Chapter 195

Chapter 195
Chapter 195: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

“That means we have quality supplies.”

Lion retrieved the hot spring liquid.

This mineral water played a crucial part in Pus coming out of its shell.

Therefore, combining infant nutritional supplement with this should create an exceptionally nourishing meal.

As soon as that thought crossed his mind, Lion walked straight toward the brewing apparatus.

“Still, a brief sterilization is in order.”

While the extracted water was naturally pristine upon collection, feeding it raw to a newborn felt slightly risky.

Might it be excessive to fret over a newly hatched creature?

“……Indeed!”

Yet, since the task was simple and entirely within his power, a little caution could do no harm.

With that conclusion, Lion transferred the thermal spring water into the vessel, heated and purified it, then poured it into a vial.

『Refined Mirr Forest Hot Spring Water』

-The inherent benefits have been amplified through the expertise of an advanced alchemist.

-Replete with ideal nutrients for young beast consumption!

『Uses- Alchemy, Cooking, Beast Taming』

Following the purification process, the temperature inside the potion container was perfectly balanced.

Without hesitation, Lion added the specialized baby formula into the vial and gently blended it using a slender stirring rod.

As the creamy powder dissolved into the clear liquid, it closely resembled standard nourishment.

“Sniff, sniff.”

By that point, Pus had wandered over to the bedside, actively sniffing the mixture.

Just as the little creature prepared to leap straight onto the floor……

“Kiying!”

Nature intercepted him, offering a stern warning.

Though the exact words were lost on him, the intent was clearly a caution against jumping from such a height.

“Quite right. You ought to heed your elder.”

“Kiying??”

At the title of elder, Nature glanced back at Lion with a look of utter disbelief.

The expression practically questioned why he had been designated as the older sibling.

Realistically speaking, Nature resembled an uncle much more closely.

“Hahaha.”

Lion cheerfully ignored the look, walked back to the bed, scooped up Pus, and set him gently on the floor.

The moment his paws touched the ground, Pus propped himself up on his hind legs and began clawing lightly at Lion’s trousers.

He was evidently ravenous.

“Might he require a feeding teat?”

Typically, a dropper or a nursing bottle would be standard for an infant……

“A shallow dish should suffice.”

Judging by how he had previously gnawed on a pillow, a bowl seemed much more practical than a narrow bottle.

Lion transferred the mixture into a flat saucer and placed it on the floorboards.

“Do try not to rush. Understood?”

“Kiying!”

Pus darted straight toward the dish, consuming the formula with eager, slurping sounds.

True to expectations, his intense hunger drove him to eat at a rapid pace. As Lion watched on……

“……Pardon? Finished already?”

The meal concluded before he could even register the passage of time.

The container was licked so clean that washing it seemed unnecessary.

“Goodness, is he always this swift?”

Fortunately, a single serving appeared to suffice, as the creature licked its chops and began cleaning its fur.

Furthermore, his stomach was visibly rounded.

“……True enough, his adult form is massive.”

Rapid consumption made logical sense for a creature destined for tremendous growth.

“Come to think of it, those paws are exceptionally large.”

They appeared remarkably sturdy relative to his current, fist-sized physique.

It was difficult to gauge just how quickly he might develop at this rate.

Consulting Barg about the matter later on might prove useful……

“Oof.”

Once finished with his grooming, Lion lifted Pus back onto the mattress.

Weary from the excitement of eating and playing, Pus let out a wide yawn, burrowed beneath the covers, and drifted off to sleep.

Nature, having concluded babysitting duties, also appeared worn out and curled up beside Pus, pressing her face against his soft fur.

Observing the tranquil scene……

“……Perhaps I should catch some sleep myself.”

Only then did the lingering tension dissipate, replaced by a heavy wave of exhaustion. Lion propped himself against a lumpy pillow spilling with feathers and dozed off right beside them.

It was an eventful day that ultimately found peace.

—

“An underworld youth is heading this way?”

“Indeed.”

“And he is bringing the artifact Lion requested?”

“Correct. He conveyed his message through Freya.”

“Hm.”

Petrick’s expression tightened.

Naturally, the reaction had nothing to do with his grandson, Lion.

“First the second prince, and now someone from the underworld is getting involved.”

The only silver lining was that the two parties appeared independent of one another.

Otherwise, an official invitation and a personal visit would hardly have been arranged.

“Regardless, the development is unwelcome.”

Petrick’s mood soured further as he rhythmically tapped the wooden armrest.

“Shall we turn him away?”

“……Hmph. Very well. Let Lion handle matters as he pleases.”

Though the urge to singe the boy’s heels with a fireball remained strong, restraint prevailed.

Eccentric as Lion’s actions often were, he remained a remarkably bright youth.

Moreover, his interpersonal abilities were exceptional.

Allowing him to proceed according to his own design was likely the wisest course.

Additionally…….

“Hm.”

Reluctant as one might be to admit it, this meeting felt predestined.

It was an encounter between a grandson possessing the potential of a hero and the descendant of a former comrade who had once made his living as a pickpocket, however reluctantly.

Undoubtedly, the boy would acquire insights beyond even Petrick’s comprehension.

Stepping aside quietly was the only sensible choice for an old man.

Still, the prospect of his grandson interacting with the direct bloodline of his absolute opposite remained quite a headache.

“……Regardless of circumstances, he is Lion’s inaugural guest, so ensure he receives the utmost hospitality.”

