Never Mind the Heir, I’ll Focus on Healing — Chapter 4
Never Mind the Heir, I’ll Focus on Healing — Chapter 4
The first thought that came to mind was, “This is insane.”
Even though it was hidden, I could tell. This Shilling Shop.
The prices were insane.
“Wait, the key is old, so why is it priced in the seven digits?”
Isn’t old stuff supposed to be cheap?
It felt like realizing that a tattered, torn-up piece of clothing actually cost hundreds of thousands.
But was I disappointed?
Not at all.
Lion moved from the Life tab to the Food tab.
[Magic Seasoning A]
-■0,000 Shillings
[Magic Seasoning B]
-■0,000 Shillings (MD Recommended!)
The situation was the same.
For mere seasonings, they were priced in the tens of thousands of Shillings.
Even though it was a situation that should have made him angry, strangely, a smile was forming on Lion’s face.
“This…”
It was certain.
It was similar to the early ‘In the World’ Cash Shop settings!
To be precise, it was the concept of the Cash Shop as the NPCs perceived it.
The Cash Shop, called the ‘Suspicious Shop’, sold strange items at high prices.
And the players… no, the ‘Hero,’ would wisely choose the right mysterious items for the situation.
This was probably a case where the ‘setting’ remained, even as it was forgotten with updates, and was reflected like this.
Anyway.
“Which means, all those things are items with functions of their own.”
Lion grinned and closed the Shilling Shop window.
He couldn’t know exactly what the items were right now, anyway.
He’d confirmed they weren’t selling useless items, so that was enough.
“Alright.”
I just need to slowly save up money and buy them all.
Lion basked in the sunlight streaming through the curtains and enjoyed the leisure.
It was a peaceful noon.
“But I feel like I’m forgetting something…”
Ah, Grandpa.
* * *
And from that morning…
The head of House Asteri and Lion’s grandfather, Petrick, was…
“…”
Postponing even his luncheon with the Emperor, he was waiting for Lion.
A visit from his first grandson, who was so precious he could put him in his eye and feel no pain.
Who cared about the Emperor?
Seeing his grandson’s face right now was more important.
His grandson was so slow-moving, with thoughts that jumped everywhere, that he hadn’t even expected him to come yesterday.
But…
“He’s late.”
Petrick spoke coldly, but Sylvia, who assisted him, knew very well.
He was worried that his grandson might have fallen ill and couldn’t come.
‘Truly, he’s a completely different person from the past.’
Watching him, Sylvia thought to herself.
That figure who once commanded the continent alongside the ‘Hero’ with unmatched cool-headed judgment and immense magical power was nowhere to be seen.
Even now, he was surely having pointless inner debates: ‘Should I scold him for not visiting often?’, ‘Should I praise him for not giving up as the heir of House Asteri?’, ‘No, the dignity of the family head…’
“His health was fine.”
“Then why isn’t he coming…!”
Petrick eventually couldn’t contain his frustration and lost his temper.
“All because of that damn potion.”
“Isn’t he trying to do something about it?”
“What can he do with that frail body? Tsk, if he’d just rest…”
This old man could at least make sure he could live comfortably!
“He has no money, no power!”
The one who stood at the forefront with the Hero and led the War Against the Demons to victory was Petrick Asteri.
Even before that, House Asteri was so powerful that even the Imperial Court dared not touch them.
If they just put their mind to it, they could not only surpass a ducal house but even declare independence and establish a kingdom!
Yet, the reason he didn’t remain a Duke or a Grand Duke was simply because he didn’t want to get deeply involved in the political scene.
But my first grandson was running around doing strange things on his own, worrying over who-knows-what.
‘My head hurts.’
It was even making him think the second Mana Shock had been better.
Back then, he just holed up and read books, so at least he didn’t have to worry about him getting hurt.
But after going through the third one, he’d been struck by some whim and was now pulling weeds.
This really wouldn’t do.
No matter how he thought about it, his grandson didn’t seem to have the stamina or health to wander around outside.
“It’s only natural for you to be worried, Marquis.”
“…Worried, my foot.”
Honestly, that hit the nail on the head.
Petrick was worrying about his grandson more than anyone.
“It’s his third time, is it not.”
