I Was Just Having Fun With The Time Limit - Chapter 83

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

The moment I heard the words “the Great Sage of the Sharp North Wind and Cold Blood, Cadelinon,” I was seized by contradictory and intricate emotions.
‘This is so strange!’
And….
‘How cool!’
My reason was crying out that it was strange, even embarrassing, while my emotions were shouting that it was magnificent.
The side effects of a seven-year-old body were severe.
There was no way something like that could be cool, yet my heart was racing, and my pride was wounded.
“Why do you say that?”
“Your epithet is just too magnificent.”
“…Pardon?”
Even the Great Sage of the Sharp North Wind and Cold Blood, Cadelinon, seemed taken aback by my reaction.
He definitely knows his epithet is excessively long and reeks of adolescent delusion.
“Are you being sincere?”
“I am sincere!”
“Really?”
“Yes, truly. Please say it again.”
“Say what?”
“That magnificent epithet of yours.”
“I-I am the Great Sage of the Sharp North Wind and Cold Blood.”
For some reason, the Elder Priest seemed rather pleased.
He gazed at me with affectionate eyes and spoke.
“Your bright smile is quite adorable.”
“Really?”
I felt as though I had experienced the warm gaze of a grandfather I had never known.
“You’re magnificent too, Great Sage.”
The Great Sage stared at me intently for a long while.
I gazed back at him, bewildered.
‘Is he pitying me?’
Is it because he’s the one who stole five years from me? Is that why he’s looking at me so intently?
‘His eyebrows hide his expression.’
A considerable silence stretched between us.
The Great Sage was undoubtedly regarding me with compassion.
After a long time had passed, the Great Sage finally spoke.
“…You really mean it?”
“Pardon?”
“You’re the first person to genuinely call my epithet magnificent, Your Highness. My goodness, such discerning taste.”
I wasn’t entirely sure, but the Great Sage seemed quite moved.
They say that as people age, they become more childlike instead, and that’s exactly what this felt like.
The realization that my small words and praise could bring joy to a grandfather was quite a pleasant experience.
‘Besides, it wasn’t a lie anyway, was it?’
My seven-year-old body genuinely found this chuunibyou-afflicted name impressive.
I was merely controlling my rationality appropriately; I wasn’t lying.
“Because it truly is magnificent!”
“I always knew someone like the Princess would appear. You recognize my true worth. Hehehehe.”
Then Duke Robena spoke.
Duke Robena’s expression was deeply furrowed, but the atmosphere was subtly different from usual.
“Let’s wrap this up quickly, would you?”
“Aren’t we in the middle of an important conversation?”
“Ugh, that’s exactly why—what’s so important about that?!”
Duke Robena raised her voice.
It seemed the two of them were quite close.
“My, Duke Robena, my seniority far exceeds yours. Is it appropriate to speak so casually and raise your voice like that?”
“…I’ll kill you.”
At that, the Great Sage rolled up his sleeves.
He lifted his gaunt forearms and spoke with complete confidence.
“I welcome a direct challenge.”
“….”
I burst into laughter before I could help myself.
Hearing the word “direct challenge” come from the Great Sage’s mouth somehow felt endearingly human and wonderful.
Still, I offered a warning.
“Great Sage! Duke Robena is incredibly strong!”
For some reason, the Great Sage was looking at Duke Robena as if she were a mere child.
* * *
A promise is a promise. This is how Bumblebee can live.
Bumblebee is my precious friend, after all.
Repeating this to myself, I lay down on the altar.
‘I’m terrified.’
As precious as this life given to me was, the five years I would lose filled me with dread.
The Great Sage’s voice reached me.
“Now then, let us begin.”
The Great Sage’s hands turned white with light.
An indescribable warmth enveloped me.
I felt slightly drowsy.
But then, a buzzing sound rang out.
[Objection.]
[Absolute objection!]
“Kyaaaak! Kyaaaak!”
A sharp metallic screech echoed as well.
I snapped my eyes open and looked down at my belly.
Bumblebee had climbed onto my stomach.
‘Kim Beolggwol?’
I tried to speak, but no sound came out.
Brilliant, multicolored mana was radiating from Kim Beolggwol’s body.
[Protect Isabel.]
[Protect her no matter what!]
Bumblebee sat on my stomach, baring her teeth at the Elder Priest who was trying to approach me.
‘I can’t speak and my body won’t move. I need to stop Bumblebee.’
If Bumblebee caused another incident here, things would become truly troublesome.
It might not end with just five years.
