I Was Just Having Fun With The Time Limit - Chapter 89

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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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Ron spoke.
“Tell me.”
“The Mirotell Magic Federation is currently directing a culinary association led by master chefs….”
“Get to the point.”
“Why not hold a public debate?”
“What benefit would that bring Isabel?”
Biatone felt a chill run through him in that instant. Ron’s expression was utterly menacing.
“You’re suggesting that young child engage in debate with master chefs backed by the Magic Federation? Those cunning old fools will seize upon the slightest trivial matter and hound her relentlessly—it’s far too easy to tarnish her reputation. Their purpose is nothing but manipulation and fabrication. If she plays along, she’ll merely be dancing to their tune. Even if Isabel handles it flawlessly, at best she breaks even, and if she stumbles even once, the damage will be severe. The losses far outweigh the gains, so why would you, the Emperor’s aide, present me with such an absurd proposal?”
Biatone fell silent for a moment.
Through countless experiences, he had learned that silence was best when Ron was this angry.
Knock, knock.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
“Father, it’s Isabel. Are you here?”
“Come in.”
“Yes!”
It was Isabel.
She had opened the door with a bright smile, but in that instant, she grasped the atmosphere of the office.
‘Something feels… tense?’
Isabel erased the smile that had spread across her face and spoke carefully.
“Father, I came to ask you for a favor.”
“A favor?”
Isabel cautiously gauged the mood.
‘What serious discussion were they having that the atmosphere is like this? Did I pick the wrong moment?’
She felt slightly worried.
Without realizing it, Isabel’s voice grew smaller as she felt a bit intimidated.
“What if we held a public debate?”
“….”
“I know I’m still young and can’t even wield a sword….”
“That’s a splendid idea.”
Looking more closely, Ron was smiling lightly.
At that sight, Isabel’s heart completely relaxed.
‘Yes, that’s what true handsomeness is!’
Her pure heart was plainly evident on her face.
Handsome one, handsome two.
This place was full of handsome men.
The smile that had vanished returned once more.
Why did I get nervous for nothing?
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“I won’t disappoint you! I can do this. I really can!”
My goodness, I’m actually having a debate!
Something I’d never experienced in my past life, yet Isabel’s young body was receiving this new experience as an exhilarating stimulus.
I bowed deeply at the waist.
“Thank you for allowing this.”
I was needlessly nervous!
The relief I felt was even greater than the tension I’d held.
‘Why is Teacher Biatone’s mouth hanging open like that? He looks like he’s grown horns or something. And Father seems to be… avoiding Teacher Biatone’s gaze.’
The bleak atmosphere from before had long since vanished.
To Isabel’s perception, the office had become quite warm.
‘I must have been mistaken.’
And several days later, the public debate was held.
The debate participants were Narmore, the representative of Narmore Corporation; Yuri, a royal maid; and Princess Isabel.
* * *
Upon receiving correspondence from the imperial palace, the Culinary Association initially attempted to reject the proposal. However, reality did not unfold according to their wishes.
This was because Duke Robena of the North visited the Magic Federation.
In essence, the Magic Federation’s will was the Culinary Association’s will, and Robena wielded considerable influence over the Magic Federation.
“That’s an excellent idea. A public debate. Let’s proceed with it.”
Duke Robena had established both a trade agreement with the Vilotian Empire and maintained an exceptionally deep relationship with Mirotell, the Magic Federation.
Many mages educated on Sky Island now held high positions within the Mirotell Magic Federation.
Though more than ten years had passed since Robena last appeared in official settings, her influence remained formidable.
“Our Sky Island maintains amicable diplomatic relations with both the Empire and the Magic Federation, making it a neutral ground. What do you think about holding the public debate on Sky Island?”
The Vilotian imperial court enthusiastically approved, and the Mirotell Magic Federation had no grounds to refuse.
Among the nobility and upper classes who learned of this information, it became a major issue.
“Apparently they’re holding a public debate.”
“A public debate?”
“I heard Narmore, the representative of Narmore Corporation, is participating, and Yuri, a royal maid who developed ramen, is also appearing. And here’s the real bombshell—Princess Isabel herself is apparently going to participate directly.”
“No way. The Princess is appearing? At a debate? That’s absurd.”
“But that absurd thing is actually happening?”
“At best she breaks even, at worst she takes all the blame. Why would she do that?”
