I Was Just Having Fun With The Time Limit - Chapter 129

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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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Aselia felt a bit disappointed.
“At first, you were clinging to me like this.”
However, Kim Beolggwol showed no mercy whatsoever.
Kim Beolggwol curled back his lips and growled.
[Don’t touch.]
If Aselia so much as placed a hand on his head, he looked ready to snap and bite her.
It was only because of the Duke Robena incident that he’d learned he shouldn’t bite people—otherwise, he might have already done so.
“Hmph.”
Isabel offered what comfort she could.
“I think it’s because the hair color and eye color are unfamiliar to him.”
The wig had changed my hair color, and when I’d lost consciousness and awakened, my eye color had changed as well.
Just as the novel described, both were now emerald green.
There was something even stranger about it.
‘There’s no scent of pain.’
I couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason, but I could only guess that my true self, the ‘dragon,’ had done something about it.
In any case, Aselia seemed like she would regain her health soon.
What was truly remarkable was Aselia’s appearance.
‘She definitely resembles my former self.’
Looking at her more closely, that was indeed the case.
But that was all.
With the change in hair and eye color, there was a dramatic transformation.
She resembled me, yet I couldn’t quite recognize her as such.
She looked like a completely different person from when I first saw her.
‘So the original heroine was this beautiful.’
It was truly as if her presence brightened the entire surroundings.
Isabel spoke with a bright smile.
“You’ll become close again later. Beolggwol is a good child.”
Kim Beolggwol whipped his head around.
[That’s wrong.]
[Kim Beolggwol is only good to Isabel.]
Nestled in Isabel’s arms, Kim Beolggwol tilted his head.
Now that I think about it, why did I feel so delighted when I first met that girl?
I’m not entirely sure, but it seemed like I’d sensed something similar to Isabel.
But now it didn’t really matter anymore.
The ratel decided not to think too deeply about it.
* * *
Several days had passed.
Matters in Calpoa were nearly concluded, and Isabel’s group decided to return to the Kingdom of Jirdel.
Aselia, who had recovered much of her health over the past few days, came to see them off on foot herself.
“Your Highness. Thank you for becoming my friend. These past few days have been truly precious and happy moments for me. I’m genuinely grateful.”
“No, I’m the one who should be grateful.”
Aselia extended her hand to Yuri as well.
“Yuri. I like you too. We didn’t get to become close this time, but I hope we can next time.”
“….”
Yuri hesitated for a moment before taking her hand.
There was a twinge of jealousy, but truthfully, Yuri didn’t dislike Aselia either.
Aselia spoke to Armitel as well.
“Sister. You have to come see me again. I’ll be waiting here. I’ll be bouncing on my toes. You understand, right?”
At that sight, I swallowed hard.
I wanted to scoop up that sunshine girl and tuck her into my front pocket to carry around.
Now I understood why the protagonists in the original story couldn’t escape once they fell for Aselia.
Cuteness truly was supreme.
But then Viscount Biatonn suddenly whispered in my ear.
“The Princess is even cuter.”
“…Pardon?”
“About a million times over.”
After experiencing this incident, Viscount Biatonn’s obsession and attachment had grown even more intense.
Even now, he didn’t maintain more than ten centimeters of distance from me.
Having directly felt Viscount Biatonn’s desperate emotions myself, I couldn’t bring myself to tell him to back away.
The last person Aselia said goodbye to was Kim Beolggwol.
“Bumblebee, let’s become close next time too!”
Screech!
“Ah, fine. I won’t touch you.”
The sunshine girl’s charm didn’t work on Kim Beolggwol.
* * *
Inside the carriage returning to the Kingdom of Jirdel.
After deliberating for some time, Armitel rose from her seat.
The road wasn’t smooth, and the carriage jolted considerably, but Armitel maintained her balance with remarkable ease.
I asked her.
“Why are you standing like that?”
“That is….”
Armitel looked quite uncomfortable.
It seemed she was trying to say something difficult to voice.
“Speak freely. I’m listening.”
“….”
Armitel deliberated a moment longer before finally opening her mouth.
“I have received far too much kindness from Your Highness. Yet I possess nothing with which to repay that debt. I have given thought to what I might offer you.”
Armitel knelt on one knee.
She grasped the blade of her sword and offered me the hilt, directing it toward me.
“Please allow me to become your sword.”
Armitel, a soldier who had never sworn a knight’s oath in his entire life.
Later, in the original story, a supporting character who would betray the imperial family made an earnest request to Isabel.
I will become your sword, she had said.
“That… um, what was that…”
“Speak, Your Highness. I will humbly accept whatever you say.”
“Humans are organic compounds and swords are inorganic compounds…”
Armitel’s expression suggested he’d been struck.
He never expected such an answer to come forth.
“I’ve been studying chemistry lately, you see… hehe.”
“…Is that so?”
Isabel laughed brightly, looking somewhat embarrassed.
“There, I was joking. I was happy, but also a bit shy, so I threw out a jest.”