The atmosphere of the room instantly grew heavy.
Mana Shock.
Those lucky enough would awaken as mages and live new lives.
Those unlucky, who failed to awaken, lost their lives.
That Lion had survived three times made him a truly unique and remarkable case.
So, the entire household had no choice but to worry about him.
Moreover.
“It hasn’t been long since the second shock happened.”
It was an event that wouldn’t happen even once in an ordinary person’s lifetime.
Yet Lion had gone through it three times, and the intervals were getting shorter.
There was no precedent, and there probably never would be.
Because it was usually settled after one time.
“Still, he seemed happy.”
“What use is happiness in the face of death… Haah.”
He knew it. This was his own greed.
The selfish wish to see Lion live a little healthier and more complete.
He couldn’t use that as an excuse to stop his grandson from enjoying himself.
Besides, if he tried to bully him, his grandson would clearly just become afraid.
He didn’t want to give more stress to his already fragile and sickly grandson.
That was why he had held himself back time and again instead of going to see his grandson in person, summoning the boy only occasionally…!
“Haah. So, he’s making a potion, you said? When did that kid learn alchemy?”
“Young Master Rickshel’s brilliance may overshadow him, but he is a fast learner. Alchemy itself doesn’t require mana, so it’s certainly worth considering.”
“Hmm.”
Petrick let out a low sigh, seemingly not pleased.
‘It’s dangerous.’
What if he mishandled a poisonous herb?
“Judging by the herbs he gathered, there was nothing harmful to his health. He hasn’t ordered any special herbs separately, so you don’t need to worry.”
“Then I’m relieved.”
Around the time they were having that conversation.
Knock, knock.
An attendant softly knocked on the door.
“Family Head. The First Young Master has arrived.”
“…”
Petrick, who had shot up at the news, locked eyes with Sylvia.
“Please, have a seat.”
Sylvia whispered softly as she straightened Petrick’s disheveled clothes.
“Ahem. Tell him to come in.”
Petrick granted entry with a forcibly composed voice.
“You called for me?”
Lion entered the room calmly.
‘Indeed.’
Unlike before, his expression was bright. His complexion seemed better, as if he was quite healthy.
And…
“Hmm?”
Petrick stared at Lion with a slight frown.
Something felt different.
His attitude was oddly different from before the third Mana Shock.
It was as if he no longer showed any signs of unnecessary caution or trying to laugh things off.
“Long time no see.”
At Petrick’s harsh words, Sylvia sighed internally.
‘He’s doing something he’ll regret again.’
Petrick Asteri had one bad habit.
He couldn’t express himself honestly.
That was why he always ended up saying something crooked at crucial moments like this.
Moreover, he had the aura of an 8th-Circle Archmage, so an ordinary person would naturally shrink back.
The Young Master was the same…
“I had some work to do, so I’m a little late. Grandfather.”
“…!”
Normally, he would have answered with a cowed demeanor.
But this time, it was different.
It was a truly calm reply, not just pretending to be unaffected.
Something about his presence seemed to have changed.
“I know you were worried about me while I was unconscious.”
Expression? Posture?
No, that wasn’t it. Something more fundamental had changed.
“After going through this Mana Shock, I’ve had a lot on my mind. As you know, it’s my third.”
“…!”
Petrick looked quite surprised.
Rightfully so, since Mana Shock was a topic Lion had avoided as much as possible.
It was no exaggeration to call it Lion’s reverse scale.
So, everyone who knew about it watched their words in front of Lion.
‘With his own lips…’
Perhaps because the words ‘Mana Shock’ had struck a chord, the two found themselves drawn into Lion’s words.
“I have no talent for magic.”
“Young Master…”
“It’s okay, Sylvia. It’s the truth.”
Lion’s words continued—brief, considering he was speaking about his own life, but quite long compared to his usual.
“But, I didn’t want to be a useless person. I didn’t want to accept it. So, I pondered and studied. And today.”
Lion pulled out a small bottle from his chest and placed it before Petrick.
“You made this, Young Master?”
“Yeah. That’s why I said to postpone it by a day. I thought Grandfather must have been very tired lately.”
At Lion’s answer, Sylvia’s lips parted slightly.
