How to Survive as a Trash Extra Villain

Chapter 151

For a moment, Bord wore a disappointed expression. But it was fleeting.

"Ugh, come on. That was too gloomy, wasn't it?!"

His face brightened.

"It's been a while since it's just the two of us, so how about I spill some stories?! Did I ever tell you about the time I raided a slave auction house last summer vacation?! I didn’t, right?! So, that time…"

Without even glancing at Bord as he rambled, I reached into my pocket and pulled something out from my magic pouch. A glowing green orb.

"Take it."

"Huh? This is…"

Bord’s expression turned blank. He instinctively reached out, but flinched, as if overwhelmed by some authority.

"What is this…?"

"The Authority of the Jungle."

Bord’s bear-paw-like hand recoiled.

"I-I can’t accept something this precious, Cadet Martin."

I grabbed Bord’s hand as he spoke and forced the Authority of the Jungle into his grip. But, being the good-natured Bord, he’d likely refuse again. There’s a simple way to handle this.

"I’m not the one giving it to you. It’s fate returning to you."

"…"

A cryptic phrase to throw him off.

"…What…"

Before he could say more, the Authority of the Jungle melted into his chest and vanished. Perhaps sensing it, Bord’s breathing grew ragged. He closed his eyes and embarked on an inner journey, communing with the Authority of the Jungle.

‘This’ll be interesting.’

According to the original story… he’d be witnessing the history of the continent, from its birth to the present. The earliest lifeforms—plants and greenery—lived on this land. He’d learn to harness their immense vitality. A lot had been prepared for him.

‘He’ll open his eyes soon.’

For the five minutes Bord’s journey lasted, I waited quietly by his side.

‘Was I too hasty?’

From Bord’s perspective, this must feel like some absurd plot twist.

‘Will he curse me out?’

Receiving something like this out of nowhere—whether he’s happy, upset, or uneasy about it.

‘Or will he bow in gratitude?’

The Nature Five are extraordinary items. A thousand bows wouldn’t suffice.

"…"

Bord opened his eyes and spoke.

"…I can become stronger now. Like you said, it feels like this was meant for me."

"…"

"Endless vitality. With this, I can boost my defense and heal wounded allies. If I set up a link, I can even take on my allies’ injuries."

The Authority of the Jungle. A symbol of boundless vitality. A rare treasure that overwhelms any attack with recovery. …Naturally, it’s not much use to a gunner like me. It shines brightest when paired with a tank like Bord.

‘Let’s hear his thoughts.’

But Bord said something I hadn’t anticipated at all.

"Hey, Cadet Martin."

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"This is really weird."

"What do you mean?"

Bord didn’t look happy or sad. …He looked pained, staring at me.

"Why are you so selfless?"

"…"

Selfless? Did he just call me selfless?

"…Why do you think that?"

"Princess Adela’s Hierophant. Cadet Luri’s Fire Spirit King. I heard it all. You gave them those, didn’t you?"

Oh. One of them must’ve blabbed. I didn’t exactly stop them, but I didn’t expect them to go around talking about it.

"Couldn’t you have used them yourself?"

"…"

Use them myself…? Sure, I suppose I could. But when there’s someone in the original story praised as fated to wield them so well, why would I? Why would I take something the system designated for them, something that didn’t even appear in the original story?

"Because there’s someone who can use it better than me."

"…Yeah, I guess so. But… this is… weird."

Weird. Right. It probably is. When you think about it.

"Cadet Martin, what are you after?"

"…"

After, huh…

"Sometimes, you feel like a machine."

"…"

"Like… a player in a game with some kind of win condition."

"…"

I thought he was just a clueless bear, but… this one hit hard.

"Honestly, it’s strange, isn’t it? I mean… of course, I’m grateful. Truly. You’ve given me, someone who felt powerless, a chance to reach new heights. I feel like I can stand at the front lines this time, protecting my friends without retreating. But… it’s just… you know? We’re not… objectively speaking, we’re not close enough for you to give me such a huge gift…"

He’s right. There’s no fault in Bord’s words. The Authority of the Jungle, one of the Nature Five, isn’t something you casually hand over with a “thought you’d make good use of it.” It’s a priceless treasure, unobtainable even with billions.

"Cadet Bord."

Bord von Ludin Tauforos. Gilbert’s best friend, heir to a ducal family, a leader on the front lines… Among the heirs of the Four Great Ducal Families, he’s subtly the leader, a talent even Prince Kazaks covets.

"I see the world differently from you all."

"…Your perspective is different?"

Bord knows that much. He’s seen what I’ve done up close. Are those the actions of an ordinary person?

"I’m preparing for the end."

"The end?"

"The world is rising toward its end, and the end is descending toward the world."

"…"

Even with this sudden talk of apocalypse, Bord listened seriously. Of course. He’s experienced what I’ve done multiple times.

"So you don’t need to find it strange."

"…"

"You want to protect the people dear to you, don’t you? So get stronger. Put aside your doubts."

"…"

Bord didn’t ask further. He realized I wasn’t going to say more.

"…"

"…"

We sat side by side in silence, lost in thought, until the other cadets arrived.

***

Another day at the academy passed peacefully. The twenty cadets of Class A sat in the classroom, chatting noisily, studying diligently, and sometimes competing. They ate together, bonding. As for me…

"Welcome."

During a break at lunchtime, I sought out Emperor Anette. She’d said there was something important to discuss, so she invited me to the Defardly Knights’ hideout.

A secret place in the underground waterways, undetected by the Imperium Empire for a thousand years—the finest hideout in human history.

"Haha, if you think it’s a bit empty, I’m sorry."

"No, it’s fine."

