Chapter 130

Chapter 130
Chapter 130: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

As Lion had anticipated, a trace of cautious skepticism finally flickered across Rikschel’s expression.

‘Ah. That individual belongs to the Asteri Family.’

How frequently had he listened to accounts concerning the Asteri House while residing within the temple walls?

He knew well how biting the magic users could be, channeling vast fortunes and manpower into the Magic Tower’s research divisions simply to keep the temple in check.

Had even a fraction of those resources been contributed to the sanctuary, countless more havens of peace could have been established.

He had been told time and again that such generosity would have dramatically shrunk the boundaries of the blighted lands.

‘Therefore, vigilance is essential.’

Before, ignorance of their background allowed for leniency, but the reality was now clear.

Even if they stood as a Messenger of God.

Nay, even if their presence exceeded that description, he must remain unswayed.

Rikschel gathered his resolve and posed a careful query.

“…Might I inquire as to the identity of that person?”

Lion appeared quite pleased by the distinct shift in attitude.

Had Rikschel been his pupil, he would have likely gifted him an entire shop.

‘Indeed. This is the proper response.’

The proverb about testing a stone bridge twice before crossing was coined for good reason.

Only by cultivating the habit of skepticism, inquiry, and independent judgment could one secure a more peaceful existence ahead.

“There is no need for such tension, Reverend Father. It is someone you recognize as well.”

“That implies……”

Grasping the implication instantly, Rikschel’s eyes widened.

An acquaintance shared by them both who possessed the capacity to intervene in this affair.

Only a single candidate came to mind.

‘Surely not.’

Rikschel Asteri.

The younger brother who had remained patient and observant until this very hour.

‘Strictly speaking, protocol dictates appealing to his superior, but……’

Rikschel’s institution—or rather, the broader temple organization—found itself in a predicament where seeking official channels was impossible.

Such a step would necessitate detailing the circumstances, thereby exposing Lion’s true identity alongside everything else.

To be sure, a reliable ally existed in the form of Ann.

Yet, involving the Head of the Academy to settle a matter of this magnitude……

‘It simply does not align.’

Regrettably, the station of Academy Head was hardly suited for handling a ‘Guest’.

Had the crisis pertained strictly to the ‘Sanctuary’, seeking Ann’s intervention might have been feasible.

At present, however, not a single soul within the temple ranks could offer Rikschel assistance.

Realizing this, a profound sense of frustration washed over him.

He remained utterly powerless without the backing of the sibling duo and the Archbishop he held in such high regard.

Even while harboring ideals he desperately wished to realize.

‘Still, I maintained my composure.’

Total victory on the first attempt was an unrealistic expectation.

Furthermore, fortune had ensured he was not entirely solitary in his struggle.

‘He is here.’

Lion Asteri, a veteran of exhaustive social endurance.

While Rikschel wrestled with indecision, Lion had already mapped out multiple viable paths.

And he had simply put forward the most advantageous option among them.

“Indeed. He is my younger brother.”

“Then he is… Rikschel Asteri, the heir to the Asteri lineage.”

I suspected he was an extraordinary individual.

Rikschel murmured softly before slowly lifting his gaze to lock eyes with Lion.

‘If that is the case, and their fraternal bond is strong, why is his physical condition so deteriorated?’

Such inquiries naturally surfaced as their dialogue and mutual recognition deepened.

In truth, the moment their identities within the sanctuary became clear, the poor health of the Righteous Person—no, Lion Asteri—suddenly made sense.

An elite noble of the Asteri house.

Perhaps the internal succession conflict surpassed even the ruthless politics of the Imperial Household.

Alternatively, adhering to the rigid mage philosophy of ‘no assistance for the deficient,’ they may have simply neglected the eldest son who lacked the capacity for magic.

Yet, now that his sibling had entered the conversation……

‘He displays no trace of fear.’

Though Rikschel’s practical tenure was brief, his intuition regarding human emotion and sentiment was remarkably sharp.

Empathizing with the triumphs and sorrows of the faithful stood as a priest’s highest virtue.

“It appears your brother has fared quite well in the interim.”

“Yes. He has maintained his well-being, largely thanks to your watchful eye.”

A faint smile touched Lion’s lips at Rikschel’s reference to his sibling.

The inquiry had verified his assumptions.

Circumstances had prevented an extended exchange, yet the genuine warmth behind those words was unmistakable.

‘Family.’

In essence, it mirrored the affection he held for the Archbishop and his fellow clergy.

If that held true……

‘His time remaining is brief.’

A complex wave of emotion washed over him.

He even considered whether remaining at the temple to recuperate might extend his lifespan, if even by a fraction.

After all, he bore the selection of Anyatras, the deity of the eternal flame.

Perhaps remaining in this environment might even spark the awakening of something entirely novel.

This individual was a genuine ‘Messenger of God,’ and perhaps something greater still……

‘No, let us set aside such speculation for now.’

Rikschel reined in his wandering thoughts.

“Shall I then extend a formal invitation to Rikschel Asteri to enter the temple?”

“Pardon? No, that won’t be necessary.”

Lion blinked in surprise before giving a gentle shake of his head.

“…Were you not intending to leverage the authority of the Asteri heir to bring a definitive close to this situation?”

“That option certainly exists.”

Applying brute force to suppress opposition and secure Lion’s release.

However, since the temple hierarchy had refrained from such heavy-handed tactics initially, basic principles dictated that they reciprocate with equal restraint.

“Not this time. My brother will visit the temple strictly in the capacity of family.”

Lion provided a concise clarification.

Such was the blueprint.

A guest remained a guest, meaning the temple held no legal authority to compel them.

