Chapter 74

Chapter 74
Chapter 74: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

Elvia shifted her gaze to fixate on the driver.

‘He certainly lacks deafness.’

Isn’t his composure far greater than my initial expectations?

Furthermore…

Observe the grip upon the reins.

‘This man exceeds the bounds of mere silence.’

Those blemishes hardly originated from navigating a wagon.

His frame is dense, the palms heavily calloused…

Indeed, it resembled the aftermath of violent lacerations, scars spread haphazardly across his skin.

‘That Half-Elf adolescent procured an associate far more acute than I anticipated.’

The upper echelons of the criminal underworld must have dispatched a remarkably competent operative.

Besides, the youngest young master expressed his approval.

‘Any preemptive hostility remains unnecessary.’

As twilight gradually descended and the pathway dissolved into shadows, the driver addressed them.

“With the sun setting, we ought to establish our camp.”

“I shall assist. Now, young master, the air grows chilly, so please retreat into the carriage.”

“Would my absence from the chores cause any issues?”

“Hoo hoo. I am grateful for the sentiment, though considering the length of our voyage ahead, conserving your personal energy remains the optimal choice.”

Furthermore, such duties belonged strictly to the servants, and she added that provisions would be delivered directly once the meal was prepared.

‘Quite so. Unnecessary interference on my part would merely breed unwarranted concern.’

Deciding to heed Elvia’s counsel this once, Lion stepped back inside the carriage.

“Oh.”

Perhaps owing to the hardships of the journey outside, the interior felt remarkably more inviting than before.

‘Still, enduring physical hardship holds a certain romance during one’s youth.’

Such endeavors grow considerably more arduous with advancing age.

Lion massaged his lower back and collapsed heavily onto the interior sofa.

The stiffness within his spine seemed to miraculously straighten… could this furnishing be crafted from superior materials?

“Peep.”

“Indeed. Your perspective aligns with mine, does it not?”

Lion gently caressed Nature, who had been resting lazily within the carriage, and offered a faint smile…

“Pardon?”

“Peep?”

Surely my ears did not deceive me.

Lion tilted his head slightly to observe Nature closer.

A distinct “peep” sound had seemingly echoed.

‘Is such a phenomenon even conceivable?’

Spirits originate from entirely separate dimensions.

Consequently, regardless of how closely their external forms mirror living fauna or humans, verbalizing their inner volition remains impossible.

Even Endairon never uttered a noise resembling a wolf.

Yet…

“This specimen is capable of vocalization?”

Quite impressive for our current stage, are we not?

Naturally, having not yet surpassed the dimensions of a fledgling hatchling, producing anything beyond soft chirping sounds was its limit…

A profound sense of maternal pride swelled within.

The distinct satisfaction of realizing one’s offspring possesses exceptional traits.

In all honesty, possessing a smartphone right at that moment would have prompted an endless barrage of photographs and video captures.

Aloud, such documentation remained impossible simply due to lacking the device.

“Desire a morsel?”

“Peep!”

Offering an alternative, Lion retrieved spirit water from his pack, poured the liquid into a shallow dish, positioned it before Nature, and observed the creature feed.

How much time had trickled away while amusing himself with Nature?

*Gurgle-*

Lion rubbed his abdomen and cast a sideways glance toward the exterior without any particular objective.

Night had fallen completely, obscuring all sights and sounds.

‘Camp setup appears to be demanding a considerable duration.’

Roughly two hours seemed to have elapsed.

‘Could the delay stem from this being Elvia’s first attempt?’ At that exact instant.

Knock knock.

As if summoned by mere thoughts, Elvia rapped upon the carriage entrance.

“Young Master. May I enter?”

“Proceed.”

Only upon receiving Lion’s authorization did Elvia step inside carrying the provisions.

“My apologies. You must have endured a lengthy wait.”

“It is of no consequence. However… did an unexpected event transpire?”

“Nothing of great consequence. A minor local fauna appeared near the perimeter, causing a slight delay in my duties.”

“Ah.”

That explanation carried logic. Even frequent travelers rarely visited such uninhabited wilderness.

Wild beasts naturally gathered to scavenge remnants left behind by wayfarers.

“Therefore, though it may prove somewhat restrictive, remaining inside the vehicle until our departure tomorrow is strongly advised. Numerous creatures act as vectors for corrupt maladies.”

“Understood.”

Hearing Elvia deliver such warnings, I briefly wondered if she had merely hunted a common field mouse.

Yet, the meal itself appeared remarkably extravagant.

