I Transmigrated as an Extra in a Trashy Dark Romance Game - Chapter 3

Volumes 1 - 3 of TETDRG is available uncensored on ko-fi!

※ This work contains depictions of coercive relationships, explicit language, and other graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.

Grabbing that keyword about the banquet earlier seemed like a good move.

In this game, the opening was the banquet celebrating the First Prince’s investiture as Crown Prince, where the heroine, the saintess, would appear.

That day, the heroine, the illegitimate daughter of a count whose existence was unknown, received a revelation that she was the saintess who had appeared after a century, marking her belated social debut for some undisclosed reason.

‘Though, the saintess was practically dragged to the palace that day, dolled up from dawn, and felt like a mere accessory when the Crown Prince she met for the first time showed blatantly political intentions to win over the nobles…’

From that day on, as the saintess made herself known to the world, the Crown Prince, the Young Duke, the Dragon, and several other men swarmed around her, and she was repeatedly taken advantage of by them whenever they got the chance.

That was the overall story of the game.

I remembered that while the beginning was a bit dull, later on, the 19+ scenes appeared so frequently it became tiresome, and I felt my face grow slightly warm.

While the maid was getting ‘me’ ready, I decided on my plan of action.

‘That is, under no circumstances, get involved with the main characters.’

The game’s genre wasn’t isekai, but true to its B-grade nature, it was a messy jumble of too many clichés.

If that were the case, then among all those potential clichés, I figured at least one could affect ‘me,’ the one who had transmigrated.

‘It’s entirely possible that the attention meant for the original heroine could shift to the transmigrated protagonist. Especially since this is a dark fantasy, that kind of attention is the last thing I want.’

There was no harm in being cautious.

Once ready, Edith looked exactly like the gloomy young lady described in that single line of the game. She wore a faded, moss-green dress that seemed well-worn, adorned with what looked like a meager handful of accessories. She was so… faded—to the point where you’d think she’d genuinely escape notice.

Furthermore, whether from lack of outdoor activity or just her natural complexion, her skin was pale, bordering on sickly, perfectly accentuating her hazy, melancholic impression.

‘Her features are actually quite nice, what a shame. They’re completely buried under this washed-out aura… Now I see why she’s just a side character.’

When Edith left the mansion to board the carriage, she was greeted not by luxury, but by an opulent carriage and a middle-aged man so fat he looked uncomfortable to move. His face was slick with grease, giving him an unpleasant look, and his hair was plain brown, but his distinctive ash-gray eyes revealed their relationship.

[Biological Father, Viscount Moulton]

The Viscount shot her a disapproving glance, then boarded the carriage with a servant’s help. The whole scene looked like he was off to sell a prized pig he’d fattened up.

* * *

Despite leaving around noon, the carriages waiting for entry at the palace gates caused such a crowd that the sun had already begun to set by the time they arrived.

Stepping out of the carriage behind the Viscount at the entrance to the Great Hall—the palace’s largest banquet venue—Edith fought back a surge of emotion so intense it made her want to cry. The nonstop barrage of personal attacks and contempt from Viscount Moulton inside the carriage had been shocking. It was enough to piece together why the maids treated her the way they did.

‘…How did a gloomy child like you end up in our family?’

‘At least your mother had a pretty face. Look at you. Pale and gaunt like a skeleton, tsk!’

‘No wonder no one wants to take you.’

‘At today’s banquet, try to at least smile a little, or drag that tattered dress around, and see if you can entice some of the young masters!’

Was he truly Edith’s father? Her head spun, emotions spiraling out of control at his utterly cruel words. That sensation of merging with Edith washed over her again, her heart sinking as if being submerged.

The impact must have been significant, as the figure that was at 14% earlier had now risen to 39%.

‘A 39% Melancholy Level in just one day of transmigrating here… Is this okay? What happens if it hits 100%? They gave a warning for a reason; it must mean I need to avoid reaching it….’

In stark contrast to the anxious Edith, the banquet hall before her glittered with gold. The elegant music and laughter drifting through the air made her feel like she was somewhere she didn’t belong.

Viscount Moulton, with his heavy frame, had already managed to wedge himself into a crowd of other nobles somewhere. Left utterly alone, Edith moved her steps toward a quieter corner, hoping to calm her unsettled feelings.

As Edith unconsciously moved toward the wall, people neither turned their heads toward her, spoke to her, nor paid her any attention whatsoever.

It was as if she were a hidden person here, invisible.

“His Highness the Crown Prince and the Saintess are entering—”