Chapter 192

Chapter 192
Chapter 192: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

“Whoa, you startled me.”

Lion felt his heart hammering as if he had been caught red-handed in the middle of a secret act.

I never imagined I would hear that voice in this exact spot…

Lion awkwardly spun around.

True to form, Rikschel was standing right there, arms crossed and posture lazily slouched.

“Uh… what are you doing around here?”

“I followed my older brother.”

“I-I see.”

“Older Brother. It looks like you’re planning to head inside that restricted area. What is the reason?”

Rikschel had firmly made up his mind this time.

His older sibling kept causing him endless anxiety with such reckless stunts, so he decided that as the younger brother, he needed to deliver a proper scolding.

Naturally, Lion remained silent.

“Older Brother. The Family Head’s private training ground is genuinely hazardous…”

Just as Rikschel was about to launch into his lecture.

Lion abruptly thrust something forward.

It was… the mysterious egg that his older brother held so dear.

Didn’t they even attend Easter together on account of it?

Yet that very egg…

*Tok. Tok.*

Faint fractures were visibly spreading across its shell in real time.

“…”

Possessing a remarkably sharp intellect, Rikschel grasped the entire situation within seconds.

*It’s hatching.*

He had no definitive clue what kind of creature was inside, but he was certain it was no ordinary entity.

He had scoured every available text, yet records of an egg sharing that unique appearance simply did not exist anywhere.

What did that imply?

It was either an exceptionally rare specimen completely omitted from literature, or a profound mutation.

*And besides…*

While it was an unverified assumption, considering it was an egg procured by his older brother, it was undeniably extraordinary.

Still, he had initially agreed to let it be kept at the mansion temporarily, figuring his older brother wanted it and that it might hatch eventually.

*Provided that it was proven not to pose a threat to his older brother.*

There was a crucial detail hidden here of which Lion remained unaware.

Should whatever hatched from that shell prove to be a dangerous entity beyond his older brother’s capacity to control—or something he ought not to handle—Rikschel held a prior agreement with the Family Head to handle its disposal.

He understood that a newly born life was fundamentally innocent, but he could never allow his older brother to fall into peril for the sake of abstract morals or ethics.

Of course, even this precaution hadn’t stemmed from a formal discussion.

It was merely a passing remark mentioned while he was undergoing heir training and briefing the Asteri household on administrative affairs.

He genuinely never anticipated that it would actually hatch.

And…

*I certainly didn’t foresee a complication like this arising.*

Rikschel cast a sideways glance toward the heavily secured door.

No one understood the lethality hidden behind that threshold better than Rikschel.

Even though his older brother hadn’t braved the depths firsthand, he had witnessed Rikschel’s grueling struggles, meaning he possessed ample awareness of the danger.

Even so, the fact that he was attempting to venture inside anyway…

*Does the hatching process demand an immense volume of mana?*

That was his sole working hypothesis at the moment.

So, how should he respond?

Despite the churning thoughts inside his head, the ultimate choice was remarkably straightforward.

It was this.

“If you are determined to go inside, I am coming with you.”

His objective was to support his older brother.

In truth, it was a foregone conclusion.

He had previously claimed he would eliminate the threat if it became a problem, but that condition only applied if it actually *became* a problem.

If it caused no harm, his intention was to assist his older brother in whatever pursuit he desired.

Furthermore, that expression…

*I have never seen him look like that before.*

He could detect deep haste and bewilderment etched across his older brother’s typically unflappable features.

Above all else…

*He is genuinely happy.*

After all, he had spent a considerable duration eagerly awaiting this egg’s birth.

That was precisely why he had attempted to handle it alone.

Otherwise, he would have requested assistance from Rikschel himself, or perhaps the Family Head.

Or even Elvia.

*Because this concerned a separate life, rather than his own safety.*

Yet he hadn’t even entertained the thought.

Naturally, he held no resentment toward him. Instead, Rikschel viewed the current turn of events as a prime opportunity.

If he lent a hand now, it might cement a positive impression deep within his older brother’s subconscious.

*As for disposing of that egg…*

He would simply postpone it.

If something incomprehensible emerged, it would transcend Rikschel’s ability to manage alone, at which point he could immediately notify the Family Head.

“Let’s move.”

“…Thank you.”

Lion felt his rationality slowly returning through the exchange with Rikschel.

Perhaps because a fragile life was on the verge of emerging right between his hands, his usual analytical judgment had grown clouded.

*Pull yourself together.*

Lion mentally rebuked himself.

It would be ideal if everything proceeded according to plan, but should things go awry, Lion wouldn’t be the only one facing grave danger.

There was the egg waiting to witness the world for the first time, along with Nature who would inevitably suffer the consequences.

*And the list goes on.*

Rikschel standing right before him. His grandfather.

Elviana, who constantly exerted herself for Lion’s sake, and Freya, who had made a monumental choice.

A flood of familiar faces flashed through Lion’s mind.

*I was acting far too immaturely.*

In contrast, Rikschel was demonstrating far greater maturity in this scenario.

He had always viewed him simply as a younger sibling, yet in matters like this, Lion felt thoroughly inadequate by comparison.

“Hoo.”

Lion drew a long, steady breath and gazed down at the shell.

『The Evil Beast’s Egg is on the verge of hatching!』

『Please relocate to an environment rich in ambient mana!』

『The Evil Beast’s Egg is…』

The insistent system warnings flashing across his vision continued unabated.

*I will witness this with my own eyes.*

Lion pushed the notifications aside and carefully inspected the shell.

The distinct tremor traveling through his palms, paired with the rhythmic fracturing of the surface.

It was undeniably moments away from birth.

The system prompts were speaking absolute truth.

*However…*

He would not dispute that every single second held immense value.