I saw the corners of Duke Robena’s eyes curve upward.
“Even Mother couldn’t reco….”
Mother?
It sounded like she said something about Mother, but I couldn’t hear anything more after that.
How do I describe it—I felt separated from the world.
I could see, yet it didn’t feel like I was seeing; I could hear, yet it didn’t feel like I was hearing.
It felt like I had plunged with a splash into a world set apart from everything.
In the midst of it all, a mystical voice reached me.
“You would offer your life in exchange for the Princess’s?”
A human voice, yet not quite human—something strange and auspicious about it.
It sounded like something heard in a dream.
‘No!’
I waved my hand desperately.
“Very well. Then I shall take your five years—no, your ten years in her stead.”
No. That’s not it.
That can’t happen.
Strangely, a boy’s voice came through.
“Ten years. Agreed. Ten years given. In exchange, Isabel, protect her always.”
The manner of speech was unmistakably Bumblebee’s, but the voice was human.
A young boy had certainly answered that way.
‘I think I’m… dreaming right now….’
Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep.
* * *
Duke Robena of the North.
In truth, Ravina, the Dragon of Wisdom, giggled with amusement.
“I suppose that’s one thing, but even Mother didn’t recognize me!”
Kadelina, currently the Elder Priest but originally the Black Flame Dragon, let out a deep sigh and furrowed her brow.
“Indeed.”
They say raising children yields nothing but regret.
Sigh….
Sigh….
I let out a sigh deep enough to shake the earth.
“You know that’s something only humans say, right? What do you expect from a dragon’s child? This is why you need to firmly establish your sense of self when you’re young. Are you a dragon or a human?”
“Ugh, I don’t know. As long as I’m good at fighting, that’s all that matters.”
“…Fine, do whatever you want.”
Ravina and Kadelina gazed at Arun, who lay sleeping on Isabel’s belly.
“He’s really willing to stake his life.”
“Doesn’t he remind you of someone?”
“Who?”
“That dragon who went through an extremely intense adolescence, possesses tremendous power, and was absolutely mad about a certain human—that radiant dragon.”
Kadelina hummed a tune and feigned indifference.
After a brief moment, Ravina spoke.
“They’ll both wake soon. Anyway, I’ve confirmed it. Isabel is truly a good child.”
“Hmph, whether she’s good or not, we’ll have to wait and see.”
“There you go again, acting just like a human.”
Ravina, the dragon of wisdom, recalled a word from the human world.
“Are you already trying to play the role of a mother-in-law? Get your head straight. He’s just a ratel right now.”
“W-who said anything like that?”
“Besides, the picky mother-in-law concept has been outdated in the human world for 500 years. It’s not just old—it’s become a relic.”
Well, since you were actively engaged in establishing your identity 500 years ago, it’s not strange that you’re stuck in that era’s way of thinking.
“Anyway, what would you do if you were in my position?”
“If it were me, I’d let Isabel and the ratel live together in quiet happiness. I’ve already taken 10 years from him officially. The ratel probably has at most 5 more years to live, if that.”
“Five years….”
“If he accumulates many experiences with Isabel, Arun will certainly grow into a fine dragon. And we’ll keep his sense of self firmly grounded.”
Even as she said this, Ravina already knew.
‘You won’t touch Arun’s memories, will you?’
The Kadelina that Ravina knew was a very peculiar dragon.
‘I’m looking forward to what comes next.’
She decided to watch with keen interest what kind of future Isabel and Arun would create together.
* * *
Shortly after, Isabel awoke, and Robena asked her.
“The ratel promised to give his own 10 years instead of your 5. What do you think?”
“That’s not acceptable.”
Her body still wouldn’t move. Tears streamed down her face.
“Beolkkot made a promise with me.”
“What promise?”
“Beolkkot promised to die after me.”
Isabel wept for a long time.
Kadelina and Ravina read Isabel’s true heart through their draconic perception.
Both reached the same conclusion.
‘Isabel is a child who can truly sacrifice her life for Arun.’
Robena shook her head.
“I’ve already taken ten years from Kim Beolggwol. What’s done is done, child. There’s nothing to be done about it.”
Isabel wept for thirty minutes straight.
Robena watched Isabel cry as though she had lost everything in the world, and after a long moment, she finally spoke.
“It’s awkward for me to say this now, but…”

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