“…So that was a joke.”
Armitel was somewhat taken aback, but in any case, he swore a knight’s oath with Isabel.
Armitel made vow after vow to himself.
‘I have received an inexpressible grace.’
Though the exact reason remained unclear, his sister had also improved tremendously.
The physician who examined Aselia was astounded.
The physician said a miracle had occurred.
‘Your Highness is a miracle to me.’
For wrongs, repay twofold.
For grace, repay a hundredfold.
That was Armitel’s creed.
‘I’ve been gifted a miracle, but I’m at a loss for how to repay it.’
That was something he would come to understand in time.
But then she noticed something odd.
‘Why is the carriage moving so slowly?’
At this pace, it was hardly different from walking.
She asked Biatone, but he merely evaded with “Really? I hadn’t noticed.”
Armitel brought the carriage to a halt and approached the coachman.
“Why are we going so slowly?”
“I was merely observing safe speeds.”
The coachman had changed at some point.
“I’d appreciate it if you’d go a bit faster.”
“I refuse.”
“What?”
“I prioritize safety above all else.”
Armitel’s brow furrowed slightly.
He was somewhat flustered, having never encountered such a rigid coachman before.
As he was deliberating whether to be angry or not, Isabel stepped down from the carriage.
“Oh, oh, no, Mister Coachman!”
Isabel broke into a radiant smile.
‘It’s Father!’
Meeting Ron filled me with such joy and happiness.
Especially after everything I’d been through.
Armitel was momentarily speechless, his gaze fixed on Isabel.
As Isabel’s brightness bloomed, her surroundings seemed to illuminate.
It was as though beautiful flowers had suddenly burst into bloom all around her.
“Do you know him?”
“Yes! He’s the Coachman I adore. When did you arrive?”
The Princess was being far too formal in addressing the Coachman.
Yet both the Coachman addressing the Princess and Viscount Biatonn standing beside her seemed to find this entirely natural.
Even Viscount Biatonn, who had previously refused to step more than ten centimeters away from Isabel’s side, now stood two paces distant.
“I just arrived. As it happened, word came that the previous Coachman collapsed from anemia.”
Viscount Biatonn smirked.
“You didn’t cause the anemia yourself?”
“Do I possess such power, Viscount?”
“I heard you were an incredibly busy Coachman, but it seems you’ve found time lately.”
“I simply learned what truly matters, Viscount Biatonn.”
Armitel was bewildered.
The exchange between a mere Coachman and the Empire’s chief advisor was far too informal.
The Coachman spoke.
“Since the Princess enjoys sunlight and fresh air, she may sit beside me in the carriage.”
“I’d love to!”
I had so much I wanted to talk about with Father.
Something terrible happened. I was so frightened.
I wanted to pour out every detail.
Armitel shook his head.
“It’s too dangerous.”
But Viscount Biatonn gently tugged at Armitel’s collar.
He shook his head.
It meant to let it be.
Once inside the carriage, Armitel couldn’t contain his curiosity and asked.
“What exactly is that Coachman’s true identity?”
He was certainly no ordinary Coachman.
From the Coachman emanated the spiritual presence of a seasoned martial master.
It felt like standing before a black ocean so deep its bottom was invisible.
“That Coachman is the Princess’s most beloved person in this world.”
“But what exactly—”
“Sometimes, not knowing is a blessing.”
The Emperor of the Sword Art Empire disguising himself with magic to serve as a coachman?
By the standards of imperial citizens, it was an utterly unthinkable and shocking occurrence.
Viscount Biatonn exhaled a long, heavy sigh.
“Sigh… looks like I’m working late again.”
The Emperor had just reshuffled the priorities.
Which meant someone had to handle the Emperor’s duties instead.
And naturally, that someone was the Chief Advisor, Viscount Biatonn.
‘Though I can’t say I dislike it.’
Just then, laughter echoed from outside the carriage—a bright, cheerful sound.
‘The busier I become, the happier the Princess grows.’
That was enough for me.
Still, no matter how I tried to look on the bright side, the simple truth remained: I was understaffed.
“I suppose I’ll have to ask for another advisor to be appointed.”
But whether that infuriatingly picky Emperor would actually grant me a new advisor was anyone’s guess.
The Emperor didn’t just take anyone as an advisor.
That was precisely why I was working myself ragged like this.
I had to select someone both capable and trustworthy.
“…Wait?”
My gaze fell upon Armitel.
“Hehehehe.”
“Why… why are you laughing like that?”
“Would you ever consider becoming a civil servant?”
Armitel felt an ominous chill run down his spine.
Meanwhile, Isabel, who had been enjoying her time with the coachman(?), suddenly opened her mouth as if remembering something.
“Mister Coachman. But you know, you do realize that Teacher Biatone lost someone very precious to him, don’t you?”
The coachman’s body trembled slightly.
As if forgetting his own identity, he responded in casual speech.
“…What are you talking about?”

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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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