I Was Just Having Fun With The Time Limit – Chapter 101

Chapter 101

One day before, Jirdel Base Camp.

It was the largest base camp located outside the Imperial territory.

It was known to possess such formidable power that it could single-handedly annihilate a kingdom of considerable size.

The knights guarding the entrance took pride in their duties.

Among them, Sirbadel’s pride was exceptional.

He had risen to this position through sheer passion and effort in swordsmanship, despite his unfortunate and challenging background.

Except for the 16 incident reports he had written because of Prince Michael, he was extremely satisfied with his work.

One day, he sensed someone approaching, exuding an overwhelming presence.

‘Gigantic……!’

He was tense due to the excessively powerful force.

So, he immediately reported using the communication mana stone. He reported that something with tremendous power was rapidly approaching.

A siren started wailing within the Jirdel Base Camp, and troops gathered to confront the unknown intruder.

‘A four-horse carriage?’

A luxurious carriage, pulled by four horses, was galloping towards them.

Sirbadel drew his sword and shouted.

“Halt. This is the Jirdel Base Camp under the Black Whale. Identify yourself.”

It was a strange occurrence.

Such a powerful presence emanating from a coachman……

Eventually, he couldn’t help but be astonished.

The coachman’s face seemed to change, transforming into a completely new face.

‘Magic?’

Greatly tense, he gulped.

‘No matter how I look at it, it’s His Majesty’s face……’

However, he was an honorable knight guarding the entrance of the base camp.

“How dare you impersonate His Majesty the Emperor! I swear on the honor of a Black Whale Knight, I will absolutely execute you.”

He already had a hunch.

If he clashed with that coachman（?）, he would undoubtedly be defeated.

He would probably die.

Nevertheless, he had a duty to eliminate the imposter who impersonated the Emperor. That was the honor of an Imperial Knight.

The coachman said.

“It’s not impersonation. You shall greet the Emperor.”

“How dare you, you scoundrel, impersonate His Majesty, who is higher than the heavens?! Do you not fear the heavens?!”

Sirbadel was certain that the coachman was absolutely not His Majesty the Emperor.

As an honorable knight, he declared with conviction.

“His Majesty would never use such crude magic!”

“……”

Ron was momentarily speechless.

Come to think of it, he did use an artifact that changed his face and physique.

It was unavoidable. To completely deceive his sharp-witted daughter, he had to use such an expensive artifact.

Embarrassed, Ron spoke with dignity.

“……You are a very courageous knight. I shall grant you a vacation.”

“Shut up, you imposter!”

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Sirbadel wished he could die.

It was truly His Majesty the Emperor……

‘His Majesty using a magic artifact?! He’s renowned for not even wearing a small ring because it changes the feeling of holding a sword!’

But how could it be possible for him to be wearing such a large necklace?

Of course, the Emperor did praise Sirbadel, but that was a separate issue.

Sirbadel wanted to cut out his own tongue for calling the Emperor an imposter.

‘Come to think of it, they said the Bilotian Empire was seeking change recently.’

He heard they were gradually pioneering the realm of magic as well.

Although people were talking about the dangerous ambitions of the Swordsmanship Empire, in reality, the Imperial Knights didn’t think deeply about it.

‘Is it true? That, led by Princess Isabel, they aim to build a new empire……!’

It seemed there was no other way to interpret it.

The Swordsmanship Empire, which had been considerate of the realm of magic for hundreds of years, was now clearly trying to encroach upon that realm as well.

‘Otherwise, why would His Majesty personally use such an artifact?’

His heart surged with excitement for no reason.

An empire greater than the Swordsmanship Empire.

They might be on the verge of breaking the balance with the Magic Federation and leaping forward to become the strongest empire in history.

“Sirbadel. I entrust this to you.”

It was a small badge in the shape of a Mugunghwa flower.

Sirbadel’s eyes widened.

“Yo, Your Majesty, this is……!”

It was the newly introduced Mugunghwa Medal.

Those who possessed this medal were granted the privilege of freely entering all base camps.

