Chapter 20

Chapter 20
Chapter 20: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

‘For some reason, though, those components feel familiar…’
Does this not resemble the spiced wine I once brewed in my prior existence?
Well, regardless, it tastes pleasant.
“At any rate, this blend suits these biscuits wonderfully.”
It alleviates exhaustion and boosts productivity.
Furthermore, evaluating the constituents, it appeared rather beneficial for warding off chills.
‘That relies entirely on the grade it is brewed at, however.’
Still, now that my tier has advanced, it will prove handier than before.
Additionally, I possess superior components to support it.
Lion walked over to a basket situated nearby and retrieved a couple of oranges alongside a lemon.
『 Fresh Orange (★)』
『 Fresh Lemon (★)』
“Splendid.”
Perhaps because they constituted produce supplied specifically to Asteri, their caliber and freshness proved exceptional.
Shall we commence then?
Once Lion had thoroughly rinsed the fruits and neatly sliced them, a crisp, sharp fragrance burst forth from the rinds, while a rich fruity scent erupted from the flesh.
Merely the aroma sufficed to awaken the senses.
“And star anise root.”
Lion produced the star anise and inhaled its scent.
Unlike standard star anise, the star anise root carried not only a pungent fragrance but also a delicate sweetness.
‘I suppose that explains why sugar was omitted from the essential ingredients.’
Lion deposited the sliced oranges and lemons into a vessel, poured in a low-grade health potion, and ignited the stove.
‘It must not boil aggressively.’
He maintained a mild, low flame, and once the oranges and lemons softened sufficiently to release their juices, he incorporated the star anise root.
While introducing everything simultaneously would have posed no issue, he regulated the timing to prevent overpowering the refreshing scent of the rosemary oil.
As the potion simmered gently over a low flame, generating just enough minuscule bubbles, a rich bouquet saturated the kitchen.
It already appeared complete, yet this constituted the critical phase.
Adequate resting time.
Much like a properly seared steak requires a moment to settle, and braised dishes demand time for the seasonings to penetrate for a deeper flavor,
the identical principle applied to the training aid beverage.
From this point onward, one had to await the full permeation of the refreshing fruit flavor.
Lion pulled up a stool, seated himself, and exercised patience.
‘This should suffice.’
Lion filtered the steaming drink through a fine mesh strainer.
Having removed all the minuscule pulp fragments…
Pop!
At last, it reached completion with the addition of a solitary, tiny drop of aqua rosemary oil!
『 Alchemist’s Training Aid Drink (★)』
-This is a beverage crafted by an ‘Alchemist’! It occupies the blurred boundary between a drink and a potion, yet it is categorized as a beverage.
-Consuming a cup while it remains warm marginally enhances efficiency in swordsmanship, mana development, and alternative training regimens.
-Nevertheless, it yields no effect regarding life-related talents.
-It likewise appears capable of entirely eradicating a cold.
The notification announcing the finalization of the training aid beverage, accompanied by a delightful fragrance, materialized.
“Ah.”
Just as Lion anticipated, the cold-remedying property manifested, likely attributable to the star ingredient.
“Shall I sample it…?”
Lion promptly transferred the beverage into a mug and partook of a sip.
The sweet and tart fragrance of fruit alongside the subtle pungency of star anise permeated his nasal passages.
Unlike mulled wine, which relies on an alcoholic base, he likewise experienced a crisp, invigorating sensation derived from the herbs as he swallowed.
This likely resulted from the inclusion of aqua rosemary.
“Ooooh…”
The warm liquid felt as though it were instilling warmth throughout his entire frame as it traveled down his esophagus!
It struck him as ideal for consumption on a brisk day such as this.
“Exquisite.”
Given its potion foundation, he initially questioned whether the flavor would prove unpleasant, but it turned out remarkably palatable.
“Splendid. Now, let us assemble them.”
Having tasted the creation, Lion immediately arranged biscuits upon a presentable platter and poured the drink into a fresh vessel.
『 Lion Asteri’s Special Beverage Set (★★)』
-The biscuits and beverage prepared for the household carry a comforting flavor!
-Ingesting the biscuits and drink instantly diminishes a specific degree of fatigue and elevates combat-related training efficiency. It additionally alleviates post-training exhaustion.
