I Was Just Having Fun With The Time Limit - Chapter 160

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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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Sunshine Princess, spring, and all those other embarrassing compliments.
Hearing such flattering words made me a little uncomfortable.
But it would be equally strange to step forward and protest, “I’m neither sunshine nor spring.”
Robena continued speaking.
“That’s right. You’re the kind of child who would love even a murderer. You were warm to me even though I tried to steal your life. I thought you were warm to everyone.”
I shook my head.
“I don’t think I need to be warm to everyone.”
“But you have been until now?”
“That’s because everyone around me has been good to me. Good enough that I want to love them dearly.”
I never expected so many wonderful people to gather around me.
Everyone I’ve met so far has been truly wonderful.
This world feels like a gift.
“I don’t want to love even the wicked. I don’t have enough time for that.”
“Hmm.”
Robena glanced at my biological father.
My father, who had been eating silently beside me, met Robena’s gaze.
“Do you have something to say?”
“I can see your lips curling up.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Your Majesty has quite the misconception. You understand, don’t you?”
Like my father, Robena often skipped the middle steps and jumped straight to the conclusion.
It seemed to be a common trait among the absolute beings of this world.
Perhaps because they speak so carelessly and their subordinates understand perfectly anyway, they’ve become like this.
Then Arun, sitting across from my father, set down his spoon and spoke.
“It’s not that you’re proud because your daughter is clever. If the Princess were kind, you’d be proud of her kindness. If she were clever, you’d be proud of her cleverness. If she ate well, you’d be proud of her appetite. Therefore, it seems you were saying not to mistake pride in cleverness for the source of your pride, but rather to recognize that you’re simply proud… How does that interpretation sound?”
How could it be interpreted that way?
I looked back and forth between Robena and my father’s faces in bewilderment, but that interpretation seemed to be correct.
My father certainly looked convinced.
“Indeed.”
I couldn’t understand why he accepted it so perfectly.
Just then, a Knight from Sky Island came to find us.
“Akmon says he desperately wishes to see the Princess.”
“What nonsense is that? Just cut his tongue off—”
I thought I just heard something quite ominous.
Robena glanced at me and continued.
“Comfort him gently and give him honey to eat.”
“…Pardon? What do you mean by that…?”
The Knight seemed a bit flustered.
Even I found the statement strange.
Was she saying to make him a mute who’s tasted honey?
I wondered if this was a unique culture of Sky Island.
Then, a good idea came to me.
“I’ll go meet her myself.”
“Hey. How would you know what that bird—I mean, friend is thinking or what schemes she’s plotting?”
“I can go with you, can’t I?”
….
“You’re the strongest on Sky Island anyway.”
“Ahem, well, that’s true.”
Robena seemed rather pleased.
Indeed, those who wielded swords were quite vulnerable to praise about their strength.
“Please protect me, sister.”
“If that’s truly what you wish.”
I had already mastered the Dimensional Severance Barrier sufficiently, and I could defend against any unexpected dangers.
“But why do you want to meet Akmon directly?”
“I think meeting with Akmon is a prerequisite condition for having a proper conversation with Maria.”
Currently, Maria was in a state of complete abstinence from food and drink, remaining unconscious.
Ultimately, it seemed I would need Akmon’s help to have a conversation with Maria.
“Since I started this, I’ll see it through myself.”
I met with Akmon directly.
How should I put it.
He appeared to have been hastily cleaned up and made presentable in a subtle way.
He seemed to have suffered quite a beating, and the Sky Island Knights appeared to be rather tough.
Bound tightly, Akmon spoke to me.
“You are as beautiful as the rumors say.”
“You wanted to see me?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
I offered a warm smile.
Since this was what I did every day in front of the camera, it wasn’t difficult.
Accustomed to wearing masks since childhood, I asked gently.
“What is it you wish to tell me?”
* * *
Akmon spoke.
“I have an urgent proposal for Your Highness.”
“A merchant of medicinal herbs on Sky Island has a proposal for me? How intriguing.”
The Sunlit Princess—that description fit perfectly.
Warmth melted into her voice, and her expression was radiant and beautiful.
She was like a rope thrown down from heaven itself.
“I understand you are the true owner of the Narmore Corporation.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“You already control the distribution networks across the continent. That is remarkable.”
“What are you trying to say by gilding my face like this?”
When Isabel responded warmly once more, Akmon became certain his assessment was correct.
In his view, Isabel was a rope to climb.
