Chapter 248

Chapter 248
Chapter 248: Disregarding the Successor, My Priority is Treatment

“You are slumbering so deeply that anyone could spirit you away without a soul noticing.”

Elvia, arriving rather late with tea, deposited the teacup before Lion with an air of quiet contentment.

Only a single teacup sat upon the tray, as though she had foreseen this exact outcome from the very beginning.

“I shall accompany the priest to his quarters separately.”

“Let us go together. I will carry him.”

Lion took the initiative, lifting the fast-asleep Rikschel onto his shoulders.

With Elvia’s assistance, he managed to hoist the young man onto his back, yet an immediate obstacle presented itself…

“……”

The hurdle was that Lion Asteri’s physical frame proved utterly incapable of advancing even a single step while burdened with Rikschel.

Indeed, he could barely maintain his footing, his thighs already trembling violently under the strain.

‘Incredible, his physical endurance is genuinely abysmal… What on earth am I to do?’

An individual possessing the strength to shatter stones could not even bear the weight of a single person?

Where the stamina required for manual crafting actually originated remained a complete mystery.

“……Would you care for some assistance?”

Elvia cast a look of profound commiseration upon him, dropped her personal restraint, and casually snapped her fingers.

Instantly, the heavy form of Rikschel resting upon his back grew as light as a feather!

The burden was now effortless enough for Lion to carry with absolute ease.

“My thanks, Elvia.”

“I shall issue instructions to augment the portion of meat in your daily meals.”

…My thanks for that gesture as well, I suppose.

Yet, Elvia, I rather doubt that consuming additional meat will remedy this predicament…

Lion suppressed a quiet sigh as he reached Rikschel’s bedchamber, gently depositing the sleeping man onto the mattress.

“Phew!”

At any rate, the initial hurdle had been successfully surmounted.

Now, the time had arrived to address the secondary matter.

“Young Master.”

At that precise juncture, Elvia broke the silence.

“Yes?”

“I have a single request, if you would be so gracious as to grant it.”

“What might it be?”

“I wish to take an extended leave of absence.”

“……Is this on account of the priest? You need not fret over such matters. I have already made alternative arrangements.”

“Hehe, you are referring to utilizing that magical accessory, are you not?”

“Precisely.”

Indeed.

While Rikschel slumbered, Lion had intended to bestow this specific bracelet upon Elvia.

By doing so, even if proximity to the priest proved somewhat troublesome, she would no longer be compelled to suppress her innate abilities.

-Oh? Then what becomes of me?

-Were you not attempting to conceal your powers in the first place?

…Naturally, that factor had not escaped his consideration.

The sole Ability Blocking Accessories in his possession were the pendant he currently wore and the bracelet on loan to Tiamatrak.

‘Thus, my plan was to hand the bracelet to Elvia, and meanwhile venture into the labyrinth to seek a resolution.’

It was an issue that would undoubtedly resolve itself given sufficient time.

“Young Master, I am deeply touched by your thoughtfulness, but truly, it is quite unnecessary.”

When had he matured to the point where he felt compelled to fret over her well-being?

Elvia’s chest swelled with quiet pride at the young master’s commendable development.

For that very reason, she firmly declined the offer.

‘I could never deprive him of it, let alone accept it as a gift.’

A witch retained her principles; she would not rely upon the personal belongings of a mere child.

“Hmm……”

“Should you grant my vacation, I might seize the opportunity to enjoy some solitude.”

“……Very well. If it is your desire, Elvia, we shall proceed accordingly.”

“I am grateful for your consideration.”

Lion heaved a sigh at Elvia’s demeanor, which displayed not a hint of reluctance.

‘She must not have truly desired to leave.’

Had she not chosen to remain within the Asteri Mansion precisely to suppress her overwhelming power?

Whether out of fondness or mere habit, she must have grown attached to her surroundings here.

Above all else, Elvia detested monotony.

-My word, this witch is remarkably kind.

-In her position, I would have slipped the bracelet on immediately and refused to return it. After all, nowhere else offers quite as much amusement as remaining by your side.

-Well, I suppose I am content simply not having to surrender the bracelet myself.

…Truthfully, for once, he found himself in agreement with Tiamatrak.

“Where do you intend to spend your time away?”

“In anticipation of such occasions, the Family Head previously allocated a private villa for my use.”

Since she possessed a flawless destination, any further attempts to dissuade her were entirely futile.

