Chapter 257

Chapter 257
## Chapter 257: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

While still dressed in my pajamas inside the transport, I overheard a declaration of hostility delivered by my grandfather.

‘This exceeds my initial calculations…….’

Is nothing actually happening?

Lion paced in a relaxed circle around the carriage, casually waiting for the evening meal to be prepared.

A considerable duration had already elapsed since stepping inside.

This marked the final dining stop along the route toward the Great Barrier.

Throughout the journey, Lion had remained remarkably untroubled!

There were no limitations placed on my freedom of movement, and my grandfather refrained from keeping constant watch over every action.

In fact, as the distance to the Great Barrier decreased, my grandfather appeared increasingly absorbed in reviewing official documents.

Consequently, the atmosphere proved far more tranquil than anticipated, especially given the sternness of my grandfather’s earlier remarks.

‘Frankly, I assumed I would be placed under strict confinement…….’

Instead, a sense of heightened liberation prevailed.

-My goodness… this is terribly dull.

-Mortals are perpetual fabricators.

-……Naturally, you, Lion, remain the absolute best!

“Kiying.”

Nature, seemingly irritated by Tiamat’s persistent trailing behind Lion, twitched its plumage with evident annoyance in that direction.

Pus, thrilled by the change of scenery, pressed its muzzle against the earth, investigating every scent.

Amidst the general commotion, Lion’s internal reflections persisted.

‘Could it be that my grandfather merely attempted to frighten me?’

Is that not the actual reality?

It would be entirely contradictory to transport me this far solely to shackle my movements.

Furthermore…….

‘Grandfather must have anticipated this exact scenario.’

If so, would he not have left Pus and Nature behind rather than bringing them along?

‘Still, as a precaution, I ought to proceed with utmost discretion.’

With those thoughts, Lion gently stroked Pus, who had trotted over and was wagging its tail with enthusiasm.

“Kiying! Sniff, King!”

“Goodness, do you find this place so delightful? Your coat is completely dusted with grass.”

Lion carefully removed the blades of grass clinging to the muzzle with a handkerchief, taking advantage of the moment to wipe the paws as well.

Given the time elapsed since hatching, however, Pus slyly retracted its paws while glancing up for approval.

> Pus strongly dislikes having the paws cleaned.

“Now, now. Persist in that behavior, and a full bath will be unavoidable.”

“……Sniff!”

Perhaps recalling the unpleasantness of a previous immersion, Pus willingly extended the paws once more.

“There we go. You wish to avoid bathing as well, correct?”

Entering the hot spring earlier occurred… though is bathing considered a separate matter?

Yet such a distance had already been traversed in the interim.

“What is this lodged in your fur? Emergency rations?”

Plucking out the strands of grass caught in Pus’s coat, Lion murmured playfully while inspecting the vegetation.

‘This is…… precisely as suspected.’

Such a development had seemed likely given Pus’s exuberant bounding as the party neared the Great Barrier, and so it proved.

Lion stared down at the discarded clump of vegetation resting on the soil.

> Discolored grass
> * This foliage exhibits signs of deterioration brought on by malevolent energy.
> * Unlike ordinary weeds, it carries a mild toxicity.
>
>

The plant displayed an abnormal composition, an effect undoubtedly linked to the proximity of the Great Barrier.

Malevolent energy.

‘Though faint as yet, it is undeniably present…….’

If such contamination exists even at this distance from the Great Barrier, the conditions closer to the epicenter must be severe.

“Just to be safe, refrain from consuming random items off the ground, understood?”

Lifting Pus into a secure hold, Lion pressed a cheek against the soft neck.

“And should you encounter anything unusual, bring it directly to Father. I shall exchange it for treats.”

“Kiying!”

As Lion engaged with Pus, whose enthusiasm spiked at the mention of treats, Elvia drew near.

“Young Master. The evening meal is prepared, so allow me to escort you.”

“Indeed. My thanks.”

Lion walked toward the distant glow of lanterns.

“It would be wise to avoid wandering too far. The Family Head remains quite anxious.”

“Hahaha…….”

The profound scale of my grandfather’s concern had already been thoroughly impressed upon me through our prior conversation.

“Moreover, the danger is genuine. Particularly along this path, which the Family Head rarely utilizes, leaving it heavily corrupted.”

“Are alternative routes available, then?”

“Yes. Three in total exist.”

One belongs to the Asteri Family—specifically, the route opened exclusively for my grandfather.

The remaining two comprise…….

“The Imperial Household and the Temple?”

“As perceptive as ever.”

The conclusion hardly required profound deduction.

Regardless of their competence, the Great Barrier was established beneath imperial soil, granting them legitimate claim to access.

And would not the former Archbishop and the Saintess, who collaborated with my grandfather to erect the Great Barrier, hold similar privileges?

This realization, however, prompted a new inquiry.

“Are these pathways managed independently?”

“As a rule, yes, though my understanding is that a joint coalition conducts inspections once every several cycles.”

“Indeed?”

“Indeed. Such an undertaking occurred a few years prior.”

Elvia glanced across the surrounding timberland before resuming.

“Given that this is my first expedition this far, definitive assessments are difficult, yet I doubt the danger has reached critical levels quite yet.”

“Truly?”

“Indeed. If risks of that magnitude were present, those who accompany myself, Elvia, would have suffered corruption long ago.”

That reasoning held validity.

As the carriage came into view, Elvia spoke in a lowered tone.

“Nevertheless, upon arrival at the Great Barrier, remaining close to the Family Head’s side is strongly advised.”

Before Lion could inquire about the underlying meaning, Elvia placed an index finger to the lips and offered a subtle nod.

‘She is providing a discreet warning.’

She undoubtedly overheard the exchange within the carriage earlier.

