Never Mind the Heir, I’ll Focus on Healing - Chapter 116

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Successor? Let Me Just Heal — Episode 116

‘And there must be a reason it’s fallen into my hands.’

Magical beasts possessed power beyond imagination—enough to level even a modest estate with contemptuous ease.
But that wasn’t the beast’s own will.
There were plenty of ways to force submission without the Beast Taming Technique.
Violence and abuse from infancy, for instance.
Add a Magical Restraint Device into the mix, and resistance would become impossible.

‘If something unforeseen happens, this could prove invaluable.’

Lion nodded to himself.
When danger struck, it could serve as a hidden card in his pocket.
But more than that……

‘It might catch something.’

Barg, descended from a line of Red Wolf Humanoids.
And Nature, who had been a druid’s spirit.
If a magical beast appeared, there was a chance it could be a descendant of one the druid had raised.
He might uncover another clue about his original self.
Lion tucked the Sikhye into his bag.

“Thanks. I’ll hold onto this.”
“Yes! Thank you so much!”

Barg seemed overjoyed simply that Lion had accepted the gift, offering a respectful bow.

“And… I really will do my best!”
“Hmm?”
“I’ll fix my personality, grow stronger, and become a Formal Knight so that one day I can be someone who protects you, Young Master!”

Lion let out a soft laugh at the earnest look in Barg’s eyes and the sincerity in her voice.

‘Admirable little thing.’

She was barely managing to adapt to society.
No matter how much she hid her nature, humans and beastmen couldn’t help but have different values.
Yet Barg had gone a step further, declaring her own dream with such conviction.
Of course, as time passed and she grew older, she’d likely find new goals beyond protecting him.

‘But that very mindset is what matters.’

If Barg ever found out the truth, Lion would insist he had no divided loyalties whatsoever—not that she’d ever know.

“Right. I’m counting on you.”

Lion smiled and pulled the Moonlight Ring from his pocket, handing it over.

“You’ll need it later. Don’t take it now—wait until your body’s fully recovered and you’re ready to train.”
“Th-thank you so much.”
“Yeah. Take care.”

Lion patted her shoulder and turned to leave……

Thump!

Barg collapsed flat on the ground.

“Oh dear.”

So pushing myself like that had been the right call after all.
Lion smiled awkwardly as he watched Rickson and Jake rushing toward him from a distance.

“Hah, you rascal! You slip out of nowhere and end up here?”
“Thank you, Young Master. I see you’ve been keeping hold of Barg again.”

There had been quite a bit that happened in between, but it seemed better to let that pass.

“Do bring him inside, won’t you?”
“Yes! Then I’ll excuse myself!”

Rickson and Jake linked their arms through Barg’s and dragged him back toward the Infirmary.
The sight of it looked remarkably touching, and Lion let out a quiet laugh.
He wouldn’t have to worry for a while yet.

* * *

The next day.
As soon as morning broke, Lion handed a remaining bottle of Sikhye to Buck, an apprentice servant.

“Is, is this really made using that barley?”

This is truly remarkable… Buck murmured to himself.
It was his first time encountering a beverage like this.
He had always thought barley—that is, barley sprouts—could only be used to make alcohol.
Even his father, who owned the brewery, had tried many things, but the results never differed.
Yellow beer, dark beer, brown beer.
In the end, it was always beer.
But then, such a unique beverage was born!

“How does it taste?”
“Sweet with a subtle fragrance that’s absolutely delightful. It’s a flavor anyone—man, woman, young, or old—would love, and…….”
“Do you think your father would be pleased with it?”
“My father? He’s always pursuing new things, so surely…….”

Buck trailed off, falling suddenly silent.

‘How should I answer that?’

He wanted to say he’d love to show his father this beverage right away.
But wouldn’t that sound like he wanted to copy the drink the Young Master of House Asteri had developed?
As Buck hesitated, Lion spoke in a gentle voice.

“It’s all right. You can tell him.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Actually, I’d like it if you did tell him. I’m quite interested in brewing techniques, you see. And I’d be happy if other people could enjoy this drink too.”
“Then……!”

Buck, moved by emotion, said he would go home during his next break to show his father.

“Good. And if your father is satisfied, I’d like an invitation sometime.”
“Why, of course! It would be the pride of our household!”

Buck showed his overflowing emotion openly, bowing repeatedly until Lion left.

“There. I’ve delivered even the last bottle of Sikhye…….”

I’ve handled everything that needed immediate attention.

‘Now, should I take some time to rest?’

Lion wandered through the estate with unhurried steps.
At last, he had some breathing room.

‘First, I’ll sleep in properly…’

I’ll plan the rest after that, he thought—

“Master!”

He ran into Freyanya, who had been waiting by the door.

‘Hmm.’

Whether from the hot spring the day before or something else, Freyanya’s face was noticeably clearer and more plump with vitality.
The soft cheeks she was known for had become smooth as a boiled egg!
And yet…
Something about the way she moved was stiff and mechanical.

