Chapter 256

Chapter 256
## Chapter 256: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

Lion gazed out the pane while consuming the snack Elvia had previously provided.

Despite having journeyed for quite a considerable duration already, thick timber rushed past his vision.

“By the way, why are you traveling by carriage today?”

Would you not normally utilize teleportation?

For him, the Duke of the Asteri Family and an Archmage, travel time was a luxury.

Even if it expended a certain amount of mana, employing magic to instantly reach the destination was far more efficient.

‘Even for my aides…’

Did the Magic Tower not furnish an endless supply of Warp Scrolls for official business?

“Heh.”

Elvia offered a singular grin at Lion’s inquiry and glanced toward Petrick.

It conveyed the distinct impression that he possessed much to communicate but chose to hold his tongue for the present.

“Ahem.”

Petrick, perhaps experiencing unnecessary awkwardness, cleared his throat and responded tardily.

“You suffer from motion sickness via warp, do you not? It impacts you even while slumbering, meaning it remains preferable to utilize it sparingly. And…”

As his voice trailed off, Elvia smoothly assumed the narrative and elaborated further.

“I mentioned my expedition to the Baidantis Territory some time ago, and it appears to have left quite an impression upon you.”

“Hm? Aha!”

Lion was finally capable of comprehending his grandfather’s sentiment.

In other words, his elder was secretly envious!

Regarding the prospect of enjoying a leisurely holiday distant from labor.

‘Indeed. Who would willingly choose toil?’

Lion nodded.

As noted previously, his grandfather possessed the capacity to instantly traverse to any coordinate.

It indeed constituted a convenient and potent capability.

Nevertheless, even an individual characterized by intense industriousness and an aversion to squandered time would occasionally desire respite.

His grandfather proved no exception.

‘For an ordinary individual, this would represent an interval wherein they might shirk duties repeatedly without oddity.’

He had dedicated himself to the Empire for decades.

Furthermore, the Imperial Household appeared prone to generating complications rather than rendering assistance.

Stated differently, he found himself unable to rest even when inclined due to the absolute lack of a substitute!

Additionally, considering his grandfather’s disposition, he would never undertake a holiday absent a legitimate justification.

‘Yet subsequently, I materialized!’

To be precise, the matter concerned warp-induced illness.

A flawless rationale existed for necessitating a sluggish pace.

Simultaneously, he could take matters easy concerning his duties in the interim.

‘I remained completely unaware of that…!’

I ought to have accompanied him sooner.

I was merely anxious to elude labor, and presently I experience considerable contrition.

“Grandfather…!”

“Ahem, indeed. Elvia speaks correctly. Since circumstances stand thus, how about this elder and yourself—”

“I should have recognized this sooner! Sob!”

“……”

Petrick’s brows arched peculiarly as he observed his descendant react with such fervent emotion.

Although the younger individual typically displayed eccentricity, today surpassed standard margins.

‘This fellow is misinterpreting matters once more, is he not…’

Lion’s familial affection proved distinctively idiosyncratic, having been inherited directly from him.

Yet, separate from that reality, he remained rather obtuse regarding such nuances.

‘I possess zero comprehension of what variety of misunderstanding this constitutes.’

Regardless, I ought to rectify the facts prior to complications arising.

Just as this thought formed and his lips parted:

Thump.

Elvia swiftly nudged Petrick and shook his head.

‘Wherefore attempt correction?’

‘What signifies that query?’

‘The youth appears to entertain a touching sentiment, hence permit him tranquility.’

‘Yet suppose he commits eccentricities consequent to this?’

‘The journey’s atmosphere. Do you elect to abandon it?’

A multitude of unvoiced communications transpired instantaneously.

Whereupon Petrick…

“Ugh.”

Incapable of relinquishing the intimate excursion alongside his descendant, he merely released a heavy sigh.

“Elvia. What distance remains to the Great Barrier?”

“It shall not demand extensive duration. A pathway exists leading directly to the Great Barrier.”

“Indeed?”

“Affirmative. It constitutes a specialized route accessible exclusively to the Family Head, however…”

Elvia let his voice taper and offered a peculiar smirk.

