Enough with Dying as an Extra chapter 22

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Haen summoned me, and for the first time in a long while, I dressed formally.

It had been quite some time since I left prison, but because I still disliked being touched by others, the Master helped me with my attire.

I stood motionless in the middle of the dressing room, reviewing documents while the Master adjusted my clothing.

The document in question was a report on Sia’s lineage.

Thanks to my prior inquiries, we already knew Sia was from the Duchy of Merien Principality.

(Translator: Duchy Principality means with their own type of government but still under a kingdom.)

However, the Master’s expression grew noticeably more complex as he realized Sia wasn’t just from Merien Principality—he was directly descended from the Grand Duke himself.

I could tell from the way his gaze occasionally wavered with concern.

Glancing at him, I chuckled and turned the page.

The following section was filled with evidence proving that Sia was indeed of the Grand Duke’s bloodline.

“I figured he was a high-ranking noble, but I never expected him to be of royal blood.”

Muttering to himself in admiration, the Master furrowed his brow slightly.

Well, it makes sense.

Without the blood of a Grand Duke, no one could dream of pulling off such a reckless scheme—one that involved changing the emperor to suit their own whims.

I nodded absently as I considered this, then casually asked,

“Asis, why that expression?”

“…You intend to send the child back to his family. If the information I uncovered is correct, then you’ll never see him again.”

“If your information is correct, then don’t say ‘if.’ There’s no way you got it wrong, Asis. But tell me something—were you really so attached to Sia that the thought of never seeing him again bothers you?”

The Master looked at me in disbelief, as if asking how I could say such a thing in this situation.

I chuckled at how easily his emotions were written on his face and closed the file.

“Asis, I never said it, but I still struggle with the delusion that I’m trapped in prison.”

“…….”

“Whenever things get even a little difficult, or when I face a situation that reminds me of that time, I immediately feel like I’m back in my cell. In short, I’m not in my right mind.”

The Master stared at me blankly as I whispered this confession.

When I saw his face, full of surprise, I chuckled and murmured, “Good.”

If he hadn’t noticed, that meant no one else had either, which was a relief.

His confused gaze followed me as I adjusted his trembling hands and finished straightening my own clothes.

“Someone like me isn’t fit to raise a child. I took in Sia because I didn’t want another child to end up like me. If I hadn’t, he would’ve suffered through miserable days no different from the ones I endured alone in that prison.”

I knew his future all too well, and even though I was aware of my own circumstances, I couldn’t just ignore it.

That’s why I took him in.

But because of that, the child had already suffered far too much.

“But you cared for Sia. And he trusted you, too.”

“I did care for him. But from the very start, the promise I made to Sia was to find his family—not to become his family. Now that he’s found them, there’s no reason for him to stay with someone who only brings him harm.”

The Master looked at me as if he had a million arguments to make.

It seemed he had grown more attached to Sia than he realized.

I smiled wryly.

“I wanted to make Sia different from me. I wanted him to be a happy child.

And for that, I—who am not in my right mind—should not be by his side.”

I spoke with the same gentle tone I used when comforting Sia, then turned my head.

Outside the window, the high, clear blue sky signaled that autumn was well underway.

“I’m not someone who can make others happy. No one knows that better than I do.”

“And what about Sia’s opinion? You’re deciding everything on your own, but do you realize that doesn’t make you a great guardian either?”

“Of course. That’s exactly why I can’t keep taking care of him.”

I answered with an oddly cheerful face.

The reflection in the window showed the Master staring at me in stunned silence.

“Honestly… I don’t understand you at all. You’re the first person I’ve ever met who’s like this.”

“What an honor. But eventually, you’ll understand everything.”

At my soft-spoken words, Asis fell silent.

I held his gaze for a moment before lowering mine.

“Asis. Can I ask you for a favor?”

“…Yes.”

“I plan to send Sia back to the Duchy. If Haen listens to my request, Sia will officially return home. But there’s a good chance Haen won’t agree. Even after I step down as Duke, he’ll still want to keep me as a spare, and Sia is a perfect leash to hold me in check.”

“…….”

“If that happens, I’ll use my abilities to send Sia to the Duchy myself. So, in preparation for that moment, could you go there first and tell them about Sia? You’re the only person I can trust right now.”

“You’re saying it like this so I can’t refuse, aren’t you?”

