Limited Extra Time - Chapter 106

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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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“…”

“All she took with her were two gold coins. She refused the expensive clothes Father gave her, refused the money—she left with nothing but the clothes on her back.”

“That’s… even Carina Leopold didn’t expect to undertake such a long journey.”

At Count Leopold’s words, Infrick dragged an irritated hand across his face.

Their father would not acknowledge his mistakes. Having lived so rigidly for so long, he could not bend easily.

“I know, Father.”

“Know what?”

“Whenever Carina Leopold cried, you would raise your hand and shout.”

“Tsk, I wondered what nonsense you were spouting. I never struck her once.”

Infrick laughed bitterly. His father fundamentally failed to understand.

Even if he never struck her, what did that appear as

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to a small child? Did it not feel like a helpless prey standing before a predator?

“And whenever Mother heard that Carina Leopold wanted something, she would always threaten to use Abeliana or me as a shield, or cast her out.”

He had known. Known and yet turned away. Because it happened when she was young, he had thought nothing of it.

He too had been young then, and he had vaguely assumed Carina Leopold must have done something wrong. But thinking back on it now, that was not the case. Our

parents were particularly harsh with Carina Leopold alone.

“Was Carina Leopold such a difficult child to care for that even the smallest childish behavior annoyed you?”

“…Infrick, what are you—”

“Father, I’m not trying to blame you. I’m simply saying that I’m no different from you and Mother. I’m just asking that we acknowledge it.”

Count Leopold’s eyes grew sharp. Infrick simply gazed back at that hardened stare in silence.

The father I could now look down upon seemed remarkably small.

But what must he have seemed like to young Carina Leopold?

“We have wronged that child.”

At Infrick’s matter-of-fact words, Count Leopold’s brow furrowed, and his mouth fell open in shock.

“Next, please come in.”

It was their turn before long.

Infrick ushered Count Leopold ahead. He closed his gaping mouth, exhaled a sigh, and stepped into the Bank.

The painting hung on one of the pillars. It was merely an ordinary canvas.

Knights stood on either side of the pillar, and cloth-adorned ropes were arranged around it, preventing anyone from approaching beyond a certain distance.

The two men quietly lifted their gazes.

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The moment they beheld the painting, both their lips pressed firmly shut.

They could not breathe.

They recognized the landscape before their eyes immediately.

…This is.

Count Leopold murmured softly.

The painting on the canvas depicted a garden with a distant hill visible beyond it.

One might think it merely an ordinary manor garden. Yet at the very peak of that hill—

A garden with a sprawling ancient tree standing in the open air was uncommon.

It was a painting rendered as if gazing diagonally down upon the garden. It was unmistakably drawn from the farthest corner of Leopold Manor, looking out through a window.

And it matched Carina’s Room perfectly.

‘There’s something about this painting….’

Count Leopold’s eyes—Cassis’s eyes—narrowed.

….

….

The two of them gazed at the painting in silence.

A desolate, chilling sensation seeped into their hearts.

Count Leopold’s eyes widened sharply as he felt that familiar sensation.

‘That painting from back then.’

Not long after Carina had left, he had discovered a similar composition in the unfinished painting found in her room.

Cassis blinked for a moment. This was indeed that child’s painting.

Beside the now-silent Cassis, Infrick stood motionless with his mouth closed, studying the painting intently.

It should have been a bright, joyful landscape, a warm scene bathed in spring sunlight, yet he could not fathom why his heart ached as if being wrung.

There was someone who often left with quiet sobs, and he felt he could now understand that feeling, at least in part.

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And beneath the ancient tree, something pale and indistinct had been painted.

Infrick straightened his posture, gazing quietly at the hill. At Infrick’s gesture, Count Leopold’s eyes narrowed as well.

…

Infrick’s eyes widened suddenly as he discovered something. He hastily raised his hand to cover his eyes.

His contorted expression was swiftly consumed by despair. He shook his head.

I was trembling.

“Infrick, what’s wrong?”

Count Leopold narrowed his eyes, but he couldn’t discern what Infrick had seen or why he was shaking his head.

Infrick soon grasped Count Leopold’s wrist and shook his head.

“I think it would be best if we left now, Father.”

“Yes, I understand that much… but what’s the problem?”

“Once we’re outside. I’ll explain once we’re outside.”

Infrick turned and exited the building alongside Count Leopold.

His contorted expression resembled that of someone who had discovered something they should never have seen.

“…The hillside, did you see it?”

“Yes. It does appear to be our Leopold Manor. It resembles that girl’s painting from before. It seems you were right—it is Carina Leopold’s work.”

Count Leopold nodded as he spoke.