It implied he had neglected to utilize it hitherto.

“It shall require roughly two days of steady progression. Throughout that duration, I, Elvia, shall attend to the Young Master.”

“Merely two days?”

“Affirmative. I am officially on holiday.”

“Priests are stationed at the Great Barrier, therefore…”

“Should I conceal my capacities, blending among them proves feasible, yet propriety forbids since the Young Master would disapprove.”

Elvia cleansed the crumbs from his palms utilizing a warm, moistened towel and presented a chilled beverage.

“Gratitude.”

Lion consumed the draught and prepared to survey the exterior once more before halting, subsequently redirecting his gaze toward Elvia.

“However…”

“Affirmative, Young Master.”

“How obtained you the awareness that my stature had reverted to youth?”

Elvia merely smiled.

“You proved exceedingly endearing. You scurried about with such vigor, resembling one lamenting missed mobility during tender years.”

…You observed everything.

While the method of discovery remains obscure, it appears every instance of Lion’s survival-mode endearing behavior was witnessed.

Nonetheless, a redeeming facet lay in the thorough preservation of privacy.

“Hahaha…”

“Hoohoohoo…”

Lion and Elvia shared simultaneous laughter.

Dismissing the occurrence through amusement seemed the optimal course.

“In that case, I shall remain exterior; kindly summon me at your discretion.”

Elvia delivered a polished bow and dissolved from the expansive, chamber-like carriage.

And subsequently…

“Ahem.”

-Behold. He appears exceptionally eager to converse with you?

-He exhibits greater agitation than usual. It proves highly amusing.

Nay, his presentation remains as immaculate as ever, hence what provokes such mirth?

-By the way, you referenced the Great Barrier previously, correct? Constitutes that the specialized energy manifesting recently?

-The force that quarantined the domain inhabited by demons.

The occurrence transpired approximately half a century ago, yet you designate it “recently.”

As anticipated, a dragon’s perception of duration diverges markedly from mortality.

Tiamatrak had already pressed himself against the carriage pane, initiating external observation.

Naturally, having functioned as a terrestrial dragon for prolonged ages, surveying the surroundings likely offered entertainment.

“Correct. Regardless, I acquired a gift from that cleric.”

“Affirmative. He bestowed substantial holy water. Consequently, my provisions for alchemy expanded.”

“…Existed anything further supplementary?”

Responding to his grandfather’s uncharacteristically cautious query, Lion contemplated briefly before replying candidly.

“Immediately subsequent to Priest Rihit awakening, he inquired whether my regression resulted from an elixir.”

“……”

“Might Priest Rihit’s nocturnal vision bear some connection to my person?”

Petrick manifested mild astonishment.

He had never conceived that his descendant would impart intelligence of such nature.

Furthermore, the disclosure extended beyond isolated facts.

Specifically, it pertained to the aberrant phenomena manifesting surrounding Lion.

Namely, occurrences tied directly or indirectly to the Hero.

Hitherto, conversational exchanges of this caliber from Lion were restricted to intoxicated confessions.

Errors committed under alcoholic influence.

Narratives capable of mutual concealment.

Merely that extent.

‘Should you query whether disappointment existed, naturally, it did.’

He desired to render greater assistance, and conversely, desired to suppress circumstances to preclude such anxieties.

Yet the rationale underlying his restraint…

‘Nevertheless, the impulse to aid predominated.’

Lion’s inner nature proved profound beneath outward appearances, generally striving to avoid dependence upon others.

‘Although he frequently appears to rely upon external aid excessively, reality differs.’

Crouching behind the renowned Asteri Magic Family.

Advancing the genius heir Rikschel.

While he might project reliance upon his grandfather, the Archmage,

his fundamental spirit diverged.

Lion possessed an intense compulsion to safeguard his lineage and dependents.

Conversely, an equally formidable trait compelled him to shoulder every burden independently.

Consequent to this disposition, despite referencing the ‘North’ earlier, he naturally leveraged the official journey as a pretext toward the Great Barrier.

