Chapter 262

Chapter 262
Chapter 262: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

-Does that make sense?

For a brief second, Tiamatrak’s features slowly shifted into an expression of deep solemnity.

A human child.

Despite all the varied encounters, both pleasant and humiliating, shared with Lion Asteri, this marked the initial instance where such profound irritation stirred within.

Had this occurred during past days of old temperament, the immediate response would have been seizing Lion Asteri’s vessel and reducing the entire stronghold to absolute ruin.

‘…Hmm.’

Yet, viewed against that very temperament, Lion Asteri’s current behavior carried a strange, compelling intrigue.

Naturally, that fascination did not render the situation remotely excusable.

From his standpoint, an event that should have remained entirely impossible had somehow transpired.

Although existing merely as a spirit, he remained part of a supreme race. A dragon.

How could such ancient power possibly manifest inside a dwelling belonging to a trivial human bloodline?

Worse still, the energy emanated from an object shoved away inside a neglected storage room.

And that object was simply.

‘A mere frame.’

A wooden artifact constructed by human hands to encase portraits of themselves.

No matter the craftsmanship involved, it remained crude, completely incomparable to the masterworks forged by dwarves.

Though the frame itself possessed a certain modest quality for human work, it fell far short of capturing genuine interest.

Above all else.

No blessing or artifact had ever been bestowed upon this particular human family by his hand.

‘The sole instance of granting something to a human occurred when….’

Tiamatrak shook his head internally, dismissing the thought.

Regardless, the past held no relevance now.

Therefore, the most sensible course of action involved total eradication.

-I remain uncertain of the cause, yet this shall be reclaimed. That power belongs to me.

Just as the thought finished forming and a hand reached forward casually,

“Tiamatrak.”

Lion intervened, halting the movement.

“Maintain your composure and wait a moment.”

-…

“Even if you manage to extract the residual power, your current existence is purely spiritual. No one can predict the consequences.”

-Hmm, that argument holds truth!

-In that case, Lion, would you handle the retrieval on my behalf?

Without offering a reply, Lion leaned in to inspect the frame with careful scrutiny.

Superficially, the item appeared as nothing more than a discarded antique long past its useful days.

Perhaps possessing a certain luxury in a bygone era, its present state told a very different story.

Yet…

‘The portrait itself lacks any sign of age.’

The painting depicted a young boy adorned with rosy cheeks, gazing forward with a gentle, faint smile.

Regardless of how diligently a portrait received maintenance, decades of time should naturally produce visible discoloration or fading.

Yet despite the worn condition and numerous flaws of the surrounding frame, why did the canvas remain so remarkably preserved?

‘The situation defies nature.’

Anyone lacking proper awareness would feel genuine terror upon witnessing it.

Furthermore, the subject was not the Grand Duke himself, but rather the Grand Duke’s young son.

The tragic figure who met a brutal end at the hands of a doting father.

Understanding why superstitious inhabitants kept the object locked away in darkness out of sheer dread required little effort.

Of course, those concerns applied solely to ordinary observers.

Fortunately, Lion possessed the sight to perceive deeper truths.

Specifically, the underlying source sustaining the very existence of the portrait.

However, attempting an arbitrary extraction of that source would likely cause the spirit of the Grand Duke’s son to vanish entirely.

‘A peaceful departure would be ideal….’

Instead of gentle rest, the outcome would undoubtedly manifest as complete and utter annihilation.

Faced with this reality, Lion reached a definitive choice.

“Heave ho.”

Lifting the heavy frame with deliberate care, he set it aside on a nearby surface.

Attention then shifted toward the remaining articles scattered around the room.

“The lighting here remains poor, so the portrait will accompany me back to my chambers for closer examination later.”

-What nonsense are you uttering?

Tiamatrak wore a look of utter bewilderment, only to be met with Lion’s unapologetic indifference.

“Pus. Do any other suspicious objects catch your attention among the rest of the inventory?”

“Kiying!”

The tiny beast indicated a negative response.

If so, the primary anchor for the young master’s lingering spirit almost certainly resided within this very frame.

Turning back, Lion casually addressed Tiamatrak, who continued staring with a blank expression.

“Are you entirely certain nothing else exists?”

-What audacity. You truly are a shameless Lion.