‘He may have learned alchemy…’
He had never made a potion before.
That wasn’t all. The Young Master said he made it while thinking of the Family Head.
‘How can one possess such a good heart?’
It was a situation where he could be anguished and suffering over his own affairs alone.
Didn’t he live a life where he never knew when the next Mana Shock would come?
Yet, for others. For family…!
Sylvia quickly snapped out of her reverie.
“This is remarkable, Young Master. To have made a potion for the Family Head.”
“…”
“The Family Head will certainly be pleased.”
Petrick gazed at the potion before his eyes.
‘For me…’
He truly appreciated and was grateful for Lion’s intentions.
He was so proud… but!
It was also a bit bewildering.
Petrick had long since become a transcendent being.
Of course, he was still within the bounds of humanity, but he was so robust that even potent poison wouldn’t affect him, even if he drank it like water.
Conversely, that also meant potions wouldn’t work on him.
‘His feelings have certainly reached me, but…’
It would be difficult for Petrick to see any effect.
I must make sure he doesn’t get hurt.
“So, is that all?”
“Yes.”
“Fine. You may leave.”
“…I made it thinking of you, Grandfather. Please drink it when you have time.”
Lion kept his bright expression until the very end, even as he closed the door and left.
The meeting had lasted a mere five minutes. No, it wasn’t even three minutes.
Clank.
As soon as the door closed, Sylvia and Petrick examined the potion before them.
“Judging by the color, it seems like a Mana Potion.”
“But I can’t sense the scent of mana.”
“I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere though.”
Swish—
When the potion was shaken, no sediment appeared, only a clear, transparent blue liquid swishing around.
‘This is a considerable level.’
No matter how good the equipment, potions weren’t something that could be completed overnight without deep knowledge of pharmacology and alchemy.
Sylvia shot Petrick a sidelong glance and asked tentatively.
“Just in case, shall we analyze it?”
“…No, I can tell it’s not dangerous. I want to completely savor my grandson’s sincerity.”
As expected.
Hiding a smile, Sylvia set the potion down and gave a slight bow.
“Then this old woman will take her leave for a moment.”
Clank.
“Ahem.”
Only after Sylvia left did a sincere expression of joy appear on Petrick’s face.
Though, it was only enough to slightly loosen his heavily frowning expression.
“I can’t even remember the last time I received a gift from Lion.”
A very long time ago.
Back when Lion Asteri was finally able to walk and talk, when he had thrust a single wildflower he’d picked in the garden into his hand—this was the first time since then.
‘Everyone was together back then.’
Strangely, this potion seemed to resemble that brand-new blue sky of that day.
“I’ve grown old.”
Getting sentimental over memories of the past.
Petrick chuckled and pulled the stopper off the potion.
It was a waste to drink it when it probably had no effect, but he couldn’t let his grandson’s gift just go to waste.
Petrick put the bottle to his lips and slowly swallowed the blue liquid.
A refreshing scent, cool enough to feel crisp, filled his senses…
His mind became calm.
And then, he fell into a short nap.
And that day, he had a dream.
It was very short, and sweet.
“…”
It was a dream of a day he missed very much.
Yet, it wasn’t unsettling or sorrowful. Rather, it was so refreshing that the headache that usually nagged him disappeared.
Petrick gazed out the window and murmured.
“Perhaps because he takes after you, he’s quite willful. Yes, he was.”
For quite a long time, Petrick stared at the blue sky before murmuring to himself again.
“Yes. I can’t just lock him up just because he’s sick.”
I should let the boy do everything he wants.
And…
“I just need to find a way to stop the Mana Shocks, and that’s it.”
Petrick resolved alone.
Not knowing even in his dreams that Lion’s body had changed into one that could feel mana.
In any case, Lion had successfully managed to grind some affection with his grandfather.
The minor issue was that the household servants had absolutely no idea how Petrick’s thoughts had changed, nor what Lion’s physical condition had become.
Lion Asteri had collapsed and woken up looking completely ill!
And then he started pulling weeds and somehow made a potion!
And then he gave it to Family Head Petrick!
…Why?
…Was it a farewell gift?!
It was only natural that a strange rumor began to circulate through the mansion.
“Lion Asteri is about to die!”