Never Mind the Heir, I’ll Focus on Healing - Chapter 284

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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, I Know Not—Let Me Focus on Healing Instead — Episode 284

And so, the protagonist of that grand plan…….
“Haaaaah.”
After a fairly long nap, I woke in the carriage.
“Ah, you’re up. We’re almost there.”
“Your timing is impeccable—you coughed just as I dozed off.”
“Wait, didn’t you sleep at all?”
I’d slept for quite a while, and it seemed Grandfather and my brother had been working the entire time.
“We managed to rest our eyes for a bit as well, so don’t worry.”
“That’s right. Your carriage is particularly comfortable, Patrick.”
“Is it?”
The two of them affirmed it as though they’d rehearsed it.
‘They were working.’
Work addicts wouldn’t waste travel time on nothing.
They might fool anyone else, but there’s no fooling Lion’s eye.
‘I used to be the same way.’
Hadn’t I cramped myself into narrow airplane seats, pecking away at my laptop during business trips?
‘The efficiency is good.’
Kill two birds with one stone—combine travel and work, and you cut down on overtime!
Or so the logic goes.
‘But even then, the work never actually goes away.’
You know what they say?
Work begets more work.
Handle today’s tasks, and tomorrow’s work arrives faster. Handle tomorrow’s, and next week’s looms even larger.
The hopeful future where all the work is finally done and you can relax…… doesn’t exist.
It’s like a real-world version of sloth hell.
And yet I’m living harder than anyone!
Anyway, that’s why you have to rest when you can.
There’s one thing Lion knows all too well.
‘You can never rest alone.’
Stick two work addicts together, and they’ll never actually rest.
And Ricshel especially…….
‘He’s got a partner too!’
Bydentis, the duke.
The two of them can barely find time to enjoy their little moments together, and now they’re working with Grandfather?
And if a work atmosphere takes hold, Bydentis will naturally fall into that same ‘business mode.’
‘Absolutely not.’
Lion shook his head firmly.
Those two needed to learn something.
That you’re supposed to rest when others rest!
‘Sigh. I suppose I have to step in myself.’
Lion knows the way.
The way to stop a work addict.
First method: drain their mind so thoroughly they can’t think about work at all.
Failing that.
‘Something bigger than work will have to come up!’
The odds of something that significant happening to those two right now were slim enough that…….
-Lion, you’re making that scheming face again, aren’t you?
Yes. Exactly.
Lion gave a microscopic nod that only Tiamatrak would notice.
“So you’ll both be quite busy once we arrive in the Imperial Capital, then. Same goes for you, Ricshel.”
“……Honestly, I won’t be able to rest as easily as the other nobility seem to.”
Patrick affirmed Lion’s observation.
It was true enough that they had considerable work to handle.
They had to keep monitoring what the Archbishop, the First Imperial Prince, and the central nobles were scheming.
‘Above all, the Purification Plan needs to proceed.’
But if my eldest grandson learned of that plan, the expression on his face would be entirely predictable, so it had to remain hidden.
‘Still, I did drop hints about it last time, so it should be fine.’
Patrick averted his gaze from Lion and turned his attention to the Imperial Capital visible beyond the window.
And just as Ricshel, watching his expression, seized the moment to say something similar—
“Hmm…….”
Lion seemed about to speak, his lips parting slightly, before he closed them again.
“What is it? Brother?”
“Oh, nothing…….”
He waved his hand dismissively as if it were nothing at all, but under the weight of their intense stares, he cautiously ventured an explanation.
“I was just thinking I ought to stay out of your way. Haha.”
“Out of the way? Who on earth said such a thing?”
“No, no one said that to me. I was just thinking it myself.”
Both of them were taken aback.
That Lion—of all people—would think such a thing had never even crossed their minds!
‘What should we do? Sir? Brother seems quite lonely.’
‘Hmm. It’s true we’ve only discussed matters among ourselves because of the Contamination issue. That could account for it.’
