I Was Just Having Fun With The Time Limit – Chapter 193

Chapter 193

Arun said.

“First of all, I would like to thank you all for responding to my summons.”

More than ten men and women gathered at the Partemon Temple, the largest temple on the continent.

“Let me introduce myself. I am the Dragon Monarch’s Proxy, entrusted with full authority by the Dragon Monarch. Currently, I am living as a human named Arun.”

Some dragons frowned.

“Another Dragon King’s Decree after just one year?”

“Since when has the Dragon King’s Decree been so frivolous?”

The dragons who had fought alongside him against Wilhelm remained silent, while those who were not present at the time expressed some discontent.

“Moreover, I can’t believe that the Dragon Monarch’s Proxy is not even an Adult Dragon yet.”

“What was the Dragon Monarch thinking, entrusting such a young dragon with authority?”

Arun did not particularly react to the dragons expressing their dissatisfaction.

“As I mentioned a year ago, I need a dragon’s heart. I intend to receive donations from those who willingly offer it, at a level of about 10 percent. As you know, a 10 percent level can be naturally healed by simply sleeping for about 50 years.”

“As if we wouldn’t know? How would we know that?”

“I never thought there would be a dragon who would so brazenly demand a dragon’s heart.”

“I only came here because I was curious about what kind of Baby Dragon would make such a disrespectful demand to dragons. I don’t sense any respect for Adult Dragons in your words. Just like a certain black-haired dragon.”

A certain black-haired dragon.

Naturally, it was referring to the Black Flame Dragon, Kadelina, who had nearly brought the world to the brink of destruction.

Dragons were reluctant to directly mention Kadelina’s name.

Because they were the generation that vividly experienced the nightmare of 500 years ago.

500 years was not that long ago for dragons, and the memories of 500 years ago were very vivid.

“Ah, my apologies for the late introduction. I am the son of the Black Flame Dragon of Ultimate Termination, Destruction, and Transparency.”

“……”

“……”

Silence fell.

“Also, I am stronger now than the Black Flame Dragon was during her rampage. This is something that the Adult Dragons who were with me last year can also attest to.”

Even among dragons who were indifferent to worldly affairs, the incident involving Wilhelm was quite famous.

Because it wasn’t simply a human affair, but one involving the ‘God of Death.’

Several dragons nodded.

“I can vouch for that.”

“I saw it too.”

“I can’t deny it.”

Arun spoke again.

“Those who will voluntarily donate their hearts, please stand to my left. And those who still believe they cannot offer their hearts, please stand to my right.”

Some stood on the left.

And some stood on the right.

“I will give you one last chance to change your minds.”

There was no change.

And then, among the dragons, a legendary beating incident occurred that day.

Perhaps it was even more horrifying than the Black Flame Dragon incident.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

As many as eight Adult Dragons were rolling on the floor.

The Partemon Temple, which boasted the largest scale on the continent, had vanished without a trace.

This place was just a flatland.

“S-Stop! This is a brutal violation of dragon rights!”

A huge dragon with blue scales and blue eyes lay on the ground, gasping for breath.

Arun, in human form, said.

“So?”

Arun was not in a position to be picky.

He was prepared to confront all dragons if it meant saving Isabel.

“Do you think your actions will be tolerated?”

“I’m stronger.”

Everyone became speechless.

There wasn’t a single dragon unscathed.

“From those who voluntarily donated, I will take about 10 percent. And from those who donated involuntarily, I will take about 15 percent.”

The dragons wanted to shout.

Does the term involuntary donation even make sense?

Are those words that can coexist?

But they couldn’t speak.

Dragons were originally indifferent to death, but Arun’s violence transcended death.

His violence was beyond that of the Black Flame Dragon, and it put the apathetic dragons on high alert.

“Don’t worry. My mother had half of her heart removed, but she is still alive.”

“I heard she’s asleep?”

“She’ll wake up after about 500 years.”

“……”

For the first time since their birth, the dragons had to suffer the ordeal of having their magic power stolen.

The dragons, who had returned to their human forms, concentrated their magic power in their palms.

Mana of various colors gathered and formed small spheres.

Arun said thank you and received the spheres, carefully storing them in his bosom.

“I will use these precious hearts you have donated for a meaningful purpose. Thank you.”

Arun’s body disappeared.

The dragons collapsed onto the ground.

“……Where did such a mutant come from?”

“He’s the worst dragon I’ve ever encountered.”

“Do you know what’s even scarier?”

“……”

“We don’t even dare to think about revenge.”

“He subdued us in human form.”

A dragon’s true form is much stronger than its human form.

Although the human form is excessively mana-consuming and inefficient, it was only natural that the true form would be stronger in terms of sheer strength.

