I Was Just Having Fun With The Time Limit – Chapter 133

Chapter 133

‘What is sadness? I don’t know what that is.’

When I first heard those words, I felt very sorry for Sermon.

I don’t know how the Bladock Dukedom raised him, but I was sure it wasn’t the typical way.

So I wanted to be nice to Sermon.

He’s my family, after all.

But apart from my sympathy and pity, I was genuinely angry right now.

Sermon mumbled while chewing on the cake.

“Don’t show hostility towards me. Those who have shown hostility towards me have all gone far away.”

I felt goosebumps.

It was truly bizarre.

His affection for me was sincere, but his murderous intent was also real.

I wonder if it’s difficult for ordinary people to send such intense murderous intent to someone they like.

But that didn’t mean I was scared.

“Even if you say that, Older Brother, I’m not scared. I’m leaving sooner than you anyway.”

“There’s no order in leaving. Statistically, you’re more likely to die sooner.”

“Yuri is my friend before she is my maid. She’s not something you can trade with.”

“Then how about just taking her?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Sigh. He must think I’m a pushover because I’m staying quiet.

“I mean I can’t give Yuri to you.”

“Then I’ll take her.”

“I won’t let you take her.”

“You don’t have the power.”

The sight of him calmly munching on the cake with a peaceful expression was unfamiliar.

He wasn’t trying to provoke me; he was just stating the facts.

And why was his tone so affectionate?

I held out my hand to Yuri.

“Yuri. Give me your handkerchief.”

“Y-Your Highness.”

“Quickly.”

Yuri hesitantly approached me and handed me the handkerchief.

And I threw it at Sermon’s chest.

“If we want different things, we can decide through a duel.”

“I’m not dueling you.”

“Why not?”

“I was taught that it’s okay to kill anyone, but I should avoid killing royalty if possible.”

It’s okay to kill anyone?

Royalty should be avoided ‘if possible’?

What on earth are they teaching at the Bladock Dukedom?

“I didn’t say I’d fight directly.”

“Hmm, a champion would be a pretty good method. It seems reasonable.”

Sermon put down his fork and smiled.

He seemed to like that I had proposed a duel, finding it a very reasonable method.

At that moment, Sir Viaton stepped forward, looking troubled.

“Your Highness. I’m in a difficult position.”

“I know. You’re practically a stakeholder in this situation.”

There are a few rules to duels.

But the truth is, those rules didn’t matter to me at all right now.

Because I wouldn’t have appointed Sir Viaton as my champion regardless of the rules.

“Don’t regret it, Older Brother.”

I’m still a child.

A child should fight like a child.

If you have a big fight with your older brother, there’s someone else to tell on him.

“I’m going to tell Father everything.”

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Sir Viaton accepted my letter.

“I’ll be back soon. I can return within a few hours.”

“Huh? It’ll only take that long?”

“You haven’t heard the report from Narmore yet, have you?”

I didn’t know, but apparently, Narmore has been working hard.

He’s started trial operations of a TeyIsabel Transfer route connecting the Jirdel Base Camp and the Bilotian capital.

“I’ll be back.”

Sir Viaton lightly kissed the back of my right hand and disappeared in an instant.

Lieutenant General Armitel rushed over, looking flustered, as if she had heard about this incident.

“Your Highness. I heard the news.”

“News travels fast.”

Apparently, the rumor has spread throughout the Jirdel Base Camp, even though I didn’t start it.

The saying that bad news travels fast is true.

“Do you really think His Majesty the Emperor will come in person?”

“I hope he comes.”

Because then I can see Father’s face one more time.

I didn’t say that out loud.

Lieutenant General Armitel’s face was clouded with worry.

“I know. Father is very busy. I know it’s more likely that he won’t be able to come.”

“If that happens, may I be your champion?”

I hadn’t thought of this scenario.

At this point, Lieutenant General Armitel might be stronger than Sermon.

“I’m so reassured by your offer, but I don’t think it’ll be necessary.”

“……Yes?”

“At least Father won’t ignore my letter.”

