Nurturing the Hero to Avoid Death-Chapter 24.5

Translator: mii

Editors: sleepchaser, ASplashofMusic

“…Brother. What brings you here?”

“Why are you asking me that? I came to see my precious and cute Lian of course! Also, there’s still some time until the party begins. Why don’t you take a walk with me until then!”

I don’t want to. I don’t feel like leaving this room.

“I’m sorry. Grandfather asked me to meet him, so I can’t take a walk with you.”

“Ehh?! That damned grandfather…” he grumbles.

I haven’t allowed Lian’s brother to open the door, but he does it anyway. And I can see that he has already worn his suit.

“Lia—Woah!” says Lian’s brother, widening his eyes in shock.

I knew it. Even this perverted brother is disgusted. Well, of course he is. But maybe he can now graduate from his brother complex. It’s already encroaching dangerous areas.

“A-A fairy!!” he exclaimed.

Just like usual, his words are incomprehensible to me. But I guess he’s talking about these fancy clothes. To be wearing a fairy costume at this age… It’s too painful of a thought.

Lian’s brother staggers toward me, his breathing rushed and his hands extended and visibly trembling. His eyes turn bloodshot, and his face flushes deep red.

I take a step back in fright. His current appearance reminds me of a zombie.

Lian’s brother’s eyes seem to be devouring every inch of my body. “Remarkable… Simply remarkable… The outfit gives you a stoic, noble image when standing, but its soft hues also enhance your sweetness and divinity. A modest and elegant innocence, yet somehow with a sense of sexiness…” His breathing grows even heavier. “Ah, my chest feels like it’s about to explode… As expected from Grandfather. He really understands your good points. He did so splendidly, choosing these clothes for you…”

His words sound like gibberish to me, but I can just sense that he’s saying something disgusting!

I retreat a few more steps until he is a considerable distance away from me. Then I go to Alfred, holding onto his arm.

I turned to Lian’s brother. “W-well then, I’m going to Grandfather’s office now. After that, I plan to go straight to the battlefield—I mean, the venue of the party. It’s unfortunate, but see you later at the party, Brother,” I say. “Let’s go, Alfred.”

“Ah… yeah.”

Seems like his perverted display can surprise even a dry person like Alfred. At least to some degree. But that’s only natural. Even I still get surprised despite my many years of witnessing him like this.

“Ahh! L-Lian! Whyy—”

I quickly leave the room and shut the door behind me, cutting off whatever that perverted brother is trying to say.

“…Alfred.”

“What is it?”

Out of kindness, I advise, “This place… is very, very, very draining! There are so many messed up people here. That’s why you should constantly preserve your stamina. Or else, you’ll grow tired really quickly. Both physically and mentally.”

Yet Alfred only responds, “That only applies for you. I won’t get tired at all.” And I can hear inexplicable amusement in his voice.

“Is that so?”

“Yeah.” Alfred flashes me a smile. “Well, do your best.”

“…Of course I will.”

For the sake of fundraising, doing this much is a trivial matter. So yeah, I will do my best!

After walking for a while, we finally catch sight of the conspicuously big double doors to Lian’s grandfather’s private office.

As expected, two strong-looking guards in black uniforms stand upright on each side of the door, looking straight ahead, equipped with thick, long spears.

And they’re so still. Not even a twitch, making me wonder if they’re still breathing. It’s as if they’re statues.

As we approach them, their eyes turn toward us. So there goes that theory. But to see only their eyes moving, and following our every movement at that, kind of gives me the chills.

When we’re right in front of the door, Alfred turns around and raises his palm, signalling me to stop. So I do.

He then positions himself in front of me. And also right in front of the guards.

The guards focus their sharp gazes on him, but Alfred doesn’t flinch. He even glar—no, stares back at them.

This standoff continues for several seconds until the guards slightly avert their eyes for a moment.

Spotting this weakness, Alfred narrows his eyes.

…Hm.

Looks like the winner has already been decided.

As expected from a leader of delinquents who won many fights. His specialty is picking fights with other people. Though, what exactly is he doing?

“I am accompanying Lian Owen-sama.”

With slightly frustrated faces, probably due to losing to Alfred, the guards take a look at me before nodding their heads. Then one of them extends his arm to knock on the door twice.

He says, “Master. Lian Owen-sama has arrived.”

“Ohh! I see, I see! He has finally arrived! Let him enter,” a man responds from inside the room, his voice lively.

And so, the guards open the door.

After taking a deep breath, I move a step forward.

At that moment, a clash of metal sounds behind me. Surprised, I look back. The guards have extended their spears to the left and right, forming an X in front of the entrance.

In front of Alfred.

“Grandfather. He is my escort.”

“No one will harm you here. Tell him to wait outside.”

It seems like Lian’s grandfather won’t let Alfred in.

I sigh and look up to Alfred. “…Alfred. Can you wait outside for a while? You can also wait in my room.”

“Lian…” he says, looking like he wants to say something.

I flash him a smile and wave my hand at him. “I’m alright.” Then I step into the room.

It has been a long time since I last met my biggest and strongest sponsor.

I have to tread carefully to make sure I don’t ruin his mood.

Ah, this is bad. I wish I took my stomach medicine… But I forgot to. And it’s all because of that perverted brother’s sudden appearance outside of my room. Damn you, Brother.

It can’t be helped. I’ve already come this far. I have no choice but to walk forward.

Good luck, me. You are reliable in critical moments. It will be fine. You can do this.

Pressing my hand on my stomach, which is already starting to hurt, I take another deep breath.

There are many fanarts coming this week! I’m going to put them into T/N while hoping the image is not cropped aaaaa ><

The first one is from ten! They drew a cute doodle and another cute doodle! I’m using her doodle as my lock screen and stalking her twitter for days but please don’t tell her that

The second one is from Synopia! It’s a super-detailed drawing about their image of Lian's suit... dress?! LIANNNNNNNNN

And the last one is from Moss Piggy~ It’s a fanart of Alfred comforting our Lian... AAAAA WHY EVERYONE DRAW SO PRETTILY

Lian’s grandfather coming up next week! Is he good? Or bad? What does Lian even mean with sponsor??? His grandpa is his sugar granddaddy??????