Chapter 247

Chapter 247
Chapter 247: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

To achieve that objective, my initial step involved finishing the pastry.

“Lord Rihit, have you concluded your task?”

“Indeed. I have just finished.”

Rihit displayed the cleanly sliced apples.

“Oh…….”

Lion felt genuine admiration.

Rihit possessed truly exceptional knife skills.

“You must have spent considerable time cooking. Your technique is astonishing.”

Faced with Lion’s earnest praise, Rihit waved his hands dismissively, looking somewhat abashed.

“Not at all. It is simply that I have some proficiency with a blade…”

“A blade?”

This was entirely new information to me!

“Ah, yes. The Archbishop once assigned me to the Knight Order temporarily to build up my endurance. I acquired a great deal of knowledge during that period.”

“…….”

Lion felt as though past events were finally clicking into place.

Naturally. How else could a priest carry an adult male around with such ease?

It was entirely due to that specialized physical conditioning.

“With competence of that caliber, you could easily enlist in the Temple Knight Order.”

“I pondered it quite a bit in my youth. Well… the concept of a knight order holds a certain romantic appeal.”

“Hmm.”

Lion could readily grasp the romanticism and allure associated with the Temple Knight Order, even if he remained unfamiliar with other matters.

After all, the iconic imagery of pure white armor combined with the simultaneous use of divine power and advanced swordsmanship was undeniably striking.

Style truly is romance, after all.

“If so, what led you to pursue the vocation of a priest? Was that the Archbishop’s desire for you?”

“Ah, yes, that constituted a part of it.”

Rihit hesitated for a moment over his phrasing before offering an indirect reply.

“I wished to avoid causing harm to others. While Temple Knights are fundamentally guardians, circumstances inevitably arise where they must strike down adversaries.”

The reasoning behind the Archbishop’s decision to guide Rihit toward the priesthood—or more accurately, toward succession—became transparent.

At the very least, it was a station where he would be spared the direct sight of bloodshed.

“I understand.”

Lion nodded, transferring the apple slices prepared by Rihit into a cooking vessel, incorporating generous amounts of sugar, and setting them to simmer gently.

He also remembered to slice a fresh lemon in half, extract the juice into the mixture, and dust the contents with a hint of cinnamon.

‘Let’s see, to achieve that proper glycemic spike sensation…’

After a brief internal debate, Lion added dairy butter to the steadily simmering fruit.

This addition would caramelize the sugary syrup, intensifying the sweet and decadent aroma twofold.

And precisely as anticipated, it did.

A delectable fragrance began wafting through the entire kitchen space.

Rihit, observing the process, unconsciously swallowed hard.

“I shall prepare the cream.”

“Please go ahead.”

While Rihit remained thoroughly captivated by the filling preparation, Elvia discreetly retreated to a more distant counter to initiate the custard cream.

“By the way, Reverend Father.”

“…Yes! Lord Lion.”

Rihit, momentarily lost in thought as he watched the simmering fruit, responded a beat later.

“When did you actually arrive at the estate?”

“Ah, you must have been curious about that timeline. I was only assigned to the Asteri Estate a few days ago.”

“Assigned? Might that constitute classified intelligence that I ought not to possess?”

“It is not information that serves the public interest to disclose…”

Yet you are an exception, Lord Lion.

Rihit glanced about the immediate vicinity before lowering his voice to clarify his presence here.

“…A turbulent era?”

“Indeed. However, nothing untoward is transpiring at present. It serves purely as a precautionary measure, and I act merely as a liaison.”

Because of that circumstance, I am able to enjoy pleasant experiences such as this.

Rihit reassured Lion, characterizing the situation as essentially equivalent to an official holiday.

‘Naturally, you would feel apprehension…’

Even the current patriarch of the Asteri lineage bore personal witness to the conflict against the demonic factions half a century ago.

It stands to reason that Lord Lion, as their descendant, experiences heightened anxiety compared to others.

‘The Archbishop operated similarly.’

Although those around him remained oblivious, the Archbishop consistently reacted with extreme sensitivity toward any mention of tumultuous epochs or legendary heroes.

He believed that former catastrophe was the reason he lost the previous Archbishop.

‘Strictly speaking, he never actually confided in me…’

He continually promised to explain everything thoroughly at a later date, only to deflect the topic.

Perhaps his own declining health intervened before he ever found the opportunity to inform Rihit.

He could never truly fathom the agony of bereavement regarding someone cherished.

“Therefore, you need not harbor any anxiety. As I noted previously, it remains a preventative precaution.”