-It exerts an exceptional influence upon colds and muscular discomfort!
『 You have formulated a set meal for the first time!』
『 ‘Food that looks good is…’ Achievement Unlocked!』
『 You have acquired 3,000 Shillings!』
I cleared milestones after a prolonged interval and simultaneously accumulated some shillings.
‘Roughly 80,000 shillings, I believe?’
It remains shy of the 100,000 threshold required to unlock the Shilling Shop, yet my spirit warms regardless as my holdings expand.
Ultimately, peace of mind stems from surrounding tranquility alongside a well-padded purse.
“Then, shall we depart?”
The destination toward which Lion directed his steps was the Family Head’s chamber, situated upon the topmost floor.
It served as his grandfather’s study.
Knock, knock.
Lion rapped upon the wood and peeked his visage through the aperture of the door.
He remained absorbed in paperwork, exactly as he invariably had been.
“Are you occupied?”
“What is the matter?”
Inquiring regarding the purpose implied he was not particularly pressed for time at present.
Only then did Lion boldly step inside, bearing the neatly organized biscuits and beverage.
Petrick laid down his quill and observed the eldest grandson of the Asteri lineage, who had personally delivered the tea tray.
“…”
He felt disconcerted.
His grandson, who previously struggled to lift a weighty tome let alone a vessel of water, was carrying a serving tray.
What prompted this?
Abruptly?
‘How did I rear that lad? Could it be…’
Petrick recollected a rumor circulating within the mansion not long ago.
The gossip claimed that Lion Asteri, his cherished grandson, was facing imminent demise, prompting the domestic staff to contemplate resignation.
He believed he had addressed the matter sufficiently when Elvia operated under the guise of ‘Head Maid Silvia,’ but…
“Surely the servants did not decline to transport that for you merely because you bore items of this nature within your hands?”
‘It appears the rumors persist.’
As the Family Head, he ought to intervene and address those individuals immediately…
“No. That is not the case, Grandfather.”
“…”
It was false.
Petrick’s ordinarily austere expression relaxed fractionally.
“I came to present this to you. I prepared it myself.”
“You crafted this? You… personally?”
“Affirmative.”
Lion calmly delivered the phrasing he had rehearsed beforehand.
“In truth, this beverage is brewed utilizing my personal potions. Furthermore, I baked these biscuits to accompany it, deducing they would complement one another harmoniously. Atop the biscuits, I incorporated a root vegetable discovered within Mimir Forest designated as a banana sweet potato.”
“…”
“I thought it would prove amusing to display my accomplishments in this manner. Please partake.”
“Hmm. Let me inspect.”
At those words, Lion smiled and positioned the tray upon the desktop.
Petrick scrutinized the biscuits and beverage resting upon the platter.
Biscuits featuring golden-brown dough, baked to an ideal hue, speckled with yellow dots.
A rose-tinted drink, heated to perfection, emitting a sophisticated bouquet.
Petrick initially sampled the beverage.
No distinct reaction manifested, precisely as anticipated.
He subsequently consumed a bite of the biscuit.
“…”
It transpired as a surprisingly quiet tasting session, and despite the total absence of commendation or encouragement…
『 Cooking Proficiency has attained Apprentice Lv. 4!』
‘He appreciated it.’
The prerequisite for advancing culinary talent.
It dictated that one accrues additional experience points whenever an individual thoroughly enjoys the dishes one has prepared.
Consequently, he was able to deduce the outcome.
His grandfather evidently favored these biscuits and beverages.
‘After all, he previously abstained from consuming potions in my presence.’
He considered this substantial progress.
I harbor a distinct sense of pride.
“…Thus, you did not merely visit to offer me this, correct?”
Petrick, having cleanly consumed the biscuits and drink, steered the conversation toward the primary objective.
“Did you enjoy them?”
“The core issue.”
“…”
His tone retained its chill, yet Lion understood.
His rigid posture unspooled, while the sharp contours of his eyes and the deep creases across his brow softened slightly. This exact moment.
This constituted his opening!
“Actually, I arrived to showcase my progress, but I likewise harbor a request.”
“A petition?”
Petrick found himself rather intrigued regarding the nature of the favor his grandson intended to solicit.
