How to Survive as a Trash Extra Villain

Chapter 106

The Grand Festival was fast approaching. Cadets juggled classes and club activities, marching from dawn to late evening.

‘Why me…?’

A mandatory festival booth? If I’d known about this rule, I’d never have joined!

“This is… an espresso. The foundation of everything. Add water, milk, syrup, or fruit juice, and it branches into various coffees.”

I brewed coffee using a magic-powered machine that applied pressure and heat.

‘What am I doing?’

Unbelievably, every club member was eagerly participating in barista training. …Which made it worse.

I glanced at Elisha, who gave me a thumbs-up.

‘Damn it!’

The protagonist party’s report… featured my coffee wagon. Glowing praise. No café was more perfect. Coffee or divine nectar? Hailey, seeing the saccharine report, couldn’t miss the chance.

“Everyone, applause for Teacher Martin!”

And so, I was dragged onto the stage.

Adela and Elisha, already fans of the coffee, were expected, but even Prince Kazaks filled his notebook diligently.

Muller, eyeing him like a rare specimen, asked, “Your Highness, why the sudden coffee obsession?”

“The Black Knight. Didn’t you hear? The rumor among the imperial chefs says he loves coffee.”

Muller clicked his tongue. “…Tch, now you’re into the Black Knight…”

Unfazed, Kazaks turned to Adela. “Hey, Cadet Adela. I want to see the Black Knight.”

“No way. You think I’d show my Black Knight to a filthy schemer like you?”

Anette, self-proclaimed emperor, chimed in, daydreaming. “They say the Black Knight’s the most famous person in the empire lately. I’d love to meet him. My guard knight’s curious, too. …How about it? The Black Knight versus the Red Knight?”

“Shut it. I’m never showing him.”

By now, everyone was so used to Adela’s venom they just laughed it off.

‘…Weird.’

Since when… did we all get tangled up like this? How did it happen?

‘Really.’

It felt like a dream. I still couldn’t stand Gilbert, but… the Café Exploration Club was somehow holding together. Thanks to Hailey’s inclusivity and Anette’s sheer presence.

Sharing a space, pursuing a light goal together, everyone was growing a bit fond of each other.

‘Well, honestly…’

I’m no different. I don’t hate them as much as I used to.

Mere novel characters, creations I’d forget once I escaped this world, not mine but someone else’s…

“Ahem, this is a café mocha.”

“W-Wow, you know your stuff, Princess!”

“There’s nothing I don’t know.”

“Mary, this is a caramel macchiato!”

“W-Wow!”

…But they’re alive, breathing before my eyes.

I clashed beliefs and emotions with Gilbert, the protagonist, fighting in rage.

Elisha and I had bad blood, but we joined the shooting club, explored ruins, fought demons, and talked.

Mary, Bord, and I teamed up to tackle Academy assignments together.

The arrogant, distrustful Adela joined club activities, changed enough to be here.

Look at Kazaks, coexisting without fighting.

What would’ve happened originally?

Luri would’ve died to Helaine, unnamed.

Hailey was fated to perish unnoticed in Dr. Keren’s lab.

Anette would’ve become the Tyrant Empress, losing her mind and dying as a villain.

‘They’ve changed.’

All of them, different from the original story. The story I knew is gone, replaced by individuals shaped by their ties to me.

‘…Get a grip.’

Still, they’re novel characters. Creations of Recola’s hand.

“Hey, Cadet Martin!”

“Oh, yes.”

I turned to see Hailey’s sparkling eyes fixed on me.

“Can we hire your coffee wagon for our café booth?!”

“…What?”

Hailey stepped closer, pleading.

“The coffee wagon’s the trendiest spot in the capital! Not tea, not green tea—coffee! It could shake up Imperium’s café market!”

“Well, sure, but…”

Business-wise, collaborating with Imperium Academy was ideal, but… wouldn’t it draw too much attention?

“It’s not just me running it. I’ll ask, but don’t get your hopes up. Everyone has their own circumstances…”

***

“Awesome!”

“….”

Bianca raised both arms, singing. Her purple twin tails bounced as she hopped.

“Imperium Academy~! I’m finally going to the place I’ve only heard about~! Gotta brag to the kids! Thanks, Boss!”

This wasn’t the plan.

“Ahem! W-We need others’ opinions…”

“I’m in favor.”

I turned to see Nerjin. His proud grandfatherly smile left me speechless.

“…Uh, Savo, you? Y-You don’t like crowded places, right?”

“….”

One fact Martin overlooked: Savo’s two secret friends. Clutching his sword, Savo’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

“….”

“Um, Master.”

In my daze, Lilac called me. Turning, I saw her beaming with pure joy.

“Will I, Lilac, get to see you at Imperium Academy?”

