Never Mind the Heir, I’ll Focus on Healing - Chapter 319

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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 Care About Being a Successor; I Just Want to Heal — Chapter 319

After Lion surrendered to exhaustion and slipped into a deep sleep,

“…….”

the Archbishop, seized by shock, moved with urgent purpose.
First, following Lion’s instructions, he poured every ounce of Holy Power he possessed into emergency treatment.
In the process, a critical moment arrived when his own reserves drained completely—but thanks to Licht’s timely arrival, he managed to avert the worst.

“The bleeding has stopped.”

Once he pushed through that tense ordeal, he finally caught his breath—and could properly register his horror.

‘What in heaven’s name is the state he’s in……!’

It was extraordinary. Unprecedented.
Under ordinary circumstances, a person with Holy Power reserves equivalent to an Archbishop’s would almost never deplete them entirely by treating another.
Even accounting for the considerable consumption during the battle with Boaresia.
Yet he had felt that depletion firsthand.
And more than that…….

‘I sense nothing from my body at all.’

Even after removing the special pendant that had hung from his neck.
It was hollow—as if severed artificially.
That hollowness was what had caused the bleeding.
It was like a warrior losing their dantian and no longer being able to harness their aura, or a mage’s Circle breaking down—some phenomenon equally catastrophic.

‘He should have become a cripple. There would be no shame in it.’

Perhaps that was why the situation hadn’t descended into absolute ruin—though neither had it shown any sign of recovery.
All that could be done was to stop the blood he’d been coughing up.
And likely, Lion too had foreseen this state of affairs.
Yet he still insisted on Holy Power.

“Sigh……”

The Archbishop exhaled heavily and shook his head.
A thought kept nagging at him.

‘He simply didn’t want to trouble his family.’

There was no genuine reason to insist on Holy Power.
Even if it was said to be a trial that would forge him into a hero of the Chaos Era.
Beyond that—

‘There must have been warning signs beforehand.’

He must have sensed something amiss from the moment at the Asteri Family Estate.
His body must have been under tremendous strain, pain flooding through him.

‘If only he had accepted the Magic Tower’s support in time.’

At least he might have suffered less.
And yet. Lion Asteri.
……had chosen to resolve his own regret first.

‘I should have sensed the abnormality sooner. I failed to do so.’

It was my fault.
Even if I’d been cold to him, that wouldn’t have erased his fundamental goodness.
If anything, I’d been one to push him away gently.
If I had been in Lion’s situation instead…….

‘It’s far too late to regret now.’

He couldn’t remain idle.
The Archbishop had already stood still for far too long.
Then shouldn’t he be of use, even now?
At the very least, now.
The Archbishop rose to his feet with firm resolve.

“Licht. I’m entrusting Lion to your care for a time.”
“Yes. You must have a reason. I’ll keep watch over him.”
“How composed you are.”
“…No, sir. I’m quite confused by this situation myself.”

Licht cradled Lion’s head as he gazed down at the damp earth beneath them.
The ground of the Sanctuary had turned dark crimson—he’d lost so much blood.
For an ordinary person, it would have been natural for life to end.
But.

“Still, I’m certain that the righteous one—no, Lion will overcome this. I believe in him.”
“…I see.”

Seeing Licht, who held Lion especially dear, speak so calmly helped him gather his own wits.
The Archbishop steadied himself once more and moved forward.

“Please, keep this secret from the family.”

Though he regretted it, he had no intention of honoring the last request Lion had made.
The Archbishop left the Sanctuary at once and contacted Patrick Asteri, who immediately cast Teleportation to the Temple.
Without any prior warning, the Empire’s greatest mage appeared in the center of the grand temple.
Naturally, the Temple was thrown into chaos.

* * *

Outside, matters were swiftly resolved.
Patrick’s urgent arrival at the Temple was attributed to ‘matters concerning the Great Barrier’ and the incident was closed.
All other details were also tidied up so Lion wouldn’t have to concern himself with them.

As ten days passed in this manner, Lion remained unconscious.
By this point, some had suggested he be moved to the Magic Tower, but Ricshel objected.
He had guessed there must be a reason his brother had specifically invoked Holy Power.
A remarkable display of Insight.

The interior of the Sanctuary had changed greatly as well.
A bed where Lion could rest comfortably had been placed in what had once been little more than a garden, and rare medicinal herbs and gifts wishing for his recovery had accumulated around it.
Among them were premium Spirit Stones and Divine Tree Fruits that Boaresia had left behind.
Moreover, not only the Archbishop and Licht kept vigil—his family remained at his side as well.
Yet there were also absences.

The moment Lion’s power was lost, Nature’s summon was released, and Pus fell into deep slumber as if in hibernation.
The dragon’s soul remained shrouded in mystery.

“…The bustle that always surrounded him is gone now. It must feel lonely.”

Patrick gently brushed back the hair from his grandson’s forehead, his eyes tightly closed.

‘It was my oversight.’

I should have noticed something amiss the moment Lion fell quiet, but I hadn’t.
I’d let myself grow complacent, reassured by nothing more than the fact that his complexion seemed well enough.

“Sigh. I should have done more than simply offer support.”
“Not at all. I’m sure you know as well as anyone how hard the patriarch worked.”

Ricshel forced an awkward smile.

“Yes. And you’ve even finished preparing for the moment he awakens, haven’t you? So all we need do is stand by his side. It’s something we resolved to do, after all.”

