I Was Just Having Fun With The Time Limit - Chapter 163

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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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‘Still just a young dragon, but… isn’t this too much?’
It seemed stronger than Kadelina’s childhood form, she who boasted of being the mightiest black flame dragon on earth.
In reality, it wasn’t common sense for a young dragon’s transformed body to possess this level of power.
It held strength comparable to, or perhaps even exceeding, that of a mature dragon.
And in a human body at that.
‘How did this happen?’
Even for Kadelina, it was astonishing.
If other dragons learned of this, they would be extremely wary and terrified.
An immature young dragon possessing such excessive power could plunge the world into destruction once more.
A second black flame dragon could be born.
Normally, this should have been a cause for concern.
But Kadelina was somewhat different.
‘Hehe, truly my son.’
She felt a swell of pride.
‘I mustn’t let the other mature dragons know about this.’
Ravina would eventually find out someday, but I’ll just deny knowing anything then.
* * *
Meanwhile, Isabel maintained her composure even amidst the collision of magical forces.
The magical power both of them radiated had no effect on Isabel.
This was because both Kadelinon and Arun were being mindful of Isabel.
Isabel spoke.
“So this must be how the men of Sky Island greet each other. It’s quite fierce. If one isn’t careful, there won’t even be bones left to bury.”
Only then did Kadelinon release the hand he had clasped with Arun.
The tremor ceased as well.
Much time had passed again.
Kadelinon had urged Isabel to reconsider several times.
“We don’t know how much lifespan will be needed. For such a great miracle…”
“A great miracle requires a great price. I’ve already heard that 32 times, Kadelinon.”
“Hmm, I thought I’d said it about seven times.”
“No. Exactly 32 times.”
“You’re remarkably firm about the oddest things.”
“Numbers don’t lie, after all.”
Isabel showed no sign of wavering in her resolve.
Then Arun spoke.
“High Priest. Would it be alright if I had a word with her?”
“Hmm. You?”
“Yes.”
“Very well. Try to convince our daughter-in-law—I mean, the Princess.”
Arun’s ears momentarily doubted what they heard.
‘Daughter-in-law?’
It seemed like she was about to say daughter-in-law.
But this could also be another one of Mother’s elaborate traps, so I decided not to show it.
Eventually, Arun and Isabel were left alone together.
“Your Highness. There is something I wish to tell you earnestly.”
“Yes?”
As Arun created a heavy atmosphere, Isabel grew somewhat tense.
An awkward silence fell between them.
“Arun. Say something.”
Arun remained silent for a long while.
How should he speak?
How could he protect Isabel’s five years?
No matter how much he thought about it, there was only one way.
“Isabel.”
“Yes?”
Isabel tilted her head curiously.
“I don’t recall ever giving you permission to call me by my name.”
Arun closed his mouth.
Instead of words, he began to express language in a different way.
[Your time is precious to me.]
Isabel’s body went rigid.
The letters formed from mana felt far too familiar.
[Stay by my side for a long, long time.]
[Please.]
Isabel could not speak a word.
* * *
It was as if time had stopped.
The world surrounding me froze.
‘What is this?’
At first, I could not comprehend it.
Why did that mana script carry such a familiar scent?
‘Why?’
From Arun’s body now emanated a familiar body scent.
Kim Beolggwol’s scent—the sweet aroma of honey.
‘What is this?’
At first, it was difficult to accept the situation.
“What… are you playing at, Arun?”
I felt somewhat angry.
It seemed like he was playing too cruel a joke on me.
[Not a joke.]
[Absolutely not.]
Numbers don’t lie, and neither does mana.
I was extremely sensitive to mana, and I had already felt that this mana was identical to Kim Beolggwol’s.
“Then….”
Several strange details came to mind.
My room is on the seventh floor.
Bumblebee would tap on the window to enter and jump out of it.
Since Michael did that all the time, I hadn’t thought it particularly strange, but looking back, it really was odd.
I also remembered the first time I cast a translation spell on Bumblebee.
[Guardian ♡]
Even then, I had thought it was strange.
Was translation magic really that exceptional?
Now that my magical skills had improved so much since then, I realized it truly had been strange.
With my abilities back then, I couldn’t have used such a refined translation spell.
“How was Kim Beolggwol able to steal from the imperial treasury?”
[The Great Thief, Kim Beolggwol.]
[No, the Great Thief Arun.]
I approached Arun as if entranced.
“So when I held him, he became small, then grew back to normal, and when I felt cold, he grew again and then shrank again. All those feelings I had weren’t mistakes?”
Arun is a dragon.
According to the novel’s lore, dragons are the masters of magic and transcendent beings proficient in all forms of magic.
If Kim Beolggwol was the incarnation of a dragon, then everything could be explained.
“And….”
Actually, there was something that seemed most strange.
Just before I lost consciousness at Yuri Lake, I felt an unusual flow of mana.
It was probably a magical circle similar in form to a teleportation gate.
I thought it was being generated at the bottom of the lake.
