Limited Extra Time - Chapter 164

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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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Furthermore, there are rumors that the Northern Territory is involved in this matter. What is the meaning of this, Duke Pestellio?

Millaiyen stepped forward.

This was precisely why he had been dragged here today.

Of course, the Emperor’s insistence on keeping his son and wife hidden for much longer had also played a role.

It is a matter similar to what I reported in writing previously. The vanished colossal Mountain Range did not disappear suddenly—it was originally the burial ground of a Dragon.

Millaiyen answered the Emperor’s question in a measured voice, speaking loudly enough for all to hear.

A Dragon?

A Dragon? Was that not something that existed only in legends?

A mon… a monster exists?

Murmurs and gasps of alarm rippled through the crowd.

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A deep furrow formed between Millaiyen’s brows. His lips pressed firmly together, as though he would not speak until silence was restored.

“Silence, all of you!”

The Emperor struck the armrest with his fist and shouted. Only then did the nobles’ voices cease.

“Continue your explanation, Duke Pestellio.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. The massive creature that appeared in the skies above the Northern Territory appears to have been a distorted account of the Dragon’s flight.”

“Duke Pestellio, do you mean to say… that the Dragon has been resurrected?”

Someone in the crowd of the Banquet Hall called out with a loud voice, posing the question.

Millaiyen’s expression stiffened momentarily before relaxing.

That was precisely why I had wanted to leave it as mere documentation. Yet here I stand, having yielded to the Emperor’s stubbornness.

‘…No matter how I consider it, there seems to be no advantage to be gained.’

Weighing loss against gain, the losses would surely outweigh the benefits. But the Emperor is the Emperor. An order is an order, and I have no choice but to obey. I had no desire to quarrel with him over it either.

“Precisely as stated. The Dragon that dwelt in that place has been resurrected for reasons unknown.”

The murmuring among the assembly swelled once more.

It was Carina Leopold’s doing that brought it back to life. I had reported the matter to the Emperor, but it was not something I wished to bring into the light of public knowledge.

The Emperor, in exchange for stepping forward here, had granted his approval regarding that matter.

It was an ability that would benefit no one if revealed. Besides, that power had already been lost.

“Furthermore, the countless Magical Beasts of the Northern Territory…”

Millaiyen Pestellio trailed off, as though troubled.

No matter how one framed it, this truly had no answer. Millaiyen Pestellio, having stroked his chin in deliberation, opened his mouth to speak.

“I fear words will avail us nothing here. If distorted, there is no way to prevent it. In the Northern Territory, the count of Magical Beasts to be subjugated—

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—is not something one simply tallies as they go.”

At his candid words, the nobility nodded in agreement.

Who would count the number of Magical Beasts to be subjugated?

Especially given that Magical Beasts are known to hide themselves well in various places, counting them would be all the more difficult.

Moreover, the reason I could not escape the grasp of Wrath’s Hammer was that I suffered grave injuries while fighting the Magical Beasts, and I fell into critical condition during a moment of carelessness.

It was a subject I had little desire to broach.

Thanks to her potion, I healed without a single scar, but in doing so, she drew the Dragon and consumed her entire lifespan in the process.

It was because I was weak. Had I been stronger, I could have protected her.

This would remain lodged in Millaiyen for a long time—like a spear forged from unmelting ice.

His expression darkened slightly.

What manner of Magical Beast did you encounter to suffer such wounds?

A voice echoed from somewhere in the hall.

Millaiyen, his brow furrowed, remained silent for a moment.

Carina Leopold’s expression was equally grim. No matter how she considered it, the truth offered no favorable interpretation.

Speak, Duke.

It was a new species of Magical Beast we had never encountered before.

With the Emperor’s permission, Millaiyen opened his mouth readily.

Murmurs rippled through the assembly. The Emperor’s expression too grew darker.

Indeed, it seems there are those who excel at inciting unrest.

The two who had posed the question just now were entirely different people.

In truth, neither Herta nor I could say precisely where new monsters are born, but I have heard tales of how Magical Beasts emerge

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from certain circumstances.

Ajidahaka cast an illusion upon the now-barren Mountain Range before departing.

Everyone would perceive it as though the mountains had returned to their former state.

‘How distasteful.’

It feels as though I am performing upon someone’s palm.

He spoke of his own volition and engaged in conversation, yet his questions subtly probed the inner workings of the Northern Territory.

Millaiyen Pestellio stepped back once more.

“Most rumors that circulate prove to be falsehoods. There are matters I cannot speak of, but I stake the Emperor’s name on the truth of this.”

The Emperor’s gaze swept slowly across the Banquet Hall.

In one corner of the Banquet Hall where nearly a hundred people had gathered, attendants and maidservants stood waiting.

The Emperor exhaled softly.

“And this is advice from one of greater years—take care not to be blinded by petty desires. There exists no tale in this world that is sweet and convenient alone, you see.”

As the Emperor finished speaking and gestured, the orchestra that had paused resumed their performance.

