Chapter 291

Chapter 291
Chapter 291

Upon learning that roughly half of the ordeal involved considerable trouble, Petrick thoroughly cross-examined his grandson. Fortunately, Lion proved relatively forthcoming in divulging what he had kept hidden.

“So that wretch of an Archbishop interred this relic?”

“Indeed.”

“And you were the one who unearthed it?”

Lion offered a nod, adopting his most innocent expression.

“Nothing further transpired beyond that.”

Thankfully, owing to the corruption, he had avoided collapsing and steered clear of triggering a narrative sequence!

Because it was fundamentally the truth, Lion vigorously defended his actions, maintaining that he had merely triggered a ‘relatively minor mishap.’

Consequently—

“Hooooo…”

To his relief, the situation did not culminate in Petrick directing his fury at Lion.

As he watched his grandfather release a heavy sigh, a sense of relief washed over Lion.

* Hmm… I hardly think this calls for relief, do you?

Just as Tiamatrak chimed in after observing the exchange, Petrick’s gaze ignited with a surge of concentrated mana.

“That lunatic…!”

“Aigoo, Grandfather! Please, check your temper!”

“Do not attempt to restrain me. I shall march over there myself and execute that Archbishop.”

His grandfather unleashed a torrent of coarse insults he had never once uttered in Lion’s presence.

‘Goodness, he actually knows vocabulary like that?’

The phrasing was unmistakably a habit picked up from Jack back in their adventurous days alongside the Hero.

Concluding it was an absolute blessing that his younger brother was absent, Lion offered an awkward chuckle and worked to soothe his grandfather.

“Naturally, I plan to seek retribution as well. He crossed a definitive line this time.”

In reality, that boundary had been overstepped ages ago. Had the man not constantly tested Lion’s patience?

“Lion.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

“You grasp that fellow’s underlying objective by now, I take it?”

“Yes. It appears he is attempting to mold me into a hero.”

“And what are your inclinations? Do you harbor any desire to become a hero?”

Confronted by his grandfather’s inquiry, Lion fell silent for a brief moment before slowly answering.

“To be frank, I have felt somewhat conflicted lately. After all, current events seem dead-set on pushing me down that path.”

The progression had certainly accelerated compared to previous times. Granted, part of that was because Lion had actively pursued the Hero’s relics more diligently than before.

‘How best to frame it…’

He could not shake the uncanny impression that items were gravitating toward him on their own accord. Specifically, the legacy and concealed lore surrounding the Hero carried an undeniable weight, implying that turning a blind eye was no longer an option.

An ominous premonition lingered, whispering that a major crisis was about to erupt.

‘If the consequences affected me alone, it would be manageable.’

He could simply grit his teeth, feign ignorance, and disregard it entirely. Alternatively, he could sever ties with everything, retreat to some secluded island, and spend his days in idleness.

That might have been true previously, but lately, the faces of his family and cherished companions continually surfaced in his thoughts. A stubborn, meddlesome streak of protective concern had taken root.

He sensed he could make a difference, even without possessing the traditional abilities of a Hero. And perhaps… if he truly committed himself, he might actually fulfill that function to a certain extent.

Thump.

Petrick’s heavy hand descended to clap Lion’s shoulder firmly.

“Lay down all your burdens and voice your true desires.”

Only then could his grandfather determine how best to direct his support.

“I am well aware that you are capable of resolving any crisis. Nevertheless, what you are capable of doing and what you genuinely want to do are distinct matters.”

“…I understand.”

Lion offered a faint, gentle smile in response to his grandfather’s heartfelt counsel.

It was evident his grandfather believed he was buckling under immense psychological strain. In truth, an ordinary individual likely would be. That distinct brand of anxiety—the dread of making a catastrophic misstep—remained a universal vulnerability, regardless of age.

‘Not just me.’

His grandfather standing before him, the Second Prince, and even the prickly Archbishop currently provoking him—all shared similar burdens.

However—

‘My decision is already finalized.’

Throughout his existence as Lion—no, even prior to inhabiting this physical vessel—Baek Yi-hyeon had settled upon a single principle.

It was simply this:

‘Pursue solely what I desire to do.’

