I Was Just Having Fun With The Time Limit - Chapter 142

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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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When asked, “If you could return to the past, would you want to?” Biatone’s answer had always been a resounding “No.”
He had carved his way to this position through bone-grinding effort, always giving his absolute best.
The struggle had been so fierce that he lacked the confidence to endure it again.
“I could never do it again. Not even if you beat me to death.”
Yet that was his arrogance, his delusion.
He now lived far more earnestly and passionately than in those grueling days of old.
First, his reunion with Duke Robena had made him acutely aware of his own weakness.
He had to become stronger.
Second, it was because of Beksah’s legacy.
Studying and mastering what Beksah had left behind demanded more than one body could offer.
Recently, he had been intensively researching Narbidal’s stigmata with Karin, while simultaneously investigating Isabel’s physiology.
Why did Isabel grow so slowly compared to the royal bloodline?
Those of Michael’s type—”those without a single thought”—were documented to grow at an extraordinarily sluggish pace.
When Karin first encountered that record, she had expressed pure admiration.
“The royal body is a vessel for the soul, or so the records say. When one harbors no worries, no anxieties, no thoughts whatsoever, the body ceases to grow further. A most wondrous phenomenon.”
Indeed, several princes recorded in history had maintained the appearance of young children until their deaths.
“Yet the Princess is different. If anything, she thinks far too much. Would you not agree, Viscount Biatone?”
In over five hundred years of recorded history, there had never been a case like Isabel’s.
Karin and Biatone had each arrived at their own conclusion.
“She speaks of being fine more than anyone, thinks herself happier than anyone else—yet perhaps that is not truly the case. Consider this: how could one who treasures life so dearly truly be fine?”
“Yet the Princess’s happiness is genuine, Karin.”
“Is that not all the more frightening?”
The happiness Isabel felt was real, and ironically, because she was happy, she was afraid.
“Perhaps she instinctively fears growing older. That may be why her growth is somewhat slow.”
“….”
“She may not be acknowledging to herself that things are not fine.”
Biatone and Karin had reached a conclusion.
Separate from the happiness Isabel felt, she feared the passage of time.
She simply did not recognize it herself.
“When the one person who should understand themselves best refuses to acknowledge themselves, refuses to accept themselves, the heart becomes afflicted.”
* * *
Inside the carriage heading to Duke Blahdok’s estate, Biatone spoke.
“It is a recent hypothesis among scholars. The reason the royal family grows so quickly is because they desperately strive to master Villorian swordsmanship.”
“Is that so?”
“To master the sword, the body must grow rapidly. It seems the Vilotian Royal Family possesses a unique physiology where the mind can control the body to a certain degree. Prince Michael, having no thoughts, simply grows naturally. Though his appearance remains childlike, his physical strength is nearly the highest among the four princes, so he may feel little necessity for further bodily growth.”
“…Ah.”
Finding the explanation oddly convincing, Isabel nodded and spoke as if in self-defense.
“But I do have thoughts, you know.”
“It is merely a hypothesis. In your case, we still do not fully understand.”
Biatone recalled Karin’s words once more.
If the person who should know themselves better than anyone else doesn’t acknowledge themselves, doesn’t recognize their own worth, then their heart becomes diseased.
But I couldn’t say that aloud.
It was merely a hypothesis.
Isabel might truly be fine.
I didn’t want to cast stones at someone who was well, stirring up discord in their heart.
“I mentioned that the Villorian body is governed by the soul, didn’t I?”
“Yes.”
“I suspect the Princess’s soul must be the cutest thing in the entire universe.”
“…Pardon?”
“Her body, unable to bear such cuteness, appears to be struggling desperately to keep pace with her soul’s adorableness. Hehehehe.”
“…”
Isabel fell silent and gazed out the window.
Her mind thought Biatone was being absurdly flattering, yet her heart didn’t dislike his flattery.
After a brief moment, Isabel asked.
“But am I really cute?”
“Try reconstructing the sentence by replacing the question mark with a period.”
Isabel thought it over in her head.
‘Remove the question mark?’
But am I really cute?
→ But I’m really cute.
“Actually, three exclamation marks would be far more appropriate than a question mark.”
But am I really cute?
→ But I’m really cute!!!
Isabel found herself at a loss for words.
Biatone was grinning with satisfaction.
“As her dedicated tutor, I’m delighted to provide such timely linguistic education.”
“…Is this what you call timely education?”
And linguistics at that?
“The Princess must learn how incredibly cute and lovable she truly is.”
“…”
Isabel was speechless once more.
Kim Beolggol, who had been dozing at Isabel’s feet, added his own comment.
[Flattery king.]
