Chapter 235

Chapter 235
## Chapter 235: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

The second prince massaged his newly scrubbed cheek.

This must be that remedy Jack managed to acquire.

It was undeniably an astonishing feat.

Normally, standard balms served little purpose beyond mending internal wounds or temporarily restoring vitality, correct?

Even then, telling the difference between a potent remedy and a lethal toxin was often difficult, meaning the imperial household strictly avoided using them.

Yet this affliction vanished simply through topical application?

Furthermore, the surface of his skin where the liquid had touched felt as remarkably soft and renewed as a newborn infant’s.

Should this secret come to light, every aristocrat in the entire empire would undoubtedly form queues desperately trying to secure a supply.

While that would certainly bring Lion Asteri a substantial fortune, however…

Well, truthfully, the young master himself appeared to have zero interest in such commercial ventures.

In fact, he would likely recoil in sheer annoyance at the mere notion of profiting from it.

“The grounds are exceptionally well-kept.”

“They may not rival the splendor of the Empress’s Palace, but a great deal of care has been invested here.”

Lion nodded slowly as his gaze swept across the landscape.

Indeed, an assortment of blossoms was arranged with great precision.

The subtle floral fragrance, mingling with the crisp scent of trimmed turf, brought a distinct sense of clarity to his mind.

And then…

‘There is an abundance of medicinal flora.’

Interspersed among the ornamental flowers were various plants renowned for their detoxifying properties.

At a casual glance, one might assume they were merely decorative additions meant to accent the colorful blooms, but…

‘That is certainly not the case.’

Instead, they served as silent testimony to the constant, hair-trigger anxiety the second prince lived with day in and day out.

“Unforeseen circumstances can always materialize.”

“Indeed.”

Ultimately, Lion found this particular arrangement far more agreeable.

In Lion’s view, a sanctuary meant for rest ought to provide an atmosphere where a person could truly let their guard down.

Yet, most noble estates leaned toward a drastically different aesthetic.

Aristocratic gardens typically prioritized ostentatious beauty above all else, did they not?

‘Far too exhausting.’

Excessive magnificence was, by its very nature, counterproductive to a space dedicated to genuine relaxation.

“Hm?”

As Lion reached the far edge of the garden, a peculiar sight caught his attention, causing him to retrace his steps.

That particular setup…

“Are those bean sprouts?”

They were crops that seemed utterly out of place amidst the formal landscaping.

‘Come to think of it, they specifically made that one corner pitch-black.’

It remained a mystery how they had mastered cultivating bean sprouts, yet there they thrived inside a shadowed enclosure shielded by a dark canopy.

Had even a single sprout failed to peek out from the edges, Lion would have walked right past without a second glance.

“…They happen to taste quite pleasant.”

The second prince offered the explanation with a slightly defensive tone.

“They are genuinely savory. Plus, they work wonders for clearing a hangover.”

Clearly, he harbored a deeper fondness for the humble vegetable than anyone might have guessed.

If schedule permitted later on, perhaps he should instruct the prince on preparing a proper bean sprout salad or savory rice seasoned with soy sauce.

Having acknowledged this unexpectedly domestic plant, Lion proceeded to their next destination.

“This is the imperial archive… it differs quite a bit from the Asteri collection, though there should still be plenty of worthwhile literature.”

Granted permission to examine or borrow texts at his leisure, Lion accepted the offer and began scanning the bookshelves.

Generally speaking, treatises concerning alchemy and magic here fell short of the volumes kept at Asteri, whereas historical records proved far more extensive.

Beyond those differences, certain other details immediately stood out.

‘Not a single fairy tale.’

There was not a single children’s storybook to be found anywhere.

‘Is that because future emperors have no use for such trivialities?’

Even within the Asteri household, various youth-oriented books were kept readily available under the guise of “essential reading for formative years.”

‘Could that explain why the first prince’s temperament turned out the way it did?’

Harboring such a presumptuous thought, Lion selected a handful of books to borrow.

He was obligated to remain here for several days anyway, and in all honesty, Lion had remarkably few tasks to occupy his time.

Slipping the borrowed volumes into his satchel, Lion fell back into step behind the second prince.

The grand tour orchestrated by the second prince proved surprisingly fulfilling.

Following their stroll through the gardens and the archives, they enjoyed a modest meal at a dining hall selected specifically for its “virtually nonexistent poisoning risk,” followed by a leisurely ascent up the imperial observation tower.

‘Quite a pleasant change of pace, wouldn’t you agree?’