“The continent-wide distribution of the Teisabel Teleportation Gate. Through mass production of Yulimorr Confectionery’s desserts and instant noodles, you’ve already accumulated sufficient expertise in mass production. Moreover, you already dominate the continent’s distribution networks. Furthermore, Villorian’s current national power is strong enough to overwhelm the Magical Federation.”
National power itself had always overwhelmed the Magical Federation.
Villorian had simply avoided excessive slaughter and warfare.
We had chosen coexistence with the Magical Federation for the advancement and mutual prosperity of humanity.
“However, the Temple’s influence over the continent remains formidable. Villorian can bring Mirotell to its knees, but cannot subjugate the Temple.”
“So, if I understand correctly, you’re proposing we combine my distribution networks and mass production technology with the mysterious potions you’ve created, Akmon, to launch a potion business powerful enough to surpass the Temple’s influence?”
“Precisely! You truly are a prodigy. You understand ten things from hearing one—this will surely be a great blessing for Villorian.”
“It certainly sounds like a plausible proposal.”
If we could truly mass-produce the mysterious potions and distribute them across the entire continent, it would generate tremendous added value.
“Through my technology, I can make you the wealthiest person on the continent, Princess.”
“A sweet offer indeed. I’ll give it serious consideration. But Akmon, to properly execute that blueprint, Maria’s existence would be essential, wouldn’t it?”
“Of course.”
“As the de facto representative of the Narmore Corporation, I need to be able to converse with Maria. But right now, that’s not possible. You understand what I mean?”
“Yes. I understand.”
Akmon’s heart raced.
The hardship he was currently enduring felt like a trial for a greater leap forward.
If he could join hands with the Narmore Corporation, he could soar to much greater heights.
Akmon, glimpsing hope, spoke with confidence.
“Maria listens to me very well.”
Because he had brainwashed her thoroughly.
“If I speak, conversation with the Princess should become possible to some extent. Please summon Maria.”
“Then, I’ll ask you to handle it.”
“Leave it to me.”
Isabel smiled radiantly.
It was very different from her usual demeanor, but Akmon didn’t notice.
* * *
After finishing her conversation with Akmon, Isabel steadied her breathing.
She found no trace of remorse toward Maria in him.
He felt no guilt whatsoever about addicting people and exploiting Maria’s abilities.
‘It’s absolutely revolting.’
Even as things had reached this state, the image of him sparkling with excitement while discussing business wouldn’t leave her mind.
Walking down the corridor, Isabel spoke.
“When this matter is resolved, please punish him severely.”
“How severely?”
“The most frightening way possible.”
“Hmm. Then leaving it to my younger sibling might not be a bad idea.”
“You have a younger sibling?”
“Yeah. But she really cares about you, you know?”
“Me?”
“That’s right. But she’s incredibly precise at distinguishing friend from foe. If you’re on her side, she’s incredibly reliable, but if you’re an enemy, she’s the type that becomes very problematic, understand?”
“I like people like that.”
“Then I’ll leave the matter of punishment to her. It’ll probably be far worse than anything you can imagine.”
After the trial from five years ago that had wagered her lifespan, the black flame dragon Kadelina had opened her heart to Isabel.
‘Honestly, at that level, I should acknowledge her as my daughter-in-law. What else can I do?’
‘Where does a dragon get a daughter-in-law? If you’re a dragon, can’t you please think like a proper dragon?’
‘What does it mean to be dragon-like?’
‘Daughter-in-law and all that—no matter how I look at it, it’s just a human custom.’
‘Either way, it doesn’t matter. I win everything anyway.’
Isabel nodded.
“Please do. I’m begging you.”
Several days passed after that.
During that time, Akmon met with Maria and told her repeatedly that Princess Isabel was a good person, a kind person, that it would be okay to talk with her, that she was someone trustworthy.
Thanks to this, Maria no longer displayed the extreme agitation she had shown before.
Isabel visited the room where Maria stayed every day.
“Good morning.”
“….”
Maria crouched at the edge of the bed, trembling.
She no longer screamed and cried out as she had before, but she still seemed terrified of Isabel.
“Maria. Are you still very afraid of me?”
“….”
Until the second day, she didn’t answer at all.
On the third day, Maria nodded once.
On the fourth day, Maria said, “I’m scared.”
On the fifth day, Maria said, “I want to be alone.”
On the sixth day, Isabel didn’t visit Maria.
On the seventh day, Isabel returned to visit Maria, bringing a dessert that Yuri had made.
Maria couldn’t eat the dessert in front of Isabel, but the next day, the wrapper was completely unwrapped.
On the eighth day, Maria said something shocking.

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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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