Chapter 270

Chapter 270
Chapter 270: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

“Hmm…”

Several days later, Lion finally fluttered his eyes open once more.

I recall entering the room with the intention of stopping that bleeding nose…

‘Nothing comes to mind after that moment.’

Clearly, he had blacked out completely.

Such a reaction matched his battered physical condition.

Under normal circumstances, he ought to have been lying in undisturbed repose instead of clashing with the Archbishop.

‘Wait, no, he was the one who…’

Wasn’t he the aggressor?

It would be one thing if the target were me, but that wretched cleric dared lay a hand upon my grandfather.

A thoroughly despicable person.

Can a supposed holy man behave in such a manner?

Frankly, because I failed to vent my fury properly at the time, the bitterness still lingers within me.

Muttering curses against the Archbishop internally, Lion attempted to sit up…

‘Ugh!’

Overwhelmed by blinding agony, his body gave out, and he crashed back down onto the mattress.

At that exact moment, the various medical tubes linked to his frame detached and fell away.

‘Tubes?’

Come to think of it, this location is certainly not Dragnas Castle.

Nor does it resemble the interior of a carriage or Asteri Mansion.

Instead, this place is…

“Now that your nervous system is reawakening, the pain will be severe, so try to remain still.”

“…Haha. Have you been keeping well?”

“…”

Hoffman paused mid-motion while reattaching the magical healing apparatus to Lion’s form, fixing a stunned stare upon the youth.

His expression communicated a clear message: “Are you genuinely prioritizing pleasantries right now?” leaving Lion with no choice but to let out an even more nervous chuckle.

“Cease that laughter. I am not Lord Petrick.”

“Understood.”

Lion instantly wiped the smile from his face and stared blankly upward at the ceiling.

“This marks the fourth instance in my entire existence that I have witnessed the Family Head in such a state of distress.”

Hoffman finished securing the attachments and measured Lion’s temperature.

Then, he added…

“And every single time, you were the root cause.”

*Squeeze!*

“Ow-ow-ow!”

The healer pinched Lion’s cheek with considerable force.

The hands of the Tower Master, normally accustomed to wielding a staff and quill, possessed a surprisingly vicious grip.

“The Mana Shock had finally subsided, and I foolishly believed I would be spared from looking at this wretched face again, yet you immediately rush out and pull a stunt like this!”

“Th-that’s…”

With his cheeks compressed into a distorted shape, Lion attempted a clumsy, lisping defense.

“Regardless of your justifications, such recklessness is unacceptable.”

Hoffman pressed on, his tone cutting like a blade.

“I am well aware of what motivates you. You desire to protect something precious, do you not? You likely convince yourself that self-sacrifice is a sufficient solution.”

Indeed, thanks solely to Lion’s innate talents, crises had somehow been averted up to this juncture.

Not a single resource belonging to the Asteri lineage had been expended, nor had any direct or collateral kin been forced to lift a finger.

“…”

“Even the Lord Family Head could not bring himself to voice this to you. To him, you represent a uniquely tender and painful spot.”

That assessment was accurate.

There existed a distinct reason why Grandfather refrained from adopting heavy-handed measures.

Yet Lion had feigned ignorance despite fully comprehending the truth.

In a sense, he had continually played upon his grandfather’s deep affection.

“Naturally, you are a source of constant worry to me as well. Every time you teetered on the brink of death, I was the one tasked with pulling you back.”

Lion offered a subtle nod in agreement.

If any other individual had leveled such accusations, the situation might feel different, but Hoffman’s claim was indisputable.

Three separate Mana Shocks.

Had he not shouldered the burden of every single preliminary examination and complex treatment?

Furthermore…

“You may be my grandson by blood, but to me, you have always been an idol.”

Referring to Grandfather.

Or more accurately, Hoffman was someone who had matured while idolizing the legendary hero, Petrick Asteri.

An Eighth Circle mage, the supreme leader of Asteri, and the man who single-handedly brought the demonic war to a close.

To realize that such a monumental figure could be so thoroughly unseated and emotionally tormented by a single youth named Lion—how endlessly frustrating it must have been.

‘Honestly, I would want to strike him myself.’

Of course, a few excuses could theoretically be made, but given that he had deployed a dangerously extreme method this time around, Lion prudently kept his mouth shut.

After enduring that stern lecture for a prolonged duration…

“That is quite enough.”

“…Family Head.”

The magic tower’s private elevator chimed open, and Petrick stepped into the chamber.

“How is Lion’s physical recovery progressing?”

“It appears his tactile senses have returned, but he will require strict, uninterrupted bed rest for at least several weeks. Moreover…”

Hoffman cast his gaze toward the back of Lion’s hand.