It had been quite some time since he last beheld the sprawling expanse of the capital stretching out beneath an open sky.

While Bydantis Castle possessed greater height, this location offered a far more engaging view.

Of course, the second prince himself didn’t seem particularly enamored with the scenery…

‘He likely brought me up here simply because his options for safe sightseeing are severely limited.’

Even if the second prince ultimately ascended the throne, his path would undoubtedly be paved with bitter conflicts.

Perhaps for that precise reason, many of the usual imperial showpieces were omitted from Lion’s itinerary.

Instead of the famously breathtaking consort’s gardens, they visited a private courtyard filled with defensive herbs; instead of an exhibition hall showcasing the emperor’s prized art acquisitions, they explored a library filled with texts.

The meal location spoke for itself.

“…Next time, I will ensure I can show you a truly remarkable sight.”

The second prince spoke in a tone even softer and more subdued than usual.

Listening to the cadence of his voice, Lion leaned against the stone railing of the tower and gazed outward.

The crystal-clear firmament, the gentle gradient of the setting sun, and the distant clock tower where citizens hurried about their daily lives with fierce energy.

Even the sharp breeze, whipped up by their considerable altitude, felt refreshing.

It was a thoroughly satisfying moment.

“Actually, this view suits my preferences quite well.”

“You haven’t even had the chance to properly appreciate it.”

“Well…”

Lion had already witnessed more than enough decadent architecture and curated landscapes back at the Asteri estate to feel any lingering awe.

Besides, no matter how meticulously sculpted a garden might be, how could it ever rival the labyrinth sanctuary Lion tended to with his own hands?

Neither the fragrance of the blossoms, the visual symmetry, nor the sheer labor poured into it could compare, though such domestic comforts offered little practical solace to the second prince.

Lion slowly straightened his posture from the railing and offered a response.

“After all, how often does one get the opportunity to stroll through the highest point in the entire empire?”

“…Is that so.”

Clearly, he had not anticipated that particular perspective.

Kyle let out a brief, dry chuckle before turning his gaze back toward the horizon alongside Lion.

In all honesty, even while taking in this magnificent panorama, he still struggled to grasp the full reality of his situation.

What emotions he ought to harbor, or what crushing responsibilities awaited him.

Yet, one realization did strike him.

That he was still woefully inexperienced.

Even so, sharing a quiet moment to observe the world with another person felt infinitely better than enduring it alone.

“Alternatively, you can simply surprise me with something even grander next time.”

Naturally, had the second prince not issued such a direct and deliberate invitation, Lion would have harbored zero desire to set foot inside the imperial palace in the first place.

That freedom allowed him to speak his mind so casually.

“Something grander…”

Yet the second prince took the remark with complete earnestness, instantly falling deep into thought.

A moment later, a sudden recollection seemed to strike him.

“Ah. There is, in fact, one location we have yet to visit.”

“Pardon?”

Lion glanced upward toward the fading sky.

The sun was indeed dipping below the horizon, but there remained a comfortable margin of time before Rixchel was scheduled to return.

Frankly, remaining by the second prince’s side felt infinitely preferable to idling alone in an empty guest chamber.

‘And it is undeniably safer here.’

While the exact extent of the second prince’s capabilities remained unclear, he clearly possessed formidable hidden strengths.

“Let us go.”

The moment those words left the second prince’s lips, however, a fresh wave of curiosity washed over him.

Where on earth was he planning to lead him now?

Lion’s speculation, however, was cut short.

The second prince produced a key that radiated an aura of unmistakable authority.

An ornate golden key stamped with the sovereign’s personal seal.

Recognizing its true identity at a glance, Lion’s jaw slackened slightly as he stared in disbelief.

“Are you genuinely intending to bring me down there?”

—

“Hah…”

Crossing the threshold at last, Lion swept his gaze across the chamber and let out a brief breath that hovered somewhere between an exclamation of awe and a quiet sigh.

It was a destination that completely defied expectation.

The spectacle unfolding before his eyes soared far beyond the boundaries of his imagination.

Pristine marble flooring stretched in every direction.

Atop exquisite display cases—each a masterpiece of craftsmanship in its own right—rare artifacts rested delicately on cushions of fine silk.

There was not a single square inch that failed to gleam with precious brilliance.

Indeed. This specific location.

“Hold on, why on earth are you granting me access to the imperial treasury?”

It was none other than the imperial vault itself.

Furthermore, this was the deepest, most heavily fortified sanctum within the vault, reserved exclusively for genuine heirlooms passed down through generations of emperors and rare tributes gathered from across the realms.