-This deliberate provocation stems from pity toward that weeping ghost, does it not?

“The question concerned whether you ever bestowed a fragment of your essence upon a mortal.”

-…….

Tiamatrak once again pressed his lips together in complete silence.

‘Even so.’

Awareness seemed present, yet an underlying stubbornness prevented open admission.

Lion shook his head slightly, mentally revisiting earlier deductions.

Specifically, the underlying connection linking Tiamatrak directly to the Dragnas Grand Duke Family.

Frankly, the number of inexplicable anomalies surpassed a mere handful.

Granting that an ancient dragon, surviving ages as a pure spirit without losing self-awareness, might achieve such feats—

After all, legends spoke of dragons possessing unimaginable capabilities.

Yet how did that explain the situation concerning the Grand Duke of Dragnas’s son?

Was the boy not merely a human child?

‘Still, the core circumstances parallel those of Tiamatrak.’

The coincidence felt far too specific to ignore.

Consider the second point.

Regardless of the underlying motive, an object imbued with Tiamatrak’s personal power existed securely within the Dragnas household.

Furthermore, integrating that power into a frame dedicated to a cherished son effectively repurposed it into an heirloom or protective talisman.

‘Lastly….’

The family surname itself, Dragnas.

Could anyone look at it without immediately connecting the sound to the word ‘Dragon’?

In truth, guesswork was entirely unnecessary regarding that detail.

‘Because historical records confirm it as absolute fact.’

According to ancient archives, the Dragnas Grand Duke Family descended directly from lineages that inherited dragon blood millennia ago.

Though that bloodline eventually withered away and references to the family vanished from mainstream chronicles—

‘That precise detail remained overlooked by Tiamatrak as well.’

Even an omniscient dragon faced natural boundaries when attempting to comprehend the chaotic flow of human affairs.

Perhaps mortal history simply appeared too fragmented and brief from an immortal perspective.

Alternatively—

‘The possibility remains that pretending ignorance was simply preferred.’

Understanding the complex heart of a dragon proved impossible when even the mind of a mere human remained an enigma.

Regardless, Lion’s final conclusion stood firm.

The ancestral founder of the Dragnas bloodline was almost certainly Tiamatrak.

More precisely, the situation likely originated from Tiamatrak visiting the mortal realm purely for amusement.

Well then. Consequently…

Just as preparations began to voice the next course of action,

-Only half of the power resides there.

Tiamatrak spoke in a tone dripping with reluctance.

Still maintaining a deep frown and an awkward posture, clear displeasure radiated from his stance.

-The remaining half likely rests with that Grand Duke individual or whatever he calls himself.

“That assumption is likely correct.”

-Retrieve both halves immediately.

-The gift was originally bestowed in a distant era, with no anticipation of such misuse.

-Considering the passage of time, that mortal has perished a hundred times over, making reclamation long overdue.

-……

Finishing the statement, Tiamatrak cast a sideways glance toward Lion.

Clearly anticipating some form of emotional response—which failed to materialize.

“Is that so? The task will be handled.”

Lion accepted the directive without further interrogation.

High probability suggested that the resting place of the Grand Duke’s soul shared the exact location as the final retreat of the Hero discovered by his grandfather.

‘The destination remains unavoidable regardless.’

Moreover, probing into the painful history of others held no appeal for Lion.

If information was offered voluntarily, listening would follow; if withheld, it simply indicated a lack of readiness, requiring patient waiting.

That principle applied universally, whether dealing with a mortal child or an ancient dragon.

-Unbelievable…

-Does an event like this fail to spark any natural curiosity within you?

The one genuinely caught off guard turned out to be Tiamatrak.

Truthfully, reluctance to discuss the matter had dominated moments prior.

Sharing such personal history went completely against typical habits.

Yet the sheer indifference of the response defied all expectations!

“When the appropriate moment arrives, the truth will be spoken. More importantly, go locate which floor houses this particular warehouse.”

-You truly possess the mind of an absolute eccentric…

“Roar!”

Pus, comprehending the master’s insult with absolute clarity, let out a fierce growl and lunged directly at Tiamatrak.

Teaps snapped aggressively at the empty air.

-Agh! You insane beast! Excess saliva is landing upon me! Aagh!

-Truly, the master and the beast share the exact same temperament!

