The Extra Decided to be Fake

Episode 88

Is it a membership-based theological reading club? Even with a simple explanation, it seemed like a place where ordinary people like Lillian couldn’t enter. Above all, if it was related to theology, it would be hard to dissociate it from the temple. Lillian hesitated, thinking it might be risky, and asked back.

“If it’s membership-based, it doesn’t seem like just anyone can join. Can I really go to such a place?”

“Of course. Since it’s my introduction. To say so might be a bit much, but among those studying theology, the majority are individuals with ambiguous identities. It’s just a mechanism to filter out such individuals, so you don’t need to worry about it.”

“What do you mean by ambiguous identities?”

“In other words, so-called heretics.”

Lillian nodded slightly at Asher’s words. Come to think of it, most people who would study theology would likely be individuals with divine power, except for eccentrics like Asher. However, within the Empire, the influence of the temple was immense. The temple compelled individuals with divine power to register and, naturally, after registration, they had no choice but to act according to the temple’s will. So, if someone had divine power, or was associated with someone who did, they might resist the temple.

‘I’m not going to…… because they’re going to take me away eventually.’

Perhaps it was only natural for such unfavorable thoughts to arise. As Lillian’s thoughts wandered, Asher continued with a friendly face.

“Don’t worry too much, Lillian. Even though it’s about studying theology, the people who gather at the club are mostly interested in interpreting verses of the scriptures. I also receive quite special treatment there.”

“Indeed, Viscount seems like an unusual person.”

“You’re honest.”

Instead of responding, Lillian just nodded. She didn’t feel the need to flatter him unnecessarily, nor did she intend to deceive her feelings. Above all, now was the time to speak a bit sincerely.

“So, if I’m introduced to the club by the Viscount, would that be interpreted as progress in our relationship? Is that okay? I had to come out because of circumstances, but I still don’t have any thoughts of marriage.”

Though she beat around the bush, Lillian’s story was simple. If she leaves the club, she’ll eventually meet him again, but that doesn’t mean she intends to marry him. However, to Lillian’s dismay, Asher, on the contrary, was taken aback and waved his hands.

“N-No, that wasn’t what I meant at all! Really. I just wanted to be of some help…! I’m sorry if it came across that way.”

“It didn’t sound like that. I said it just in case, so you don’t need to worry about it.”

“Phew, I’m glad to hear that. It’s been a long time since I’ve dealt with a young lady… I’m afraid I’ll inadvertently startle you with my manners. So, will you come to the club?”

Lillian briefly observed Asher. At first, she was a little taken aback by his contrasting demeanor, but now she seemed to have a rough idea of ​​what kind of person he was. He becomes talkative about his areas of interest, and he’s generally a nobleman with manners, but since he’s been cooped up in his room researching, his sociability might be lacking. So, he kept getting surprised like that because he was afraid he might inadvertently make a mistake.

‘He doesn’t seem to match his appearance.’

It couldn’t be helped if it was inherent. Lillian quite liked Asher. She didn’t particularly dislike people who were naturally innocent.

“Okay. Let me know the time and place.”

* * *

Asher, to the extent that one might wonder if he came to this gathering for the purpose of marriage, talked incessantly about theology and then left. There was also an opportunity to hear about the field he was interested in, and Asher said he was researching artifacts.

Artifacts. Or what is commonly called relics, they were literally belongings of the gods. They possessed tremendous power or could contain tremendous power. However, handling artifacts required divine power, and naturally, divine power was also needed for research, so there were artifacts whose usage hadn’t been properly elucidated yet.

“I’m just an ordinary person without divine power. So the research I’m doing is research done without divine power. I believe that discovering the usage of artifacts doesn’t necessarily require divine power.”

In reality, there was progress in his research, and Asher sincerely expressed satisfaction with his research life. When asked why he, someone genuinely interested in research, came to a matchmaking event that lacked any interest, he replied, quite embarrassed.

“Well, my Uncle manages the estate. He said he’d cut off the research funding if I didn’t come out today.”

“…Your Uncle manages the estate? Not the Viscount himself?”

“I’m not good at accounting. My Uncle thinks that if he lets me handle it, either our family will go bankrupt from overspending or we’ll be cheated by con artists.”

Lillian became curious about what kind of family the Viscount Fitzroy belonged to.

Unaware of Lillian’s thoughts, Asher simply smiled with an embarrassed yet innocent expression.

“Still, I think it’s good that you came out. Haven’t you met someone nice because of it?”

“I guess so, it’s just the usual.”

The “good thing” Lillian mentioned was about the reading club.

After hearing about the reading club, she thought she might be able to find out if it was possible to transfer divine power by going there.

‘It seemed like a gathering of fanatics almost as notable as Viscount Fitzroy.’

Of course, there seemed to be no shortage of eccentrics like Asher, but still, it was certain that the information Lillian was looking for would be gathered there. Lillian parted ways with Asher in front of the library. Asher offered to escort her to the mansion, but Lillian declined.

‘I should look for some more books.’

After all, it wouldn’t do to just come and ask questions at the reading club; it would be better to have some basic knowledge beforehand. And if she was lucky, maybe she could find something about the “Daughters of Moonlight.”

With that in mind, Lillian turned around.

And at that moment, Lillian froze in place. The longing she hadn’t even hoped to see rose above her face.

“… Theo?”

The face she never expected to see, but never forgot, was right in front of her.

* * *

Lillian noticed that Theo had undergone a noticeable change. Theo, she knew, was a bit more like a slender young boy. Of course, considering his physique, the image of a tree with slender branches didn’t fit well, but it was about his smile or personality.

When Theo smiled, it used to remind her of a slender birch tree swaying in the summer breeze. But seeing Theo again, she couldn’t imagine birch trees anymore. Time had made the young man even firmer, and the young man who seemed like a slender tree had become as robust as a maple tree. Seeing an old friend after a long time was both welcoming and strange.

In particular, it was more so because they weren’t warmly laughing and joking.

Theo was the first to speak. With his characteristic mischievous grin, he looked down at Lillian and grinned. That aspect was just like before. Just like before they fell apart.

“Long time no see, Lillian.”