Don't Want to Be Ordinary Even Though I'm an Extra Character

Chapter 23: [22] Invitation from the Shadowed Marquis



I held the invitation in my slightly trembling hand, not out of fear, but because of the name inscribed within it.

Marquis Arleon De Vryse.

The name wasn't unfamiliar to me. In the novel Warrior Destiny, he was one of the key figures introduced in the first half of the story. Unlike Baron Harken or other nobles in this neutral kingdom, Arleon played a significant role in the main conflict.

He was a man shrouded in mystery.

In the story, Marquis Arleon was depicted as a noble with immense influence in this neutral kingdom, a master of political maneuvering who always operated behind the scenes. He wasn't exactly a protagonist, nor was he a villain. He occupied the gray zone, waiting to see which side emerged victorious before pledging his support.

This invitation… what does it mean?

Sitting at my desk, I absently toyed with the ring on my finger, my eyes fixed on the letter. Why would someone of his stature summon me?

I felt a swirl of emotions. On one hand, this was an incredible opportunity. Marquis Arleon was no mere noble—he was one of the most powerful lords in this kingdom. Establishing a connection with him could open doors to untold possibilities.

On the other hand, I knew someone like him would never act without reason. This invitation certainly had an ulterior motive.

I opened the letter again, reading its contents carefully:

**"To Mr. Arkan,

With due respect, I, Marquis Arleon De Vryse, cordially invite you to attend a private banquet at my manor on the fourth evening of this week. Your presence is highly anticipated, and I believe we can discuss matters of mutual benefit.

Sincerely,

Arleon De Vryse"**

I let out a long sigh. His words were polite, but they carried an undertone of authority. This wasn't just an invitation—it was a summons.

"What exactly does he want from me?" I muttered, my eyes lingering on the elegant script.

I racked my brain, trying to recall details about Marquis Arleon from the novel. He was always portrayed as someone unpredictable—sometimes aiding the protagonist, Rainer, but other times obstructing him.

One thing was clear: Arleon was not someone to underestimate.

Finally, I stood up, smoothing my clothes as I leaned against the wall of my room.

"Fine," I told myself. "I don't have much of a choice. Refusing this invitation would likely be seen as an insult. And that's the last thing I want to risk with a Marquis."

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to focus.

"The fourth evening of this week. I'll go and find out what he really wants."

The real question was: Am I prepared to deal with someone like Marquis Arleon?

Marquis Arleon wasn't just a wealthy noble with immense influence; he was a pivotal turning point for Rainer, the protagonist of Warrior Destiny, as he began to reclaim his confidence after his early failures.

However, it wasn't Arleon himself that drove Rainer's growth—it was a mission known as "The Lament."

This mission involved a small village within Marquis Arleon's domain, one that fell victim to a mysterious plague wiping out its inhabitants one by one. The source of the plague turned out to be a dark sorcerer hiding in a cave connected to the village well.

In the story, Rainer—still struggling with the trauma of his failures—accepted the mission after much persuasion from Arleon. Initially, he almost abandoned the task due to its difficulty, but he rediscovered his resolve after meeting an important character from the village:

Clara Winfield.

Clara was a simple yet resilient girl. Though she had lost her family to the plague, she stood firm as a pillar of hope for the village. Her courage inspired Rainer to continue the mission, ultimately becoming a key reason for his rebirth as a hero.

But now, how does this involve me?

I couldn't be sure if I was about to be pulled into that narrative. Yet, if Marquis Arleon had invited me personally, there was a significant chance his motives extended beyond mere business.

"The Lament…" I whispered, sifting through my memory for details of that storyline. Would I be drawn into this mission as well?

Pacing back and forth in my room, my mind churned through countless possibilities. "If the plague is real, it's a massive risk. A dark sorcerer, hidden caves, even monsters lurking below—any one of them could be deadly."

On the other hand, if I played my cards right, this could be more than just a chance to ally with the Marquis. It could lead to wealth, power, or perhaps a stronger foothold in this world.

I stopped in front of the small desk in my room, my eyes fixed on the invitation.

"All right. If this is my path, then I'll need to prepare for everything."

The first step was information.

Pulling up the system, I navigated to the World Knowledge tutorial. I needed to refresh my memory and gather all the facts I could about plagues, dark magic, and anything related to the events of The Lament.

The system presented a holographic overview, starting with plague identification and sources.

[Plague Knowledge: Plagues are often magical in nature in this world, requiring specific purification methods. Be wary of miasma or curses.]

I shuddered slightly. Even in the novel, Rainer had to rely on a sacred artifact and a village healer to counter the effects of the miasma. I had neither.

Next, I explored information on dark sorcery.

[Dark Sorcery: This is magic driven by sacrifice and corruption. Practitioners often bind their power to a physical object or a location, making it essential to locate and destroy their source of strength.]

Destroy their source. The village well from the novel immediately came to mind. The sorcerer had used it as a focal point for spreading the plague.

I grimaced. Even if I wasn't Rainer, I had stumbled too far into this world's machinations to walk away unscathed.

Closing the system, I turned my focus back to the invitation. My hands were steady now, my thoughts clearer.

"Marquis Arleon, whatever you have planned… I'll face it."

This wasn't just a meeting with a powerful noble—it was the next chapter of my story in this unforgiving world.


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