Chapter 205

Chapter 205
Chapter 205: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

As Jack made contact with the crystal ball, an invisible barrier immediately materialized around them.

The device was an expensive magical creation inscribed with both soundproofing and anti-perception enchantments.

Absent this degree of security, he would never have entertained the notion of reaching out to Kyle.

‘Even though I rarely rely on this, perhaps just this once.’

It should prove harmless.

Naturally, an immediate reply was unlikely given Kyle’s demanding schedule at the Imperial Palace.

Jack cleared his throat with a quiet ahem, waiting for the crystal ball to establish a connection.

After a brief pause, a soft *shine* illuminated the interior.

The faint shimmer indicated the line was open.

Then, a flat, devoid-of-emotion voice came through.

-What is it?

Some might have judged the tone frigid, but to Jack, it merely sounded like his adorable younger sibling voicing a routine complaint.

“Just~ I was wondering what you were up to, so I called. Is everything alright?”

-Um…

While such an exchange might flow naturally for ordinary folk, for these two, it was an entirely unprecedented occurrence.

A slightly flustered response emanated from the crystal ball.

‘I feel awkward for no apparent reason.’

Despite his internal discomfort, Jack smoothly chattered on about various trivial matters.

Every inquiry remained entirely mundane.

He asked if meals were being eaten properly and whether the First Prince was causing any specific trouble.

Even the part about letting him know if the First Prince was genuinely giving him a hard time.

…That final part fell outside the realm of ordinary.

-…

Meanwhile, Kyle listened to every word in the Imperial Palace, letting out a soft internal chuckle.

‘He appears to have been completely taken in.’

He had anticipated as much the moment Jack announced his visit to Lion Asteri’s estate, yet it seemed Jack had also suffered a heavy impact.

Furthermore, a distinct shift in emotional state seemed to have occurred.

Reaching out in this manner.

‘It is not unpleasant.’

Though slightly embarrassing, he figured such occurrences were acceptable once in a blue moon.

As Kyle reflected, Jack continued talking.

Having exhausted other topics, he began recounting the events that had transpired within the Asteri household.

And then—

-You are injured?

Kyle’s voice dropped sharply.

-Where, and how badly?

“Huh?”

Jack blinked in surprise at the abrupt shift in tone.

Given his earlier rambling, he had assumed Kyle might only be listening with half an ear.

Instead…

‘I certainly did not anticipate that reaction.’

Once more, Jack and Kyle shared a dynamic akin to brothers.

Yet their harsh upbringing had left them utterly unaccustomed to such casual banter.

From Jack’s perspective, Kyle was a cherished younger sibling, but believing he had never outwardly displayed much affection, he expected no such concern…

-No. I am coming right now.

“No, it is merely a minor scratch. Besides, Lion Asteri already treated it with a high-grade potion. Though I believe he brewed it himself…”

The corners of Jack’s mouth curved upward as he spoke.

‘…This is rather nice, is it not?’

It marked his first time acting pampered and exaggerating his condition.

Perhaps that explained why it proved so effective.

Yet, hearing Kyle’s words, his lingering anxiety completely dissipated.

‘…I am going to grow addicted to this.’

Jack instinctively covered his rising smile with one hand.

As he savored this sensation, which could only be described as childish, Kyle let out a faint sigh.

-It is a relief that you are unhurt. Tell me, how was he?

“Who do you mean?”

-Lion Asteri.

“Hmm.”

Jack paused to ponder.

In truth, he had never disclosed his intended use for Lion Asteri to Kyle.

Specifically, the strategy to deify him as a hero to bolster Kyle’s future prospects.

Up until this conversation, that plan had remained entirely valid.

Yet…

Jack ultimately decided to step back, offering a different reply.

“You mentioned wanting to appoint him as your Imperial Tutor, did you not?”

-Provided he grants permission from his end.

“That would be ideal.”

Jack chose to keep his personal discoveries to himself.

Although the man possessed an aptitude and standing better suited to a hero than an Imperial Tutor, he showed no personal inclination toward such a path.

‘And…’

He also concluded that interfering with Lion Asteri was entirely unnecessary.

For what reason?

Countless justifications existed.

Yet the answer welling up from deep within his heart was simple.

‘That scenery from back then…’

It was breathtaking.

Indeed, it stemmed from the world he had witnessed alongside Lion Asteri a few days prior.

He wished to reveal it to Kyle someday.

Yet would it not be a tragedy if the master of that realm vanished?

‘It is a world I could never recreate.’

Just as Lion Asteri did not belong in Jack’s world, Jack could never truly fit into Lion Asteri’s.

That tranquil forest would inevitably transform into a field brimming with poisonous herbs.

‘…Naturally, I shall bring him back eventually.’

He had no intention of letting him slip away.

Nor did he wish to alter the core values that had guided his entire existence.

Kyle remained an integral part of his world.

He was family, now and forever.

Even so, Jack acknowledged that his outlook had grown somewhat more flexible.

As Jack drifted into deep contemplation, creating a brief silence, Kyle’s voice broke through from the crystal ball.

-…Very well. I shall be free in a few days. We will speak then.

Without waiting for a response, the light within the crystal ball extinguished.

“Phew!”

Jack exhaled a long breath of pure relief.

How should he put it? It had been an unusually… normal and peaceful exchange, entirely unlike their typical interactions.

It proved surprisingly enjoyable.

It felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

As Jack chuckled softly and stepped away from the crystal ball, his trusted subordinate, Brick, standing at a respectful distance, carefully retrieved the artifact.

