Never Mind the Heir, I’ll Focus on Healing - Chapter 208

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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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Successor or Not, I’m Just Here to Heal — Episode 208

[Alchemist’s Moonlit Energy Candy (★★★)]
-Savory nuts paired with sweet-tart dried fruit, all woven together in a symphony of honeyed fragrance!
-Surely no one could resist a single bite?
-Especially a honey-loving bear beast-human—they’d go absolutely mad for it!

Lion gazed at the candy, gleaming and perfectly finished.

‘Yes. With just this…’

Any being that loved sweets—bear or bear beast-human alike—would surely be utterly captivated… except they wouldn’t be.

‘Honestly, this alone won’t quite cut it.’

The bait was undeniably irresistible; that much was certain.
The candy Lion had crafted was genuinely excellent.
But the target wasn’t just any bear—it was a bear beast-human.
Once lured in and the candy was devoured greedily, there was no guarantee it wouldn’t suddenly turn vicious.
And beyond that…

‘Bears are quite intelligent, after all.’

The old saying “a fox is cleverer than a bear” made most people overlook the fact that bears were far sharper than they seemed.
Especially when they were beast-humans.

‘Which means it probably already knows it’s become the target.’

There was a chance it might avoid the trap entirely, but judging by what it had done so far, it wouldn’t.
Its methods were remarkably bold.
It had ransacked a stalled carriage, broken into an apiary, and even plucked only the most delicious fruit from the orchard.

‘At this rate, it should be caught any day now.’

Yet still the creature continued its thefts.
The reason boiled down to one thing.
It was skilled enough to escape even if caught.

‘And if the one waiting with this bait were just an ordinary person like me?’

It would probably slip away without so much as a snort.
So Lion had prepared one more thing.

[Sleep-Inducing Powder (★★)]
-Enjoyed plenty of sweets? Then why not try this powder as well?
-A savory blend crafted from banana sweet potato stems and various herbs.
-Consumption provides substantial relief from insomnia.
-※Warning※ Effects are amplified when consumed after large amounts of sweets.

He’d made it long ago when he was still experimenting with potions.
Originally, he’d created it hoping to earn a few points with Ricshel, who threw himself into work day and night, or with his grandfather—but in the end, he’d never used it.

‘Ricshel’s gradually gotten better.’

And Grandfather’s expression had become noticeably brighter after taking the Mental Fatigue Recovery Potion, even if others hadn’t really noticed.
Regardless.
Anyway.

“Lucky for us, I happened to have some left.”

This blood sugar spike… no, if I just have the Sleep-Inducing Powder, that bear will certainly drift off in no time.
Once that happens…….

‘Barg can handle it.’

If all goes well, I can present the weakened bear with a bill for the banana sweet potatoes and everything else involved in this whole mess!
Lion sprinkled the Sleep-Inducing Powder over the candy with that thought in mind.
White crystalline grains, like salt, glittered as they clung to the surface.
It actually looked quite presentable.

“Good. Then we’re all set.”

All that remained was…….
Lion glanced out the window.
He could see Barg pacing nervously outside.
The beast didn’t seem to have any idea what was happening, let alone caught a whiff of honey.

‘Barg will pull through.’

Though he hadn’t explained it yet, the monster’s role in this plan was quite crucial.

‘Because he’s a Red Wolf Humanoid.’

Ordinary people knew little of the bloodlines among beast-humans, but from what the beast-human side had said, the Red Wolf lineage was considered even more precious than the Lion Humanoid who ruled the beast-human kingdoms.
That bear probably wouldn’t charge at Barg on sight.
In fact, he might find him curious…….

“Nature.”
“Cheep.”
“About this plan. You think it’s better we don’t mention it?”
“Chirp.”

Nature pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement with Lion’s thinking.

“Perfect. Then let’s proceed as planned!”

Lion hoisted the cooled candy whole and slipped out of the kitchen, which thrummed with sweetness.
The back door of the kitchen swung open…….

“……!”

Barg, who had been fidgeting with anticipation, jolted and stared at the candy.

“The smell didn’t escape, did it?”
“No, sir! Thanks to Nature’s barrier, not a trace of scent leaked out…… but.”

Barg gazed at the candy, spellbound.

“Is this the bait?”
“Yeah. Smells delicious, doesn’t it?”

He didn’t answer, but the distinct sound of him swallowing was unmistakable.
Under normal circumstances he’d have felt embarrassed, but before this bait, even that thought vanished.

‘This sweetness… this savory aroma… I’ve never smelled anything like it……!’

Even subtly woven through it all was the crisp scent of berries, so intoxicating that just breathing it in left him mesmerized.

‘Wait, hold on. If that’s the case…’

Barg’s eyes snapped into focus as the realization struck him, and he opened his mouth.

“Y-Young Master, sir. We should move with this bait as soon as possible, I think.”
“Why?”
“Well, bears have exceptionally keen noses. If the scent is this convincing, it will definitely appear!”
“That so? All the better.”

If Barg was saying something to that effect, it meant the bait had been made well indeed.

“Shall I carry it? If you’ll just tell me where the staging position is…”
“It’s fine.”
“But…”

Before Barg could even voice his warnings about the danger, Lion cut him off with a low chuckle.

“I’ll be fine as long as you’re watching my back.”
“…!”

It was pure sincerity.
But there was a deeper reason still.

‘This is my revenge.’

