Chapter 138

Chapter 138
## Chapter 138: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

Lion reviewed the balance currently stored inside his inventory.

‘What was the exact total when I last checked?’

He recalled securing 50,000 Shillings from a milestone reward after rescuing Barg, which should have placed his reserves just past 250,000 Shillings.

“Huh?”

However, the actual tally exceeded his expectations!

Had it surpassed 300,000 Shillings?

‘Did I manage to clear some minor feats along the way?’

Now that he thought about it, he had also acquired fresh abilities and gained several levels.

So many alerts had popped up that he must have dismissed the smaller ones instantly without paying attention.

“Nice!”

Possessing a larger budget than anticipated felt genuinely rewarding.

‘At this rate, I’ll hit 1,000,000 Shillings shortly, even with some purchases.’

Lion stepped into a secluded alleyway, braced his back against the stone partition, and immediately accessed the Shilling Shop interface.

『Welcome, customer.』

『Would you like to browse the available products?』

“Bring up the synthesis catalyst inventory. Sort them by price in ascending order.”

Wait, wouldn’t applying that filter generate an overwhelming number of choices?

Lion paused for a second before adding a specific constraint.

“Only show items relevant to Blacksmithing.”

『Displaying all products containing ‘Synthesis Catalyst’ and ‘Blacksmithing’, sorted from lowest to highest price.』

A substantial selection of goods began populating the screen one after another.

Synthesis.

Truthfully, it stood as one of the most critical mechanics within the entire game.

Naturally, if two components shared high compatibility, the crafting process could proceed without an additive, but as one approached advanced manufacturing tiers, catalysts became utterly indispensable.

This stemmed from the fact that the inherent traits of the primary materials grew steadily more potent.

Consequently, auxiliary components often served the functional role of catalysts…

‘I could always manufacture a secondary catalyst if absolutely necessary.’

Even so, time was a luxury he lacked at the moment.

While an Evil Beast’s Egg might manage to endure for an extended duration, one could only imagine how excruciating the wait would be until then.

‘Still, I am grateful for the extra Shillings.’

Weren’t funds meant for situations requiring urgent solutions anyway?

Lion resolved to treat himself without holding back.

“Let’s see what we have…”

『Illegal Cracker』

-A confectionery item designed for a blacksmith harboring a warped disposition.

-Permits the synthesis of any material through illicit means, though the vendor assumes no liability for penalties if apprehended.

-Consumption requires executing a binding agreement stating zero affiliation with the merchant. (Contract supplied at no additional charge)

-40,000 Shillings

Pass.

Lion quickly flicked his finger downward.

『Dwarf King’s Drink』

-A single draft of this ale temporarily grants the traits of the Dwarf King.

-Naturally, hiccup! Doesn’t this make enhancing every single item possible?

-70,000 Shillings

“Hmm.”

The potency seemed remarkable, yet several factors raised concerns.

What exactly did that word ‘temporary’ imply?

Furthermore, the prospect of intoxication gave him pause.

“Let me check other alternatives first…”

If every other avenue failed, he might resort to it, but becoming a Dwarf remained an unappealing option.

『Foam Mold』

-A specialized casting form that dissolves into foam the exact moment an item undergoes synthesis.

-Guarantees reliable results! Even novices can effortlessly shape their desired designs!

-Includes complimentary Dissolving Liquid.

-Single-use consumable item.

-160,000 Shillings ☞ 80,000 Shillings! (Inventory Clearance Sale, 50% Off!)

“……”

Though termed a mold, its single-use nature made the clearance discount entirely understandable.

Yet…

Among the three options, this clearly represented the best choice, correct?

The merchandise appearing afterward far exceeded Lion’s remaining funds.

“I’ll have to commit to the Foam Mold.”

After all, the description explicitly promised guaranteed results.

Plus, the inclusion of free Dissolving Liquid sealed the deal.

『Transaction completed!』

『’Foam Mold’ is now permanently bound to the user.』

『Deducted 80,000 Shillings.』

『Remaining balance stands at 223,400 Shillings.』

Such a purchase was only feasible because his financial standing exceeded initial projections.