Princess Isabel’s direct participation was quite a significant issue.
This could serve as indirect evidence that the Princess was directly involved in ramen development and distribution, meaning she couldn’t distance herself if any problems arose with the product.
“That’s why. The fact that she’s stepping forward like this suggests she’s quite confident about it.”
“But the people from the Culinary Association are all master chefs. How could they be matched? Besides, the Princess is only seven years old.”
“That’s true.”
While it’s certain she’s exceptionally talented and skilled in magic—enough to rank first in the Olympiad—how could she possibly participate in such a debate and face seasoned master chefs? Moreover, I heard the Magic Federation is sending one of the Primordial Mages as a mediator.”
“What? A Primordial Mage? A real Primordial Mage is going? Why would a Primordial Mage even attend?”
The five pillars that support the Mirotell Magic Federation. They are called the Primordial Mages.
It was a major event that Kriass, one of those great mages, was being dispatched as a mediator.
“Exactly. Master chefs and a Primordial Mage. How could a young Princess even speak properly surrounded by such people? She’ll definitely be picked apart.”
“That’s definitely what will happen.”
Little was known about Narmore and Yuri.
What was known about Narmore was that he came from common stock yet possessed remarkable business acumen as a rising entrepreneur.
What was known about Yuri was merely that she was a pastry chef of tremendous skill and the person who developed ramen.
“Still, the Princess wouldn’t step forward herself without confidence.”
Amid the people’s anticipation and concerns, the public debate ultimately proceeded.
* * *
The venue was Sky Island.
As it was a public debate, residents of Sky Island gathered alongside numerous journalists from invited news outlets.
Moreover, citizens of the Empire and members of the Magic Federation who wished to travel through the Teisabel Teleportation Gate were also transported to Sky Island so they could witness the public debate.
Kriass, the founding mage of the Magic Federation and one of the VIPs at this public debate, furrowed his brow.
‘They allowed the Teisabel Teleportation Gate to be used for an event that became such a major issue?’
Sky Island was a secret island shrouded in mystery.
Ordinary people could never see it in their lifetime, so some even believed it to be a fictional or legendary island.
‘The methods to reach Sky Island are extremely limited. Yet if they allow movement through the Teisabel Teleportation Gate like this… they can directly demonstrate the practical value of the Teisabel Teleportation Gate.’
The founding mage Kriass spoke.
“Did you deliberately orchestrate this spectacle? To demonstrate the utility of the Teisabel Teleportation Gate like this?”
“A spectacle? I’m not sure what you mean.”
“You’re still disagreeable, Biatone.”
“And you’re still aging, Kriass.”
“It’s remarkable that your tongue wasn’t severed after studying magic under Duke Robena.”
“My tongue happens to be quite resilient.”
“Is the use of the Teisabel Teleportation Gate the will of Vilotian or the will of the Duke?”
Whose will it was—that mattered.
It would be a clue to discern which side the Duke was taking a more favorable stance toward.
Yet an unexpected answer came.
“It’s the Princess’s will.”
Kriass interpreted it politically.
‘They don’t want to say.’
In any case, the “Sky Island Public Debate,” which had become a major issue, became an opportunity for countless people to experience the Teisabel Teleportation Gate.
Approximately thirty thousand people gathered for the public debate.
An entire massive gladiatorial arena was repurposed as the venue for the public debate.
The moderator was appointed from Sky Island’s representatives, and he proceeded with the discussion.
“We have Princess Isabel of the Vilotian Empire and… three distinguished culinary masters representing the Culinary Association. The debate will proceed in a three-versus-three format… and… we shall proceed accordingly. The first speaking privilege shall be granted to Culinary Master Maresents.”
Culinary Master Maresents.
He was the most renowned chef among the three culinary masters representing the Culinary Association.
“Yes, I am Maresents. I stand here to reveal and widely publicize that ramen is an extremely dangerous and addictive food—a terrible invention that could even accelerate demonization. I speak with the honor of a culinary master at stake.”
He thought to himself.
‘There’s no need to actually prove its harmfulness.’
Manipulation is easy enough.
The word ‘dangerous’ alone could shake people.
‘However, proving harmlessness is no simple matter.’
The debate began in earnest.
Up until that moment, Maresents believed he could humble the three representatives from the Vilotian side.

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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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