Chapter 108

Chapter 108
## Chapter 108: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

Lion commanded his complete admiration.

As an Archmage, though he understood the extent of his might, seeing it manifest directly before his eyes was an entirely different experience.

“Aren’t you exhausted?”

“I’m simply enjoying stretching my limbs after such a long while.”

He genuinely appeared quite revitalized.

‘Thinking of him, Elvia held a fondness for him as well.’

While these thoughts crossed his mind, Petrick proceeded to outline the containment procedure alongside the necessary precautions.

This included the inherent risk of an individual being violently drawn into a vortex of raw magic power…

“Should circumstances deteriorate, evacuate the Labyrinth immediately. I shall assume full accountability for whatever follows.”

It was an expression of deep anxiety for his grandson’s safety should peril arise.

“Have no concern. I shall depart now.”

Lion offered a radiant grin, secured the magic stone inside his satchel, and proceeded directly toward the Labyrinth.

—

Rikson diligently assessed Barg’s current condition just as Lion had instructed.

And in doing so, he brought all the hidden truths to light.

“An, an Eclipse symptom…?”

Barg, a Beastman utterly devoid of knowledge regarding his own kind, was profoundly shocked upon learning the true nature of his affliction.

“Indeed.”

“……”

Barg’s pupils quivered with unease.

Based on the Captain’s explanation, the root cause behind his physical malaise under moonlight, as well as his inability to keep pace with the training regimen until the previous day, stemmed entirely from this Eclipse condition.

Furthermore…

‘Am I going to perish?’

And would it happen while violently harming innocent people?

Barg dreaded mortality.

He had finally begun to be treated with dignity as a human being and was integrating harmoniously with those around him.

Jake, in particular, offered unwavering assistance without complaint, even when his own grip grew battered and torn.

He showed concern whenever pain struck him and casually provided extra portions of food during meals.

When stamina failed him during drills, he offered awkward comfort by clapping him on the shoulder as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

Beyond that, what of the Young Master?

It was his first encounter with such profound kindness and delectable cuisine.

And someone who shared the pure joy of giving. All of it.

Thus, he had lived with the quiet aspiration to eventually repay their benevolence someday… yet this revelation meant that dream could never be realized.

Barg dreaded mortality.

No, the concept of death itself was not what frightened him.

What terrified him was the prospect of having his life snuffed out.

The mere thought of his own annihilation, undoing everything he had built with his own two hands, proved to be agonizingly unbearable.

In that instant, Barg’s pupils dilated and his gaze sharpened intensely.

“Barg.”

“Ah.”

Fortunately, he managed to recover his wits swiftly at the sound of his name.

Barg slowly raised his head to meet Rikson’s eyes.

“Captain. I… I refuse to harm others!”

Consequently, rather than letting him finish—

Before Barg could complete the sentence, Rikson seized his shoulder in a firm, unyielding grip.

“Ugh.”

The sheer pressure instantly cleared his racing thoughts.

Barg’s clouded intellect snapped back into focus in a fraction of a second.

“A remedy exists.”

“…A remedy?”

“Affirmative. It appears Young Master Lion has devised a solution for your condition. Therefore, you must maintain your mental composure until that moment arrives. Understood?”

Barg harbored a multitude of unspoken concerns.

Worry over what devastation might ensue should he lose consciousness beforehand.

Apprehension regarding what fate awaited if the proposed method failed and he succumbed to the frenzy.

And… profound guilt toward the individuals who were agonizing over his welfare.

“……”

Yet, no words escaped his lips.

The pressure of Rikson’s hand digging into his shoulder was intensely painful.

It was a pain born of desperation.

Barg clenched his fist tightly.

By then, his claws, sharpened like those of a wolf, had pierced his own flesh, yet the sharp sting unexpectedly served to heighten his alertness further.

“Understood.”

He was resolved to survive by exerting every ounce of his strength, come what may.

He needed to retain his sanity for just one more day, and cling to the frayed thread of his reason for one more day.

—

Yet, worldly affairs rarely unfold precisely according to mortal design.

The crisis materialized shortly after Lion crossed into the Labyrinth.

“Captain!”

Jake, who had been tasked with monitoring Barg’s state at Rikson’s behest, sprinted toward them with an expression drained of all color.

“Barg, Barg!”

The initial precursors of the berserk state had manifested.

“…….”

Rikson’s expression darkened severely.

‘Far too rapid.’

