Surviving as the Third-rate Extra: I Can Plunder Talents

The bright morning arrived, and those who witnessed what had transpired yesterday, especially those who stayed awake late at night, began discussing among themselves and with others what their eyes had seen.

The golden glyphs streaking throughout the starry sky, causing an inviting presence that couldn't be explained. It seemed humanity had a subconscious instinct to determine if something was not hostile, as the souls of those who saw such a grand, yet anxiety-inducing scenery, remained calm.

- [ Mysterious golden glyphs covered the entire sky of the continent. It was verified that these symbols were visible everywhere, even within the borders and safe zones within the Abyss Lands. What could it possibly be? ]

- [ The devout believers of the Orthodox Churches sensed something inexplicably pleasant while looking at these symbols. Could it be a blessing from the Holy Gods and Goddesses? ]

- [ Both magic and theocratic scholars set a schedule to discuss this phenomenon. Will they be able to provide insight into its origin? ]

- [ Do the Orthodox Churches know something about this event? If they are silent about this, should everyone dismiss it as safe? ]

The newspaper companies across the Continent of Divinica worked day and night to spread the divine-like and surreal event, something that they might not see again for the rest of their lives.

With that said, apart from those who were directly involved with this incident, the mundane peaceful days moved forward without any major issues.

The Hero Festival of the academy continued, prompting every class to show a thing or two for the sake of entertaining the guests and their co-students.

Surprisingly, Delkira—in her younger form—didn't vanish from the academy as she normally interacted with the students while silently monitoring the puppet she wanted to groom into insanity—Rahkeid of Class Zenith, the unanimous Top 2 behind the True Hero candidate.

Whatever happened between her and Saintess Lumen was only something and those above who witnessed it could tell. With that in mind, Delkira, munching on a sweet eastern mochi dessert with her delicate lips, glanced around the numerous stalls surrounding the perimeters of the academy.

'This empire's little Princess... No, her condition that I couldn't gauge is the main reason why Adelle is going to such lengths, even having the face to seek the guidance of her Goddess. But is she telling the truth about that man?

'Is it perhaps the reason why her Goddess permitted her to use what she once lost? That damn Adelle! She never fails to irritate me with her stubbornness!'

Walking around with a few of her classmates having their own worlds, she recalled last night's confrontation with the Saintess of Light, specifically their conversation when Adelle and Lugh understandably ran away.

- "Did you think I would not notice the way you look at the man earlier, whose name I don't even know, Saintess? It seems you wanted to tear him apart here and then, why is that?"

The Saintess of Light, Lumen Sol Cindareth, replied, albeit vaguely.

- "I don't know why I am feeling this way towards that man. But you are an enemy that corrupts this abundant land and is someone unwelcome, who must remain in the place of the damned where you were born."

Delkira chuckled.

- "I see. Whatever your Goddess and the other deities are thinking, make sure that regrets won't follow. Adelle... or anyone cast out from the kingdom of glory and had committed a sin against the God of my kind... should never be forgiven."

Saintess Lumen stared at her with her golden holy eyes with cross-shaped pupils. Her expression was serene, as if her thoughts were a vast ocean that couldn't be easily navigated.

- "You are one of the Eight Eternal Sinners, Delkira... Adelle is... was one too. Never speak about hypocrisy in front of me. Whatever reason you have for staying in the human world without the Demon King's presence... it will surely fail."

Delkira smirked.

- "Go ahead and try me. Bitch of Light.

"Hey, is that the Imperial Princess? I thought she was sick, that's why she couldn't attend the festival these past few days."

Words from her classmate snapped her back to reality, prompting her to gaze in one direction, witnessing the Imperial Princess Rosanna being followed by her Royal Knight.

Even if the two of them wanted to jump at each other at this place, it would invite massive casualties. However, with Delkira's agenda, retaining her identity in the academy was the priority.

That's why she only approached the two of them in a friendly manner. Of course, with Adelle's cabiler, Delkira's disguise was nothing but negligible as the royal knight instantly saw through her true identity.

"I'm glad you're now feeling well, Your Highness. Ah–is it fine to call you this way outside of the academy?" Delkira smiled.

