Never Mind the Heir, I’ll Focus on Healing — Chapter 182
Never Mind the Heir, I’ll Focus on Healing — Chapter 182
‘Should I start with the Shilling Shop?’
He searched the Shilling Shop for the keyword “Netherworld.”
“Let’s see… hmm.”
Contrary to his expectations, the items containing the keyword “Netherworld” didn’t even fill a single page.
After filtering out the genuinely useless and the ones with abysmal cost-efficiency, only a handful remained—barely enough to count on one hand.
And the item at the very top of that list was, as expected, the [Netherworld Repair Kit].
[Netherworld Repair Kit]
-90,000 Shillings ☞ 45,000 Shillings! (Special, Permanent 50% Discount for Target!)
-Can repair anything in the Shilling Shop at a snip-snap.
-Do not open your eyes during the repair.
“Oh.”
He’d wondered just how steep the discount would be, but this was genuinely generous.
True, he’d even seen a 99% discount in the Shilling Shop before, but this one was… permanent, no less!
In other words, from now on, no matter what he bought or how much, the discount would apply.
‘Actually, just this repair kit alone…’
The advantage was immense.
Even something like the Sharp Scissors Lion was using would be restored to like-new condition for just a little Shilling.
“Let’s check the others.”
Lion leisurely scrolled down the Shilling Shop with his finger, checking the listings.
Among them he spotted the [Netherworld Hell Powder], capable of guaranteeing safety even in the Blazing Hell just by lightly sprinkling it on your body, and the [Netherworld Orb], a self-defense throwing item that had once been quite popular.
But the one that caught his eye above all else was…
[Netherworld Origin]
-500,000 Shillings ☞ 250,000 Shillings! (Special, Permanent 50% Discount for Target!)
-Strands of life force that gather at the end of the Netherworld have been collected and stored inside a glass marble.
-When used on the dead, allows a glimpse of their memories, one time only.
-However, the user is completely defenseless while viewing the memories.
It was this item, the [Netherworld Origin].
Even with the discount, it cost a hefty 250,000 Shillings, and the method of use was finicky, but its function alone was undeniably attractive.
‘If I ever found the main character’s or the alt’s corpse…’
Even without looting any belongings, he might be able to obtain crucial information.
“I don’t have a use for it now, but still, it’s better to have it than not.”
If it became absolutely necessary later on and he had plenty of Shillings to spare, it was the kind of item worth buying.
Lion checked his total Shilling balance.
[Current Shilling balance: 344,400 Shillings.]
He had saved up a fair amount, but it was still too tight for an impulsive purchase of a 250,000 Shilling item he had no immediate use for.
If he spent money recklessly, he might find himself unable to rely on the Shilling Shop when he truly needed it.
‘Right. While I’m confined to the mansion anyway, I ought to organize my inventory.’
He had gathered quite a stockpile of sellable items, hoarding them like acorns, thinking they might be useful someday.
Unless he desperately needed them for something specific, selling them off at the Shilling Shop didn’t seem like a bad idea.
A rough estimate by eye…
‘Probably well over 350,000 Shillings.’
Lion bookmarked the Repair Kit and the Origin, and closed the Shilling Shop.
Then…
“Hmm.”
He looked at the Spirit Sword Fragment lying dormant in one corner of his inventory.
Back then, he’d been too preoccupied with everything from the story mode to an unexpected injury to check it properly, but there was something a little special about it.
“Why is this one permanently bound?”
Normally, when he recovered the main character’s items, they were “re-bound.”
But this one was labelled as “Permanently Bound,” as if he had bought it from the Shilling Shop.
Out of curiosity, he’d checked just before closing the Shilling Shop earlier, but not a single item related to the “Spirit Sword Fragment” had appeared even in the Shilling Shop.
Moreover, no explanation about it being sellable at the Shop had appeared either.
Perhaps if he strengthened his Expert’s Eye, something would show up.
‘But to try that now…’
His physical condition was none too good at the moment.
And he had already received the severe punishment of a week-long confinement.
He couldn’t even use the facilities inside the mansion.
It was an absolute order for convalescence.
“Peep, peep!”
Nature, seemingly realizing that Lion was brooding over something, shot straight toward him like a bullet and began to nag.
The spirit’s determination that this time, if Lion attempted any reckless behavior, she really would put a hole through his earlobe was so palpable that Lion was forced to close his inventory.
Ah, well. Bound or permanently bound, in the end, he would be the one using it, so it probably didn’t matter.
Of course, it would be best if nothing dangerous happened.
“Alright. Let’s call it a day and rest.”
Lion flopped onto the bed and stared up at the ceiling.
Looking at the high-quality finish characteristic of the Asteri family on the ceiling, he felt the tension ease from his body.
As amazing as Easter’s facilities were, he felt sure there was no place like home.
The just-right temperature, his favorite pillow and blanket, and the familiar smell of home.
“Home really is the best.”
Truthfully, he could happily spend a whole week just rolling around in bed.
‘There’s still time until Hoffman gets here…’
Lion let his eyes drift softly shut.
This drowsy feeling wasn’t half bad.
And so, he simply let the moment slip by drowsily, drifting between dozing and true sleep.
* * *
“Good heavens, the young master’s been confined to the mansion?”
“And that’s not all! They say he’s banned from the kitchen and the knight order as well!”
“Why all of a sudden? Didn’t he go to Easter on business?”
The mansion’s servants had gathered in clusters, buzzing about Lion’s “confinement order.”