“….”

With reverence and delight.

“If I could see you diligently studying with your peers, I’d have no regrets!”

“….”

Clasping her hands at her chest.

“Though I’m an inadequate maid, if you’d grant me even one chance to see you at the Academy, even from afar…”

How could I, of all people, refuse Lilac’s earnest plea?

“I’ll work harder!”

“Alright…”

***

“Intruder!”

“Kill them!”

The cries of blasphemous heretics in red and black robes echoed through the hideout. Soon, an indescribable, horrific, and inhumane power filled the dark passageways.

“Intruder? How hurtful. Why so cold to an old friend?”

Power from the great cosmic order gathered. Twin pistols aimed forward, spitting white lasers. The beams effortlessly crushed the vile demon magic, sweeping through the heretics.

“Aaaargh!”

“S-Spare us!”

“Demon Lord!”

Where the mighty stellar force passed, no trace of the impure remained.

The Peacemaker’s Star Child stepped forward. Holstering his pistols, he strolled as if on a walk.

“Now… shall we see what you were so desperate to hide?”

Using Martin’s intel, the Star Child headed for the ‘Pillar of the World,’ the highest mountain, to claim Majesty of the Mountain, one of the Nature Five, equal to the Desert Hierophant.

Naturally, he didn’t go quietly. He casually destroyed a few Church of the Demon Lord hideouts along the way.

‘Feels like cheating.’

Finding something so well-hidden with ease. He was dying to know Martin’s true identity, but you don’t gut the goose that lays golden eggs.

‘To think I’d find them here.’

The ancient druids managed Majesty of the Mountain. A near-saintly clan, loving nature and communing with animals and plants to better the world. At first, he was thrilled, thinking he’d found new allies.

‘But they’re corrupted!’

The Church of the Demon Lord had struck first. Corruption. The druids’ noble, pure knowledge burned away, and the fallen druids groveled at the Demon Lords’ feet.

“Then close your eyes in peace.”

Those who submit to evil meet one end.

“May Cosmos embrace you.”

He’d help them return to the great universe.

The Star Child’s steps halted.

“Here.”

A vast curtain of blood and darkness hung before him. Beyond it lay Majesty of the Mountain.

‘And… something else.’

Something the corrupted druids and the Church so desperately hid.

“Evil.”

The Star Child reached toward the curtain.

“Vanish before the great order. I will see the truth.”

Light from his fingertips illuminated the curtain, igniting white flames that consumed it. Beyond was…

“…!”

Even the Star Child, with centuries of turbulent life, furrowed his brow. It was like witnessing the fall of the Cosmos Empire, its beginning.

‘What an immense offering…’

A figure sat on a massive throne. Thousands of rare demon flowers bloomed around it, with a throne of hell’s precious minerals, cemented with human blood, brains, and hearts forming the Demon Lord’s effigy. Draped on its back was a dark red fur cloak.

‘Majesty of the Mountain!’

Chills ran through him. The entire setup was an offering. At this scale—

‘It could fully summon a Demon Lord!’

If, just if, he’d been a moment later?

‘It would’ve descended…!’

He’d have had to fight. And likely… died.

‘If one Demon Lord lives, others would soon follow… It’d be unstoppable.’

With no reliable ally, he’d have sacrificed himself, leaving the future to the next generation. An offering this grand could summon a Demon Lord requiring mutual destruction.

‘Martin’s saving me—no, this world!’

Breathing relief, the Star Child looked at the king with pity. Thousands of hearts and brains embedded. It could summon a lesser Demon Lord even now…

“Rest in peace. I’ll grant you serenity.”

He drew a chalice. A Rosary of Grace for sanctification would’ve been ideal, but he’d make do.

He ejected his pistol’s magazine, pouring the chalice’s holy water into the chamber.

He fired. White light filled the space. The flowers, throne, and king’s effigy burned in holy flames.

The Star Child donned the black fur cloak that floated toward him.

“…I mustn’t be late.”

After this, the Church of the Demon Lord wouldn’t sit idly by.

***

The next morning, the Academy’s official notice came during assembly. Teacher Hectia announced from the podium.

“As you know, the Grand Festival is soon.”

No big deal. An annual Academy event. Summer break’s over, autumn’s here—let’s party and study hard. That’s the vibe.

“Club members, coordinate with your clubs. Don’t mistake the Grand Festival for a mere party.”

But one thing: it’s the Grand Festival of Imperium Academy, the world’s top institution.

“From one end of the continent to the other, where the empire’s glory shines, everyone will gather. From festival-goers to scouts seeking the continent’s best talents, to foreign nobles and royals.”

The world would watch the Academy.

“Perhaps His Majesty the Emperor will attend.”