I Was Just Having Fun With The Time Limit - Chapter 97

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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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Time passed swiftly for Isabel.
Before long, it was December—the final stretch of being seven years old.
During this period, I had been quite busy.
“Your Highness, today’s interview content is….”
I conducted various interviews in different locations with my exclusive journalist, Yuli.
“We are honored by Your Highness’s visit.”
“The Mornin Gallery welcomes Your Highness!”
I performed various social activities alongside Biatone.
I found the various physical activities (?) and public engagements I had never experienced in my past life to be genuinely enjoyable, and I threw myself into them wholeheartedly.
Watching me, Biatone seemed quite satisfied.
“Your Highness, you seem to be enjoying yourself.”
“Yes, it’s fun. The museum we visited last time was enjoyable too, and today’s gallery had many fascinating works.”
“What was the most fascinating?”
Biatone’s eyes held satisfaction mixed with a hint of anticipation.
What had Isabel seen today? What had she gleaned from the works of artists who had captivated an era, and what inspiration had she gained?
What beautiful influence would touch Isabel’s soul?
Biatone waited eagerly for my response.
“The fact that a single dot made with a brush costs 3 billion Ludens.”
“…Pardon?”
Quite… a worldly sort of wonder, isn’t it.
Biatone collected himself and asked again.
“Was there anything else that left an impression?”
“How pristinely the canvas was preserved despite being painted 100 years ago. How did they manage the humidity? The gallery staff said there were no separate humidity control devices installed inside. That means the artwork itself must have some kind of self-regulating humidity magic cast upon it. Then the mana energy driving it must be self-generating, carefully controlling the moisture content through….”
“…I see.”
Biatone smiled broadly.
It didn’t seem like I had gained any particular artistic inspiration, but that hardly mattered to Biatone.
He was content as long as Isabel was enjoying herself.
“But Teacher, you still haven’t found a method, have you?”
“No, unfortunately not.”
Though I was having an enjoyable time these days, there was one fact that troubled me.
It was that Karin had lost all of her mana.
“The Mirotell Magic Federation deliberately intervened. They scattered all her mana and completely shattered her mana circuits, so there’s no way to fix it.”
“…I understand.”
“Still, I’m doing my best to look into it.”
“Thank you. I’ll research it too.”
However, there had been no significant progress on that front.
Time passed quickly, and December soon came to an end.
* * *
The morning of the new year dawned.
January 1st of a new year.
Isabel opened her eyes at dawn and pushed the window open, drawing in the crisp morning air.
‘I’m eight years old now.’
At twenty-one, on December 31st, that would be my final day. Thirteen years remained until then.
Luluka tidied Isabel’s bedding and then spoke.
“Your Highness. Good morning. You seem to be in excellent spirits.”
“Yes. I feel wonderful.”
Even breathing in this cold air deeply didn’t cause my lungs any pain whatsoever.
Isabel smiled broadly, savoring the pleasant morning sunlight.
The sprawling garden visible below the window looked even more beautiful today.
‘Huh?’
Suddenly, a face popped up into view.
“Ah! You startled me!”
“Hello, Isabel?”
It was Prince Michael, the fourth prince.
Michael’s face had turned pitch black since seven in the morning on New Year’s Day.
It appeared he’d been playing with white snow since the early dawn hours, though it was rather peculiar how such black grime had accumulated on his face.
“How am I supposed to say hello? This is the seventh floor!”
This was indeed the seventh floor.
Michael was floating in mid-air.
For reference, Michael was a pure swordsman who had never learned levitation magic.
“Oh, right.”
“According to the law of universal gravitation, a force of 9.8 m/s² continuously acts. I should be falling!”
“Then I’ll fall!”
Michael dropped to the ground.
This happened again.
‘Hmm, but that 9.8 figure is derived based on Earth’s mass, isn’t it?’
Isabel became absorbed in quite a pleasant train of thought, completely forgetting about Michael.
Her mind was entirely captivated by this newly discovered mysterious and fascinating fact.
‘This world seems to be larger than Earth. So wouldn’t the gravitational acceleration value be different?’
Could I possibly calculate this myself?
I fell into delightful contemplation.
* * *
A visitor arrived at the Imperial Palace of Villorian.
“I present my respects, Your Majesty. It is unfortunate that I could not meet with His Imperial Majesty.”
“Rahela! It has been so long, how wonderful to see you. Thank you for traveling such a distance.”
Emperor Ron had departed leading knights to subjugate a great demon, so it was Empress Serna who received the Holy King Rahela.
After exchanging brief pleasantries, Rahela broached the main subject.
