I Was Just Having Fun With The Time Limit - Chapter 101

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

One day prior, at the Jirdel Base Camp.
It was the largest base camp located outside the Empire’s direct territories.
It was known to possess such formidable power that its forces alone could annihilate an entire kingdom in a single breath.
The Knights guarding the entrance took considerable pride in their station.
Among them, Sirbadel’s pride was particularly exceptional.
He had risen to this position through nothing but passion and dedication to swordsmanship, despite his unfortunate and difficult circumstances.
Except for the sixteen incident reports he’d filed because of Prince Michael, he was quite satisfied with his work.
Then one day, he sensed an overwhelmingly powerful presence approaching.
‘Immense…!’
He tensed at the excessively formidable power.
So he immediately used a communication crystal to report it—something with tremendous power was rapidly approaching.
A siren wailed throughout the Jirdel Base Camp, and troops assembled to confront the unidentified intruder.
‘A four-horse carriage?’
A luxurious carriage drawn by four horses was rushing toward them.
Sirbadel drew his sword and shouted.
“Halt. This is the Jirdel Base Camp under the Black Whale. Identify yourself.”
It was truly peculiar.
Such overwhelming presence emanating from the Coachman….
Soon enough, he could only be shocked.
The Coachman’s face transformed into an entirely different visage.
‘Magic?’
Greatly alarmed, he swallowed hard.
‘No matter how I look at it, that’s the Emperor’s face….’
Yet he was an honored Knight guarding the entrance of the base camp.
“How dare you impersonate the Emperor! By the honor of a Knight of the Black Whale, I shall strike you down without fail.”
He already sensed it.
If he clashed with this Coachman(?), he would absolutely be defeated.
He would probably die.
Nevertheless, he had a duty to eliminate anyone impersonating the Emperor. That was the honor of an Imperial Knight.
The Coachman spoke.
“It is not impersonation. You shall receive the Emperor.”
“How dare you impersonate the Emperor, who stands higher than the heavens?! Do you not fear the heavens?!”
Sirbadel was certain this Coachman was absolutely not the Emperor.
The honorable Knight declared with conviction.
“The Emperor would never resort to such crude magic!”
“….”
Ron found himself momentarily at a loss for words.
Now that he thought about it, he had indeed used an artifact to alter his face and physique.
It was unavoidable. To perfectly deceive his perceptive daughter, he had no choice but to use such an expensive artifact.
Ron, feeling embarrassed, spoke with dignity.
“…You are quite a valiant Knight. I shall grant you leave.”
“Shut it, you fraud!”
* * *
Sirbadel would have rather died.
The real Emperor himself….
‘What magical artifact is His Majesty using! He was renowned for refusing to wear even a small ring, claiming it altered his sword-grip sensation!’
Yet here he was, wearing that massive necklace.
Of course, the Emperor had actually praised Sirbadel, but that was beside the point.
Sirbadel wanted to cut out his own tongue for calling the Emperor a fraud to his face.
‘Now that I think about it, the Vilotian Empire has been pursuing recent changes.’
I heard they were gradually exploring the realm of magic.
People across the world spoke of the Sword Art Empire’s reckless ambitions, but the imperial knights didn’t dwell on it deeply.
‘Is this real? That under the leadership of Princess Isabel, they intend to build a truly new empire…!’
There was no other way to interpret it.
The Sword Art Empire, which had respected the magical realm for centuries, was now clearly attempting to encroach upon it.
‘If that weren’t the case, why would His Majesty personally use such an artifact?’
His chest burned with inexplicable fervor.
An empire surpassing the Sword Art Empire.
It seemed they were on the verge of shattering the balance with the Magical Federation and leaping toward the strongest empire in history.
“Sirbadel. I entrust this to you.”
It was a small badge shaped like a Mugunghwa flower.
Sirbadel’s eyes widened.
“Y-Your Majesty, this is…!”
It was the newly introduced Mugunghwa Medal.
Those who possessed this medal would receive the privilege of freely entering all Base Camps.
“Princess Isabel will likely arrive here tomorrow. When she does, deliver this to her.”
