The Male Leads Were Stolen By The Extra [EN]: Chapter 45

The next morning.

As expected, the Marquis Denroha’s monster exhibition incident was front-page news.

And, predictably, Tan’s story was also plastered all over the front page.

[Hero Who Saved People. Who is the Beast of the Night?]

Celonia closed the newspaper, anticipating a considerable headache.

Right now, the article wasn’t the main problem.

Yesterday evening, Wicklander’s messenger pigeon had delivered a letter.

It said that he had found the book they had discussed and asked her to visit the shop.

As soon as day broke, Celonia was ready to head to the Montera Magic District.

“Ah, Miss!”

Suddenly, Ella’s voice echoed loudly from the hallway.

Judging by her fuss, she must have seen the newspaper.

“Miss! It’s a disaster!”

“Come in.”

As soon as permission was granted, Ella rushed in, panting.

“Huff, huff… Did you see the newspaper, the newspaper today?”

As expected, Ella pointed to the newspaper she was holding.

“I know. He’s become quite famous.”

“Ah, no! Not Tan! This!”

Ella shook her head and pointed to a small article on the very last page of the newspaper, not the front page.

“Hoo, here! It’s that shop we went to!”

Celonia took the article from Ella and read it.

It was a small article at the bottom, as it wasn’t a major story.

[Major Fire at Magic District Shop, Owner Dead.

On the 19th, last night, a major fire broke out at Wicklander’s shop in the western Montera Magic District. The fire was brought under control in two hours, but Wicklander, the owner, who could not escape from the shop engulfed in flames, died on the spot.]

* * *

“Marquis Denroha.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Marquis Denroha, sweating profusely, bowed his head towards the Emperor, who sat on the highest throne in the Empire.

As a result of yesterday’s monster commotion, Marquis Denroha had been summoned by the Emperor and brought to the audience chamber.

“To capture monsters and bring them to the capital without informing me. How could you even think of such a reckless thing?”

The golden eyes, like the sun, narrowed sharply like an eagle’s eyes.

The voice, heavy as a mountain, was neither a question nor an opportunity to make excuses.

“I, I deserve to die, Your Majesty. I was temporarily blinded and committed a mistake.”

The Marquis Denroha quickly prostrated himself on the floor and begged.

Capturing and exhibiting monsters was not illegal, but yesterday’s incident could have caused significant damage.

Moreover, knowing that the Emperor shuddered more than anyone else at the mention of the Demon King and monsters, he had no choice but to beg now.

“I heard that monster was as big as a house. And you kept such a thing in a single iron cage?”

“That, that is… When it was manufactured, it clearly underwent several tests and experiments to prove that it was strong and safe…”

“It broke. And the monster escaped.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Since the Emperor’s words were all correct, Denroha stopped making excuses and simply lowered his body further.

“Since there were no casualties, I will end the disciplinary action by paying a fine for this incident.”

The Emperor clicked his tongue and issued a sentence to Denroha, who was lying prostrate at his feet.

Emperor Arhexio was well over 50 years old this year, but his serious and solemn face, devoid of any hint of a smile, made him look like he was in his early 40s.

His platinum blonde hair was always neatly swept back.

The hair, which was never out of place, showed his usual sharp personality well.

The Emperor was well aware of the trend among nobles of capturing and exhibiting monsters.

Not only did they have nothing to be interested in, so they turned to monsters, but they even exhibited them to show off their wealth.

It was utterly foolish and ignorant.

To think that these were his subjects made him feel hopeless.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“The fine will be 500 gold coins.”

“…Pardon?”

“Are you dissatisfied, Marquis Denroha? After causing a risk that could have devastated the capital?”

Emperor Arhexio glared at Denroha, who was taken aback and raised his head.

Having been on the throne for over 20 years, the Emperor had the power to dismiss any objection to his disposition with just a glance.

“Ah, no. It is a fair judgment.”

In the end, Denroha had no choice but to back down.

500 gold coins was enough money to buy a very good mansion in the capital.

