An Extra’s Rise in an Eroge

Within the resplendent halls of the royal palace, where intricate chandeliers cast a golden glow over polished marble floors, Regulus Hestia, Emperor of the Hestia Empire, sat upon his majestic golden throne.

The royal court was gathered in full, a rare occurrence that signified the gravity of the situation. On either side of the emperor, the prime minister, queen, crown prince, and an assembly of high-ranking ministers sat in their designated places.

But today's audience extended beyond the usual court officials.

Among the attendees stood some of the most powerful figures in the empire—individuals whose mere presence demanded attention:

Duchess Elara Frost and Duchess Ophelia Mystic, both renowned pillars of noble power.

Magic Tower Master, an enigmatic figure whose wisdom shaped the empire's magical advancements.

Samatha Hall, representing the Arcane Academy.

Grand Marshal Damien Valtor, the supreme commander of the imperial army.

Their presence only reinforced the urgency of the matter at hand.

A hush fell over the hall as Dooth, the emperor's trusted royal messenger, stepped forward. His voice echoed through the chamber as he declared:

"Let the court commence."

The proceedings began without delay.

Dooth scanned the room before continuing, his tone firm and measured.

"Firstly, Grand Inquisitor Veyron Duskbane, you will present the findings of your investigation before the royal court."

Veyron Duskbane stepped forward with measured steps, his black cloak trailing behind him. As he reached the center of the royal court, he knelt before the emperor with practiced precision.

"Long live the emperor. Glory to the great Hestia," he declared, his deep voice echoing through the chamber.

Emperor Regulus Hestia gave a small nod, acknowledging the greeting. "Rise, Grand Inquisitor. Begin your report."

Veyron stood, his sharp gaze sweeping across the gathered officials before he spoke.

"According to our investigation, at approximately 12:00 PM yesterday, an armed attack was carried out at the Royal Museum by individuals suspected to be part of the rebel army."

A quiet murmur rippled through the court, but Veyron continued, his voice firm and unwavering.

"Despite the presence of royal guards, a portal was somehow opened inside the museum. This strongly suggests internal involvement—someone on the inside must have helped facilitate the breach."

The weight of his words settled over the court. It was one thing for enemies to strike from the outside—but an internal betrayal? That was far more dangerous.

Several nobles exchanged tense glances, but Veyron pressed on.

"Based on survivor testimonies, a group of hooded figures—suspected to be demon contractors—were seen searching for something specific."**

A pause. Then, he delivered the revelation.

"Their target was none other than the demonic sword, 'Abyssal Fang'—the very weapon sealed and secured within the Royal Museum."

The emperor listened in silence, his expression unreadable, but the oppressive chill radiating from him was unmistakable. Though his posture remained composed, the weight of his authority pressed upon the court like an unseen force.

Veyron continued, carefully choosing his words.

"Fortunately—whether by fate or sheer luck—Grandmaster Samantha Hall was present at the museum along with a group of elite students. They managed to hold off the initial wave of the attack. Not only that, but Archmage Elena Moon, who happened to be nearby, quickly joined the battle."

A hushed murmur spread through the court. The mention of such high-ranking individuals being involved in the defense was unexpected.

"Because of their intervention, the casualties were significantly reduced. Had they not been there, who knows how many more lives would have been lost by the time reinforcements arrived."

The gravity of the situation deepened as Veyron continued.

"Furthermore, our investigation confirms that two enemy leaders—both master-rank warriors—were part of the attack."

A wave of unease swept through the court. The realization that master-ranked enemies had infiltrated the heart of the empire was deeply unsettling.

But Veyron wasn't finished.

"Despite the overwhelming odds, a young man—Arthur Ludwig—managed to slay both of these master-ranked warriors, single-handedly ensuring the safety of the civilians."

Gasps filled the chamber. Even among the gathered nobles and military officials, the idea of a mere advanced-rank swordsman defeating two masters was nothing short of astonishing.

"As Duchess Elara arrived, the enemy leader made the decision to flee, and with her reinforcements, the situation was finally brought under control."

The tension in the room eased slightly at the confirmation that the battle had been won, but Veyron's voice carried a somber note as he continued.

"Despite the victory, the losses were still considerable. Many lives were lost, and—" he exhaled, "—several priceless relics, weapons, and treasures from the museum have gone missing."

The emperor's grip on his throne tightened.

And then, Veyron hesitated—just for a brief moment.

When he finally spoke, his voice was grave.

"Most importantly… the Abyssal Fang is missing. Only the remnants of the seals placed upon it remain."

The royal court fell into a stunned silence. Veyron's words about the missing Abyssal Fang hung in the air, heavier than any blade. Whispers of disbelief and concern spread like wildfire among the gathered nobles and officials.