* * *
Duke Blahdok’s estate required traveling much further southwest than the Kingdom of Alpea.
Since it was known to be located at the continent’s edge, they had to pass through multiple portals, and consequently the carriage changed hands several times.
One day, the coachman spoke.
“We cannot enter there.”
A dense forest came into view.
People called this place the “Demon Realm.”
“Yes, if you value it that way, I can sell you the horse and carriage… but why are you trying to enter that Demon Forest? No one has ever come out alive from that place.”
In the end, the Coachman sold us the horse and carriage.
I asked carefully.
“Viscount Biatonn, is that really true?”
“Pardon?”
“No one has ever come out alive from there?”
“Why wouldn’t there be?”
“W-well, there are people who have.”
“I’ve come out alive.”
“Are there others?”
“The Emperor has as well. And Duke Hirkel Blahdok too.”
“…Is there anyone among more ordinary people?”
“Among relatively ordinary people, Prince Sermon has also come out alive.”
“I’m not sure if that counts as ordinary.”
“In any case, it’s true that almost no one comes out alive from there. That’s because it’s a garden directly managed by the Blahdok family.”
“What? A garden?”
For a garden, it was excessively massive. It wasn’t a garden at all—it was a mountain range.
“It’s a kind of labyrinth that only those with permission from the Blahdok family can pass through. Throughout it are countless illusory barriers and dangerous traps, as well as terrifying magical beasts swarming about. But don’t worry. I’ve memorized the path perfectly. Oh yes, swallow this first.”
Viscount Biatonn handed me a pill.
“It will protect you from the toxic miasma leaking from the Demon Forest.”
I swallowed the pill.
Viscount Biatonn seemed so pleased that I swallowed the pill without complaint, looking at me with the eyes of a father.
Goodness.
He’s so delighted over something like this, and my pride won’t allow me to…
“The pill was quite large, so it must have been difficult to swallow in one go. You’re truly versatile, Your Highness.”
Just then, Viscount Biatonn gently stroked my head and smiled brightly.
My pride allows it.
“I could eat a hundred pills.”
“Really?”
Viscount Biatonn’s eyes widened in surprise.
Though he was nearly expressionless in front of others, his expressions were quite varied when he was with me.
“That’s an incredibly impressive ability.”
“Isn’t it? Hehe.”
Ah.
I’m already nine years old now.
Yet I find these contrived situations and compliments entertaining.
I recently realized that I’m extremely susceptible to praise.
It seems to be because I didn’t receive much praise in my past life.
I was far too accustomed to pity rather than praise.
Still, one consolation(?) is that I’m beginning to lose interest in pretend play and role-playing games.
I seem to be growing older as well.
In any case, we rode in the carriage for quite some time.
“It’s remarkably strange that nothing has happened at all.”
“What normally happens?”
“Even traveling the main roads as we are, beast attacks occur several times over. The fact that there’s been nothing at all means someone has already… no, cleared the path clean for us.”
Viscount Biatonn drew out a short sword.
“W-why the short sword?”
“Because it seems like someone other than beasts might attack.”
And then I witnessed something difficult to comprehend.
Viscount Biatonn swung the short sword through the air, and at that very moment—thud-thud-thud!—something clattered to the floor.
It looked like a needle.
From the ground, a sharp hiss escaped as smoke rose.
It was definitely a poison dart.
If that had touched my foot, it would have been a terrible accident.
Somehow the window had been removed, but that wasn’t the end of it.
“T-the carriage roof is gone!”
“Quite an enthusiastic greeting, Prince Sermon. We are always welcome to engage in deep and intimate conversation, but since the Princess could be injured, wouldn’t it be best to stop here?”
Viscount Biatonn looked up at a very large tree.
Far above.
My brother Sermon was standing on a branch.
The branch swayed precariously, and my brother looked terrifyingly unstable.
I reflexively cried out.
“Brother! It’s dangerous! Come down!”
I shouted, but suddenly felt embarrassed.
That height couldn’t possibly be dangerous for Sermon.
I thought I had grown quite accustomed to this world, but it seemed I was less familiar with the fantasy realm than I believed.
Still, I decided to be a bit shameless about it.
“Don’t play around up there! And what if you damage the carriage?”
“But this is all I’ve been taught.”
“What if the passengers get hurt? What if something serious happens?”
“Isn’t that just bad luck? You wouldn’t blame the clouds for rain falling on you suddenly, would you?”
I let out a sharp shriek.
“Do you want to be scolded terribly? I’m really angry!”
“….”
“I’m not letting you off easy!”
Viscount Biatonn, whose expression had been quite varied, now regarded me with a displeased look.

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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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