“Alright. Now then…”

He needed to borrow the forge belonging to Mudu.

Checking his inventory one last time, Lion stepped out of the alley and marched directly toward Mudu’s Blacksmith.

—

Emperor Tylius found his present situation deeply uncomfortable.

“……”

The underlying cause, naturally, stemmed from the presence of Duke Asteri seated directly across from him!

Those eyes, profound as an ocean trench, flicked with a intensity that threatened to unleash lethal mana at any second.

The Emperor swallowed hard before forcing himself to speak.

“A few days ago, reports reached me regarding bandits surfacing within the Lungen Territory.”

“Please, do go on.”

Petrick observed him with the air of a spectator curious to see how far the man’s excuses would stretch.

‘I must tread carefully.’

The Emperor repeated the warning internally.

A single misstep inviting the duke’s wrath… and the subsequent consequences remained entirely unpredictable.

“Ahem, it is an absolute tragedy. My repeated warnings to the First Prince emphasized that ‘the absolute priority rests with the Empire’s internal security,’ did I not?”

Wiping beads of sweat from his forehead with a silken handkerchief, the Emperor pressed forward.

“However, due to his inherent lack of maturity, the Prince apparently failed to properly oversee the security apparatus. Consequently, I have administered a personal punishment to the boy.”

“Oh?”

Petrick let out a dry chuckle.

Was the sovereign actually attempting that angle?

‘The Emperor has grown older and shrewder with time.’

The strategy wasn’t entirely ineffective.

“And what exact form did this punishment take?”

Despite knowing the reality, he posed the inquiry as if entirely ignorant, prompting an immediate reply from the monarch.

“Concluding that abandoning the citizenry constitutes a grave offense, I ordered him placed under strict confinement until my upcoming birthday.”

“Anything further?”

“In addition, I have decreed a complete prohibition on outside visitors.”

“Hmm…”

While the man typically lacked administrative competence, enforcing discipline in this specific domain yielded swift results, perhaps due to prior pressure.

The outcome was acceptable, but…

“What other penalties were enacted?”

Petrick was not a man easily appeased by half-measures.

No one dared touch anyone belonging to his own grandson—a treasure far more precious than life itself.

“Furthermore…”

What else could possibly be added?

Even the existing restrictions constituted an extreme measure when applied to the Empire’s First Prince.

He could already visualize the frantic backlash erupting from the First Prince’s political faction.

-Your Majesty!

-Please reconsider this harsh decree!

-Regardless of the infraction, he remains the First Prince of the Empire!

A pounding migraine flared up from sheer stress, quickly giving way to raw fury.

And the target wasn’t Petrick…

‘Why on earth did the First Prince yield so easily!’

Jumping straight into the trap!

Tsk, what a brainless fool.

Inwardly, the Emperor raged at his own offspring.

Given that the Empress possessed reasonable intelligence, why did this particular son exhibit such an obsession with gold and jewels, floating through life with the substance of a cloud?

Not once did the Emperor apportion any blame to his own parenting.

In truth, he harbored no desire to hand over the throne either, but…

Placing the Second Prince—whose gaze perpetually carried a murderous edge—onto the seat of power would be an even greater disaster.

Furthermore, this crisis presented a golden chance to put the Asteri family back in their place.

It was an open secret that the successor of the Asteri household favored the Second Prince.

Yet, barring catastrophic anomalies, the First Prince—as the eldest born of pure lineage—should logically inherit the crown, shouldn’t he?

If such an ascension occurred… it would permanently stain the Asteri successor’s reputation for poor political judgment, or suggest the family had lost its historic edge.

‘I harbor no delusions of destroying that monstrous lineage.’

The sovereign, having undergone psychological conditioning by the Asteri family in the past, viewed those haunting memories as both a shackle and a persistent grievance.

Consequently, he nurtured a deep-seated urge to outmaneuver the Asteri house at least once during his tenure.

Naturally, those resentments had to be buried and locked away in his heart for the time being.

Avoiding Petrick Asteri’s penetrating gaze, Emperor Tylius snatched up his teacup with trembling fingers and swallowed the scalding liquid in a hasty gulp.

