Chapter 75

Chapter 75
Chapter 75: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

Elvia quickly grasped Lion’s underlying motive.

‘He means it’s outside his purview, so I should deal with it myself.’

However, executing them outright wasn’t the goal; instead, the Young Master devised a strategy to ensure they could never tail them again.

The solution was to rebrand them as ordinary ‘bandits’.

“Indeed. Imagine how thrilled ‘some passing adventurer’ will be to apprehend these outlaws.”

“Quite so. Let us hope they are rounded up and disciplined until they ‘fully atone for their misdeeds’.”

“Indeed. Though the credit won’t go to us.”

Count Rungen stood as a noble firmly aligned with the pro-Asteri faction.

Given that reality, these individuals were destined to be branded as criminals by official decree, regardless of any counterclaims.

Furthermore, whoever orchestrated their deployment from the shadows would never dare bring the matter to light.

From Count Rungen’s vantage point, this presented a golden opportunity to strengthen his ties with the Asteri household, making him more than willing to cooperate.

‘For daring to set their sights on Young Master Lion, execution is the only fitting sentence.’

Yet, this lenient punishment was only enacted because my compassionate master intervened.

Meanwhile.

‘If they executed this plot fully aware that we belonged to the Asteri house, they ought to face the appropriate consequences.’

As noted previously, Lion harbored no illusions about being a saintly figure.

Naturally, he strived to lead an honorable existence.

Even so, he wasn’t unbalanced enough to pity and liberate assassins who had actively attempted to take his life.

‘Perhaps this chapter is closing. Who shall emerge next?’

It was entirely possible.

Rikschel might very well become the subsequent target instead of myself.

“There remains a distinct possibility of encountering highwaymen along the route, so an early departure is advisable.”

“Agreed. Let us set forth.”

Following the quick breakdown of the campsite, the carriage resumed its journey without delay.

Thus, a day passed, and then another.

Three full days elapsed before Lion finally crossed into the boundaries of the Lungen Territory.

And then.

“Good grief…”

“W-what in the world is that sight?”

Local inhabitants residing near the outer gates of the Lungen Territory stared in utter disbelief at the bizarre spectacle before them.

“Hush. Avoid making eye contact.”

“Pretend we witnessed nothing. Act oblivious.”

Scores of armed assailants had been bound together in a neat row like dried fish and unceremoniously dumped right in the middle of the village thoroughfare.

Moreover, they appeared utterly incapable of resistance, radiating an aura of complete resignation.

Their physical states were thoroughly battered, and their garments resembled haphazardly gathered rags scavenged to mimic common highwaymen.

“What on earth has transpired here?”

“W-was there an ambush?”

“Hardly, just observe those bruised expressions.”

“Good heavens, they have been subjected to a severe beating.”

“Shouldn’t we… alert the local guards?”

As the hum of bewildered voices swelled.

“Clear the way!”

A contingent of soldiers dispatched by Count Rungen pushed through the crowd.

The individual acting as the squad leader then called out in a distinctly theatrical tone of voice.

“Magnificent! To successfully subdue the scoundrels plaguing our local travelers! Who among you performed this noble act of justice! Did any witness the deed?”

Naturally, no witnesses stepped forward.

After all, the captives had materialized instantaneously right at the center of the village square.

“Commander! It appears the righteous individual responsible for this capture desires no recognition or reward!”

“Astonishing! To labor so selflessly for the protection of our settlement! This anonymous hero… no, once we discover the identity of this remarkable person, we must inform the Count and bestow a grand commendation! First, haul these criminals away!”

“Understood!”

The subsequent events transpired precisely as Lion had predicted.

Count Rungen, having previously received a confidential dispatch from the Asteri household, promptly initiated rumors claiming that an ‘unidentified adventurer’ had successfully raided and dismantled a major bandit encampment!

“Were there truly outlaws about?”

“There were… supposedly, yes?”

“And in such considerable numbers?”

“Unbelievable. They accomplished a truly monumental service.”

Fortuitously, the populace fixated entirely on the astonishing volume of captured outlaws rather than the phantom adventurer.

“My, that could have easily turned into a catastrophic ordeal, couldn’t it?”

Lion, thoroughly concealed beneath the magical properties of the ‘Perfectly Disgewised My Child’ hairpin, remarked with an air of absolute nonchalance.

