Never Mind the Heir, I’ll Focus on Healing - Chapter 164

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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 Successors, Just Healing 164

So I can make cocktails now.
It was a moment that brought me one step closer to the plan I’d had to make a cocktail for Ricshel when he came of age.

“This is quite an excellent gift, really.”

No, if I consider the skill unlock as well, this isn’t just quite good.
Lion’s lips curled into an involuntary smile.
It felt like I’d just leveled up for free, somehow.

“So that’s the end of the gifts, then?”

Nothing else remained in the box anyway.
Lion tucked the Mushberry Liqueur into his inventory.
If Ricshel found out, this time it wouldn’t be nagging—I had a feeling my grandfather would get a direct call about it.
While nodding at the rational thought,

Tap.

A sheet of paper fluttered from the Mushberry Liqueur box and fell to the floor.

“This is… a letter?”

It was made from the same material as the Ester Hotel’s invitations.
Which meant it was a letter written directly by Willie, the current manager.

‘A thank-you note?’

Or perhaps a letter of regards sent to the Direct Line of House Asteri.
Lion broke the seal and unfolded the letter.
As expected, it was filled with neat handwriting that appeared to be in Willie’s own hand.

—Lion Asteri. I hope you are enjoying your time with us.
—I feel sincere gratitude for how well you have utilized the various services and facilities of our hotel, Ester, beyond anyone else…….

Hmm, the introduction is too long.
Lion skimmed through the letter’s contents quickly.
It went on at length about gratitude for using the facilities so well…….
Only near the end did the important parts appear, which boiled down to this:

—I have admired your discernment most sincerely, Lion Asteri. I formally request that you examine even the hidden areas of Ester.
—At the same time, I shall open every area of Ester to you.
—Should you have leisure during your stay, I humbly ask that you visit once. Sincerely, Manager Willie.

So Willie had asked Lion for a field inspection—an inspection of gratitude, in other words.

“Was I really that impressive?”

But all I did was enjoy the amenities freely.
And now he’s opening every area.
Lion had only arrived at the hotel yesterday, after all.
And the facilities he’d enjoyed came to only three areas, even counting the restaurant.

‘Ah, could it be…!’

Lion pondered the question before arriving at one conclusion.

‘Ricshel asked for this!’

Regardless, his reason for being here wasn’t work, was it?
As the eldest son of House Asteri, Lion had come to inspect how well the Ester Hotel within his territory was operating—to check for any problems or concerns.
Of course, the truth was he’d simply wanted to play and rest, but still, if he dressed the visit up as business, it would at least look respectable.
It was clear that the thoughtful Ricshel had given Willie a special hint about this.
On top of that, he’d even arranged for him to move about the facilities freely, unbound by any official duties!
So that’s why everything had been set in motion this early!

‘That crafty bastard……!’

For all appearances to the contrary, Ricshel had a surprisingly meticulous side.

‘I should tell him when I get back that I won’t cause any trouble again.’

After all this consideration, he didn’t want to burden his younger brother with worry…….

“……Wait. Hold on a moment.”

Lion examined the letter again.
It clearly stated every facility in the Ester Hotel.
In that case…….

‘Is the kitchen open too?’

The Ester Hotel’s kitchen!
That magical realm where every meal showcased delicacies from across the world—he could actually enter it?
And if he wanted to…….

‘Could I actually cook with any ingredients I desire?’

The moment that thought crossed his mind, Lion’s eyes glimmered with sudden brightness.

‘They might even have mung bean sprouts?’

That mung bean sprout soup he’d regretted not eating earlier.
Now that he had access to both the ingredients and cooking facilities, it might just be possible.
No—it would be possible!
Wasn’t the Ester Hotel a place where people from beyond the continent came to stay?
They would surely stock a variety of ingredients.

‘If that’s the case, then the Second Imperial Prince’s situation…….’

might resolve itself much more smoothly.
After all, there was nothing quite like alcohol and food for bringing people closer together.

“Hmm, that’s right. The kitchen should be fine, shouldn’t it?”

Lion slightly revised the boundaries of the promise he’d made for his brother’s sake—the one about not causing trouble.
The kitchen should be acceptable.
Lion immediately flung open the door and headed toward the kitchen.

* * *

What Lion failed to recognize was that Willie’s letter bore not a trace of Ricshel’s influence.
This was entirely Willie’s independent decision!

In fact, Ricshel had said the opposite.

“Do not disturb my brother’s rest under any circumstances.”

……so it was said.
Along with a chill that no mere boy, not yet of age, should possess.
As an added stipulation, the Successor also declared that Ester Hotel belonged to the Asteri Territory, and that no one was to obstruct Lion’s movements anywhere within it.
At first, Willie thought the Successor was simply being overly considerate of Lion.
Half resigned (“Orders are orders”), half skeptical (what could one person possibly accomplish?), he let it be.
Even when Lion discovered an Egg Coin in a short span of time at the Rare Animal Protection Ranch, Willie’s doubts persisted.
Surely it was mere coincidence!
But it wasn’t.
Until then, Willie had been uncertain. Yet the moment the Arcade came into play, he had to concede the truth.
No—he could not help but concede it.
Had Lion simply enjoyed the recreational facilities and casually collected Egg Coins, Willie would have judged him as someone overflowing with natural talent.
But……

‘No. It’s not that.’