The flame of anger that had flickered dimly in Lion’s eyes blazed bright again.

‘I’ll strip it bare. Down to the bone.’

Lion made his resolve and set out with brisk steps toward Mimur Forest, the iron plate in hand.

“You’ve arrived.”

The House Asteri knights, already prepared, came to greet Lion.

“Yes. You’ve all been working hard.”
“Not at all, sir. Thanks to your help, Young Master, everything should proceed smoothly.”

The one who spoke, and the knights behind him, could not hide their bewilderment at the iron plate and energy bar held in Lion’s hands.

‘What in the world is that?’
‘Did he bring us treats to encourage us in our hard work?’
‘They say the food Lion makes is really special. I’m looking forward to it.’

Indeed, the nut candy was attractive enough to earn unsparing internal praise.

“Well then, ahem—forgive me, but this is…”

Under the weight of his comrades’ stares and silent pressure, one of the knights took the plunge and asked.

“This is precisely that bait.”
“Ah, so this is that bait… Pardon? Did I mishear you?”
“It contains everything a bear would desire.”
“…”

That was certainly true.
Nuts, berries, and honey besides.
The problem was that…
it was made of ingredients the soldiers also loved.

“Yes, of course…….”

The knights managed to compose their expressions with difficulty.
They’d forgotten—the eldest Young Master was quite the eccentric.

‘What a waste…… of something so precious.’

The knights unconsciously smacked their lips with a soft click.
It really did look delicious…….

“Understood.”
“Right. Good work, everyone.”

The knights exchanged farewells and picked up their weapons, preparing to return to the estate.

“…….”

Only Barg failed to grasp what was happening.

‘Why, why is everyone leaving?’

Wasn’t he supposed to hunt the bear now?
Then why were they leaving with only Lion remaining?
Was today not the day? he wondered.

Pat, pat.

“Hang in there.”
“The youngest has it rough.”
“Stay strong.”
“Y-yes…….”

The knights patted his shoulders and head, offering encouragement as they departed—as if they knew something!
Barg sank deeper into confusion.
Even as the last of them disappeared.

“Hm?”

“We hunt the bear, don’t we?”
“Yes. But if all the knights are gone, then who will…….”

The Young Master had said as much before making the bait.
He’d asked for help with his revenge.
Barg had agreed readily enough, but he’d never imagined revenge would be so direct.
After all, the Young Master had been……!

‘…… giving me only trivial tasks until now.’

Barg wanted to become a true strength to the Young Master.

So, in other words—neutralizing dangerous individuals, restraining them.
Or something like ‘hunting’ them down.
But the Young Master seemed to have judged that my skills weren’t yet sufficient, so he never even broached the subject.
Ricshel was the same.
He kept me as a bodyguard and put me through even harsher training, but he never asked for anything beyond that.
Which meant…

‘…C-come on, Barg! This is your chance!’

Barg slapped both cheeks sharply and focused his eyes with fierce intensity.
Maybe with this opportunity, he could finally prove himself truly useful to the Young Master!

“Nothing should go wrong, but if any trouble does arise, you just keep me safe.”
“Understood! I won’t let you down!”
“Hm? Oh, right. I’m counting on you.”

Barg, now brimming with resolve, even drew out his sharp claws in grim determination.

‘Well, everyone has moments like these.’

Lion didn’t bother restraining Barg and began preparing for what came next.
There wasn’t much to prepare, truth be told.
He checked that the capture nets the Knight Order had laid out were properly positioned, then asked Nature to mask his and Barg’s scents so they wouldn’t spread.
That was precisely why he’d sent the Knight Order away.
If the forest caught wind of multiple human scents, it would certainly put the creature on guard.

“Hide yourself.”
“Yes, sir!”

On top of that, to be safe, he crouched down among the dense thickets to conceal himself—and that would be perfect.

“Now we just wait.”

Whether an actual fight would break out was uncertain.
Even if it was a bear, it was still a beast-human, so communication should be possible.

‘Though it does have to take the bait first.’

He might have to stake out here for days.

‘I’m not sure how long Spirit Summoning can hold up.’

Even with his Spirit Summoning at a higher level, prolonged use might strain him unduly.
He wanted this finished as quickly as possible.
And so the hours passed until the moment when the sun’s shadow shifted, transforming the light itself into something wolf-like.

‘Hisss…’

The honey scent had definitely spread throughout Mimur Forest—perhaps even beyond it.
Yet the nut candy remained untouched.
What’s more, even the small creatures—squirrels and the like—that had scurried about earlier in the day were nowhere to be seen.

‘It’s here.’

The absence of small animals meant one thing: a predator was definitely in the vicinity.
It wasn’t Lion or Barg, their presences carefully masked.
Which meant… it had to be that bear beast-human.
Then—

Rustle.

“……! Young Master.”

Barg whispered softly, having caught the sound of movement.
Something massive emerged from the grass on the opposite side, parting the leaves as it came.
That enormous, pitch-black thing, like a boulder…….

‘It’s here.’

It was a bear with fur as glossy as if it had been oiled.
But it had been eating far too well, its bulk quite considerable.
For a bear, it was overweight, waddling as it moved.
To anyone’s eyes, it was a creature that had gorged itself on food until it grew soft and round…….
Truly, it was a picture of nutritional excess.

‘Ugh…… just looking at it gets under my skin after all this time.’

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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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