“I see.”

Lion momentarily set aside the apple filling, which had begun absorbing the sweetness, and extracted the chilled dough, repeatedly rolling and pressing it flat with a rolling pin.

‘A turbulent era… so that represents the current state of affairs.’

It began as casual dialogue, yet through Rihit, he had acquired a crucial piece of intelligence.

First, definite portents of a ‘turbulent era’ had emerged.

While major crises had yet to manifest, an event was clearly brewing.

And the Archbishop had detected it.

…Nevertheless.

A persistent question formed within Lion’s consciousness.

“Reverend Father Rihit. I have an inquiry.”

“Certainly, Lord Lion. I shall impart any knowledge I possess.”

“How precisely does one define a ‘turbulent era’?”

“Hmm…”

“Do you simply apply that label to an invasion orchestrated by demons?”

Rihit paused to reflect.

What constituted the most effective method of explanation here…?

Weighing his vocabulary carefully, Rihit commenced his response in a measured tone.

“It denotes any set of circumstances capable of generating an existential threat to humanity and the continent.”

“Circumstances capable of generating a threat?”

“Correct. The classification is not restricted solely to demonic entities. For instance, had your particular ‘Labyrinth’ remained unresolved, it would have evolved into a manifestation of a turbulent era.”

He added that the threat level of that specific instance had since been neutralized.

“Rather, humanity was fortunate that the master of the labyrinth emerged. In a sense, Lord Lion accomplished a monumental feat.”

“Hahaha. You flatter me excessively.”

Thus, turbulent eras functioned equivalently to widespread calamities.

And priests bore the duty of detecting those disasters well in advance.

‘Through prophetic dreams.’

During his previous task of organizing the modest temple library, he had encountered texts concerning ‘precognitive visions.’

Specifically, details that Rihit had omitted entirely.

For example:

* Whenever a prophetic dream occurs, one must invariably verify its empirical reality.

…Information of that nature.

The rationale behind investigating such dreams became logical if the objective was early disaster prevention or the identification of individuals capable of halting them.

‘If that holds true.’

Lion conjured the image of the Archbishop he had encountered within a dreamscape long ago.

Then, he shifted his gaze toward Rihit, who stood waiting before him.

“At any rate, yes. That is correct. I trust my explanation proved somewhat beneficial.”

“Indeed, it was entirely sufficient. It implies I possess no cause for immediate alarm, correct?”

“Yes, precisely. Furthermore, should any crisis materialize, I… no, the entire Temple shall exert every effort to avert the turbulent era.”

“That assurance suffices completely. Ah, the timing is nearly ideal for baking the pastry.”

Amidst the conversation, Lion retrieved the dough from refrigerated storage, portioned it appropriately into the pie tin, and punctured the base repeatedly with the tines of a fork.

‘He undoubtedly harbors suspicions regarding my identity.’

Referring to the Archbishop, naturally.

Rihit appeared entirely oblivious to that dynamic thus far.

‘Hmm. There is no strategic value in provoking him prematurely.’

Did his grandfather not casually dismiss the Archbishop as an absolute madman during an offhand remark?

Even should a confrontation prove unavoidable down the line, maintaining civility and avoiding initial provocation remained the optimal strategy for an amicable resolution.

“The custard cream is likewise prepared.”

Elvia presented the finished custard precisely as their dialogue concluded.

Lion evenly distributed the cream across the pastry base and piled the apple compote high, ensuring the fruit was thoroughly saturated with the rich syrup.

Finally, he sliced the remaining dough thinly to fashion a classic lattice crust, brushed the surface with beaten egg yolk, and transferred the assembly into the preheated oven.

Before long, accompanied by a savory aroma, the pie began to assume an appetizing, golden-brown hue within the appliance.

“This marks my initial experience witnessing a pastry prepared in this fashion. It appears remarkably…”

…delightful.

Rihit murmured, entirely incapable of diverting his gaze from the oven window.

“Thanks to your capable assistance, Reverend Father, the process advanced with exceptional smoothness.”

“I share that sentiment. Ah, would you care to partake in the meal together?”

“Would such a gesture be acceptable?”

“Certainly. After all, the yield is quite substantial.”

The resulting pie was indeed remarkably large.

The total volume would prove sufficient to induce deep slumber in Rihit while leaving plenty to present to Urheel as a satisfying treat.

‘Well, drowsiness might indeed affect me…’

Though presumably to a lesser degree than the medicated confection he consumed previously.

As they exchanged further pleasantries…

“It is finished.”

