Limited Extra Time - Chapter 57

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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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Periel Kalos studied the two of them with narrowed eyes, glancing once at Carina Leopold before slowly licking his lower lip.

Of course, it seemed the scales were tipping quite heavily in one direction at the moment.

“What is Millaiyen doing today?”

“He’s gone out briefly to test the information you so generously provided. He should return soon.”

“Outside the Territory?”

“Yes, so he may not return tonight.”

Carina Leopold fell silent.

I don’t like that at all.

Yet I couldn’t bring myself to say it aloud—I had no desire to incur his displeasure. Slaying demonic beasts was his duty, and he seemed to relish it greatly.

“I understand. Please be careful out there.”

Millaiyen burst into laughter at the sight of her expression, which betrayed such obvious disappointment.

Her words urged caution, yet her eyes resembled those of an abandoned puppy.

“That Haron I mentioned before—if I can find something even better, I’ll bring it back for you.”

Millaiyen placed his hand on the back of her head, whispering softly in a soothing tone. Carina Leopold’s face flushed crimson in an instant, and she nodded vigorously up and down.

“It does seem to ease my body somewhat when I have it. It might be Millaiyen’s effect, actually.”

Millaiyen’s eyes widened at her candid words.

She often spoke without restraint, as though incapable of gauging proper distance between people—words that would embarrass others tumbled from her lips without hesitation.

“I’m glad it’s proving effective.”

Millaiyen replied with an incongruously faint smile.

‘That emotionless man actually laughed.’

Periel Kalos watched the scene unfold, his chin resting in his palm with an indifferent gaze as he halfheartedly jabbed at his salad.

“But more than that, I just hope Millaiyen returns without getting hurt.”

I wished he wouldn’t be injured. To be honest, that was all I truly desired.

I didn’t know the full effects of Haron, but there was a sense that my body felt more at ease. And simply the fact that he had given it to me already lifted my spirits.

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Because it’s good.

Carina Leopold’s face, which had been wearing a soft smile, darkened slightly. Millaiyen’s brow furrowed as he noticed her suddenly falling silent.

Are you uncomfortable somewhere?

Oh! No, it’s nothing. I’m just a bit tired and would like to rest.

Then let’s call it here.

As Millaiyen began to rise from his seat as if to escort her, Carina Leopold shook her head. She stood and gently pressed the back of his hand.

I can go alone. Please, finish your meal.

I’ve finished eating.

There’s still plenty left. And it looks like Periel hasn’t finished much either.

With her delicate hands, Carina Leopold pressed firmly on Millaiyen’s shoulders, urging him back into his seat, and smiled.

Millaiyen observed her increasingly pallid complexion and finally sighed, nodding in agreement.

Very well. Be careful as you go up.

Yes, I’m not so weak that I’d stumble on the way.

…

Millaiyen, with narrowed eyes, reluctantly nodded, though his expression betrayed no hint of belief.

Shall I assign a Maidservant to accompany you?

No, that’s quite all right. I’ll take my leave now.

Carina Leopold offered a slight bow in greeting before turning away with somewhat hurried steps.

Millaiyen exhaled a short sigh as he watched her receding figure quicken its pace.

She seems to have much on her mind?

…Clean up quickly and disappear.

Come now, isn’t that rather harsh toward your Close Friend who flew all this way at your behest?

It’s your own affair. You came partly out of curiosity anyway. You wanted to know who painted that picture, didn’t you?

His tone toward Periel was markedly colder and more distant than the one he had used with Carina Leopold.

Periel Kalos did not bother to deny the accusation. Had he lacked interest, the probability of him coming at his request would have been negligible.

Cunning indeed. That’s precisely why I included it—even as an unfinished work.

That was a gift I received.

Mm, it was a painting whose completion I found myself anticipating.

What captivated him most, above all else, was undoubtedly her history—one that must surely possess the miracle of creation itself.

Yet knowing this, he had not expected it would leave him feeling so bitter.

So then, if you had spoken truthfully… Is her illness in a dangerous state?

Millaiyen asked, setting down his utensils.

