The Editor Is the Novel’s Extra

‘I guess the kids did this.’

“Arthur, see that box over there? On the floor.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Take it out.”

“Hey, you called me out so meaningfully just to have me work…”

“I’ll do it.”

“No, Isiel, just stay here.”

Arthur knelt on the floor and quickly moved the luggage atop the box that held his sword. Kleio shook his head, however, when Arthur tried to hand it over.

“It’s yours, so take it and use it.”

“What?”

“It’s a sword since you broke yours before.”

“I already have a new practice sword.”

“How many days will that last? Take what you are given and open it quickly.”

“…Thank you.”

Arthur began to unpack the sword. It was something he had thought about from the moment he saw Beg’s blade. Kleio, who couldn’t even properly hold a sword, received a gift he didn’t need at all.

‘This guy’s level is rising much faster than the previous version of the manuscript, so he needs a suitable sword. That way, he has less of a risk of dying.’

Since he was the protagonist who had the world’s fate resting on his shoulders, he needed the proper equipment. For his future, it would be more beneficial to give the sword to Arthur than try to sell it.

dungeon will open soon. I can’t let him jump in there with a practice blade.’

The beautifully finished sword appeared out from under several layers of wrapped silk. The scabbard was made of black leather and embossed with a wave pattern inspired by the blade, and silver ornaments encircled the sword’s hilt. Arthur held its hilt as a man possessed.

Shing-

With a deafening sharpness, the air was cut as the blade was drawn. It was a sword that seemed sharp enough to cut through even a phantom.

‘The length even fits this guy’s height. It’s been prepared for the main character.’

While Kleio looked pleased, Arthur seemed fascinated with the blade. The muscles in his arm tensed as he held the sword. As expected, even Isiel couldn’t remove her eyes from the blade.

“Can I really take such a treasure? It looks like a magic tool, not just some sword.”

“That’s true, but it doesn’t have any special features other than being sturdy. Don’t expect it to raise your level.”

“I don’t think it’s something to say so lightly.”

Even though he didn’t want to let go of the sword, it was clear Arthur feared that he would be rejected. It was good to have a sense of reality since he had grown up while suffering so much, but didn’t this prince have a very commoner mindset? Kleio desperately held back his laughter and pretended to be serious.

“Did you forget the agreement we made on good faith? It hasn’t been more than a few weeks.”

“I didn’t know I would receive such a huge boon right away.”

“It’s not free, so I’ll have you pay it back later.”

“With what?”

“Would it be suitable for a noble title?”

The moment he mentioned it, Isiel’s eyes grew cold, but he pretended not to notice.

‘This is a fair trade. There are as many as a hundred seats for aristocrats, and if you give me one, I can have that mansion.’

It was an item he didn’t have to give away for free, though he didn’t need it. The Asel mansion would be a worthy trade in return.

“…I will remember.”

Arthur’s face was so serious that he ended up laughing.

“Hahaha, yes. Don’t forget that determination.”

‘That’s it. Buy low, sell high.’

Where was there something in the world that couldn’t be obtained with wealth? History would say both title and position could be bought with money. Promise launched a message at the same time, a reaction that he was used to now.

[-User’s narrative involvement has increased.

-The cumulative percentage of narrative involvement is being calculated (□□%)]

***

The next day’s class was classics. It was difficult for Kleio, having been out of school for several weeks, to keep up with the content, but it didn’t matter. He was peacefully blind to the explanation of Absalom II’s Laureate Poet. Autumn leaves gradually fell from the trees on campus, and the wind blew gently. On such a day, even the monotonous voice of the teacher analyzing poetry felt good. There had only been one change from school before. Immediately after Varg’s hunt, the forest in the middle of the school was forbidden entry to the students. A barrier was now surrounding the Door of Mnemosyne, which glowed all day. The stone which Kleio and Arthur used as a backrest had regained its role after a thousand years.

‘We’ll have to take care of it now.’

After class, Kleio was caught between the twins as he ate lunch. Then, after that, he caught a carriage.

“Where are you going?”

“Please head to the parliament.”

In response to the strange command, the carriage coach looked at him.

“That place needs a permit, so please let me check in advance.”

“Ah, here… I have an entrance permit.”

Kleio, who stood stubbornly without a bag, produced the papers from his arms. The coachman was somewhat surprised, but as a professional in the hospitality business, he hid it well.

‘What the hell…? Is he the successor to a nobleman or a legislator?’

“Okay, I’ll get you there quickly.”

The coachman’s tone became politer in response as Kleio boarded the wagon. Today was the day he would be awarded the medal for defending the capital.

‘I want to receive it, but will it be given by the crown prince himself?’