If I contacted the auction house and inquired how Carina Leopold had exchanged the item, the matter would likely be resolved more quickly.

“It would have been a shame if we hadn’t seen it.”

“Wasn’t there something drawn beneath that tree?”

“Was there? I couldn’t see it clearly. In any case, let’s return quickly. I need to learn more about the auction organizer—

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about them.”

Count Leopold moved forward hastily.

Infrick, watching Count Leopold’s retreating figure grow distant, clenched his fists tightly.

It was us.

…What?

What was drawn beneath that tree—it was us, I mean to say.

Is that so? Still, it’s fortunate she hasn’t forgotten home. In any case, we should meet and talk about this.

Count Leopold spoke as though it were of little consequence, almost as if relieved.

He seemed oblivious to what the true problem was. Infrick gritted his teeth, clutching at his tearing heart.

Do you understand what that means, Father?

What on earth is this about? Speak plainly. Your old father finds it difficult to keep up these days.

He felt only a vague, inexplicable bitterness and chill.

Cassis Leopold could not fathom why Infrick wore such a despairing expression.

While we were enjoying ourselves there, Carina Leopold was alone at home.

Infrick felt his heart tearing apart.

The bitterness and loneliness emanating from within seemed to sweep through his veins from end to end.

It was none other than Carina Leopold’s emotion.

The emotion of that child, Carina Leopold, watching them alone from a secluded room.

She was never good at fitting in, wasn’t she? It happened often enough in reality.

Did you feel nothing upon seeing the painting?

No, I thought she drew it quite well. For her to possess such ability—

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I didn’t know my children were all so talented. I’m pleased.

“When I… saw that painting, it felt as though I were alone in the world.”

At Infrick’s words, Count Leopold’s mouth closed. He narrowed his brow and gazed quietly at Infrick, as if trying to discern what he meant to say.

“Father, why do you keep trying to turn away?”

At Infrick’s words, Count Leopold fell silent. He stared intently at Infrick’s contorted face—an expression twisted with anguish, as though he might cry out at any moment. It was rare to see Infrick wear such an expression.

“Truly, did you feel nothing upon seeing the painting? Did Carina Leopold’s letter stir nothing but anger in you?”

“I regret not noticing until this situation arose. That’s why I wanted to meet and speak with her.”

“…”

“I don’t understand paintings well. I’m not as I once was. My emotions have grown quite dull, it seems.”

At Count Leopold’s words, Infrick bit his lips hard. There was nothing more to say. For their father, this was likely the best he could manage. It was not easy to soften a mind hardened by so many years.

“…I’ll bring Carina Leopold back as quickly as possible.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Count Leopold patted Infrick’s shoulder in response. The two of them turned their steps back toward Leopold Manor.

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“Carina Leopold, have you eaten?”

“Mm… no, I was waiting for Millaiyen.”

“I told you he might be late today.”

“It’s fine. I wanted to have a meal with Millaiyen.”

Carina Leopold, who had been reading a book on the bed, looked up as Millaiyen Pestellio entered through the tent flap.

and conversed naturally.

Millaiyen Pestellio approached as if it were the most natural thing in the world and drew Carina Leopold into his embrace.

Roughly two weeks had passed since we entered the Forbidden Forest. It took a week of exploration to understand the habitats of the Magical Beasts.

And it had been a week since the full-scale Subjugation began.

“I missed you today too. What were you doing?”

“I went nearby with Periel and painted. Periel went to the Capital this time

and brought back someone.”

“Someone?”

“Yes, an artist who uses miracles… apparently a Sculptor.

But they said he can move long distances.”

“There certainly are plenty of those miracle-workers around.”

Millaiyen Pestellio spoke curtly.

“I’ve heard there are many outstanding artists in this generation.”

Carina Leopold answered with a soft laugh

and leaned her body against his back.

Whether he had bathed or not, a faint scent of soap emanated from Millaiyen Pestellio—not sweet, but a refreshing fragrance that cleared the mind.

“I had them bring meals.”

“…Then why did you ask me?”

“If you had already eaten, I was planning to eat alone.”

“Two portions then?”

“Yes.”

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Millaiyen chuckled softly, turning to press his lips against the nape of her neck. Then he gently lowered his lips to hers.

At the cool scent of soap, she carefully parted her lips.

Just as Millaiyen was about to naturally slip his tongue inside,

“Your Excellency, I’ve brought your meal. I’m coming in!”

An uninvited visitor arrived at precisely the worst moment from Millaiyen’s perspective.

Millaiyen’s face contorted with displeasure.

Carina Leopold quickly pulled away.

“…Damn it. Come in!”

With an unpleasant expression, he spoke while keeping her tightly embraced against him. His voice was dripping with irritation.

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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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