I Was Just Having Fun With The Time Limit - Chapter 133

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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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‘What is sadness? I don’t even understand what that is.’
When I first heard those words, I felt a deep pity for Sermon.
I didn’t know how the Bladock Duchy had raised him, but I was certain it wasn’t through any conventional method.
That’s why I wanted to treat Sermon well.
After all, he was my family.
But separate from my sympathy and compassion, the anger I felt right now was also very real.
Sermon spoke while munching on cake.
“Don’t show me hostility. All those who have shown me hostility have departed to distant places.”
My hair stood on end.
It was truly bizarre.
His affection toward me was genuine, yet that murderous intent was also real.
It seemed difficult to harbor such intense killing intent toward someone you actually liked.
But that didn’t mean I was afraid.
“Even if you say that, Brother, I’m not scared. I’ll leave before you do anyway.”
“There’s no order to leaving. Statistically speaking, you’d die faster than me.”
“Yuri is my friend before she is my maid. She’s not some object that can be traded for value.”
“Then what if I just take her?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Sigh. When I stay quiet, I suppose I look like a pushover.
“I cannot give Yuri to you.”
“Then I’ll take her by force.”
“I won’t let myself be robbed.”
“You don’t have the strength.”
The sight of him munching on cake with such a serene expression was truly unfamiliar.
He wasn’t trying to provoke me—he was simply stating facts matter-of-factly.
Yet why was his tone so affectionate?
I extended my hand to Yuri.
“Yuri. Give me a handkerchief.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Quickly.”
Yuri hesitantly approached me and handed over the handkerchief.
And I threw it directly at Sermon’s chest.
“If we desire different things, we can settle it through a duel.”
“I won’t duel with you.”
“Why not?”
“I was taught that I can kill anyone else, but I should refrain from killing the imperial family if possible.”
Kill anyone else?
Refrain from killing the imperial family ‘if possible’?
What on earth do they teach at the Bladock Duchy?
“I never said I would fight you directly.”
“Hmm, a Black Knight would be quite a reasonable approach. It seems logical.”
Sermon set down his fork and smiled broadly.
He seemed to appreciate that my proposal for a duel was a very rational method.
At that moment, Viscount Biatonn stepped forward with a troubled expression and spoke.
“Your Highness. I find myself in a difficult position.”
“I understand. You’re practically a stakeholder in this matter.”
Duels have certain rules.
But truthfully, at this moment, such rules meant nothing to me.
I wouldn’t have appointed Viscount Biatonn as the Black Knight regardless of the rules anyway.
“Don’t regret this, Brother.”
I’m still a child.
A child should fight like a child.
If I quarrel severely with my brother, there are people whose job it is to tattle.
“I’ll tell Father everything.”
* * *
Viscount Biatonn accepted my letter.
“I’ll make a quick trip there. I can return within a few hours.”
“Really? That’s all it takes?”
“You haven’t heard the report from Narmore yet, it seems.”
I didn’t know it well, but apparently Narmore has been working diligently.
He’s apparently created and begun a trial operation of the Teisabel transit route connecting the Zirthel Base Camp and the Vilotian Capital.
“I’ll be on my way.”
Viscount Biatonn gave a light kiss to the back of my right hand and vanished in an instant.
General Armitel came rushing over, apparently having heard about this incident.
“Your Highness. I’ve heard the news.”
“Word travels fast.”
I hadn’t spread the rumor myself, yet gossip was already spreading throughout the Zirthel Base Camp.
It seems the saying about rumors traveling a thousand miles without feet is truly accurate.
“Do you truly believe His Majesty the Emperor will come in person?”
“I hope he does.”
Then I could see Father’s face one more time.
I didn’t say that part aloud.
General Armitel’s face was clouded with concern.
“I understand. I know my Biological Father is incredibly busy. I’m aware the likelihood of him not being able to come is higher.”
“If such a situation were to arise, might I step forward as the Black Knight?”
I hadn’t anticipated this development.
At this point in time, General Armitel might actually be stronger than Sermon.
“Your concern is deeply appreciated, but I don’t think that will be necessary.”
“…Pardon?”
“At the very least, my Biological Father will not turn away from my letter.”
If my Biological Father couldn’t come himself, he would certainly send someone capable of disciplining me in his stead.
