Limited Extra Time - Chapter 43

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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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“No, it’s quite…” Millaiyen trailed off. He’d meant to say beautiful, but suddenly grasped the true weight of his own words. He rubbed his face with an impatient hand and fell silent.

…No, the gold suits her well.” Unable to offer an honest answer, Millaiyen quickly pivoted to something else.

Only then did Carina slowly lower the palms that had shielded her eyes. “But what exactly is this?” The warmth that had filled Millaiyen’s gaze when looking at Carina vanished in an instant as his eyes found Herta. His expression turned murderous. Carina couldn’t answer immediately. Millaiyen’s gaze shifted back to her.

…No, I know exactly when Periel Kalos’s eyes change like that.” He didn’t wait for her response.

Though startled by her eyes, he’d seen those golden irises before. As a deep furrow carved itself between Millaiyen’s brows, Carina flinched and lowered her head, her shoulders trembling slightly. “…Are you not suffering from the artist’s curse?”

“Yes, I am.” “I understand it worsens each time you use the power called a ‘miracle.’ Am I mistaken?” Millaiyen wasn’t angry—not in any obvious way. He didn’t raise his voice first.

It was a world apart from Count Leopold, who would bellow and raise his voice at the slightest transgression. Yet Millaiyen was no less frightening. His quiet, measured tone carried a dread all its own, even without the crash of a fist against the table.

…Carina remained silent, and Millaiyen’s eyes narrowed. “Carina.” “You’re right.” He was angry.

She had no doubt of it. Yet simultaneously, she felt his concern. And this sensation of being worried over was utterly foreign to her. No objects flying through the air. No dread of when a massive hand might strike. No fear of thunder-like roars crashing down. Instead, worry threaded through his reproach. Herta couldn’t comprehend this. He was a threat, and she was meant to protect the one who’d created her.

But the murderous intent she’d sensed vanished in an instant. Moments ago, she’d thought him a monster like herself, yet now he seemed beneath her notice. A low growl rumbled from behind. At that plaintive sound, Carina turned and carefully reached out to stroke the tip of Herta’s snout.

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Millaiyen, who’d moved to stop Carina from approaching the danger, froze, his breath catching.

Carina caressed Herta’s horn and slowly pressed her face against the creature’s own.

With the tenderness of one touching something precious that would shatter upon waking.

The Carina who’d been beside him moments before now felt infinitely distant.

Millaiyen watched in silence. Herta and Carina seemed to inhabit a realm no one else could breach.

A sharp pain pierced his heart.

‘What is this?’

Millaiyen placed his palm over his chest, then carefully withdrew it.

What was this feeling?

It was a peculiar sensation, as if a loyal subordinate had abandoned me to seek a new master.

The man who had been staring intently at Herta and Carina Leopold stepped forward toward her.

“Carina.”

Millaiyen, wedging himself between Herta and Carina Leopold, looked down at her.

“Yes?”

“Let’s drive this thing outside for now. It’s not dangerous, is it? Did it come from one of your paintings?”

Millaiyen asked Carina Leopold.

Thanks to Millaiyen blocking Herta’s line of sight perfectly, Carina Leopold nodded without noticing the creature’s irritated expression.

“It’s not dangerous.”

“…Probably.”

The moment the words left her mouth, seeing Herta baring its teeth and growling, an awkward smile appeared on Carina Leopold’s lips.

To make such a bold claim would be dishonest—she had never shown the children she had given life to anyone before.

“But it won’t do anything unless I wish it to!”

“Why is that?”

“Because in this world, only this one understands my heart best.”

Carina Leopold smiled and gently stroked the bridge of Herta’s nose above its nostrils. At that bold declaration, Millaiyen found himself at a loss for words.

“That creature understands your heart?”

A demonic beast, Herta?

Millaiyen looked back and forth between Carina Leopold and Herta with a serious expression.

What emanates from those lifeless eyes devoid of any spark is nothing but endless darkness and murderous intent.

Judging by the sheer aura alone, this creature could have slaughtered dozens of people without breaking a sweat.

Yet despite the overwhelming killing intent that radiated from every fiber of its being, Herta remained remarkably docile in Carina’s presence.

Considering how it would growl whenever their eyes met, Herta certainly appeared favorable toward Carina—at least in that regard, Millaiyen could acknowledge it.

Millaiyen could admit that much.

But regardless of where Herta originated, it was a demonic beast.

The purpose of demonic beasts was singular: to hunt. They preyed upon humans and all living creatures.

They ravaged entire ecosystems, making it impossible to plan for the next year.

This was precisely why the Northern Territory conducted extermination campaigns every winter.

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Without eliminating them, even if the demonic beasts retreated into hiding after winter passed, countless people’s livelihoods remained in jeopardy.

“…For now, let’s get that thing outside.”

Millaiyen swept his gaze across Carina’s Room as he spoke.

Only then did Carina follow his line of sight, scanning the room before speaking urgently.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. When I saw it from a distance, I never imagined it would be this large…”

Each time Herta shifted within the cramped confines of the room, the sound of wood splintering echoed from all directions.

With every such sound, Carina’s shoulders flinched, her face draining of color alongside the destruction.

“I’m truly sorry, Millaiyen. If you tell me the cost of the damaged furniture, I promise to repay you later, no matter what.”

“…”

When Millaiyen offered no response, Carina’s eyes darted about anxiously.

“Even if things don’t work out with Leopold House, I still have my paintings. I’ll find a way to repay you, no matter what.”

‘I wish he wouldn’t look at me with such a frightening expression.’

Carina swallowed hard, unable to voice the rest of her thoughts.

She hated the way he looked at her with such pity.

She hated how that gentle gaze would fade, leaving only coldness and indifference in its wake.

“Why are you trying to repay me?”

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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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