How to Save a Time-Limited Heroine

Emperor Ishmark von Lebroch.

A man famous for his youthful appearance, which belied his mid-40s age, and his unpretentious personality.

Despite the gruff attitude of Deltain, Ishmark could laugh heartily for one reason.

It was because Deltain was the one who placed him on the throne.

“You’re late.”

“I timed it.”

“So, you’re saying you’re late. Haven’t you kept the emperor waiting?”

Ishmark said with a wide grin. The dancer had already left the room.

“As a noble of the empire, that’s a demerit.”

“What are you going to do about it?”

Deltain sat and slouched, gripping a fork. He stabbed at the salad placed before him and took a bite.

“Stop the nonsense and tell me. Why did you call me?”

“You already know the reason.”

“Not the official reason. If it was just that, you wouldn’t have called me.”

“You’re sharp as always, I like that about you.”

“Stop being creepy.”

Deltain’s expression wasn’t pleasant. It wasn’t for any other reason. Though Ishmark appeared carefree, he was a man with a hundred serpents coiled in his belly—a schemer.

In other words, talking to him was exhausting.

Ishmark’s smile deepened.

“I heard you’ve been focused on your love life lately, so I was curious and called you.”

“… it’s just a stupid rumor.”

“Are you planning to marry?”

“I said it’s just a rumor.”

“So, you don’t intend to?”

Ishmark nodded in apparent satisfaction.

“That’s a relief. Honestly, it would have been a bit troubling. If Duke Levadine’s power grew any further, it could lead to some unpleasant rumors.”

He was expressing his honest feelings, which was unlike him.

Deltain was puzzled.

“Isn’t the Duke a supporter of the imperial faction?”

“The aristocratic faction is trying to win him over. I know he won’t switch sides, but as his authority grows, so will the aristocratic faction’s overtures. I don’t want my people to be caught in a difficult situation.”

“Bullshit.”

Deltain let out a hollow laugh. He knew all too well that Ishmark was a cold man even to his subordinates. Ishmark was a ruthless meritocrat. And an egoist.

If someone posed a threat to him, he would be the kind of man to behead him, even if it were his own child.

“Is that all you wanted to ask? Then can I go?”

“I still have some business left.”

Ishmark picked up a knife. The way he cut his steak, with straight posture, perfect rhythm, angle, and sound, was impeccably formal.

“Have you thought about marriage?”

“What are you talking about?”

“My daughters, that is. They take after me, so they’re quite beautiful. Not as much as everyone’s first love, but that can be made up for with numbers, can’t it?”

“….”

“How about it? Isn’t it quite a tempting offer to marry five princesses?”

Deltain sighed. This wasn’t the first time he’d received such a proposal.

“As I’ve said before, I’m committed to not marrying.”

“Because no woman exists who could flaw your perfection?”

“Why ask when you already know?”

“You have a strong sense of self-love.”

Ishmark ate a piece of steak with a satisfied look on his face and then said.

“But you know, for someone who says that it seems you’ve made some progress.”

“What?”

“You’ve lost your virginity, haven’t you?”

Deltain flinched. His gaze shifted to his arm.

While he was eating, his sleeve had ridden up, exposing a faint mark of a thornbush tattoo.

Only then did Deltain realize his mistake.

‘… this sneaky bastard.’

He had forgotten in the long time since they last met that Ishmark was a control freak who felt extreme anxiety over things he didn’t know, someone who micromanaged everything down to the placement of dishes at the table.

Deltain looked at his salad.

It was placed just far enough that he had to fully extend his arm to reach it.

“So, you do have sexual desires after all. I thought you’d go your whole life without losing your virginity.”

Deltain’s expression grew sharp at Ishmark’s words.

“… so, being the emperor means you can pry into my personal life like that? I didn’t know.”

“I’m just concerned for a friend.”

Ishmark remained as composed as ever.

“Lust clouds judgment, you know.”

“You’re not the one to talk.”

“I’m the perfect person to say it. I always drain my lust to prevent it from clouding my judgment.”

“Just drop dead already. And pass the throne to the crown prince.”

“The crown prince is a good boy. He’ll be a wise king for sure. But he’s still young.”

“He’s 23; he’s grown up enough.”

“He’s too naive.”

He continued speaking as if he wouldn’t lose a single word. Deltain found it deeply unsettling.

The mana emanating from his body made that feeling obvious.

“… don’t cross the line. Remember whose debt you owe for sitting on that throne.”

“It’s thanks to you, isn’t it? I’ve never forgotten a single moment. If it weren’t for you, I would have had to fight my brothers in a bloody war for the throne.”

Ishmark’s words were nothing but the plain truth.

Three years ago, during the final chapter of the main story, the Emperor of the Empire committed suicide after being possessed by the Demon King.

Although the Demon King was dealt with by Deltain, the throne was left vacant, making another war for succession inevitable. In that crisis, Deltain’s solution was to install a new emperor.

The support of the hero Deltain Hebron.

It was undoubtedly one of the most crucial factors for sitting on the throne back then, and the reason Deltain chose Ishmark out of all the imperial family was because he prioritized ability over lineage.

“I’m always grateful. So please understand. I’m just too afraid that you might be so blinded by love that you drift away from me. I want you to stay by my side forever.”