Consequently, should that guest announce their departure, the institution possessed zero grounds for detention.

Naturally, under normal conditions……

‘They would subject me to relentless persuasion.’

It was a given that they would deploy every rhetorical device and piece of flattery imaginable to convince him to reconsider and take up permanent residence within these sacred halls.

Yet Rikschel was present here, was he not?

“Reverend Father, only a single task is required of you. Display an unwavering commitment to honoring my decisions as a holder of the ‘Guest’s Token’.”

“…I, I understand.”

“Very good. Leave the remainder to me.”

“……”

“Oh, and might I trouble you for a fountain pen and parchment? I have a letter to dispatch.”

Just as he prepared to inquire about the logistics of sending correspondence, Nature—who had been resting at a distance—flutters across the room, alighting upon the desk with a proud tilt of its head.

“This companion of yours possesses quite the remarkable skillset.”

“Ho-ho.”

Rikschel found himself genuinely astonished.

Never had he imagined Lion would devise a strategy of this nature.

Based on Priest Rikschel’s prior observations, Lion’s demeanor generally leaned toward the gentle and unassuming.

Mild-tempered and unhurried, adopting a philosophy of letting events unfold naturally.

Yet he consistently desired the happiness of the greatest possible number of people.

He exuded an infinite benevolence, as though his entire life’s calling was dedicated to that single pursuit.

Consider the predicament surrounding Peter, for instance.

Viewed strictly on the surface, accepting the position offered a straightforward path to an established clerical career.

One would avoid starvation, secure permanent lodging, and receive continuous treatment via divine energy.

To a commoner—particularly one originating from an orphanage—such prospects amounted to a luxury akin to acquiring both fame and wealth.

Dismissing his rejection of the priesthood as childish defiance would have been entirely justifiable.

Yet Lion did no such thing. Instead, he observed the world through a lens of profound warmth and meticulous care.

Perhaps on account of that very nature.

An unconscious assumption had formed within Rikschel’s mind: *Such a pristine soul could never conceive of a calculated scheme.*

Much like himself.

He had often feared that no matter how earnestly he pursued virtuous deeds, he would ultimately hit an unyielding wall, just as he had so many times before.

Yet that assessment proved entirely mistaken.

‘That particular look in his eyes……’

It evoked the image of an apex predator that had concluded its rest and risen to hunt.

It felt as though a legendary hero of old had manifested once more to reveal such an aspect.

Habitually, Rikschel clasped his hands together beneath the desktop.

“Understood. I shall execute the Righteous Person’s instructions to the letter.”

Failure felt entirely outside the realm of possibility.

Moreover, a deep-seated aspiration began to stir within him to emulate that very composure.

Even after this current ordeal reached its conclusion.

‘…Should circumstances permit, I would deeply value frequent encounters with you.’

Rikschel offered a silent prayer while listening to Lion’s final arrangements.

—

The following morning.

As anticipated, the temple grounds—already teetering on the edge of disorder—convened an urgent assembly.

Archbishop Candidate Rikschel, who had successfully brought the sanctuary to life overnight!

Accompanied by the enigmatic ‘Guest’ of his own introduction!

And finally……

“I have arrived to reclaim my family member.”

The Guest’s own bloodline, stepping forward to retrieve him!

Any single one of these developments would have constituted a major milestone; combined into a single day, they plunged the entire temple into chaos.

“How are we expected to manage this crisis?”

“Has the sanctuary’s functionality been definitively verified?”

“Affirmative. I witnessed it with my own eyes. The sanctuary operates without a doubt… no, it functions with a radiance surpassing any other installation. At this rate, harvesting holy water is merely a matter of time.”

Ann offered a serene smile from her seat within the chamber, officially confirming the sanctuary’s successful completion.

Given that the endorsement came directly from the Head of the Academy with zero dissenting voices, the sanctuary’s operational status was indisputable.

That led directly to the second pressing concern.

“Has anyone succeeded in identifying the Guest’s background?”

“…….”

At the senior priest’s prompt, silence descended upon the meeting hall.

As expected, zero intelligence regarding the Guest’s origins had been uncovered.

To compound the disaster, an individual asserting familial ties to the Guest had materialized and was actively demanding his release.

“What is Rikschel currently doing?”

“Regarding that……”

An official priest offered a nervous scratch at his cheek.

“He reported that the Guest suffered physical exhaustion yesterday and remains indisposed, requiring his personal nursing care. We haven’t even been granted an opportunity for meaningful dialogue.”

“Ughhh.”

The sound carried the distinct weight of frustrated exasperation, though prudence kept further commentary locked away.

Challenging Rikschel at this juncture amounted to professional suicide within the temple ranks.

“Where is this relative located at present?”

“Well, attempts are being made to bar his movement, but.”

Another official chimed in, “He appears to be wandering freely across the compound.” Just as those words left his mouth—

“H-hold on, you cannot proceed further!”

A sudden commotion erupted from the corridor outside.

*Creaak!*

The heavy doors of the temple conference chamber flew open wide.

And there they stood.

“……”

Barg, the red-haired youth who had swung the heavy portals open on his master’s behalf, cast a brief glance toward the assembled clergy before stepping quietly into position behind his superior.

Barg’s master raised his head, sweeping a slow, deliberate gaze across every face gathered within the hall.

Though the gesture was entirely unpretentious, the sheer weight of his inspection commanded immediate silence, leaving even the senior priests momentarily frozen.

“Surely you are aware.”

As the noisy chamber fell into a profound hush, an atmospheric chill reminiscent of a winter frost settled over the room.

“Where is my older brother at this very moment?”

Rikschel, having arrived promptly upon receiving Lion’s summons, posed the question with icy precision.