Never Mind the Heir, I’ll Focus on Healing - Chapter 221

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

The Successor Doesn’t Matter — Let’s Just Heal. Episode 221

Lion glanced sidelong at Buck.
Buck rubbed his hand across what seemed to be a brand-new oak barrel before opening his mouth slowly.

“…In truth, I never dreamed he would go to such lengths. Everything between us passed through letters alone.”

His father’s new undertaking had moved Buck deeply enough that his voice grew thick with emotion.

“Ahem! I’ve been rather foolish, haven’t I. The pomegranate wine is this way.”

Buck’s father, who perceived his son’s feelings more swiftly and surely than anyone, seemed embarrassed and let out an exaggerated cough before disappearing deep into the far corner of the warehouse with quickened steps.

“This is the one. The first fruit wine I ever made.”

Perhaps because he had made only beer and grape wine before, he added with elaborate exaggeration that there had been considerable trial and error at first, then poured the wine into a broad glass goblet beside him with a gentle trickle.
Despite the warehouse being somewhat dim, the vivid crimson of the pomegranate wine shone with striking clarity.

“The color is certainly deeper than grape wine, isn’t it?”

When he tilted the glass slightly in his hand, the hue came into sharper focus.
Accustomed as he was to wine’s characteristic purple tones, the pomegranate’s distinctive red glow appeared remarkably inviting.
And Lion understood at once.

‘This is no ordinary wine.’

It was by no means something made carelessly as a hobby.
Red and transparent, with the pomegranate’s distinctive fragrance spreading delicately through the air.
The deep aroma was perceptible too, no doubt from considerable aging.
If he drew closer, he suspected yet another layer of scent would reveal itself.

“Please, do try it.”
“Much obliged.”

Lion accepted the glass without hesitation.
He swirled it gently and brought his nose to it, and just as expected, a distinctly different fragrance wafted up.
A bright, effervescent tartness made itself felt, followed by the sweet, fresh aroma of pomegranate blossoms enveloping it all.

“The scent of flowers.”
“Ah! You noticed! In truth, I added flower petals when making the pomegranate wine. They should be well settled at the bottom of the oak barrel by now.”

Lion nodded as he listened to the explanation.

‘Just as I thought.’

He could tell without even tasting it yet.
This was an exceptionally fine wine.
At this level, it would be more than sufficient for use as an ingredient.
With that thought, Lion took a measured sip of the wine.

“Excellent.”
“Ha, quite so, isn’t it? The strangest thing — when I stopped thinking of it as work and made it without burden, the taste became all the better.”

Buck’s father went on to explain, as if in apology, that this meant nothing of the sort about the distillery’s own beer and wine lacking quality.

“That sentiment, I understand well.”

Lion spoke with genuine sympathy.
It wasn’t so now, but before the reincarnation — hadn’t life been truly dull then?
Each day blurs into the next, an endless repetition of the same tasks.
Coming to work, doing the work, occasionally meeting people and managing their moods.
A life that begins before the sun rises and ends when the sun sets, leaving only streetlights to illuminate the darkness.
Usually, it all feels numb and unremarkable—until suddenly, on some unremarkable day, a thought surfaces.
Is there any meaning to living the same life for decades on end?
Of course, it’s only a fleeting thought.
Even if every day feels identical, I know that I’m learning different things, growing steadily if slowly.
But there are days like that, aren’t there?
Days when exhaustion seems bottomless and emptiness creeps in.

‘The author must have felt the same way.’

Then, by chance, I discovered a hobby.
And if that hobby sprang from a child’s love speaking through words meant for their father—
then it becomes like cool rain falling on a heart parched and cracked from drought.
This pomegranate wine was proof of that.
Sweet and bright, yet tart and subtly bitter.
And red, transparent, utterly captivating.
And so I experience these rare moments of respite before returning to the everyday once more.
For myself. For those around me.

‘This wine—this is what I should use.’

I’d come with simple intentions, but this wine had captured my heart far more than I expected.
More so than any product from any master craftsman House Asteri could procure.

‘And the quality is exceptional, too.’

[Sunset Pomegranate Wine (★★★)]
-Nothing burns as red as the setting sun. The maker’s passion, the pomegranate, and their devotion created this vivid crimson hue.
-The aroma is absolutely exquisite!
-A high-alcohol wine. Excessive drinking is harmful to your health.

Lion drained the transparent pomegranate wine without a trace, then laughed with satisfaction.

“Would you be willing to sell me all of this wine?”
“All of it, sir?”

Buck’s Father could hardly believe his ears.
Even so, this single barrel would easily yield dozens of bottles of wine.
Which meant that even a hobby project like this could generate decent income.
But…

‘…is it right to sell this for money?’

That thought arose.
After all, this man was the crucial person who made it possible for him to pursue this hobby in the first place.
Though he may not have given it much thought, those few words had opened a new chapter in his life.
It felt almost as if he were living an entirely different existence.
To exaggerate only slightly, it was the first spark of vitality he’d felt since his only child had left home for the city years ago.
And yet.

“I can tell it’s a precious creation. It’s not an easy decision to make.”
“No, sir. I’ll give it to you.”
“Is that so? Then allow me to pay generously—”
“No, Young Master.”

