Chapter 46

Chapter 46
## Chapter 46: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

“What does that have to do with information right now?”

The documents brought by an executive of the Information Guild contained information regarding strange rumors originating from the Magic Tower.

A specific potion initiative that the Magic Tower had heavily invested in had been abruptly canceled.

The rationale was that a critical flaw had surfaced during the creation procedure.

Yet, a remedy to correct it was promptly discovered.

Additionally, the eldest grandson of the Asteri Family, who had remained out of sight for a full month, had resurfaced.

That essentially covered it.

‘Hmph, what could those mages possibly accomplish, no matter how desperately they try.’

From the viewpoint of Freya, an underworld alchemist, it was gratifying and deserved news, but it offered no actual advantage to the underworld.

Lion Asteri was no different.

She had caught wind of rumors that he was dabbling in alchemy lately and attempting something or other… but how much could a noble young master genuinely comprehend?

Besides, that fellow was said to be completely incapable of sensing mana.

If that held true, this beverage would be no exception.

Like some trivial snack whipped up out of pure boredom, utterly devoid of genuine utility.

It was plainly nothing more, nothing less… but.

‘Hmm?’

A particular detail caught her attention.

‘…Shall I investigate it?’

Freya, displaying a touch of leniency, inspected the drink.

The ornate light suspended from the ceiling refracted peculiarly across the liquid’s surface.

“The color is passable.”

She then unsealed the bottle and took a sip.

“……!”

Freya’s pupils dilated momentarily.

“This is a beverage?”

“That is my understanding. However, its properties are said to be remarkable. It reportedly boosts productivity significantly…”

Thwack!

Freya forcefully slammed the beverage container onto the desk.

It defied logic.

This was…

‘It’s a concoction.’

Furthermore, it was a magnificent preparation, on a tier that even Freya’s critical gaze could not immediately fathom.

Yet it employed zero standard alchemical formulas.

Neither the refinement nor the extraction process resembled conventional methods.

It was entirely distinct. Unintelligible.

This was undoubtedly a creation from someone who had ascended to a realm Freya had not yet reached.

If she could secure guidance from an individual of that caliber, she might finally shatter her current bottleneck.

Yet Lion Asteri produced this?

‘No way…!’

Freya snatched the dossier from the executive’s grip and scanned it once more.

Coincidentally, around the exact timeframe Lion Asteri introduced such a beverage to the Magic Tower, the potion project had been discarded and then miraculously restored.

“Ha.”

A hollow chuckle escaped Freya’s lips.

It inherently made no sense.

There was no concrete proof.

Moreover, the mastermind wasn’t the legitimate successor, Rikschel Asteri, but Lion Asteri, who was whispered to be eccentric!

An individual like that…

Is wielding alchemy at a superior tier to my own?

‘No, that is secondary.’

If Lion Asteri has genuinely attained such a tier.

“This is indeed a beverage with no effect.”

“Ah… I-I’m sorry. Everyone insisted the properties were exceptional…”

“However, it appears you have handled the matter moderately well. It seems the rumor of him studying alchemy holds truth.”

Freya deliberately toyed with the bottle with an air of indifference.

“Still, it appears the Asteri Family is indeed dabbling in alchemy. From this moment onward, bring all intelligence regarding Lion Asteri exclusively to me.”

“So, you mean?”

“If you supply me with verified intelligence, I shall compensate you in a manner that will not disappoint.”

“……!”

The executive’s countenance brightened instantly.

Those words signified that she would purchase all intelligence pertaining to Lion Asteri at a lavish rate!

He had struck gold!

‘Still, Lion Asteri.’

The Asteri Family and the Magic Tower.

Even intelligence concerning the eccentric, which fell outside his designated domain.

‘…Aha!’

The executive’s mind raced, swiftly arriving at a deduction.

Intelligence from the Asteri Family and the Magic Tower was heavily guarded, resulting in sluggish acquisition speeds.

