Because She Had A Time Limit, She Became The Villain’s Daughter-in-law - Chapter 136

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“…Father?”
“I’m sorry for everything, Evan.”
Calaudin pressed his forehead against his son’s shoulder—a man taller than himself—and spoke briefly. Yet within those few words lay every apology he carried.
“This is the karma I’ve earned for trying to use people’s deaths as a means to an end. Don’t you ever abandon someone you love.”
Calaudin knew almost nothing about Laria. Therefore, his decision to save her was made entirely for Evan’s sake.
“No, sir. You’ve accomplished all of this—why would you do this for me….”
Evan couldn’t bring himself to ask his father to save Laria instead of Matilda, so his words trailed off, but Calaudin’s response was resolute.
“I can never abandon you. Matilda wouldn’t want that either.”
“….”
“A father like me is worse than nothing. Be happy with Laria without me. I’m worthless trash.”
―This is ridiculous.
The Demon’s voice interjected.
―You’re right that you’re trash, but why do you think a demon only takes a life as payment?
Calaudin tilted his head and answered.
“Because it’s a contract unfavorable to humans….”
―In Evan Icard’s case, it’s unavoidable due to causality, but if there’s no particular need to take a human life, I don’t demand such a price.
The Demon spoke with irritation.
―As long as the contractor lives, I can remain in the human realm, and honestly, watching an entertaining show is far better. We prefer to feast on misfortune rather than human lives.
“Misfortune?”
―Tangling up situations and watching the contractor suffer from them.
“No, what kind of twisted taste is that….”
―I’m a demon, so of course I have twisted tastes. Should I have charitable hobbies instead?
The Demon chuckled and continued.
―Unlike Matilda Icard, whose body was never meant to bear children in the first place, reviving Laria Icard is simple. I just need to reveal a treatment method humans don’t yet know.
Evan swallowed dryly without realizing it.
―That will probably become a crack that shakes causality. And you, Calaudin, will need to plant one strange tree in the Mansion Garden. You’ll have to accept that much brainwashing now.
The Demon spoke cheerfully, then hesitated before adding.
―The problem is that Laria has already been reincarnated in a different world, in a different time….
A vision unfolded in the center of the Altar. An unknown woman was dying alone, pitifully.
―Well, life is harsh in that world too. Seems she spun the reincarnation roulette wrong. From what I glimpsed earlier, Matilda is living happily with a good family over there.
Evan watched the hunched silhouette of the young woman and bit his lower lip hard. Even after reincarnation, she suffered like this—he desperately wanted to save her somehow.
Calaudin asked quietly.
“Then what price must I pay instead of my life?”
―I told you. I’ll tangle things up a bit. I’ll take your misfortune, not your lives.
Excitement tinged the Demon’s voice slightly.
―I’ll turn back time so Laria can live. You’ll probably need to go back to right after your marriage for her to fully recover. But.
The truly important words always came after “but.”
―In this lifetime, Laria’s protagonist will be a different man.
“…What did you say?”
―That will probably be the most painful thing for you.
The Demon was precise.
Tremendous bewilderment began to wash over Evan’s face.
―Besides, we’re already married, so I’d be at a disadvantage as things stand. That’s why I’ll make you believe I’m marrying another woman instead.
“That’s too cruel.”
Calaudin furrowed his brow and interjected.
“Then even if you resurrect Laria, she won’t be connected to Evan, will she?”
―Probably not. Laria will believe she’s entered a book.
The Demon continued with a chilling laugh.
―In the book she remembers, the male protagonist is someone else, and you, Evan, will be nothing but a minor supporting character she barely knows. I’ve twisted the story so thoroughly that she’ll believe you’re marrying another woman.
The Demon added that his power had limits—he couldn’t alter reality entirely.
He could only leave the current situation as is and change only what hasn’t happened yet, essentially the novel’s ending, in her perception. Even then, he couldn’t change it completely and had to maintain some semblance of plausibility.
―Laria will be resurrected, but you two will repeat this futile struggle without your memories, and it might become even more miserable.
“….”
―Laria will probably want to leave you both. Of course, you might not even like Laria either. The circumstances will be completely different from now.
The Demon explained that this world would be destroyed, and a new world would begin from seven years ago with Laria carrying distorted memories.
―So, what will you do?
The Demon spoke as if amused.
―You’ll become terribly unhappy in the process. Will you save Laria while enduring these terrible conditions?
It meant that even if Laria was saved, she wouldn’t remember any of this.
Calaudin would repeat futile cycles, neglecting Evan while trying to resurrect Matilda.
Evan would be ostracized at the Academy again and suffer terribly at Ludba’s hands. Evan and Laria might not even love each other. Laria’s life might have a man more important than Evan.
And yet….
“If her body had just been a little better, Laria said there were so many things she wanted to do.”
Evan murmured quietly.
“Even if she leaves me, even if I become insignificant in her life, even if she becomes much more unhappy….”
This wasn’t a choice for himself, but a choice for Laria.
“I hope she can do everything she wants without pain.”
Silence fell over the Altar for a moment.
“Father.”
For the first time, Evan pressed his forehead against Calaudin’s shoulder and spoke.
“Thank you for letting me meet Laria.”
It was a statement laden with meaning. They were both taciturn and awkward with relationships. That’s why they shared their true feelings now, before the Demon, something they’d never done once before.
“…I hate your unhappiness. But I loved Matilda deeply too, so I can respect your choice.”
Like a father and son of few words, no lengthy conversation passed between them.
“I’ll live a life full of anguish again, and I’ll neglect you in the same way, but since it’s what you want….”
Calaudin patted Evan’s shoulder.
“In this next life, you might grow closer to Laria. Because she’s the child you love.”
“Laria seemed confident in her own way.”
―Well, who knows how that girl will act once she’s healthy.
The Demon mocked him, but Evan let out a soft laugh and murmured.
“Regardless, I think I’m going to end up loving that girl anyway.”
―Hmm… So you’re making a contract?
At the Demon’s final question, Evan and Calaudin locked eyes with each other. Calaudin would act for Evan’s sake, and Evan for Laria’s sake—deeds that would bring neither of them any benefit.
They would simply repeat similar lives and end in nothing but frustration. After all, even if Calaudin struggled to save Matilda, if the price was Evan’s life, he would give up. Only Laria would live and go on to lead an entirely different life, and Evan would likely become deeply unhappy, but…
Evan didn’t hesitate and nodded.
“I’ll make the contract.”
―I’ve sketched out the scenario roughly, so now I need to bring that soul over there and turn back time to the past.
If Princess Elani, who was delighted thinking only about the divorce law passing, knew of this, she would be truly astounded.
―Since I’ve come to the human realm after so long, I should manifest beautifully and find myself a suitable slave to pamper me!
With the Demon’s excited voice as the last thing, everything began to spin round and round.
―Laria? When I meet that girl I saved, I think it’ll feel like meeting a pet.
Whether the Demon chattered or not, Evan closed his eyes and quietly murmured.
“Laria, as long as you can live, that’s enough for me.”
Tears streamed down both his cheeks.
“Though if I had one more wish…”
These were tears he hadn’t shed even when Laria died.
“I just hope I could hear you say, ‘I’m healthy now,’ even just once.”
And so one world was destroyed. And a soul already reborn returned once more, flowing backward through time into this world.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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