Buck’s Father broke into a broad, genuine smile as he spoke.

“I’ll simply give it to you.”
“But surely you could have received a better price for it?”
“Ha ha ha…… No. I’ve already received what I needed.”

With that, he turned his gaze to his son’s face.
His only son, toiling away in a distant land.
A treasure of a boy whom he wished more than anything to see prosper, and whom he would give anything to—more precious even than any hobby-born vitality.
More valuable than that new zest for life.
Seeing his son’s face one more time was worth more than any jewels he could claw from the Dragon Lair.
And the Young Master had given him that gift.
It felt like receiving a surprise present.

“I have no lingering wishes.”
“Father……!”

Buck’s eyes, which had been fixed on his father ever since, reddened at the rims.

“……All right then. I’ll accept this with gratitude.”
“Yes. I am grateful if you will accept it, however modest it may be.”
“In return, though.”

Lion turned his head to look at Buck.

“Buck. You’re taking a week of paid leave.”
“Y-yes?”
“The reason being your significant contribution to my Alchemy experiments.”

Lion gave Buck’s shoulder a couple of pats.

‘That’s about the best I can do for him.’

In a sense, wasn’t Lion himself something like the chairman to Buck?

‘Strictly speaking, I’m the chairman’s grandson, but…….’

In any case, even if he’d just seen his father, wouldn’t Buck find it difficult to let his guard down and act spoiled in front of the chairman’s grandson?

‘I should step back a little.’

Making full use of the authority that came with being the chairman’s grandson.
It wasn’t particularly difficult for Lion, truth be told.
The Asteri Family Estate had plenty of servants.
A few taking leave wouldn’t burden those remaining with the work.

“So get some good rest, spend some quality time with your father, and come back refreshed.”

Lion pulled a money pouch from his pocket and placed it in Buck’s palm.
He’d meant to hand this over from the moment he went to find Buck.

“This is a special bonus.”
“Y-Young Master……!”
“Then I’ll be heading back.”

Goodbyes were best when quick and clean.
Lion tore open a Warp Scroll beside the barrel brimming with pomegranate wine.
Light flashed gently, as it had when he arrived, and Magic Circles materialized beneath his feet and in the air above—and then Lion and the oak barrel of pomegranate wine vanished without a trace.
It happened in an instant.

“……He really did leave.”
Sniff.
“Why are you crying, you fool.”

Buck’s Father gave his son’s shoulder a rough, sturdy pat.

“I haven’t done anything worth praising, though.”
“Then go back and do better next time.”

Buck’s Father gazed toward one corner of the emptied warehouse.
The absence of the enormous oak barrel he’d labored to craft should have left him feeling hollow, yet strangely his heart had never felt fuller.

* * *

Lion departed with Buck at his side, and returned with the Oak Barrel in tow.

“Welcome back, Young Master.”

Elvia had somehow known to greet Lion at his arrival, a damp towel already in hand.
She stood ready to clean away whatever fresh filth he’d accumulated, as always.
Yet…

‘Her expression looks brighter than usual, doesn’t it?’

There was no reason it should be.
The question caught his attention, but he was settling into relief that Elvia seemed pleased about something when—

“Um, Elvia? What should I try my hand at next?”

A shabby, grimy servant approached from some distance away.
No, wait.
That wasn’t some shabby servant.
That was… the Butler of Marquis Bydentis, wasn’t it?

“Hmm…”

Lion’s eyes rolled back and forth, studying Elvia and the Butler in turn, and the causal chain became instantly clear.
This was definitely the work of Elvia’s playful nature!

“Hehe. Pay it no mind. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes? Oh, that’s correct! I’m presently performing my duties of my own volition.”

For better or worse, the Butler nodded happily with a beaming smile!

“Ha ha. Ha…”

Lion laughed awkwardly and leaned close to Elvia, keeping his voice low.

“Did you put some kind of magic on him?”
“I was considering erasing his memories afterward, certainly.”
“…”
“But it seems unnecessary. He’s a rare breed these days—genuinely diligent.”

Well, he supposed that made sense.
Lion decided to say no more.
This appeared to be one of Elvia’s hobbies.
He had no desire to get involved.

“Shall I bring the wine barrel to your room?”
“Yes. Please do.”
“Very well.”

Elvia answered respectfully, then fixed her gaze on the Butler.

“…! So that’s something I need to learn! Yes. I’ll do it!”

The Butler went somewhere and returned with a dolly, then grunted as he hefted the Oak Barrel onto it.
For someone so slender, it was impressive how he managed it… but never mind, best not to dwell on it.

“…Don’t work him too hard.”
“Hehe. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Freyanya really ought to come back soon, Lion thought.

“Ah, and two guests are waiting for you in the Restaurant.”
“Hmm? Has it gotten that late already?”

Tonight was scheduled for dinner with Marquis Bydentis.
It would be a chance to speak frankly about how to approach the Imperial Palace and what preparations would be best to make.
That was why he’d been hurrying in the first place.

“I’d better get there before they wait any longer.”

Lion moved to quicken his pace, then paused…

‘Wait—should I give them a moment alone together?’

He decided to walk at his normal pace instead.
That was a close one—he’d almost blundered in!
As long as he got there before the food went cold, it should be fine.
Haha!

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