What in the world had he done for the Family Head to hand down such a severe punishment—and to the elder young master of all people?
In the past, the prevailing guess would have been that the eccentric young master had caused some kind of trouble…
“…No. The young master isn’t like he used to be, so there must be more to it.”
“Like what?”
“Hmm, let’s see… Oh! Given the young master’s extraordinary looks, maybe some young ladies at Easter fell in love with him at first sight!”
“Oh my!”
One of the servants, the kind who loved this sort of gossip, hugged her mop tightly to her chest and bounced in place.
“But the young master still isn’t interested in romance, is he?”
“That’s exactly why the Family Head confined him!”
“Ahh~!”
The servants all nodded in agreement.
Young master Lion had only just risen from his sickbed and was enjoying everything the world had to offer.
So, of course, romance had to take a back seat!
He would likely find it a bit burdensome, if not overwhelming!
“Young ladies nearly started showing up at the territory just to see him!”
And so, perhaps the Family Head had selected a special method?
“Right, right.”
“Then we’ll just have to work hard to guard the young master’s surroundings!”
“That’s right. We can’t let any strange rumors spread. It might even be better to say he’s truly ill!”
“Yes!”
The servants returned to their posts with solemn expressions.
Literally, it was a story they’d cobbled together between themselves, but then again, is there anything quite as entertaining as someone else’s love life?
Grinning to themselves, the servants got back to their day’s work with vigor.
Unbeknownst to anyone, however, their backward approach had managed to land on a surprising number of facts.
“…”
And only Rickshel, who happened to catch this while passing by… had to exercise the utmost facial control.
* * *
Meanwhile, while this little commotion was taking place outside.
“Young master. I am sorry to wake you from your sound sleep, but Sir Hoffman has arrived.”
Elvia woke Lion with a rather gentle touch.
“…Has it been that long already?”
“Yes. You must have been quite weary.”
“Well, a little tired…”
Oops.
Lion, who had been mumbling in his sleep, shut his mouth and opened his eyes.
“…But I’m fine. After all, home is more comfortable than a hotel.”
He pulled himself up smoothly, and Elvia flashed him a silent smile.
A rather chilly one.
‘Well…’
Elvia didn’t let it show much, but she didn’t like it one bit when he got hurt.
If it were simply worry, he could’ve played it off with a little coyness, but the thing was…
“What a relief. I almost… Hoot. It’s nothing. I shall go and bring Sir Hoffman.”
“Mm, please do.”
Knowing Elvia, he suspected she might use “the contract” as an excuse to hunt down whoever had ruined his body and hound them relentlessly.
Even if that person was the Empire’s Second Prince.
After all, to a witch, they were all the same humans.
‘Whew, almost said something dangerous in my sleep.’
Lion let out a sigh of relief.
He didn’t know how much the Second Prince had caught on to, but there was no need to use this as a pretext to send Elvia after him.
And…
‘Thankfully there was nothing about it in the letter.’
About the curse, or the disguise, that is.
“First, I should get my checkup.”
Lion rose from his seat and headed to the guest room where Hoffman was waiting.
His scheduled examination was waiting for him there.
Somehow, the guest room had been perfectly transformed into a “Magic Tower clinic,” filled with all those magical medical devices Hoffman had brought.
“It’s been a while.”
“If it’s going to be for this, it would have been better not to see you at all.”
“Hahaha…”
It might have sounded harsh, but Lion understood Hoffman’s feelings perfectly.
From Hoffman’s perspective, wasn’t he a patient he’d cared for since childhood and also a boy who was like a nephew to him?
But then, one day, due to a truly miraculous reason, he’d become perfectly healthy and no longer needed checkups.
And now, he’d heard he was sick again!
“…Ahem, I’m sorry. I’m just feeling upset for no good reason.”
“It’s okay. And I’m doing much better than before.”
“We’ll know that once we’ve checked.”
With that, Hoffman examined Lion’s body with several magical devices.
Finally, he directly channeled his own mana to check whether the mana circuits were still in good shape, and then…
“…Have you been using magic? It’s not an internal injury, but your mana circuits have sustained some light damage.”
Hoffman explained that this sort of injury was commonly seen in novice mages, so there was nothing to worry too much about.
“Well, that’s…”
“Ah, I’ve already heard the gist of the circumstances from the Family Head, so feel free to speak. I am your personal physician, after all.”
Hoffman had apparently concluded that Lion wanted to hide the fact that he could use magic.
He looked at Lion with steady eyes, as if vowing he wouldn’t say a word to anyone else.
And in those eyes…
‘W-what is this?’
There was also a boundless, inexplicable faith and trust shining in them!
This felt quite different from the last time they’d met, didn’t it?
Back then, his look had been that of a researcher evaluating a talented individual of the Magic Tower, but now it was somehow…
‘No. I’m going to ignore it.’
Lion deliberately ignored that gaze and answered appropriately.
“Yes. I used it because I wanted to try using magic a bit more, but my control still isn’t very good.”
“As I thought. It isn’t a major issue, but as the Family Head originally suggested, a week’s rest would be best.”
Unfortunately, the week-long confinement wasn’t shortened.
Still, the good news was that his internal injuries had almost completely healed.
It seemed the potions had been used to good effect in the right places.
Or if not, then it might have been thanks to Nature.
“And… ahem.”
Hoffman looked at Lion and pulled something out of his inner pocket.
It was, in fact,
“The potion you were researching last time has finally been completed.”
A replica of the Hero’s potion.
“I intend to put your name on the patent for this potion.”