If Father couldn’t come himself, he would send someone who could properly scold Sermon in his place.

Father is the Emperor, and he has enough authority and ability to do that.

I smiled.

“Someone will come.”

“……Did you foresee this?”

I nodded.

It was a very obvious conclusion if you thought about it logically.

It was a bit of an exaggeration to say I foresaw it.

There was nothing special about it, but Lieutenant General Armitel seemed to think highly of me, so she responded that way.

“Yes. Anyone would think so.”

Lieutenant General Armitel nodded with a somewhat perplexed expression.

I don’t know why she had that expression.

“But it would be best if Father came.”

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Tension filled the Jirdel Base Camp.

“Hey, Lucain. Did you hear the news?”

“News?”

“His Majesty the Emperor is visiting.”

“Holy shit!”

The soldiers who were resting all came out with brooms and dustpans.

“Over there! Weeds! Weeds! Pull out the weeds!”

“Polish the floor with toothpaste!”

“What’s this piece of gum doing here? Get rid of it now!”

The entire base camp was in an uproar.

“No, but is His Majesty really coming? Are you sure?”

“Not just His Majesty. Her Majesty the Empress is coming too.”

Lieutenant General Armitel was preparing to receive the Emperor and Empress in her own way.

“Maintain a strict military alert, thoroughly inspect the outer fence, and reinforce it.”

Finally, the Emperor and Empress arrived.

The soldiers of the Jirdel Base Camp were extremely nervous.

They worried about even a speck of dust on their boots.

But Ron wouldn’t have cared even if there was shit on their boots, not just dust.

The carriage carrying Ron headed straight for Isabel’s tent.

“Mother!”

Isabel ran to Serna.

There was no particular reason.

Serna was closer, and she was happy to see her because it had been a while.

Serna stroked Isabel’s hair, saying her short hair suited her very well, and Isabel enjoyed the touch to her heart’s content.

Soon, Serna spoke.

“See? She hugged me first. I won, right?”

“…… ……”

“Since I won, please don’t be too harsh on Sermon. He’s a pitiful child.”

Isabel also reached out to Ron.

Ron reluctantly lowered himself and lightly hugged Isabel.

“What was that sloppy letter?”

“……Hehe.”

Ron lifted the letter Isabel had sent with his thumb and index finger.

When Ron received Isabel’s letter, he couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

Actually, he quite liked the first sentence.

『To my beloved Father.』

But the following contents were a bit sloppy.

『Older Brother Sermon bullied me. He threatened to take Yuri away and scared me. My hair stood on end. I hope Father will scold him.

━━Your youngest daughter, Isabel.』

“Isn’t that a letter a child would write?”

“I am a child.”

“That’s true.”

“I thought Sir Viaton would tell you the details anyway.”

“Even so, trying to move the Emperor with this short letter is an overly audacious thought.”

Isabel’s voice became a little quieter.

“I didn’t call the Emperor……”

“Then?”

“I called Father……”

Ron flinched, and Isabel cautiously asked.

“Do you not like it if I’m audacious?”

She wondered if she had been too cheeky in her anger.

She had bravely called her father during a sibling fight, but now that he was actually here, she was a youngest child feeling apprehensive.

“Be more audacious.”

Ron stroked Isabel’s hair once and moved his feet.

He arrived at the First Training Ground, the largest in the Jirdel Base Camp.

Sermon was already there, and numerous soldiers were gathered.

Not a single sound could be heard despite the large number of soldiers.

It was because of Ron, who was standing in the middle of the training ground with a wooden sword.

It felt like Ron alone filled the entire training ground.

Sermon, with a real sword at his waist, spoke.

“I didn’t expect you to actually come, Father.”

As always, he was smiling faintly, but he couldn’t completely hide the tremor in his voice.

Ron replied with an expressionless face.

“Raise your sword.”

“It’s an honor to cross swords with Father.”

“This is not a place to cross swords.”

“Then what kind of place is it?”

Ron’s figure disappeared.

Even with Sermon’s abilities, he couldn’t even read his movements.

“It’s discipline.”

What followed was a beating.