Never Mind the Heir, I’ll Focus on Healing - Chapter 90

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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’s Burden Is None of My Concern — Let Me Heal Instead — Episode 90

Fortunately, for now they hadn’t yet grasped that he stood at the center of it all.

‘It’s only a matter of time.’

The First Imperial Prince’s faction especially would gnash their teeth and light a fire in their eyes searching for the mastermind behind this affair.
The strategist who had funneled tremendous power into the Second Imperial Prince’s camp.
The one who might strip them of their wealth and honor entirely.
And with good reason — what Lion had done was nothing short of extraordinary.
The Second Imperial Prince had been barely holding on, propped up by the heir of House Asteri.
Yet through Lion’s actions, that power had surged dramatically in an instant.
Before even the Second Imperial Prince himself could notice.
Lion had acted purely from goodwill, but would those seasoned in politics believe that for a moment?

‘Not for a heartbeat.’

Clarentia let out a derisive snort.

‘Who could possibly deceive our eyes and accomplish something this monumental?’
‘That wretch who dares steal our secure fortune — we must eliminate them by any means.’

That was what they would certainly think.
But what if that identity were revealed to be none other than Lion Asteri?

‘They’d shudder at the emergence of yet another great power and keep their guard up.’

Their greed was nauseating.
No matter how powerful House Asteri was, they couldn’t hide and protect forever.

“He doesn’t appear to possess any martial strength whatsoever.”

Clarentia called to mind Lion’s appearance.
Pallid skin, a delicate and fair visage.
Lean and gangly, with scarcely a trace of muscle.
He seemed wholly removed from combat.
He wielded no Magic, no blade either.
True, he possessed considerable talent in Alchemy, but such arts couldn’t shield the body.
No matter how renowned a magical house, they couldn’t fully protect Lion Asteri at all times.
They were not gods, after all.
Clarentia’s hand rose to the Necklace at her throat.

‘Then I shall be the one to aid him.’

One way or another, that person was like a benefactor to her.
The lost Necklace, the emotions.
Even the ties of family thicker than blood itself — had he not awakened her to such things?
If Magic would hide Lion, then the sword would move directly to protect him.

‘It’s time for Bydentis to make his move as well.’

She had planned to step forward more cautiously, but having received so much, it was time to act.
Clarentia knew better than anyone.
That to protect one’s own, she would gladly draw her sword and stain it with blood.
And so, without Lion even knowing, another steadfast ally had come to stand beside him.

* * *

Lion stood before the Warp Gate.

“This time we’ll move directly to the Asteri Estate Territory, so it should be less taxing for you.”

The moment Elvia realized that Lion suffered from Teleportation sickness, she altered their return route.
The carriage and Andrie would be sent to the Lunggen Territory Warp Gate as originally planned, while Lion and Elvia would return directly.
It was a way to secure both safety and comfort in one stroke.
……Though admittedly, it did nothing for the nausea itself.

“All right. Got it.”

Yet Lion remained untroubled.
He hadn’t even bothered to craft the Warp Sickness Prevention Potion he’d resolved to make after that dreadful bout of nausea.
But he had something to rely on.

“Chirp chirp.”

Nature, nested in his breast, chirped merrily as if to say only trust me.

“Yeah. I trust you.”

Lion laughed while running his hand backward through Nature’s plumage.
Though this left the feathers bristling and Nature’s eyes narrowing to angry slits, Lion remained undeterred.
……Anyway! Lion had faith in something.
Specifically, in harnessing Nature’s power.
When Lion had suffered from Teleportation sickness before, being with Nature had dramatically shortened his recovery time.
They said ordinary people endured the sickness for over a week, yet he’d mended in a single day.

‘And Nature even proposed it directly.’

Lion recalled the pantomime Nature had performed in his room the night before.
After stepping down from the Warp Gate, his limp form sprawled from sickness and Nature’s protective presence had been depicted with short wings and legs.
Then, as if to say ‘You won’t need to worry about that anymore!’, Nature had spread his wings wide, done a spirited loop through the air, and pecked Lion’s nose.

[Companion Spirit ‘Nature’ grants resistance to Status Ailment: Warp Sickness.]
[Duration: 48 hours]

Afterward, with an air of ‘Heh, that’s my reward for you’, Nature had puffed up with pride.
Of course, Lion felt equally proud.

‘My clever little one!’

When did you grow so much and start easing my burdens!
Though the appearance remained unchanged, Lion could sense it clearly.
Nature was growing steadily!
Delighted by that growth, he’d overstuffed the little creature with treats yesterday.

“Look at that belly still puffed up.”
“Hmph.”

……How on earth Nature made that dismissive snort, he couldn’t fathom.
Regardless, Lion climbed onto the Warp Gate with ease of mind.
As before, he heard the instruction to close his eyes, and soon felt light wash over him.

[Status Ailment resistance confirmed: Warp Sickness.]

Simultaneously receiving the notification that the resistance was working properly, Lion slowly opened his eyes.

“…….”

Familiar Western architecture.
It was Asteri Estate Territory, which Lion knew well.

“Phew.”