Since it was the dawn of a new life, resolving any complications swiftly was the optimal course.

Granted, there was insufficient time to summon his grandfather, who was currently occupied with external duties…

*At least there is enough time to coordinate with Rikschel.*

This was a young man who had successfully endured environments saturated with intense divine power.

Naturally, breaking open this exceptionally resilient shell would demand a steady, unhindered supply of mana.

Objectively speaking, panic was entirely unnecessary.

*Simply because it is the first life.*

And so, he acknowledged his state of mind.

Lion found himself thoroughly unsettled by this unprecedented crisis.

Even prior to his transmigration, such an occurrence had never transpired in Lion’s existence.

If anything, he was far more accustomed to letting things go.

Yet now, the entity in question was presumed to be an Evil Beast’s Egg—resembling the one he possessed back when he was raising a Druid—which thoroughly stripped away his characteristic composure.

*My apologies. Please hold on just a moment longer.*

Lion gently stroked the intact portion of the shell with his palm, transmitting his sincere thoughts inward.

With that, he steadied his racing pulse.

“Rikschel.”

“Yes, older brother.”

“I owe this to you.”

“Think nothing of it.”

Rikschel, having pieced together the general parameters of Lion’s predicament, offered a faint smile.

As long as catastrophe was averted, everything else was secondary.

Besides, he welcomed the chance to aid his older brother.

“Tell me precisely what needs to be done.”

“Thank you. Then, I will keep it brief.”

Lion proceeded to outline the necessary tasks for Rikschel.

First, he needed to maintain a barrier of protective magic around the area throughout the hatching phase.

Second, this specific egg was anticipated to consume a staggering volume of mana.

“My primary concern is that the current of the storm might shift due to the heavy mana absorption.”

When a standard spellcaster trained, there remained a strict threshold to the volume of mana their physical vessel could absorb in a single inhalation.

While an archmage could draw in vast quantities at once, even they lacked the output required to alter the violent currents within the training ground.

Yet this particular egg… it was an Evil Beast’s Egg.

Furthermore, because it was undergoing the grueling process of birth, it was bound to unleash its complete potential.

Consequently, the likelihood of unpredictable anomalies was exceptionally high.

“Therefore, should the situation turn critical, you must evacuate immediately.”

“About that…”

As Rikschel opened his mouth to protest, Lion reached into his pocket and produced an item.

It was.

“I have this staff with me, so I will be entirely fine.”

“Ah.”

Rikschel instantly caught the implication.

It was widely known that the sacred staff of the Asteri lineage possessed the capability to shield its master during moments of acute crisis.

In truth, upon hearing Lion outline the various hazard variables, Rikschel had been moments away from demanding they fetch the absent Family Head immediately.

*With that staff in hand…*

It should provide more than enough defense to keep his older brother safe.

“I understand your intentions, older brother.”

“Good.”

Rikschel drew his own staff from his cloak.

“The moment you push open that door, I will step through simultaneously and erect a protective barrier. Do not look back, Older Brother; focus entirely on reaching the center of the training grounds.”

The dead center of an active mana tempest tended to remain relatively tranquil, functioning much like the eye of a hurricane.

Of course, that did not imply absolute safety.

A single stray shard of frozen mana flying off-course could easily crush a skull.

“Then… I am opening it.”

Lion tucked the egg securely into his satchel and pushed the heavy barrier aside.

Although it constituted a restricted sector, he had received thorough instruction regarding emergency protocols for entry.

*Whoosh!*

A fierce, biting gale erupted outward.

It bore little resemblance to the familiar winds of the Byrdentis household.

Instead, it felt akin to…

Indeed. While not quite reaching that scale, it mirrored the chaotic fury of a self-sustaining labyrinth running amok.

His hair whipped wildly into the air the instant the door cleared.

“Nature. This is too risky. You come inside as well.”

“Peep!”

While spirits were largely resilient to physical phenomena, caution was still warranted given the circumstances.

The panorama unfolding before his eyes was a literal tempest.

Suddenly.

*Screech!*

A jagged spike of hardened mana hurtled directly toward his face.

The lethal wedge of ice, targeted with pinpoint precision straight at his eyes…

*Sizzle…!*

It evaporated entirely into fine mist, neutralized instantly by Rikschel’s defensive barrier.

“Are you holding up alright?”

“…I am managing.”

To be frank, he was thoroughly shaken.

*How terrifying.*

Had he genuinely contemplated venturing in here entirely unassisted?

For a brief moment, his internal hazard-detection instincts felt as though they had completely malfunctioned.

Lion swallowed hard against his dry throat and forced himself to take a tentative step forward.

Even with the magical fortification buffering them, the howling winds proved unrelenting, rendering every single footstep agonizingly heavy.

Between the act of lifting his boot and setting it back down, the forceful gale persistently pushed back against Lion.

“Hoo.”

He finally comprehended why rumors claimed that anyone lacking proper qualifications would perish instantly as a stray wanderer.

*Even so, I must press on.*

Lion walked forward with deliberate, steady momentum, covering the distance one grueling pace at a time.

The sole saving grace was…

*I can sense it.*

Perhaps because he had cultivated his proficiency in spirit arts?

Even amid such overwhelming chaos, he retained the ability to read the subtle currents of the wind.

He could track where the gusts originated and where they dissipated.

He noted precisely which angles the rushing air scraped against his skin, leaving minor abrasions.

And beyond that… he could perceive the trajectories of the dense clusters of visible mana sweeping through the chamber.

He could track the whole picture.

*That is a tremendous relief.*

Legends warned that individuals lacking proper conditioning would lose their bearings and perish as lost souls within these walls, but that fate would not befall him.

What was more.

*Roar.*

The closer he drew to their intended destination, the more intense the vibrations pulsing from the satchel at his side became.