Of course, 500 gold coins was not a big blow to the Marquis Denroha family.

However, the fine was too high compared to what he had done. It wasn’t illegal, and there were no casualties anyway.

But as the Emperor said, if it hadn’t been contained, a terrible thing would have unfolded, so he accepted it to quickly resolve the matter.

“By the way, who was the one who defeated that house-sized monster?”

“He is called the Beast of the Night.”

“Duke Cherbil was also there.”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Hmm.”

The Emperor, who had heard the details of yesterday’s events, leaned back on his throne and stroked his chin.

Even though the Imperial Knight Commander was there, the Beast of the Night had cut down the house-sized monster in an instant.

He heard that he was currently staying at the Besian family’s residence, but he was originally a wanderer without a home, and he was quite famous for helping the poor even in his difficult circumstances.

Arhexio liked talented young people.

That was why Ian Cherbil could become the Imperial Knight Commander even at a young age.

The Emperor’s golden eyes gleamed with interest. He thought he should see his face if he had the chance.

“Your Majesty.”

“Come in.”

At the voice of the aide coming from outside, the Emperor gave the order.

The large, magnificent door opened, and the aide who entered quickly walked to the Emperor, bowed his head, and whispered secretly.

Upon hearing the story, one of the Emperor’s eyebrows arched.

“Grand Duke Hershbrook has come to the capital?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Hmm. What brings the Grand Duke, who rarely leaves the North, here?”

The Emperor was about to ponder the Grand Duke’s sudden visit to the capital when he spoke to Marquis Denroha, who was still in front of him.

“Marquis, you may leave now.”

“Yes. Then I will step down.”

The Marquis Denroha quickly left the audience chamber.

“First, tell the Grand Duke to visit the Imperial Palace first.”

“Yes. I understand.”

As the aide, who had received the order, opened the door to leave the audience chamber, a woman who had been standing there to see His Majesty slipped into the room.

“Father!”

Then, fluttering her beautiful platinum blonde hair, she ran to the Emperor in one breath.

“Oh, Titania. Welcome, my daughter.”

The Emperor, who had been stern, relaxed his expression and greeted his lovely daughter.

* * *

“How could this happen…?”

Ella said with a bewildered face, looking at the shop that had been burned black before her eyes.

Celonia felt the same way.

As soon as she saw the article, she headed straight to Wicklander’s shop.

Wicklander’s shop, which had a unique door with a ginkgo tree painted on it just a few days ago, was burned black like charcoal, leaving only its frame.

Whether the fire was very large, even now that the fire was extinguished, faint smoke was rising from the ashes piled up on the site where the building once stood.

Merchants and customers were gathered around the blackened shop, and several members of the Magic District patrol and knights from the Imperial Palace were talking to each other at the fire scene.

“He said he found the book and told me to come today…”

Celonia muttered with a dazed face.

Wicklander had sent her a letter just last night saying that he had found the book.

So she was planning to visit the shop today.

“What should we do…?”

“I know, right? Why did the fire break out?”

“I heard the knights dispatched from the Imperial Palace said it seemed to be a simple fire. They said the embers that flew from the fireplace, which was lit because it was cold, moved to the carpet and caused the fire.”

“But why did the owner burn to death?”

“I guess he was asleep and found out about the fire late. So he couldn’t escape.”

“No, why didn’t he go home until that time… He suffered a terrible accident…”

The voices of the merchants, lamenting, reached Celonia’s ears.

‘A simple fire?’

Really?

Celonia was staring at the knights who were searching the scene with a hollow look.

Why is it so unsettling?

Wicklander, who was alone in the shop at a time when all the merchants had gone home.

Because of that, the discovery was delayed even though a fire broke out, and he died on the spot without being able to escape the fire.

Is it really just a simple accident?

Was it just a coincidence that this accident happened after she promised Wicklander to receive the book?

“Ah, Miss?”

Ella, who was looking at the scene with a gloomy face, hurriedly called Celonia, who was passing by her.

Celonia was walking towards the burned Wicklander’s shop, which smelled acrid.