“Utmost hospitality, you say.”

“Yes. Assigning someone dependable to monitor for potential threats would also be wise.”

“Understood. Maximum hospitality combined with security. I shall handle it.”

Rikschel nodded firmly, signaling his complete comprehension of the Family Head’s directives.

“And… I have a confession to make alongside an additional briefing.”

A confession?

A flicker of surprise crossed Petrick’s eyes before vanishing entirely.

“……Go on.”

Rikschel delivered the sequence of events with strict objectivity and thorough detail.

He recounted his unauthorized entry into Petrick’s private training grounds, where the egg cherished by his older sibling had unexpectedly hatched.

He noted how the shell absorbed massive quantities of mana—an anomaly defying standard biological rules—yet he had chosen not to intervene.

“Then surely……”

Petrick fell silent for a brief moment of reflection before offering a measured response.

“Leave it be.”

“Understood.”

Rikschel accepted the judgment without a trace of hesitation.

After all, his older brother favored the creature, and the local Spirit King had exhibited zero hostility.

That alone served as definitive proof that the beast posed no danger to his sibling.

“What a relief.”

Rikschel let out an internal sigh.

When matters concerned his older brother, his rational faculties tended to blur, leaving him second-guessing his own instincts.

Countless doubts had plagued him prior to the Family Head’s arrival, fearing his choice might have been disastrously wrong.

He had even lingered outside his older brother’s door moments earlier.

“Young Master Rikschel.”

“…….”

“All is well. Rest easy.”

Had Elvia not offered gentle reassurance from the corridor, anxiety might have driven him straight into his brother’s bedchamber.

“You handled yourself well.”

Perhaps sensing Rikschel’s internal turmoil, Petrick spoke up unexpectedly.

“…….”

Rikschel’s eyes widened in shock.

Hearing words of direct praise from the Family Head was an entirely foreign experience.

“This hardly merits commendation.”

As the designated successor, Rikschel’s recent conduct had hardly been exemplary.

Even in front of familiar faces, his expressions easily betrayed his turbulent emotions and inner panic.

That was not the only issue.

Once a decision was finalized, the Family Head was expected to push forward without second-guessing.

Even an imperfect choice should never be retracted.

If the head remained unyielding, the entire household stood firm.

“Why praise me for such a failure?”

“Where is the failure?”

“I compromised my dignity as the heir. Furthermore, I partook in trespassing into a forbidden domain.”

“And?”

“The latter was my own choice, for which the Family Head has pardoned me, but the former surely warranted disciplinary action……”

“Is that your assessment?”

Petrick chuckled softly, casting a fond glance at his youngest grandson.

While Rikschel argued based on procedural protocol, his true source of guilt lay elsewhere.

He was consumed by the fear that his poor judgment might have placed Lion in jeopardy.

Even though the crisis had passed, his anxiety lingered.

Consequently, he seemed to be actively seeking punishment as a means to alleviate his own conscience……

“Rikschel.”

“Yes, Family Head.”

“What is the primary duty of a Family Head?”

“To safeguard the household.”

Rikschel replied instantly.

It was a lesson drilled into him endlessly throughout his training as an heir.

He needed to outshine outsiders to deter any hostile ambitions against the clan, among other requirements.

Numerous obligations existed, yet one principle stood far above the rest.

The preservation of the Asteri lineage.

“Elaborate further.”

“So that the household remains unshakeable, providing a constant shelter where family members may rest at any time.”

The emblem of the Asteri house was the World Tree.

To the public, the tree symbolized boundless exploration and scholarly wisdom in the magical arts.

To the family members, however, the meaning held a deeper resonance.

A literal giant tree.

Anyone born an Asteri was entitled to find shelter beneath the shade of the World Tree’s canopy and lean securely against its massive trunk.

Naturally, this assumed everyone fulfilled their respective duties as an Asteri, but the principle remained.

And the trunk of that very World Tree was none other than the Family Head.

Therefore, the head carried the sacred mission of standing tall and unyielding, weathering any storm or tempest without breaking or bending.

“Yet I failed to uphold that standard.”

Hence, punishment was justified.

Yet why was the Family Head reacting this way?

“Then where lies the flaw?”

“…Forgive me, I fail to grasp your meaning.”

“The necessity for a Family Head to be unshakeable is merely a tool, not the ultimate objective. The true objective of the head is to shoulder responsibility for the family.”

“….”

“And what do you suppose that responsibility entails?”

“Safety.”

“Does mere survival suffice?”

“That is……”

Rikschel hesitated, unable to formulate an immediate reply.

“Indeed. One must also empower them to pursue whatever path they desire.”

Viewed from that perspective, hadn’t he fulfilled his role admirably?

Petrick regarded his young grandson with a look of affectionate amusement.

The boy possessed a brilliant intellect mirroring his own, yet remained frustratingly rigid.

Patrick Asteri was, without question, a cold and ruthless figure.

Bound by strict personal principles and an iron will, his stubbornness knew few equals.

Yet the passage of years had also granted him a capacity for occasional flexibility and cunning.

Such as right now.

As he amused himself by teasing his impeccably earnest youngest descendant.

Suppressing his amusement, Petrick offered a subtle observation.

“If anything, my own negligence in focusing too heavily on external matters while failing to properly watch over the household constitutes the greater transgression.”

“That is not what I meant at all…!”

Naturally, Rikschel was left thoroughly flustered by the unexpected confession issuing from the Family Head’s lips.