Never Mind the Heir, I’ll Focus on Healing

“I don’t think of it as suffering. Rather, you, brother, have it much—”

“You’re the one working hard for the family in my place. And besides, it’s always harder to just stand by and watch someone who’s in pain.”

“…I really don’t think of it as suffering. And I’ve never once blamed you for it. Besides, there are many people in the territory who have it much worse than I do, and I have a duty to take care of them. But…”

Richel hesitated before continuing.

“Yes. To be honest, I’m a little envious of you right now, brother. You have something I don’t.”

As soon as he revealed his true feelings, Richel quickly added an excuse.

“But that doesn’t mean I’m dissatisfied with my position. I’ll continue to do my best…”

“Good. That’s all that matters.”

Leon gave Richel a few more pats on the back.

‘He’s still just a kid.’

Richel was even younger than Leon remembered.

A grandson resembling Patrick. A once-in-a-lifetime genius.

But beneath all that, he was still just a child with lingering sensitivity.

Or perhaps, it was that very sensitivity that made him all the more pure.

Sitting together in the dark forest, with nothing but the fire between them, the barriers between them seemed to melt away. They sat there, talking until the sun began to set.

Their conversation ranged from trivial small talk to more significant matters—like how Silvia, the head maid, had finally decided to retire, and the upcoming coming-of-age ceremony.

And just as their conversation and the crackling fire both began to die down…

Richel hesitated for a moment before carefully asking.

“Brother… If I get the chance, can I come here again?”

“Of course. Whenever you need a break, you can come here. And…”

Leon made sure to completely extinguish the remaining embers before adding,

“You’re at an age where you can afford to be a little more reckless. If you don’t feel like studying sometimes, just do whatever your heart tells you to.”

It might have sounded like unnecessary meddling, but if there was one thing Leon had learned in both his past and present life, it was this:

If you have something you want to do, you should do it.

Otherwise, you’ll just burn yourself out.

‘He must really hate studying.’

“…Thank you so much, brother!”

Hearing Leon’s permission, Richel smiled in relief.

It was a warm and peaceful evening.

* * *

Just as Richel had mentioned, Silvia had indeed decided to retire and came to see Leon.

It was a shame that his grandfather had been rejected, but Silvia truly seemed happy, so Leon set aside his regrets and let her go.

After that, life continued as usual.

He collected herbs and ingredients, leveled up, and earned achievements.

Though he didn’t receive as many achievement notifications as last time, he still managed to save up quite a bit of shillings.

[You currently have a total of 71,500 shillings.]

On top of that, his relationship with his younger brother had improved significantly. Richel started visiting Mimir Forest every few days, leaving no room for boredom.

Everything was going smoothly.

…Or so he thought.

One day.

“I am Elvia, and I will be serving you from today onward, Young Master.”

A new maid arrived.

The woman, who introduced herself as Elvia, greeted him politely with a smile.

But… what was this strange sense of unease?

‘Huh?’

Something clicked in Leon’s mind.

His grandfather’s insistence on hiring a higher-ranked maid. Silvia’s retirement.

And now, this woman, Elvia, who carried a similar aura to Silvia.

‘Hmm…’

He could guess the reason.

But so what?

People were people, and everyone had their own stories.

As long as she behaved herself here, that was all that mattered.

“I look forward to working with you, Elvia.”

“Yes, please call on me whenever you need anything.”

“Will do. Oh, and… thanks.”

“…?”

Elvia tilted her head slightly, as if she didn’t quite understand.

“Thanks to you, I’ve gotten closer to my brother.”

“I apologize, Young Master, but I don’t quite understand.”

“I’m a bit of an oddball.”

Leon summed it up in one word before rising from his seat.

“…Then, please call me if you need anything.”

Silvia—no, Elvia—smiled once more before vanishing into the darkness.

‘A descendant of the dwarves, a spirit… and now a witch? No big deal.’

Nothing surprised him anymore.

Leon shrugged and left the room.

Today, he was supposed to go out into town with Richel.

Richel had said there was something he really wanted to do together.

What could it be?

* * *

At that moment.

Richel Asteria sat with his characteristic cold expression, slowly tapping his fingers on the table.

Spending time with his older brother was always meaningful.

Eating delicious snacks, watching his brother gather herbs over his shoulder—

Even though he merely sat there and received everything, he felt a strange sense of comfort and security.

There was nothing bad about the situation.

However…

“……Haah.”

A deep sigh escaped Richel’s lips.

Even so, his heart felt heavy.

And the reason was none other than his brother.

Leon Asteria.

Perhaps because he had more time to spend with his brother and could observe him up close, he felt it even more acutely.

His brother’s condition.

“No matter how he climbs the forest every single day…”

His stamina didn’t improve.

Logically, it was impossible. A person’s stamina should naturally increase the more they moved.

Especially for someone who couldn’t sense mana—it should be even more evident.