‘But that doesn’t mean we can afford to relax, does it?’
Patrick fell silent at Ricshel’s words.
He was right.
Patrick, the patriarch of House Asteri, and his Successor Ricshel were figures who naturally commanded attention simply by their presence.
If Lion stood among them, he too would inevitably draw the eyes of others.
‘It’s different from the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.’
Back then, Lion had been the center of attention, but the situation was different now.
And on top of that, the Purification Plan was being prepared as well.
Drawing attention would serve no purpose whatsoever.
But then again—
How could he ignore his firstborn grandson, the one and only, speaking of his loneliness like that?
‘I knew this would work.’
Though in truth, that supposedly lonely grandson was secretly exulting inwardly.
While not quite at the level of the other two, Lion would actually be quite busy at the party himself.
First, he had to avoid the Second Imperial Prince and Jack, and in between, he needed to pay his respects to the Marquis Bydentis.
But more than that—
The rumor that Lion was acquainted with master craftsmen had surely spread.
‘First, the nobility will ask me to introduce them to Andrea’s boutique.’
Since the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, Lion had worn clothes made by Andrea to many events.
‘Though some were clothes I made myself.’
To the uninformed nobility, Lion must have seemed like an ambassador for Boutique Andrea.
‘Especially after visiting Ester Hotel, my popularity exploded.’
This was something Andrea had told him directly.
She spoke of her genuine gratitude, and mentioned seriously that she was even considering expanding locations or taking on disciples.
‘Mudu hardly needs mention.’
He was already a master craftsman whose fame had reached the heavens.
Lion knew that acquiring a proper piece typically took a minimum of one year, and sometimes as long as five.
But if one went through Lion, one could bypass that endless waiting period entirely and obtain an item right away—so naturally, everyone’s eyes couldn’t help but gleam.
‘For reasons like this…….’
Wasn’t he essentially a middleman?
Lion maintained an expression of genuine disappointment about having no one to meet at the party, though he was laughing awkwardly to himself inside.
And to deliver the finishing blow, he added one more thing.
“Ah, it’s nothing to worry about. I just had such fond memories from the Coming-of-Age Ceremony that I let my tongue wag needlessly.”
Lion said he could manage on his own just fine, so they shouldn’t be concerned.
He also added that if necessary, he could always head in early and rest.
“…….”
Patrick and Ricshel exchanged glances in silence.
Normally, the two of them would never fail to see through Lion’s schemes.
But something in Lion’s tone was different this time.
‘Ordinarily, Brother would have said to stay calm and not worry—that’s what he should say.’
In other words, when he was plotting something.
Brother preferred not to handle things alone.
Ricshel had been caught in it more than a few times.
Things like, “Don’t worry, I manage fine on my own,” or “Don’t mind me, just go about your business.”
And every time those words came…….
‘He ended up causing something truly enormous.’
It was Ricshel, hearing in his mother’s mountain lodge all that had transpired in recent days.
Had it not come from his brother’s own lips, he would have dismissed it as a dull fabrication.
In any case, for his brother to speak so gravely—
This was unmistakably a crisis!
At least, for these two, it was a crisis like no other.
“Please, don’t worry yourself, brother. Even if I’m uncertain, the current head of house should have considerable time available.”
“……What did you say?”
Patrick, who had been sitting in reluctant silence, turned to face Ricshel.
‘This boy, what is he thinking?’
Patrick found himself genuinely taken aback.
If one of them had to make time for Lion, it should fall to Ricshel.
Not because they were brothers.
It was a matter of standing.
No matter how much one insisted on being the successor to House Asteri, with Patrick as the current head alive and well, all eyes would inevitably turn toward him.
Then it should be Ricshel who remained at Lion’s side.
“……Your grandfather? And you?”
“That is…….”
Ricshel set his keen mind spinning at full speed.
He had to think of something quickly.
An answer that Patrick would have no choice but to accept, and that his brother could embrace with genuine pleasure.
