[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke
Chapter 101: Riches To Rags

Chapter 101: Riches To Rags

That was the last time Xion saw Rael. When he awoke the next morning, Rael had already left the mansion. Knights were stationed all around. More than just a few were patrolling the area at regular intervals.

Xion would have never found their presence if the map hadn’t pointed it out.

It was certainly weird and also very confusing.

Even if he had given Rael a new batch of pills, which he had successfully made himself, he was still a bit worried. Allen was the alchemist, the one who had been tending to Rael’s condition all this time.

If Rael needed treatment, shouldn’t he have taken Allen with him?

Yet, Allen was still here.

"Brother? What are you thinking?" Noxian pulled on Xion’s finger, shaking him out of his trace.

"Ah, that." Xion patted the purple hair which now felt smooth under his touch. His careful maintenance was showing its results. "I was thinking what should be made for breakfast. Is there something you want to eat?"

Noxian’s eyes lit up immediately, anticipation replacing curiosity. "Anything! As long as you’re the one cooking!"

Xion chuckled, allowing the boy to take his sleeve and tug him toward the kitchen. "Slow down."

"No. We need to hurry and see if we have everything." Noxian quickened his movements, and Xion could only helplessly smile as he ran with the boy.

The kitchen was huge, but it was mostly empty. The vegetables placed in the basket looked fresh though. So, Xion decided to cook Tamagoyaki which was also known as rolled omelet.

After a few minutes of sorting through the ingredients, Xion was just about to wash his hands when the kitchen door creaked open.

"Brother Allen," Xion greeted, smiling as he waved the taller man over. With a simple wave of his hand, a book materialized before him.

"Here. For you," Xion said, offering the book to the stunned Allen. "If you don’t understand anything, just ask me."

The book was not too big, but it was very thick. The cover was made of aged leather.

Xion had directly bought it from the system. While doing so he had forgotten just how costly paper was in this world.

Hence, to Allen, it was like he was holding onto something very precious.

Ignoring the silent face of his student, Xion washed his hand and soon the kitchen was filled with the sound of the gentle crackling of oil as he poured a fresh layer of beaten eggs into the pan.

The rich scent of dashi and soy filled the air as he carefully rolled the omelet, letting the golden layers take shape.

Behind him, Allen was now sitting at the table, flipping through the book.

"This..." Allen’s voice was barely a whisper, but his sunset-orange eyes gleamed with brilliance, locked onto the book. His large hands cradled the inked sheets as if they held the secrets of the world.

Xion, feeling a little self-conscious under such a sharp gaze, scratched his cheek. "I had some free time, so I wrote it for you."

"Oh, this is so perfectly written. How do you even know all this?" His voice was filled with awe, and with every glance, it seemed as if Xion’s diagrams were enlightening the deeper parts of his mind.

Xion felt his ears heat up, a blush creeping along his neck. He had just written the basics of human anatomy. He also included the mana circuits in his diagrams and the way mana ran through the entire body just like blood.

If he wanted to teach Allen, the older man needed to learn this foundation first. However, Allen’s gaze was a bit too bright which made Xion shy.

To escape the feeling, he turned back to his cooking, tapping the pan lightly. "Just don’t drop it into a potion or something. I won’t write it again, alright?"

"Of course, not! I will take proper care of it!"

Even without looking back, Xion knew Allen must be looking all serious while holding the book to his chest.

Well, as long as he valued it, Xion supposed his efforts were worth it.

A small tug on his sleeve brought his attention to the little one beside him. "Brother, is it ready yet?" Noxian’s voice was eager, a little impatient even.

Xion flipped the now golden roll in the pan.

"Almost," Xion smirked before playfully flicking an egg against Noxian’s forehead, cracking the shell before dumping it into the bowl.

"You just want to steal a bite, don’t you?"

Noxian let out an exaggerated pout, rubbing his forehead as if Xion had gravely wronged him. "Nooo! I’m just really, really hungry!"