Scarcely any time had elapsed since the Young Master proposed his countermeasure.

‘He was entirely stable merely days ago.’

His symptoms had escalated at an alarming velocity in the interim.

‘Damnation.’

Rikson clamped his hand into a fist and forced himself to his feet.

Even so, the frenzy had not yet reached its absolute peak. If that were the case…

‘I must resort to that protocol.’

It was a contingency plan Lion had communicated via a servant.

Should complications arise ahead of schedule, transport Barg immediately to Mimir Forest.

Secure the perimeters of the forest to restrict outside access.

And ultimately…

‘Engage him directly to intercept any attempts to assault others.’

The raw physical might of a frenzied werewolf swells to cataclysmic proportions momentarily.

The inherent hazard lies in his loss of reason, embarking on an indiscriminate rampage while charging forward relentlessly like an undead creature, utterly indifferent to the toll taken upon his own physique.

In essence, Rikson, tasked with subduing him while minimizing permanent damage, possessed strict limitations regarding endurance.

‘Even so, I must endure for as long as humanly possible.’

While exerting control to spare Barg’s body undue trauma.

Rikson snatched up his blade and rose.

“Sir, Captain. Barg… will he pull through?”

Rikson cast his gaze toward Jake.

The younger man was nervously chewing at the skin of his lips.

In truth, Rikson harbored no certainties himself.

He was merely buying precious time.

Nonetheless…

“Affirmative. He will recover. Therefore, transfer Barg to Mimir Forest without a moment’s delay.”

He delivered a comforting falsehood.

Jake, who had diligently looked after Barg within the ranks of the Knight Order.

Furthermore, while Barg remained a somewhat delicate concern, Jake practically occupied the place of a son to Rikson.

There was zero necessity to betray hesitation in his presence.

“Understood. Right away.”

Just as Jake concluded his acknowledgment and turned to depart.

“I shall lend my assistance.”

The portal swung wide, and a figure strode into the chamber.

“Young Master!”

It was none too other than Rikschel.

“This is perilous. We cannot predict the exact moment he will forfeit his faculties.”

“I hold authorization from the Family Head.”

“……!”

Rikson’s eyes widened at Rikschel’s declaration.

Following both the Family Head and the Eldest Young Master, even the Young Master, the rightful successor…!

Ordinarily, such a scenario would defy all imagination.

The entirety of the Asteri Household mobilizing on behalf of a mere trainee knight.

“Truly, words fail to express how I might recompense such grace…”

“You misinterpret the situation.”

Rikschel remarked in his characteristically detached demeanor.

“I am simply utilizing an Asteri Knight as a benchmark to test my newly awakened strength. Elder Brother merely provided a favorable suggestion.”

“……!”

“Consequently, neither you nor that trainee knight incur any debt to be repaid. If anything, the gratitude belongs directed toward Elder Brother.”

Rikschel concluded with a subtle, fleeting smile.

Witnessing his demeanor, Rikson felt a sudden warmth flood his eyes, turning them crimson.

It served as a formal proclamation releasing the Young Master from any sense of burdensome obligation.

“Lead the way swiftly.”

“…I shall guide you!”

Swallowing back the emotional surge threatening to overflow, he galvanized his physique into motion.

The Asteri Household, much to Rikson’s profound conviction, was an extraordinary lineage.

Monumental achievements paired with equitable treatment.

He had lived under the belief that serving Marquis Patrick Asteri, a living legend, constituted an immense honor in its own right.

And yet…

The Asteri name continued to scale even greater heights.

While the exact intricacies escaped him, the sheer reality that these knights existed to safeguard others set his blood ablaze.

This sentiment transcended mere honor.

‘I am filled with pride.’

Rikson resolved silently within his heart.

He would dedicate both flesh and spirit in service of this noble pride.

—

The hour arrived as the moon began its ascent into the firmament.

Lion penetrated the depths of the labyrinth carrying the sealed magic stone, advancing steadily in the direction of the lake.

Traversing the obscured woodland untouched by campfire illumination, he reached the shoreline, where the celestial orb cast a brilliant reflection across the liquid expanse.

“Nature.”

“Peep.”

Following the strategy previously concerted between them, Lion stepped onto the surface of the lake without an ounce of hesitation.

Standard physics dictated he should plummet beneath the waves, yet…

Lion’s boots rested atop the water, generating ripples of modest proportions.

This feat was made possible entirely through Nature’s mystical intervention.