Lion stepped carefully out of the Warp Gate.
True to Nature’s word, no dreadful nausea came.
Elvia seemed relieved too, noticing that Lion’s condition was different from before.

“I’m glad you’re not experiencing any sickness. Shall we head back now?”
“Yes.”

The rooms in Bydentis Territory had been fine enough, but there was nothing like home.
Lion made his way toward the manor with a light heart.
It had been quite a journey, and he found himself hoping someone might come to meet him.

* * *

As Lion had expected, someone did come to greet him.

“You’re later than I thought.”

It was his grandfather, Patrick Asteri.

‘I thought it would be Ricshel.’

Ricshel often came to meet him on occasions like this.
When Lion returned home from Mimir Forest, or even when evening fell after wandering through town, Ricshel would go out to find him.
His grandfather, on the other hand, was terribly busy with his duties.
This was quite unexpected.

“Were you very worried?”
“Worried? Why would I worry about a grown man?”

At Patrick’s curt reply, Elvia’s eyes narrowed.
The truth was, he had been.
Terribly so.
He’d pestered Lion with Communication Magic every day, asking what he was doing at that very moment.
When he heard that assassins had struck, he’d nearly insisted on going himself—it had taken all of Elvia’s effort to stop him.
And what about the matter of warp sickness?

“I’ll bring him back myself!”
“Patriarch, please restrain yourself.”

Surely his grandfather wouldn’t personally perform a long-distance Teleportation to pick him up during his travels home.
Besides, a long-distance Teleportation would inevitably draw attention with its distinctive wave of immense magical power.
Patrick knew this well, but hearing that Lion was bedridden had made him lose his composure.
And yet here he was, too proud to be honest in front of his grandson.

‘Well.’

It wasn’t hard to understand.
Patrick had always been awkward about such things.
Of course, their sharp-eyed companion wouldn’t miss this either.

“…….”

Elvia held her fist to her mouth, stifling a laugh, and Patrick glared at her for a moment.

“I’ve made the journey safely and soundly.”

As always, Lion seemed to understand Patrick’s heart entirely, speaking naturally of this and that.
Where he’d been, what had happened with whom.
The grandfather and grandson, meeting after so long, chatted warmly as they made their way into the estate.
And yet…….

‘It seems Ricshel isn’t here.’

By now, Lion had expected to see Ricshel, but he was nowhere in sight.

“By the way…… where is Ricshel?”
“He’s in the Training Ground.”
“The Training Ground?”

Lion had passed the Training Ground briefly on the way in, but he hadn’t seen Ricshel there either.
When Lion tilted his head in confusion, Patrick added slowly in explanation.

“He’s in my Private Training Ground.”
“…… Your Private Training Ground?”

Lion looked at Patrick with visible alarm.
His eyes reflected no small measure of worry.
And with good reason. Patrick’s Private Training Ground was nothing like the regular Training Ground.
Ordinary people didn’t even know it existed, and even the direct line of the House Asteri—even Hoffmann, the Tower Master himself—couldn’t enter without permission.
Opening the door led to an entirely different location, and that place was decidedly frightening.
For anyone whose magical level fell short, it meant certain death.
Mana there was as abundant as in the Labyrinth, but it was unstable—wild storms born from colliding Mana and ice shards like needles poured down from every direction.
Even In the World, it wasn’t accessible for training unless you were a Grand Mage of a certain rank or higher.
Lion retrieved the information he’d gleaned from playing In the World.
Certainly…… the entry requirement for the Private Training Ground was 4 Circle Mastery.
And Ricshel was currently on the threshold of the 5th Circle.
But still, Ricshel was in such a place.
His first instinct was honestly one of concern—wasn’t it far too dangerous?
No matter how skilled, Ricshel was still not yet of age.
Worry was only natural.
And yet…….

‘If I were Ricshel, I would’ve begged to be let in too.’

The Labyrinth was equally rich in Mana, but Ricshel couldn’t train there.
Even with permission to enter granted, controlling the Mana there was a privilege restricted solely to its master—Lion.

“Well…… will he be all right?”
“I couldn’t refuse him.”

As Lion fell quiet, Patrick muttered as if in excuse.
Whether knight or mage, those standing on the threshold of personal achievement lose all sense of caution.
What was a mere ice storm compared to that?
Stretch out your hand just a little further, and that enlightenment, brilliant as light itself, would become yours.

‘Growth demands risk. Growth without risk leads only to obsolescence.’

Smart Ricshel understood that truth.
Lion nodded slowly, his expression conflicted.

“Then, when will Ricshel’s training be finished?”
“Hmm…….”

For someone who had been quiet until now, Lion’s sudden question seemed to catch Patrick off guard.
Patrick hesitated a moment, uncharacteristically uncertain, before answering honestly.

“I promised to have her back by the time you return, and she’ll move heaven and earth to keep that promise. So she should emerge within this week at the latest.”
“This week.”

Lion nodded solemnly, murmuring the words to himself.
There was a plan he’d meant to pursue gradually, but it seemed he’d need to accelerate his movements.

“Grandfather.”
“Yes?”
“I’d like to spend some time in the Mimir Forest as well.”
“Very well…… Wait, what?”

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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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