Since he was the Emperor and possessed more than sufficient authority and ability for such a task.
I smiled softly.
“Someone will come, at least.”
“…You foresaw that much?”
I nodded.
When I thought about it logically, it was far too obvious.
It was too grand to call it foresight.
There was nothing special about it, but it seemed General Armitel viewed me favorably enough to respond this way.
“Yes. Anyone would think the same.”
General Armitel nodded with an expression that seemed somewhat reluctant for reasons I couldn’t quite place.
I wasn’t sure why he wore such a look.
“Still, it would be best if my Biological Father came.”
* * *
Tension hung over the Zirdel Base Camp.
“Hey, Lucain. Did you hear the news?”
“News?”
“His Majesty the Emperor is coming to visit.”
“This is insane!”
The soldiers who had been resting all rushed outside with brooms and dustpans in hand.
“Over there! Those weeds! Pull them out! The weeds!”
“Scrub the floor with toothpaste!”
“What is this gum wrapper doing here! Remove it at once!”
The entire base camp was in upheaval.
“Wait, is His Majesty the Emperor really coming? Are you sure?”
“It’s not just His Majesty. Her Majesty the Empress is coming with him.”
General Armitel made his own preparations to receive the Emperor and Empress.
“Maintain strict military alert status, and ensure the outer perimeter is thoroughly inspected and maintained.”
Soon, the Emperor and Empress arrived.
The soldiers of Zirdel Base Camp were extremely tense.
They worried whether even a speck of dust might cling to their boots.
However, Ron paid no mind whether dust or filth clung to their boots.
The carriage carrying Ron headed straight for Isabel’s quarters.
“Mother!”
Isabel rushed toward Serna.
There was no particular reason.
Serna was simply closer, and it had been so long since I’d seen her that I was delighted.
Serna stroked Isabel’s short hair, saying how well it suited her, and Isabel savored the touch of her hand.
Soon Serna spoke.
“See? She hugged me first. I won, didn’t I?”
“….”
“Since I won, please don’t be too harsh with Sermon. He’s just a poor child.”
Isabel extended her arm toward Ron as well.
Ron reluctantly lowered himself and shared a light embrace with Isabel.
“What is this half-hearted letter?”
“…Hehe.”
Ron lifted the letter Isabel had sent between his thumb and forefinger.
When Ron received Isabel’s letter, he couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.
In truth, the opening line had pleased him greatly.
[To my beloved Father.]
But the content that followed lacked a certain sincerity.
[Brother Sermon was being mean to me. He threatened me terribly, saying he’d take Yuri away from me. My hair stood on end. I would appreciate it if Father would scold him.
[UNTRANSLATED LINE 133]
-Your youngest daughter, Isabel.]
-Youngest daughter, Isabel.
“Isn’t this the sort of letter a child would write?”
“I am a child.”
“That’s true enough.”
“I thought Teacher Biatone would convey the detailed circumstances anyway.”
“Even so, attempting to move the Emperor with such a brief letter is rather presumptuous.”
Isabel’s voice grew quieter.
“I didn’t call you Emperor….”
“Then?”
“I called for Father….”
Ron’s body stiffened, and Isabel asked carefully.
“Does it bother you if I’m presumptuous?”
I worried I’d been too flippant in my anger.
I’d boldly called for Father during a sibling quarrel, but now that he’d actually come, I was just the youngest being cautious.
“Be even more presumptuous.”
Ron stroked Isabel’s head once before moving forward.
He arrived at the First Training Grounds, the largest facility within the Zirdel Base Camp.
Sermon was already present in the First Training Grounds, and numerous soldiers had gathered.
Despite the great number of soldiers assembled, not a single breath could be heard.
It was because of Ron, who stood in the center of the training grounds holding a wooden sword.
It seemed as though Ron alone filled the entire training grounds.
Sermon, with a real sword at his waist, spoke.
“I never expected you to actually come, Father.”
As always, he wore a subtle smile, though his voice trembled and he couldn’t completely hide it.
Ron replied with an expressionless face.
“Draw your sword.”
“It is an honor to cross blades with you, Father.”
“This is not a place to cross blades.”
“What kind of position would that be?”
Ron’s figure vanished.
Even with Sermon’s abilities, he couldn’t read that movement.

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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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