Never Mind the Heir, I’ll Focus on Healing - Chapter 20

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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 Can Wait, I’m Just Here to Heal — Chapter 20

‘But for some reason, these ingredients feel familiar…….’

Isn’t this quite similar to mulled wine I made once in my previous life?
Well, in any case, that’s good.

“Either way, this combination pairs perfectly with the cookie.”

It relieves fatigue and boosts efficiency.
Moreover, judging by the ingredients that go into it, it seemed quite effective for preventing colds as well.

‘Though that depends on what grade I make it.’

Still, since my level’s risen, it should be more useful than before.
And excellent materials are backing it up besides.
Lion went to a basket set to one side and brought back two oranges and a lemon.

[Fresh Orange (★)]
[Fresh Lemon (★)]

“Excellent quality.”

Since they were fruit supplied to Astéry, their quality and freshness were exceptional.
Then let’s begin.
After Lion washed the fruit thoroughly and sliced it into appealing pieces, a refreshing citrus fragrance burst from the peel, while the flesh released the rich aroma of ripe juice.
Just the scent alone was enough to jolt the senses awake.

“And the star anise root.”

Lion retrieved the star anise and caught its scent.
Unlike ordinary star anise, the root variety carried not just a sharp, peppery note but also a subtle sweetness.

‘Ah, that’s why sugar wasn’t on the essential ingredients list.’

Lion placed the julienned oranges and lemon slices into the pot, poured in the Low-Grade Health Potion, and lit the flame beneath it.

‘Can’t let it boil hard.’

He kept the heat to a gentle, even flame, and only once the oranges and lemons had stewed somewhat and their juices had seeped out did he add the star anise root.
Adding it all at once wouldn’t cause problems, but the fresh aroma of the rosemary oil might be overwhelmed, so he controlled the timing.
As he simmered the potion over the gentlest of flames—barely a whisper of bubbles rising—a rich fragrance bloomed throughout the kitchen.
It already seemed completely finished, but this was where the real work began.
Patience. True patience.
Even a perfectly seared steak needs to rest, and braised dishes grow deeper in flavor the longer the seasoning seeps in.
A training assistance beverage was no different.
From here, he had to wait for the fruit’s bright, refreshing notes to fully bloom.
Lion pulled up a chair and sat, waiting with unhurried ease.

‘This should be about right now.’

Lion strained the steaming beverage through a sieve.
After filtering out every last fleck of fruit pulp…….

Drop!

And finally, the Aqua Rosemary Oil—just the tiniest drop—to finish.

[Alchemist’s Training Assistance Beverage (★)]
—A beverage crafted by an ‘Alchemist’! That hazy boundary between drink and potion! But it’s classified as a beverage.
—Drink a cup while it’s warm, and it slightly boosts your training efficiency in swordplay, mana control, and the like.
—However, it cannot enhance life-related talents.
—It seems even the cold I’d caught will clear right up.

With a pleasant aroma, the notification for completion of the Alchemist’s Training Assistance Beverage appeared.

“Hm.”

Thanks to the star attached to it, the cold-clearing effect manifested just as Lion had anticipated.

“Suppose I’ll give it a taste…….”

Lion promptly poured the beverage into a mug and took a sip.
His nostrils filled with the tart-sweet fragrance of fruit and the subtle, peppery aroma of star anise.
Unlike mulled wine, which uses wine as a base, the herb’s signature freshness and cool clarity lingered in his throat.
It seemed to be thanks to the Aqua Rosemary Oil.

“Mm…….”

The warm liquid flowed down his throat, spreading heat throughout his body—a sensation he quite welcomed.
On a chilling day like this, it was perfect.

“That’s quite good.”

Since the potion formed the base, he’d worried the taste might suffer, but it had turned out splendid.

“Good. Now let me present it properly.”

With the taste confirmed, Lion quickly arranged the cookies on an elegant platter and poured the beverage into a fresh cup.

