Chapter 151

Chapter 151
## Chapter 151: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

Lion walked directly toward the zoo.

Upon his arrival, he surveyed the surroundings and tilted his head.

‘This is completely different from any zoo I’ve ever seen.’

Instead of standard enclosures meant for keeping animals locked behind bars, it felt much more like an enchanted botanical refuge where numerous uncommon creatures roamed freely.

Staff members stood stationed at various intervals throughout the grounds, which primarily accommodated gentle herbivores and small omnivores.

The main entrance where Lion had just entered proved to be no exception.

An employee began delivering a polished, well-rehearsed presentation.

“A warm welcome to everyone visiting the Rare Animal Sanctuary Ranch. Before we begin, please allow me to go over a few important guidelines.”

Though the introduction stretched on, the core message could be easily summarized.

While none of the residents posed any danger to humans, several species preferred to stay hidden due to shyness.

“Should you happen to spot fewer animals, please do not feel discouraged! We offer complimentary magical ice cream as a special token for any guests who experience a low animal turnout!”

The second instruction concerned visiting hours.

“Many of our animal inhabitants are exceptionally delicate. Consequently, we must restrict visiting hours to two hours per day.”

The reasoning sounded entirely convincing.

It provided a clever excuse for wildlife preservation while subtly encouraging visitors to return multiple times for the full experience.

‘Just what one would expect from the finest hotel in the Empire…’

Lion nodded in appreciation of their refined marketing strategy.

“If any additional inquiries arise, please feel free to ask our attendants, and they will gladly assist you. We wish you all a wonderful visit!”

Once the presentation concluded and Lion stepped past the threshold, the hidden splendor of the sanctuary finally unveiled itself.

“Ah.”

The initial view revealed a lush field covered in soft turf that felt gentle enough to walk upon barefoot.

Plump sheep with fleece as soft as clouds grazed peacefully in the distance.

“Those are Cloud Sheep. Their adorable appearance makes them immensely popular among the nobility.”

“Indeed. They certainly look charming.”

Lion was already quite familiar with the species.

Within The World, the wool harvested from these sheep served as the primary material for luxury textiles.

‘Witnessing them in person, their pristine appearance…’

Regardless, they lived up to their reputation, drawing immediate attention from earlier visitors gathered nearby.

“Brother, look over there. There appears to be a Jewel Hedgehog as well.”

Following Rikschel’s pointing hand, Lion spotted a small hedgehog covered in sparkling crystalline formations.

Typical wild hedgehogs could occasionally be found carrying bits of fruit on their quills to lure insects hiding underneath.

However, this particular Jewel Hedgehog operated differently.

“Do they wear those gems specifically to attract creatures that inhabit magic stone deposits or mineral veins?”

“Precisely. They are remarkably fascinating creatures.”

Rikschel possessed a much deeper knowledge of wildlife than Lion had anticipated.

‘…You must have really wanted to visit the zoo!’

Lion had previously assumed his brother lacked distinct hobbies, but an affinity for animals seemed to be an exception.

Of course, this conclusion stemmed from a slight misunderstanding.

‘I committed entire zoology volumes to memory just in case this day arrived.’

He had spent his free time poring over books concerning animal ecology.

There was only a single motivation behind it.

He simply wanted to share more engaging conversations with his brother!

Today, all that preparation was finally bearing fruit!

Baa-.

Sensing new arrivals, both the Jewel Hedgehog and the Cloud Sheep drifted away from the other guests to approach Lion and Rikschel.

The sheep affectionately bumped its forehead against Lion’s leg in a playful greeting.

Nearby visitors reacted instantly to the sight.

“How adorable…!”

“They actually do that!”

“They look cute standing still, but even more so when they move!”

Such interactive behavior evidently did not happen for everyone.

Lion lowered his hand to stroke the sheep’s soft wool.

Meanwhile, the Jewel Hedgehog stepped closer, wiggling its snout to inspect Lion before deliberately lowering its jeweled quills.

“…!”

Rikschel’s eyes widened in genuine astonishment.

Unlike the gentle Cloud Sheep, Jewel Hedgehogs typically maintained a remarkably prickly disposition.

Furthermore, they guarded the precious gems on their quills—used for luring prey—with intense jealousy, making such tame behavior a rare sight even for professional handlers.

‘As expected of my brother…’

Perhaps his mastery of Spirit Arts played a role, but he clearly possessed an innate talent for taming animals as well.

‘Now that I think about it, people often mention a strong connection between Spirit Arts and beast taming.’

He resolved to carve out time to visit animals more frequently whenever his schedule permitted.

“My word, do you like me?”

Unfazed, Lion gently stroked the creature’s cheek with the tip of his finger.

“Goodness me, Jewel Hedgehogs almost never approach strangers like that! How extraordinary.”

A patrolling staff member covering safety nearby gasped in sheer disbelief.

“It would appear the guest has earned the creature’s favor!”

“Oh, I am terribly envious.”

“Pardon me, little hedgehog, might I touch you just once?”

A young noblewoman extended a gloved hand, but the hedgehog abruptly jerked its head away in refusal and flared its quills.

“Oh dear, it seems you are not favored…”

“Ah, what about treats? Could it be because my lady lacks any animal snacks?”

Noticing his crestfallen wife, the husband quickly turned to the nearest employee.

“Pardon me, could we purchase some treats? According to the sanctuary guidelines, a modest fee applies…”

“Never mind the cost, please give us some treats!”

“Certainly. The charge will be added to your final bill.”