“Perhaps tomorrow, Princess Isabel will arrive here. Give it to the Princess then.”

Ron seemed to already know that King Valkio Jirdel’s return to the palace would be delayed.

Anyway, Sirbadel became even more certain.

An empire greater than the empire.

At the starting point of the birth of an unprecedented empire that would break down the boundaries between magic and swordsmanship, there was Isabel.

‘Can I be a part of that glorious moment!’

And finally, that day arrived.

Princess Isabel truly visited the base camp.

‘Today is the cornerstone. After today, the Empire will rewrite history!’

He knelt on one knee with a reverent heart.

Then, he carefully pinned the medal on Isabel’s right chest.

“By order of His Majesty the Emperor, I bestow upon you the Mugunghwa Medal.”

His attitude was quite different from when he dealt with Michael.

His demeanor was even pious.

“Did Father come here?”

“Yes, he came yesterday.”

Michael tilted his head.

“Why did Father come here? They said Father was very busy. I haven’t seen Father in over a month either.”

Looking at Michael tilting his head, Isabel burst into laughter.

‘Looks like my brother is also actively participating in the ‘Dad-bus’ too.’

What do you mean you haven’t seen him?

He definitely saw him, although he was in the form of a coachman.

Sirbadel said.

“I will escort you inside, Princess.”

“M, me too!”

“You may enter if you are accompanying the Princess. However, only if the Princess permits it.”

Michael looked at Isabel with pleading eyes.

Isabel felt like all of this was an extension of role-playing.

She smiled brightly.

“Okay, let’s go together.”

And she shifted her gaze towards Sirbadel.

“Thank you for always working hard and doing your best in your position. You are Sir Sirbadel, right?”

“That is correct!”

Sirbadel stood at attention.

To him, Isabel was a very special existence.

The starting point for the Empire’s leap to become something greater. Isabel was playing the role of that crucial turnkey.

“I’ll remember your name. Thank you.”

“Not at all. It is an honor to be a part of the Empire’s leap forward!”

The Empire’s leap forward?

Isabel tilted her head.

She honestly couldn’t understand what he meant.

‘It would be rude to pry too much here, right?’

If the Imperial Family lingered here unnecessarily, it would obviously be very tiring for a low-ranking knight.

Out of consideration for Sirbadel, Isabel just smiled.

‘What a meaningful smile!’

It was the moment his assumptions and thoughts turned into conviction.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

My heart pounded.

‘He was cool during the Selection Ceremony too.’

That was the first and last time I saw my brothers in one place.

I was too young then and very nervous, so I didn’t remember it clearly.

There were men with dazzlingly beautiful smiles…… that’s all I remembered.

‘Will they recognize me?’

Having had no family in my past life, I was very excited and nervous about meeting my blood relatives.

Because it was something I couldn’t have before, something I thought I could never have.

However, my older brother, Kaman, was away on a business trip outside the unit, so I couldn’t meet him.

Thanks to the Mugunghwa Medal, I was treated as the most honored guest here and was able to rest in the most comfortable place.

But Michael seemed a bit grumpy.

“I’m a little annoyed.”

“……”

To be honest, I was feeling a bit self-conscious too.

I hadn’t done anything that great, yet I received the ‘Mugunghwa Medal’ which allowed me access to all base camps.

In a way, this was a kind of privilege and favoritism.

And Michael saw it with his own eyes.

‘Experiencing this kind of discrimination during adolescence could be bad for ego development……’

Today, I couldn’t help but see Michael with a slightly more mature mindset.

Feeling a bit self-conscious, I tried to comfort him.

“I’m weak and not strong like you, so I guess they gave this only to me.”

“What are you talking about?”

Michael frowned and looked at me.

Since it was the first time I had seen Michael so upset, I unconsciously became a little nervous.

“……Aren’t you upset because of the Mugunghwa Medal?”

“Mugunghwa Medal? What’s that?”

“……”

Michael clearly didn’t care even a little about the Mugunghwa Medal.

Then why on earth is he upset?

“Why are you so excited?”