I Was Just Having Fun With The Time Limit - Chapter 197

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

From the moment of Beksah’s death until now.
I researched how to escape Narbidal’s curse based on the legacy my mother left behind.
However, I could not discover the exact method.
‘Something is missing.’
I didn’t know what it was myself, but it felt like a puzzle piece was incomplete.
Ironically, thanks to Wilhelm, my lifelong adversary, I was able to find the final puzzle piece.
‘The answer is… contradiction.’
Narbidal, the god of death, continued to live.
Death lives.
It was a terrible paradox that had tormented Narbidal eternally, yet it was also the reason he could continue to exist.
‘I need contradiction.’
It is already well-known that a dragon’s heart can extend human life.
I have already perfected the method of extracting a sufficient amount of the heart made of magical power, covering it with one massive force, processing it into the shape of a heart, and then implanting it into a human.
“I entrust the dragon’s heart to you, Lord Arun.”
“I will accept it gladly. Lord Biatone, please fit the final puzzle piece well.”
Though we usually bickered, under the shared goal of saving Isabel, we were the most reliable of allies.
“However, if you fail to fit it, I will not forgive you.”
“I don’t think I’ll forgive myself either.”
I nodded readily.
“If the day comes when I cannot save the Princess, allow me to take my own life.”
“I refuse.”
“Why?”
“So you can die comfortably alone? I pray that you live with me and savor the torment together.”
“Tch. You’re quick-witted.”
Arun devised a plan to obtain the dragons’ hearts, and I worked out a method to create ‘contradiction.’
In the end, we conceived of a brilliant stratagem.
“We need a powerful contradiction strong enough to make the god of death continue living.”
“So what exactly is that?”
“The Princess must become completely certain of her own death. More than that, she must come to perceive death itself. She must have such a powerful conviction of death that she believes herself to be already dead. Yet at the same time, she must possess a yearning for life. A will to live far more intense than anything before.”
She must believe she is already dead.
Yet she must desire to live more than ever before.
“The wider that gap becomes, the greater the contradiction grows. That contradiction will make the Princess live. Just as it did for Narbidal.”
“Are you certain?”
“Certain…”
There is no certainty.
No one had ever attempted it, and naturally, it was an unproven method.
Yet I spoke.
“I’m certain.”
I needed to believe it, at least.
Arun needed that single word—’certain’—from me.
It was the driving force that kept them both alive.
“However, there are certain requirements needed when transferring a dragon’s heart.”
“The souls must be strongly bound together. That’s what you’re referring to, isn’t it?”
Previously, Kadelina had already given Isabel nearly half of her heart.
But whether that half of a mature dragon’s heart produced the full effect was another matter entirely.
It had only helped Isabel open her eyes back then—it hadn’t actually extended her life by even a single second.
This was because Kadelina and Isabel’s souls weren’t firmly bound together.
“Viscount Biatonn, I can resolve that.”
“You, Arun? How?”
“Because Isabel and I are betrothed.”
“It’s not that simple a matter.”
“I can clearly feel it. That Isabel’s soul and mine are firmly bound together.”
“How do you know that?”
“I just do.”
“That’s not a sufficient explanation.”
In truth, Arun himself had struggled to understand exactly what this ‘feeling of souls being bound’ meant.
It was only after quite some time had passed that he could figure it out.
“There’s something called a betrothal stone. It’s known to bind the souls of humans who love each other. It was a treasure used by the royal families of Villorian when proposing to someone, but it’s been lost now and no longer exists.”
“Rather than simply being lost, back then a very reckless and mad….”
“Yes. The rumors are widespread that it was stolen by the Black Flame Dragon.”
“Yes, terribly….”
“My mother.”
“She must have been beautiful.”
“I already proposed to Isabel with it a very long time ago. It felt like becoming one with Isabel, but at the time I didn’t know what this feeling was.”
Later I learned it was the effect of the betrothal stone.
“So I will be able to save Isabel, Viscount Biatonn.”
I glanced down at Biatonn’s right hand.
“Why do you keep trying to draw your sword?”
“When exactly did you make this proposal, dear Arun?”
“Fourteen years ago.”
Arun remembered precisely what he had said and the situation at that time.
[Found something.]
[Jewel = betrothal gift.]
[Dibs completed.]
[Contract established.]
[Withdrawal impossible.]
[Absolute contract.]
Biatonn laughed brightly.
“So you’re saying you proposed to the Princess when she was six years old, Arun.”
“Don’t draw your sword.”
Biatone’s hand moved toward his sword hilt, then fell away after a long moment.
“Had we not shared the common goal of saving the Princess, I might have cut you down, Lord Arun.”
“Your formal speech frightens me.”
“I speak formally to those who wish to maintain distance, Lord Arun. From now on, I shall continue to do so. And henceforth, I shall call you the Shameless Lord Arun—abbreviated as Lord Shameless.”
After a brief silence, Arun spoke.
“We won’t report this to the Emperor and Empress.”
“It seems Lord Shameless and I share the same thought on occasion.”
“Because you seem quite skilled at lying, Lord Biatone.”
“Is my character any more ruined than Lord Shameless’s? A betrothal at six years old? Have you truly lost your mind? Ah, I can’t even kill this absurdity.”
They decided to keep it secret from the imperial family.
They even had to keep it secret from Isabel herself.
Because they needed to make Isabel fully accept her own death.
“Lord Shameless, can you act?”
“Of course I cannot.”
There was a way to save Isabel, yet we would hide it?
Without letting it show?
That was impossible.
“Instead, I’ll speak openly. That I will save Isabel.”
….
“People rarely believe me anyway. Every time I speak, they only seem to prepare for her death instead, so it should work fine.”
Arun had always said it.
That we could find a way.
That I would save you no matter what.
Isabel had believed those words were comfort offered to his betrothed.
“Will you include me in that plan?”
A voice echoed from empty air.
A magic circle materialized, and a black-haired woman appeared before them.
“…Mother?”
“Hello, my son. It’s been a while. But what on earth is Lord Shameless?”
Biatone bowed deeply.
“A beautiful lady indeed. Lord Shameless refers to the endearingly foolish Lord Arun—fresh and verdant in his shamelessness.”