Early that morning, Willie received the Bartender warmly when he came seeking him out.
The Bartender had worked nearly as diligently as Willie in his own capacity, after all.
Though he seemed worn lately, there was no one more suited to the task—which is why Willie gave him the final stamp for the Left Playground. Perhaps the lively atmosphere would lift his spirits.
A change of scenery, if nothing else.
The Bartender had likely come to report the completion of his assigned duties……

“You……”

Willie noticed the change in the Bartender at once.
His lifeless expression had, if only slightly, come alive.

“I’ve come because I believe I deserve disciplinary action.”
“Discipline?”
“Yes. I failed to perform my duties as a Bartender with full dedication.”

He then gave a brief account of that night’s events.
The Bartender had not identified who the man was, but Willie could.
It was Lion Asteri.
And now Willie understood.
Lion Asteri possessed a specialness beyond the ordinary.
Latent potential, Insight, and something more still……

‘Perhaps surpassing even me, who’ve devoted a lifetime to this hotel.’

There was an old saying, wasn’t there?
Above those who leap, there are those who soar.
Above those who labor, there are those who enjoy.
Willie was a man prepared to do anything for the infinite advancement of Ester Hotel.
His efforts, correspondingly, were unparalleled.
Yet therein lay the tragedy.
Because of this devotion, Willie could not truly see Ester Hotel as it was.
Why did people come to the hotel?
Why did accomplished, enviable people come to the hotel?
They could sleep just fine at home, and if they wished, could purchase a seaside villa and vacation in comfort.
Yet they came to the hotel anyway.
Clearly, it was for enjoyment.
But not Willie.
No matter what, Willie was a man who ‘worked’ at Ester Hotel.
Nor was that all.
His affection for Ester ran deeper than most.
Therefore, objectivity eluded him.
But!
Not Lion Asteri.
He had come to enjoy this place, and his manner of enjoying it transcended the ordinary.
In other words, he was the perfect person to provide feedback on this hotel!
This kind of opportunity doesn’t come around for any price—not even for tens of millions.

‘…… That’s why I bent the Successor’s warning just a little.’

It was a move calculated in its own way.
He was free to wander anywhere at his leisure, but if there was anything that bothered Lion Asteri, feedback could be offered at any moment!
It was phrased as a formal request for a commission, but there had been no real obligation behind it.
If someone from House Asteri refused, that would be the end of it.

‘So, so it should be fine…….’

Willie reassured himself and turned to one of his staff members.

“……So where did he head after leaving the room?”
“He went to the kitchen, sir.”

The kitchen!

‘As expected!’

Willie nodded to himself.
He had an eye for detail that went beyond mere enjoyment—truly discerning.
Was he not inspecting all three essential elements of a proper hotel?
Comfortable or exciting leisure facilities.
Restful, welcoming accommodations.
And…… cuisine at a level one couldn’t find anywhere else.
He genuinely wanted to appoint such a man as a special advisor.

‘And if he’s gone to the kitchen…… he’s definitely read my letter.’

He could have ignored it, yet he went all the way to the kitchen!
A man of tremendous responsibility, indeed.
Think about it: a nobleman, moreover the eldest son of the direct line of the magical house Asteri, stepping into a kitchen?
He must have gone there to give a hint.

“The kitchen staff are well-disciplined, I trust?”
“Yes! I made certain they understand they must follow every instruction.”
“Good.”

Willie nodded repeatedly.
And so, a snowball that Lion had never intended to set in motion kept rolling and rolling, growing into an enormous mass…….

* * *

“The warehouse, you say?”
“Of course I can show you. Please, let me guide you!”

Lion followed the unusually attentive staff members on a tour of the Ester Hotel’s Food Storage Warehouse.

‘Wow…….’

Fresh ingredients were stacked like mountains, given the caliber of the facility.
Moreover, there were so many varieties that it felt as though he’d stepped into a massive warehouse-style market.

“If there’s anything you need, I’d be happy to gather it for you.”
“That’s alright. Do you mind if I look around on my own?”
“Of course, sir!”

The staff member withdrew cleanly without a word of protest, rather than saying things like ‘But it’ll be heavy for you…….’

“However, you might lose your way in the Food Storage Warehouse. If you can’t find your way out, please ring this bell.”

The staff member handed over a small bell with a courteous bow.
One might think that ringing such a modest bell in this cavernous warehouse would hardly help……

[Emergency Call Set]
-I’m here! I’m lost right now!
-The compass shows the location of whoever carries the bell!

This, too, was a Magical Tool.

‘Impressive.’

So Ester Hotel gathered money from its wealthy guests, commissioned the Magic Tower to develop special items, and then used those very items to capture everyone’s attention again…… It was a clever system.

‘Their internal circulation is incredible.’

In any case, thanks to this, Lion no longer had to worry about losing his way in the vast Food Storage Warehouse. He rested his hand on his hip and surveyed the surroundings methodically.
Fortunately, there was no need to examine each ingredient individually.

[Meat]
[Dairy Products]
[Spices]
[Vegetables]

Everything was organized by category into separate sections.
And Lion’s focus wasn’t on the vegetable section at all!

[Specialty Ingredients]

It was that corner, where the more extraordinary ingredients were kept.
If sprouts existed here, that’s definitely where they’d be.

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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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