Chapter 57

Chapter 57
Chapter 57: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

“…Then I’ll also elevate this half-elf to guest status.”

Once the report concluded.

As the illusory form of Rikschel faded away, he shook his head slowly.

“Haa.”

I expected a lone tracker or kidnapper, but an entire armed delegation is heading this way from the Elf Country.

“I had better make thorough preparations.”

I am genuinely grateful that I trained in advance.

I nearly failed to prepare for such an unexpected emergency.

‘No, even if preparation is impossible, I must protect him.’

Because he is my one and only older brother!

—

“So, that is how it happened.”

“…”

Lion, returning from the forest, received a concise debriefing from Rikschel and Elvia regarding recent events.

In short, the youngster sporting the cone-shaped hat was a half-elf, and fate had it that one of his parents was a high elf.

I assumed that was the end of it, but coincidentally, the boy’s affinity for commanding spirits prompted an elite contingent to be dispatched from their domain.

‘He can command spirits?’

That was a revelation entirely unknown to Lion.

Naturally, it was hardly surprising since he had never summoned any spirits himself.

“So, I must exercise caution?”

“Indeed. That is correct.”

They advised him to remain vigilant, warning that the initial reception might be tense and disagreeable.

The grandfather indicated he would clarify the particulars upon his arrival, prompting Lion to nod in comprehension.

“Still, is that child truly of such great significance?”

“I know, right?”

“Where is he at present?”

“He is simply resting. He appears thoroughly exhausted.”

“…”

Clearly, events had transpired, but digging deeper seemed unlikely to yield any positive outcome.

‘Then it is of no consequence.’

At the very least, he did not appear to have suffered any harm.

Had he been injured, the situation would have escalated, resulting in Lion being temporarily reassigned somewhere far from the estate.

“Regardless, since the Family Head is returning, I need only manage affairs competently until then.”

As Rikschel observed, minor complications existed, but given the guardians’ familiarity with one another, handling them appropriately was entirely feasible.

Furthermore, since the Asteri Family was sheltering and escorting back a runaway half-elf who had even wandered into the underworld, Lion himself anticipated no major difficulties.

…Or so he believed.

“…”

Lion, strolling through the village as was his custom, stood utterly speechless at the sight of a cluster of spirits hovering before him.

『Sylphs are suffering from the heat.』

『☞Click to check the spirits’ complaints.』

『Undines are wandering around looking for a well because they are thirsty.』

『☞Click to check the spirits’ complaints.』

Each bearing grievances felt like an added burden.

“……Surely not.”

Lion scanned his surroundings rapidly.

No matter how thoroughly he looked, not a single individual with pointed ears, let alone an elf, was visible.

The area resembled a completely ordinary village.

‘Elves possess immense pride in their heritage, so they would not resort to disguises…’

This implied the actual elves had not yet arrived, or they were assembled elsewhere.

“Have we crossed paths and missed each other?”

If so, why lingered the spirits within the village?

And in such a disgruntled state?

As Lion stood motionless, deep in contemplation…

*Swoosh!*

An Undine, a mid-grade water spirit that had been drifting aimlessly, stealthily drew near Lion.

“Pardon?”

She then pressed her water-formed palms together, gazing intently at Lion as though petitioning for aid!

『☞Click to check the spirits’ complaints.』

Checking was hardly necessary to discern the nature of her grievance.

“You are thirsty, aren’t you?”

*Nod nod!*

The translucent aquatic form shifted with a gentle sloshing sound.

Providing them with water presented no difficulty.

And…

‘Come to consider it, are they not guests as well?’

Perhaps the spirits were the truly pitiable ones.

Accustomed to the water- and air-abundant Elf Country, they had been dragged by their masters into human lands, only to find—

From their perspective—that their masters neglected their care and wandered off somewhere.

‘Had this occurred before my possession, it would have constituted a major crisis.’

Imagine treating spirits akin to household pets under such neglect.

They would make abysmal masters.

“Wait just a moment.”

Offering a draught of water was a simple task anyone could perform upon request.

Especially when a palm-sized spirit made such a plea.

‘Unlike last time, the fire spirit was not parched.’

Lion retrieved the canteen he habitually carried and unfastened the cap.

Then…

*Floating.*

Roughly a mouthful of water rose from the canteen into the air, drawing directly into the Undine’s form.

Simultaneously.

『The Undine’s thirst is quenched.』

『A certain amount of the spirit’s essence is restored.』

『The spirit is pleased.』

“Oh.”

Was the issue genuinely resolved with a single sip?

The Undine twirled about him in gratitude, scattered a handful of tiny water droplets, and vanished.

Likely trailing after her master.

‘Ah, did they lose track of her simply because they could not match her speed?’

Even so, the situation remained excessive.

“Even granted that you are busy.”

As Lion murmured to himself…

*Swoosh!*

This time, a Sylph, worn out by the oppressive heat, drifted close.

“Very well. Come here, all of you.”

Just how much hardship had they endured?

Thus, Lion aided the lower and mid-grade spirits who had lagged behind their masters, addressing their grievances one by one.

In truth, none of their requests posed any real challenge.

He permitted the Sylph to rest within his shadow, and positioned the Salamander atop his head to catch favorable sunlight.

For the Gnome, whose senses had dulled from the grueling march, he produced a pretty blossom from his pouch and offered it to her.

