I Was Just Having Fun With The Time Limit - Chapter 62
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Karin nodded.
“Of course.”
“Hehe, I’ve been praised.”
“….”
Karin silently watched Isabel, who was smiling awkwardly.
She had to protect Isabel, who became so delighted over just a single compliment.
That smile was the most precious thing to Karin.
“I intend to protect that smile.”
“…What?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
“You clearly just said something….”
“I didn’t say anything.”
Karin’s face flushed red.
She quickly moved her mana to distribute the blood that had rushed to her face evenly throughout her body.
She used elevation magic to hide the redness of her face.
Karin, who had hastily restored her complexion, spoke with a serious expression.
“It seems I need to visit the Mirotell Magic Federation again.”
“Again?”
Isabel was not particularly pleased about sending Karin to the Mirotell Magic Federation.
There was no way to know when, where, or how she might awaken as the final mastermind.
Staying together in the most heavily guarded Imperial Palace was the safest choice.
“Why?”
“Do you dislike it when I leave?”
“I do. I’d prefer if you stayed by my side.”
“Why?”
Isabel never lied in front of Karin. There was a high probability of being caught if she told an unnecessary lie.
“Having you by my side makes me feel safe.”
“…I’m not such a trustworthy person.”
Karin’s earlobes flushed red again.
“In any case, I will do my best to ensure that the Teiabel Gate and its related theories receive proper recognition.”
She had decided to officially register the Teiabel Gate that Isabel had created along with its related theories, and to prove their validity. That was why she had engaged in such a deep conversation with Isabel.
That would also mean war against the mages.
‘Perhaps I will be branded a traitor.’
Tesleron had faced a similar situation.
Once a promising talent, he had been dismissed for threatening the established interests and had wandered the Erbe Mountains.
‘No. I will be branded a traitor. I will be expelled from the Mirotell Magic Federation.’
That was the natural course of events.
Those with vested interests do not wish to relinquish the rights they monopolize.
They oppose the benefits of magical civilization reaching ordinary people.
They are the chosen few who believe value lies in scarcity.
‘They’ll attempt all manner of coercion and pressure. Or they’ll steal the Princess’s techniques and use them to gain advantage over the Mirotell Magic Federation.’
Karin’s eyes gleamed with venom.
‘I absolutely cannot allow that.’
She was originally designed as a character specialized in struggle, combat, and domination.
In the novel, Karin had waged war against Arun and the Vilotian Sword Empire, but now she vowed to wage war against the mages of the Mirotell Magic Federation.
The natural fighting spirit of the final mastermind was beginning to awaken. As her left mouth corner twitched, Isabel flinched at the sight.
‘Wait? Why now of all times?’
When the final mastermind Karin contemplated war with someone. When she resolved to stake everything on victory, Karin’s left mouth corner would twitch—such was the setting.
And that wasn’t all.
「When she awakened, those around her naturally sensed her awakening. The air around them changed. Her aura transformed, and she became a different person than before.」
I could feel the novel’s description becoming reality.
She was clearly the same Karin, yet seemed like a different person entirely.
The change was so profound that one could sense it merely by looking at her.
Goosebumps crawled up the back of Isabel’s neck.
‘Why is the final mastermind awakening now of all times?’
A dull ache throbbed at the back of her head.
* * *
The Royal Council.
A conference held with seven kings granted the title of ‘king’ in the Vilotian Empire gathered in one place.
This conference, which lasted anywhere from three days to nearly a month, was held once every three years, and it was a gathering of nine people in total, including the Emperor and Empress.
Ron spoke.
“Let us conclude the conference here.”
The seven kings exchanged puzzled glances.
‘Already?’
‘That’s strange.’
In reality, it was not the Emperor but the Empress who led the Royal Council.
The Emperor was more like someone who provided solid military might, allowing the Empress to express her thoughts freely.
Yet today, the Emperor himself had ended the Royal Council.
The gazes of the seven kings turned toward Serna.
Serna smiled softly and spoke.
“Yes. Let us conclude for today.”
The seven kings sensed it instinctively.
‘Something significant must be happening.’
‘Is there a matter they must keep secret even from us?’
Their minds began working rapidly.
The Imperial Palace and the Seven Kings were the most solid alliance on the continent. There should be no secrets between them.
Rahela, one of the seven kings, carefully raised her hand.