On the other hand, Adelle's hand was on the hilt of her weapon, ready to strike and defend the Imperial Princess in case this woman started rampaging.

Hearing Delkira's natural playful voice, Princess Rosanna smiled and shook her head, "Hehe. It's fine... Just call me what you are used to. We're not in an official royal event anyway."

Look at this girl.

Is she blushing? Did she have a crush on me? Well, I can do it with a woman, too, if she wants. Delkira inwardly cackled self-deprecatingly.

But why does she seem unnaturally healthy? Did something happen?

Delkira looked at Adelle, trying to communicate, only to be dismissed.

Wow. This royal knight really feels like a real royal knight. What's with her stone face? I can't read her at all.

"Is that so? Haha. I'm embarrassed, but if you wish, I'll gladly oblige. So... Who are you rooting for the Aladdan's Symbol this year, Rosanna?"

At that moment, Delkira used [True Devil's Eye] to check the Imperial Princess's overall condition to the soul level.

Huh? What the?

Her unknown [Talent] is gone?

Delkira gazed at Adelle for the second time, only to receive the same blank response.

We shall talk later. Delkira resolved.

*

Around 4 A.M., in the grand dormitory room of the Imperial Princess.

Adelle and Lugh safely arrived, albeit in secret.

The former thoroughly checked the Imperial Princess's condition before waking her up, whose golden locks were disheveled and her body filled with cold sweat even during the chilling dawn.

"U-un– A-Adelle? Wh-what time is it?" The Imperial Princess was confused at first until she heard Adelle's words.

"It's around four in the morning. But I'm here with Lugh, Your Highness."

"L-Lugh? Huh? What?" When her vision cleared, seeing the silhouette of another figure standing behind Adelle, Princess Rosanna was jolted awake as she straight-up sat on the bed.

Then, whether it was from guilt or fear that she would not be able to apologize properly again, her golden eyes moistened before letting out the bubble of emotions she had been storing all this time.

"L-Lugh!" She lunged forward, pressed Lugh's clothes tightly, looked downward, and added, "P-Please forgive me that night... I-I didn't mean to deceive you... To take advantage of your desire for me based on the rumors. F-Forgive me... You almost died because of my selfishness!"

Lugh remained silent. Yet thoughts of that night were flooding his mind.

After all, Kang Jiho believed that Lugh attempted to sexually assault the Imperial Princess out of his own volition. But hearing these words coming out of her mouth, he now understood the blurred picture behind the subtleties of this event.

"Y-Your Highness. Can you tell me what happened? You know... After your royal knight almost killed me that night, I woke up and lost my memories." Even if he already had an inkling, he wanted to hear it from the Imperial Princess herself.

Facing each other, as Adelle watched silently from the sidelines, Princess Rosanna began explaining—which included Maya's role in all of this.

To put it simply, even if Lugh was known as a pervert and bully before Eshu County had fallen, he never dared to lay a hand on the Imperial Princess out of fear.

When Lugh suddenly told her about the cure for her mysterious condition, which she at first did not believe because of the surrounding rumors, Princess Rosanna asked Maya for a commission.

With her desire to become normal again growing stronger, the Imperial Princess used something that Maya concocted—some sort of aphrodisiac potion to lure Lugh into committing his sin—in exchange for something the genius magician desired yet only Rosanna had access to.

Hearing everything, Lugh—or Kang Jiho—could not help but chuckle. He then glanced at Adelle and let out a deep breath.

"Are you going to watch?"

"Do not try anything stupid... Or I will kill you," Adelle warned before leaving the room.

That's when the Imperial Princess felt confused. However, Lugh faced her again and said,

"Your Highness, do you trust me?"

"Wh-what's this all of a sudden?"

"You know very well why I am... Why you were looking for me. Right?"

"Uh-huh..." The Imperial Princess's complexion turned crimson, realizing what was about to happen.

"Will you give me permission?"

Princess Rosanna involuntarily swallowed. Letting out a deep breath of nervousness, she then gently closed her eyes.

That's when Lugh sealed her lips with his.