Presented in a multi-tiered lunchbox boasting an impressive five distinct compartments.

Soft bread accompanied by savory meats, alongside fresh salads, fruits, and even a steaming stew that appeared freshly prepared.

Such luxuries exceeded all expectations regarding outdoor sustenance.

“Dining furniture could not be arranged.”

“It matters not.”

A formal table proved entirely unnecessary. Does the true charm of a portable lunchbox not stem from consuming it precisely in this fashion?

‘It evokes memories of airline catering.’

The entire experience radiated an aura of supreme luxury travel.

Then, moments later…

*Drip drip!*

Elvia filled a goblet halfway with crimson wine and extended it toward Lion.

“Though the carriage offers comfort, achieving deep slumber may prove elusive. Partake in a draught.”

The ruby-toned liquid rippled seductively within the glass container.

‘Oh dear.’

Consuming alcohol at this juncture is hardly ideal.

Perhaps a solitary goblet would remain harmless given the pleasant ambiance.

“In that case, a single glass shall suffice.”

Accepting the vessel without further hesitation, Lion paired the beverage with his prepared meal.

The gentle sweetness mingled with a faint tartness effectively stimulated his appetite.

‘This arrangement possesses its own distinct charm, does it not?’

Gazing out the window at the nocturnal moon, Lion sipped the remaining vintage.

The overall atmosphere carried a delightful tranquility.

Following his meal, Lion completed a comfortable washing routine and settled into the hastily arranged bedding.

A pleasant intoxication washed over him, causing his eyelids to grow heavy of their own accord.

Drifting into slumber noticeably earlier than usual alongside Nature.

Deep within the quiet of the night.

“……”

Elvia stood observing the captive wild beast bound tightly behind a massive timber—the very ‘obstacle’ she had managed.

A jet-black mask alongside several unrecognized accomplices.

An ambush had occurred.

“My assessment guarantees these individuals originate outside our underworld factions.”

The driver remarked with absolute serenity while inspecting the subdued intruders.

“Do you possess knowledge regarding their affiliations?”

“Suspicion points toward retainers belonging to an aristocratic household. Certainty, however, eludes me.”

Resting her chin upon her fingertips, Elvia stared intently at the unconscious assailants.

Unleashing her hidden witch capabilities here would instantly unmask their true identities and the master pulling their strings.

Conclusive proof would likewise fall into her grasp.

However.

‘Should such a course of action be pursued…’

Would this rare and deeply cherished excursion not suffer total ruin?

This voyage represented an expedition embarked upon by her beloved young master with fierce determination.

Fabricating unnecessary complications served no purpose.

Furthermore, concealing her true nature as a witch remained paramount.

Two primary strategies existed for maintaining this deception.

Either elude detection entirely, or operate within a framework where discovery carries no consequences.

While she traditionally favored eradicating every trace of evidence…

‘Executing such measures would result in the demise of this remarkably competent driver.’

That outcome would introduce unwelcome complications.

Elvia retraced the events of just moments prior.

The driver’s impressive display as he swiftly neutralized and incapacitated the attacking force.

He had even secured their bonds with such precision that neither Andrie nor the young master would perceive the disturbance.

His methodology of resolving crises earned her genuine approval.

Possessing combat prowess of that caliber…

‘The underworld certainly assigned an operative of formidable capability.’

Perhaps his potential rivals that of Freya herself.

“Shall I proceed with their elimination?”

“Unnecessary. The identity of the instigator is already clear to me.”

Gently shaking her head in response to the driver’s inquiry, Elvia channeled magic to conjure a carrier pigeon, releasing it into the night sky.

A remarkably accurate hypothesis had already formed.

‘Aristocrats are not responsible.’

Certainly, numerous households harbored jealousy and resentment toward the Asteri lineage.

Yet, executing a maneuver as crude as this exceeded their daring; managing the subsequent fallout would prove impossible.

Only two alternative factions remained plausible.

The Temple, standing in permanent ideological opposition to arcane arts.

And lastly.

‘The Imperial Household.’

The complete absence of divine resonance heavily tilts the probability toward the latter option.

Judging by the sheer clumsiness of the attempt, the Emperor himself orchestrated nothing of the sort.

Suspicion naturally fell upon ambitious princes or their zealous followers seeking external leverage.

‘Well, resolving such matters falls under the purview of the Family Head.’

Petrick permitted Lion’s departure while remaining fully aware of these underlying dangers.

Externally, Lion projected the image of the weakest entity within the Asteri household.

Naturally, stepping beyond territorial borders rendered him an immediate primary target.

