Chapter 98

Chapter 98
Petrick 98: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

An associate showed up.

It was a rogue from the shadows who had constantly antagonized me before.

Were we on good terms?

Not remotely.

Instead, we behaved as if we were racing to see who would perish first.

“With thinking that shallow, your days will be brief as well.”

“Judging by your utter lack of manners, you’ll be the initial casualty among us.”

Complete polar opposites.

Up to that moment, there had been zero cooperation.

Yet, that individual had arrived.

Into this perilous environment!

While he was fending off a high-tier fiend, a healer reached me and applied restoration magic.

“You’re losing too much blood! Petrick, you simply cannot lose consciousness!”

His usual mild manner was gone, supplanted by a sharp, urgent cry as he poured holy energy into my frame.

In that instant, Petrick had an epiphany.

That certain feats are impossible to accomplish in solitude.

Fueled by that realization, Petrick advanced to a 6th circle mage and endured by scraping through the dirt as though his survival depended upon it.

The pair who came to my rescue were no different.

They were caked in all manner of grime and gore, yet they persevered.

For me, the 6th circle carried precisely that significance.

‘However….’

Petrick gave a low chuckle and patted Rikschel on the shoulder.

“You will progress more rapidly.”

Because you are aware that assistance is available.

“…Pardon? Thank you.”

Rikschel seemed somewhat confused, but he nodded nonetheless.

“By the way, Lion. Didn’t you have additional matters to discuss with Rikschel?”

“Ah!”

Lion, who had been relishing the cozy atmosphere, recalled something.

“Indeed. It completely slipped my mind.”

“What is it? What’s wrong, Elder Brother? Is there some way I can assist? Did a crisis occur within the Baidantis Territory…?”

“Negative.”

“I see. Then what is the matter?”

“Well, the Emperor’s birthday approaches shortly, does it not?”

“Yes, it does.”

I believe the imperial anniversary is roughly two months away.

“It constitutes a major celebration, a festive occasion, so I presume Elder Brother and I will be in attendance as well.”

“Correct. Should I be unable to make it, the successor, which is you, must attend.”

“Indeed. But…”

What did that imperial celebration have to do with me?

Lion, reading my expression, offered a confident grin and continued.

“The Marquis of Byedantis has agreed to serve as your escort then.”

“…What?”

Could it be that the stack of reports I noticed during my brief visit to the study pertained to this?

‘Now that I reflect on it, it does not seem like an unfavorable arrangement.’

It implied that the Family Head of Byrdantis was deemed acceptable by my brother’s standards.

Furthermore, he had rendered aid when my brother went missing.

He appeared to harbor certain eccentricities regarding emotional expression, but that was inconsequential.

‘An appropriate selection for an escort as well.’

It possessed tactical advantages for a swordsmanship household and a magical lineage to forge an alliance.

‘The Family Head as well…’

Catching a glimpse of his demeanor, he seemed entirely unbothered by the prospective coalition with the martial family.

“Understood. I shall dispatch a separate correspondence.”

“Very well. Cultivate a good rapport. He was not a malevolent person.”

“Understood.”

He was not a malevolent person…

‘I can roughly deduce what transpired within the Byrdentis household.’

Rikschel finally experienced a wave of relief and beamed brightly.

I detect it. The aura of an ally.

If that held true, it appeared he would have ample topics to converse about with the Byrdantis Family Head.

—

The trio who had relished the thermal springs returned to the estate tardily.

Their grandfather had separate business to attend to and departed elsewhere, while Rikschel similarly intended to resume his duties, but…

“Negative.”

At Lion’s absolute decree, Rikschel set aside all other obligations and repaired to his chambers.

Whereupon he fell into a profound slumber.

‘Observe? It was taxing.’

Lion quietly withdrew from the quarters after observing Rikschel drift off.

“Hoo.”

Though he had endured considerable trials over the past few days, he felt a deep sense of pride witnessing his younger sibling rest so peacefully.

‘I am relieved I made it back after all.’

Presently, he felt capable of stretching out his limbs and resting in comfort.

