Chapter 78

Chapter 78
Chapter 78: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

The signature beverage of this establishment was known as the ‘Oak Barrel Pickle.’

Just one cup would leave an ordinary individual feeling as though their physical form had been thoroughly marinated within an oak cask, while even a seasoned drinker would inevitably turn into a hound after two or three rounds, forced to move about on all fours.

“Now then, isn’t that a bit excessive for a young master?”

“Not at all. Cutting someone off after a single glass is far wiser.”

The patrons observed the impending contest with intense curiosity.

Meanwhile, Lion, the central figure of all those lingering glances…

Remained completely untroubled.

Because he had made preparations beforehand!

『 Nontoxic Potion 』

-Safeguards your liver, exactly like the fabled rabbits from ancient lore!

-Injest the entire contents prior to consuming alcohol! Regardless of your drink of choice, intoxication is impossible!

Furthermore.

『 Hangover Relief Potion 』

-No matter the quantity or variety of spirits consumed, this ensures you emerge victorious on the morrow!

-Yields even greater efficacy when paired alongside the Nontoxic Potion!

The mechanism was straightforward.

Consuming the ‘Nontoxic Potion’ ahead of time places the user in a state entirely immune to the effects of alcohol.

And finishing the evening with the Hangover Relief Potion wards off any subsequent headaches.

‘It reminds me of the modern-day ‘Condition 808.”

Naturally, that was a standard beverage whereas this was an authentic potion, making the disparity in potency vast.

Ignorant of this fact, the Giant’s Baldodum hauled over a bottle and filled Lion’s vessel with liquor.

The amber liquid pooled inside the glass, prompting Lion to pick up his own container and pour an identical measure.

Lion lifted his cup.

And then.

The two vessels struck one another in a cheerful toast, sending a few droplets splashing onto the ground and releasing a deep, mature aroma of oak.

Thus, glass the first.

“Keeeuh!”

Baldodum expelled a long breath, acutely feeling the passage of the liquid down his throat and into his stomach.

The pungent odor of alcohol had already enveloped him.

Conversely, Lion…

‘This simply tastes like plain water.’

He was experiencing the full protective benefits of the potion!

He could register the slight bitterness, the rich fragrance of aged spirits, and the faint undertones of sweet and sour notes, yet he felt entirely sober.

There was no sudden warmth in his chest nor any tingling sensation on his tongue.

Had such an item been available prior to his transmigration, he could have easily preserved those precious morning hours off…

‘Well, my current reality is a permanent vacation year-round.’

Regardless, Lion held a single objective.

To wait until Baldodum succumbed to the alcohol and naturally granted him entry into the settlement!

Thus, glass the second.

Glass the third.

By the time they neared the halfway mark of the bottle.

“So, regarding that particular blade… my elder sibling…”

“Indeed. I am following.”

“That weapon is far from ordinary…”

“I am all ears.”

Lion, maintaining absolute clarity of mind, listened intently to the intoxicated dwarf’s narrative.

He had already secured victory in their wager, alongside uncovering the artisan’s true identity and the context of his troubles.

His designation was ‘Giant’s Baldodum.’ He had not inherited that moniker at birth, but rather earned it as he continued to grow exponentially with each passing year.

He possessed an older brother named Mudu who had watched over him kindly until his abrupt departure one day.

This event triggered internal friction within the family clan, and subsequent arguments surrounding the Byrdantis succession crisis years later had deeply distressed several relatives, leading them to question the continued manufacturing of armaments.

“I am utterly exhausted of this! Utilizing the creations of my own hands to slaughter our kindred!”

“I forged swords for the sake of defense, not destruction!”

“Yet if we cease production, how do we intend to endure?”

“Can anyone guarantee those very blades will not turn against us one day? What if my own children are pierced by steel bearing my mark…!”

“Though we proclaimed our intent was merely to forge the finest armaments, the truth is, *hic*…”

Even the village leader himself felt his once-fervent dedication steadily fading.

“I am unworthy to hold the title of chief. Sob!”

He had even broken down into tearful lamentations under the influence.

‘Acquiring this much insight into his personal affairs was never my explicit goal.’

At any rate, he had gathered all available lore extractable via strong drink.

While Baldodum continued his melancholic recounting, Lion slowly stood up from his bench.