Then…

『You did not ignore the plight of the small spirits and extended your aid. All spirits across the realm take note of your existence!』

『New Talent: Spirit Arts』

『You have achieved Apprentice Lv.1 proficiency in Spirit Arts.』

* Low-grade spirits will fulfill your requests.
* Mid-grade spirits will lend an ear to your stories.
* High-grade spirits will grant your requests for a modest price.

A revitalizing energy, distinct from mana, circulated through Lion’s physique.

The sensation differed entirely from the formation of a mana circle, forcing Lion to temporarily cease aiding the spirits and inspect his own body.

While he had anticipated some development upon acquiring spirit communication, he had not expected to unlock this so effortlessly.

“Fortunately, nothing particularly adverse appears to have changed.”

After all, barring such extraordinary circumstances, encounters with spirits would remain rare, meaning there was little cause for concern.

…Such were his exact thoughts at that moment.

“Ooh.”

An exclamation echoed from behind him.

Sensing an inexplicable chill, he spun around to find a young, striking male clad in unfamiliar garments standing close.

The attire alone was striking enough.

The real issue lay in the distinctly pointed shape of his ears.

Added to that—

An immensely large water spirit loomed directly behind him.

“Hmm.”

He bore the unmistakable air of someone of considerable influence among the ‘guests’ visiting the estate.

“…Greetings?”

Lion offered the initial greeting.

His original intention had been simple: exchange a polite word and depart swiftly.

*Stride!*

That is, until the visitor stepped even closer.

“Oh, how can this be! You are undeniably human, yet spirits flock to you with such devotion!”

The man spoke in an archaic cadence that contrasted sharply with his youthful appearance, casually drawing nearer to Lion.

“Young man, can you perhaps perceive the child stationed behind me?”

“…”

Lion glanced upward at the imposing wolf composed entirely of water standing behind the elf.

Though clearly aqueous in nature, it strangely possessed the pelt of a genuine beast.

‘As to that… claiming I cannot see it would be rather difficult.’

Furthermore, despite framing it with the word ‘perhaps,’ the man was plainly inquiring with absolute certainty.

Under the circumstances…

“You refer to the wolf formed of water.”

“Indeed, precisely so!”

The elf clapped his hands in delight, moving with a flourish entirely foreign to modern folk.

‘Pardon? Wait, this sensation…’

Lion fleetingly recalled his life prior to possession.

He seemed to recall someone reacting to him in an identical fashion once before.

Namely…

‘A university professor.’

Before his possession.

It dated back quite some time, to an era when he diligently studied a specific niche field simply to pitch business proposals to a particular university professor.

He had absorbed every scrap of knowledge possible, regardless of accuracy, solely to sustain a conversation.

Inevitably, errors had been numerous.

The expression the professor wore whenever those mistakes were exposed—

‘It was an exact match.’

“What is your designation?”

Indeed. Even the phrasing mirrored the past.

Despite having already handed over his business card, making his name well-known to the professor, the man asked instinctively.

He likely recruited numerous students into his laboratory beginning with that very sentence.

However!

‘This instance is entirely different!’

Lion maintained complete confidence.

Confident that he would not fall into that trap once more!

Because his identity was—

“Brother Lion.”

Before Lion could proudly declare his name, Rikschel intervened.

“You are here. Are you Li… Rikschel?”

“Indeed. Have you concluded your stroll?”

“Yes. Well, quite so?”

He plainly looked as though he had rushed over, his usually immaculate clothing somewhat disheveled.

“Why have you arrived in such haste?”

“Phew, I came to find you because my brother’s return seemed delayed. And quite by chance, you happen to be in the company of a family guest.”

“…”

The young elf’s expression turned strangely blank.

It mirrored the look of a hunter who had just missed capturing his quarry.

At any rate, it came as a relief.

“Since matters stand thus, allow me to introduce you properly. This is Lion Asteri, a ‘direct descendant’ of the Asteri household. My ‘actual brother’.”

He appeared to place distinct emphasis on terms like ‘direct descendant’ and ‘actual brother’.

‘Well executed, Rikschel…!’

Under different circumstances, the overt display might have felt burdensome, but Lion mentally applauded Rikschel’s intervention.

Had things gone awry, he might have found himself manipulated by that individual—or rather, the elf.

“Hmm. A direct descendant of the Asteri clan. Come to think of it, your auras bear a mutual resemblance. I am Embrog.”

“Welcome to Asteri. Now then, let us proceed.”

“Still… of all places, the Asteri…”

Fortunately, Embrog stepped back, muttering under his breath, while Rikschel ushered Lion forward.

—

Lion, half-dragged in the grip of Rikschel’s hand, observed that the household’s condition deviated heavily from the norm.

Rikschel had likely hauled Lion back to the mansion specifically to reveal this spectacle.

‘Absolute chaos.’

The Asteri estate, ordinarily defined by profound quiet, had transformed into a veritable playground for spirits.

『Sylphs are amusing themselves.』

『Undines are drifting about freely.』

‘What an extraordinary commotion.’

Had ordinary citizens witnessed this scene, they would have reacted with utter astonishment…

Regrettably, ordinary mortals lacked the sensory capacity to perceive spirits, remaining blissfully ignorant of the unfolding spectacle.

Lion navigated the grounds, skillfully avoiding low-grade spirits sliding down the garden steps as though it were a playground slide.

Naturally, spirits could exert no physical force independently without the aid of a master, yet Lion found their presence unsettling simply because he could see them so clearly.

Meanwhile, Rikschel, traversing the midst of the spirits with complete nonchalance, lowered his voice to ask a question.

“Brother. Are there an unusual number of spirits gathered here at present?”