It was a surreal sensation, though time demanded swift action.

He needed to harvest the maximum concentration of the Moon’s Essence prior to the moon’s descent.

Lion advanced toward a clearing where the overhead foliage failed to obstruct the moonlight, leaving him entirely shadowless.

Then, executing his preparations, he positioned luminous ore stones in a perimeter surrounding the lake while dusting luminous ore powder to bridge the gaps between them.

The resulting layout bore a striking resemblance to spirit-summoning formations, albeit with distinct variations.

Ultimately, he stationed himself directly at the focal point among the luminous minerals and positioned the sealed, vacant magic stone.

“Hoo.”

At the very least, this location would capture a far greater volume of moonlight than the Shadowed Forest ever could.

The celestial radiance streaming from above paired with the lake’s mirrored projection.

Given that this labyrinth overflowed with ambient mana, it stood to reason that the Moon’s Energy would prove equally abundant.

‘All that remains is.’

Lion raised the archaic key in his grip and slid it directly into the barrier’s mechanism.

Despite the impenetrable seal designed to block all unauthorized entry or leakage…

Click.

The crisp rotation of internal tumblers echoed as the key seated fully.

As Lion retreated a few paces away from the placement of the magic stone…

The unsealed artifact levitated smoothly above the level of Lion’s line of sight.

In direct response, the lunar reflection shimmering across the lake intensified dramatically.

Whoosh!

Moments later, the magic stone commenced an indiscriminate harvesting of all ambient forces within range.

The labyrinth’s intrinsic mana, Nature’s Energy, and even the cascading moonlight—consuming every trace without exception.

It mirrored the spectacle of a ravenous dragon devouring a trove of resplendent gems in every hue imaginable.

The internal cavity of the magic stone replenished its reserves at a breathtaking pace.

The dormant, severed pulse began to thrum with life once more.

Although a spectrum of blended shades danced within, the cerulean signature of the moonlight remained indisputably dominant.

Lion sank down onto the water’s surface with a soft splash, quietly observing the unfolding display.

“It possesses quite a lovely aesthetic.”

“Peep.”

The ambiance conveyed the illusion that the entire nocturnal firmament was streaming downward.

A kaleidoscope of starlight, the velvet blackness of night, and the luminous glow of the moon.

Contrasting sharply with the placid stillness of the water, the nearby foliage fluttered wildly in a sudden breeze, sending leaves dancing through the air.

A crisp, verdant aroma permeated the lakeside atmosphere.

The Magic Stone, having gorged itself on the surrounding energy fields, gradually descended from midair to rest upon the ground only as the moon began its downward trajectory toward the horizon.

Lion rose to his feet and intercepted the Magic Stone before it made contact with the water.

The artifact seemingly resisted containment, vibrating continuously while maintaining a slight hover above his palm.

And within its core…

『 Moonstone (★★) 』

* A specialized Magic Stone infused with an abundance of Lunar Energy through a proprietary methodology. It yields efficacy virtually indistinguishable from genuine Moon’s Essence.
* Exhibiting delicate fractures as though vulnerable to shattering at any second, it continues to emit a faint, steady luminescence akin to a living pulse.

『 Applications – Alchemy, ?? 』

『☞ Select to inspect the Formula. 』

A pale azure energy writhed restlessly within the mineral.

Even though its raw potency and tier fell vastly short of the original elite-grade Magic Stone, accompanied by structural fractures signaling imminent failure…

“Even more advantageous.”

『 You have acquired the Methodology to fabricate Moonstone with greater efficiency! 』

“Oh?”

Such an outcome defied initial expectations!

A streamlined procedure for producing Moonstone materialized spontaneously within his consciousness!

‘Armed with this approach, subsequent production of Moonstone can be pursued at a leisurely pace.’

Regardless, the material overhead required for crafting a single Moonstone was by no means negligible.

Beyond requiring a top-tier Magic Stone…

‘Personnel expenses…’

Assistance was mandatory, specifically drawing upon the resources of his Grandfather.

Yet, utilizing this newly mastered technique would secure a sustainable supply of Moonstone, albeit through a gradual process.

‘For the interim, I shall prioritize synthesizing Nutrients utilizing this batch.’

Accompanied by Nature, Lion retraced his steps out of the lake, approached the alchemy apparatus, and…

Without a moment’s hesitation, he began aggressively crushing the Moonstone using the mortar!