Lion stepped into his room and collapsed onto the mattress.

He contemplated venturing out to the village, but the carriage apparently had not yet arrived.

Prowling around Mimir Forest or the grounds was acceptable, but for safety protocols, it was preferable to travel once the transport arrived.

‘In the interim, then…’

What activities were available?

Simply lounging about would be acceptable, but he favored occupying himself with various endeavors.

“I have already attended to the thermal springs.”

Lion murmured, ticking items off on his fingers.

“As for the evening primroses, they evidently require proper nourishment rather than mere cultivation.”

He had previously formulated a fertilizer intended for flame herbs, but that was exclusively beneficial for flora restricted to fiery affinities.

Applying it to ordinary vegetation would unquestionably cause them to wither rapidly.

That being the case, postponing his descent into the labyrinth for a time seemed prudent.

‘Perhaps I ought to simply repose?’

Scarcely any time had passed since his return from his expedition, so taking it easy would not be amiss.

“Ah! Or perhaps I should attempt that endeavor?”

Lion bolted upright from the mattress.

‘Sikhye.’

He had harbored a slight lingering regret regarding it back at the thermal springs.

Carbonated beverages were enjoyable, but ultimately, was a sweet rice beverage not essential for the ultimate completion of a genuine Korean-style hot spring experience?

“I wonder if the larder contains barley.”

Lion leisurely arose and ambled in the direction of the kitchens.

“Ah, Young Master!”

Head Chef Alex welcomed Lion warmly, as was his custom.

However…

‘The aroma of heated oil permeates the kitchen strongly.’

And this phenomenon.

“Might that be the scent of hotteok?”

“As expected of you, Young Master! In truth, I have finally perfected it. This hotteok preparation!”

He added that he had been unable to present it during the previous evening’s meal because it remained in an imperfect state.

“Yet presently! I have finally accomplished it!”

Alex gestured proudly toward the immaculately formed sweet pancakes, giving a slight shrug.

‘He appears to have genuinely appreciated the concept.’

He had previously assumed Alex viewed it merely as an intriguing novelty since no further commentary followed the initial lesson, but that perception was evidently inaccurate.

Indeed, the pastries possessed perfectly circular contours and a uniform golden-brown hue.

They even exhibited a glossy sheen, radiating an unmistakable professional hotteok ambiance.

‘He did not even rely on my specific recipe.’

It seemed he had diligently kneaded the dough and incorporated the filling through his own experimentation.

“During my initial attempts, preventing the syrup from bursting outward proved rather tricky. Yet who am I? I am the Head Chef of the Asteri Household.”

Alex confidently tendered a hotteok.

“Here! Kindly provide your evaluation.”

“Hmm! Let us inspect it.”

Lion readily accepted a pastry and took a bite.

The tender, chewy texture, paired with the rich, saccharine syrup, seemed to coat his entire palate!

The flavor and mouthfeel were virtually identical to the ones Lion himself had crafted.

‘As anticipated, a master artisan differs.’

“At this standard, it is practically indistinguishable from my own version.”

“I am immensely relieved! And do you have any additional criticisms?”

Alex beamed expectantly, awaiting Lion’s appraisal to gauge its success.

“Well… if I were pressed.”

Lion paused momentarily before candidly offering his concluding thought.

“It is somewhat overly refined.”

“Pardon?”

Overly refined?

What could such a description possibly signify?

‘Naturally… ought it not to be?’

Alex tilted his head in momentary confusion.

It constituted a dish intended for distinguished personages, specifically the direct bloodline of the Asteri whom he served.

Consequently, should he not naturally employ his utmost culinary expertise and the finest ingredients without sparing effort?

“It is merely that…”

Lion scratched his head.

If one were to inquire whether this hotteok genuinely qualified as such an elite delicacy, he would be forced to reply in the negative.

Instead, it leaned closer to a commonplace, comforting comfort food.

Was it not something typically purchased from a street vendor’s cart during a frigid afternoon, utilizing whatever crumpled coins resided in one’s pockets?

Yet this particular pastry, how should one phrase it?