[Lion Astéry Special Beverage Set (★★)]
—The cookies and beverage made for family carry a warm, comforting taste!
—Upon consuming both the cookies and beverage, fatigue immediately decreases by a certain degree and combat-related training efficiency increases. Additionally, fatigue reduction persists after training.
—It demonstrates remarkable efficacy against cold and sickness!

[You have created a set food for the first time!]
[Achievement ‘A Sight Most Appetizing……’ unlocked!]
[You have acquired 3,000 Shillings!]

He’d cleared an achievement in the meantime and accumulated more Shillings.

‘That should be around 80,000 Shillings total now.’

He still fell short of the 100,000 needed to unlock the Shilling shop, but watching his wealth grow warmed his heart nonetheless.
After all, contentment of spirit springs from peace of mind and a well-lined purse.

“Then I should pay a visit.”

Lion’s destination was the study of the Head of Household, located on the highest floor.
His grandfather’s office.
Knock, knock.
Lion rapped on the door and poked only his face through the crack.
As always, his grandfather was absorbed in paperwork.

“Are you busy?”
“What is it?”

The fact that he’d asked about his business meant he wasn’t terribly occupied at the moment.
Lion then stepped inside, carrying the neatly arranged cookies and beverage.
Patrick set down his pen and regarded the eldest grandson of House Astéry, who had brought the refreshment tray with his own hands.

……

He was taken aback.
In the hands of a grandson whom he’d never let carry so much as a heavy book—let alone hold water—was now a tray.
What was this?
All of a sudden?

‘How have I raised that boy? Could it be……?’

Patrick recalled a rumor that had circulated through the manor not long ago.
That Lion Astéry, his darling grandson whom he’d cherish even if his eyes fell out, would soon die—and that the servants were tendering their resignations over it.
He’d assumed that Elvia had made arrangements during her tenure as head maid Silvia…….

“Don’t tell me the servants wouldn’t carry this for you, and yet they failed to volunteer?”

‘The rumor hasn’t subsided after all.’

As Head of Household, he should step in at once and deal with these incompetent fools…….

“No, Grandfather. That’s not it.”
……

So it wasn’t that, then.
Patrick’s cold expression softened, just slightly.

“I came to bring you this. I made it myself.”
“You made it? You…… personally?”
“Yes.”

Lion delivered the explanation he’d prepared beforehand, speaking with composure.

“This is actually a beverage I made from my own potions. And I thought it might pair well if enjoyed together, so I baked some biscuits as well. On top of the biscuits, I placed some Banana Sweet Potatoes—a famine crop I discovered in the Mimir Forest.”
……
“I thought it might be interesting to showcase my progress in this way. Please, do have a taste.”
“Hmm. Let me see it.”

At those words, Lion smiled wryly and set the tray down on the desk.
Patrick gazed quietly at the cookies and beverage arranged on the tray.
Golden-brown biscuits, studded with tiny yellow flecks across their surface.
A richly fragrant, vivid crimson drink, warmed to the perfect temperature and releasing wisps of steam.
Patrick brought the beverage to his lips first.
There was no particular reaction from him.
Next, he took a small bite of the cookie.

……

The tasting was quieter than expected, with neither praise nor encouragement forthcoming—and yet…….

[Cooking Proficiency has reached Apprentice Level 4!]

‘He enjoyed it.’

The condition for raising Cooking talent.
One only gained additional experience points when there was someone eating it with genuine appreciation.
Thanks to that, he could tell.
His grandfather had quite enjoyed both the cookie and the beverage.

‘Before this, he wouldn’t even drink a potion in front of me, after all.’

This counted as solid progress, or so Lion thought.
He felt quite satisfied with it.

“……which is why I didn’t come here just to give you this.”

Patrick, having made quick work of the pastries and beverages, turned to the real matter at hand.

“Did you enjoy the taste?”
“Get to the point.”
…….

