Limited Extra Time - Chapter 74

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

—— Page 1 ——

My heart thrummed with an odd, electric sensation, leaving me in a peculiar state. Carina Leopold exhaled softly.

“You’re not angry with me, are you?”

“I don’t get angry at illness.”

After a long while, the two of us finally managed a proper conversation. Though our faces still burned with lingering heat, we both retained enough composure to maintain the pretense of calm.

“…Well, seven times.”

“What?!”

Millaiyen Pestellio’s voice rose sharply. Carina Leopold startled and stepped back.

Seeing her eyes widen like a startled rabbit’s, Millaiyen Pestellio finally caught himself and closed his mouth.

“…Wait, you’ve been ill seven times in a week?”

“…Yes… That’s why I didn’t want to tell you.”

Had I not spoken, he would never have known.

Yet he insisted I tell him.

In truth, most of what I ate couldn’t be properly digested.

I selected foods as gentle on the stomach as possible, but my body was reaching its limits.

“Don’t be too alarmed. But when I hold that Haron close, it actually helps—it’s much more bearable.”

Having something to lean on whenever terrible waves of pain crashed over me was an immense blessing.

Haron had proven remarkably effective at dulling the agony. Though I still dreaded the coming of night, at least I had that mercy.

The pain came almost exclusively at night—a strange phenomenon. That’s why I feared nightfall, as though I were being made to pay the price of the day after dark.

Of course, eventually the pain might begin creeping into the daylight hours as well.

“I worry that eventually I’ll end up spending all my time confined to bed.”

Carina Leopold let out a hollow laugh. Though she’d meant it as a joke, no one laughed along with her.

Sure enough, when I turned my head, Millaiyen was watching me with a grave expression.

“Don’t make that face. You look as though I’ve contracted some fatal illness.”

“Wouldn’t you be concerned if I were in your position?”

At Millaiyen’s low voice, Carina

—— Page 2 ——

fell silent. When he put it that way, I had nothing to say in return. He had a remarkable talent for shutting down my arguments before they could even begin.

“You will be concerned.”

“It’s the same thing. Aren’t you falling ill far too often?”

“…I suppose you’re right.”

Every night, fighting the urge to paint was its own torment.

If I painted, I would heal. If I performed a miracle, the pain would lessen. But I had to endure. If I wanted to remain with him even a moment

longer.

The agony of resisting the war between my instinctive nature and reason was almost unbearable.

Carina Leopold smiled as naturally as she could, hoping he wouldn’t worry.

“I’m fine. I have Haron, after all.”

“I’ll have that stone crafted into a bracelet or something similar for you.”

“Pardon?”

“Wouldn’t it be better if you wore it on your body at all times?”

“Well, at least you won’t have the trouble of waking up every night to embrace a stone.”

In truth, if the pain grew severe enough, I would wake regardless—so it mattered little to me either way.

Millaiyen exhaled a low sigh. He reached out and suddenly pulled me into his arms.

“What are you—Millaiyen!”

Despite my struggles, Millaiyen held me firmly in both arms, his expression grave.

After a long moment, he slowly set me back down on the ground.

“You’ve lost weight.”

“I… I haven’t lost weight.”

“You have. You’re definitely lighter than before.”

At Millaiyen’s grave tone, I fell silent.

I couldn’t deny it—the memory of food I couldn’t properly consume, of what I’d brought back up, surfaced unbidden.

I didn’t have the heart to tell such a blatant lie, so I said nothing.

“You’re eating all three meals, aren’t you?”

“I’m trying my best to eat.”

Of course, trying was all I could manage. The fear of reflux made it agonizing to even place food in my mouth.

When I was with Millaiyen, I made every effort to appear as though I were eating well.

“Is there anything troubling you?”

“No.”

“Truly?”

“Yes, truly.”

Though my ailments were more pronounced at Count Leopold’s Residence, dwelling at the Duke’s Estate felt infinitely more worth living. With peace of mind came the strength to endure minor physical discomforts.

Here, there were people who asked if I was in pain, who genuinely cared for my wellbeing.

Even when I insisted I was fine, there existed those who worried I was merely concealing my true condition. Having encountered such tender souls, I found myself sufficiently content.

“Ah, I have something for you. Millaiyen.”

Carina Leopold retrieved a stack of papers from her desk and pressed them into his hands.

Millaiyen’s brow furrowed.

The papers depicted a peculiar liquid contained within a triangular glass vial with an elongated opening.

The vivid illustration of crimson liquid sloshing within seemed so lifelike that the potion appeared ready to spill at any moment.

“What is this?”

—— Page 3 ——

“Well… it’s a medicine. I drew about twenty of the same kind.”

“Why would you do that?”

“This medicine heals injured bodies. It mends any wound, and should a limb be severed, if you quickly reattach it and apply this medicine, even the severed part would reknit almost instantly.”