The first to break the silence was Grand Marshal Damien Valtor.

"What do you mean the demonic sword is missing?!" he demanded, his deep voice echoing through the chamber. His piercing gaze locked onto Veyron, a mixture of disbelief and outrage flickering in his sharp eyes.

Damien was not just a leader of the imperial army—his flowing white hair and beard exuded an air of wisdom, while his towering muscular frame was a testament to his strength. A man of both strategy and raw power, his very presence commanded attention.

The Abyssal Fang was more than just a relic. It was a symbol—a testament to the myth of the First Hero and humanity's triumph over the Demon King, Satan. More than that, it was a weapon of unfathomable destruction. The very fact that it had vanished…

It was a disaster waiting to happen.

If it fell into the wrong hands, a massacre was inevitable.

Veyron, ever composed, met the marshal's fierce gaze without hesitation.

"It is exactly as I said, Marshal Damien." His voice was unwavering. "By the time our forces arrived at the vault, the Abyssal Fang was already gone. The remnants of the sealing spells were all that remained."

The tension in the room thickened.

"We believe the Black Hand orchestrated the theft," Veyron continued. "However, we cannot rule out the possibility that an outsider—perhaps even a visitor—was involved."

Another wave of murmurs erupted among the court. The idea that a traitor could be among the capital's own people only deepened the growing unease.

And then—

The emperor finally broke his silence, his deep voice cutting through the tense atmosphere. "Samantha, is it?"

Samantha flinched slightly at being directly addressed. "Y-Yes, Your Majesty."

The emperor's gaze sharpened. "You look troubled. Is there something you wish to share?"

She hesitated, swallowing hard before forcing the words out. "W-Well... I think I know where the Abyssal Fang is."

The entire court tensed. All eyes snapped toward her, the weight of anticipation hanging thick in the air.

The emperor leaned forward slightly. "I'm listening."

Samantha took a deep breath before speaking. "The last time I saw the demonic sword… it was in Arthur Ludwig's hands."

Gasps rippled through the courtroom. Veyron, ever composed, frowned. "But we found nothing on him when he was escorted to the academy in his unconscious state."

Before anyone could process that, Grand Marshal Damien Valtor interjected, his booming voice laced with disbelief.

"You let a kid hold the Abyssal Fang? Are you out of your mind, Professor? If you saw it in his hands, your first priority should have been securing it! Do you even understand how dangerous that thing is?!"

Samantha opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, another voice cut in.

"If you knew, then how could you be so careless?"

This time, it was High Chancellor Julius Ravenn. His piercing gaze bore into Samantha with unmasked scrutiny.

"SILENCE."

A suffocating pressure crashed down upon the courtroom, stopping all further outbursts. The very air trembled beneath the weight of the emperor's authority.

Everyone turned toward the throne. The frail-looking old man sitting atop it looked as though a gust of wind could break him. But appearances were deceiving.

This was Regulus Hestia, the Emperor of the Hestia Empire.

His golden eyes locked onto Samantha. "Tell me, girl... why didn't you take the sword from Arthur's hands?"

His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge to it.

"Do you not know? No mortal can remain sane after wielding it."

Samantha swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the emperor's coercive presence pressing down on her. "I-I know, Your Majesty," she stammered, struggling to keep her composure. "But… that sword had no effect on Arthur. I can vouch for that. It was—" she hesitated, searching for the right words, "—obedient in his hands."

The emperor's expression darkened. "And you expect me to believe that?"

Before Samantha could respond, Duchess Elara Frost stepped forward.
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"I can confirm her words, Your Majesty." Her voice carried the weight of undeniable authority. "I was at the scene. Every individual present at the museum was thoroughly examined afterward. Arthur Ludwig was unconscious, but his mind was intact. There was no trace of demonic corruption on him—or anyone else."

A murmur spread through the court.

"How is that possible?" someone questioned, voicing what many were thinking.

Elara's gaze swept across the room before settling back on the emperor. "We will have to wait for Arthur to regain consciousness," she stated firmly.

A heavy silence followed before the emperor exhaled slowly.

"The court is adjourned."

With that, he rose from his throne and departed, his retinue of guards falling in step behind him.

As he strode down the grand corridors of the palace, an elderly woman walked beside him, keeping pace with ease despite her age.

"What are you thinking, Regulus?" she asked, her voice calm yet knowing.

The emperor let out a weary sigh. "Hah… I think it's time we meet our grandson. Don't you agree, Helena?"

The empress—Helena Hestia—allowed a small smile to cross her lips. "You finally mentioned it. How long has it been since I saw my grandson?"