* * *
“Haha, I couldn’t possibly interfere with a mother and son’s reunion. I’ll take my leave now, Arun. And…”
“You may call me Hera Siren Agrisia Olivia Hersen.”
What is that name? It seems like she’s collected every trendy name in circulation.
Biatone didn’t voice that thought.
“Yes, Lady Hera Siren Agrisia Olivia Hersen. I shall take my leave now.”
As Biatone rose to leave, Arun raised his voice.
“Mother, what is the meaning of this?”
“I was simply tired of lying in bed all the time.”
I came to enjoy one last amusement.
She didn’t say that part aloud.
“You must recover your heart.”
“I can easily manage another hundred years without recovery.”
And you’re planning to exhaust your own heart anyway.
When I awaken, you won’t exist in this world, will you?
She didn’t voice that either.
“Rather than a tedious ten thousand years, I’ll live an entertaining hundred years. That’s my wish. No matter that you’re my son, you cannot dictate the course of my life.”
“…”
“So I intend to spend the remaining hundred years ahead in the most enjoyable and fulfilling way possible. I’d appreciate it if you’d let me participate in the plan to save Isabel.”
“Mother, why would you…”
“It’s a matter interesting enough to be remembered in history. Is there any topic hotter than Isabel these days?”
Saving Isabel is the same as saving you, my son.
Your mother understands that well.
She didn’t say that either.
“After saving Isabel, I’ll meet a charming man, enjoy a sweet romance, experience various things, and live joyfully before I depart. Truth be told, I was happiest when I was in love with humans and loving them. As you know, that’s when my sense of self fully formed, and I miss those days so much.”
If I tell you that I made this choice because of you, you’ll suffer.
“In other words, this will be the last memory a son and mother share together. Once this matter concludes, your mother will live as a completely different human.”
Kadelina extended her hand.
“My final amusement—I’m counting on you, my son.”
Only three people knew of this plan: Biatone, Arun, and Kadelina.
Just these three.
It was the only way to ensure the plan would succeed perfectly.
Kadelina was extremely satisfied with her role.
“I’m quite pleased with the role.”
The role of an angel or a god, no less.
Kadelina broke into a wide smile.
“It’s incredibly cool!”
She had decided to play a god.
“You must perform well, Mother.”
“Don’t worry. Unlike you, Isabel holds little emotional sway over me.”
I didn’t neglect Isabel, but I wasn’t particularly devoted to her either—not like Arun was.
That’s why I could pull off a convincing performance.
“Oh, and just to be clear—I’d prefer you didn’t seek me out later. As I’ve emphasized several times, I intend to enjoy myself as someone with a new identity.”
“….”
“Think about it. How difficult would it be for Isabel if she had two mothers-in-law?”
Arun was human now as well.
His human mother was Duke Robena.
His dragon mother was Kadelina.
“It’s better not to create such a terrifying situation for Isabel. She’s not like me—she can’t just cause chaos whenever she pleases. Listen to your mother’s wisdom, dear.”
Kadelina returned to her lair and threw herself into acting practice for quite some time.
And today, finally, a great ‘contradiction’ manifested.
“I believe now is the time, my son.”
Arun appeared before us.
Before Isabel could even speak, Arun pulled her into a fierce embrace.
There was no time for explanations.
Before this contradiction’s power faded, he had to execute everything he’d been preparing all this time.
There wasn’t even time for a simple greeting.
He pressed his lips against Isabel’s.
‘Forgive me for a moment.’
Parting her lips slightly, he began channeling the tremendous mana he’d been holding into her body.
This was the most effective method for transferring the mana contained within the dragons’ hearts.
‘Please.’
There was no sweetness like that of a first kiss.
Only an intense longing to save Isabel filled his mind.
‘Live.’
A torrent of tremendous mana swept through the surroundings like a devouring storm.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————