‘Fortunately, one more card remains in my hand.’
He had not asked permission from the other party, but they would surely understand.
Having settled on his course, Ricshel spoke at once.
“The thing is, I have a prior engagement with the Marquis Bydentis. We agreed to dance together……!”
With that declaration, the carriage arrived within the Imperial Palace.
The faint clatter of hoofbeats faded away just as Ricshel’s words struck all the more forcefully into the silence.
“……!”
“I see, I see.”
Patrick immediately grasped what Ricshel was plotting.
In other words, he intended to leave an even stronger impression on the nobility than Patrick himself could manage.
Through a dance with the renowned swordmaster marquis, no less!
‘Clever indeed.’
The head of a premier swordcraft house dancing with the successor of a premier magic house—a bond closer than mere alliance—would capture everyone’s gaze in an instant.
For better or for worse.
Those who opposed the new concentration of power would fret, and the gossips would see in it a romance for the ages.
‘And Lion as well…….’
It seemed the eldest grandson hoped their relationship would blossom favorably.
Truly sound strategy.
Provided the aftermath could be managed.
‘Yet…….’
As far as Patrick knew, Ricshel was entirely inexperienced in matters of social dance.
‘Will this truly be all right?’
‘……So it has come to pass, Head of House.’
Surely you would prefer that your own movements remain unfettered, would you not?
“Ah, I’ve said something foolish!”
Lion quickly worked to smooth things over.
“I was mistaken, forgive me—haha! I was simply worried your grandfather and you might be burdened with work even at the coming-of-age ceremony.”
“……Indeed, I understand!”
“Ahem—I had meant to assist Ricshel and ensure all went well, but it seems he’ll manage splendidly on his own.”
“Yes, Head of House. I shall handle my personal affairs myself, so please, do enjoy the evening.”
“Good. I…….”
Truly, would it be all right?
Patrick’s unspoken question hung in the air, and Ricshel answered with eyes squeezed shut and a shake of his head.
This boy had simply plunged forward without thinking.
“……Well then, we’ve arrived. Let us disembark.”
Yes—one grows only by learning to clean up one’s own messes.
And if something genuinely beautiful came of this, all the better…….
‘It will be difficult.’
Patrick, who had known love himself, understood well enough.
Neither Ricshel nor the Marquis Bydentis harbored even the faintest concern for romance.
Rather…….
We simply share common interests.
“Once you’ve changed in your designated room, you and Lion should enter together.”
“Understood. I’ll go escort Bydentis.”
The three of them descended from the carriage and exchanged words just before being led to their respective rooms.
Before they parted ways.
“Ricshel. Take this.”
Lion handed over the Arcanum Set, a piece of jewelry he’d prepared in advance for this occasion.
“This is……!”
Ricshel’s mouth fell slightly open at the sight of the accessory—antiquated and noble to anyone’s eye.
It even radiated a powerful, commanding presence.
‘With this…….’
He felt as though he might truly be able to stand out more brilliantly than anyone else.
“It’s a gift. You and Bydentis can share it between you.”
“……Thank you. Lion!”
Though the situation had deviated slightly from his expectations, if the head of House Asteri moved freely, things would go smoothly regardless.
Moreover, it would ease his brother’s worries as well—a double victory.
“You bastard. Make it work.”
“……Pardon? Yes.”
Though Ricshel didn’t grasp the meaning of that last remark, he readily resolved to play the role of the tank, drawing the gazes of every noble in the room upon himself.
And hours later.
“Bydentis and Ricshel of House Asteri have arrived!”
‘Wow…….’
Lion gazed at the flood of notifications filling his entire field of vision in the party hall.
[Guild Leader Experience Points have increased by 15%.]
The jewelry he’d given them was working exactly as intended…….
[Guild Leader Experience Points have increased by 35%.]
[Guild Leader Experience Points have increased by 15%.]
[Guild Leader Proficiency Skill Lv.3 has been achieved.]
His level was rising at an absolutely astonishing rate!

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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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