It felt awkward to face Melchior. Additionally, before the medal was awarded, he received an official notice that he had to attend a meeting of the Royal Advisory Committee to testify about the demon attack. Because of that, his destination was the council and not the royal castle. When he asked Zebedee, he had said that the calling of the committee wasn’t a big deal so that he could talk comfortably. However, Kleio only wanted to avoid getting noticed. Forget parliament; he had never been to a police station before in his previous world.

‘Whew, focus on the pension. It’ll last my entire life, and it will be adjusted according to inflation.

If it weren’t for that, he would’ve ignored it altogether.

.

.

.

The parliament building, made of straight sandstone columns and high vaults, was an overwhelming sight. The internal structure was very complicated, and it was only possible for him to find his way with the guidance of an attendant. The office he was entering was now used by the deputy of the king, the crown prince.

“Mage Kleio Asel, enter.”

“Entering.”

Guards on both sides of the entrance informed the crown prince of his visit, and he immediately turned on the Separation function of Promise. The attendant politely opened the doorway, and Kleio could see Melchior standing by the window that faced the river, turned away from him. No matter how many times he might see him, that inhuman beauty would always be shocking. The crown prince didn’t use any skills as he turned to look at him, but Kleio’s legs stiffened in front of the door.

How could a human be molded into such a form? He had been described as having an outstanding appearance in the last manuscript, but that description now felt insincere. His figure made Kleio question the author’s worldview. It wasn’t only because he was the crown prince that even the attendants and guards wouldn’t make eye contact with Melchior. Even meeting his eye was difficult with your defenses up.

“Kleio? You must’ve been very nervous.”

“…Yes. This is my first time here.”

He wanted to shout that it was because of him, but instead, he shrugged awkwardly. It was apparent that if he weren’t careful, it wouldn’t end well for him, with his opponent being Melchior Riognan.

“There is still some time left until the meeting, so would you like some tea?”

Melchior responded in an elegant tone.

“Thank you.”

He was in a simple and undecorated office room with only a large mahogany desk placed across from the window and a simple chair and table beside it. Kleio sat down cautiously as Melchior poured him a cup of tea from the pot. The crown prince was the first to taste the tea as he closed his eyes. Kleio couldn’t taste it at all as it slid down his throat. Perhaps he had just been working, as the desk was filled with ink, pens, and documents.

‘I heard the prince is competent… He’s diligent even here.’

The conversation didn’t go smoothly, as Kleio was overly cautious, but the prince patiently led the discussion regardless. He was a man with excellent capability to create a sociable atmosphere in any situation. Kleio was relieved that the topics they discussed were the weather, the tea, and his return to health. He didn’t even know it was because of Separation. At that moment, Melchior spoke again.

“But, you came in school uniform today.”

“Yes, when I asked Zebedee about visiting the council, he advised me that the school uniform was the most appropriate attire.”

“I sent you more appropriate clothes than this, but you’re in a school uniform.”

Kleio almost dropped the mug he was holding. What he meant was the Riognan royal robe; he was asking why he didn’t wear it. Even if he were a real illegitimate child, he couldn’t do it.

‘Oh, I can’t wear that.’

It seemed the crown prince was convinced that Kleio was his half-brother, just because he was unable to read his mind. Since his unique skill wouldn’t work on him, he had the clear intention to draw him out this way. In that case, his response would be significant.

“Thank you for the gift, but the dimensions were too big for me to wear.”

Melchior, lifting his eyebrows, smiled even deeper at the unexpected reaction.

“Ah.”

“Because my physique is so poor, I don’t have the dignity worthy of that gift. It looks very precious, so I didn’t even dare to try it.”

“I’m very sorry. It suits all of our brothers very well.”

‘This kid doesn’t even blink as he tries again.’

Kleio nervously watched Melchior’s movements, wondering if he would try to use his unique skill again. Luckily, Melchior didn’t seem to want to retry what had previously failed.

‘During that party, when his skill misfired, the prince also knew that the world was shaken, right? Arthur also felt strange the first time it happened.’

He wasn’t using his skill, but because of that, his other methods of interrogation had become more persistent. That resulted in tense moments like this, where he had to confront the crown prince.

“Kleio, your face appears to be so revealing and open, but it doesn’t really tell you anything. So, I really thought you were like my brothers.”

He couldn’t just scream out, ‘I’m not your brother, I have my own unique skill,’ so Kleio bit down on his tongue. Melchior tilted his head as he examined Kleio closely.

“Anyway, you must use your energy to eat. Only your height seems healthy.”

“…Thank you for your concern.”

At that moment, a council attendant carefully intervened between them.

“It’s time for the committee meeting.”