Never Mind the Heir, I’ll Focus on Healing

The millionth blacksmith grasped hands with a slightly uneasy expression.

There was no other way.

The Fire Spirit.

The descendants of the dwarves had a unique ability to sense the presence of Fire Spirits.

But that was all.

Since dwarves had almost no affinity with spirits, communication was fundamentally impossible.

All they could do was locate a Fire Spirit, work on their craft in that place, and forge metal.

That was precisely why the millionth blacksmith settled in Asteria territory and took root in the forge.

Because nowhere else had Fire Spirits with flames as strong as here!

As he continued working in this place, he met the woman he loved, had two children, and even built the forge into the largest and most renowned one in the region.

But over the past few years, the flames had begun to weaken.

So far, he had managed to maintain the quality of his work through sheer skill, but small problems had begun appearing in the items crafted by the other blacksmiths.

At this rate, the Fire Spirit would lose its strength, and they would be forced to rely on artificial fire for forging.

Of course, forging with artificial fire wasn’t impossible…

But there was a fundamental difference between ordinary fire and flames created by a spirit.

‘If it comes to that, we won’t be able to produce high-quality items anymore.’

If they couldn’t maintain the same level of craftsmanship as before, it was inevitable that the forge would decline.

However, they couldn’t just hire a Spirit Master—there were only a handful in the entire continent, let alone the Empire.

Nor could they go searching for the nearly extinct elves.

That was why he had been wracking his brain lately…

He cast a sideways glance.

The millionth blacksmith looked at the blank expression on the young man’s face, unable to tell what he was thinking.

Leon had been standing by the furnace, mumbling something to himself.

Wasn’t it hot?

As a descendant of the great dwarves, the blacksmith was immune to fire, but ordinary humans usually struggled to endure the heat before getting used to it.

‘But this guy…’

A weirdo. Leon Asteria.

Just as the rumors said, he looked frail and sickly pale.

If the blacksmith hadn’t witnessed it himself, he would have never imagined that this man could solve the problem.

But he had seen it with his own eyes.

Leon Asteria staring directly at the core of the flame!

This eccentric could see the Fire Spirit.

And most likely, he could even communicate with it.

Just look at him now.

“Oh, so if I give you that….”

Wasn’t he talking to himself again?

No doubt he was conversing with the Fire Spirit.

‘He can definitely solve this.’

Or at the very least, he would be able to pinpoint the exact problem.

That was why the blacksmith had proposed such an extraordinary deal.

No matter what orders came in, he would fulfill Leon’s first.

Of course, he had his own reasons for doing so.

‘What could a noble from a magical family possibly want from a blacksmith?’

At most, he would ask for one or two interesting items to be made.

If it meant fixing the Fire Spirit, he was willing to do that much.

“So, what exactly did the Spirit say was the problem?”

As Leon finished his mumbling and approached, the blacksmith asked.

Leon answered nonchalantly.

“It said it’s thirsty.”

“…The Fire Spirit?”

“Spirits are living beings too.”

Well, technically, they were. They were born and they perished, so they were a form of life.

But they weren’t a normal kind of life, were they?

Would it really be okay to give a Fire Spirit water?

“So we just bring it water?”

“Tsk. What happens when you pour water on fire?”

But it said it was thirsty!

“Then what do you suggest?!”

“Calm down. We have to give it something it can actually drink.”

“……”

At that moment, the millionth blacksmith realized something.

Talking to this guy would inevitably make him feel like an idiot.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything.”

“…Fine. Just solve the problem, you crazy bastard.”

Then, he could have whatever he wanted, be it a masterpiece or anything else.

“Really?”

“Yeah. Really.”

The millionth blacksmith muttered absentmindedly.

Leon definitely heard it.

And he grinned.

Gotcha.

* * *

Late at night, after all the blacksmiths, including Mudu, had returned home.

“Even here, I’m working overtime.”

Despite his words, Leon’s expression seemed oddly cheerful.

There was a difference between voluntary and involuntary overtime.

“You’ve been waiting long, haven’t you?”

Leon spoke to the weakened furnace.

[A Lesser Spirit is expressing thirst.]

[Due to prolonged labor, the Lesser Spirit’s essence is drying up.]

[Please quench the Lesser Spirit’s thirst!]

“Alright. I’ll make it for you now.”

Leon began taking out the materials he had prepared.

Right now, the Lesser Spirit was suffering from dehydration.

Normally, just maintaining the fire in a forge wouldn’t be enough to exhaust a spirit.

But this was the largest forge in Asteria territory.

And ever since the talented dwarven blacksmith settled here, the number of commissions had skyrocketed.

Which meant the fire had to keep burning constantly.

‘It must have said it was thirsty, but…’

Unfortunately, the dwarves couldn’t understand the Spirit’s words at all, and this Fire Spirit was too weak to properly communicate its will.

Even now, direct communication was impossible.

‘Still, at least I figured out the problem.’

And fortunately, it was a solvable one.

Leon opened his inventory and took out an herb.

[Aqua Rosemary]

-Unlike regular rosemary, it has a strong scent of the sea.

-Eating it raw gives the sensation of swallowing seawater.

Yes. The Aqua Rosemary potion was what he needed.