Unwavering and free of internal conflict, he had chosen to tread his own path, independent of conventional notions of right and wrong. He had grown thoroughly weary of being jerked around by external forces, having learned through bitter experience that such a state offered no comfort.

Above all else—

‘Because of that, I feel secure.’

Were his family members not right here, standing as a shield around Lion?

Consequently, the conclusion Lion reached was clear.

“First, I intend to investigate the matter as thoroughly as my capabilities allow. Above all, I am genuinely curious.”

“What drives that curiosity?”

To outside observers, it might seem akin to tracking a mere game character, but for Lion, the reality was somewhat different. Within this world, the very figures he had nurtured with affection had served as his emotional anchor during his most desolate periods.

In a sense…

Indeed, they had acted as heroes to him as well.

Though he could not pinpoint their exact activities, glimpsing those alternative realms and journeys through their perspectives had injected a renewed spark of hope into his daily existence.

Honestly, his life back then…

‘Is something I prefer not to dwell on.’

If his childhood was defined by deprivation, his adolescence was a chapter he wished he could excise entirely. The singular anchor he possessed was a constructed reality spanning barely twenty inches across. Only that.

“If I had to articulate it, I suppose I too have received salvation from heroes.”

…It turned out to be a rather lengthy speech, yet it carried no grand, melodramatic sentiment! It simply signified his intention to push forward as far as practicable.

“Ah, naturally, should the situation prove insurmountable, I shall take flight immediately. Hahaha.”

In any event, those destined to survive must prioritize living. Furthermore, he could not afford to perish now, as it would cause grief for far too many individuals.

“…Is that so. Then, your intention is to…”

The realization that Lion might henceforth embrace the grueling path of a hero cast a shadow of sorrow across Petrick’s eyes, for he understood intimately how punishing that road truly was.

Before Petrick could spiral further into melancholy—

“Ah, but prior to that, there is a task I wish to accomplish. Grandfather.”

“Ahem. And what might that entail?”

“Vengeance. I must deliver a decisive blow to the Archbishop.”

Lion grinned, one corner of his lips pulling upward in a sharp curve.

Faced with this unfamiliar expression from his usually eccentric yet well-behaved grandson, even Petrick faltered slightly.

“To be honest, my initial impulse was to track him down immediately, but I exercised restraint.”

He had held his temper in check and issued a single warning, yet the Archbishop was now charging headlong into conflict. Up until the moment he discovered the token, Lion had contemplated whether any diplomatic avenue remained with the cleric, but no matter how he analyzed the situation—

‘Your time is up.’

The man was simply beyond redemption. Under those circumstances, the sole logical course was to let him trigger his own destruction.

“…It sounds as though you have a strategy.”

“Indeed. And I require your assistance for it, Grandfather.”

“Speak.”

“While I work on neutralizing the contamination, please present this item to the Archbishop. The retrieval process will resolve itself.”

Lion reached into his tunic and produced an object.

“This is…!”

Petrick’s eyes widened in sheer disbelief at the sight of the artifact.

Superficially, it resembled nothing more than an aged, weathered flask, yet the aura radiating from its vicinity was staggering—

‘A seal of this magnitude. This is…’

It emanated a presence far exceeding the Great Barrier. The runes were so intricate that even Petrick hesitated to interpret them.

Moreover, the underlying signature of that energy was intimately familiar.

It belonged to her.

“I have yet to examine the interior myself. The Archbishop is certain to be equally clueless.”

“…You are correct; this will undoubtedly deliver a crushing blow.”

If the Archbishop, consumed by his obsession with the Saintess, were to lay eyes on this, he would likely foam at the mouth in rage—especially when confronted with the reality that he had failed to uncover an artifact of such immense power over decades of searching.

‘The internal backlash will be devastating.’

And he would experience profound regret—specifically for having dared to pick a fight with Lion.

“It is a magnificent instrument to let a fool consume himself from within. Understood.”

“My gratitude. Shall we turn our attention to tomorrow’s arrangements now?”

Observing Lion laugh as though a heavy weight had finally been lifted from his chest, Petrick offered a nod.

‘As expected of my grandson.’

He had briefly worried that an excess of leniency might hinder a proper reprisal, but to think he had kept such a trump card concealed all along.

‘He was simply choosing to overlook the provocations.’