At his slightly dejected tone, I just smiled and said nothing.

The Master read the answer in my silence and looked like he was about to lose his mind.

Watching his reflection in the window, I spun around.

“So? Can you do it?”

The Master hesitated before nodding, looking utterly miserable.

He clearly hated the idea, but what mattered was that he had agreed.

“Good. Is there anything else I should prepare?”

“Huh? No, nothing.”

At the question, spoken in a tone as polite and gentle as their first meeting, the Master instinctively tensed before answering.

Though he watched warily, he responded honestly, prompting a faint smirk from the other.

“Then we can leave right away. Don’t worry about the others. They’re so caught up in everything that they probably won’t even notice you’re gone.”

“Right now? Even if I can buy things there, I don’t have any money.”

The Master was momentarily flustered before pulling a reluctant face.

Even he wouldn’t carry around the currency of the Merien Principality.

At that, a quiet chuckle escaped before he turned toward the bedroom instead of responding.

He opened the nightstand drawer beside the bed, retrieving a pouch of Meriain currency—the very money he had asked the Master to acquire while investigating Sia’s origins.

When the Master saw it, his mouth fell open in disbelief.

“This is…”

“The money you got for me back then.”

He lightly shook the pouch in his hand, signaling for the Master to take it.

Unable to resist the unspoken demand, the Master took the weighty pouch and loosened the knot, peering inside.

He parted his lips slightly before murmuring in a low voice.

“Since when… had you planned all of this?”

“From the beginning.”

“Then why am I only finding out now?”

“It’s simple. Ashis… Master, you never saw me as someone to investigate. That’s why you never bothered to check where the money went or why I made such requests.”

Despite the soothing tone, the Master still looked unconvinced.

It seemed the realization that he had completely failed to notice this struck him hard.

“Even so…”

“Well, maybe it’s because you liked me.”

After all, prying into someone you like is absurd, isn’t it?

The deliberately light remark left him speechless.

His silence was as good as an admission.

Knowing that, an odd sense of satisfaction welled up.

“…How do you plan to send me to the Principality?”

“With my ability.”

“But as far as I know, Lord Vivisian hasn’t guided anyone in a long time. Sending us all the way to the Principality in this situation is impossible. And it’s not just me—you’ll have to use your ability again soon to send Sia there, too.”

“No. It’s possible.”

Despite the firm declaration, the Master still looked doubtful.

His disbelief was so apparent that a chuckle slipped out.

“Are you worried it’s dangerous? Don’t be. I guarantee your safety. Nothing will happen.”

“It’s not my safety I’m concerned about.”

“Then?”

“I’m worried about yours, Lord Vivisian.”

“What? That’s what this is about? …Hah, don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

He laughed and grasped the Master’s hand.

The moment his cool fingertips made contact, the Master’s shoulders flinched.

As if to tell him to relax, he gently tapped his cheek, watching as the rigid tension in his expression slowly eased.

“So, Herel. Please, go to the Principality first and welcome Sia.”

For the first time, he spoke the Master’s name—one he had known all along but had never once voiced. His eyes curved as he said it.

Upon hearing it, Herel closed his eyes as if conceding defeat.

“…Understood.”

“Good. Thank you, Herel. If possible, don’t return right away. Stay in the Principality for a while and help Sia adjust. And when you do return, don’t go back to the Ducal House. Understood? Return as the Master who has no ties to the ducal family.”

“Ha… Lord Vivisian, you really…”

“It’s time, Herel. Take care of Sia.”

If he delayed any longer, Haen would undoubtedly have something to say about it.

Without waiting for a response, he quickly activated his ability.

Ignoring the turmoil inside him, he pushed his power further.

The sensation of his insides twisting was unmistakable.

As he suppressed the unpleasant feeling and placed a hand on Herel’s shoulder, a voice murmured in his ear, telling him not to overdo it.

Though he heard the worried words clearly, he pretended not to.

He drew on his ability even further, knowing it was consuming more than he had, feeling his lifespan being chipped away.

But he didn’t stop.

Finally, he sensed the ability had successfully activated.

As he opened his eyes, Herel’s figure began to blur, then disappeared completely.

He waved lightly toward where he had been.

“Thank you for everything, Herel.”

Goodbye.

Sensing something was wrong, Herel reached out—but before his hand could touch him, he vanished entirely.

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