Limited Extra Time - Chapter 5

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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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“Karina! Did you take that item from up there?!”

“What? No?”

“Then why is Abelia holding it! I told you it was dangerous!”

“I didn’t d….”

“You’re the older sister—why won’t you listen to me! Why do you cause me such grief!”

I couldn’t say I hadn’t done it.

Seeing Abelia, pale as a ghost, watching my expression nervously while hiding behind Mother and whimpering—I couldn’t say that I was the one who brought it.

Because I had come to realize that no matter how many times I denied it, my voice would never reach Mother’s ears.

My heart ached.

Desperate to escape the darkness, I flailed my hands through empty air, and then

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the scene shifted.

“Tomorrow is Infrick’s graduation ceremony. I was thinking of holding the birthday party a few days later—would that be alright with you, Karina?”

“Yes, that’s fine, Father.”

“Karina, I’m sorry. If your tea gathering isn’t urgent, could we postpone it a little? Abelia isn’t feeling well.”

“Yes, Mother.”

In the shifted scene, I sat there with an expression that no longer hurt—always the same, indifferent mask.

Somewhere along the way, my agreement had become Karina’s automatic response.

I had learned to try not to feel disappointed. To feel disappointed was to become a wicked child.

Because my younger sister was ill. Because my older brother was injured.

Was it not selfish of me to ask them to stay with me simply because I was lonely?

‘Compared to the greatness of my older brother that everyone praised, the paintings I drew were nothing.’

‘My older brother, who brought joy to Mother and Father more than I ever could, was far more remarkable.’

‘My younger sister suffered more than I did, so I had to yield.’

‘A few days later, when my birthday was celebrated, the variety of food didn’t decrease, and the gifts didn’t diminish either.’

‘I am strong, so it’s fine.’

‘I am… fine.’

The number of paintings Karina drew steadily increased.

In doing so, she discovered several more truths.

The paintings gained life only when drawn with utmost care and devotion, lasting anywhere from an hour to a full day before fading away.

The number of miracles she wrought multiplied. Countless paintings came to life, only to vanish in time.

No matter how much Karina called out, she received no proper

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response from her family, so her gaze was drawn instead to the lives within her paintings, who turned to her the moment she called.

They became friends who listened to her lonely stories, companions who comforted her, and often physicians who healed the wounds of the twins and Infrick to soothe her grieving parents.

With each measure of loneliness, the girl’s life force dwindled away without her knowing, until at last she crossed a threshold from which there was no return.

“We have arrived.”

Karina, who had dozed off inside the swaying carriage, snapped her eyes open at the sound of the voice.

Cold sweat drenched her back, a lingering effect of the brief dream she had just experienced.

I pressed my racing heart down with my palm, composing my expression as I descended from the carriage.

For the return journey, I could use the carriage station, so I sent the driver away. Throughout the ride here, I’d kept my eyes closed, trying to calm myself, but sleep had overtaken me, and I’d fallen into such a dream.

“If I could just think about it more easily, that would be enough.”

Not just for a day or two. I muttered to myself with self-deprecating irony.

In truth, the conclusion I always reached after such thoughts was always the same.

Abelia and Ferden were young and my siblings. It was always I who had to understand.

‘I should visit the Physician.’

There was no point in wallowing in melancholy alone. After all, even if I cried, no one would console me.

I had realized this truth before I was even ten years old.

“What is it? Have you decided you want to live after just one day?”

The moment I entered the Physician’s clinic, a blunt voice recognized me immediately.

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Yet I felt no particular discomfort. In fact, I found the Physician’s harsh manner far more comforting than my kind family.

With my resolve set, I let out a soft laugh, my expression brightening.

The Physician, whose hair was white as snow, appeared remarkably healthy despite his silver locks.

“No, I need medicine.”

“Medicine? What kind of medicine?”

“To leave.”

At my terse and sudden answer, the Physician started to laugh it off, but upon seeing the lightness in my eyes, he closed his mouth.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been the master of my own life. Something other than myself has always been in control of my fate… but now, I no longer wish for that to be so.”

“So you’re leaving?”

“Yes.”

It was better than yesterday when she looked half-dead, but to undertake a journey in such a condition—

it was madness.