Unquestionably, Lion endeavored to mask his authentic intentions during their dialogue via the crystal orb.

Hence, Petrick similarly maintained silence, electing concentration upon the expedition and holiday.

He intended feigning ignorance toward whatever actions his descendant undertook.

“Proves it acceptable to impart this to me?”

“Hark. You possessed total awareness previously, which constituted your motive for transporting me hither, correct?”

Naturally, Lion comprehended these dynamics thoroughly.

‘I did deliberate concerning disclosure viability.’

Namely, that the Hero functioned as the focal entity.

And that underlying conspiracies involved the Saintess.

Moreover, fragmentary intelligence indicated the Hero’s condition possessed instability.

Exact specifics regarding their schemes remained obscure.

At least from Lion’s viewpoint, this constituted an ‘ambiguous variable,’ rendering omission from reporting standard procedure.

Nevertheless.

“Because we constitute kindred.”

“……!”

The instant his gaze locked with his grandfather—who had rushed back instantly upon receiving news of his shrinking days prior—he recognized the fallacy of his previous stance.

Does genuine familial communication entail establishing an independent trajectory prior to notification…

Certainly, the approach is not entirely erroneous, yet…

‘Something lacks alignment.’

Indeed. Lion, still accumulating tenure within familial dynamics, could merely summarize the situation thus.

“Instead, you must feign blindness toward my subsequent actions, understood?”

“……”

Petrick emitted a muted inner chuckle at Lion’s playful expression.

‘He has matured.’

The descendant who previously withered devoid of growth had suddenly expanded beyond arbitrary manipulation.

‘He has advanced once more.’

An infant vulnerable to gentle gales evolved into a sapling reaching knee height, subsequently transforming into a youthful, robust arbor capable of meeting an observer’s gaze instantaneously.

Perhaps following this expedition, treating him as a minor would prove impossible.

However.

Not currently.

“You labor under a misapprehension.”

Petrick eradicated the residual bitterness residing within his chest, adopting a cold, sardonic smirk upon his visage.

While the expression projected chill menace, to Lion:

‘Hmm…….’

He bears a striking resemblance to myself?

The playful undertone provoked that immediate reflection.

Yet, a misapprehension?

“Lion.”

“Affirmative, Grandfather.”

“I represent an individual charged with the obligation to promptly identify and neutralize threats facing the Empire prior to external recognition. You possess that awareness, do you not?”

“Affirmative.”

“Consequently, interference with your endeavors remains inappropriate. Because you might actually accomplish a feat.”

He utilized the vague designation “a feat,” yet the implication clearly referenced the Hero or “turbulent eras.”

“Th-that functions correctly…?”

Yet a peculiar nuance resonated within his phrasing, did it not?

‘…Nay. Impossible.’

The atmosphere maintained positivity hitherto, did it not?

And would his grandfather, possessing superior rationality, fail to comprehend these parameters?

Resolving this predicament prior to intervention by the Archbishop or external parties supersedes mere concealment and evasion.

‘Through that approach, termination occurs prior to reaching the Hero.’

Prevention operates by neutralizing the snowball before volumetric expansion occurs.

He must have maintained absolute awareness of that principle.

However.

Lion’s uncanny premonitions proved consistently accurate.

And the present instance offered no exception.

“Nevertheless, for reasons defying logic, my sentiment differs.”

“Pardon?”

“Occasionally, rational assessments become clouded. Consequently, I shall endeavor to monitor your actions closely on this occasion.”

“Pardon?”

“Therefore, exert maximum effort toward evasion. I shall grant recognition toward that outcome.”

While Lion remained paralyzed by Petrick’s formal declaration of hostilities,

Petrick produced a gentle chuckle, delivering the concluding stroke.

“Because we constitute kindred. Correct?”

“Waaaaaaah…!!”

-Behold, constitutes this the phenomenon designated as familial combat?

-You have been thoroughly ensnared! This promises entertainment!

-Should assistance prove necessary, merely verbalize the command. Huh? Lion!

Faced with the flawless declaration of opposition, Lion clutched his cranium utilizing both palms.

It appears mastery regarding familial relations remains distant for him!