“The Family Head possesses the most extensive familiarity with the Great Barrier. Travel will likely be restricted to secure zones.”

“Understood.”

“Yes. And since the Family Head harbors deep concern, please endeavor to avoid disturbances. Provoking genuine wrath might lead to a restriction of your liberties, Young Master.”

“Very well. I shall bear that in mind.”

Elvia slowly withdrew the finger and offered a faint smile.

‘At the very least, that brings reassurance.’

Had both of them conspired to obstruct movement, trailing them without gaining any advantage would have been unavoidable.

“And…… exercise caution.”

“Ah.”

Reaching the final meal on the approach to the Great Barrier signified an impending separation from Elvia once again.

“Naturally, should any circumstance require my presence, I shall appear……”

Elvia’s brows lowered with evident regret before a final remark was added.

“In zones saturated with intense malevolent energy, maintaining complete mastery over my abilities can occasionally prove difficult, potentially preventing a pristine resolution.”

“…….”

The rationale behind my grandfather’s decision to keep Elvia at a distance from the Great Barrier became entirely clear.

‘Everything might be obliterated…….’

Naturally, that consideration was preceded by the standing limitation restricting movement to the vicinity of the Asteri Estate.

“In any case, since this marks our final meal together, might Elvia partake in the dining as well?”

“That……”

“It is the last occasion. Please?”

Elvia maintained a strict adherence to the duties of a retainer, declining to share meals even in comparable circumstances.

The matter had lingered in my thoughts, making this a fitting opportunity to dine as a group.

“Once our paths diverge, a considerable duration will pass before we meet again.”

“……Hmm.”

The reasoning was sound, yet repeating the gesture upon returning to the Asteri Estate might attract curious stares.

‘That outcome would be undesirable.’

Elvia’s current persona had not existed for an extended duration.

Decades of life lay ahead in this vessel, and becoming entangled in tedious complications would interfere with observing the puppy’s growth.

Concluding that refusal remained the safer course, words of denial formed in my mind.

Sparkling!

……The puppy deployed a pleading gaze attack.

How is one expected to counter such a tactic?

“Such requests will not be repeated once we are back at the estate.”

Had my original disposition remained unchanged.

Or rather, had the glimpse of the younger puppy never been witnessed.

Had those moments failed to overlap with the present!

A clean refusal would have been issued without hesitation.

“……Understood. Let us proceed accordingly.”

“Splendid. I shall proceed ahead, so follow at your leisure!”

Fearing Elvia might retract the agreement, Lion sprinted rapidly toward the campfire.

Observing the youthful display, Elvia let out a soft laugh and shook the head.

Even a witch was forced to yield on this particular point.

‘How does Petrick manage this dynamic?’

Such a challenge likely explained why he remained sequestered among his documents.

Declaring a confrontation only to be thrown into such disarray.

“When will the two of you mature?”

Both the young one and Petrick.

Elvia reflected that both still had significant ground to cover.

—

While Lion partook in a thoroughly pleasant meal, Prince Terus, the First Heir, remained huddled beneath heavy blankets, gnawing persistently on a thumb.

The habit surfaced during moments of distress, leaving the fingernails severely worn down of late.

Yet within the quarters of the First Prince, no attendant dared voice a criticism regarding the unsightly behavior.

Part of the reluctance stemmed from Terus’s volatile temperament; touching upon such sensitivities could invite ruthless retaliation.

An additional factor involved the whispered rumors currently sweeping through the imperial residence.

Word suggested that the recent disappearance within the Empress’s Quarters was orchestrated by the First Prince himself.

Such deeply troubling gossip, to put it mildly.

‘Damnation. Damn it all!’

Terus was innocent!

At least regarding this specific incident.

True, a curse had indeed been cast upon that wretched bastard child, but the current crisis originated elsewhere.

The deed was executed by Mother and Marquis Lepidus!

In truth, Terus had inadvertently overheard an exchange between grandfather and mother.

Furthermore, a witness existed……

‘The Archbishop is aware.’

Yet the Archbishop showed no inclination toward offering rescue.

A minor compact had been established with him, though its weight proved insufficient.

‘His ultimate design remains completely opaque.’

Not a scrap of intelligence regarding the Archbishop could be uncovered.

Even isolated and reduced to a helpless state, the First Prince maintained a baseline information network.

Yet here stood an exception.

The grand vision harbored by the Archbishop defied comprehension.

One conclusion, however, was undeniable: the man was extraordinary.

‘Under these conditions, His Majesty refuses even an audience.’

From the imperial perspective, the ascension of that illegitimate offspring to Crown Prince and subsequently Emperor meant immediate execution, rendering any plea for royal intervention futile.

Months prior, anticipating precisely this trajectory, the pair of us had formed an alliance.

Or rather, a triad including Mother had united to depose the Second Prince—so how did the situation deteriorate to this juncture?!

‘How did his influence expand so precipitously overnight?’

Alas, the First Prince lacked the capacity to fathom the shift.

Nevertheless, a solitary realization remained.

Only one certainty persisted.

Relying exclusively on the minor agreement struck with the Archbishop would lead straight to utter humiliation!

‘Survival is paramount.’

Driven by raw instinct, the rigid mind of Terus began to function once more.

More specifically, an instinctive assessment pinpointed the sole individual capable of averting disaster.

Guided purely by animal survival instincts rather than the tutorship of scholars or academic volumes!

Trusting that primal intuition, Terus donned the common attire utilized for clandestine outings and stepped into the corridors.

And at the conclusion of that journey—

Knock, knock.

“……Silence was requested, comparable to a deceased rodent.”

“…….”

There stood the illegitimate relative he despised above all.

The Second Prince of the Empire.

Kyle.