Never Mind the Heir, I’ll Focus on Healing - Chapter 134

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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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I Don’t Know About Succession, But I’d Like to Focus on Healing — Episode 134

Though his mind raced with sudden complications, Lion forced himself to maintain composure.
First, the notes contained no information whatsoever about the direction in which the seal had been placed on that vessel—the one he’d examined through an expert’s perspective before.

‘And yet……’

It was mere suspicion without evidence, but Lion’s instinct told him the seal’s most likely purpose was to prevent external intrusion.
It had to be that way—it was the only explanation that made sense.
Because among all living beings, there was no one left capable of binding such a seal.
Lion himself had nearly been wounded simply by glimpsing the vessel’s true nature.

‘Without Nature’s aid……’

He might have been blind for days afterward.
One thing was certain, though: he wasn’t yet in any position to puzzle this through.
Harsh as it sounded, that was reality.

‘Stay calm.’

Lion drew a deep breath in his mind and began to think through this methodically once more.
In fact, there was something to be grateful for.
What if he had attempted to break the seal recklessly without proper judgment?
If fortune favored him, he’d have borne the consequences alone.
But if—just if—he’d opened the vessel without any preparation whatsoever?
And if something that should never have emerged had burst forth from within?

‘It wouldn’t just be my problem.’

A third-tier seal or higher was already at the level of the Grand Seal that protected the boundary between the Demon Realm and the Empire.
Then what of fifth-tier?
Undoubtedly, something catastrophic—far beyond anything he’d experienced in the war with the Demons—would unfold.
Naturally, Asteri Territory would be finished.
……No.

‘That word doesn’t quite capture it.’

More precisely: his grandfather would have to return to the battlefield, and his brother Ricshel would follow in his wake.
Elvia would be drawn in without question, as would Rickson, the Knight Order commander, and Barg.
Even Freyanya and the villagers would need to commit everything they could to total war.

‘Thankfully, for now it’s only a dark imagining.’

Nothing had begun, nothing had gone wrong.
And it was all the more fortunate because they lived in a world at peace, with the war over.
If the conflict with the Demons were still ongoing, the scent alone might have drawn them before Lion had even finished considering the matter.

‘Still, I need to investigate carefully.’

If even a whisper of the vessel’s existence spread, it could become the prelude to tragedy anew.
Lion became aware of himself chewing the inside of his mouth.
It was the kind of habit he’d had back in his early years of employment—something he did when anxious……

‘Is it because I’m dreaming? I seem more emotional than usual.’

A ghost from his past had surfaced without his noticing.

‘Am I, anxious?’

All this anxiety over something that hasn’t even happened yet?

‘Ah.’

Lion understood the source of his unease in an instant.
It was the thought that he was no longer alone.
Truth be told, right after his possession, Lion had believed it didn’t matter when he died.
He’d simply lived day by day, vaguely assuming this was the span of his life.
But now…….

‘It feels different.’

His own pain or hardship had never bothered him.
Yet the thought of those beside him suffering gave him a vertigo he’d never known before.

“…….”

At least he’d realized this before breaking the seal.

‘Better to test the bridge before crossing it.’

Even if it took longer, he should understand what lay behind the seal before proceeding.
Lion steadied himself and answered naturally.

“You mean seals have direction to them, Your Grace?”
“Indeed. Most people rarely seal themselves away, so it’s no wonder the concept is foreign to you.”
“I confess my knowledge in this area is rather sparse.”
“And yet your comprehension is quite remarkable for someone so uninformed.”

The Archbishop’s eyes glimmered with intrigue.
The concept of seals was genuinely complex.
Without direct experience, one shouldn’t be able to grasp it from mere conversation alone.

‘But this man…….’

He understood perfectly.
Not only what a seal was, but even the direction of seals—he grasped it all with ease.
Being a Divine Messenger clearly set him apart. There was something uncommon here.

“…….”

Lion saw the Archbishop’s expression and exhaled silently in relief.
Fortunately, he’d avoided any suspicion about carrying sealed objects.
Though the question was unusual, there was nothing about it to prompt the Archbishop’s deeper suspicion.
The Archbishop seemed unaware that seals of the third stage or higher even existed, let alone that the Vessel itself did—and even if he knew, he couldn’t possibly suspect Lion, who currently bore no Divine Power.

“Theology seems to be just as fascinating a subject as magic. I confess I have something of an appetite for knowledge.”

“Ah? Is that so? Then next time you visit, I’ll bring you books that can only be seen within the Theological Academy.”
“Thank you.”
“And if you wish, I could assign you a private tutor—a professor or scholar well-versed in theology.”
“Pardon?”
“Or what of Licht? Not to boast, but that boy is so versatile he mastered all matters of theology from childhood.”
“…….”
“You’ve had dealings with him, so you know he’s not a bad sort. If you two could maintain close ties……ahem.”

The Archbishop poured forth words like water breaking through a dam, then abruptly stopped.

“I meant nothing grandiose by it. Simply, I’d hoped you might continue to keep close relations with Licht. It’s selfishness on my part.”

This time it wasn’t a parent-teacher conference—it was more a request that he treat their child well.

‘Well, well.’

Lion chuckled softly and rose from his seat.

“I appreciate the sentiment, but I think we ought to hear what Licht has to say about this as well, don’t you?”

Lion pushed his chair in neatly and glanced around the room.
The background was beginning to blur—it must be time to wake from this dream.