Millaiyen’s eyes widened considerably.

He had heard tales of such medicines existing in the world—potions that seemed to belong only to ancient legends and mythology.

Surely such a thing could not truly exist.

“Does such a medicine truly exist?”

Carina Leopold shook her head at his question.

Of course, this was her own creation. She had once read of such a universal panacea within one of the creation myths.

It was a liquid the color of blood, and when consumed, it healed all internal injuries; when applied, even severed wounds would regenerate instantaneously.

She had given new life to those whose breath was fading away.

“However, it’s impossible to resurrect someone whose form has become unrecognizable, or someone dying according to the laws of the world.”

“…I see.”

But this was dangerous.

If word of this leaked out even slightly, she would be exposed to countless perils in an instant.

Of course, Millaiyen had more than enough ability to protect her.

“Actually, I won’t give it to you in this form—I’ll complete it and provide it as a potion instead.”

“So you’re notifying me that you intend to use your abilities.”

Millaiyen’s expression darkened as he easily grasped the meaning behind Carina Leopold’s words.

How was he supposed to handle her, when she boldly declared she would do exactly what he had just told her not to do?

Seeing Millaiyen’s expression darken, Carina Leopold hastily opened her mouth.

“It doesn’t take much effort!”

“What?”

“Um… when it’s not something living, it doesn’t require much power.”

Carina Leopold answered quickly. Her expression was so urgent it was impossible to miss.

‘…Is she really that frightened?’

Millaiyen ran his hand across his face.

He didn’t think he was wearing a particularly frightening expression, nor did he seem to be threatening her.

Yet judging by her reaction alone, he seemed to have become something more monstrous than any Magical Beast.

“For example… well. My eyes are still golden, aren’t they?”

“A bit. It looks like blue and gold are mixed together.”

Peculiar eyes. Beneath those irises sprinkled with glimmering gold dust lay a deep ocean.

Gold dust scattered across the sea was utterly lovely. I found myself wanting to press my lips against it.

‘…Lovely?’

Millaiyen, lost in his own thoughts, startled and tore his gaze away from her eyes.

Lovely? What exactly?

What did he want to kiss?

His pupils trembled faintly.

‘…Lunatic.’

Soon they would be strangers. The engagement dissolution—

—— Page 4 ——

documents had already been exchanged between them. And she was even a patient, someone ill and in need of protection. For some reason, he felt as though he’d entertained similar thoughts not long ago. “Then most of the butterflies I drew have probably disappeared.” “…Is that so?” “Yes, and this kind of non-living thing doesn’t disappear. Because it has no life, it doesn’t die. And it doesn’t burden the body much either.” Based on his experience thus far, the greatest price paid when performing miracles was when one touched upon life itself. And an even greater price was paid when one touched upon human life. “So please don’t burden yourself and take it with you. I hope Millaiyen returns safely.”

strong enough.” “I know. I know Millaiyen will return safely. But I’m preparing for any unforeseen circumstances.” As long as he didn’t use it, the potion would remain indefinitely. Whether ten years or a hundred years passed, as long as the vial didn’t break, the potion would become a panacea capable of healing any wound.

“Do you realize what a dangerous thing you’re placing in my hands right now?” “A dangerous thing?” “By your own account, this is a universal cure. It can heal any wound, unless the person is already at death’s door.” “Yes, but it cannot heal old wounds.” Carina nodded and added to her explanation. After reading the records about this potion, she understood that it could not heal scars that had already formed as wounds closed, nor could it restore limbs that had already been severed and healed. Of course, internal injuries were a different matter. “There will be no end to those who covet this.” “I only gave it to Millaiyen.” “People’s tongues are loose. Can you guarantee that none of the soldiers won’t spread rumors? If word reaches far and wide, those seeking to exploit you will come flocking. Are you aware of what threats might befall you?”

It wasn’t merely the greedy. Even the Imperial Palace would covet that potion. Those with wealth clung fiercely to life. Unable to relinquish what they possessed, they desired to live longer, healthier, and more extensively. They wished to enjoy their possessions for as long as possible. So even now, they shamelessly pursued inhumane acts—seeking elixirs of immortality or powdered bones of newborns to consume.

“I hadn’t thought that far ahead.” Carina scratched her cheek awkwardly, laughing as if she’d just realized her oversight. It truly hadn’t crossed her mind. Yet somehow, hearing such warnings from Millaiyen didn’t frighten her. “If I said I’m not very afraid because I’m beside Millaiyen…would you be angry?”

Even without his deliberate protection, merely being within this castle he guarded seemed to ensure that no one would dare attempt to seize her.

—— Page 5 ——

—— Page 5 ——

Being by Millaiyen’s side felt safer than any fortified fortress.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————