Even so, perpetual confinement within safe walls remained an impossibility.

“This journey promises an extraordinary level of entertainment.”

Observing the magical carrier pigeon vanish into the distant firmament, Elvia wore a deep, knowing smile.

—

The following dawn.

By the time Lion stirred from his rest, the carriage preparations for departure had already reached completion.

“Young Master, did a cough trouble you during the night?”

“Did I oversleep significantly?”

“Negative. Morning provisions are likewise prepared. Did you manage adequate rest?”

“Indeed. The quality of sleep was exceptional.”

Perhaps aided by the evening wine, deep slumber had claimed him despite the unfamiliar resting quarters.

The ambient temperature had remained comfortably balanced.

Lion performed a light stretch before descending from the vehicle.

However…

‘A peculiar sensation lingers.’

How should one describe this inexplicable undercurrent of unease?

“Elvia.”

“Present, Young Master.”

“Did any notable occurrence transpire during the hours of darkness?”

“Nothing of note occurred, save for the capture of a passing wild beast.”

“…Is that the absolute truth?”

If so, why did every trace of wildlife completely vanish?

Or rather, all traces of movement whatsoever seemed scrubbed clean.

“……”

Voicing further suspicion felt unwise at this juncture.

“Ah, Young Master. Good morning to you!”

Breaking the awkward silence, Andrie, having risen earlier, offered a cheerful greeting while mid-breakfast.

“Ah, Andrie. Did the night treat you well?”

“Splendidly! Although the cargo compartment appears modest, the coziness is surprising. Besides, breathing fresh outdoor air after such a prolonged absence has greatly stimulated my artistic inspiration, and our arrival near the transit gate is nearly upon us.”

Clasping his hands together, Andrie radiated visible excitement.

“Truthfully, though embarrassing to admit, experiencing a teleportation gate firsthand is a first for me! My heart pounds quite frantically.”

“The requisite fees impose a heavy burden on ordinary commoners.”

Lion nodded in agreement with Elvia’s clarification.

In exchange for instantaneous long-distance transit, the cost equaled an entire year’s living expenses for a typical peasant family.

Furthermore, tariff pricing scaled directly with cargo weight, preventing the general public from utilizing the gates for standard commercial deliveries.

Though, admittedly… wealthy buyers or exceptionally high-value commodities occasionally warranted the expense.

“To think my merchandise will be delivered through a gate…!”

For Andrie, whose shop was on the verge of closure, the milestone represented a monumental triumph.

“Certain individuals experience severe motion sickness.”

“Oh, suffering from motion sickness due to a gate transit is something one boasts about for a lifetime!”

Continuing his enthusiastic chatter regarding the teleportation mechanics, Andrie kept talking as Lion finished his meal, acting as though no strange occurrences had ever transpired.

“Oh dear. My talking has consumed excessive time.”

Noticing Lion complete his meal, Andrie immediately sprung to his feet.

“Indeed. A considerable distance remains before we reach the Lungen Territory Teleportation hub. Until that destination is reached, Young Master, feel free to rest at your leisure.”

“Understood.”

Just as Lion prepared to re-enter the carriage.

*Rustle.*

“……”

A distinct sound echoed from the foliage behind a towering tree.

Lion halted momentarily, casting a steady gaze in that specific direction… before stepping back inside the vehicle.

‘Hm, how ought this to be handled.’

Regardless of efforts to remain oblivious, alas.

“Elvia.”

“Present, Young Master.”

“Moments ago, behind that timber…”

Elvia regarded Lion with a distinct expression of unease.

An instinctive premonition of trouble flared within her.

‘Surely he does not intend to command their release?’

Regardless of the Young Master’s inherent benevolence, those individuals had launched a direct assault against him.

Objectively, executing them on the spot constituted fully justified self-defense.

Their clear intent targeted Lion’s total elimination.

Moreover, their tactical proficiency rivaled that of formal knightly orders.

Their allegiance undoubtedly traced back to the Imperial Family.

Consequently, should they prove to be Imperial Knights…

‘Even if the Young Master pleads for a single pardon, the Family Head will ensure their destruction.’

Yet, the persistent worry remained whether this compassionate youth might suffer emotional distress.

While Elvia’s mind raced with apprehension.

“No, my ears must have deceived me.”

“Pardon?”

“Speaking of which, rumors suggest the Lungen Territory has suffered heavily from bandit activity recently.”

As Elvia blinked in confusion, Lion offered a light, playful smile.

“Count Rungen must carry a heavy burden of worry.”