I said that, but it was practically in ruins. The Defardly Empire’s liberation army, once a thousand strong, had dwindled to thirty knights after the chancellor’s rebellion, and then to fewer than ten after the Demon Lord Brahmus' terror incident.

"It’s cozy and nice, Your Majesty."

"Heh, even if it’s just flattery, I appreciate it."

This was Emperor Anette, after all. I had to show proper respect.

"Well… everyone’s doing fine. It was chaotic at first."

A betrayal by those they considered family. It’d be a lie to say it wasn’t disorienting.

"Ironically, the Demon Lord Brahmus' terror incident calmed the chaos."

"That incident?"

The knights, once thirty, reduced to ten?

"It made us realize what we need to do. After the chancellor died, we saw the ledgers he’d secretly kept. He’d killed and sold off an unbelievable number of people behind my and the knight commander’s backs."

Her voice trembled slightly, though she spoke calmly.

"And drugs, poisons, you name it. It was happening right under our noses, and we were blind to it. Realizing we were so clueless crushed us. We had to cut down those we thought of as family because of their evil and betrayal."

Anette gave a bitter smile as she continued.

"And that’s not all. A sudden ancient demon lord appeared, and we lost even more of our dwindling kin, like the last seeds in a granary."

An ordinary person might have broken down, living like a stone on the roadside after such a catastrophe. But Anette and her knights were different.

"But thanks to that… we broke free from a thousand years of obsession and faced our true enemy."

Casting aside the fate of reviving the war-criminal Defardly Empire.

"Sir Martin. I, Emperor Anette, along with the knight commander, the Red Knight, and our ten knights, swear to dedicate our lives to protecting humanity."

They swore to stand as guardians of humanity.

"…"

"Haha, sorry for the sudden declaration. But I wanted to tell you, at least."

"Your Majesty."

The doors to the audience chamber opened, revealing a pristine room.

"I came to discuss something similar. Whether it’s good news or not is for Your Majesty to decide."

We took our seats. Anette personally brewed and poured tea.

"Alright, let’s hear Sir Martin’s proposal."

I told her that I could extract the pure power of the Soul Stone from the World Tree and pass it to Princess Anette.

"That’s… astonishing."

Anette spoke, surprised, then fell silent. The Soul Stone, containing the souls of past Defardly emperors, was the cause of the chancellor’s rebellion… It must be a memory she’d rather not recall.

"…I see."

Yet her decision was swift.

"I’d like to meet the World Tree… and at least have a conversation. I’ll decide after that. Is that alright?"

"Of course."

***

The underground waterways. A small hideout prepared by the Star Child. There, one man swung a sword while another watched.

"No, that’s not it."

At the Star Child’s shout, the red greatsword stopped abruptly. The man wielding it, bandaged from head to toe, was Hectia.

"What’s wrong?"

"Hmm, you’re not swinging."

"…?"

Hectia looked at the Star Child, confused.

"Your swordplay is too mechanical. Stiff. You’re not enjoying it, are you?"

"…I’m enjoying it plenty."

"That’s what you think. Loosen up your face. Why so serious? You’re anxious, aren’t you?"

Hectia felt a pang. He was right. During the Demon Lord Brahmus incident… he’d failed to protect the cadets. He’d nearly died. It was the Star Child who’d appeared and saved him.

"You’re right. I am anxious."

Platinum Numbering No.1, Hectia of the Flame.

"They call me the greatest swordsman in the world, but I realized I’m still far from enough."

It was an unavoidable feeling. He’d thought he was the strongest, only to discover how many monstrous beings existed beyond. Holding himself together was already commendable.

The Star Child gave a wry smile and offered advice.

"Enjoy it more. Let yourself go to the sword. Don’t just swing it—dance with it. Set it ablaze, like your title."

At the Star Child’s words, Hectia raised his greatsword again. But… It was difficult. He’d reached this point with natural talent, but now he’d hit a wall. After standing still for a while, the Star Child, realizing Hectia was at a crossroads, spoke.

"Aren’t you curious?"

"About what?"

"What kind of world opens up when you go beyond platinum to diamond."

"…I’ll get stronger, right?"

"No, no. It’s not about getting stronger—it’s about seeing the world differently. Like a blind man gaining sight, or a deaf man hearing."

"…"

"Enjoy the sword. You can’t reach the ultimate through effort alone. Let go of your anxiety and learn to enjoy it. Look forward to and yearn for the world beyond."

It was a tall order. Still, Hectia began swinging his sword. Red flames surged.

Watching him, the Star Child stood up. Hectia’s talent was astonishing. There was no more advice to give about skill. The issue was his mindset reaching the world’s origin. That’s the only way to reach diamond.

"I’m heading out."

"You’re leaving?"

"Yeah. Time’s up. Turn off the lights when you go."

"I’m not leaving."

All day. For days on end. He wouldn’t leave until he reached the diamond realm.

"Are you going to Cadet Gilbert?"

"Yep. Oh, and I started training with that kid Savo at Gilbert’s request. I’m busy. A one-man academy, huh?"

If Hectia’s talent was a 1, and the Star Child’s was a 2, Gilbert’s was over 5. His talent was beyond estimation.

"Hurry up. You might get overtaken otherwise."

"…Right."

As Hectia prepared to swing his greatsword again, the Star Child turned away. Then he noticed a stack of newspapers.

‘Oh?’

The front page of today’s paper read:

[Complete Liberation of Fog Island. Arrival of the World Tree and Elves.]

[Diplomatic Delegation Led Directly by the Elf Queen!]

[Emperor and Queen’s Meeting. Highly Amicable.]

[Elf Queen to Return to Fog Island Tomorrow Morning.]