Limited Extra Time - Chapter 202

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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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—— Page 1 ——

You wouldn’t want to feel powerless as nothing when Serenus truly needs you.

…

If you’re truly sincere, then do your best. But if you weren’t sincere and were just wagging your tail like an obedient dog beside him… then die.

Haran’s fists clenched at Millaiyen’s fierce gaze, his breath catching.

He had told him nothing, yet Millaiyen seemed to see through everything.

He looked like someone who saw through everything.

This is the first and last word I give you. It’s better for a tiger cub to become a winged tiger and come soaring than to hide its claws and fangs, panting like a dog. Don’t let your talents rot away out of laziness.

…

I have enough power, wealth, and connections to use when needed. Enough to cure even an incurable disease that afflicts someone precious to me.

—— Page 2 ——

That’s what I mean.”

Haran’s eyes widened.

Because Millaiyen’s voice as he spoke seemed drenched in deep regret.

Serenus had always praised Millaiyen’s greatness to him. He said his father was like a vast mountain range or a boulder.

For the first time, he felt he truly understood those words. If one grew up watching such a person, one could only become equally solid and strong.

There won’t be any.

“And I ask you to look after Seren. Even though he appears strong, he dislikes loneliness.”

“…Seren and… couldn’t you stay with him longer? Seren cares for you greatly.”

“…If that were something I could control through human effort, I would have committed that sin long ago.”

Millaiyen Pestellio spoke.

Yes, he must have committed it long ago. Even if it were a taboo that should never be broken.

“And who is your father?”

“…”

“In this world, there are some things beyond our control.”

Millaiyen Pestellio turned his body.

Seren was approaching from a distance. He drew near the child with an unbothered expression, attempting to receive the notebook. Or rather, trying to.

His body swayed violently.

His vision blurred. By then, he could see his wrist stained pitch-black. As the price of forcing his body to move, the venom had nearly consumed his entire being.

“Father…!”

“Dad!”

Millaiyen Pestellio collapsed along with the notebook falling to the ground.

Thud—

His vision went black.

—— Page 3 ——

…I’m afraid it will be difficult for him to last more than a few days.

…Why! Do something about it! You said you were the greatest healer! Even just a year, no, even just half a year would be fine. I’m not ready to say goodbye yet…

Everyone swallowed hard at Serenus’s voice trembling with sobs. Even to someone without medical knowledge, Millaiyen Pestellio’s condition was clearly dire, and Serenus staggered on his feet.

Seren, are you alright?

Uncle…! Dad, Dad…!

Upon hearing the news through a communication crystal, Periel Kalos immediately took a Gate to the Northern Territory.

The world had developed at such a breathtaking pace. So much so that one no longer needed to rely on miracles.

The elderly Periel Kalos held his breath, his pallid face watching Millaiyen Pestellio lying motionless like a corpse.

It felt like only yesterday that we walked through the Academy together, sharing genuine friendship and happiness, yet time flowed on mercilessly without end.

…Millaiyen.

He murmured softly and slowly grasped Millaiyen’s hand. The cold fingertips felt nothing like the man who once burned with such fierce heat.

I heard he was gravely wounded…

Uncle, can’t you save Dad? Just a little longer… even half a year… You can heal him, can’t you?

When Periel Kalos heard the news of the injuries, he had come and treated the wounds. Serenus would know that as well. Yet the boy was asking him to try again.

I could try once more…

…No.

—— Page 4 ——

Millaiyen!

Dad!

At the voice that sounded as though bones might shatter, both men responded immediately.

Millaiyen Pestellio withdrew his hand from Periel Kalos’s grasp without hesitation.

Why did you come all this way pointlessly?

Can’t you speak more gently?

Can’t you stop talking like that stubborn old man?

Even in a moment like this, you persist.

Periel Kalos exhaled a sigh.

When Millaiyen Pestellio gave a subtle gesture, Periel Kalos looked at Serenus and furrowed his brow.

Seren, I’m sorry, but would you mind waiting outside for a moment? It seems your father has something to discuss with your uncle.

But…!

I’ll call you back soon, Seren.

At Millaiyen Pestellio’s words, Serenus ultimately said nothing and withdrew with a

cautious, troubled expression on his face.

…

…

A brief silence settled in the space Seren had vacated.

Periel Kalos rubbed his face several times and slowly drew out a breath.

You’re going too, then?

…Yes, I suppose so.

That should bring you joy. After all, you’ve waited and longed for this—to see Carina Leopold again.

I’m not so certain. My senses have grown dim, my emotions faded. I no longer know what I’ll think, or what I’ll feel when I meet Carina Leopold again. Perhaps after enduring all these long years, I’ve weathered away, worn down until my very feelings have vanished.

That’s unlikely. Judging by what I know of you, the probability is far lower.

Periel Kalos let out a soft laugh.

Both of them sensed instinctively that this would be their last encounter.

—— Page 5 ——

Perhaps that was why—amid the silence that flowed as it always did, anxiety could be felt.

“Carina left, Winston left, Peng left… and now you’re leaving too. Soon there won’t be anyone left to visit. I suppose I should have been less diligent about eating healthy. If I’d known I’d end up living this long alone…”

A single tear rolled down Periel Kalos’s wrinkled cheek.

“…Why are you crying? At your age,

it’s foolish.”

Millaiyen Pestellio chided him gently.