The freshly brewed water scorched the lining of his mouth, but he lacked the luxury to care.

“…The financial stipends allocated for maintaining his royal dignity shall likewise be frozen until my birthday.”

He had severed the financial lifeline entirely.

This maneuver would effectively paralyze the First Prince’s political maneuvers for at least several months.

The decision caused the Emperor internal agony as well…

Yet it remained far preferable to alienating Petrick Asteri over the dispute.

“Hmm. I trust the First Prince will comprehend His Majesty’s intentions clearly.”

Petrick gradually reined in his overflowing mana pressure.

The gesture signaled his willingness to let the current infraction slide.

“However, what became of the outlaws themselves?”

The individual who had maintained absolute silence throughout the exchange finally spoke up.

A sideways glance.

Petrick shifted his eyes to observe the figure seated diagonally across from him.

‘So this fellow decided to show up as well.’

None other than the Archbishop occupied the seat.

In truth, meetings between the Archbishop and the Emperor were not entirely unprecedented.

However, protocol dictated that Petrick and the Archbishop maintained a tacit policy of avoiding one another.

While secret consultations occurred when necessary, public encounters portrayed them as nominal rivals.

Yet, upon awakening from his slumber, the cleric had inexplicably abandoned the Temple to visit the palace simultaneously.

And he had arrived fully aware that Petrick was present.

‘Is he still caught in a lingering daze?’

Though no words were spoken, Petrick was well aware of the Archbishop’s condition.

While outsiders remained oblivious to the fact that the Archbishop periodically slipped into deep, unresponsive sleeps, many would have exploited those windows had the secret leaked.

Moreover…

He was fully cognizant that his grandson had triggered a massive upheaval within the Temple grounds.

A direct contribution to the Sacred Sanctuary!

Reports indicated it occurred when the boy stepped in on behalf of another child.

While the youngster’s compassionate nature was admirable, it also sparked a deep sense of unease.

The underlying reason being…

‘That insane lunatic.’

Petrick mentally shook his head.

Despite projecting an image of gentle benevolence, the Archbishop was fundamentally unhinged.

The man personified the ideal of a merciful, loving cleric.

His soft expression, his warm smile, his innate empathy for the suffering.

However.

The moment the topic shifted toward the ‘Hero,’ his sanity shattered completely.

Because of this quirk, the duke actively sought to prevent any direct contact between the religious leader and his grandson whenever possible.

‘Naturally, I grasp the motivation behind his obsession…’

The root cause was obvious.

It undoubtedly tied back to the Saintess.

Even so, past obsessions must not be allowed to hinder his grandson’s present life and future path.

Thus, while he had intended to dodge direct encounters for the foreseeable future, the Archbishop had forced a meeting.

‘What sort of scheme is he plotting now?’

Petrick scrutinized the cleric while maintaining an expressionless facade.

Seemingly oblivious to the subtle currents, the Emperor offered a remarkably relaxed response.

“I executed the bandits personally.”

“Oh, dear heavens.”

The Archbishop adopted an expression of profound sorrow, offering a brief silent prayer.

“Now divine justice shall fall upon them directly. Imagine daring to torment an innocent soul merely to satisfy selfish greed.”

Despite the pious delivery, the latter words carried a terrifying weight. Indeed, they bordered on cruelty.

Divine retribution within the lexicon of the Temple referred to the torment of the soul itself.

A sentence far more agonizing than execution by the sword or burning at the stake.

“……”

Something felt fundamentally wrong.

“Ah, based on reports reaching my ears, such unfortunate incidents seem to be multiplying lately.”

“Is, is that truly the case?”

“Indeed. Prudence dictates maintaining vigilance against unforeseen emergencies.”

Without touching upon any substantive matters, the Archbishop droned on about the unpredictability of future events and the necessity of the Emperor safeguarding his health.

The performance carried the distinct flavor of an intentional effort to dismiss the sovereign.

Clearly, the man harbored private business with him.

‘Could the underlying cause be…’

It all pointed back to his grandson.

—

**Follow-up Question:** Would you like me to continue with the next chapter, or is there a specific character arc you’d like to focus on next?