“The Mad Dragon has appeared.”

“Hopefully, he’ll go mad in a sensible way.”

It was the moment when the Mad Dragon, surpassing the Black Flame Dragon, the worst dragon in history, had emerged.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Arun looked down at the glass tube where Kadelina was sleeping.

Kadelina was in a deep sleep.

“Mother. I came to say goodbye.”

Naturally, there was no reply.

“I received donations equivalent to 1.5 hearts from a dozen dragons. According to research conducted with the Imperial Palace staff, it seems that one complete dragon heart will be enough to save Isabel.”

Kadelina’s expression was peaceful.

“However, a lot of magic power will be lost during the heart transplant process. Honestly, I would have liked to take a complete heart from a single dragon.”

Because a whole, intact heart would be much more advantageous than piecing together fragmented dragon hearts.

“But I don’t think Isabel would be happy with that.”

So he gathered several fragmented hearts and combined them into one.

The efficiency was greatly reduced, but it couldn’t be helped.

“To combine the energy of these fragmented hearts into one, I need another huge amount of energy.”

He will do that with his own heart.

From other dragons, he only received donations of magic power equivalent to about 10 to 15 percent.

“I think I’ll have to take out almost half of my heart, just like you did, Mother.”

He thought that would be a safe margin.

“However, unlike you, Mother, I don’t intend to fall into a long sleep. Because that world wouldn’t have Isabel.”

So instead of sleeping to recover, he wanted to choose a life with Isabel.

“A hundred years with Isabel is more precious than ten thousand years without her. That’s why I came to say goodbye.”

Kadelina was still asleep.

This would probably be the last time he saw his mother.

“Thank you for everything, and I love you.”

Arun bowed deeply.

Arun left, and after a while, Kadelina, with her eyes closed, muttered.

“D*mn it, it was so hard to hear that ‘I love you’.”

The lid of the glass tube opened.

Kadelina stepped onto the ground.

The feeling of her toes touching the ground felt strangely fresh.

“He really is my son.”

Arun had said earlier.

A hundred years with Isabel is better than ten thousand without her.

It was the same for Kadelina.

A lifetime with Arun was better than eternity without him.

“Shall I go and enjoy my last amusement as well?”

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Yellow flags were hung on every house in the Imperial territory.

From the highest noble families to the slums in the corner of the alleys.

Yellow flags, symbolizing and commemorating Isabel, fluttered like waves in the wind.

Isabel’s twentieth birthday was three days away.

Isabel’s anthem echoed throughout the streets, and countless people went out to the temples to pray.

“Please do not take Princess Isabel away from us.”

“May the Princess’s sunshine continue to shine upon the Empire.”

With the wishes of so many people gathered, a rumor spread that the Partemon Temple had been completely destroyed.

The prevailing opinion was that the gods, moved by the people’s prayers, had responded.

“This land still needs the Princess.”

“May the Empire’s Spring not leave the Empire.”

It wasn’t just the temples.

In meadows, by rivers, in squares, on plains.

Wherever people could gather, they gathered in groups of three or five to pray.

The Imperial Capital.

The vast plaza, originally called Marselli.

This place is no longer called Marselli, but Sunshine Plaza.

Countless people gathered here, waving yellow flags and singing Isabel’s anthem.

Many people also gathered on Montmartre Hill, which overlooked the plaza, and likewise along the banks of the Serin River, which surrounded Montmartre Hill.

Amidst the vast crowd gathered to commemorate Isabel, a carriage entered Sunshine Plaza.

Even with so many people gathered, a path was kept clear for the carriage to pass.

Everyone maintained order, demonstrating mature civic awareness.

Viaton and Isabel were inside the carriage.

“This is how many people are not ready to let go of Isabel.”

“……I’m ready to leave.”

She is feeling the approach of death in real-time.

It wasn’t unfamiliar, as she had felt it many times in her previous life.

As if he hadn’t heard Isabel’s words, Viaton smiled brightly.

“It’s your first speech today, so don’t be too nervous. Next time, you’ll be able to deliver a more eloquent speech.”

There is no next time, Sir Viaton.

Isabel didn’t say those words.

“I’m nervous.”

“It’s okay to make mistakes. It’s alright.”

“But I feel good.”

So many people gathered here for Isabel.

‘Who am I?’

It was truly heartwarming that so many hearts were gathered for one person.

‘This is the end. Let’s leave behind the words I want to say.’

She gracefully moved onto the prepared podium.

She was out of breath and dizzy just from walking this much, but she didn’t show it.

The yellow waves fluttered in the wind, and as soon as Isabel appeared, a solemn silence fell heavily, as if everyone had made a promise.

“My beloved people of the Empire, I am Isabel.”

Isabel’s final speech began.