“Regarding the Tesabel Portal Project that the Empire is strongly supporting…”
Rahela believed this Tesabel Portal Project was actually a political strategy of the Empire.
A key strategy to expand influence over the world and gain military and diplomatic superiority.
Rahela and the Kingdom of Alpea firmly believed they were walking this path together with the Empire.
“Pardon?”
Of course, from Serna’s perspective, this was completely unexpected.
She was a wise Empress, and while she had anticipated how this expansion of the Tesabel Transfer Gate might be interpreted, in truth she harbored no intention of strengthening her dominion over the world based on it.
“It seems the Holy King has misunderstood something.”
“Misunderstood?”
“Isabel is leading the expansion of the Tesabel Transfer Gate. I’m merely supporting from behind what my daughter wishes to accomplish.”
“I see.”
Through this, Rahela could now clearly understand the Empire’s stance.
‘So this is a posture of stepping back externally.’
She understood.
‘Indeed, if the Empire took too prominent a lead in expanding its influence, it would inevitably clash even more fiercely with the Magic Federation and the Magic Towers. Even we seven kings, who are exceptionally friendly toward the Empire, are expressing concern.’
Outwardly, she nodded.
“Yes. You’re simply helping your daughter with a mother’s heart.”
“Exactly. The Holy King truly understands my heart well.”
Serna was grateful that Rahela interpreted her intentions so purely.
“Regarding this matter, Jirdel is also showing considerable interest.”
Jirdel.
It was the kingdom ruled by Valkio Jirdel.
Though it possessed the weakest military force among the seven kingdoms, it was geographically positioned at the center of the seven kingdoms and served as a crucial trading hub.
“As you likely know, the current king, Valkio Jirdel, and I share a deep friendship. After discussing with him, the idea emerged of actively introducing the Tesabel Transfer Gate system to the Kingdom of Jirdel as well. Before Jirdel sends an official delegation, I came first to seek the Empress’s opinion.”
Rahela was inwardly certain.
‘They will naturally have no choice but to accept. The Empire has staked everything on the Tesabel Transfer Gate. Based on this, they will expand their influence!’
Serna fell into thought for a moment, humming softly.
“As you know, the Tesabel Transfer Gate is not my technology. It is ultimately a collaborative work between Lord Tesleron and Isabel.”
Serna’s stance remained consistent.
‘As expected. Meticulous from beginning to end.’
Truly, she was the benevolent sovereign Serna.
Beneath that warm expression and dignified bearing lay cold and sharp strategy.
“If the Empress speaks thus, may I discuss this with Isabel?”
“Please do.”
* * *
Isabel encountered a welcome face.
“Sister!”
Upon spotting Rahela, Isabel came running over with quick steps.
“Aunt, not sister.”
“Sister sounds warmer and nicer.”
“Consider the age difference between us.”
The answer came in less than half a second.
“Twenty-seven years, ma’am.”
“Y-you’re quite sharp with calculations.”
“Can’t I call you sister?”
Rahela couldn’t ignore Isabel’s earnest(?) gaze and simply nodded her head.
“Ahem, anyway, could we talk for a moment?”
“Of course.”
Rahela entered Isabel’s room.
‘It’s quite an ordinary girl’s room.’
For the room of a turnkey player actively promoted by the Imperial Palace to change the existing political paradigm, it was surprisingly modest and adorable.
The white lace curtains were charming, and so was the teddy bear sitting on the table.
Seeing such things made her feel oddly surprised—she seemed just like an ordinary girl.
Rahela chatted with Isabel about this and that before broaching the main topic.
“The Jirdel Kingdom wants to actively adopt the Tesleron Portal System too.”
“Really?”
“Yes. They seem to have detected Alpea’s growing influence.”
“That’s wonderful!”
Isabel clapped her hands with genuine joy.
“What’s making you so happy?”
“I heard that workers in the Jirdel Kingdom have a saying—Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Friday, Friday. Once the Tesleron Portal System is established, their labor intensity will decrease, and they’ll have weekends. Then they could become a bit happier, don’t you think?”
“Indeed…!”
It is not cold wind but warm sunlight that removes the traveler’s coat.
It seemed she intended to gradually consume the workers—the foundation of the Jirdel Kingdom—and maximize the Empire’s influence.
The rule of the Villorian Empire, which had pursued only supreme military might, was entering a new paradigm.
Rahela, whose thoughts had reached that point, admired it seriously.
“A most excellent strategy—or rather, way of thinking.”
But then, a voice rang out.
“Wait!”
Someone was on the bed.
A strange creature revealed itself as the blanket was suddenly thrown aside.
Rahela was startled, and so was Isabel.
“You, you’re… Prince Michael?”
“Oh, Brother?”

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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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