However, details regarding the eccentric Lion Asteri were relatively lax!

This implied that the underworld would track them down and unearth the details independently.

Truly, they are brilliant… In that case, we should attempt to uncover their secrets in return.

Since we cannot infiltrate directly, we might as well reap the rewards of the peripheral gains.

—

“Sip, is someone speaking ill of me?”

Lion scratched his inexplicably itching ear as he strolled through the settlement.

Fortunately, the complications with the Magic Tower had been resolved discreetly thanks to Elvia, and concurrently, the agreement was revised through mutual consent.

Furthermore, rigorous physical evaluations verified that Lion was in peak condition, effectively laying all pressing matters to rest.

Consequently, he was presently enjoying a leisurely walk through the village, exchanging pleasantries with acquaintances he had not seen in a while.

“I was genuinely worried sick about you!”

“It is such a relief that you retreated to the villa for recovery following your coming-of-age ceremony.”

“I heard you applied yourself diligently to your studies while you were there, too.”

“Even so, you ought to have dispatched a letter. I was beside myself with worry…”

It was a serene afternoon, entirely devoid of anxieties.

Rikschel had even fabricated a reliable alibi for the interim, eliminating the need for elaborate excuses.

And that was not the extent of it.

“Oh, look who it is, the eccentric! Your younger brother placed a substantial order for equipment required by the Asteri Family at a remarkably generous price, claiming he was grateful for your assistance!”

“Oh, goodness! What kind of phrasing is that to use for our Young Master!”

From Mudu’s household…

“The Swordsmanship Marquis himself arrived to commission an order. Moreover, other noble young ladies have reserved garments as well!”

Even Andri was overwhelmed with a surge of commissions.

It appeared Rikschel had diligently managed affairs while Lion was absent.

‘Come to think of it, what transpired with the Marquis of the Swordsmanship Family?’

Considering he witnessed the incident firsthand, he likely aided in the cleanup operation…

‘Well, since my family is raising no complaints, it should be fine.’

I presume he managed the situation personally.

I ought to dispatch a note later if the concern truly lingers.

Regardless, I am indebted.

“Hmm, yet I feel as though I am forgetting something.”

Lion mused while nibbling on a street vendor snack.

All immediate responsibilities were fulfilled, and he had greeted everyone…

Ah. Right.

Rikschel!

He had barely caught a glimpse of him recently, aside from that single encounter when he was confined to his quarters.

Furthermore, they had not shared a family meal together since the coming-of-age ceremony.

Though valid excuses existed for each of their busy schedules…

Is it not customary to adjust one’s timetable to share a meal as a household?

‘I actually used to leave the office early for that exact reason back when I worked a corporate job.’

Lion halted his steps, folding his arms as he deliberated.

Tomorrow, of all days, his grandfather was returning from an extended business trip.

Immediately following that, he was scheduled to reinforce the defensive barrier shielding the Empire… meaning he would depart for a prolonged duration once more.

Even under normal circumstances, the Imperial Family summoned him incessantly.

Therefore, tomorrow presented the sole window of opportunity.

“Hmm… If I swiftly manage various preparations, might this actually work out?”

Lion altered his trajectory without hesitation.

—

“Pardon? Cooking… is what you are referring to?”

“Indeed.”

The initial destination Lion selected was none other than the kitchens of the Asteri Family.

Although he had visited on a prior occasion to bake cookies alongside Elvia, the head chef had merely lent them the workspace then, marking this as their first genuine conversation.

Perhaps for that reason, the head chef ran his fingers through his short, meticulously groomed hair a few times.

“If the Young Master desires it, I can certainly permit you to observe… but might I inquire as to why, if you do not mind?”

“I wish to prepare a meal.”

“Ah, I see… Pardon?”

The head chef reiterated the question, as though suspecting he had misheard.

“Is it possible… that the dishes I have prepared thus far were unsatisfactory?”