‘The mansion will feel remarkably vacant.’

Even when Rikschel or his grandfather were absent from the estate, Elvia had remained a constant presence guarding the grounds.

Yet now, she was departing.

Furthermore, while Elvia termed it a vacation, could it not be viewed more accurately as a form of banishment?

“Hehe, Young Master.”

Elvia stepped closer to Lion, meeting his gaze with intense scrutiny.

Her eyes radiated approval and warmth.

“Do you comprehend the most utterly pointless endeavor in existence? It is worrying over a witch.”

Elvia reached out, gently patting Lion’s head on several occasions.

The physical gesture remained somewhat stiff, much as it had been previously, but her genuine sentiments were unmistakably conveyed.

“Ah, before my departure, I must attend to this matter.”

She shifted her hand from his head to the bracelet hovering in mid-air, casting a subtle enchantment upon it.

Simultaneously, ethereal text materialized before his eyes.

『 Do you consent to the transformation of this item? 』

『 Additional function unlocked: Semi-permanent invisibility 』

『 This effect will not activate for the current owner of the item. 』

Lion silently granted his consent to the metamorphosis.

『 The item has undergone transformation. 』

『 Current status: Invisibility active 』

“There now, others will no longer be capable of perceiving you.”

Naturally, one would still need to exercise caution to avoid colliding with objects, seeing as complete physical absence had not been achieved.

-Ah, that is quite sufficient! I am capable of flight in any case.

-Goodness, had I the freedom to utilize mana at will, I could have cast invisibility sorcery as well…

Lion casually dismissed Tiamatrak, who had resumed his incessant chatter, likely buoyed by the realization that surrendering the bracelet was no longer required.

“I appreciate it. Tell me, are you departing immediately?”

“Indeed. Farewells are invariably best kept brief.”

Elvia smiled, smoothed her attire, and offered a formal parting bow.

“I shall take my leave now, Young Master.”

“Understood. I will notify you the moment Rikschel departs.”

“Hehe, very well. And…”

Should any difficulties arise, summon Elvia without hesitation.

I am capable of materializing anywhere.

The very instant Elvia concluded her sentence, she slowly dissolved into the surrounding shadows.

The bedchamber instantly lapsed into profound silence…

-In that case, I suppose I may examine the drawer now.

-Why wear such a mournful expression? You will only be parted from her for a few months at most, will you not?

-If the separation distresses you so deeply, shall I banish that priest for your convenience?

She certainly afforded him no opportunity to indulge in melancholy.

Lion offered a wry, self-deprecating smile and shifted his footing.

Indeed, the secondary objective had been resolved one way or another.

This signified that he could finally proceed to the ultimate task at hand.

Namely, as Tiamatrak had suggested, opening the drawer to inspect the concealed map.

Only then could he emerge from the recovery chambers and reunite with Nature and Pus, whom he had kept at a distance out of concern for their safety.

“Let us be on our way.”

Ensuring that Rikschel remained deeply asleep, Lion quietly exited the room.

Fortunately, the priest did not stir… however.

There was a minor detail Lion had inadvertently overlooked.

Clerics rarely experienced ordinary dreams, true.

Yet on occasion, they were visited by visions known as precognitive dreams.

—

-Simply touch the mechanism, and the protective enchantment will dissipate of its own accord.

Tiamatrak hastened to elucidate the process before Lion could voice a question.

The entity appeared intensely curious as to what outcome would unfold upon the opening of this specific drawer.

‘You will likely remain blind to the contents…’

Despite being bound by the mana circle as collateral, Tiamatrak possessed no access to his subconscious mind or visions, and thus would be incapable of witnessing the ‘Story Mode’.

‘..Well, there is no pressing need to inform him of that.’

Story Mode and real-time chronology did not progress at an equal rate.

On the previous occasion, the experience had concluded with nothing more severe than a mild bout of dizziness.

‘Besides, now that I possess an established mana circle…’

The harrowing spectacle of expelling blood, as had occurred previously, would surely not repeat itself.

…Or so he fervently hoped.

In truth, the sudden hemorrhage had proved quite a shock to Lion as well.

“Phew.”

Lion drew a steadying breath, slowly extending his hand toward the drawer.

The barrier, secured by a golden lock of concentrated mana, evaporated the moment Lion’s fingers brushed against the wood.

Creak.

As he pulled the drawer open against a slight mechanical resistance, a rolled parchment map lay revealed within.