“Ugh, shut up. That’s getting creepier.”

“Don’t worry. I don’t mean it in a sexual way. No matter what, I’d have reservations about rolling in bed with a man.”

Ishmark chuckled.

“So, how was everyone’s first love? I haven’t seen her for seven years.”

“Rude. She’s just like you.”

“Someone like that exists? Now that’s an interesting story.”

“I’m insulting you, idiot.”

“I’d be happy to listen to your complaints.”

Deltain furrowed his brows deeply and stopped speaking. He was already starting to feel drained.

As Ishmark continued his meal alone, Deltain recalled something he had forgotten in the silence.

“… ah, right.”

“Hmm?”

“There was something I wanted to ask you. I just remembered.”

“What is it?”

“Is there anyone among your daughters who’s close to the princess?”

He needed to find the woman who had been filling Agnes’s head with strange ideas.

Ishmark pondered with a before shrugging his shoulders.

“Well, I can’t say I really know. I don’t pay much attention to who my daughters are close to. I’m more of a hands-off parent.”

“More like you just let them roam free.”

Deltain figured as much. Ishmark had 47 children, 18 of whom were daughters.

It was only natural that even he wouldn’t know who his daughters were friendly with.

Of course, he would be concerned about any relationships that might affect the state of affairs, but the relationship Agnes mentioned wasn’t anything of that sort.

“If you don’t know, that’s fine.”

“Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.”

“I didn’t expect much anyway.”

“Are you leaving?”

Ishmark said, noticing Deltain getting up from his seat.

Deltain responded nonchalantly.

“Yeah, I should get going.”

“Take care. I’ll handle the magic-related matters appropriately.”

“Do whatever you want.”

“Oh.”

“What now?”

Ishmark stopped Deltain, as if suddenly remembering something.

Of course, Deltain wasn’t fooled. He was fully alert again. He knew that whatever Ishmark wanted to say at this timing would be something troublesome.

Humans tended to blurt out hasty answers when they were in a rush to leave, and Ishmark was likely trying to take advantage of that.

“Would you consider attending the banquet?”

His prediction was spot on.

“I’m not going.”

“It would be nice if you did.”

“And why is that?”

“Didn’t Saint Hall get breached recently? Some people are feeling uneasy.”

“That’s nonsense. It was dealt with immediately, and there were no casualties.”

“Strictly speaking, there were some casualties. A few merchants in the commercial district are suffering from the aftereffects.”

“That’s not my fault.”

“Please understand. Foolish people always need something to blame.”

“… I don’t move without a good reason.”

“I heard you’re searching for something these days. The imperial family could help with that.”

A gleam appeared in Deltain’s eyes.

‘This is quite…’

It was a tempting offer. While Cuckoo was responsible for gathering information on the DLC materials, the imperial investigators could reach places that were out of their reach.

His decision didn’t take long. Ishmark only wanted him to attend the banquet, and nothing more. All he had to do was show up and then quietly slip away.

“Send me the schedule.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m really leaving now.”

Deltain casually left the dining hall.

Thud.

The door to the dining hall closed.

Only then did Ishmark relax his shoulders and let out a deep sigh.

‘… as expected, he’s difficult.’

A cold sweat had formed on his forehead.

Even for Ishmark, who was said to have the cunningness of a hundred serpents in his belly, dealing with someone who could crush schemes with sheer force was no easy task.

*

Deltain walked through the imperial palace.

There was no one guiding him, but he never got lost.

After all, the imperial palace was a place he frequented like his own home when the main story was progressing.

Since it had been a while since he visited, Deltain didn’t leave immediately.

‘I feel like there’s still a hidden piece left to find.’

He was looking for hidden pieces.

The imperial palace, with its long history and wealth, had many hidden pieces.

Most of the well-known hidden pieces had already been collected, but even so, he felt there could be more.

Now that the DLC had started, he hoped a new hidden piece might appear.

In front of the imperial rose garden.

As Deltain strolled and arrived at the garden, he stopped when he noticed a familiar figure.

‘Duke Levadine?’

It was Duke Levadine, Agnes’s father.

He was talking with a young girl who looked quite young.

Deltain tilted his head.

‘A princess?’

One of Ishmark’s daughters. Though she was unfamiliar to him, he couldn’t help but be certain.

Her hair was just like Ishmark’s, a striking white.

She was a woman with an innocent demeanor.

She seemed so untainted, like a flower raised in a greenhouse.

The princess giggled, and Duke Levadine chuckled warmly.

As Deltain’s curiosity grew, Duke Levadine noticed him.

“Ah, Count.”

Deltain gave a brief nod.

Duke Levadine, as if seizing the opportunity, introduced the princess to him.

“This is the seventh princess. She’s a kind-hearted person who always takes the time to visit my residence and spend time with my daughter.”

Creak.

Deltain’s expression stiffened.

“Her?”

He couldn’t help but blurt out the words.

No wonder, because the 7th Princess, who had allegedly taught Agnes those inappropriate things, looked far too innocent and pure.

Meanwhile, the 7th Princess smiled softly.

“I’ve always heard stories about you from Agnes. I’m Elina von Lebroch, the 7th Princess.”

Deltain felt a strange sense of cognitive dissonance.