Millaiyen posed the question, recalling how Periel had deflected the matter, claiming he had been too occupied to examine her condition properly.

I’m not entirely certain.

Are you joking?

No.

Periel Kalos shrugged his shoulders.

To be honest, it would have been right to tell him. If it were Millaiyen Pestellio, he would do everything in his power to save her, and with his support, Periel Kalos would find things considerably easier.

Please don’t tell Millaiyen Pestellio about my artistic affliction—

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—I beg of you.

I don’t want it to remain as an unpleasant memory.

I couldn’t forget that face of hers—already resigned, already accepting everything.

It wouldn’t be difficult to tell him without her knowing, but Periel Kalos didn’t want to do that.

Give me a reason.

She doesn’t wish for you to know.

Ah.

…

Millaiyen Pestellio found himself at a loss for words.

He wasn’t hurt by Periel Kalos’s candor. Rather, the fact that I knew something he didn’t—that she kept from him—left an uncomfortable sting in his chest.

So please understand that much.

At those measured words, Millaiyen Pestellio said nothing more.

Periel Kalos knew Millaiyen Pestellio well.

He anticipated that straightforward honesty would succeed far better than roundabout explanations in making him yield gracefully.

And as he’d anticipated, Millaiyen said nothing more.

There’s one more thing I wanted to ask—what exactly is this Haron you mentioned when she said her body felt better?

Periel asked out of genuine curiosity, seeking to dispel the awkward tension hanging between them. At his question, delivered with chin resting on his hand, Millaiyen’s brow furrowed in displeasure, yet he opened his mouth to answer.

It’s a rare ore found in the Northern Territory. When you slay a magical beast, it occasionally drops from within their bodies.

Then why did you give it to her?

It’s one of the old customs from the Northern Territory. There’s a superstition that if you gift it to someone who’s ill or in poor health, their body improves.

Since when did you become the type to believe in superstitions?

At Periel’s question, Millaiyen fell silent.

After all, explaining it to him would be pointless—it was a custom he couldn’t possibly understand. In the Northern Territory, where magical beasts were hunted, the ore wasn’t particularly rare.

By the way, what exactly are you studying with her?

I’ve been teaching her about Artistic Illness, and since she seems to know nothing about miracles, I’m also instructing her on that subject.

As Periel finished explaining, he narrowed his eyes and smiled softly.

It was the smile he always wore when things weren’t going his way.

Millaiyen’s face twisted sharply. At his gaze—as if witnessing something dreadful—Periel’s smile deepened further.

Are you jealous?

What?

I’m just wondering if you’re envious that Carina and I spend time together.

Nonsense.

Millaiyen wiped his hands and rose from his seat.

Periel remained seated, watching his departing figure leave the Dining Hall with an amused smile.

I’ve taken an interest in her.

…What? Have you lost your mind? She’s still practically a child.

At twenty, she’s already two years past her coming-of-age ceremony. She’s a proper woman now.

Millaiyen’s face contorted at Periel’s words. Suddenly, what was this nonsense about—

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what utter drivel.

“You’re insane.”

Periel’s eyes gleamed with amusement as he heard the words spat out like venom.

“You wouldn’t understand. The moment she paints those miracles into existence—how utterly intoxicating, how wondrous it is.”

Periel’s pupils dilated slightly as he savored the thought.

It was beautiful. More enchanting than any miracle I’d ever witnessed, more mesmerizing than any glimmer of gold.

Those narrowed eyes gleamed with an almost sinister allure.

“I’m telling you now—don’t go displaying that seductive charm you flaunt at the Academy. If anything unseemly happens under my roof…”

“Don’t worry. Carina Leopold paints pictures I find quite captivating. I have no intention of soiling that artistry with my own hands.”

Periel shrugged his shoulders and laughed even more darkly. The atmosphere was a complete reversal from how he treated Carina Leopold with such tenderness.

A complete transformation.

Millaiyen, looking thoroughly exhausted, glanced at Periel once more before leaving the Dining Hall.

Periel rose slowly from his seat and followed. It had been quite a satisfying meal.

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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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