I'm an Extra, so What?
Chapter 109 - 109: A Child's Manipulation

Seemingly out of nowhere, a small, cheerful voice echoed through the Throne Room.

"You! Human!"

All eyes turned, and there she was—the Elf King's youngest daughter, her face lit up with a radiant smile.

Without waiting for decorum or permission, she dashed forward, her tiny feet pattering against the floor.

The Elf King opened his mouth to greet his second daughter, but before a single word escaped his lips, the little elf girl barreled into the human like a missile.

"Whoa!" Luka exclaimed, instinctively catching her as he stumbled backward, landing squarely on his backside. He chuckled, holding her steady.

"Hey there. Looks like you've recovered nicely."

"Yep!" she chirped, bouncing back up and taking a step away.

"I'm back to being strong!"

She struck a pose, flexing her tiny arms with all the might she could muster.

Luka burst into genuine laughter.

Her enthusiasm was infectious, and for a moment, even the guards softened their stoic expressions.

But not the Elf King.

Watching the interaction unfold, he felt an invisible arrow pierce his heart—seeing his daughter so happy with another man brought a pang of jealousy he couldn't quite mask.

His eyes narrowed ever so slightly, and he cleared his throat loudly, a theatrical ahem that snapped the room's attention back to him.

"Don't you need to speak with the World Tree?" the Elf King prompted, his voice carrying a touch of forced nonchalance.

"Go on. You shouldn't waste your own time."

Luka smirked inwardly, pushing himself back to his feet. "You're right, Your Majesty," he replied.

But in his mind, he thought:

'Jealous bastard.'

Before he could take a step, a tug at his pants stopped him.

He looked down to find the little elf girl gazing up at him with wide, sparkling eyes.

"Human, are you really, really going to the World Tree? Can I come too?" she asked, practically bouncing with excitement.

Luka blinked in surprise, glancing from the little elf girl to the Elf King.

He opened his mouth to respond—

But the Elf king's voice cut through like a blade.

"No. Impossible," he declared, his tone final and absolute.

"I won't let you out of my sight."

The little elf girl's smile vanished, her lips forming a perfect pout as she crossed her arms.

"But Daddy!" she whined, stamping her tiny foot against the floor with a defiant thud.

The Elf King turned his head away stubbornly, arms crossed over his chest.

"No means no," he stated firmly, though his voice wavered just slightly.

Tears began to shimmer at the edges of her eyes, tiny droplets threatening to spill over.

She sniffled dramatically.

"But... but... I want to go..." Her voice cracked ever so slightly, and a single tear slipped free, glistening as it traced its way down her cheek.

The moment it did, the Elf King's resolve crumbled like sand.

His head snapped back toward her, eyes wide with alarm.

"You can go, you can go! Just don't cry, my little angel!" he pleaded, his voice almost frantic.

The little elf girl sniffed again, rubbing her eyes with her small fists before looking up at him with a sweet, innocent smile.

"Thank you, Daddy," she said sweetly.

As she turned back to the human, however, that sweet smile melted into a smirk—one far too cunning for someone her age.

Luka's eyes widened slightly.

'Damn, she's a manipulator,' he thought, amused and impressed all at once.

"What are we waiting for? Let's go, human!" the little elf girl exclaimed, her voice bursting with enthusiasm.

Without waiting for his response, she spun on her heel and marched forward, her small feet tapping rhythmically against the floors.

Luka followed behind her, watching with mild amusement as she skipped and swayed, clearly incapable of walking in a straight line.

Her energy was infectious, and he found himself smiling as she twirled around pillars and leapt over the occasional decorative tile as if they were obstacles on a grand adventure.

As they exited the grand Throne Room, the towering double doors swung shut behind them with a deep, resonant thud.

At that precise moment, the Elf King leaned toward his butler.

Bringing his mouth to his ear, he whispered:

"I want all my assassins to watch over her. Make sure nothing happens to her—no scratches, no harsh words. If anyone dares to harm her or even upset her... kill them on sight."

The butler's eyes did not waver.

He bowed his head respectfully. "Of course, Your Majesty," he replied smoothly before gliding out of the room, disappearing into the shadows to relay the orders.

Meanwhile—

Luka and the little elf girl strolled down the long hallway.

The little elf girl suddenly turned her head to look back at him, her eyes sparkling.

"By the way, my name is Ahshala!" she declared proudly, her voice echoing slightly.

"Because you saved me, I will allow you to call me that. Be grateful!"

She thumped her tiny fist against her chest, giggling as she did.

Luka raised an eyebrow, chuckling at her boldness.

"I feel so honored," he replied.

He knew she was just a child, but her confidence was something else.

Ahshala puffed out her cheeks, clearly picking up on his tone.

"You better be! Not just anyone gets to call me by my name, you know!" she huffed, though the smile on her face betrayed her.

▬▬ι═══════ﺤ

Arriving at the base of the World Tree—

Luka and Ahshala paused, taking in the serene emptiness of the sacred place.

Normally, the World Tree was surrounded by others.

But now, there was only silence.

Ahshala looked around in awe, her eyes wide.

"It's so empty... it's never like this," she murmured, her voice hushed as if afraid to disturb the stillness.

Luka nodded slowly, agreeing.

Suddenly a soft, melodic voice drifted through the air, cutting through the silence like the gentle rustling of leaves.

"Oh my," the voice cooed, feminine and ethereal, carrying a warmth that seemed to resonate from the very bark of the World Tree itself.

"It seems I have guests…"

Both Luka and Ahshala turned their attention to the World Tree.

"…"

Ahshala was the first to react, her face lighting up with pure joy.

"Whoa! Hello, World Tree!" she shouted excitedly, her small feet carrying her forward without hesitation.

She reached out and touched the bark.

The moment she made contact, the bark shimmered with soft light, responding to her touch.

Giggling softly, Ahshala wrapped her arms around a small outcropping of its trunk.

"I hope we aren't bothering you," she added, her voice muffled slightly against the wood.

A soft chuckle echoed around them, carried by the whisper of wind through the branches.

"Why, of course not, child," the World Tree replied, its voice kind and motherly.

"I have not had visitors in quite some time… I am delighted by your presence."

Luka stepped forward. He offered a polite half-bow. "It's nice to meet you... personally," he greeted.

There was a brief pause before the World Tree responded, its voice tender and almost... amused.

"Oh, Luka Junker… It is nice to meet you as well."

Luka's eyes narrowed slightly.

"You know my name?" he asked.

"Why, of course," the World Tree replied gently.

"I know the names of every living being in this world. I even know their memories... their stories... everything about them."

Luka's body went still.

"Does that mean you know about... that?" he asked carefully.

A soft hum resonated through the ground beneath his feet, and the leaves above rustled with a breeze that did not exist.

"Of course, I do," the World Tree answered.

"And I know precisely why you wanted to speak with me."