Patrick nodded along as the youngest grandson comforted him, offering a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“You’re right. I can’t afford to let go now.”
“Yes. It’s been ten days already—he should be waking soon.”

The two men tried to steel each other’s resolve.
But it was obvious they weren’t truly fine; the atmosphere hung heavy and dark as storm clouds, suffused with melancholy.
And Lion, who had endured this state for a full week already, was suffering beyond measure.

‘Argh…!’

If only he could move his body, he’d be tearing out his own hair by now.
He’d asked the Archbishop to keep it quiet so no one would worry—and yet the fool had gone and told them anyway!
But for all his resentment, his silent rage, and all the inner turmoil he could muster, not a single finger would obey him.
The reason was simple enough…

‘Holy Power. That’s what this is.’

Under normal circumstances, the Penalty should have left him unable to do anything for an extended period.
What made this Penalty so infuriating was that it encompassed every ability—even physical functions.
As a result, Lion found himself in what could only be described as a true “Log Out” state.

[Remaining time: 364 hours 59 minutes]

The moment he’d confirmed this staggering duration, it began.
For the first three days, he hadn’t even regained his senses—he’d done nothing but sleep.
Fortunately, being in a “Log Out” state meant he didn’t need to eat or drink.
…In any case, after those three days had passed, he was able to regain consciousness.
And thanks to Holy Power, he could also discern that the Penalty time was being reduced.
Even with his eyes closed, the remaining time was visible to him with perfect clarity.

‘This is completely…’

It was identical to the sanctions imposed in games for unsportsmanlike conduct or use of illegal programs.

‘Still, if there’s only a day left now, I should be able to wake up soon.’

Telling the Archbishop the truth and receiving his full support had been the right call.
Separately, though…

‘It’s grueling, I won’t lie.’

He couldn’t pretend he was managing well.
Setting aside the pain coursing through his body, the sheer inability to move even slightly was enough to drive him mad.
If he hadn’t built up some resistance to shocking circumstances through all his past experiences, he might not have endured this long.

‘But in the long run, it’s worth it.’

It had been difficult, yes—but what I’d gained was worth far more.
First and foremost, there was the Heavenly Secret Revelation that the Saintess had revealed to me.

‘Two Deaths.’

I’d given some thought to how I might overcome it.
The first death, I suspected, could be survived through sheer gear advantage—I’d find a way.
The second death, though…

‘If I could make that, maybe I could survive it.’

An Elixir.
The legendary potion that could revive even the dead.
It was a different tier entirely from the Mana Elixir that Lion had made a while back—no, ages ago.
The ingredients alone were countless, each beyond the reach of mere coin.
But.

‘In truth, a simple Elixir won’t be enough.’

Consider this: if Lion faced the second death alone, in a place with no one else present.
Would there be anyone to administer the Elixir to him?
I’d thought that perhaps Tieramatrak might manage something, but…

‘If I die, all my abilities reset anyway.’

There’s a high probability I’d end up in a state where I couldn’t make contact with anyone.
Moreover, Lion always keeps important items in his Inventory, so retrieving them would become difficult.
But.
Lion is now both a Master Craftsman of Alchemy and a ‘Master’ of the craft, is he not?
He can certainly create legendary potions, and he should be able to modify them freely as well.
Gathering the materials will be grueling, certainly.

‘At least I have the Moonflower.’

The basics could be assembled.
And most likely, I could secure a few other materials along the way.

‘For now, though, waking up is the priority.’

In any case, this information—obtained through the Log Out state—should be put to precious use.
If I must die twice, then so be it; I’ll simply have to survive both deaths.
Ha.

‘Ah, life.’

Lion exhaled a deep, inward sigh as a wave of Sage Mode crashed down upon him.
At any rate, he’d sketched out a rough plan for death preparation.
Second: there was something far more pressing.

‘That old bottle.’

As he turned the matter over in his mind,
it seemed that using the items he’d employed in the Special Story Mode this time might uncover some thread of understanding.

‘Of course, it’s difficult to attempt that right now.’

It would likely have to wait until after he’d undertaken the Southern journey and crafted some special Elixir.
Assuming, that is, his family permitted him to go.

‘I’d oppose it too.’

Release him and he’ll cause trouble; push him and he’ll get badly hurt.
Excuses can be made, but still…….
It won’t be easy. Even without opening my eyes, I could sense the funeral atmosphere in the air.
Then.

“Ricshel. Are the preparations complete?”
“Yes. I’ve finished preparing to depart for the Southern Region, as you instructed.”

……Eh?

“Right. If we can’t pinpoint the location, we simply prepare so you can go anywhere.”
“Precisely. I’ve already secured permission from all the Southern Region nobility and the Magic Tower, so you’ll be able to travel freely.”

What……??

“Of course, no one will be able to suspect you’re involved.”
“What about the pirates?”
“For them, demonstrating strength will be faster than offering money or authority. I’ve prepared that as well.”

……While Lion was still struggling to piece together complete information about Mermaid Island, the two of them had been making a single preparation.
If the exact destination in the South were ever confirmed, wouldn’t it be best to have the roads already paved so he could move freely anywhere?

‘……Good grief.’

Lion understood something then.
Every time he devised an increasingly reckless plan, Ricshel and his grandfather were already laying out plans to clear the path with even greater capital and power.

—Well then, all that’s left is for you to wake up.
—You can’t hear this either? Ugh, how boring!

……Huh?
I… I can hear it!

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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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