Chapter 203

Chapter 203
Chapter 203: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

The creation of the ultimate dish provided a forty percent surge in cooking experience.

Though little time had passed since my previous advancement, the acquired bonus was substantial.

It was indeed a generous windfall, yet Lion overlooked the system prompt entirely.

His violet eyes were instead captivated by the steaming bowl of doenjang stew resting right before him!

‘This is unbelievable.’

He swallowed hard, his throat working convulsively.

His stomach, previously quiet, began to rumble in earnest.

‘Truly…’

Lion was too overcome with emotion to finish his thought.

He simply allowed himself to bask in the overwhelming wave of nostalgia.

How long had it been since he last tasted doenjang stew?

The memory stretched back to the complimentary bowl served at a barbecue restaurant during a team dinner held just before his transmigration.

Back then, even that simple dish was something he could never fully enjoy to his heart’s content.

And now, an entire pot of doenjang stew belonged to him alone!

There was enough left over to ensure he could eat until he was completely satisfied.

A deep sense of profound gratitude washed over him.

“Peep.”

Nature, watching from nearby, fluttered her wings in imitation of applause.

“Keehng?”

Pus, though unaware of the reason behind the excitement, sensed the joyful atmosphere and began hopping around Lion to share in his happiness.

“Indeed. Thank you.”

With a lump in his throat, Lion pretended to wipe a stray tear and took his seat.

He scooped a generous portion of morning-prepared rice into a bowl, raising a newly carved wooden spoon ready to dive into the rich soup!

“Older Brother.”

Rikschel’s voice rang out from a distance.

“…Hm?”

Lion froze, his spoon hovering, laden to the brim with doenjang stew.

Rikschel coming all this way could only mean one thing.

And it was never a trivial matter.

It signified an occurrence serious enough to require Lion’s direct verification.

Yet.

Lion glanced down at the feast spread out before him.

To anyone else, it was merely doenjang stew, but to Lion at this moment, it surpassed every known delicacy in flavor and luxury!

‘I have no choice…’

Just as Lion reluctantly moved to lay his spoon aside.

“Ah, you are in the middle of a meal. I can give my report afterward.”

“It is not urgent…”

“Even if it were, nothing takes precedence over your meal.”

Besides, the incident had already transpired, Rikschel muttered internally before adding.

“You may listen to the details once you have finished in comfort.”

“…!”

At those words, Lion’s face lit up.

The world had not forsaken him after all!

Ordinarily, he would have investigated the situation immediately, but this time, he willingly yielded to Rikschel’s suggestion.

Furthermore.

“Have you eaten lunch?”

“Not yet.”

“Then the timing is perfect.”

Dining together was always preferable to eating alone, was it not?

Lion gestured for Rikschel to take a seat and filled a separate bowl with a generous portion of the stew.

Rikschel reached out to add rice to his bowl by habit.

*Flinch*.

Unlike his usual practiced movements, he paused momentarily.

A strange, unfamiliar aroma was drifting from the stew.

It carried a pungent nuance, reminiscent of cheese that had over-fermented.

The scent was so unusual that it brought back memories of his very first encounter with banana sweet potatoes.

“It is called doenjang stew. Try it; you will find it exceptional.”

“…Understood.”

Overcoming his initial hesitation, Rikschel accepted the bowl.

He surveyed the dark broth with an objective eye.

The various vegetables were easily identifiable, and even the thinly sliced meat appeared standard enough.

The only puzzling elements were the soft white cubes that seemed to have absorbed the rich color of the broth…

‘They resemble pudding.’

Cut into manageable portions, they did not look unappealing.

Moreover, the sharp, salty aroma that had first struck him gradually mellowed into an inviting fragrance as he grew accustomed to it.

Above all else…

‘Since my Older Brother prepared it.’

The firm belief that anything made by his Older Brother must be good heavily influenced his judgment.

He had never once tasted a disappointment from his hands.

“Partake, and let me know if you desire more.”

“This portion is more than sufficient.”

Indeed, Rikschel’s bowl was packed high with ingredients, including ample meat and tofu.

“Haha.”

Chuckling at the remark, Lion filled his own bowl with the stew as well.

Fortunately, he had prepared a plentiful quantity just in case.

Now, both of them could eat their fill.

To be honest… Lion was so thrilled that he would have welcomed any reaction from Rikschel at all.

His heart thudded against his ribs. He had purposely avoided tasting it beforehand, terrified of dampening the eager anticipation.

How long he had waited for this single bite…!

‘Here goes…!’

With flushed cheeks, Lion scooped up a spoonful of the steaming doenjang stew and brought it to his lips.

And…

“…Keeeee!”

Absolute perfection.

This was the exact taste he had longed for!

All anxiety regarding whether the seasoning was balanced without a prior test vanished instantly.

‘It turned out flawlessly…!’

The profound depth of the fermented soybean paste combined with the savory richness of the rendered meat fat delivered a powerful punch, complemented by the subtle heat of chili peppers.

The stewed vegetables melted on the tongue, while the potatoes offered a crumbly texture.

Interspersed pieces of mushroom added a pleasing chewiness, creating a delightful variety of sensations.

Above all else…

“Hot, hot!”

The tofu, soaked through with the scorching broth, was sublime.

The gentle, tender handmade tofu harmonized seamlessly with the doenjang base.

Such compatibility was inevitable, given that both originated from soybeans!

Furthermore, these were high-grade soybeans acquired expressly through the Asteri Family.

‘I can restrain myself no longer.’

Further evaluation was unnecessary.

Lion abandoned all pretense of restraint and dove into the meal.