‘His mood appears significantly improved.’

Brick had neither heard nor dared to overhear the contents of the transmission.

Yet seeing that Jack, who had struggled to conceal his irritation for days, now possessed such a serene expression suggested that whatever transpired had gone well.

‘That is a profound relief.’

Brick muttered quietly to himself, rubbing his stiff shoulder.

—

Jack departed the estate immediately following his conversation with Lion.

The mansion, which had recently bustled with the presence of the Young Master’s inaugural guest, finally settled back into quietude.

The servants resumed their peaceful daily routines and respective duties, a pattern mirrored by Rikschel.

Though Barg appeared to have incurred supplementary disciplinary measures from Rikschel, the punishment remained mild and generated no complications.

In fact, rumor had it that Barg, whose physical stamina had expanded through sparring with Jack, was voluntarily extending his training beyond the assigned penalties…

‘Well, Rikson will manage him.’

After all, Rikson currently held oversight over Barg.

“Haaam.”

Lion let out a wide yawn.

Aside from the occasional incident where Pus wreaked havoc in the estate’s garden and attempted to breach the food pantry, absolute calm prevailed.

Oh, aside from those minor events, Pus had apparently finished manufacturing every single toy he intended to utilize.

And, of course, he had prepared Doenjang Stew for Elvia once more.

“At any rate, it is peaceful…”

“Peep.”

Nature, lounging in his arms in an identical posture to Lion, chirped softly.

“If you are drowsy, head inside to rest. I even constructed a birdhouse specifically for you.”

The avian domicile for Nature had been completed prior to Pus’s collection of toys.

It featured nothing overly elaborate; rather, it was a miniature replica of the hut located within the labyrinth.

He had lined the interior with a plush cushion and mounted it safely out of Pus’s reach.

It resembled a charming cuckoo clock.

“Peep…”

Nature appeared exceedingly fond of the dwelling, yet whenever the sun beamed down this pleasantly, he preferred sprawling out together to soak in the warmth.

The comforting sunlight seeped through his clothing, offering a delightful heat, making it the ideal moment for a lazy nap.

“Hrat cha.”

Lion bounced to his feet with an odd battle cry.

As a result, Nature, dozing comfortably in his arms, slipped and tumbled downward, though the creature quickly recovered, let out an exasperated ‘Phew!’, and fluttered up to perch upon his shoulder.

“Hahaha…”

…Regardless! Today, he intended to visit the village for the first time in quite a while.

The previous magic tool shop had vanished along with its missing proprietor, replaced recently by a newly opened herb shop.

Word had it that they carried an extensive variety of ingredients.

‘If any quality herbs are available, I shall purchase them properly.’

Naturally, the Asteri household continued to receive top-tier botanicals, but variety offered its own unique appeal, did it not?

‘It is always beneficial to experience as many different herbs as possible.’

Lion stretched his limbs and strolled toward the village.

—

“What are we to do?”

“Nothing left to buy. Absolutely nothing.”

“Oh dear…”

Countless patrons and merchants within the marketplace released heavy sighs.

The square, which ought to have bustled with vibrant energy, felt utterly defeated.

The root cause was simple…

*Fweeng.*

“…Every single fruit has been completely wiped out.”

“Sugarcane and honey as well.”

Not a single trace remained.

From oranges, the humble favorite of the common folk, to apples and sweet sugar carrots, down to high-grade sugarcane and honey.

Scarcely any stock survived.

Honey was distributed in relatively modest quantities, making its absence somewhat understandable, but the disappearance of the vibrant fruits that usually filled the stalls proved devastating.

“Surely a poor harvest cannot be the cause?”

A customer, slow to catch up on local gossip, struck his chest in frustration, prompting a fruit merchant to respond with a thoroughly despondent expression.

“A poor harvest, you say? This year brought a record bumper crop! Especially the sweetness of the fruit—it was so rich your mouth would ache.”

“Then why is there nothing to sell?”

“Hooo… well, the rumor is that a massive bear devoured the lot.”

“A bear? Did an entire pack emerge?”

The customer could not conceal his utter bewilderment.

“No! Just a single one! Only one!”

“A solitary beast consumed it all?”

“Precisely! Well, naturally, it did not eat every last scrap! But stories claim its physical dimensions dwarfed even an Ogre!”

The customer swallowed hard, mentally picturing a colossal bear.

He envisioned a ferocious, towering monster with honey dripping from both front paws, letting out a thunderous roar of “Kuuuung!”

“At any rate, given that no one knows when such a massive creature might reappear, establishments harvesting or transporting ‘sweet goods’ have been temporarily ordered to shut down. I lack details since I merely buy and sell… but that is the prevailing rumor.”

A neighboring merchant chimed in, causing the customer to nod in comprehension.

“Ah… So when do they plan to capture this bear?”

“Who could say? Despite its bulk, it proves remarkably elusive… The guards are doing their utmost, so we simply have to endure.”

“Sigh! My position requires me to peddle other wares. The apiary is already…”

The honey merchant shook his head sorrowfully.

“Completely ransacked… They claim even the beeswax is virtually unsalvageable.”

“Oh dear…”

“What else can we do?”

Surrounding townsfolk offered words of solace rooted in genuine empathy.

And then—

“…A bear?”

Lion’s ears caught the snippet of conversation just as he arrived at the herb shop to purchase the candied flower petals he had previously enjoyed.