And yet, strangely, Leon’s stamina seemed to be deteriorating instead.

‘As expected, it’s the aftereffects of mana shock.’

Healing mages and physicians had examined him and declared there was nothing wrong, but that wasn’t true.

“…Should he get checked by a priest after all?”

A priest.

Unlike mages who pursued truth through mana, priests sought enlightenment through their faith.

For priests, who awakened divine power, and mages, who awakened through mana shock, there was an invisible line separating them.

The Asteria family, a renowned magical household, was no exception.

Fifty years ago, during the war against the demons, they had temporarily cooperated with the previous archbishop, the saintess, to fight a common enemy. But once the war ended, they immediately went their separate ways.

That fact was telling.

Even if the eldest son were sick, they would never take him to the temple for treatment.

‘Besides, the Lord doesn’t seem to care much about Brother.’

It was obvious that Leon had never been shown to a priest.

Because being the eldest son didn’t grant him any special privileges.

If anything, he was treated more harshly.

Patrick would have beaten his chest in frustration if he heard such accusations, but public perception was what it was.

Especially Richel—he was convinced that the Lord was neglecting his brother.

After all, that was his nature, and he was always busy handling external affairs.

However…

‘This isn’t good.’

Leon might try to hide it behind his usual eccentric mannerisms and expressions, but his pale cheeks and perpetually exhausted eyes were not those of a healthy man.

He could collapse at any moment.

‘At this rate, he’ll be bedridden before the upcoming adulthood ceremony.’

And… perhaps,

This time, he might not get back up.

Richel clenched his eyes shut.

Unlike in the past, when he had been indifferent, now he couldn’t help but feel overwhelming concern for his brother.

Of course, if Leon heard this, he would probably excuse it by saying he had stayed up all night making potions…

But unfortunately, Richel wasn’t buying it.

‘I have to take action.’

It was only natural that, after brooding over it, Richel reached this conclusion.

The problem was that he still wasn’t in a position where he could wield the family’s power as he wished.

However—who was Richel Asteria?

A prodigy, rumored to be either the successor to Patrick or even someone who could surpass him.

He wasn’t bragging, but he was intelligent.

It didn’t take him long to devise a plan.

A way to get his brother examined by a priest without anyone in the estate or the temple finding out.

And today was the day to put that plan into motion.

Knock, knock.

Just as he was lost in thought, Leon entered Richel’s room.

“Brother, you’re here early!”

The cold rigidity in Richel’s face melted away.

“It’s the day we agreed to volunteer. I couldn’t be late.”

“Right. It’s a good thing.”

Richel smiled warmly, clenching his fists behind his back.

Volunteering.

Richel had started by considering the easiest way for a commoner to meet a priest.

The answer was simple: charity work.

Priests fundamentally had a strong desire to help others, and their doctrine encouraged acts of service.

By participating in volunteer work, they could naturally form connections with the clergy.

If they became familiar with a priest through these efforts, Richel could subtly bring up his brother’s condition.

Of course, they had to hide their identities first…

‘That won’t be a problem.’

He knew the perfect place for that.

So today was all about laying the groundwork for their volunteer work.

Smiling, Richel left the room with Leon.

Yes. If there were no direct connections, he would start from the bottom and climb his way up.

It was slow, but it was the most reliable method.

‘Brother, just trust me.’

Richel made up his mind.

He would ensure Leon Asteria could live a long, happy life.

And if that wasn’t possible—

At the very least… he wanted to create as many memories for his brother as Leon had given him.

“……”

Of course, Leon had no way of knowing about Richel’s firm resolve.

He simply looked at Richel with slight confusion.

He seemed to be in a good mood today?

Leon didn’t think much of it.

He had time to spare anyway, and volunteering was a meaningful activity, so he had agreed to tag along.

Wasn’t it admirable?

Most people born with privilege never even glanced at those beneath them.

Especially in a world where social classes were clearly divided between commoners and nobles.

‘He really has the qualities of a great lord.’

Sharp and logical when working, yet warmhearted when helping others—

The ideal model of a noble leader.

‘And it’s a great opportunity for me too.’

In his past life, Leon had been too busy just trying to survive, never once having the luxury to volunteer or donate.

“So, where are we heading first?”

Leon asked, and Richel answered with conviction.

“First, we’ll buy some items for disguises. We don’t want to cause unnecessary misunderstandings.”

“Oh.”

Not a bad idea.

It was true that, at a glance, Leon and Richel hardly looked like commoners.

Well-groomed hair, fine clothing, hands without callouses—

And most of all, their unmistakable violet eyes, practically announcing, We’re members of House Asteria.

“You mean we’re buying commoners’ clothes?”

“Huh?”

“That’s a good idea. The clothing is the biggest issue, after all.”

“…Ah, no need to worry about that, Brother.”

Richel smiled at Leon.

“We’re not going to a clothing store—we’re going to a magic artifact shop.”

“….”

Those existed?