“The corruption has ceased its outward spread, nevertheless, eradicating it entirely at the earliest opportunity remains the wisest course of action.”

“Understood. You have performed admirably.”

“Not at all. However…”

Hoffman hesitated, looking directly at Petrick.

From his vantage point closest to the core of the household, he had witnessed firsthand the immense agony the Family Head endured while Lion remained unconscious.

“Hmm?”

Noticing that piercing gaze, Petrick offered a dry smirk, hitched one corner of his mouth upward, and lightly patted Hoffman’s shoulder.

“Are you perhaps growing excessively sentimental simply by spending too much time gazing up at the sky?”

“My apologies. That was never my intent. I shall take my leave…”

Hoffman bowed his head swiftly and stepped out of the way.

“Such delicate constitutions.”

Well, one had to give credit to the man for openly venting his frustrations to his grandson’s face.

“You appear to have received quite the thorough scolding. Quite so. You always harbored a particular dread of Hoffman back in your childhood years.”

Perhaps influenced by that lingering childhood trauma, Lion cast a cautious glance toward Petrick’s facial expression.

“Lion.”

“Yes. Grandfather…”

“Why on earth must you act so timidly now, considering the sheer magnitude of the trouble you will undoubtedly cause in the future?”

“…Pardon?”

Petrick exhaled a soft sigh and lowered himself onto a chair positioned beside the bedside.

“What I mean is, you need not fret excessively over what has already transpired. Though, admittedly, every time you collapse unconscious, it feels as though a decade of my life vanishes.”

“I-I am truly sorry, Grandfather.”

“Very well. That apology suffices, so put the matter out of your mind. And furthermore…”

*Ahem.* Petrick cleared his throat before unfastening a small pouch concealed within the folds of his outer robe.

From the interior emerged…

“Kiying! Kiying!”

Pus, whining pathetically as if it had suffered terribly from missing its master.

“Beeeep! Beeeeep!”

Followed by Nature, who undoubtedly would have been shrieking a string of colorful curses had it possessed human vocal cords.

“I brought them along since you will be confined here for your recovery.”

The exact second Petrick placed the bag upon the covers.

“Kiyii!”

Pus launched itself upward with tremendous energy, executing a direct dive straight onto Lion’s stomach!

*Thump!*

As those heavy, solid paws pressed forcefully against his recovering skin.

“Ugggh…!”

A wave of intense muscular agony caused Lion’s entire body to tingle fiercely.

It felt akin to receiving a sudden electrical shock, driving hot tears to his eyes, yet the enthusiastic onslaught of Pus’s tongue immediately washed those tears away, replacing them with a coating of warm saliva.

“Yes… Pus. Good boy. Hang on just a moment, ugh!”

By exerting considerable effort, Lion managed to shift his arm just enough to soothe the overly excited creature.

Once the initial commotion finally settled down.

“That Archbishop has remained as docile as a frightened field mouse ever since you administered that physical lesson.”

“Cough.”

“You clearly utilized ‘that specific problem’ to back him into a corner. Exceptionally well executed. Men of his type only pretend to listen when the pressure applied is absolute.”

“Haha. Ahaha…”

It appeared Grandfather intended to overlook this reckless episode as well.

Or perhaps he was actively running interference because he possessed the clearest understanding of the underlying circumstances.

“As for Rikschel, I informed him that you ventured into the magic tower purely to conduct research on the noxious specimen discovered within the great barrier.”

“Ah.”

“Should that child uncover the truth, you will find yourself in a perpetual headache, therefore ensure your accounts match flawlessly.”

“My sincere thanks.”

Lion shuddered involuntarily as he imagined the catastrophic repercussions should Rikschel ever learn the actual details.

‘First priority… I must keep Licht shielded.’

Why must an innocent soul like Licht be dragged into this torment?

Rikschel operated as an absolute purveyor of efficiency.

If he grasped the full picture, his methods of harassment would drag both myself and the temple straight into his sphere of influence.

‘It functions essentially as an emergency fail-safe.’

At any rate, remaining ignorant of the facts was vastly preferable for him.

“Regarding that lingering corruption… I am afraid you will be forced to bear it for a slightly longer duration.”

“I figured as much.”

Lion comprehended the reasoning instantly.

Demanding an immediate cure for the affliction right on the heels of the heavy intimidation he had leveled against the Archbishop days prior would simply cross into unreasonable territory.

Simultaneously, it served as a useful lingering leverage point against the church.

‘Though utilizing Licht remains an alternative option.’

Lion lowered his gaze to inspect his hands.

While the skin had darkened considerably, there were no outward signs of active decay or disintegration.

Leaving it unaddressed indefinitely posed mortal risks, but for the immediate future, his condition remained stable.