The Physician genuinely did not wish to recommend it. Yet her eyes were resolute, unwavering.

“How far are you traveling?”

“Well… you know of Zentar, at the far end of the Northern Territory?”

The Physician’s eyes widened in an instant. For a moment, Nocton came to mind, and Karina shook her head. Why on earth did that young man’s face suddenly flash across her thoughts at the sight of this elderly physician’s expression?

“You might as well say you’re going there to die.

Then I’d at least prepare a poison to make it quick.”

The Physician delivered his barb with a smile, as though it were nothing at all.

Karina’s face stiffened awkwardly.

She had anticipated harsh words, but she had not expected such cutting, blunt cruelty.

Lacking eloquence, she could find no suitable response and her eyes began to glisten.

“What! If you’ve come here asking me to kill you, you’ve come to the wrong

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place. Out! Leave!”

No, that’s not what I meant…

Like someone shooing away a bird pecking at rice stalks, the Physician waved his hand dismissively, leaving Karina bewildered.

Is there truly no way to arrive safely without dying? I’ll allow two months generously for the journey. And would it be so difficult if I rest thoroughly at an Inn for a day or two once a week?

Why insist on the Northern Territory? If you want rest, take a ship instead. That would be far better.

Well… I have someone to rely on in the Northern Territory.

Enough of that nonsense. Do you have any idea how bitterly cold it gets there? Winter will arrive in just two months.

Hmm, does winter pose a problem? I’ll be confined to my room anyway…

The Physician’s gaze turned toward me with unmistakable displeasure.

His expression—as though observing a naive child ignorant of the world—caused her features to shift subtly.

What exactly do you want?

As long as I don’t collapse on the road and die there, it should suffice.

When will you leave?

In a week.

…Tsk, the timeline is rather tight. Fine, I understand. The vitality consumed by the art sickness cannot be fundamentally restored, but I can slow its progression temporarily.

Karina’s eyes widened considerably.

If you stop taking the medicine, you’ll deteriorate by the amount you would have during the period you were taking it. I’ll only prepare two months’ worth of medicine.

That will be sufficient.

Karina nodded readily. Having obtained the answer she sought, she placed a generous sum of gold on the table.

Why do you keep giving me so much money?

It’s for two months’ worth of medicine.

Even so, this is far more than necessary!

Then please accept it as a token of my gratitude—

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“I’ll just take the money instead. I have no use for it anyway. I’ll stop by again in six days.”

Karina smiled and gave a light bow.

The Physician clicked his tongue as he watched Karina casually leave over a dozen gold coins without even waiting for a response.

“The young one gives up so easily.”

Yet he was a Physician. He saved those who wished to live, but he did not exert himself to artificially preserve the lives of those who sought death.

The Physician gazed at her departing figure with a lightened expression.

“What kind of life must one have lived to decide upon death with such ease of mind…”

The Physician carelessly swept the gold coins into a drawer and shook his head. He rested his chin in his hand, watching Karina disappear beyond the window.

* * *

Before returning home, Karina wrapped up several skewers of grilled meat for Abelia.

Her fastidious parents and older brother would never eat such common fare, but the curious twins would surely enjoy it.

“…Things like skewers and fruit juice! I’ve always wanted to try them!”

Abelia’s innocent smile came to mind.

“Sister gets to go outside all the time. I wish I could too…”

At the same time, those words that had turned her heart inside out also returned to her.

That Abelia harbored no great malice toward her—

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she knew this. Though she didn’t understand why, Abelia genuinely cared for her. Yet somewhere along the way, she could no longer smile sincerely in return.

A sudden pang of guilt moved Karina to purchase two glasses of the fruit juice Abelia had mentioned wanting.

She made her way to the carriage station and hired a coach. Even the coachman, who had been indifferent at first, hastily bowed when she stated her destination.

Karina climbed into a dilapidated carriage. The vehicle was not only decrepit and ancient, but

a musty stench also emanated from within.

The jolting was so severe that even without sitting for long, my buttocks and lower back ached.

The only consolation was that the grand Market within the Count’s Territory was not terribly far from Leopold Manor.

“This should serve as a suitable snack before dinner.”

I thought with a sigh.

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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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