He tipped rice directly into his soup bowl, mashed the soft tofu into the grains, and devoured it eagerly.

Though the presentation was far from refined, the flavor was peerless.

The broth coated every grain of rice, while the starch thickened the liquid into a hearty consistency.

Thus, Lion became entirely absorbed in his meal, putting on an impressive display for Rikschel.

‘…Were you truly that hungry?’

Rikschel watched the spectacle with mild astonishment.

While his Older Brother always ate with dedication, today’s fervor reached an entirely new tier.

‘It is as though…’

Yes, Rikschel reflected, ‘This resembles the exact feeling I had when emerging from my Father’s training cave after achieving a breakthrough.’

The dual sensation of profound accomplishment from a newly reached realm and physical exhaustion, compounded by an intense, overwhelming craving for sustenance.

He had desired food prepared by his Older Brother above all else, regardless of what it might be.

Even something as simple as roasted banana sweet potatoes would have sufficed, so long as it was food.

Perhaps what he truly craved was simply the experience of sharing a meal prepared by his Older Brother… or rather, eating in an environment of complete stability and peace.

His Older Brother wore that exact expression right now.

He was eating with a depth of emotion welling straight from his soul.

‘Just how extraordinary can this taste be…?’

Influenced by that thought, the bowl sitting before him suddenly felt precious.

The initial hesitation brought on by unfamiliarity had completely dissolved, and as he observed his Older Brother, hunger gnawed at his own stomach.

Following his lead, Rikschel partook of the doenjang stew with genuine enthusiasm.

Though it could not match the emotional resonance his Older Brother experienced, the culinary quality was undeniable.

Even as a notoriously selective eater, Rikschel managed to clean his entire bowl.

When the hearty meal finally concluded, Lion patted his full stomach and inquired.

“So, what transpired outside? Did Jake arrive at a solution?”

“Ah.”

Rikschel, after dabbing his mouth with refined composure, paused for a moment before answering.

“…It would likely be better for you to witness it with your own eyes. The matter appears to remain unresolved.”

“…”

What could he possibly mean by unresolving?

As he ate, Lion’s mind had cleared considerably.

What on earth had happened while he was away?

—

“Haha.”

“Y-Young Master. Please…”

“Hooouuu…”

Lion stared at the pair before him, pressed a hand to his forehead, and let out a long sigh.

Both individuals were in a deplorable state.

‘Naturally. They must have fought quite fiercely.’

Lion recalled the scene immediately following their exit from the labyrinth.

Rikschel, who had insisted he inspect the situation personally, had sighed softly at the time.

Given that the typically composed Rikschel had reacted that way, a significant disruption was guaranteed.

‘Yet, why choose the training grounds?’

Before he could resolve that internal question, he noticed the gathering near the ring.

Knights stood around the perimeter with expressions of utter disbelief, led by Knight Captain Rikson, who was massaging his temples and groaning.

Meanwhile, Jake sat nearby, repeatedly striking his forehead in profound exasperation.

“…Step aside for a moment.”

Pushing past the onlookers, the scene finally came into view…

Barg was being subjected to a relentless beating at the hands of Jake.

“They have been sparring continuously for several days.”

“Do you call that sparring?”

Judging by their battered appearances, Jake appeared to be using the match to vent accumulated frustration.

“Barg insists it is a spar, as well.”

“Indeed?”

“…He even appeared to be enjoying himself.”

“…”

What sane individual would relish being battered to a pulp?

Lion gazed out across the training ground with the distant expression of a man staring at a mountain range, releasing another heavy sigh.

Just what sort of chaos had unfolded during his brief absence?

“They mentioned striking a bargain.”

Sensing Lion’s mood, Rikschel offered a brief explanation.

“Haaah…”

Lion could hardly be blamed for groaning.

“Oh dear~ That marks your tenth defeat today. Your progression is considerably slower than anticipated.”

Jake spoke in a casual tone while pinning Barg to the ground with a knee.

Agitated from the exertion, Barg let out a low, bestial growl, yet Jake remained entirely unruffled.

Instead, he offered:

“Shall we go another round?”

Acting as though this served as an established signal, Jake released his hold, and Barg surged forward instantly.

Just as Barg prepared to rake the air with lethal claws.

“Cease all movement!”

Lion’s sharp shout cut across the yard.

Jake, who had sensed his arrival moments prior, froze instantly, while Barg—oblivious to Lion’s presence—retracted his claws a beat too late.

Consequently.

*Slish!*

A clean laceration, akin to a blade’s edge, appeared across Jake’s cheek.

Exaggeratedly wiping the steady trickle of blood with the back of his hand, Jake murmured.

“The initial wound dealt by Lord Barg carries quite a sting.”

“…”

…Well, an incident very much of that nature had occurred shortly beforehand.

Emerging from his reverie, Lion fixed a blank stare upon Jake.

‘He did not dodge that deliberately.’

Lion recalled the exact posture he had maintained at that moment.

Jake had tilted his head just enough to invite injury while keeping his gaze locked directly on him.

‘…Let us leave that fellow aside for the moment.’

Lion shifted his attention from Jake to Barg.

The beastman looked as disheveled as a hound rolled through mire, though thankfully, no severe injuries remained.

If any had been sustained, his regenerative capabilities must have mended them swiftly.

‘The true issue is…’

Adopting a deliberate, stern tone, Lion spoke.

“Barg.”

“Y-Yes, Master.”

“Explain.”

At the low, resonant tone—far more serious than his usual demeanor—Barg flinched and emitted a small whine.

“Sip.”

However, Lion held no intention of letting him off lightly.

He knew all too well that stern discipline was necessary in such moments to prevent any repetition of such reckless behavior.