Chapter 67

Chapter 67
Chapter 67: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

“Regarding income.”

“Yes. I would like to purchase those potions by paying a fair price. I will give you any price.”

“……!”

Freya’s eyes widened to the size of saucers at the surprisingly generous offer.

In a closed country like the Elf Country, it was a once-in-a-hundred-years event for them to offer an import contract first.

No, perhaps it had never even existed until now!

“You might not know, human, but this is not a common occurrence.”

Embrog added.

“It’s not something I boast about, but our country has quite a few items that you would covet. All sorts of magic stones, special wool fabrics. And even special plants that alchemists would desire.”

“T-Teacher. I guarantee this is a tremendous opportunity.”

Freya also nodded as if confirming it was true.

“I see.”

Lion nodded in agreement.

It was thanks to the knowledge gained while playing In the World.

One of the methods to accumulate money when you were a beginner was to utilize the trade system.

And among them, the Elf Country was the place that paid the most generously.

Of course, there were many difficulties in breaking through, but once you did, you could obtain a lot of money and lucrative items.

As such, it was indeed a good opportunity, as Freya said… but.

Unfortunately, Lion was not in a situation where he lacked money or items.

Because he was Asteri!

“It’s because this potion seems useful, isn’t it?”

Lion took out spirit water from his pocket and shook it.

“Yes.”

Moreover, it wasn’t something Lion had to keep making because it was desperately needed.

After all, they said there were spirit stones aplenty in the Elf Country.

Even so, the reason they wanted it was simply because its effects were a bit better.

To put it simply, it was a coveted item.

“Then, I’ll pack a few bottles for you when you leave.”

“I’m not asking for something like that…”

“And if you need it later, please visit my territory. I’ll make it for you if you have the ingredients.”

“……What?”

To refuse money?

A human?

Tiali’s eyes widened slightly for a moment before returning to normal.

In reality, this would make stable potion income impossible, but it would be like receiving potions for free, albeit in small quantities.

But why?

“I thought this would be a great opportunity for you, Lord Lion Asteri, so may I ask why you are throwing it away?”

“As you know, I am not in a situation where I need money. I simply enjoy alchemy, and I don’t have a goal of obtaining anything through it.”

More than anything, he didn’t want to stand out.

This was precisely the time to push Rickshell hard.

“And while it’s a bit awkward to say this directly, I was on the verge of death just a few months ago.”

“D-Dying?”

Embrog asked in shock, as it was the first time he had heard this.

To be on the verge of death, and humans already had such fleeting lives!

‘Is that why his face is so pale?’

“If you wish, you can ask the Family Head. In any case, I want to be cautious for now.”

“…….”

It meant he couldn’t mass-produce them.

This left him with no room to refuse.

“Of course, I’m not saying I won’t make them. You’ve made a good offer, and Endairon has also shown improvement, so I want to do my best on a personal level. Therefore, I would appreciate it if you consider it as such.”

“……! I see.”

Tiali nodded, finally seeming to understand.

At first, I thought he had no thoughts of his own…

‘His depth of mind is greater than I imagined.’

It was sincere that Lion Asteri wanted to be friends with the elves.

If he wanted to, he was offering the best gift he could give. He even offered spirit water without conditions.

And that, with his body not in good condition!

That’s the problem!

‘He is so kind!’

The Elf Country had many long-standing traditions.

One of them was to give as much as possible to those who approached with sincerity.

The words are grand, but to summarize, it’s like this.

A dagger to enemies, generosity to friends.

But in the current situation…

Didn’t Lion himself say he wanted to be friends with the ‘country’ where the elves lived?

And that, with sincerity!

To the best of his ability!

In reality, at this very moment, he should be contacting an Elder Elf to get permission…

“If a situation arises where my authority is needed, please act as if you are me.”

“You are entrusting a rather heavy burden to a retired subordinate.”

“Hahaha. Please do this one favor for me.”

As it happened, Tiali possessed that authority.

“Very well. The Elf Country will henceforth be a friend to Lord Lion Asteri.”

“Yes. Please visit often.”

“And.”

Tiali looked at Embrog and Freya.

“There is a matter I wish to discuss with you alone, so I would be grateful if you would excuse us.”

“Understood.”

Embrog excused himself without much complaint.

Freya…

“…….”

“I have no intention of doing anything reckless, so you can rest assured.”

“R-Really?”

“Yes.”

After making her promise several more times, she quietly left the room.

Even though she kept sending signs with her eyes until the very end, such as ‘If something happens, scream!’ and ‘I’ll do something about it!’

Click.

“From now on, I intend to give you a gift that the Elder Elf personally sent me.”

“From the Elder Elf?”

Lion’s eyes widened at the mention of the Elder Elf.

The Elder Elf, who was practically the leader of the elves.

Why would he send him a gift?

“I dare not presume to understand his deep intentions, but… it will not be an unpleasant gift for Lord Lion Asteri.”

“…….”

Lion pondered for a moment.

