Nurturing the Hero to Avoid Death - Chapter 21.3

You mean the whole thing is a misunderstanding? Since when? When did I begin to get the story wrong?

I shift my eyes to the sobbing Lian’s father, the smiling bespectacled knight, and the exhausted-looking knight who’s still blowing his nose.

My brain stops working.

I faintly remember the words of my grandpa from long ago. To avoid jumping to conclusions, I must keep a level head at all times and listen to what others have to say. That way, I won’t be thrown into a panic and have things escalate just because of a small misunderstanding.

According to the new commander, Sagez, the former sharp-eyed captain and droopy-eyed vice captain will be punished. They will also be transferred to the Border Knights squadron, which is responsible for protecting the frontier. Exactly like what Alfred told me before.

Surprisingly, that Serpentine guy is related to the royal family by blood. It’s the lowest rank of noble, but a noble nonetheless.

Then realization struck me. So that’s why he was so calm in that super luxurious hotel, huh? Since he hails from royalty, he is obviously used to such celebrity treatment.

Which makes sense why the vice captain followed his every order obediently.

The bespectacled captain, no, Captain Sagez furrows his brows in nervousness, and heaves a big sigh.

“This is a very difficult thing to say, and I feel very embarrassed requesting this, but… I hope you can keep his matter secret. It’s what my superior told me to ask you. There are already some rumors spreading around, but I hope you can comply with our request.”

“A secret?”

“Yes. In exchange, I will try to fulfill your request as long as it’s still within legal limits. That’s also what my superior ordered me to do.”

“A request…”

“Yes. Please tell me your wish. I will do everything in my power to grant it. That’s why, I hope it can calm your anger and heal your heart even if just a little… That’s also the reason why we came here in such a hurry; to fulfill your request.”

Sitting by my side, Lian’s father looks up at me.

While combing his moustache that is in disarray, he nods with a tired face.

“Once I had arrived at the capital for the end-of-year greeting and party, I got a call from the Royal Knights headquarters. I went there wondering what occurred, and it turned out to be about this matter…”

“I see… So that’s what happened, huh?” I asked.

Lian’s father glances at me, his eyes tearing up again.

”Oh, Lian… I’m really sorry… I didn’t think that person would be that horrible. They told me he had abnormal fetishes… After using that illegal aphrodisiac, he even ruthlessly raped you, so much so that your body is now akin to a tattered rag…”

“…What?”

What did you just say?

“That captain is a pervert who likes doing it rough, a guy with sadistic kinks… That droopy-eyed former vice-captain also corroborated this. How awful…. They also told me that that outrageous deviant even hurt your body and soul until nothing but tatters remained. And that… your body is not fit for marriage anymore…”

Heeeey!?

W-wait a minute!?

What the heck did the story turn into!?

“I-I just thought that if things turned out alright, it wouldn’t be too bad for you to become the favorite of the captain of the Royal Palace Knights, right? The captain has a decent appearance, his lineage is respectable, and he is rich. That’s why, I was sure you would also like him… And then, well, after both of you hit it off… we would have a connection with the royal family, a very good opportunity in fact—”

Hey, you.

This bastard… As I thought, you were scheming this behind the scene, huh? Don’t joke around.

“This guy is really trash.”

“T-the worst…!”

“Ahhh! Even the knights are glaring at me with such cold eyes…! But, but, if I knew he was such a deviant, never in my dreams would I have left my precious son in his hands…! I don’t care about how other people live their lives, but I only love my family! I’m serious, please believe meeee!!!”

Lian’s father clings to me and starts bawling again.

My head hurts so much I’m beginning to feel dizzy.

Somehow, the story of the events at that hotel took a disturbing turn.

That guy, huh?!

It must be that guy, huh?!

What is that blonde even thinking!!

There’s no doubt that this is that brat’s doing.

I told him that I was attacked, not raped, didn’t I?

My body is still pure!

Looks like this story, distorted when passed from mouth to mouth, ended up turning into a disgusting case.

What do you mean “body akin to a tattered rag?!” What the heck is “a body not fit for marriage” anyway?!

I’m still a pure virgin, okay?!

However, it’s too embarrassing to correct them, since this is such a delicate topic!!!

Otherwise, they would have me explain what happened thoroughly.

Just imagining being questioned in front of a huge audience, about how much he raped me, of whether he inserted it, or what kind of sexual play we partook in… Aaaah, I can’t bear that thought!

I would probably faint!

This is bad. Calm down, Lian.

If I panic here, I’ll lose. I’m calm. Don’t make any strange assumption again.

Let’s sort out what I have heard.

According to this bespectacled captain, Serpentine is from the royal family, so they don’t want to make this scandal public.

And the two knights in front of me received orders from their superiors to deal with me secretly, hence their arrival.

They will also grant a wish of mine as a kind of hush money.

I nod with a sigh. “…I understand. So it’s fine as long as I don’t talk to anyone about this case, right?”

The bespectacled captain smiles and nods. “Yes. It would be a great help if you could do that…. Personally, I just want to put my shitty superiors on the spot.”

“Senior…”

“But I’m glad that you can understand our circumstances. And you’re also quick-witted. Uh huh, a diamond in the rough… Lian-sama, how about it? Do you want to join us?”

I’m fed up with this whole knights business, and shake my head. “No. I want to stay here and work for this land. I don’t plan on going to the capital.” I turn to Lian’s father since the timing is just right. “It’s fine, right? Father?”

He shakes his head several times. If he still has the guts to talk about the myths and wonders of the capital, I’ll snap.

“O-of course! You don’t have to go to the capital. Just do whatever you want to do.”

“Thanks, Father.”

Yay!

Convincing Lian’s father to let me stay at the village, not to mention give up on making me work at the capital, was headache-inducing. But I managed to solve this problem. What a relief.

“I see… What a shame. It’s really unfortunate, but that ambition is also wonderful. You will surely become a great lord in the future.”

“No, my brother is the one who will be the lord. I’d rather display my capability behind the scenes..”

I don’t like standing out.

The bespectacled captain stares at me, then he shifts his gaze to Lian’s father, a smile on his lips.

“Lord Owen, you have such a good son. Humble, benevolent, aspiring, and smart. If you are not grateful and don’t take care of him, the Goddess will give you divine punishment you know?”

“Y-yes! I will keep that in mind!”

The bespectacled captain nods in satisfaction, and returns his gaze to me.

“Well then, let’s discuss about the hush money immediately.”

“Seniorrrr!! That’s too blunt! Can’t you please be a little more discreet…!!” shouted the exhausted-looking knight as he stands, to the point where his voice turns shrill.

“Whether I cover it up or not, the contents will remain the same. Isn’t that right, Lian-sama?”

“Yes.”

“E-even Lian-sama agrees…!?”

A wish, huh?

What can I ask even as for anyway──

“Ah.”

“What is it, Lian-sama?”

That’s right.

Something I can ask from the knights.

Something that only knights can do.

Another fanart by Nomadic-san! I couldn’t merge it with the post since the image size is too big, but the fanart is super pretty and cute so everyone should definitely check it out!