Though his tone remained cool, Lion knew what this meant.
The wooden stiffness had drained from his body, the sharp edges of his gaze had softened, and the deep creases between his brows had eased.
This was the moment—the opening he’d been waiting for.
“I came partly to show you my progress, but there is also something I’d like to ask of you.”
“Ask?”

Patrick was quite curious what his grandson might request.
Besides, Lion’s timing was perfect—Patrick had relaxed considerably.
He’d tasted the pastries and beverages his grandson had made with his own hands, and more than anything, seeing his grandson’s face in person had lifted his spirits.
Though even in a less indulgent mood, Patrick would have granted his grandson’s wishes without hesitation—and indeed, he still would.
Nothing dangerous, of course.

“I understand my Coming-of-Age Ceremony is to be held again soon.”

Lion broached the matter of his Coming-of-Age Ceremony first, holding off on mentioning Richel.

“That’s right. Since you couldn’t have one before, we’ll hold it now.”

Coming-of-Age Ceremonies were typically regarded as grand celebrations where families displayed how splendidly their children had grown.
They also served as a kind of formal introduction, signaling to the Aristocratic Society that the children, previously barred from their family’s affairs, were now stepping into that world by participating in this event.
Patrick, however, had no intention of burdening Lion with such tedious arrangements.
This was a time for him to fully indulge in things he’d missed during his childhood illness.
Since Patrick saw no reason to force him into unpleasant duties, he was handling all the invitations, attire, decorations, and other details himself—or so he’d thought.

‘Surely the boy isn’t about to volunteer to take it all on?’

“I would like Richel to rest easy until then.”

Richel?

“Why him?”
“Family members participate in the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, don’t they? But…….”

Lion briefly explained that Richel seemed to be pushing himself quite hard lately.

“So I was wondering if you might reduce his training intensity until the ceremony—that way, when the whole family participates with bright faces, it will look all the better.”
“You want everyone to participate?”
“Yes, of course. We’re family, after all.”

Patrick nearly burst out laughing.
What a fine young man!

‘I thought the two of them weren’t getting along.’

Ever since Richel’s journey to Mimir Forest, the two had become remarkably affectionate brothers.
In noble families, such closeness was rarely seen.
Bloodshed among siblings was far more common.
After all, there could only be one Head of Household.

‘Just that one swordmaster family alone…….’

It was good news in any case.

‘One more thing to be proud of.’

He’d framed it as something for the family’s sake, but truthfully, he’d done it because he was worried about his younger brother.
It was the sort of thing he could naturally see through.

“Very well. I’ll leave the matter to self-study until the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.”
“Thank you!”
“Is that all?”
“Pardon?”
“Do you have any other requests regarding the Coming-of-Age Ceremony?”
“No, sir. That’s everything.”

A clean answer.

…….

……That boy really is something.
I wonder who he takes after—he hasn’t got a greedy bone in him.
There’s something far more important about the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.
There was plenty to do: announcing to the empire that the boy had come of age, conducting the family’s own rituals…….
But the heart of the Coming-of-Age Ceremony was truly one thing.
The gift.
It varied by family size, but for a marquis—and especially for a descendant of a magical great house with power to rival the imperial household itself—the gifts received at such ceremonies alone could guarantee a lifetime of enormous wealth.
In coin, enough to establish a merchant company; in jewels, stones found nowhere else on the continent, much less in the empire—unique, singular treasures.
If even that seemed undesirable, one could receive an oceanside manor and estates complete with their full staff of administrators.
A full package deal!
For Lion was the eldest heir of House Astéry!
And typically, the Coming-of-Age gift was whatever the recipient wished for…….

‘He said he needs nothing.’

Which meant: choose for yourself.

‘This is a problem.’

A difficult choice indeed. What gift could possibly suit that peculiar grandson’s taste?
As Patrick’s expression grew gradually more grave, Lion rose with a respectful bow.

“Then I’ll take my leave now.”

Click.

Watching the door close smoothly shut…….
The gravity of his predicament deepened.
What on earth should he give him?

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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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