Chapter 232

Chapter 232
## Chapter 232: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

Just as Lion expected, the person who called him was indeed Elvia.

‘But the atmosphere is…’

It was a little different from usual.

Moreover, the blacksmith’s shop. And she came all the way to the depths of the blacksmith’s shop where only Lion and Sonkkeut were?

‘Why all of a sudden?’

Of course, it wasn’t that Elvia didn’t come to the village usually.

Rather, she went out more often than other servants.

She would go to directly order items needed for the mansion, and Elvia was also in charge of managing the family’s funds.

“What brings you all the way here?”

“I happened to see Young Master and followed. But……”

Elvia looked at the accessory and smiled more deeply than usual, clapping her hands slowly.

“You’ve truly made a magnificent masterpiece.”

“Mmm……”

“You are amazing.”

“……”

Clap. Clap. Clap…….

The sound of clapping echoed faintly in the blacksmith’s shop.

……Was she complimenting me just now?

Judging by the situation, it seemed like a compliment.

But how should I put it?

It was quite awkward.

It felt like someone who had never complimented anyone before was forcing it out.

“Are you being sincere?”

“I am sincere.”

‘Aha.’

Lion realized something from Elvia’s unnatural behavior.

Elvia was apologizing right now!

About reporting to Grandfather that he got drunk and passed out while injured.

Furthermore, unlike usual, Lion’s expression was also not good.

‘I fell for that act……!’

While Rikschel might have, Lion never thought Elvia would be fooled.

Anyway, it seemed like she came out like this to somehow comfort the dejected Lion, but…….

“Elvia.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“I’m okay.”

“It’s also good to see you overcome the tribulation you’re facing.”

Lion repeatedly said he was really fine, but Elvia only replied with “You are amazing.”

‘*inhale*, if it’s like this…….’

Lion changed his mind.

Instead of trying to convince Elvia, it would be better to just play along.

‘Right. While we’re at it, Elvia can rest too.’

Even if he had consumed a Mental Fatigue Recovery Potion, he needed to rest occasionally.

It didn’t matter if they were an Archmage or a Witch.

‘Later, I should make sure to let Grandfather rest too when I accompany him on a business trip.’

Anyone would collapse if they worked too hard, wouldn’t they?

Lion nodded to himself and looked at his fingertips.

Sonkkeut, who seemed to have already grasped the situation, spoke awkwardly.

“Oh ho ho, my role seems to have ended here. Young Master, I must now spend some quality time with my son.”

After saying that, she left the blacksmith’s shop even before Lion and quietly disappeared, and soon, an unexpected journey with Elvia began.

—

Although the journey began, Lion’s daily schedule did not change.

Elvia simply followed Lion, and whenever their eyes met, she would utter her characteristic monotonous praise.

She was probably waiting for Lion to finish his work.

“Leave the rest to me.”

“Alright. I’m counting on you.”

Thanks to that, Lion was able to complete all the tasks he had planned.

The time did not take as long as he expected.

The sun was still bright, and the day was long.

‘And what’s left is.’

Only Elvia.

There definitely seemed to be some kind of plan…….

Lion pretended not to know and started walking home.

And as expected, Elvia spoke to him.

“Walking like this reminds me of my memories with the Family Head.”

“Huh?”

Of course, the content of the story was completely unexpected.

“Memories with Grandfather?”

“Yes. I used to walk together like this with the Family Head as well.”

“When was that?”

“Hmm……”

Elvia put a finger to her chin, pondered for a moment, and replied.

“I don’t remember the exact age, but it was probably when the Family Head was on the verge of becoming a 4th Circle Mage. We often sparred.”

With Elvia?

This was the first time he was hearing this.

“At that time, the Family Head was desperately thirsty for achievement. Isn’t it strange? For a normal human, even this would be a tremendous achievement, yet he was so fixated on it.”

“I suppose so.”

Thinking from that perspective, it was indeed strange.

As everyone in the Empire knew, Grandfather’s talent was immense.

Did he need any further explanation, having set foot in the distant realm beyond human limits at 8th Circle?

“Everyone thought he was amazing, but the Previous Head of the Family did not think so.”

“The Previous Head of the Family?”

“He is the father of the current Family Head.”

Elvia’s voice was calm as she talked about Grandfather’s younger days.

Perhaps because of that, Lion was naturally drawn into the story.

Unlike her calm voice, the Previous Head of the Family.

That is, Petrick’s father was quite a severe person.

He was so lacking in magical achievement that he was suspected of being a collateral relative among the Asteri family members.

Yet, he somehow managed to ascend to the position of Family Head and lived his entire life with anxiety.

Because of that, the Previous Head of the Family apparently did many harsh things to Grandfather.

Whether through words or actions.

Fortunately, Grandfather was not the type of person to be discouraged or afraid by such things.

“On the contrary, Madam was a very kind person. Even after knowing my identity, she treated me kindly. I learned a lot thanks to her.”

Living as a servant in the mansion was something she learned bit by bit throughout her life.