He surveyed the assembly once more before speaking readily.

“Now then, all of you—enjoy the banquet at your leisure. And Duke Pestellio, come with me for a moment.”

“….”

Millaiyen Pestellio’s brow furrowed. Yet there was nothing to be done. He sighed deeply and smoothed back his hair.

“I’ll be back shortly. I’m just going to step into the Garden for a moment.”

“…I’m sorry. I’ll have Goreden accompany you.”

“Goreden? But earlier, it seemed all the guards were being summoned somewhere…”

At Carina Leopold’s words, Millaiyen Pestellio’s expression

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grew peculiar. Why would there be a need to summon all of a nobleman’s guards?

Millaiyen Pestellio blinked once and nodded as if in understanding.

“Don’t go far—just to the Garden behind this Banquet Hall. I’ll join you shortly.”

“I understand. There are so many people in the Imperial Palace.”

“Indeed.”

Millaiyen pressed a gentle kiss to Carina Leopold’s cheek.

She departed from the Banquet Hall.

The moment she stepped outside, Seren, who had been burying his face in the hollow of her collarbone, lifted his head with a soft whimper.

“Ma… ma…”

The child whined and rubbed his face against her collarbone, his eyes brimming with tears. It seemed he had been desperately holding back his distress in his own way.

‘The atmosphere was so tense.’

Moreover, now that I thought about it, people had been shouting questions everywhere, and even the Emperor had raised his voice, striking the armrest and demanding silence.

“I’m sorry, Seren. Mother wasn’t paying attention.”

“Hic…”

At my tender words, the child began to hiccup, his sorrow deepening.

Carina Leopold quickly settled into a chair in the courtyard behind the Banquet Hall. She drew her knees together, set the child down, and covered his ears.

“Hic…”

Still, the child did not seem at ease.

Only when she pressed her hands more firmly over his ears did the child, though still sniffling, finally show a more relaxed expression.

“Do you want to go home soon?”

“Ma?”

“Mother wants to go home too.”

I despise all this noise.

She met Seren’s gaze slowly. Gently pressing her lips

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to the child’s forehead, Seren burst into delighted laughter.

“I love you, little one.”

“Da-da!”

Carina Leopold blinked slowly. From behind, someone wrapped their arms around her waist.

“Millaiyen, you’re already here…”

Carina Leopold’s back stiffened as she realized it was not Millaiyen at all.

The grip was less firm, the scent different, the physique unfamiliar.

As she began to scream and twist away, a cold blade pressed against the base of her neck.

The man behind her seized her right wrist while bringing the blade dangerously close.

“Hush. If you don’t want the child to witness something unpleasant, you’ll stay silent, Carina Leopold.”

“…”

A shadow fell across Carina Leopold’s vision as her movements ceased.

Shadows from both directions narrowed her field of view.

The man holding the dagger to her throat remained motionless—proof there was at least one accomplice.

A hand extended naturally, taking Seren from her arms. Carina Leopold’s expression hardened.

When she tried to speak, the cold blade pressed against her throat reminded her to stay silent.

Seren did not cry out.

Carina Leopold clenched her fists, unable to lift her head because of the blade, her palms slick with sweat.

How long could I survive with my throat cut?

And what were the odds I could snatch the child and flee desperately in that window?

My mind raced through the calculations.

“It’s alright now. You can let go. As long as the child is in my hands, there’s nothing you can do anyway.”

A familiar voice struck my ears.

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My mouth fell open in shock. I slowly lifted my head.

“…You.”

My voice sank heavy with dread.

Easter stood there with her neat features arranged in a serene smile.

Seren appeared oblivious, showing no signs of discomfort whatsoever.

‘…I never imagined such a disposition could become a poison.’

Those with divine power never anticipated that Seren’s trusting nature could be exploited so thoroughly.

“Oh, how disappointing—were you hoping for the Duke instead?”

“Unfortunately, Duke Pestellio won’t be coming for quite some time.”

At her impossibly light tone, I blinked once.

The man standing behind stepped forward beside Easter, arms crossed.

“…The Crown Prince?”

“Oh, you recognize me. I thought you wouldn’t notice, always looking elsewhere, Carina Leopold.”

Bewilderment flickered across my face.

Without even needing to see his face, the garments he wore were unmistakably those of the Royal Family.

‘Could it be… that the Royal Family is conspiring with the Heretic Sect?’

She slowly raised her hand to wipe her face, then fixed her gaze upon Easter, who stood silhouetted against the moonlight.

“Return Seren to me.”

At her demand, Easter laughed brilliantly.

“Ah, how troublesome. Do you know how much I had to scheme to obtain this after all this time?”

Easter spoke softly, her voice dripping with affection as she stroked Seren’s back with tender care.

There was no malice emanating from her. Perhaps for that reason, Seren neither resisted nor cried out.

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“However, I shall permit you to pursue me, Carina Leopold.”

Her deep pink eyes, brimming with moonlight, curved into a sharp, knowing smile.

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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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