By inference, it seemed Bumblebee had burst out from there.
“Was it you—no, Prince Arun—who used magic to save me at Yuri Lake?”
[Confirmed.]
[Absolutely confirmed.]
I don’t understand.
This feeling.
I was so happy, yet somehow tears streamed down my face.
I had reunited with such a precious friend, yet somehow I was so angry.
“Why?”
I repeatedly struck Arun’s chest as he approached me.
Since Arun was supposedly an excellent knight apprentice, it was clear my blows wouldn’t hurt him.
Yet Arun looked like he was in great pain.
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I’m sorry.”
“You were alive all this time, so why?”
I had mourned and reminisced about Bumblebee for such a long time.
Those moments didn’t feel meaningless, but still, you could have come back a little sooner.
I grieved so much.
It felt like I had lost the entire world.
“You didn’t have to make me feel such things.”
Before I knew it, I was cradled in Arun’s arms.
In some ways, it was even more comforting and warm than my Biological Father’s embrace.
“Do you know how much I suffered?”
“….”
“I prayed and hoped to turn twenty and meet you again.”
“Is that why you’ve grown so much?”
“I don’t know!”
I couldn’t understand my own heart.
I was certainly happy.
But it was so incredibly complex and subtle that it was difficult to define it specifically.
“…Does my Biological Father or Robena know?”
“They probably do. But for now, it’s a secret.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m an Arong. If it’s discovered that I’m maintaining my memories intact… all my memories will be erased.”
I snapped to attention.
Having lost once, I couldn’t lose again.
“Even if your appearance has changed greatly, Kim Beolggwol is still Kim Beolggwol.”
“That’s right.”
“Kim Beolggwol is my most precious friend. I won’t let you be taken away again.”
Arun pulled me into a tight embrace.
“From now on, I’ll be your protector.”
Arun’s mana was conveying his sincerity to me.
A firm resolve to protect me.
A fear of losing me.
“So, Isabel. Please reconsider. Because to me, one day of yours feels like a thousand days.”
After those words, we didn’t share much more conversation.
Just feeling each other’s warmth was enough.
It became a profound connection for us.
Just as it had been between Kim Beolggwol and me.
I was grateful to meet again, now I didn’t want to part, grateful that you appeared again, and yet slightly resentful.
For a very long time, we shared so many emotions.
Strangely, Kadelinon and Duke Robena didn’t enter for quite a while.
* * *
I spoke playfully.
“Yes. I’ll use my life to create a miracle.”
“…Please, Isabel.”
“You should suffer too, Arun. Experience what it feels like to lose your most precious friend.”
“…”
“No, Arun. I’m sorry.”
In that moment, I saw the saddest boy’s face in the world.
Watching those beautiful eyes fill with tears was almost like torture.
“How can you get so serious when I was just joking?”
“How could that possibly be a joke?”
I had many conversations with Arun.
But the conclusion was already determined.
“It’s true that each of my days is precious. I intend to use every remaining day of mine truly meaningfully. I’ll do my best in every moment.”
“…”
“That’s why I have to create this miracle.”
I believe this is how I do my best.
For the first time, I have a Mother and a Biological Father.
I’ve gained a family—people I thought everyone else had but I didn’t.
So many people of the Empire have appeared who call me Sunshine and follow me.
“Being born into this world, I’ve received far more love than I deserve.”
I want to return that love.
If I can restore Maria, it will be a blessing incomparably greater than the Taisabel Portal.
Through the collaboration of Yuri, an outstanding chemist, and Narmore, a successful businessman, I’ll be able to supply healing potions to countless people.
“If you’re not powerful or wealthy, receiving treatment from a priest is just a dream. At least, I hope no one dies because of poverty.”
I survived only because I received so much support. Otherwise, I would have died long ago.
It’s heartbreaking that people can’t receive treatment because they have no money.
“That’s why I think what I’m trying to do is very worthwhile.”
“But…”
“Of course, I’ll be leaving sooner.”
But I was always meant to leave early anyway.
“That way, people will remember me for much longer.”
I saw Arun clench his lips tightly.
It still seemed difficult for him to accept.
I understand what that feeling is.
Conversely, if Kim Beolggol had made this choice, I would have opposed it fiercely with a furrowed brow.
The one who leaves is gone once they go, but the one who remains must dwell on the one who left.
“I’m sorry for being such a selfish friend.”
“…”
In the end, I made my decision.
Kadelinon and Robena ultimately accepted my will.
One day later.
I lay upon the altar positioned at the center of the temple.
“I entrust myself to you. Great Sage of the keen north wind and cold blood, Kadelinon.”
“…Very well.”
I closed my eyes.
In case the pain proved severe, I decided to sleep through it.
It was something like sleep anesthesia, though this magic came from Robena.
‘I’m growing drowsy.’
If only my lifespan wouldn’t be diminished too greatly.
I hoped that even with a small sacrifice of years, a great miracle would unfold.
I surrendered to sleep.

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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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