He had endured until now merely because the Archbishop’s pathetic state warranted a degree of pity.

‘A scoundrel deserving of a direct Meteor Strike at the absolute minimum.’

The Saintess certainly possessed atrocious judgment when selecting a successor.

With those thoughts in mind, Petrick provided a concise briefing concerning the upcoming events. A manufactured disturbance was bound to unfold during the hunting competition, and Lion was scheduled to remain stationed close to the Second Prince throughout the duration.

“And while the incident is being addressed, an official announcement will be made stating that you sustained injuries.”

“Ah, so I am to quietly receive treatment during that interval? Given the high probability of the Magic Tower’s involvement being exposed… the estate where Elvia resides, correct?”

“Your relocation is accurate, but the exact coordinates will remain withheld from you as well. As I indicated previously, an escort will be dispatched when the appropriate moment arrives.”

Security protocols apparently necessitated such secrecy.

“Though there is zero possibility of a leak on my end.”

Still, considering the labyrinthine intelligence networks of the Lepisent household and the broader nobility, this precautionary measure was undoubtedly correct.

Lion nodded in comprehension.

“Understood. Then I shall continue gathering botanical specimens as per usual.”

“Very well. I will send word once the situation concludes, so put your mind at ease.”

“I am faring exceptionally well. Please spare yourself any worry.”

If anything, he felt considerably more anxious regarding the two of them. Left unchecked, his grandfather and younger brother would likely abandon all rest and immerse themselves entirely in endless labor…

“Lion.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

“Our concern for you remains paramount.”

“Hahaha. That is simply the nature of family; we watch over one another.”

“Do not mistake your recovery for an invitation to stir up trouble. Is that understood?”

In truth, he had fully intended to dive straight back into story mode the moment safety was assured, but—

‘Well, it should turn out fine, shouldn’t it?’

His grandfather surely wouldn’t dispatch him to any genuinely perilous locations. At worst, it would merely be some covert facility managed by House Asteri. Something along those lines.

“Lion. Give me an answer.”

“Hahaha. Yes. Of course.”

Petrick massaged his temples in response to Lion’s slick, evasive demeanor.

‘The boy is undoubtedly plotting fresh mischief.’

Nevertheless—

‘Things will not proceed quite so smoothly this time.’

Suppressing a faint, victorious smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth, Petrick rose from his chair.

“We shall reconvene at the estate, then.”

“Yes.”

Leaving behind a parting phrase that fell somewhere between a farewell and a temporary goodbye, Petrick strode out of the quarters. His scheduled conversation with Rickshel would likely need to wait until the following morning.

“Now then, shall I indulge in a brief rest?”

With a buoyant spirit, Lion collapsed backward onto the mattress, entirely oblivious to the secret sanctuary his grandfather had prepared for him.

—

Thus, the evening of the second day faded, and the long-awaited dawn of the third day broke.

“…Oh.”

The moment the hunting competition commenced, Lion emitted a soft exclamation, struck by the heavy, ominous pressure saturating the atmosphere.

“They are certainly committing to this.”

“A considerable amount of effort went into the preparation.”

He had wondered what sort of maneuver they intended to pull during the event, but Marquis Lepisent had clearly mobilized far more resources than anticipated.

To begin with—

‘At this stage, aren’t those creatures closer to demonic beasts than ordinary fauna?’

The beasts were currently charging forward with bloodshot eyes and foaming jaws, behaving as though pumped full of stimulants.

Furthermore—

Whoosh!

Clang!

The barrage of poison-tipped projectiles slicing through the air on erratic trajectories cut an impressive figure.

By comparison, the Second Prince wielded nothing more than a standard hunting blade, yet—

‘Is he actually enjoying himself?’

His expression radiated sheer exhilaration, as though he had waited an eternity for this exact moment.

‘…When is my cue supposed to happen, exactly?’

If the offensive was already underway, shouldn’t something be targeting me directly before long?

Caught within the eye of this escalating storm, Lion lingered awkwardly on the sidelines, observing the chaotic spectacle unfold…

Being left out of the immediate action generated a rather bizarre sensation.

Right as he was drifting aimlessly behind the Second Prince—

“My, you must have been terribly bored standing about?”

A familiar, grating voice chimed in from directly behind him.