However, it was largely thanks to the Former Duchess’s grace that she could live in the mansion pretending to be human.

“One day……”

Elvia smiled and began the story she wanted to tell the most.

It was a normal day when Petrick, who had challenged me to a spar, was cleanly defeated, and I brought the defeated little boy home.

“Sister, when will I become as strong as you?”

But for some reason, Petrick’s voice was subdued that day.

Elvia noticed the change but didn’t know how to comfort him.

She had never learned it, nor had she ever heard it.

So, she just explained the facts.

“Your skill is already excellent, but……”

“This isn’t enough, you see.”

Little Petrick felt pressured.

He wouldn’t be recognized like this.

He had to become stronger, strive harder, to barely meet the standard.

Then, wouldn’t he be disqualified as a member of the Asteri family?

Well, it seemed like he was thinking such things.

“Grandfather must have suffered a lot too.”

“Yes. He suffered immensely. That is, until the Duchess found out.”

One day.

The Asteri family was thrown into chaos.

It was by the hands of the Duchess, who was known for her benevolence.

“She eloped with the young Family Head.”

The Duchess running away with her only descendant!

It was an event that shook not only the mansion but the entire Empire.

Naturally, the Duke ordered Elvia to bring them back, and Elvia immediately arrived at their hiding place.

And there, she could see.

The Duchess, who had lit a bonfire with a spellbook in a quiet, deserted villa, holding the sobbing little Petrick tightly and stroking his head.

“It’s okay, child. You’ve done so well up until now. So, if you’re too tired, please tell your mother. Okay?”

Then she mercilessly tore up the remaining spellbooks and burned them as firewood.

“Was it an interesting story?”

“Wow……”

Lion marveled after hearing Elvia’s story.

The Previous Head of the Family was a more pathetic figure than he thought, but the Duchess.

In other words, his great-grandmother was a person of incredible character.

As he was thinking that, something lightly touched his head.

And after a few awkward strokes, it fell.

The strokes were so awkward that his hair was all ruffled in the opposite direction.

“It’s awkward.”

“It is indeed.”

Even with Lion’s agreeing voice, Elvia’s expression did not change at all.

However, the emotion was vaguely conveyed.

“Anyway, I cannot follow that person, but I wanted to offer you comfort and praise, Young Master. And…… perhaps others feel the same way.”

Elvia withdrew her hand.

“So, Young Master, instead of shouldering it all alone, why don’t you share a little with the two of them?”

This was probably about the story Lion was hiding because he didn’t have full confidence yet.

Lion did not answer immediately.

He never expected Elvia, of all people, to say something like this.

‘How should I respond to this?’

It felt like someone who had lived their entire life adhering to boundaries had taken a courageous step forward.

The boundary of family, that is.

It felt quite strange.

“It must not be an easy story to tell. At least, I can understand.”

After all, I am a witch by nature, and I have lived my entire life pretending to be human.

“Ah, and.”

Elvia naturally took out an old box from her apron.

“As an apology for reporting to the Family Head, I will give you this.”

“……What is this?”

It was a brush.

[Witch’s Brush (Children’s Version)]

* This is a brush that a witch used to favor.
* It can materialize anything that is not a living creature. If you have mana!
* Of course, it can also be used for simply drawing!
* It has currently been modified to the ‘Children’s Version’. Many functions are restricted.
* Currently, it cannot create anything larger than the palm of your hand.

“This is a magic tool I made for fun. Heh heh. It seems Young Master has also developed a talent for drawing.”

To make a tool of this caliber for fun?

The power of a witch was truly amazing.

“Thank you.”

Lion accepted the gift without refusal.

‘I should try it after visiting the Imperial Palace.’

He wanted to try it right away, but to fully examine all aspects of this brush, it would be better to take it leisurely.

‘Materialization…… that was only possible in the Sanctuary.’

It was truly fantastic to see the thing I assembled and built take on color and soar.

Anyway, I should examine it properly later.

“Then let’s go back.”

“Yes. I will escort you.”

—

Time flowed by, and the day invited by the Emperor… no, the 2nd Prince arrived.

“You’ve packed everything, right?”

“There should be no disruptions to the preparations.”

The servants of each family loaded the carriage with luggage with extremely serious expressions, checking it repeatedly as they prepared.

It was an extremely important moment for the servants.

‘We absolutely cannot be faulted.’

‘I heard the Imperial Family is that meticulous……!’

Rumors about the Imperial Family were rife even among the servants.

They said that while they pretended to be lenient on the outside, if they found even the slightest flaw, they would passionately gossip about it.

Anyway, after a few more checks, the servants quickly stepped away from the carriage and stood in formation.

“Then, have a safe journey.”

*Snap!*

The servants bowed their heads towards the carriage in greeting.

And at the same time, the carriage wheels began to move.

Lion rolled down the carriage window and waved.

“Hahaha. I’m off then.”

The destination was the Imperial Palace.

The weather was clear.

And probably, no incident would occur during this visit.

Because the 2nd Prince would be watching with all his might.

‘……Well, I might just meet him face to face?’