“How was the hot spring? You look tired, though.”
“Oh, no, I feel wonderful! It’s all thanks to the hot spring you created! The Salamander loved it too!”

Freyanya answered rapidly to Lion’s question.
As if she’d been programmed with that exact response.

‘I’m imagining things.’

Lion decided not to dwell on it.

“So what brings you here?”
“Oh, well…”

Freyanya hastily pulled a Potion Bottle from her bag.
Inside it was hot spring water.

“I was hoping to study the hot spring water you created… if that’s all right?”
“Why ask permission? Use as much as you need.”
“Really? Thank you so much!”
“You’ve been waiting here all this time just for that?”
“Yes. Hehe… and I also wanted to tell you about the many things I’ve learned from Elvia…”
“Young Master, welcome back. I’ve just finished cleaning your room.”
“Eep.”

Freyanya stopped mid-sentence and hid behind Lion.

‘For someone who claims to have learned so much, she’s still nervous around her.’

Where had he seen this dynamic before?
Lion thought for a moment, then it clicked.
Ah, this reaction!
The stern-but-caring tiger boss and the cautious subordinate outside of work!

‘I see.’

Given how awkwardly Freyanya and Elvia had met at first, it made perfect sense.

‘Freyanya will just have to adjust to it.’

Still, it was a relief that Elvia seemed to be thinking things through on her own.

“W-well then, since I have your permission, I’ll be heading back! Please get plenty of rest!”

Freyanya hurriedly gathered the hot spring water again and dashed away.
Lion’s gaze drifted toward Elvia.

“Just checking, but yesterday…….”
“We had a candid conversation. There’s nothing for you to worry about.”
“I thought as much.”
“Yes, quite so.”

That settled it.
Lion nodded and stepped into the room.
The freshly cleaned chamber carried a pleasant fragrance.
He was genuinely grateful for how attentively the servants maintained the place.
Lion collapsed onto the fluffy bedding with a satisfied sigh.

“By the way, how did you find the hot spring?”
“It was quite pleasant. For the first time in ages, I felt the fatigue lift from me. It seems to have some special properties.”
“I’m glad it suited you.”

Lion resolved that he ought to develop other things for Elvia’s benefit in the future as well.

‘We won’t be visiting the hot spring twice, after all.’

What might be next?
As he pondered this, a thought occurred to him.

‘Speaking of which, what should I give Peter as a gift?’

He’d made grand claims about bringing something expensive, but truthfully, he wasn’t certain what would be appropriate.

“I can’t exactly give him jewels…….”

Still lying down, Lion idly swung his legs.

“Are you considering giving someone a gift, sir?”
“Yes. A boy named Peter…….”

Lion briefly explained Peter’s story.
A child he’d met at the orphanage, one who’d kept his heart carefully guarded because of his previous abandonment.

“But this time he’s being adopted into a proper home, so…….”

Lion stared absently at nothing as he spoke.

“I want to give him something good so he doesn’t lose heart, but I’m worried it might be too much of a burden for a child.”
“You speak wisely. If one places an excessively expensive gift in a child’s hands, it often creates more trouble than joy.”
“Exactly. So what should I do?”

Elvia adjusted the blanket that had slipped away and offered her counsel gently.

“Would it not be better to choose a toy—something the boy Peter might enjoy playing with?”
“A toy?”
“Yes. Most children prefer toys to jewels, after all.”
“That’s true enough.”

She was right. Wanting to lift a child’s spirits with an expensive gift might simply be viewing the matter through an adult’s lens.

‘Then…….’

Lion blinked and formed a plan.

“I should do some reconnaissance later to see what they actually like.”

Blink.
Lion’s eyelids grew heavy.
Sleep crept over him, drawn by the fresh bedding and its soft, comforting scent.
And the warm sunlight only made it worse.

“Just a short rest.”
“Hehe. Of course. Sleep well, Young Master.”

Elvia watched his eyes close, a faint smile crossing her face as she quietly withdrew.
She had no wish to disturb the sweet sleep of a drowsy pup.

“Curl…….”

The warmth beneath the blanket, the ease of a position so comfortable he had no desire to move.
And the light weight of Nature napping on his chest.
After so long, Lion surrendered to deep, dreamless sleep.

* * *

From the next day on, Lion went about asking the servants with children what gifts they preferred.

“What sort of gifts do children like?”
“Why, wooden swords, of course! Perfect for children who wish to become knights!”
“No, that’s wrong. They love cute, oversized dolls.”
“Both of you are mistaken! What children want most is sweet treats!”
“…….”

Lion came to understand something.
Children did not all like the same things.
Each had their own tastes, their own desires entirely different from one another.

“Hmm.”

Lion stood with his hands on his hips, lost in thought.

‘I still don’t have enough information.’

Besides, these people were parents themselves.
The proper approach would be to ask the children directly.

“Thanks.”

Lion set out from the estate at once.
He needed to meet some children he knew.
Specifically—Gaji and Ipari at Mudu’s House!

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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