“Because you mentioned a desire to witness something remarkable.”

“…”

True enough. He had indeed asked to see something astonishing.

‘Even so, what kind of person flings open the imperial treasury for a visiting young master?’

Is an act like this even permissible?

“Do you tend to place this level of blind trust in virtually everyone you meet?”

Lion muttered under his breath as he pivoted slowly to survey the surroundings.

Upon deeper reflection, this was actually the most logical destination for a tour curated by the second prince.

After all, wasn’t the absolute priority of this entire excursion the safeguarding of Lion’s well-being?

Even so, how on earth managed to bypass the impenetrable security surrounding the imperial vault?

And how had he acquired the master key?

…No. Better to push those thoughts aside entirely. Getting entangled in imperial succession secrets was a surefire way to shorten one’s lifespan.

“Should any of these catch your fancy, feel free to claim it; I shall take full responsibility.”

Responsibility for what, exactly?

Lion exercised extreme caution.

Had this occurred a few months prior, he might have eagerly scanned the room hoping to unearth some legendary hero’s relic.

At present, however, restraint was his primary survival strategy.

‘Exercise absolute caution…’

If he were to accidentally cough up a mouthful of blood right here inside the imperial treasury, no amount of fast talking would save him.

Even if the second prince attempted to cover for him, discovery would be inevitable.

With a gaze as detached as he could manage, Lion ambled cautiously among the legendary artifacts.

Gems of dimensions he had never witnessed in all his days.

Gilded relics that bore the aesthetic of foreign empires long turned to dust.

Ancient grimoires and centuries-old tactical scrolls. Even forgotten martial manuals belonging to fallen knightly houses and forbidden magic tomes rested silently on their pedestals.

Even the razor-sharp fangs of a dragon, a species extinct for ages, were proudly exhibited.

Fortunately, no items tied to the legendary hero seemed to be present.

‘Phew.’

Lion exhaled a silent sigh of relief, finally letting his shoulders drop as he resumed his unhurried inspection of the room.

Determined that no hero-related hazards lurked nearby, he resolved to enjoy the vault tour much like an ordinary museum exhibition.

After conducting a sweeping appraisal of the treasures, Lion’s eyes inadvertently drifted toward a massive canvas mounted against the far wall of the vault.

It was a remarkably vivid oil painting depicting an ancient, long-vanished dragon jealously hoarding its mountain of gold and jewels.

The tangible texture of the scales, achieved by building up thick layers of pigment, combined with an expression so fierce it seemed ready to leap from the frame and unleash a torrent of flame, deserved nothing less than the title of masterwork.

In particular, the dragon’s eyes, glinting with a terrifying, predatory intelligence…!

『 You have encountered a painting possessing profound vitality.』

『 Your Painting proficiency has risen by 35 percent.』

Merely gazing upon the artwork had triggered a surge in skill experience!

“Would you consider this piece a treasure as well?”

“Everything housed within these walls qualifies as a treasure.”

The prince even casually mentioned that the polished flagstones beneath their boots had originally paved the throne room of a conquered kingdom.

‘Incredible…’

From Lion’s perspective, this particular canvas carried far more intrinsic value than any glittering gem or magic sword in the vicinity.

“Does the artwork catch your interest?”

“It is undeniably a magnificent piece.”

Lion was quick to append a disclaimer that he harbored zero intentions of trying to smuggle it out.

‘No matter what I suggest, he simply refuses to listen.’

Displaying mild dissatisfaction at the modest praise, the second prince offered an alternative proposition.

“In that case, why not step closer to examine the details.”

Truth be told, Lion had been admiring the masterpiece from a safe, respectful distance.

“Oh, would that be acceptable?”

Declining this invitation as well would likely cause the second prince to genuinely pout, prompting Lion to obediently walk a few paces closer to where the prince stood.

Then, as he closed the distance between himself and the painting.

Swish.

The painted dragon’s eyes abruptly shifted within their sockets.

Locking directly onto Lion.

“…Pardon?”

For a fleeting second, convinced his eyes were playing tricks on him, Lion subtly shifted his weight to the side.

Swish.

The dragon’s menacing gaze tracked his movement without missing a beat.

Its vertically slit pupils unmistakably met Lion’s stare.

“Your Highness, this…”

Does the imagery actually follow a viewer’s line of sight?

“…”

Realizing at last that something was profoundly wrong, the second prince moved swiftly to intercept Lion’s path.

At that exact instant,

Flash!

A blinding illumination erupted from the heart of the treasury, swallowing them both whole until not a trace remained.