“Indeed. Had our paths crossed directly with theirs, the outcome remains entirely unpredictable…”

Andriè offered a tense, awkward confirmation accompanied by a muted chuckle.

Although she had not personally witnessed the subduing of the assailants, Andriè possessed enough intuition to connect the dots.

She remained fully conscious that the entire affair was Lion’s handiwork.

Even so.

What did it matter?

Surely, our Young Master Lion operated with a profound and deliberate purpose behind such actions.

“In any case, the matter no longer concerns us.”

Andriè stated with definitive finality as she finished stowing her gear.

The immediate obstacle had been successfully bypassed, clearing the way for their utilization of the teleportation network.

Elvia emerged from handling the final administrative formalities and inquired.

“You have committed all the necessary safety protocols to memory, I trust?”

“Yes.”

The guidelines themselves were straightforward.

Refrain from excessive physical movement while traversing the warp gate threshold.

Any object positioned outside the boundary of the active magic circle would fail to transfer.

Additionally, certain sensitive individuals might experience temporary motion sickness, but…

That much was self-evident.

Given that this constituted an unfamiliar mode of transit, a degree of disorientation was expected, much like keeping one’s limbs safely inside a moving carriage rather than dangling them out the window.

Despite the exorbitant user fees, the warp gate remained an exceptionally dependable method of conveyance.

“Very well, we shall now commence the transfer procedure.”

Lion stepped forward onto the platform of the warp gate.

A vast chamber stretched out before them, its surfaces covered in intricate magic circles extending upward toward the vaulted ceiling.

That wasn’t the extent of it.

Crystalline mana stones and regulatory apparatuses pulsing in support of the array flashed at precise intervals, resembling a synchronized neural network.

“Astonishing.”

Andriè stood transfixed, her gaze sweeping across the chamber with unabashed curiosity.

Well, the sheer scale of the installation certainly justified such a reaction.

‘As for myself…’

While the spectacle failed to evoke profound awe—perhaps because the underground labyrinth had already raised my tolerance for architectural marvels—

It nonetheless generated a genuine sense of adventure, making the experience quite entertaining.

As Lion positioned himself precisely at the center of the platform, the attending technician initiated the activation sequence and instructed:

“We advise everyone to close your eyes to prevent any sudden dizziness.”

Following the instruction, Lion and his companions shut their eyes, and an intense luminescence soon bled through their closed eyelids.

“Wishing you a pleasant journey.”

Accompanied by the operator’s final words, a sudden sensation of weightlessness washed over him…

“Very well! You may open your eyes now.”

The voice of a different attendant echoed through the receiving terminal.

“A-already arrived?”

Andriè was the first to lift her eyelids and survey the surroundings.

“Good gracious. Incredible. We have crossed an immense distance in the blink of an eye!”

Andriè poured forth enthusiastic praise, declaring the technology revolutionary while comparing the sensation to a sudden epiphany.

Hearing her commentary, Lion slowly unsealed his gaze…

‘Ah.’

An architectural style completely distinct from their previous location came into view.

Undeniably superior in terms of sheer logistical efficiency.

‘My head appears to be holding up well, too.’

An underlying anxiety had lingered that the disguise effect of the ‘Perfectly Disgewised My Child’ artifact might dissipate due to the dimensional transition, but thankfully, the illusion remained entirely intact.

After all, how frequently did nobility traverse the realm utilizing these very warp gates?

Among those travelers, bound to be at least a few instances of individuals moving under various forms of magical concealment.

“It appears we have reached our destination safely.”

Lion lowered his line of sight to observe the sidearm strapped to the technician’s waist.

‘Mudu’s assertions appear to hold weight.’

Operators of teleportation infrastructure were predominantly practitioners of magic.

Yet, even a trained mage openly wore a combat blade…

This circumstance served as unmistakable proof that they had entered the sovereign domain of the Byrdantis family.

“Everyone, prioritize changing into heavier attire. The ambient temperature here is notably harsh.”

Now that he mentioned it, the surrounding climate proved significantly colder than the Asteri Territory.

While Lion remained insulated from the chill thanks to his specialized garments, watching Andriè hurriedly extract a heavy winter coat from her luggage confirmed that the weather had indeed turned frigid.

“Here, Young Master, you ought to don an outer layer as well.”

While standard travel wear sufficed for general movement, traversing the local streets dressed thusly would inevitably draw peculiar stares.

Lion complied without argument, stepping off the immediate platform of the warp gate to adjust his attire.

