Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: The Balance Ball
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I stared at him with sparkling eyes, and Walter scratched his hair awkwardly before answering.
"There's a beast in the Tree Sea called a Springvix."
"Yeah?"
"Before it becomes an adult, it makes a cocoon, and that cocoon feels a lot like what you described, miss."
"A cocoon? How's it similar?"
"It's firm yet flexible... Ah, during the war, whenever we'd find a Springvix cocoon, we'd scoop out the pupa and roll up the shell into a ball to kick around like a toy."
If they played with it like a ball, it must feel like rubber.
Then yeah, that sounds just right.
Feeling excited, I scooted right up next to Walter. He continued, sounding a bit enthusiastic himself.
"How about we get a Springvix cocoon and make something like the picture you drew?"
"You can do that?"
"Of course. But what's it for?"
...Sorry, old butler grandpa!
Come New Year, I'll make sure to send you some of that seokcheong you love! Stay healthy till then!
"The old butler grandpa said so. If you stand on this and exercise, it helps with balance."
"Is that right? If it's that good, we could distribute them to our knights too."
"Knights don't like it?"
"I mean the ones who were badly injured and bedridden for ages. Even after recovering, their legs shook when they walked for a while. Wouldn't this help then?"
"Whoa, Walter, you're a genius!"
As expected from a knight who's good with his body—he figured out the use right away.
"Later, when Master Erich is exercising, may I observe from the side?"
"Yeah. Eri would say it's fine if it's for the knights."
"Then next time we visit the temple, we'll have the workshop make that... what was it called?"
"Balance ball!"
"Yes. We'll get it made."
It was right then, as Walter and I shared a little laugh.
A muffled groan erupted from inside the room.
It was Erich, who barely flinched at severe pain, letting out a groan through gritted teeth.
Feeling his agony hurt my heart. My smile vanished in an instant.
The intensive treatment lasted nearly eight hours.
It was so long that Dietrich and I had to move to the rest room for temple visitors midway and catch a nap.
And they said we'd have to do eight-hour treatments like this for a whole week.
After it ended, Father emerged from the room alone, his face terrifyingly stiff.
"Dad, you okay? How's Eri?"
"He's fine. The priests say his condition is improving, so tomorrow too..."
For our sake, Father forced a faint smile, but then his brow furrowed in pain.
I understood the torment of a father watching his child suffer right in front of him, so I just hugged him silently.
The hellish week of intensive treatment finally ended.
After that, they gradually reduced the medication while avoiding infection, so Erich had to spend time alone in his room again.
That took over a week too, so it was nearly two weeks before I could see his face again.
The Erich I saw after a fortnight looked utterly exhausted, like he might collapse any moment.
"Eri, you okay now?"
"I'm fine. Thanks to Father's help, it went much smoother than last time."
"Who helped before?"
"Grandfather was too busy, so Uncle stepped in instead..."
No wonder there wasn't much progress!
There was no way Uncle had helped Erich's treatment sincerely.
Unless he'd tried to smother him outright.
'So that's why Grandfather trusted Uncle so much?'
Thinking from Grandfather's perspective, it made sense.
Our dad looked like a reckless punk who'd run off and marry against orders, while Uncle showed the courtesy of helping with his nephew's treatment...
If our family hadn't returned to the main house, Uncle would've kept up that good-guy facade in front of Grandfather the whole time.
And Erich would've died in agony meanwhile.
"This afternoon, Walter's coming to visit too. Start exercising with me then, Eri."
"Ella, you say that every time you see my face."
It's because I want us all to live healthy lives.
My intentions were good, but getting certified as an exercise evangelist so directly made my face heat up in embarrassment.
Watching me, Erich and Dietrich burst out laughing in unison.
About then, a soft knock came from the door.
"Good day, young masters and miss."
"Walter!"
He said afternoon, but he came early.
I welcomed Walter as he entered hugging a large box, sticking right to him.
Then my eyes met Florian's, standing behind him.
"Flori, how'd you come? With Walter?"
"I heard your big brother was recovering."
It had been a while since I'd seen him like this.
Florian had been swamped learning privately from both Grandfather and Father.
I'd been too busy handling my whirlwind of tasks to have a moment's peace.
Feeling glad, I ushered Florian into the room.
Erich, sitting on the bed, tried to stand to greet him but staggered.
Dietrich and Florian grabbed his arms almost simultaneously.
"It's fine, no need to stand."
"Then I'll presume on your kindness, Your Highness."
Once Erich barely settled back on the bed, Walter quietly set the box down beside me.
"We made the balance ball you mentioned, miss. Take a look."
"Whoaaa!"
Inside the box was exactly the balance ball I'd wanted.
Thank goodness Dad had more monster byproducts than anyone in the empire.
Springvix cocoon from when it molts, right?
How does it have this perfect squishy tire-like elasticity? Exactly what I wanted!
And they even attached a non-slip board at the bottom—pure genius.
"Who made it?"
"Merica from the workshop put in the effort."
Merica's a genius, as always!
Hugging the balance ball in delight, I belatedly noticed the four men staring at me.
All of them eyeing the ball in my arms.
When they're this curious, better to show them how it works, right?
Exercise is all about making it as fun as possible, after all.
Curiosity and satisfaction.
Balancing those two emotions to spark interest in repetitive workouts—that's the mark of a great trainer.
And I was confident in that department.
I'm Kang Haejin, after all.
The room the temple gave for the duke family's eldest son was so spacious it felt vast.
I found an empty spot, slapped the balance ball's non-slip board onto the floor, and pressed down on it with each foot one by one to test the bounce.
"Everyone, pay attention, okay?"
"Yes!"
Walter gave the loudest reply.
I grinned at him, then placed one foot on the balance ball and slowly got into position.
Given Erich's condition, putting both feet on it for exercise seemed too risky just yet.
That could wait until he regained some balance.
So today, I'd teach him the proper 'lunge'—one you can do with just one foot on it.
"Put your hands right on your sides like this!"
"Yes!"
"Bend your knee ninety degrees! And lower without letting your leg cave inward—that's it!"
Lunges require balance.
Perfect for Erich right now.
I demonstrated a few lunges, then beckoned Erich over.
He got off the bed unsteadily, supported on one side by Dietrich and the other by Florian, just like before.
Standing and lunging alone would be tough right now, so they'd give him a light assist?
Come to think of it, Dietrich and Florian are the same height and build—perfect balance.
"I'll support Master Erich..."
"No. Walter, you sit there and watch Eri's form closely. Ditri and Feri will assist."
"It feels awkward sitting idle while nobles move."
"Walter, you're not playing. Learn it well and teach the injured knights. They all need to get healthy fast."
Walter's face lit up with gratitude at my words.
I turned my gaze from him to Erich.
Actually, that line just now was meant for Erich's ears—to motivate him properly.
"So Eri, gotta work hard, yeah?"
Until you're healthy enough to squat and plank with me as soon as possible!