Xion chuckled, shaking his head as he slid the finished tamagoyaki onto a plate. He cut it into neat, bite-sized pieces before picking one and feeding it to the boy.

Only after making sure that it wasn’t too hot did Xion finally let him take a bite.

"Tell me how it is."

The moment the soft, savory layers melted on his tongue, Noxian’s eyes twinkled with delight. Just by the sparkling look, Xion knew the little boy liked it.

"It’s so tasty!" he exclaimed, swallowing quickly before looking up with big, pleading eyes. "I want more!"

Xion chuckled as he turned back to the stove, rolling up his sleeves slightly before pouring another layer of beaten eggs into the sizzling pan.

Judging by Noxian’s enthusiasm, and Allen’s occasional glances toward the food, he would need to make a few more to satisfy them both.

After cooking the eggs to the perfect yellow golden, and drizzling them with garnishing, he set the plate onto the table.

"Alright, dig in before it gets cold."

Noxian immediately grabbed a piece and took a big bite, "Mmm! It’s so soft!" he mumbled through a mouthful, already reaching for another.

Allen, who had looked deeply reluctant to put the book down, was visibly struggling.

The rich aroma of freshly cooked eggs filled the air, teasing his senses, yet his fingers still clung to the thick leather-bound pages as if letting go would make it disappear.

Xion silently watched as Noxian happily ate while Allen kept glancing between his food and the book like he couldn’t decide which was more important.

A small smile tugged at Xion’s lips. "Brother Allen," he said lightly, resting his chin on his hand. "You should focus on the food first. I’m planning to give you more books in the future."

The implication was that Allen should not be obsessed with this superficial knowledge, and also to let him focus on eating.

However, to Allen, it sounded way too different. The knowledge in the book was something even the well-respected healers would give a high price for.

And Xion had said he was planning to teach him more.

More books. More knowledge. More insights into something even the most sought-after healers of the Holy Church would trade a fortune for. That would mean he needed to keep his energy high.

Without another word, Allen promptly set the book down, picked up his chopsticks, and began eating.

One thing was clear as water to him. He could offend the Archduke, but he could not afford to offend Xion.

After filling their stomachs, Xion finally decided to do something he had been meaning to do for a long time.

Changing into a set of better clothes, something more suitable for public appearances, he adjusted the collar of his red shirt and dusted off his sleeves. With that, he was ready to visit the church situated in Myrthiana.

Being the royal capital, Myrthiana housed one of the grandest and most influential churches in the kingdom of Eldoria Lunareth.

Allen and Noxian were already seated inside the carriage by the time Xion arrived. The sight of it made him pause. It was a carriage he had never seen before.

Smaller than Rael’s.

Much smaller.

So much so that the moment he stepped in and took a seat, the space instantly felt cramped.

Noxian, ever the energetic child, swung his legs back and forth without a care, while Allen, far too broad for the limited space, sat stiffly, his posture slightly awkward as he tried not to crowd Xion too much.

The moment the horses neighed, and the carriage lurched forward, Xion immediately noticed another difference.

It was too jumpy!

The wheels rattled over the cobbled streets, sending little jolts through the wooden frame. Xion barely kept himself from bracing against the side.

His brows twitched. "...Is it just me, or is this thing way less comfortable than Rael’s?"

Allen, who seemed completely unfazed, flipped a page in his book. "This is a standard carriage."

"Standard?" Xion gave him a skeptical look as another bump sent Noxian bouncing slightly in his seat. The little one just giggled at the impact.

"That carriage is reinforced with magic to reduce impact," Allen explained, not looking up from the diagram. "This one isn’t."

Xion exhaled, gripping the edge of his seat. "Of course it isn’t."

Even the cushions of the seats were not as soft and comfortable. Each bump in the road sent a jolt through his spine. He was sure his waist would hurt after this trip.

By the time he narrowly avoided hitting his head against the side for what felt like the hundredth time, he understood the great truth of an ancient proverb.

It was easy to rise from ruins to riches. But leaving luxury behind?

Now, that was the real struggle.