“After all, the priest seems to have quite a lot he wishes to accomplish.”
“…….”

The Archbishop’s eyes widened, then crinkled as he smiled.

“Is that so?”
“Yes. He’s quite ambitious. He may even cause you considerable trouble with all his schemes.”
“Well, that’s splendid.”

The Archbishop rose slowly from his seat as well, extending his hand.

“Thank you for turning my dear boy into such a greedy schemer.”

This was certainly a novel sort of gratitude to hear.

‘Even so…….’

Lion’s thoughts drifted to Licht—specifically, to that expression he’d worn when he’d defied expectations to pursue what he truly wanted.
……He’d looked quite mischievous, actually.
Hardly the face of a priest at all.
Of course, he’d seemed more like a spirited young man his age, which was a pleasant sight, though Lion couldn’t say for certain whether the family felt the same way about it.

‘Well…….’

But seeing the Archbishop’s expression now, Lion felt there was nothing to worry about.
He’d already made his peace with it.

Lion shook the Archbishop’s hand firmly.

“Next time we meet, I’ll have some refreshments prepared for you.”
“Much obliged. Then, let’s meet outside next time.”

With that exchange, the surroundings gradually darkened……and Lion awoke from his pleasant nap.

“…….”

Blink.
Lion lifted his drowsy eyelids.

Though his body felt refreshed as if he’d slept soundly, the conversation with the Archbishop remained vivid in his mind.
This was another strange experience altogether.

“Ah, you’re awake, Lion.”
“We’ve finished all the work. You’re free to return home whenever you wish.”

Ricshel and Licht had also returned to the room, having completed their respective tasks.

“You’ve both been working hard.”
“This is nothing. We were only able to manage because the priest lent his assistance.”

Ricshel broke into a genuinely bright smile.

“Haha.”

Licht watched him with an awkward smile of his own.
Seeing him like that, he couldn’t help wondering if he’d really gone toe-to-toe with the Holy Temple in a proper duel of spirits.
The outcome had unfolded exactly as Ricshel had guided it, and it seemed he’d managed to burn off all the stress he’d accumulated in the process.

‘A good match.’

At any rate, pairing them up had been the right call.
Lion rose from the bed and retied his disheveled hair.

“Everything’s settled nicely, so I’ll be on my way.”
“Of course. I’d like to see you out myself, but…”

Clearly, there was still cleanup to be done.

“No need to concern yourself. That priest handled the matter quite competently.”
“…”

Either way, Ricshel seemed pleased with him too.

“Then.”

Lion nodded lightly in farewell, finished disguising himself, and grasped the door handle.
‘…Ah.’
Just before stepping out, Lion turned to Licht and spoke casually.

“I have a feeling our next meeting will be with the Archbishop.”
“Pardon?”
“Just a hunch, really.”

With that, Lion left the room first.
Ricshel followed him out.
And only after Barg, who’d been standing watch outside all this time, glanced over and clicked the door shut…

“How could he possibly…? Don’t tell me…”

The reason for the nap…!
Licht’s hands flew to his mouth as understanding dawned on him.

* * *

Lion learned of the Holy Temple’s news only a few days later.
The talk of the town was dominated by one thing: a mysterious guest who had appeared briefly for the “completion of the Holy Sanctuary” and then vanished.
The Holy Temple had spun it masterfully into legend and spread the tale far and wide.

To better serve the believers, the Divine had sent a “Divine Messenger,” and through that power, one of the Archbishop candidates had completed the Holy Sanctuary!

“Not bad. Good story.”

Lion, dining out late with Ricshel, chewed his steak thoughtfully and nodded in appreciation.
For all the turmoil that had erupted internally, it was quite a respectable recovery.

“The important part comes after,” Ricshel said.

Ricshel dabbed his mouth with a napkin and explained the rest.

“They’ve given a specific explanation for why that one Archbishop candidate was able to complete the Holy Sanctuary.”

That the merciful God of Flame had personally sent a Divine Messenger to help us complete the Holy Sanctuary was itself a warning.
The God sought only to awaken us to our own inadequacy, clearing away obstacles temporarily for that purpose.

Lion nodded at these words.
If the matter unfolding in the Holy Temple was to be resolved, the story would naturally have to unfold in precisely this manner.

“Once it was announced so openly, the Temple had no choice but to act. I hear they underwent a sweeping reorganization.”
“That must have been difficult.”
“No. Surprisingly, it resolved quite smoothly.”
“Is that so?”

Lion thought he understood why.
The Archbishop must have awakened.
He had certainly expressed his gratitude even in dreams, and so would have sided with Licht and upended the Temple entirely.
No matter how rigid the Temple’s structure, the Archbishop’s word would naturally carry absolute authority.

“The Archbishop, who had not shown himself in some time, came forward personally, it seems.”

Just as he’d thought. Of course.
Lion drained his refreshing juice while listening to Ricshel’s account.
Dining out after so long, he found himself quite enjoying something sharp and invigorating.

“The Archbishop himself also dreamed of the Divine Messenger, and before the Messenger departed, left word that ‘this is the last time I shall turn aside the God’s wrath.’ Or so I’m told.”
“……What?”

Something about this narrative was taking an odd turn.

“And so, in place of divine wrath, we obtained the Holy Sanctuary entirely through the Divine Messenger’s grace.”
*Cough.*

Lion had to struggle to keep from spitting out the drink he’d been taking.

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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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