Nurturing the Hero to Avoid Death-Chapter 35.1: Six Years Later

translator: mii

editor: ASplashofMusic, Sleepchaser

I spread out a map of the village onto the large workbench in my “Research and Development room” on the church’s second floor.

Soft sunlight shines through the window. The wind that blows in is slightly warm.

When I look out the window, I can see the spring scenery. Floating in the pale blue sky are fluffy and thin clouds, the sight easy on the eyes. The mountain in the distance and the leaves of the trees in the garden are also a soft green.

Around half a month later, it will be cherry blossom season, or rose blossom season, as they are called in this world. The season when they’ll be in full bloom.

When the village had its first snowfall in many years at the end of last year, the Holy Maiden Efa came to this village. Thanks to her arrival, I can confirm that the situation is still in line with the game scenario I know.

…Except for one irregularity.

It may not be an exaggeration to call it an abnormal situation. However, it’s not caused by me but by the Goddess.

She’s probably the same as me. Since “that day” is inching closer and closer, she can’t stay calm anymore. Or at least that’s what I think, but…

Is this… really okay? To tell a native inhabitant of this world about the future… Won’t that be too problematic?

Sure, any person, or goddess at this point, can make mistakes. But viewing her actions from the sideline makes my stomach cramp and hurt so much.

And the source of all the trouble I’ve been experiencing is currently…

…sitting across from me, leisurely drinking his tea.

The knight with dazzling dawn-colored eyes picks up a nut cookie from the plate and throws it into his mouth. He slowly chews it to savor the taste, then once again brings the teacup to his mouth with a smile.

Looking at his too-relaxed state, I absolutely can’t imagine him to be the strongest knight that will become the protagonist’s companion at the end of his journey.

Who can believe that when you look at him right now? No one, that’s who.

Even I, who knows his identity, question myself sometimes. His leisurely manner reminds me of an old man who likes to bask in the sun on the porch.

Sure, this village is a leisurely, relaxed place. But with the situation we’re in, we can’t afford to be too relaxed.

Be more serious!! For real!!

I don’t know if he can hear the scream in my heart, but Schwede looks up and says, “Lian-dono. This tea is delicious. This cookie is fragrant and flavorful too. Where did you buy them?”

I rest a hand on the desk to support my body that is about to collapse. So my scream didn’t reach him, huh…

“…I bought it at Mother Walnut. It’s a confectionery shop in town. Their most popular cookie is the Crunchy Walnut Cookie. This shop has very delicious pastries, especially their cookies.”

That’s why every time I visit the town, I buy their sweets in bulk before going home if I still have the time. They’re also very popular with the kids.

Their special Honey Nut Tart is also quite exquisite. Only 50 pieces are sold every day. The cookie dough is crispy and not too sweet. It contains crunchy nuts, honey, and nut paste cream and is baked with perfect control. It’s a popular product that always sells out at around noon.

I get a sudden urge to eat it just thinking about it. Let’s buy some next time.

“Ohh! Is that so? Then I definitely want to go there! Lian-dono, if it’s fine with you, can you show me the way when you have time?”

“Uhh… ah, sure… I don’t really mind…”

Schwede turns to me with a bright and satisfied smile. His excitement appears to genuinely come from the bottom of his heart. “Ah, really?! Thank you very much. Hehe, I’m looking forward to it.”

I manage to fake a smile in response.

…Ah, seriously. It’s been more than a month since this knight came to this village. It’s like… he has completely adapted or even assimilated with the laid-back atmosphere of this village…

Just a few days ago, I even caught him helping the uncles, aunties, and kids tread the wheat on the village’s wheat field with a happy expression on his face. I thought I saw wrong for a moment, but it really was him. I had to turn around and look at him twice to be sure, but it was really him.

Who would even believe that he’s the Knight of the Sword of the famed pair of matchless knights within the Fortuna Church? The same person standing beside the archbishop who all of the cathedral knights look up to with admiration and reverence?!

Look at him treading wheat with the villagers as he’s singing the wheat-treading song!! And complete with a straw hat and a towel around his neck too!! He’s even covered with soil and wheat!!

After seeing that, I rubbed my eyes a few times, shocked by how well he had adapted. Too well.

…The archbishop definitely shouldn’t know about this. I can’t even bear to show this to him. He’s going to be angry.

At me!!

I can imagine him coldly blaming me, “What have you done to my precious knight?!” That sounds really scary.

“What’s wrong, Lian-dono? Your complexion doesn’t look very good… Are you alright?”

“N-no! I’m fine. You don’t have to worry.”

“Is that so…? If you don’t feel very well, please don’t push yourself and take a rest. You shouldn’t overdo it. Marie-sama also told me that you tend to work too much, Lian-dono. it’s important to get the rest that you deserve, okay? It’s important to set aside some time for relaxation.”

As I watch Schwede pour another cup of tea from the teapot into his cup, nodding with a very serious look, I suddenly feel so tired and press a hand against my forehead.

Well… I can see that he’s a good person. He worries and cares about Marie, me, and the others.

Not only is he helping Marie, but he’s also the helper that the Goddess sent here because she worries about the villagers’ and my fated death.

Perhaps due to his professional background, he’s very knowledgeable on how to deal with monsters. He’s also an adult who doesn’t go into a panic easily.

He also knows a lot of things about the world because he has often travelled to various countries for an expedition. And every time I ask him about something I don’t understand, he answers me very politely without looking annoyed at all. Even if they’re just unimportant questions.

I’m grateful that such a person came for me since I can really count on him.

I’m certainly grateful, but…

…Since he’s an important person whose actions influence the storyline, I can’t help wondering whether this is really okay. Happiness, relief, worry, and doubt whirl and mix into an unshakeable complex feeling within me.

…This is so tiring.

The sound of a cup being placed on the table snaps me out of my thoughts. I raise my head.

Schwede is looking at the map. After scanning everything, he smiles. “I’m always impressed every time I look at this map. I can see that you have put a lot of thought and hard work on these various countermeasures, Lian-dono.”

I shake my head. “That’s… It’s not that impressive.” Anyone will work hard if their life is at stake.

I also lower my eyes onto the map.

This map on the desk is something I made especially for me.

There, I’ve drawn the completed demon countermeasure devices and fences, the shelters, the evacuation routes, the infrastructures that I plan to construct and their corresponding schedules, memos, etc.

I’ve also written my predictions on which paths the demon flocks will take toward the village and also on their possible movements after coming into contact with the installed demon countermeasure equipment. I can’t show this map to anyone else other than those I’ve authorized to do so. I treat it as highly classified.

So besides me, only my collaborators who know about the situation, Marie and Schwede, are allowed to see it.

“Since you’ve done all of this, I’m sure it will be alright. We should be able to overcome that day.”

With my eyes still on the map, I sigh.

“I hope so… Personally, I still think that this isn’t enough. Not enough at all…”

I don’t think I can feel assured at all. I simply can’t agree with Schwede’s previous words. Not yet.

…Someone smarter than me would have been able to come up with a lot more measures that are more efficient and effective.

But the reality is that there’s only me here.

I understand that there’s no point in thinking about what-ifs. They’re meaningless.

So I’m going to do as much as I can, as much as the time allows. I believe that’s the best choice I can make right now.