It felt as though it belonged among dishes meant to be consumed with aristocratic decorum using cutlery.

Consequentially, the intrinsic charm of a hotteok naturally vanished.

‘How best to articulate this.’

Voicing the stark truth felt slightly awkward.

Lion pondered for a brief second before a suitable phrasing came to mind.

This was the manner in which he ought to explain it.

“In truth, it was originally conceived as something I intended to share with my own household, a confection designed so that anyone might approach it without intimidation.”

“Without intimidation by anyone?”

“Indeed. For instance, akin to street fare.”

“…! I, I perceive it now!”

Fortunately, even though his explanation was somewhat informal, Alex appeared to grasp the underlying sentiment completely.

Then, gazing down at the flawless pastry he had produced, he muttered to himself.

“So that was the intent, Young Master… I understand!”

“Still, I believe this elevated style of enjoying hotteok possesses its own merits. It also demonstrates the deep consideration you hold for our family, Alex.”

“Kgh, Young Master…!”

Alex’s eyes welled with emotion, directing a somewhat overwhelming, sparkling gaze toward him.

‘As anticipated, my Young Master is peerless.’

I must redouble my efforts to produce even more magnificent cuisine to honor him!

“I shall strive with even greater dedication. Ah, incidentally, did you visit this area because you required something specific?”

Alex, at least belatedly, inquired the objective of his presence.

Exuding the readiness to procure literally anything requested.

“Do you happen to have any barley on hand?”

“B, barley?”

Alex wore a peculiar expression, presumably because it constituted an entirely unanticipated ingredient.

“For what reason would you require barley… are you intending to consume it?”

“I have no immediate plans to ingest it, why do you ask?”

“Well, barley is typically utilized in the production of ale. Alternatively, those who train in the martial arts occasionally consume it to build stamina.”

Alex scratched his head, though he ultimately instructed Lion to wait a brief moment before entering the storage alcove where grains were housed.

Rustle! Rustle!

Following a series of clattering noises, Alex emerged hauling a sack brimming with barley.

“Here you are.”

“My thanks. However…”

Lion accepted the grain sack and mentally revisited their conversation from moments prior.

‘He explicitly stated it was utilized by those who train with blades.’

In that case, were the individuals partaking of this within the Asteri Household members of the Knight Order?

‘Even so, the likelihood of them brewing ale remains exceptionally low.’

Grandfather held no affinity for fermented malt beverages.

Furthermore, Lion had never once observed ale within the estate.

Rikschel?

Certainly not. Was he not still underage?

“Regardless, I appreciate it.”

“It is truly no trouble at all, Young Master! Should there be any other provisions I might assemble, I am at your complete disposal!”

“Indeed?”

“Pardon?”

“In that case, might you secure some rice for me? Specifically, the variety that has been milled until completely free of husks.”

“……”

Rice?

Ah, is he perhaps contemplating the creation of a risotto-style dish?

“It must not be a grain that easily disintegrates, but rather one that develops a viscous quality when simmered.”

It was not glutinous rice.

What on earth could he be planning to concoct?

Alex regarded Lion as though observing a singular eccentric for the first time in a considerable duration.

Though the concept seemed wildly improbable…

‘He successfully produced hotteok as well, after all.’

He had even utilized the fine rice flour he previously set aside, assuming it might eventually prove useful.

The resulting outcomes invariably proved astonishingly inventive.

Reflecting upon this, a wave of eager anticipation washed over him.

“I can undoubtedly acquire it.”

Naturally, sourcing grain with such exacting specifications was an entirely different challenge.

“My gratitude. I shall leave the matter in your hands, then.”

Lion hoisted the sack over his shoulder, retrieved a handful of culinary utensils, and gave a casual wave.

“Huh?”

Alex stared blankly at Lion’s retreating form.

‘For what reason is he proceeding in that direction?’

Although Young Master Lion possessed a uniquely unconventional disposition, he had never once witnessed him frequenting that particular wing of the estate.

After all, that specific zone was where the domestic staff typically resided and operated!