Ron already seemed to know that King Valkio Jirdel’s return to the Royal Palace would be delayed.
In any case, Sirbadel became even more convinced.
An empire surpassing empires.
That Isabel stood at the very moment of birth for an unprecedented empire that would shatter the boundary between magic and the sword.
‘Could I truly be part of that glorious endeavor!’
And that day finally came.
Princess Isabel truly visited the Base Camp.
‘Today is that cornerstone. From today onward, the Empire shall rewrite history!’
He knelt on one knee with reverent solemnity.
Then he carefully affixed the medal to Isabel’s right chest.
“By the command of His Majesty the Emperor, I bestow upon you the Mugunghwa Medal.”
His demeanor was entirely different from when he had faced Michael.
His bearing was nothing short of sacred.
“Did my Biological Father pass through here?”
“Yes, he visited yesterday.”
Michael tilted his head in confusion.
“Why did Father come here? He said he was incredibly busy. I haven’t seen him in over a month myself.”
Watching Michael tilt his head, Isabel broke into a bright smile.
‘It seems Brother is also actively participating in Father’s little game.’
What did he mean he hadn’t seen him?
He’d clearly seen him, even if he was disguised as a coachman.
Sirbadel spoke.
“I shall escort you inside, Princess.”
“I, I—!”
“If you accompany the Princess, entry is permitted. However, only if the Princess grants her consent.”
Michael gazed at Isabel with desperate eyes.
Isabel felt as though all of this was merely an extension of some elaborate roleplay.
She smiled brightly.
“Of course, let’s go together.”
Then she shifted her gaze toward Sirbadel.
“Thank you for always working so diligently at your post and doing your very best. You are Sir Sirbadel, correct?”
“Yes, that’s right!”
Sirbadel straightened to attention.
To him, Isabel was an extraordinarily special existence.
The catalyst for the Empire’s leap toward something greater than itself. Isabel held the crucial role of that turning point.
“I’ll remember your name. Thank you.”
“Not at all. It is an honor to participate in the Empire’s ascension!”
The Empire’s ascension?
Isabel tilted her head in confusion.
In truth, it was difficult to understand what he meant.
‘If I ask too many questions here, wouldn’t that be rude?’
It was obvious that if a member of the royal family lingered here asking questions, this lowly knight would become quite exhausted.
Out of consideration for Sirbadel, Isabel simply offered a knowing smile.
‘Indeed, a most meaningful smile!’
It was the moment his suspicions transformed into absolute certainty.
* * *
My heart raced.
‘He was impressive even during the selection ceremony.’
That had been the first and only time I’d seen my brothers in one place.
I was too young then and so nervous that I couldn’t remember clearly.
All I recalled was that there were dazzlingly beautiful men… something like that.
‘Will they recognize me?’
Having no family in my previous life, meeting blood relatives now thrilled and terrified me.
It was something I could never have had before, something I’d believed impossible to ever possess.
However, Kaman was away on a business trip outside the base camp, so I couldn’t meet him.
Thanks to the Mugunghwa Medal, I received the highest VIP treatment here and was able to rest in the most comfortable place.
But Michael seemed somewhat irritated.
“This is a bit annoying.”
….
Truth be told, I was also feeling a bit self-conscious.
I hadn’t done anything particularly remarkable, yet I’d received the Mugunghwa Medal, which granted access to all base camps.
This was, in a sense, a form of favoritism and preferential treatment.
And Michael had witnessed it with his own eyes.
‘If he experiences this kind of discrimination during adolescence, it will be bad for his sense of self….’
For once, I found myself viewing Michael with an adult’s perspective.
Feeling awkward about it, I tried to console him.
“My body is weak and I’m not as strong as you, so it seems they gave this to me for that reason.”
“What are you talking about?”
Michael stared at me with a frown.
Since this was the first time I’d seen Michael in such a foul mood, I found myself tensing up involuntarily.
“…Is it because of the Mugunghwa Medal that you’re upset?”
“Mugunghwa Medal? What’s that?”
….
Michael clearly didn’t care one bit about the Mugunghwa Medal.
Then what on earth was making him upset?
“Why do you look so excited?”

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