Leon looked at the wave-like leaves of the herb.

The basic description said it tasted salty when eaten raw, but the cooking recipe told a different story.

[Aqua Rosemary Oil Recipe]

-Required ingredients: Aqua Rosemary x1, Oil x1

-Instantly replenishes lost moisture with an overwhelming sense of freshness!

-Enhances the flavor of meat dishes.

If processed into oil, the salty taste disappeared, leaving behind a refreshing quality.

In other words, it became a drinkable substance for the Fire Spirit.

Because it was oil!

‘Didn’t Mudu say I could use whatever I wanted here?’

Luckily, all the basic cooking tools were available.

Leon immediately placed the Aqua Rosemary and oil into a mortar and began grinding them together.

As the oil absorbed the herb, the scent of seawater faded, replaced by a cool, ocean breeze-like aroma.

He then wrapped the mixture in a cloth and squeezed out the pure oil into a small dish.

A small dish filled with oil…

[Asteria Aqua Rosemary Oil]

-It’s not quite a proper dish yet. Feels more like something an alchemist would create.

-It has a refreshing aroma.

-Surprisingly, consuming it slightly quenches thirst.

[Usage – Food, Potion]

[☞ Click here to view the recipe.]

It wasn’t anything extraordinary, but for a Lesser Spirit, it was enough.

And thanks to his talent in potion-making, it even had slight potion-like properties.

Leon picked up the gathered oil and approached the furnace, slowly drizzling the oil in.

As soon as the fire met the oil, the weakened flames roared back to life…

[The Lesser Spirit’s thirst is partially quenched.]

[The Fire Spirit’s attribute perfectly aligns with the Aqua Rosemary Oil!]

[The Spirit’s thirst has not been completely satisfied yet.]

It was the right answer.

His experience with In the World, a game that demanded unique creativity, was paying off.

“Alright, alright. I’ll make more for you.”

Leon smiled in satisfaction and continued making more oil.

As the refreshing scent spread through the forge, filling even the nearby houses…

[A new talent awakens as you create materials from simple ingredients!]

[New Talent: Cooking]

[Cooking Proficiency – Apprentice Lv.1]

A notification appeared, signaling a new talent.

At the same time—

Whoosh!

The spirit released flames on a completely different level than before.

[The Lesser Spirit’s thirst has been fully quenched.]

[The Spirit’s essence has been completely restored.]

[The Spirit is grateful.]

[Spirit Communication proficiency has increased by 30%.]

“No need to thank me.”

Honestly, all he did was follow a known solution—nothing too difficult.

Besides, he gained a huge reward.

A new talent had awakened on its own, without needing to be purchased.

‘This means I can acquire not just blacksmithing-related talents, but others as well.’

The more talents, the better.

And if it was cooking…

‘I might finally get to use those seasonings from the Shilling Shop.’

That meant he could create dishes that didn’t exist in this world.

Like kimchi stew, for example.

“Damn, just thinking about it is making me hungry.”

Leon clutched his growling stomach and looked up at the sky.

At some point, dawn had broken.

And from a distance…

“You crazy bastard! You did it!”

Mudu came running, shouting loud enough to wake the entire village.

Seeing that he was still wearing the same clothes as yesterday, it was obvious he hadn’t slept all night, worried about the Spirit.

“Huff, huff… Damn, I really need to cut down on drinking.”

Leon gently patted the panting Mudu on the shoulder.

“Huh…?”

Mudu flinched instinctively.

Something about Leon’s expression and aura was unsettling.

What was he about to ask for?

Could it be… was he going to demand the Spirit itself?!

“A hoe.”

“Huh?”

“We agreed to make it together. The sickle and the hoe.”

“Oh… oh! Right, but you…”

You have a nosebleed.

As Leon wiped his nose with a hand, he saw the blood dripping.

“Ah, it’s just from staying up all night. No big deal.”

No big deal?!

What did that make Mudu, then?

Wasn’t he just a lazy dwarf who forced the frail firstborn of the Asteria family to pull an all-nighter?!

“…Fine. I’ll make the hoe. And the sickle too.”

“Great. Let’s start right away.”

“…No, first, you need to rest.”

“The sickle too.”

“Fine! I’ll make whatever you want! Just get some damn rest! Hey, someone help—wait, you’re already asleep?”

Mudu sighed, looking at Leon, who had dozed off while half-standing.

He had no choice but to carry him back home.

“Honey, what’s going on—oh my!”

Mudu’s wife gasped when she saw him walk in with Leon slung over his back, his legs dragging along the ground.

It was only natural.

* * *

Leon woke to the morning sun and the chirping of birds.

Creak.

He sat up in a bed that wasn’t from a noble’s mansion, but a plain one used by commoners.

“Oh, you’re awake, young master!”

“Mm…”

“My husband told me you worked hard last night. This place may not be as comfortable as the manor, but I’ve prepared warm water, so please wash up and eat first.”

Now that he noticed, a delicious aroma was filling the air.

A peaceful morning.

Leon tied back his long hair, following his instincts to freshen up and sit at the dining table.

And then…

Two small children peeked at him from behind a wall, their eyes sparkling.

Ah, now he understood.

This was Mudu’s house.