Moreover, precisely as Lion anticipated, Petrick occupied a remarkably benevolent frame of mind.
He had ingested the refreshments prepared by his grandson’s own hands, and more importantly, he basked in the warmth derived from encountering his grandson directly.
Naturally, even absent this generous mood, he would have conceded any petition from his beloved grandson, a practice he routinely maintained.
Provided, of course, it avoided hazardous endeavors.
“I understand my coming-of-age ceremony is scheduled to be conducted shortly.”
Lion broached the topic of the coming-of-age ceremony initially, omitting any mention of Rikschel.
“Indeed. You were previously unable to host the ceremony, so we ought to conduct it now.”
Conventionally, the coming-of-age ceremony functions as a gathering illustrating how capably the household’s progeny have matured.
It additionally represents a form of societal debut, signaling that the younger members who remained excluded from major family affairs heretofore are now entering aristocratic society via participation in this event.
Naturally, Petrick harbored no intention of encumbering Lion with such burdensome administrative trivialities.
He remained occupied rectifying everything he was incapable of managing when incapacitated during his youth.
Since he possessed no desire to compel him toward uninteresting labor, Petrick shouldered all preparations, encompassing attire and venue ornamentation…
‘Surely he does not intend to claim he will manage the labor independently?’
“I desire for Rikschel to rest comfortably until that juncture.”
Rikschel?
“Wherefore that child?”
“Family members invariably participate in coming-of-age ceremonies. However…”
Lion briefly noted that Rikschel appeared to be overexerting himself of late.
“Therefore, would it not prove beneficial if you moderated the training intensity somewhat, at least preceding the upcoming coming-of-age ceremony… It would gladden me to witness every family member participating with cheerful expressions.”
“You wish for everyone to participate?”
“Affirmative. Naturally. We constitute a family, do we not?”
Petrick nearly erupted in laughter.
What a considerate lad!
‘I presumed their rapport remained strained.’
The incident wherein Rikschel ventured into Mimir Forest evidently transformed them into remarkably close siblings.
In truth, such intimate bonds remain scarce within noble households.
It is hardly unprecedented for blood to be spilled.
A solitary position of Family Head exists.
‘Even observing that swordsmanship-centric lineage…’
Regardless, it constitutes a favorable development.
‘I possess additional achievements to boast of.’
Although he framed the argument around the collective welfare of the household, his underlying concern centered upon his younger sibling.
It represented a grievance he could readily accommodate.
“We shall proceed accordingly. I will relegate him to independent study until the coming-of-age ceremony.”
“My gratitude!”
“However, is that the extent of it?”
“Pardon?”
“Do you harbor any supplementary petitions concerning the coming-of-age ceremony?”
“Indeed! I require nothing further.”
A definitive declaration.
“…”
…What an unusual lad.
For inexplicable reasons, perhaps inheriting traits from a certain individual, he remains entirely devoid of greed.
A singular, vital element remained regarding the coming-of-age ceremony.
Despite the myriad responsibilities, such as notifying the empire that this youth had attained adulthood alongside performing intra-familial rituals…
The highlight of the coming-of-age ceremony remained.
Presents.
It fluctuates depending upon the scale of the lineage, yet typically, for a ducal house, particularly the descendants of a magical dynasty wielding authority rivaling the imperial throne, the offerings amassed during this single window could guarantee a lifetime of staggering wealth.
If monetary assets, the sum suffices to establish a merchant guild endowed with monumental capital; if precious gems, they constitute singular artifacts scarcely locatable across the empire let alone the broader continent.
Should those prove unappealing, one might even acquire a sea-view estate complete with an accompanying villa.
A fully appointed package inclusive of residential caretakers!
Because Lion occupies the position of eldest grandson to the Grand Asteri Family!
And convention dictated presenting the specific gift desired by the recipient…
‘He asserts he requires nothing.’
Which signifies he expects me to determine the selection.
‘This dilemma resurfaces…’
It constitutes a challenging predicament. What specific offering would align with the refined tastes of that singular grandson?
As Petrick’s expression progressively turned solemn, Lion inclined his head in farewell.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
Click—
As he observed the portal latching shut accompanied by a cheerful acoustic click…
His expression grew yet more solemn.
What item ought I to procure for him?