He had explicitly said it was a personal gift.

It was awkward to refuse a gift after he himself had mentioned becoming friends.

And well… it was a gift, wasn’t it?

“You will not experience any trouble due to this gift. I promise on my spirit.”

“Then I will gratefully accept it.”

Only then did Tiali’s expression brighten.

‘I was wondering what if he refused this too.’

It was a relief.

Tiali quickly took out the gift before Lion’s mind could change.

It was…

“……!”

『High-Grade Spirit Stone Set (★★★)』

* It has much superior effects than regular spirit stones.
* Even a spirit that is slowly dying will regain its vitality with just this one spirit stone!
* It can be used as food for newborn spirits.
* Sale Price: 5,000 Shillings

It was a collection of top-quality spirit stones.

‘The shape is almost like a jewel.’

Unlike mid-grade spirit stones that remained in the form of stones, high-grade ones boasted a remarkably exquisite luster and transparency.

Not only that, but their effects were also excellent.

Even mid-grade spirit stones were described as having good effects on ailing spirits, but this was beyond that.

And it could be sold at the Shilling Shop…

‘If I sell just one of each attribute, that’s 20,000 Shillings?’

What a windfall!

“These are spirit stones. Our country has many good-grade spirit stones, so please don’t feel burdened.”

Probably not.

Of course, the Elf Country might have better spirit stones than here where humans live, but these were high-grade.

‘They are probably items that come from high-grade spirits.’

Judging by the fact that only Embrog and Tiali, who had just arrived, carried high-grade spirits even in the elite team, it was by no means an ‘ordinary’ gift.

Of course, he had no intention of refusing it.

“Is that so? Thank you.”

Lion quickly accepted the gift, pretending not to doubt Tiali’s explanation.

If it were a gift from an ordinary elf, he would have naturally refused…

But the other party was the Elder Elf.

If he were human, he would be like an emperor.

It seemed reasonable for an emperor to give such a gift.

“I am grateful that you accepted it so readily. And…”

And?

“Is there another gift?”

“Yes. It may be sudden, but would you not like to try summoning a spirit?”

“A spirit? But I…”

Lion was taken aback by the sudden proposal.

He was grateful that they thought highly of him and suggested summoning a spirit…

‘Isn’t this something that isn’t easily done?’

Lion also knew this from raising a druid in his past life.

Spirit summoning rituals consumed a surprisingly long time and mental energy.

Not only that?

The location was also important.

To perform the ritual in a place with the most abundant nature’s energy increases the probability of summoning a good spirit.

‘It needs to be at least Mimir Forest.’

There is one.

The end of the Library Labyrinth.

Then, you might ask, can’t he just summon it?

In reality, Lion met all three of these conditions.

He had plenty of time, and his mental strength was unparalleled.

However, the problem was…

‘I need a spirit master to help with the summoning.’

Yes. This is the big problem.

Even if it’s an opportunity to summon a spirit, he couldn’t bring someone from outside his family into the labyrinth, could he?

Tiali smiled, sensing Lion’s hesitation.

‘He seems to have many worries. Truly a benevolent soul.’

Tiali… was misunderstanding again!

Spirits are beings from another dimension with infinite time.

Elves can remain with their companion spirits for a long time, but for other beings, their time spent is truly fleeting from a spirit’s perspective.

The problem is that spirits are surprisingly affectionate.

A spirit that has lost its master rarely makes a new contract.

In the distant future, they might spend an eternity waiting for their master to possibly return, then briefly scatter into nature before regenerating.

“I understand. Since your body is not well, you are concerned about the spirits that might be left behind, I presume. However, at that time, you can simply terminate the contracts with the spirits and let them go. That is the natural order.”

Tiali smiled contentedly and took out a small bottle from his pocket.

“I will not force you to contract immediately. However, please accept this. It is powder used when contracting with spirits.”

『Fairy Dust (Immeasurable)』

* Fairy dust that a very special fairy can create only under special circumstances. It acts as a medium to communicate with spirits in other dimensions and to directly contract with them.
* The finer and more sparkling the dust, the higher the spirit you can contract with.
* This is an item that can no longer be obtained.

“This…”

Lion looked at the fairy dust he had received under duress.

Wasn’t this item capable of solving the problem of needing an auxiliary spirit master, which he had just been worrying about?

To his knowledge, it was not an easily obtainable item.

“If possible, I would be happy if you could summon a spirit during my stay, but if you ever decide to do so later, please use that powder. Then, a spirit that suits you will surely respond.”

Will it only respond?

Something incredible might emerge.

It was clear that the Elder believed he could summon a spirit of top-grade or higher, hence the bestowal of the fairy dust.

‘In that case…’

Tiali pondered for a moment and added a word.

“If possible, I would hope you have one guardian… with you.”

“Guardian, you say?”

“Yes. While it may be different for ordinary spirits, your spirit affinity is quite high, Lord Lion… so a rather rough spirit might appear.”