The onlookers stared in absolute disbelief at his completely unblemished composure.

“Incredible!”

“My word, he holds his liquor remarkably well! Truly remarkable!”

“Is this young master entirely reckless? That brew is notorious for brutal hangovers!”

『 Achievement ‘Drunken Master’ unlocked 』

-Resistance probability against various status afflictions increases by 3.

The recognition was earned entirely as a byproduct of the evening.

“I must be departing now. Allow me to assist you back.”

“Puuuuuh……”

Fighting through a swirling haze, Baldodum drew a ragged breath and staggered to his feet.

The tavernkeeper regarded him with a gaze of profound pity.

“It has been quite some time since I witnessed him in such a state. Put this on his running tab.”

“What nonsense are you uttering… I, I have not been defeated yet… a tab…”

Mumbling incoherently, Baldodum was ultimately forced to exit the establishment while leaning heavily upon Lion.

Or rather, that was the initial plan, but…

“Grrr!”

The burden proved too immense for Lion to manage alone.

Barely a few paces forward, Baldodum’s legs buckled completely, rendering Lion unable to sustain his weight!

‘This is an entirely unforeseen complication.’

Lion mused, nearly crushed beneath the bulk of the towering dwarf.

Just as he seriously weighed the option of summoning Elviana, the designated coachman…

“Require assistance?”

A flat, level voice broke the quiet.

—

“Grrr……”

Giant’s Baldodum clutched his pounding temples and gradually hauled himself upright.

He retained zero recollection of how he had managed to return to his quarters.

As far as his memory served… he had engaged in a drinking duel with some visiting young master.

Hm…

Hm…

Scattered fragments surfaced in his mind, but no matter how intensely he concentrated, the sequence of events remained entirely obscured.

It felt as though specific portions of his memory had been cleanly excised alongside the alcohol.

Yet, what was this sensation?

He felt strangely rejuvenated…

“Eh?”

Now that he noticed, his eyelids felt heavy and swollen.

Could it be that I wept?

Myself?

At that precise second, his eyes shot wide open and his entire frame bolted upright.

Followed instantly by…

“Ugh!”

The severe penalty for overindulgence made itself known.

Clapping a hand over his mouth, Baldodum scrambled desperately toward the washroom.

After purging his stomach contents entirely without a second thought for who else might be present within the dwelling…

“Ah. You are finally awake.”

He discovered the very same young master from the previous evening peacefully partaking of fruit inside his own home.

And further…

“Wait, Father? Mother?”

His paternal figure, with whom he had exchanged no words following a fierce dispute regarding settlement policies, sat nearby actively peeling fruit with calloused hands, while his mother beamed warmly as she offered refreshments.

He stared open-mouthed at the surreal tableau.

……For what reason?

Why on earth is that young master present here?

Why are my parents treating him with such hospitality?

And most crucially…

“This tastes exceptionally good.”

“Oh, I am so pleased. Do help yourself to more! Hohoho!”

How is that young master managing to integrate himself with such shameless ease?

Rooted to the spot in utter bewilderment, Baldodum observed the scene before tentatively speaking up.

“What on earth transpired here?”

“When you collapsed from drink, this esteemed visitor was kind enough to carry you home.”

His father answered in his stead while continuing his task with thick, practiced fingers.

“Ugh……”

I have truly created a monumental mess.

For a dwarf to succumb to alcohol is disgraceful enough, let alone dragging an outsider directly into a quarantined settlement.

Without a doubt, the former village chief—his father—would subject him to severe reprimands…

“Please refrain from treating him too harshly. My drinking habits are entirely responsible for his state.”

“Hoho. Is that so?”

“……Pardon?”

The expected scolding never arrived.

Instead, the issue was smoothed over entirely.

“Our esteemed visitor appears to possess an impressive capacity for spirits as well.”

“Haha, I wouldn’t go that far. I merely had good fortune on my side.”

While Baldodum gaped stupidly at Lion’s easy conversation, the visitor casually tossed an object in his direction.

“Catch.”

“Huh?”

“It is a remedy tailored for hangovers, so consume it all at once.”

It was precisely a Hangover Relief Potion.

“Does a potion of this nature truly exist?”

Though slightly skeptical, he sensed no underlying malice. Without further hesitation, Baldodum downed the liquid in a single motion.