The employee processed the transaction efficiently, placing a small handful of treats into the woman’s palm.

Instantly…

“…!”

Not only the Jewel Hedgehog and the sheep, but several other animals from nearby enclosures swarmed toward the couple with eager eyes.

“Oh my goodness! Look at them!”

Though the sudden rush could have felt overwhelming, the young noblewoman beamed with delight, her cheeks flushing as she distributed the snacks.

Rikschel cast a brief glance toward Lion, who remained detached from the commotion, and spoke in a quiet tone.

“Brother, should we perhaps purchase some treats as well?”

He voiced the suggestion out of fear that his brother might feel excluded from the experience.

“Hmm? Well…”

Lion hesitated, a reaction entirely unlike him.

Naturally, he had no personal desire for the animals’ attention.

Even though this marked his first direct encounter with such creatures…

‘Are they truly that unique?’

Based on previous explanations from Easter and Rikschel, weren’t there supposed to be genuinely rare specimens?

Yet Cloud Sheep and Jewel Hedgehogs could hardly be considered scarce, even within the broader scope of The World.

That implied more elusive species existed further ahead…

Lion raised his gaze to scan the deeper recesses of the grounds.

‘Just as I suspected.’

Most visitors chose not to wander past the primary open garden.

Perhaps esteemed guests viewed the surrounding woodlands as overly perilous territory.

Alternatively, they might simply feel content with the current attractions, given the strict two-hour time limit.

Consequently…

‘The animals residing further in likely receive very few treats.’

While Easter undoubtedly ensured they received proper nourishment and raw provisions, Lion still felt a faint tug of sympathy.

“Shall we acquire some snacks of our own?”

“Yes. That sounds like a splendid idea.”

“Furthermore, rather than lingering here, exploring deeper into the interior would be preferable.”

Though unaware of the underlying reason, Rikschel complied without complaint, following Lion away from the manicured lawn and toward a narrow woodland path.

Crunch.

‘Just as I anticipated…’

As they advanced deeper into the trees, Lion could easily tell that human visitors rarely frequented this sector.

While the main walkways remained neatly maintained for comfortable strolls, this area showed virtually no signs of heavy foot traffic.

Any traces on the ground likely belonged solely to the maintenance staff.

“…It is remarkably quiet around here.”

“So it would seem.”

“Few people ever venture this far… Ah.”

Rikschel finally grasped Lion’s underlying objective.

He glanced back toward the sunlit, bustling zone behind them.

The populated areas saw a massive volume of visitors, meaning the animals there received a constant surplus of treats.

In short, resources were heavily concentrated in one spot.

Conversely, this secluded area…

‘Must sustain itself on meager provisions.’

When attention shifts away from a place, its resources naturally dwindle.

Naturally, the inhabitants would not starve simply from a lack of manufactured snacks.

‘…I understand now.’

Rikschel experienced a moment of sudden realization.

This served as yet another subtle lesson imparted by his brother!

The profound philosophy of never overlooking the marginalized!

“However, Brother, how does one even locate animals in a place as vast as this?”

Rikschel deliberately posed the question aloud.

Receiving guidance from his brother always proved valuable, yielding fresh perspectives that took time to fully process.

Yet relying entirely on passive instruction meant only absorbing knowledge on the surface.

‘Even if I cannot grasp ten lessons at once, I ought to glean at least three.’

With that resolve, Rikschel clenched his fists.

“….”

Lion spared a brief glance toward Rikschel.

His companion appeared genuinely motivated.

‘Did I approach this trip with my own amusement as the sole priority?’

A faint pang of guilt crossed his mind.

For Rikschel, observing ordinary sheep and hedgehogs might have genuinely held significant appeal.

Acquiring such extensive knowledge of zoology surely required considerable dedication, after all.

‘Still, if one is going to experience the sanctuary, shouldn’t we seek out something truly extraordinary—which was the original purpose of coming here anyway…’

As for the method of locating them, one might wonder.

‘In truth…’

An ordinary person would possess no viable means.

How could anyone coax out wild animals that intentionally concealed themselves?

Even relying on treats offered minimal success rates.

However.

Lion carried a hidden advantage.

Spirit Arts.

Or more precisely, a tiny creature resembling a potato—or rather, a fledgling chick—currently slumbering soundly while clutching an egg inside his bag.

Lion peeled back the flap of his pouch to check on Nature.

‘Still fast asleep.’

Nature remained deeply unconscious, embracing the egg with both wings while emitting soft chirping noises.

Perhaps it was conserving stamina to advance toward a more proficient tier of Spirit Arts.

Regardless, disturbing its peaceful rest felt unnecessary.

He decided to observe a little longer, intending to request its assistance only if time ran desperately short.

“Brother?”

“Indeed. Tracking concealed wildlife without assistance is quite a challenging endeavor.”

“Um…”

“Yet do not worry. Persistence makes all things possible, so I shall search diligently…”

“That is not what I meant.”

“Pardon?”

Lion tore his gaze away from the bag to look at Rikschel.

“…Huh?”

Then, an expression of sheer surprise took over his features.

Because standing right beside Rikschel…

A magnificent giant deer bearing golden antlers had appeared without a single sound!

“It materialized right beside us a moment ago.”

“…”

“I assumed you summoned it, Brother…”

My dear brother, how could someone who is not a druid possibly summon a wild beast they had never encountered before?

…Regardless, the outcome worked out well. At least Rikschel would not leave disappointed.

Lion cautiously reached out a hand.