Elvia extracted the pastry from the oven and carried it directly to the dining chamber.

“Ohh…”

The visual presentation of the apple pie proved magnificent.

A single glance conveyed the perfection of the crisp, flaky crust and the substantial, dense filling contained within.

The delicate fragrance of cinnamon blended with tart orchard apples.

Coupled with the intricate lattice arrangement across the top!

It constituted the absolute archetype of an apple pie.

And…

Now that the culinary creation stood complete.

A subtle sideways glance.

The initiation of Lion’s deliberate scheme had arrived.

“Elvia. Would you be so kind as to fetch some tea?”

“Certainly. Understood.”

“Ah, for the tea leaves, please utilize the specific container located upon the shelf in my personal quarters.”

“I shall attend to it immediately.”

Elvia dutifully complied with the directives issued by Lion.

A quiet curiosity flickered within her regarding what variety of mischief the young master intended to orchestrate this time.

‘Excellent. Elvia is successfully dispatched.’

Lion portioned the apple pie, which had cooled to a manageable temperature, and transferred a generous segment onto a ceramic plate.

“Ah, an oversight occurred to me.”

“…….”

From Rihit’s perspective, the apple pie appeared flawless in every respect.

What possible component could be absent?

“Were you aware? Applying a mere pinch of sodium chloride to sweet dishes serves to heighten their overall flavor profile.”

And fortunately, a supply of high-grade seasoning happened to be available.

Lion offered a subtle grin as he retrieved a packet of fine powder from the interior of his garment.

Under normal circumstances, the sudden appearance of an unidentified substance from a pocket ought to provoke immediate warfareiness.

“Is that a fact!”

Rihit, maintaining absolute trust in Lion, remained entirely free of suspicion.

Right before Rihit’s eyes, Lion sprinkled the seasoning—or rather, the specialized sedative powder previously tested upon Urheel—across the pastry wedge before extending the plate toward him.

Naturally, to preempt any trace of suspicion, he administered an identical sprinkling over his own portion.

“Hmm, Elvia may require a short interval. Shall we commence our meal? The temptation of a freshly baked pastry proves difficult to resist, particularly since my last proper meal…”

“You have gone without sustenance for some time… Ah.”

Rihit arrived at a swift realization.

The young master had undoubtedly neglected his meals once again while absorbed in intense concentration.

Under those conditions, prompt nourishment was clearly paramount.

“Yes, that course of action seems wisest.”

“Proceed, then.”

Without hesitation, Lion guided a substantial portion of the pie into his mouth and chewed.

* It appears exceptionally appetizing…

“…….”

The delicate, layered pastry fractured with a crisp texture, while the warm custard cream melted seamlessly, coating his palate.

Followed instantly by a satisfying bite.

The interplay of sweet and tart apple compote provided a sharp contrast, preventing the dish from becoming cloying.

The faint granular texture of the powder particles remaining at the conclusion added an interesting accent.

‘The sweetness level remains well-balanced, which is ideal.’

Experimenting with alternative apple varieties on a future occasion warranted consideration.

Rihit likewise commenced eating his portion after observing Lion’s enthusiastic consumption.

“…! This is extraordinary.”

Captured entirely by the unexpected excellence of the flavor, he unconsciously polished off his entire slice in remarkably short order.

Moments afterward.

A profound wave of lethargy overtook him.

‘Could this exhaustion stem from consuming rich foods after such a prolonged interval?’

His limbs felt leaden, and his eyelids exhibited an uncontrollable tendency to droop.

“The ambient environment here differs noticeably from the Temple, so adaptation fatigue is entirely natural.”

“Ah, indeed. Though I failed to anticipate it, weariness appears to have claimed me.”

“The preceding commotion likely induced heightened nervous tension as well. Hmm, retiring to your quarters for rest seems the most prudent course.”

Does the situation truly warrant that?

The evidence suggests as much.

Otherwise, an inclination toward sleep this profound defies explanation.

‘Could an unlisted ingredient reside within the apple pie…?’

Then again, the entire preparation process unfolded under his direct observation, and Lord Lion appeared entirely unaffected.

Accumulated exhaustion must be the true culprit.

“In that case, if you will excuse my departure, I shall proceed upstairs…”

Regrettably, Rihit’s sentence remained incomplete.

Thump.

His forehead made direct, unceremonious contact with the wooden tabletop.

“May your slumber be filled with pleasant visions.”

My apologies, Reverend Father!

Lion swiftly pushed aside his cutlery and plate, offering a fleeting mental apology.