Limited Extra Time - Chapter 165

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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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“…Are you out of your mind?”

“Surely not, Your Highness.”

“Setting Millaiyen aside—do you even know who that child’s godfather is?”

Carina Leopold responded with bewilderment.

Ajidahaka, who had sworn to rush to her side the moment Seren’s life was threatened or the child shed genuine tears.

He had become the godfather and vowed to protect the child’s time for as long as he lived.

said.

She had lost all her divine power and could no longer paint, but she was not so foolish as to smile while watching her child be kidnapped before her very eyes.

‘And there is one more way to summon him.’

The method Ajidahaka had taught her.

If her life were ever in danger, he would know immediately. Ajidahaka, resurrected by the miraculous power Carina possessed, could sense

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the fading of her life force from any distance.

“Your godfather? Ah… yes, I am aware.”

Though he could not possibly know.

Carina stifled a hollow laugh as she answered. Ajidahaka’s existence was an open secret. There was no way he could know.

Duke Periel Kalos, is it not? In any case, if you follow quietly, both the child and the young lady will be safe.

The Crown Prince spoke from beside her.

Carina’s lips twisted. The warmth that had graced her gaze when looking at the child and Millaiyen—like spring sunlight—froze into something colder than ice.

The Crown Prince’s expression hardened slightly at that remarkable transformation.

Had the atmosphere always been like this?

The Crown Prince had known of her from long ago.

Though she was not one to frequently grace the banquets, there could be no noblewoman he was unaware of. He had thought her a woman of feeble presence and weak spirit, one who could not speak back against anyone’s words.

I thought she was a woman who was sensitive, weak-spirited, and didn’t know how to stand up to what others said.

That’s utter nonsense, Your Highness the Crown Prince.

…What did you say?

It’s not as though I’m selling anything, so where in the world…

Carina Leopold suppressed the irritation that surged within her.

Easter, whose eyes curved in a gentle smile, seemed to find this situation utterly fascinating and amusing.

The transformation of a woman who had appeared so fragile, now baring her thorns and sharpening her fangs for her child, was truly remarkable to witness.

Maternal love is truly wondrous, isn’t it? It changes people, after all.

Her voice remained honeyed, yet it was utterly repugnant. Easter’s eyes curved even more brilliantly.

Have you lost your mind, my lady?

It is you who have lost yours. Committing such madness against His Imperial Majesty the Emperor… and daring to lay your filthy hands on that child—

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What were you thinking?

Ha! Living in the Northern Territory has driven you completely mad, it seems.

The Crown Prince spoke with evident displeasure, toying with his dagger as he turned it over in his hands.

Carina Leopold swept her hair back. Easter smoothly took the dagger from the Crown Prince’s hand and brought it close to the child’s cheek. In that instant, Carina Leopold’s face went rigid.

Don’t.

You said you wouldn’t if I followed quietly.

Those curved eyes appeared so tenderly kind.

Perhaps this was what they meant by a gaze that enchants—though what truly captivated Carina’s attention was Seren’s heterochromatic eyes, shimmering before her.

In truth, a scar on my face or losing an eye means little to me. It’s not as though my divine power would vanish with it.

But if you so much as lay a hand on her… I’ll kill you.

So move. Time is running short. If you won’t come, I’ll take the child alone.

Carina’s fists clenched as she watched Easter smile brightly.

She had never trained in self-defense, and the sword hanging at the Crown Prince’s waist weighed heavily on her mind.

Even a Crown Prince like that was a man who trained consistently in swordsmanship.

Should a blade pierce her heart here or her life fall into mortal danger, Ajidahaka would come at once—but that remained a last resort.

Every wound or crack to her heart shortened the time she had left to live.

Where are we going?

Easter handed the child and a short dagger to the Crown Prince’s arms, then lightly brushed the child’s forehead.

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The child’s eyes widened in surprise before bursting into bright laughter.

‘…Damn it.’

Carina swept her hair back.

She could not fault an innocent child. The failure was hers alone—she had not protected them properly.

Easter approached her with light steps and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“I’ve been curious about something since the first time I saw you, Carina Leopold.”

“Who are you calling Carina Leopold…!”

Before she could finish her protest, something pitch-black began to writhe from his hand. Those undulating tendrils seemed to seep directly into her body.

“What are you doing….”

A sudden, searing pain lanced through my heart, and I gasped, clutching at my chest.

My face contorted as I slowly bent forward. Easter caught me firmly around the waist, preventing me from collapsing.

“Your heart seems to be barely maintaining balance between divine power and magical power, Carina Leopold. What happens if the divine power increases?”

At his question, brimming with curiosity and fascination, my face twisted in greater agony.

Easter bent forward alongside me as I trembled and groaned, tilting his head slightly to one side.

“More precisely, the magical power is suppressing the divine power. Like good and evil in opposition.”

His gaze fixed upon the space between my breasts—as though perceiving something invisible. I gritted my teeth and forced myself to remain standing. The pain, after so long, made my head throb.

Thump, thump, thump.

My heart raced violently.

Crack—a sound of fracturing echoed from somewhere.

I let my hand fall. The agon

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izing breath gradually returned to normal. The hourglass that had frozen began to flow once more.

