Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Father's Heart
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There were no computers here, no games, no movies, no instant foods loaded with MSG.
Even with magic, it was a world too harsh for a modern person steeped in civilization to survive.
But it had a romance that the modern world lacked.
Finally, time to form the beautiful girl raid party.
They were all adults, so calling them beautiful girls felt a bit off?
Whatever. Anyway.
Tank: Canelian.
Healer: Ceres.
Elemental mage: Silvret.
Even an octopus clutching three hydrogen bombs wouldn't feel this secure.
"Duchess Ceres, shall we try some more varied tests? We need to know your limits—how far, how much you can do."
"Yes! Your Highness!"
Her enthusiasm and energy were a delight.
First, tests on fractures and amputations.
Something I could never do to an attached heroine, so we experimented on old cattle, horses, and poultry.
The results were perfect.
Canelian had bisected a cow at the waist, and it was still breathing—yet Ceres revived it at 1% HP.
"Wow... It's so miraculous."
"It's so mystical, it almost feels like this could be the key to ascension..."
The sight of severed bodies reattaching on their own and springing back to life was astonishing even to me.
If I took these three back to Earth, how much fun would that be?
We could even conquer the world.
I indulged in such idle fantasies for a moment.
The minimum output she can release at once is 1% HP.
Meaning she could spam heals 100 times.
Just that 1% revived a bisected cow.
For someone tanky like Canelian, one heal fixes all external wounds perfectly. But it doesn't bring HP to 100%.
From 66% HP, one heal restored Canelian's appearance to pristine condition.
But her HP only went to 67%.
Does that mean HP is composed of vitality + something?
Living beings have different HP pools based on biomass or physical toughness.
A chicken and a draconic beast couldn't possibly recover the same amount from full reflex state.
"Duchess Ceres, focus on channeling the maximum life force you can release."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
"Spread it wide, but pour it only into the marked livestock."
"Got it! I'll try to avoid the unmarked ones!"
Maximum output test.
Ceres successfully released 100% excess HP in one go.
And multi-healed the scattered livestock too.
"More than half the unmarked ones got healed anyway."
"Sorry. I guess I couldn't control it well..."
"Don't blame yourself. It's practice. You've shown excellent results so far."
Summary of days of testing:
1. Output adjustable from minimum 1% to 100%.
2. Frail, ordinary creatures can be fully restored from near death.
3. Tanky ones like Swordmasters get pristine appearance, but not necessarily full HP.
4. Multi-heal possible, but needs tons of practice since monsters don't need healing if they're not targets.
NPCs didn't have targeting aids like player party windows.
That's why knights could slaughter equal-level mages freely.
"Duchess Ceres, thanks to the ring, never take it off, not even for a moment. You'd have to wait another 100 days."
"Ah, yes. Got it. I won't remove it, not even for a second."
"You can set the staff aside comfortably."
The recovery potions made from mana herbs were incredibly useful too.
They restored depleted excess HP at a phenomenal rate.
This turns her into a mobile heal tanker?
With proper potion support, even tanky Canelian could be fully healed.
Though carry volume was limited.
"Duchess Ceres, while managing the mana herb farm going forward, work on developing compact, high-concentration recovery potions too."
"Understood, Your Highness."
Ceres nodded with resolute eyes.
"You've enabled this frail, unwanted wretch—who couldn't even endure a full meal—to finally be of use. I'll repay this grace for the rest of my life."
"Fund potion development from mana herb sales as needed."
The ducal couple watched from afar as Prince Ragna trained Ceres, a pleased smile on their faces.
"To think our Ceres could become so healthy and wield healing magic. I never dreamed of a day like this."
"Didn't the son-in-law say it's not healing magic? It's sharing her life force..."
"Same difference."
Strictly speaking, artifact power.
But the duke ignored the facts.
The duchess sighed deeply.
"I wish she could even fulfill a woman's role..."
"...Let's not be too greedy. Just her health and happiness is blessing enough."
"Still, I can't help wanting more. Now that Ceres is healthy, we could find her a husband."
"A husband..."
The duke's eyes narrowed as he murmured, staring piercingly at Prince Ragna.
Windeler sent a transformation approval request once a day, without fail.
I approved it immediately.
For the EXP.
He's probably just farming trash mobs somewhere.
Not even 10% of my EXP bar, but auto-farm EXP was EXP, no matter how little.
"Father-in-law, Cheok Jun-kyung is zealously mopping up the remaining monster forces sweeping Steno alongside the imperial army."
"Mm, is Steno's king safe?"
"Yes. Because of Cheok Jun-kyung, the Empire abandoned plans for a covert strike."
The Empire decided to hide the Steno royals.
They feared Windeler going berserk if they snuck an attack behind his back.
His giant robot form was a clear warning.
"Aren't you worried about the son-in-law? The Empire's been aggressively wooing Cheok Jun-kyung."
