hard time trying to protect that treacherous land somehow.
Is that why he came all the way to Elmon to request support in person?
Johann.
Please give him some support from the Knight Order.
Being a coward, I could only cheer for Claude’s wish to come true in my heart.
“Haa…”
His appearance of trying to control his emotions by taking a deep breath seemed pitiful.
“…A-Anyway. I came because I need support.”
“Why don’t you kill one more undead with the effort you took to come here?”
“If you sent a knight order as support earlier, I could have killed many more.”
“Aren’t you the hero who even defeated a dragon you saw? Don’t exaggerate.”
“You bastard…!”
“Your Grace Denhague, please show respect to His Majesty.”
That’s when Jesuf intervened.
I was wondering when he’d step in, he sure took his time.
If it were me, I would have been subdued long ago, but it seemed Jesuf was selective about who he reprimanded. Probably because the other party was stronger than him, he must have been watching carefully before finally intervening after holding back for a while.
Anyway, he continued in a stern voice, not intimidated even by a hero. It didn’t seem like he was criticizing his way of speaking since he started with informal speech, it looked like he was trying to minimize the damage.
“Didn’t you come here on the condition that you wouldn’t fight with His Majesty?”
Ngrh.
The sound of grinding molars could be heard from here.
I rolled my eyes, worried about Claude’s dental condition. Surprisingly, Johann had a very comfortable expression compared to how he had angered the Guardian of the North to the tips of his hair.
You shameless guy.
If you’ve made someone angry, at least pretend to be sorry.
Anyway, the one in need has to bend.
Claude regained his composure with difficulty and opened his mouth again. Perhaps due to his impatient nature, he blurted out the purpose of his visit without hesitation.
“This time, I really need support.”
That’s right.
After saying this much, please give him some support from the knight order.
“Purifier Seraphina.”
“……?”
Why my name?
I looked at him with wide, surprised eyes. Claude, meeting my gaze, spoke again with emphasis.
“I want her as support.”
“What?”
It seems Johann was surprised too.
His brow, which had been relaxed as if playing with people in the palm of his hand until now, furrowed instantly.
“No.”
He immediately refused.
…R-right!
Well done!
This time, I cheered for Johann inwardly.
But Claude was not an easy opponent.
“Why not? She looks free over there.”
“Free, you say?”
Hup!
I was so indignant that words burst out before I knew it.
Facing Claude’s fierce gaze, I covered my mouth with both hands. Still scared, I moved a step behind Johann. Then Johann pushed me completely behind him with one hand, as if to say ‘If you’re going to hide, do it properly.’
Having gained a reliable shield, I gathered courage and peeked out my head again.
“I haven’t had a day off because of training.”
“You’ve got guts, kid. Good. You won’t faint at the sight of high-level undead.”
“……!”
No, that’s not true!
I will faint!
High-level undead, he says.
I’ve only seen ghouls, which are low-level undead. And that’s only through the original Seraphina’s memories.
My liver shrank at Claude’s words, and I hid completely behind Johann again.
But this time it was useless.
Claude closed the distance in one stride and suddenly poked his head around to my side.
“Eek!”
You scared me!
Startled, I unconsciously grabbed Johann’s waist tightly. Perhaps surprised by the sudden action, I could feel Johann’s body stiffen.
“How about it? Purifier, the divine calling. Won’t you use that ability where it’s most needed?”
“Hahaha…”
I laughed awkwardly and tried hard to avoid his eyes. Claude’s persistent gaze felt like it was piercing through my face.
“If you lack training, I can finish it for you.”
“No, thank you. I’m fine. Hahaha…”
“The training is already over.”
That’s when Johann, who had finally come to his senses, intervened between us. Turning his body as if to block him, he moved me a couple of steps back from Claude.
I was grateful, but that delayed reaction made me feel a strange distrust.
Was Claude’s sudden closing of distance really that surprising? Come to think of it, he couldn’t dodge my sword well a few days ago either.
He seemed to have a bit of a clumsy side despite being a hero.
Anyway, I was grateful that he intervened even if it was late.
Johann.
Please stop me from going to Grodes!
As if responding to my cheer, Johann opened his mouth.
“Seraphina’s deployment location has already been decided.”
“What…?”
This time it was Claude who let out a surprised voice. Soon, he frowned fiercely and questioned.
“You’re not lying because you don’t want to support me, are you?”
“What do you take this Marseus for?”
“Then where is she being deployed?”
“I have no obligation to tell you every detail.”
Ngrh.
Molars grind several times today.
I understood Claude’s feelings a hundred times over.
But that didn’t mean I wanted to go to the Grodes Mountains. I didn’t know where my deployment location was yet either, but wherever it was, it would be better than the northern end of the land.
“Just tell him, please.”
That’s when Jesuf, unable to bear it anymore, intervened.
“Why are you making this a big deal, Your Majesty?”
At those words, Claude whipped his head towards Jesuf. And I whipped mine too.
Nothing is stronger than curiosity in this world.
I want to know where I’m going too.
“Was it really decided?”
Claude asked with a serious face. Jesuf sighed deeply and shrugged his shoulders.
“I was going to tell you anyway. But you kept repeating to guide you to His Majesty with an expression like you were going to eat someone.”
“So where is she going?”
“We’re sending her to Sir Andantino.”
“……!”
At those words, Claude couldn’t say anything more and his face became complicated. Then, as if unable to contain himself, he spat out a curse and turned around, striding away.
Who is Sir Andantino that he reacts like that?
I could only tilt my head in confusion.
That’s when Jesuf glanced alternately at Johann and me, then bluntly asked Johann.
“Have you gotten over your sulking?”
“Sulking? Who?”
I asked with a curious face, and Johann spoke in a stern voice from beside me.
“Jesuf.”
To my ears, it sounded like he was telling him to shut up, but unfortunately, it didn’t seem to be well conveyed to Jesuf. He started to run his mouth.
“About the brooch gift from three days ago.”
“Ah.”
Even though only the subject came up, my legs felt weak.
So he was sulking because I gave him such a cheap gift.
That’s why he had such a cold face at the training ground the next day…
“He was so happy, saying it was to his taste.”
“Really? Then why isn’t he wearing it?”
I turned to Johann in confusion. He was frantically making all sorts of hand and foot gestures to signal something to Jesuf, but when I turned, he quickly put his limbs back in place and pretended to be nonchalant.
Jesuf’s voice continued from behind.
“When I said I received one from Miss Seraphina too, he got really sulky, saying he wasn’t the only one who received it.”
“Oh…”
He sulked over that?
I made an ambiguous sound, not knowing how to react.
Johann was just looking up at the innocent sky.