And, entirely as anticipated, the expected manifestation occurred immediately.

『 Entering Story Mode. 』

『 This sequence of memories cannot be bypassed. 』

Lion’s consciousness slowly drifted downward into darkness.

…….

…….

…….

Perhaps because he had endured the sensation on prior occasions, the transition now felt thoroughly familiar.

Lion unclosed his eyes.

A radically different environment unfolded through the perspective of another individual.

His vision flickered erratically as ragged, heavy breaths echoed in his ears.

The muscles in his arms twitched with fine spasms, bearing witness to a conflict that had persisted for an extended duration.

The blade clutched in his grip felt exceedingly heavy.

It was a weapon he recognized instantly. The backdrop was equally familiar.

The Dragon’s Lair, a location he had visited merely days prior.

A fierce engagement was actively underway within its confines.

In the distance, the benevolent visage of a familiar figure came into view.

Without warning, a concentrated wave of Divine Power surged directly toward his position.

Bang!

An instant later, the sound of structural collapse reverberated behind him.

Had that timely intervention of Divine Power been absent, death would have claimed him.

A shiver should rightfully have run down his spine, yet his physical form remained entirely unresponsive, as though thoroughly accustomed to such perilous brushes with mortality.

“Do not allow your attention to wander.”

Someone—or rather, the Saintess—rushed forward to shield his flank.

A sharp, reprimanding admonition accompanied the movement.

The battle resumed without pause.

His limbs moved of their own accord, instinctively driving the sword deep into the core of a towering Golem.

His execution remained fluid and unhindered.

Across the chamber, a burst of arcane energy obliterated the physical form of a Gargoyle.

A sharp dagger remained deeply embedded within the masonry of the Lair’s wall.

Roar!

Amidst a deafening cacophony of shattering stone and crumbling architecture, the Saintess posed a query.

“You.”

“What is the matter?”

The body he inhabited, composed until that moment, shuddered ever so slightly.

Was his deception truly that transparent?

“As anticipated, your ■ is rapidly approaching its absolute limit…”

His field of vision tilted sharply on a horizontal plane.

An inquiry was spoken by someone nearby, yet the words failed to register in his ears, lost to a sudden auditory void.

The Saintess’s benevolent expression hardened instantly.

Her countenance reflected an emotion that hovered ambiguously between wrath and remorse.

“Have no fear. I shall locate ■■.”

I will interpret the map you recovered with the utmost expediency.

As suspected, the artifact in question belonged to the Hero.

Yet a map…

The very instant that realization formed, the Hero’s posture lurched violently.

No, this physical vessel did not belong to the Hero.

‘Has it concluded already?’

The familiar sensation of nausea signaled the imminent termination of the Story Mode.

‘Sufficient intelligence has not been gathered.’

He had been aware that the Hero harbored hidden resources and that the Saintess shared that knowledge.

‘I require deeper insight.’

For the first time, Lion actively resisted the expulsion from Story Mode.

Further information was an absolute necessity.

Concentrating his mental faculties, he miraculously managed to avert premature ejection from the sequence.

The newly formed Circle gifted by Tiamatrak undoubtedly played a decisive role in sustaining his focus.

‘Just a moment longer.’

Fortuitously, the Hero’s senses of sight and hearing remained exceptionally sharp.

Lion succeeded in intercepting an additional fragment of the Saintess’s internal monologue.

“Indeed, if ■■ is to be resolved, that specific island must be discovered without delay…”

Those final words marked the absolute conclusion.

In a fraction of a second, the universe before his eyes dissolved into a chaotic swirl of crimson and obsidian.

The boundary between ceiling and floor vanished entirely, leaving only the sporadic, blood-red arc of a descending blade to illuminate the darkness.

And then…

…….

…….

…….

“Hah…!”

He snapped back to reality.

-Hey there! Lion! Are you unharmed?

-An anomalous energetic disturbance has manifested around your person. What precisely is this…

Lion opened his eyes wide, drawing in ragged breaths.

Cold perspiration streamed freely down his cheeks.

Fortunately, his stomach did not churn to the violent extent of expelling blood as it had previously, though a dull, persistent throbbing echoed within his skull.

The discomfort was undoubtedly a side effect of forcing his consciousness to endure the Story Mode past its natural termination point.

Yet, that sacrifice had not been in vain.

‘An island.’

A vital clue had finally been secured.