A few minutes after the theatrical skirmish concluded,

-The location is the final chamber situated upon the fourth floor. A specific door sits hidden amid those stacked piles of cargo.

Tiamatrak returned with the required warehouse details, delivering the report in a familiar, grumbling cadence.

A brief cooling-off period had evidently restored a semblance of calm.

-Does departure happen immediately?

“Negative. First, a survey near the Great Barrier alongside my grandfather must take place before reaching any final decisions.”

The Great Barrier spanned an area far too vast for Lion to thoroughly investigate in a single day, regardless of determination.

Furthermore, the surrounding environment constituted an authentic danger zone; venturing outside carelessly would undoubtedly summon his grandfather to drag him back by force.

If such a scenario unfolded—

‘The investigation would terminate before any genuine discoveries could be made.’

Suppressing a sigh proved unavoidable.

“For now, returning to the chambers is the proper course.”

Lifting the bulky frame once more, Lion wobbled unsteadily toward the exit.

Observing the swaying, precarious movement, Tiamatrak let out an audible sigh and stepped forward to take the heavy burden.

“Ah, appreciate the assistance.”

-Sigh… Let us proceed.

The moment captured the very essence of Patrick Asteri’s daily hardships.

Regardless, thanks to the effort, all three safely navigated back to the room!

That success was aided in no small part by the ongoing commotion echoing from the lower levels.

And then, the following day.

An unexpected disruption unfolded.

—

“A ghost has manifested?”

“Y-yes, honorable Marquis, reports of that nature are currently circulating.”

“Good grief…”

Patrick, deeply engrossed in strategizing countermeasures related to unstable zones of the Great Barrier, released a heavy sigh.

Verification of abnormal behavioral spikes among low-ranking demonic entities in a specific sector had already demanded full attention, only for this absurd rumor to demand processing.

“H-however, Marquis. Multiple witnesses came forward last night. Some claim to have seen footsteps moving through absolute darkness, while others observed a portrait suspended mid-air.”

“A portrait?”

“Indeed, a… a depiction of a young child… As you are well aware, original paintings of any kind are completely absent from this ancient fortress.”

Pinching the bridge of a throbbing nose, Patrick closed his eyes tightly.

Awareness of exaggerated falsehoods spreading throughout the old castle already existed.

Even so, anticipating such rapid escalation within a single 24-hour window, creating immediate complications, proved impossible.

Furthermore…

“Because of rumors of that caliber, the priests dispatched from the temple departed ahead of their standard schedule?”

“…That assessment is entirely accurate.”

“Dismissed.”

The mage responsible for the briefing offered a hasty bow and practically sprinted out of the chamber.

Dropping the documentation onto the Grand Duke’s heavy desk, Patrick groaned in frustration.

‘The entire schedule lies in ruins.’

Original plans dictated that the temple priests should arrive precisely on the day his grandson returned.

That timing would have allowed Lion to acclimate to the environment smoothly and comfortably.

‘Aside from my own constant supervision, naturally.’

The current turn of events transformed the situation into an administrative nightmare.

Accompanied by the necessity of dragging his grandson across various sectors before recovery from the long journey could even begin—!

Flare!

Spurred by a sudden surge of internal energy from Patrick, the nearby candles illuminating the room flared into intense, violent flames.

“No alternative remains.”

Wiping a dry hand across his face, Patrick stood up abruptly.

While low-ranking demons could be obliterated with a casual flick of the wrist, dealing with that ‘madman’ required a completely different approach.

Consequently, haste was imperative.

Leaving the private study, Patrick strode directly toward the Grand Duke’s quarters where his grandson was currently staying.

Upon arrival—

“…….”

The sight that greeted him was Lion engaged in casual conversation while staring directly at the infamous ‘portrait’ mentioned moments ago in the report.

Feeling a sudden, sharp stiffness creep up the back of his neck, Patrick quietly pulled the door closed.

Minimizing potential exposure to prevent further palace-wide gossip served as a primary motivation.

“Lion. You absolute scoundrel!”

The secondary motivation involved delivering a thoroughly deserved reprimand to his grandson.

At that exact second,

“Roar!”

Pus stepped forward with puffed-out chest, valiantly placing a tiny form directly in Patrick’s path!