Ssssh…

An immediate wave of vitality washed over his system, soothing the lingering aches left by the alcohol.

Simultaneously, his throbbing headache and blurred vision cleared completely!

“……The efficacy of this is astounding.”

This visitor was evidently a far more formidable individual than he had initially estimated.

“Wh-what precisely occurred while I was unconscious?”

Prompted by his inquiry, his mother extended an open palm to reveal a small item.

“This is…!”

He could never fail to identify it.

It was an artifact he had crafted entirely by his own hands during his early youth.

The piece was crudely shaped and bore the clear marks of aging, yet remarkably, not a single speck of rust marred its surface.

It appeared as though someone had dedicated meticulous care to its maintenance.

As the realization struck, both his physical form and thoughts froze stiff.

Because a long-buried memory rushed to the surface.

“Brother! Must you truly depart? Or at least permit me to accompany you.”

“Little sibling. You are the sole person capable of guiding this settlement forward.”

He recalled a distant era when his face had yet to sprout a proper beard.

It was the exact day his older brother Mudu set out in pursuit of his ambitions.

“Then, I ask that you keep this token at the very least.”

He had surrendered a ring fashioned at a time when he could not yet handle a forging hammer with proper skill.

It was so misshapen it barely qualified as jewelry, featuring rough edges where he had neglected proper filing.

“Whenever you grow homesick, you must return using this ring as your guide! You must promise!”

More than ten years had elapsed since Mudu walked out of the settlement carrying that token.

Naturally, Mudu never reappeared; and though his family felt the acute absence, they gradually allowed the memory to fade.

Assuming he had merely carved out a comfortable existence elsewhere, they mentioned him only on rare occasions.

Why should that very item be present here…

“Surely not.”

Could some misfortune have befallen his elder brother?

“Quiet yourself, stop wallowing, and come sit over here.”

Fortunately, such fears proved unfounded.

At his father’s instruction, Baldodum moved awkwardly to take a seat.

He complied, yet…

“……”

A protracted silence descended upon the room.

The atmosphere remained heavy with tension.

Stemming directly from the bitter arguments he had traded with his parents over current events.

Naturally, common sense dictated that he ought to offer an apology first…

Yet the appropriate phrasing simply refused to form.

Apologizing felt hollow while the core dispute remained entirely unresolved.

Nevertheless.

“I was in the wrong.”

An unexpected declaration broke the quiet.

Baldodum, who had kept his gaze fixed downward, snapped his head upward in surprise.

“Pardon?”

“I have heard the full account. Of how heavily the burden has weighed upon your shoulders.”

Baldodum’s complexion flushed a vivid crimson.

It became immediately apparent that he had relayed every detail of his drunken venting to his family.

Mortification washed over him.

Yet… perhaps deep down, hearing those words spoken aloud was precisely what he craved.

Baldodum, beneath his rugged exterior, possessed an exceedingly tender disposition.

“Recognizing how demanding external pressures can be—far better than anyone else given my tenure as former chief—I was far too uncompromising with you.”

“……No, Father. The core issues remain entirely unaddressed, *cough*.”

Baldodum responded in a subdued tone, fighting back a prickle of emotion.

“The consensus among our settlement’s artisans has yet to be unified.”

“Ah, regarding that specific matter. You need fret no longer.”

“……Is that so?”

The veteran craftsman stroked his graying beard, releasing a hearty, resonant laugh for the first time in many seasons.

“Our village smiths experienced a profound resurgence of inspiration upon viewing Mudu’s old possessions.”

“Inspiration?”

Could it be attributed to the visitor’s blade?

“Step outside this moment and witness it for yourself.”

Hesitating briefly, Baldodum stepped out through the doorway to inspect the wider area.

Whereupon profound shock claimed him.

intense wave of radiant heat surged outward from the smithing quarters—a stark contrast to the typically chill climate of the dwarf settlement!

“Wh-what is the meaning of this?”

Completely at a loss for how the situation had shifted so dramatically.

Baldodum hurried back indoors to confront Lion.

“What exactly did you accomplish here?”

Lion, who had observed the entire exchange with quiet amusement, gave a slight shrug of his shoulders.

“I accomplished nothing out of the ordinary. Simply…”

He revealed Mudu’s old set of artisan tools.

A fresh spark of creativity.

That constituted the true offering Lion had delivered to this place.