"I can control him. No need for concern."
"Mm... That's reassuring, then."
Steno refugees had swelled past 1.5 million.
Thanks to Prime Minister Ruindra and the duchy's administrative nobles, everyone was run ragged without proper sleep.
"Thanks to you, son-in-law, we're supplying mana potions en masse to knights and mages. Training efficiency is way up."
"We must advance it further."
Mana training was fundamental for both knights and mages.
Mana herb potions boosted mana sensitivity, accelerating realm breakthroughs.
Say someone had talent for Swordmaster in 150 years of training.
They'd die of old age first, of course.
But mana potions sped it up enough for a Swordmaster party at 70.
Yet mana herbs were so pricey, even rich noble heirs got maybe a few a year.
My farms churned them out.
"You're selling mana herbs to other kingdoms besides the Empire, right? Is that wise?"
"As you see with Steno, it's to counter monsters. All continental kingdoms must grow evenly stronger."
"Mm, if only other nations appreciated your goodwill..."
"I don't expect it. We just can't let kingdoms fall one by one, forcing us to face monsters alone in some nightmare future."
Kingdoms were busy enough surviving anyway.
The Empire got no supply because they eyed annexation amid the chaos.
"By the way, Father-in-law, you've lost a lot of weight these past few days. I'm worried it's aftermath from your injury."
"Ahem, nothing like that. Don't worry."
The duke had slimmed down drastically.
His face was gaunt, skin stretched tight.
"Today, I'd like to discuss the ducal house's future with you, son-in-law."
Not the duchy, but the ducal house?
Ah, succession talk.
"Will you make Canelian's second child the ducal heir?"
"Even if it's a girl?"
"Doesn't matter."
"Then, when the second child comes of age, we'll send them to the duchy. We'll foster bonds with frequent visits before that too."
"Thank you."
"But right now, losing even one Swordmaster's combat power is regrettable."
"I know. Pinia nearly fell to monster raids, Steno's on the brink. Oh, and Hesin Duchy almost did too?"
"News hasn't reached properly, but distant kingdoms are in deep chaos too."
"And amid it all, the Empire plots to swallow neighbors. Tsk tsk..."
"Heir production should wait until the war stabilizes and the betrothal with Duchess Ceres is cleanly resolved."
"Betrothal resolution..."
The duke's expression grew heavy as he murmured.
Moments later, he looked at me calmly.
"Son-in-law, I know it's shameless, but... I have an earnest request."
"Speak freely."
"No, I can't say it freely. It's just this old man's selfish greed."
Old man? He wasn't even 50.
Come to think of it, the duchess was late 30s too?
"Truly shameless greed, but... I'd be so grateful if you'd grant it."
"Father-in-law?"
His eyes were already moist.
Face flushed, emotions surging fiercely.
"Won't you take Ceres as a crown princess too?"
"Pardon?"
My mind blanked for a moment.
A sharp daze, like a blunt blow to the head, left me speechless.
The duke gripped my hand tightly, eyes pleading desperately.
"I know asking you to wed a barren woman who can't bear children is utterly selfish...
But didn't you anticipate that and choose to betroth Ceres over Canelian originally?
So please, take Ceres as a wife too."
"F-Father-in-law..."
The wastrel prince rejected healthy Canelian for Ceres not out of grand resolve.
I'd seen his memories clearly.
-Can't have kids? Perfect, no pregnancy worries, pure fun.
-Marry Ceres as crown princess, Canelian comes automatically. To protect her sister, she'll obey any demand without complaint, heh heh...
The prince's thoughts.
Marry Canelian as crown princess, lose Ceres.
Hard to dominate a "Sword Imperial"-grade knight wife.
But pick Ceres, claim both sisters from superior position.
That cunning calculus made him choose Ceres over Canelian.
"Son-in-law, I beg you. Grant my one wish, and I'll do anything—truly anything."
Why I'd given Ceres peace.
Partly to win attached heroine Canelian's favor, avoid assassination route...
But mostly, I hated letting things follow the prince's sleazy fantasies.
But now, everything had changed.
Canelian had opened her heart to me, and Ceres trusted and relied on me.
"If Canelian and Ceres truly wish it too, I'll honor your will, Father-in-law."
I used to love eel rice bowls.
Well, I did...
Barminon Empire, Emperor's office.
Thud!
A knight in commander mantle personally set a massive ironclad box before the emperor and opened the lid.
Dozens of neat mana herb seedling pots filled it.
"A tribute from the Yokaterina royals, in gratitude for monster subjugation and national salvation, Your Majesty."
Clack, clack.
The emperor leaned over the box, lifted a mana herb, and sniffed.
"Young sprouts still. Planted in mana-rich mountains, they'd grow to premium quality."
He set the pot down and murmured quietly.
"Arcana found a mountain full of such sprouts?"
"Seems so. They're trading bulk young mana herbs to other kingdoms at premium mature prices."