And then.

“…Ugh.”

A sudden, overwhelming wave of visceral nausea struck him with an intensity he had never previously encountered.

The overhead structure and stone flooring seemed to undulate like ocean swells, while his stomach violently convulsed.

Sufficiently severe to threaten the expulsion of everything consumed during the prior evening and morning meals…

“Ugh.”

Utterly miserable. Deeply so.

‘Could it possibly be…?’

Lion collapsed forward, one hand instinctively sealing his mouth.

The nausea paralyzed his faculties, leaving no room for coherent thought.

“Oh dear heavens! The Young Master has fallen victim to gate sickness!”

The station attendant dropped his expression into one of deep, sympathetic sorrow as he cried out in shared distress.

The ominous premonition had materialized into reality.

“Movement in this state is out of the question. Regrettably, no pharmacological remedy exists for warp-induced motion sickness.”

Warp motion sickness.

Lion had unfortunately fallen into the microscopic statistical minority afflicted by the condition.

“…Damnation.”

Elvia’s expression mirrored a matching degree of profound concern.

The implication was clear—no straightforward cure was available to alleviate the symptom.

‘Blast it all…’

Why of all people, me?

Even Lion possessed mastery over the Mana Distribution technique.

He would have never conceived the possibility of contracting motion sickness while utilizing a transit system powered exclusively by pure mana!

“Is there an accommodation secured nearby…?”

“In that case, please allow us to assist in transferring him to a resting quarter…”

Thud.

Amidst the muffled dialogue passing between the station staff and Elvia, Lion drifted into unconsciousness as his remaining awareness faded.

Truly, a day where he endured physical misery surpassing the worst physical toll imaginable.

—

Lion regained consciousness late into the afternoon hours.

“Young Master.”

“Ugh…”

“Are your symptoms subsiding?”

“The severity has diminished somewhat…”

Following an extended period of rest, his physiological state felt surprisingly stable once more.

Naturally, it fell short of his optimal baseline condition…

“I am relieved to witness your rapid recovery.”

Apparently, common victims of the affliction endured prolonged bouts of nausea lasting two or three consecutive days, making his single-day recovery relatively brief.

“Please partake of this first. It is a regional specialty known as snow mountain honey tea.”

Lion accepted the proffered warm cup and consumed the contents.

The heated, sweetened infusion… produced negligible restorative benefit.

“My immediate priority upon returning shall be formulating a specialized motion sickness antidote.”

As Lion muttered these words with resolute determination, Nature, who had maintained a stationary position by his side, nudged against his thigh.

“It appears the Spirit harbors immense concern for your well-being. It refused to leave your proximity for even a single moment.”

“You were worried on my behalf?”

Lion handed back the partially consumed tea vessel and lightly poked Nature, who responded with a sharp, indignant chirp.

The reaction suggested the tiny entity had indeed experienced genuine anxiety.

And…

‘Could it be that my accelerated recovery is directly attributable to this little creature?’

Lion’s gaze drifted toward the persistent system notification that had remained active since he first opened his eyes.

『Status abnormalities are continuously purged through the restorative influence of Companion Spirit ‘Nature’.』

That explained why the entity had remained pressed against him throughout the entire night.

Under such sustained exertion, wouldn’t the creature be completely exhausted?

Upon conducting a visual check…

“Peep.”

The diminutive wings fluttered weakly as if attempting to convey, “Do you truly imagine my reserves could be depleted by such a trivial effort?”

Followed immediately by… a heavy slump.

As if its residual stamina had instantly vanished, the spirit dropped flat onto the surface.

As anticipated.

How could Nature possibly replenish his vitality without the Spirit Master consciously channeling energy his way?

“Elvia, would you hand me my traveling pack?”

“Right here.”

Lion reached inside and extracted a flask of ‘Lion’s Special Spirit Water’ kept specifically for such exigencies.

In truth, he had brewed a considerable quantity prior to their departure, though he had intentionally withheld it thus far.

He had harbored concerns that if the spirit’s palate became overly refined, it might develop an aversion to basic, unrefined spirit stones.

However, under the present circumstances…

“Withholding it is no longer an option.”

The moment Nature caught sight of the spirit water flask being produced, it snapped its beak wide open with an eager chirp.

Observing the creature’s urgent demands, Lion…

Glug!

Proceeded to consume a generous portion himself first.