“Dust got in my eye, that’s all. Just dust.”

“Well, I’m glad then.”

“Now that I think about it, having no one left to grumble to about where I’m going… yes, I’m feeling quite lonely too.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Periel Kalos’s eyes widened at Millaiyen Pestellio’s words. It was a word he’d never heard in all his life.

“So when death approaches, even the great Millaiyen Pestellio can finally think like a human being. I never thought I’d hear such a sincere apology from you.”

Despite the deliberately bright tone of his voice, the atmosphere grew heavy once more.

Millaiyen Pestellio slowly raised himself and leaned back against the headboard of the bed.

“Carina wrote in her letter that when death comes, all your senses grow dim… and she was right. My senses are fading more and more.”

“Really. My senses are getting duller and duller.”

“…”

“I’m sorry to ask this of you, Periel. Seren will be turning thirty soon, but he’s still like a child cast adrift on the water. I can’t even begin to imagine what was in Carina’s heart when she closed her eyes, leaving that little one behind.”

“Seren is my nephew too. Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of him, keep in touch regularly, see his children, and then I’ll die.”

“…Yes, I’m grateful you’re here

—— Page 6 ——

That’s a relief.”

Millaiyen Pestellio answered with a light laugh.

Periel Kalos’s confident smile finally crumbled. He clenched his fists and pulled Millaiyen Pestellio tightly into his embrace.

“It’s been such a joy, Millaiyen Pestellio. I sincerely pray that you find happiness with Carina Leopold. Meeting you, meeting Carina Leopold, meeting Winston and Peng—I’ve been truly blessed.”

“Yes, so have I.”

“I’m grateful you were given time to say farewell. Go well.”

Periel Kalos held Millaiyen Pestellio close one final time, then slowly left the room.

After gently wiping his cheeks and erasing all traces, he stepped out with a soft smile to meet Serenus, who had been waiting outside.

“Uncle…”

“…We’ve said our farewells. I intend to stay at the Duke’s Estate for a while—is that acceptable?”

“…Yes, I’ll have preparations made.”

Periel Kalos gently touched Serenus’s cheek and turned away. The remaining time belonged entirely to Millaiyen Pestellio and Serenus.

“…”

Serenus entered but hesitated, unable to close the door or draw near to Millaiyen Pestellio. Millaiyen Pestellio, who had been gazing out the window, slowly turned his head.

“Why do you linger, Seren?”

“…Father.”

“Yes, my child.”

As he opened his arms, Serenus hesitantly stepped forward and nestled into his embrace.

“If you disappear, what will I do? I don’t want to be alone. There’s still so much I don’t know… I haven’t become a proper Duke yet.”

“In my eyes, Seren, you are already an excellent Duke. Complete the Subjugation, and that will be enough.”

“…I haven’t prepared myself yet.”

—— Page 7 ——

Serenus shook his head with a petulant whine.

Millaiyen Pestellio, watching the tears stream down the child’s cheeks, reached out and gently wiped them away.

“I must be a terrible man indeed.”

“Why…?”

“To make two women I love dearly cry like this.”

Serenus shook his head vigorously.

He wanted to protest, but his throat felt swollen and tight, his voice refusing to come properly.

“Don’t worry, I won’t die today or tomorrow. I must keep my distance from your birthday. So your birthday will always remain a day of pure happiness and celebration.”

“…Yes.”

“Your mother was the one I loved most in this world, but I loved you no less than her. You and your mother are the only beings I have ever loved in this life.”

Tears poured abundantly from Serenus’s eyes—tears I would never have thought possible from a child who had lived so mischievously and fiercely.

“Forgive me for not being able to stay longer.”

Only then could Millaiyen Pestellio understand.

Why, as death drew ever closer, Carina Leopold had offered them nothing but apologies.

There was simply nothing else to say. Trembling in the helplessness of being unable to do anything, the only words that could escape were that single utterance.

“Mother, shall we go meet her?”

“…If your mother is still waiting for me, then perhaps.”

Serenus burrowed into Millaiyen Pestellio’s embrace and wept like a small child, tears flowing without end.

I know there are things that cannot be undone. There are certainly things in this world that cannot be fixed, no matter how much one pleads.

—— Page 8 ——

Still, there were moments when I wanted to be greedy.

“If you ever need help, always turn to Periel Kalos. That man from Karlan—he’s far better than those fellows you’ve been vaguely choosing all this time. If you’re certain, walk that path together with him.”

“…Father.”

“I love you, my dear. I’m a bit tired… I think I need to sleep.”

Millaiyen Pestellio’s head, which had been holding Serenus’s hand, tilted slightly away.

Serenus hurriedly checked his pulse. His heart beat very slowly, but he was unmistakably still alive.

Millaiyen Pestellio slept for an extraordinarily long time, as if keeping the promise to die on the day furthest from Serenus’s birthday.

And when a week had passed since he fell asleep, Millaiyen Pestellio’s heart stopped completely, very quietly.

After he fell asleep, Serenus, who always came morning and evening as usual, stood there in his customary manner, yet

beneath the sunlight, he slowly pressed his lips to Millaiyen Pestellio’s now-cold forehead.

“Farewell, Father. Give my regards to Mother.”

With trembling eyebrows, Serenus bid him goodbye.

And soon, as the sound of weeping erupted, the atmosphere of the Duke’s Estate sank into gloom.

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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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