[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist":3,"chapter-the-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-the-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-chapter-296":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1550193,2013,"Chapter 296 : The next ruler (1)","the-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-chapter-296",296,"\u003Cp>A hover car glided smoothly through the outskirts of the city, its engines humming softly against the backdrop of a recovering skyline. On the way to their destination, the streets told a story of devastation slowly giving way to hope—crumbled buildings half-rebuilt, scaffolds climbing like vines over shattered facades, and workers in hazard suits hauling away twisted metal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But amid the progress, the scars remained: piles of rubble still yielding bodies, wrapped solemnly in white sheets as recovery teams worked tirelessly under the dim afternoon sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window. The sight hit him like a punch—families huddled nearby, faces etched with grief, as another form was carefully extracted from the debris.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, the vision Roselia had shown him flashed in his mind: the holographic carnage of Avaloria, innocents crushed under falling towers, their screams silent but deafening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guilt settled heavy in his chest, unfamiliar and unwelcome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I never thought I’d care this much about people I don’t even know,’ he thought. ’Maybe I’m not as tough as I pretended to be. Roselia was right—one of the reasons for all this death... is me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed deeply. \"So this is the weight of a life she was talking about, huh... Gotta say, this feeling is awful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system’s voice echoed in his head immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Don’t blame yourself too much, Host. It’s true thousands died because of that fight. But it’s also true millions were saved—only because of you. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Maybe you’re right,’ Alex replied silently. ’But it doesn’t make me feel any better.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the window beside him darkened as a privacy filter activated, blocking the grim view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice cut through his thoughts. \"That’s enough. Stop looking outside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex turned toward the driver’s seat. It was Alicia, her hands steady on the controls, expression unreadable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And why’s that?\" Alex asked quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because I know what you’re thinking,\" Alicia said, her tone serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He managed a small smile. \"And what am I thinking?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You just need to know it didn’t happen because of you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex said nothing, just smiled at her a little longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex glanced ahead at the road. \"Take a left up here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia frowned, confused. \"Aren’t you going home first? To see Alyssa and Lily?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will,\" Alex replied softly. \"But there’s something that needs to be done first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia shot him a sharp glare through the rearview. \"It’s not because you’re afraid to face them, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex swallowed hard. \"It’s not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia let out a huff, easing off. \"Fine. But make sure you meet them afterward.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, yeah,\" Alex said, waving a hand. \"And first—will you please stop nagging me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia’s mouth twitched. \"What did you say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You heard me, woman.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t nag.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Try telling that to yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They went back and forth like that, voices rising in playful argument, until the back seat erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alden and Serena burst out laughing, clutching their sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alden wiped a tear from his eye. \"They remind me so much of you and Dad, Mom.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex and Alicia’s faces turned beet red in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serena’s mouth twitched. Without warning, a sharp slap landed on Alden’s right cheek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alden winced, rubbing the spot. \"Ow! What was that for?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serena crossed her arms. \"Your father and I don’t fight like that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alden muttered under his breath, still rubbing his cheek, \"Yeah, right. You think I’m blind?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did you say, you brat?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing!\" Alden threw both hands up defensively, shielding his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex couldn’t help it—he burst out laughing at the sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Wagonheart,\" Alden said suddenly, still smarting, \"at least tell us where we’re going.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serena and Alicia stifled laughs at the nickname.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex’s face heated up again. ’This bastard won’t let it go...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get a plastic surgery first,\" Alex shot back, \"and then ask again. Maybe I’ll tell you, assface. Just what does Ava see in you with that ugly mug?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Serena couldn’t hold it in—she doubled over laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alden yelled, \"What the hell kind of mother are you? You know I’m your son, right?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serena gasped between laughs. \"Sorry, son... but your face? It belongs to your father.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alden’s mouth twitched in defeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex laughed even louder. Alden shot him a glare, but Alex waved it off. \"Alright, alright. We’re going to the royal palace.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mood shifted instantly. Everyone’s expressions turned serious. Serena leaned forward. \"Alex... are you sure you want to get involved? The fight for the throne—it’s not something outsiders should touch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I appreciate the warning, Aunt Serena,\" Alex said. \"But if I don’t step in now, there won’t be a nation left to rule.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, his voice steady. \"From what I’ve pieced together of Sophia’s vision... a war is coming. We need to prepare—now. And right now isn’t the time to bicker over which clown sits on the throne.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone darkened. \"If they won’t listen... I may as well end the royal lineage myself today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alden, Alicia, and Serena all sucked in a cold breath. They knew—he wasn’t bluffing. No one in the nation could stop him if he meant it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Alex burst out laughing. \"Relax! I’m joking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three exhaled in unison, tension draining away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alden groaned. \"Don’t make jokes like that, you bastard!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still chuckling, Alex turned to Serena. \"Aunty, you’re pure-blood royal too. What do you think about becoming queen?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serena yelled, \"Don’t even think about it, you brat! I’ll never be queen—I have zero interest in ruling. I’m already drowning in responsibilities for the Crestvale Duchy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex clicked his tongue. \"Tch. What a shame.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his mind, the system spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ You were really joking about ending the royal bloodline, right? ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex smirked inwardly. ’Guess we’ll find out in a few minutes.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system went silent for a beat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ You narcissistic psychopath. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex ignored it as silence filled the air again and quietly Alicia drove towards the royal palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a ten-minute drive, the hover car pulled up to the grand gates of the royal palace—its spires gleaming defiantly against the recovering city.\u003C\u002Fp>",1011,"2026-06-06T07:14:57.154Z",1,"novelbin.me","97e54d6dc8972b12ba8aa1038df1b4640437a0029687f4f06829408cc7a90989","the-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-chapter-150","the-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-chapter-175",418,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-cover.jpg"]