“I believe we should be informed as well.”
Everyone shared the same thought.
Serna answered.
“The midnight that approaches is a day His Majesty has been eagerly anticipating.”
“Pardon?”
A day the Emperor has been eagerly anticipating? What on earth could that be?
Perhaps a day with favorable mana currents for gaining enlightenment related to swordsmanship.
“And it’s also the day he most wants to exhaust himself.”
“What exactly is it?”
Ron rose from his seat.
“Enough.”
The Vilotian Sword Empire had wielded tremendous power through generations, but the Vilotian under Ron’s rule was even stronger.
For this reason, there was no one who could contradict Ron’s words.
Ron left the conference chamber first with an irritated demeanor.
Serna followed him out and spoke.
“His Majesty is embarrassed. The approaching midnight is the Princess’s birthday.”
After Serna departed, the seven kings exchanged their thoughts.
One of the seven kings, Rahela, opened her mouth.
“The Princess’s birthday. What could that signify?”
“Who knows. Perhaps it’s something like a test the Empress is administering.”
The Princess’s birthday.
That would be the key.
Serna, the continent’s foremost strategist, schemer, and diplomat, seemed to have left some subtle message.
Rahela nodded.
“Interpret that meaning and grasp the true intention. That would be it.”
“Whoever grasps that meaning will be able to secure advantageous ground later.”
But it was not so.
The Emperor and Empress had genuinely ended today’s royal council early to celebrate the Princess’s birthday.
“Until we meet at the next conference.”
“Indeed.”
Rahela made her way to her quarters, lost in deep contemplation.
Thinking that whoever discerned the Empress’s true intention first could gain favor in the Imperial Palace.
Meanwhile, the Emperor and Empress changed into comfortable everyday clothes.
Serna burst into laughter.
“How do these comfortable clothes look?”
“Are those comfortable clothes?”
Only the color had changed from before; those garments were still formal robes fit for a state council.
“Aren’t they quite comfortable?”
“Yes. As long as you’re comfortable, that’s what matters.”
He must want to look more impressive for his daughter’s birthday.
She refrained from voicing this, fearing he would be too embarrassed.
With the help of her attendants, Serna changed into a dress of lighter, more flowing fabric.
The pale sky-blue dress was neither elaborate nor ornate.
Serna extended her hand.
“Then, would you hold my hand, Your Majesty?”
Though she wore no rings to adorn it, her hand was remarkably graceful and beautiful.
At least, that’s how Ron saw it.
Ron took her hand, and once again experienced that subtle tremor.
Every day spent with his wife thrilled him.
“Let’s go.”
They headed toward the Arena Palace where their daughter awaited.
Biatone, Luluka, and Yuri were already waiting at the Arena Palace.
Biatone grumbled about how late they were, while Yuri stood holding a homemade fresh cream peach cake she had prepared.
Ron had wanted to scold Biatone for his rudeness, but since it was already past midnight, he refrained from mentioning it.
Luluka spoke softly.
“I’ll open the door.”
She opened it.
Serna entered Isabel’s room with a radiant smile.
“Surprise! Happy birthday to our daughter. Were you sleeping?”
Only the soft glow of a nightlight illuminated the room. Ron’s face suddenly contorted with displeasure.
Because he saw Kim Beolggwol.
Kim Beolggwol was not only nestled in Isabel’s arms but was in the midst of kissing her.
“Aren’t you supposed to be male?”
The ratel Kim Beolggwol showed no intimidation even before the Emperor of Villorian.
Kim Beolggwol was, as always, bold and overflowing with confidence.
[What can I do? I’m cute.]
In fact, Kim Beolggwol was a ratel with a regular routine, the type that fell asleep once 10 PM arrived.
Today as well, Kim Beolggwol was sleeping, making soft snoring sounds.
Isabel found Kim Beolggwol so adorable that she playfully nibbled and attempted to kiss the creature.
So strictly speaking, Kim Beolggwol wasn’t kissing her—he was being harassed.
But to her father’s eyes, it looked like a brazen male wild animal trying to kiss her.
[Wronged?]
The dignified ratel planted his feet firmly, raised himself up on his hind legs, and drew in a deep breath, puffing his chest out grandly.
Small as he was, in this moment, Kim Beolggwol was the largest and most magnificent ratel in the world.
[If you’re so wronged, then you be cute too.]
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————