“That is not the case at all. The culinary expertise of the Asteri Family’s head chef is renowned across the entire continent.”

That came as a relief.

The head chef steadied his startled nerves.

“Actually, my grandfather is returning tomorrow, is he not? I wish to cook for him personally on that occasion.”

“Personally, you say?”

The head chef was astonished.

He was acutely aware of how deeply Lion cherished his relatives.

He frequently accompanied the Second Young Master and engaged in frequent discourse with the Family Head.

Nevertheless.

“Well, Young Master. How would you feel about us collaborating, with myself providing assistance?”

The head chef tactfully proposed an alternative.

His apprehension was entirely justified, though…

‘Neither of them possesses an ordinary palate…?’

Although their appetite had increased lately due to diminished stress, both Young Master Rikschel and the Family Head were notoriously finicky eaters.

Should the internal temperature of the meat deviate by even a single degree, they would immediately lay down their cutlery as though possessed.

If the vegetables were not cooked with absolute uniformity, or if the texture failed to meet their exact standards, they would refuse to touch the dish again.

Furthermore, their serving sizes were inherently modest.

They might have consumed potions, cookies, and beverages out of goodwill, but actual dining was a different matter entirely.

No, based on all preceding indicators, it was a certainty.

‘I wish to avoid any disappointment following all your earnest efforts…’

Would it not be wiser for him to guide the process from his end?

However.

“Negative? You need only demonstrate the techniques to me.”

Regrettably, it appeared Lion’s perspective did not quite align.

After all, his family had consistently partaken heartily of whatever Lion suggested or offered.

And modest portions?

If it concerned his grandfather, perhaps, but from Lion’s perspective, Rikschel was by no means a light eater.

If anything…

‘Consuming three banana sweet potatoes in a single sitting… is that not quite substantial?’

Perhaps under the assumption that he was currently experiencing a growth spurt, Rikschel was viewed by Lion as someone who relished his food.

“……Hmm.”

The head chef hummed thoughtfully.

‘Very well. It cannot be helped.’

He resolved to let the First Young Master proceed as he pleased, intending to prepare a midnight snack subsequently for the two—or perhaps three—individuals who were bound to grow hungry later.

“In that case, I shall demonstrate the preparation for tonight’s dinner.”

“Splendid. Please proceed.”

Lion gazed at the head chef with gleaming eyes.

Seeing is believing, and utilizing the mastery of a chef of the Asteri Family’s caliber would undoubtedly broaden his culinary horizon.

“Phew.”

The head chef, positioned at the counter, maintained his composure despite Lion’s unwavering gaze.

“First and foremost, safety remains the absolute priority within the kitchen. Blades and open flames are perpetually present, and severe mishaps can occur if one is careless.”

The head chef adjusted his apron tightly once more and commenced preparations for dinner slightly ahead of schedule.

His inaugural task involved trimming the vegetables.

Chop, chop, chop.

With every precise stroke of the head chef’s blade, various vegetables were partitioned neatly at uniform intervals.

‘Oh…’

Even during the mundane task of trimming produce, the head chef’s profound experience was plainly visible.

It appeared deceptive in its simplicity.

‘In truth, that is precisely what makes it extraordinary.’

To an untrained observer, it resembled an effortless routine.

One might foolishly conclude, “Is it not merely easy because the blade is sharp and cuts cleanly?”

It creates that illusion solely because superfluous motions have been entirely eliminated.

Uncluttered movements, textbook knife mastery, and a consistent rhythm.

Those are the elements that deceive the eye.

Lion, too, might have been misled had his culinary proficiency been even slightly inferior.

Yet.

He possessed the discernment to perceive the truth.

Recognizing the immense duration required to attain such a standard.

More than mere talent, it represented the accumulation of sheer diligence.

That realization was genuinely formidable.

> Penetrated the Master’s experience.
> Cooking experience increased by 15 percent.