“You already have a calculated strategy in mind, do you not?”

“Indeed. Once the appropriate moment arrives, I shall eradicate it permanently, so you need not worry.”

“Very well. Haha. At least I can take comfort in knowing I will have the opportunity to manufacture a vast quantity of protective gloves.”

Attempting to lighten the mood with a brief jest, Lion adjusted his posture to sit up slightly.

Given that such a minor movement exhausted his current limits, a multi-week resting period was undeniably mandatory.

“Indeed. Remain here and recuperate quietly until the Emperor’s upcoming birthday banquet.”

He added the advisory that utilizing the downtime to conduct research within the magic tower facilities would not be an unwise choice.

Clearly, the old man remained terrified that Lion might bolt the moment his strength returned even marginally.

‘Honestly…’

Since Hoffman had already subjected him to a thorough tongue-lashing, keeping quiet and tending to his wounds seemed like the sensible path forward.

Still, one detail caught him off guard.

“Are you truly permitting me to attend the Emperor’s birthday celebration?”

“Even if I forbade it, you would simply sneak out regardless.”

“…”

His habits had been analyzed far too accurately.

“Now then, while we are on the subject, it would be immensely helpful if you shared the intelligence you managed to extract.”

“Ah, yes, of course.”

Stroke by stroke, Lion petted the resting Pus and began detailing the critical information harvested from within the depths of the corruption.

He recounted his encounter with Great Duke Dragnas, noting how the man stood guard over the Hero’s sacred artifact.

And additionally…

“…Inside the barrier itself.”

“Indeed. Word reached me that you plunged directly into the interior of the Great Barrier.”

Petrick’s expression shifted into an expression of profound gravity.

“Such a possibility never even crossed my mind to investigate.”

Such an oversight was hardly his fault.

Even if an outside entity breached the perimeter, that specific barrier had been forged jointly by Petrick and the Saintess.

Any unauthorized intrusion should have instantly triggered an alert to Petrick’s senses.

Under normal circumstances, that is how it should have functioned.

“Perhaps the former Archbishop facilitated the intrusion?”

“…Likely so.”

What on earth was the man attempting to conceal that could justify such a catastrophic gamble?

“Understood. I shall initiate a separate intelligence-gathering operation regarding this development.”

“Yes. Please do.”

“My gratitude.”

“…”

Lion’s eyes widened in genuine shock at Petrick’s unexpected expression of thanks.

‘I have done nothing but bring him endless burdens…’

As if reading the bewildered thoughts written across his face, Petrick gazed at his historically sluggish grandson with softened eyes.

Evidently, the youth failed to realize that simply laying out all the factual pieces served as an immense tactical advantage to the household.

‘Hoffman’s earlier lecture truly worked wonders.’

The shift in attitude was undoubtedly a direct residual effect of the severe scolding.

“Nonsense.”

Had he revealed such sentiment openly to his grandson, the boy would likely revert to keeping secrets once again, thus maintaining a stoic silence was the safer route.

“At any rate, make use of your time to rest properly here within the magic tower. It appears a rather extensive queue of individuals is eagerly waiting for your return.”

“Oh?”

“A long line of patrons hoping to sample your specialty beverages once more.”

“Ah.”

For spellcasters completely consumed by grueling research tasks, those concoctions practically functioned as divine elixirs.

‘I suppose I ought to brew a fresh batch once my physical strength fully returns.’

And ensuring Hoffman received a complimentary share would be wise as well.

While Lion busied himself mapping out leisurely agendas, Petrick rose smoothly from his chair.

The hour for his departure had arrived.

After all, responsibilities extending far beyond the immediate concerns of the great barrier demanded his attention.

“Are you taking your leave?”

“Indeed. Do not trouble yourself by rising.”

“Understood. Safe travels, Grandfather.”

Lion maintained his seated position on the mattress, offering a quiet farewell.

Just as the magical elevator chimed and its doors parted smoothly…

“Ah.”

Petrick paused, tossing out a final remark as though recalling an afterthought.

“As a supplementary piece of information, Elvia is currently harboring quite a significant amount of wrath, so I advise preparing an appropriate apology.”

“…Pardon?”

“Her exact words were, ‘Why on earth was I excluded from notification?’ *Ahem*… Farewell.”

Without lingering for a reply, Petrick stepped directly into the cabin and descended out of sight.

The conveyance mechanism, utilizing the absolute peak of magic tower engineering, plummeted rapidly downward…

-Oh dear.

-This looks genuinely grim. She becomes terrifying when truly provoked, doesn’t she?

“…Indeed she does, doesn’t she?”

How on earth should I handle this?

A wave of cold sweat instantly broke out across Lion’s forehead.