I reached out and seized Easter by the throat. He narrowed his brow but made no move to evade my grip—as though he had judged it posed no threat.

“I want to kill you right now….”

My irises slowly suffused with golden light.

Gold encroaching upon blue irises.

Easter shuddered at the sight of those luminous eyes, a chill racing down her spine.

“This counts as self-defense, doesn’t it?”

Her voice was glacial.

Easter’s eyes widened before she burst into laughter—a sound so delightful it was impossible to describe.

He witnessed the extraordinary phenomenon unfolding within her heart.

Crimson mana was being devoured, bit by bit, by pristine divine power.

“Listen, Professor. We’re running out of time.”

“Yes, I understand.”

As Easter answered and stepped back, Carina Leopold tightened her grip, holding her in place.

Carina Leopold’s pale hand posed little threat. A brilliant blue butterfly fluttered past his side.

“What in the world is that…?”

The world grew dark, as if heavy storm clouds had gathered across the sky.

The Crown Prince tilted his head back, his voice bewildered. Yet neither Carina Leopold nor Easter looked upward to see what he saw.

In that darkened world, Easter’s golden eyes gleamed like those of a predator spotting its prey.

‘I want to possess it.’

I want to possess what lies before me.

Easter drew slow, measured breaths, tempering the desire roiling within her.

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She continued this rhythm.

This belongs to me.

It was mine.

Easter withdrew her hand and wiped Carina Leopold’s wrist clean.

In an instant, thousands upon thousands of azure butterflies surged skyward, their wings eclipsing the cascading moonlight as they descended upon Easter in a ravenous swarm.

Individually, each butterfly possessed an ethereal beauty beyond compare, yet gathered together they became grotesquely repulsive. They

hurled themselves toward Easter.

Carina Leopold envisioned the azure butterflies devouring Easter’s flesh. She pictured it in her mind and willed it into reality.

In that moment, the butterflies launched themselves at Easter with the speed of arrows.

“Butterflies…?”

Only then did Easter’s gaze shift to her surroundings, her brow furrowing as she murmured.

Irritated, she swatted at the butterflies with her arm, but they alighted upon her skin and opened their mouths wide.

Where a butterfly’s delicate proboscis should have been, sharp fangs like those of a carnivore gleamed instead.

They appeared small and fragile, yet perfectly capable of tearing through flesh.

Easter realized this too late, desperately brushing the creatures away as she stumbled backward. Carina Leopold’s gaze remained fixed upon her.

Her eyes held the transcendent coldness of one gazing down from on high, and Easter found herself momentarily speechless.

Those were the eyes of a predator intent on consuming her. There would be no mercy. This was nothing more than the food chain of hunter and hunted.

“Give that back!”

Seeing the butterflies descending upon me, Easter bolted toward the Crown Prince and snatched Seren from his grasp.

The butterflies, their fangs clicking menacingly as they dove toward Easter, their

I, flying in with sharp teeth clicking as if I were about to devour Easter.

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The Heretic Sect members froze in their tracks.

Easter held the dagger-wielding hand directly before Seren’s eyes. The slightest movement would drive the blade into the child’s azure gaze.

Carina Leopold’s golden eyes trembled violently, like a ship tossed upon tempestuous waves.

“Release Seren this instant…!”

“I’m afraid I must refuse. Come quietly with me.”

“Master! We have a problem!

The window we opened is already closing! The guards will swarm this place!”

The Crown Prince clicked his tongue in frustration.

The plan was unraveling. Originally, Easter was supposed to flee with Seren and Carina Leopold, after which he would spread rumors that she had been conspiring with the Heretic Sect all along.

But this? Everything was falling apart, and his own position was becoming precarious.

Easter gritted her teeth.

“Give me the child. Then I won’t pursue you. I promise I’ll hold back Millaiyen as well.”

Carina Leopold extended both arms forward. When her eyes met Seren’s and she offered a smile, the child’s eyes widened in surprise, and he gazed intently at her chest.

“Hurry.”

Carina Leopold urged him again, anxiety creeping into her voice.

For a long moment, Seren simply stared at her without smiling.

Moisture gathered at the corners of the child’s eyes, and a fat tear rolled down to the floor with a soft patter.

“Master!”

“…I trust you will keep your promise.”

“Protect him.”

Carina Leopold spoke, her gaze fixed menacingly upon the butterfly fluttering through the air.

Easter set Seren down upon the ground. Then, clicking her tongue in disapproval, she donned her robe and turned away.

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The Crown Prince, watching her retreating figure, had no choice but to follow.

As she observed him disappearing into the distance, Carina erased the image from her mind.

In that instant, the butterflies that had blanketed the sky crumbled into ash and vanished.

A single butterfly that remained fluttered after Easter, slipping beneath the folds of his robe and concealing itself from view.

“Carina! Damn it! Wait!”

Before she could respond to the voice calling from above,

she rushed toward Seren with desperate haste.

Dropping to her knees, she cradled the child urgently in her arms. Seren’s face contorted in her embrace.

“Hnngh… Waaaahhhhh!!”

At the sound of a cry she had never heard before, Carina’s eyes widened in shock.

From above came the sound of something collapsing with a tremendous crash, followed by a heavy thud as it struck the ground.

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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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