Nurturing the Hero to Avoid Death - Chapter 23.2

Editors: sleepchaser, ASplashofMusic

“Fram-sama, everything suits you well. Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere? Is there anything that hinders your movement?”

“Err… not really.”

“Is that so? That’s great to hear.”

Like Lowendal had done earlier, I circle Alfred once, before stopping next to Lowendal. I inspect him from head to toe and nod in satisfaction.

Hmm, looks pretty nice. I give Lowendal my approval.

And so, the Owen family has gained a strong family escort. One that regularly works during the weekends and occasionally during weekdays.

In the first place, I don’t intend to let the future hero do anything, but with how things are going, I can’t stop the disaster without making some sacrifices.

To ensure the survival of the people in the village and myself, I am willing to do anything.

I will use all the resources I have in hand, even if it’s the future hero. I won’t accept any complaints from the Goddess.

Well, she still hasn’t contacted me anyway.

That’s okay. I don’t expect anything from her in the future. Nor would I ask for her help!

In fact, I’ll just pretend that she gave me free rein to do anything.

“…Fram-sama. Please take care of Lian-sama at all costs,” says Lowendal, staring at Alfred before giving him a deep bow. “I have heard about Fram-sama’s strength on various occasions. There’s nothing more reassuring than having someone like you as Lian-sama’s escort. After all, Lian-sama can be quite dull with matters concerning himself. His calm temperament is very likeable, but his sense of crisis is practically non-existent. He insists that he doesn’t need an escort… I worry for him every day.”

“Yeah, I understand your feelings. His actions often worry others.”

“That’s right! Ah, I’m happy to find someone who can relate. Then I hope that Fram-sama will support Lian-sama from now on.”

“Got it.”

…Now they’re just saying all sorts of things about me.

“What are you talking about? I can protect myself just fine.”

I’m learning swordsmanship and magic techniques eagerly for that purpose, okay.

Alfred and Lowendal turn their heads towards me at the same time. Their eyes are narrowed and filled with reproach and doubt.

I shrink into myself, uncomfortable from their scolding gazes.

The incident involving Serpentine came to mind. Ah, I remember now. That indeed caused a great inconvenience for them… I’m sorry. I guess I really don’t have a sense of crisis. I will reflect on it.

“Please take care… of me.”

Both of them simultaneously nod.

Eh, what? Why is it 2v1? And with me on the ‘1’ side?

“Then, I’ll immediately prepare some tea. Please wait.”

Lowendal offers his usual butler-esque smile, pairing it with a perfect 45-degree bow before gracefully leaving the room.

“Ah, Alfred. The thread used for the outer jacket is imbued and reinforced with defensive magic. The jacket can block physical and magical attacks a few times. You can use it as a shield as well, so remember it!”

Due to the added magic reinforcements on the jacket, its price increased considerably, but it can be considered cheap in the long-run.

When that day comes, this will surely protect him.

It’s also imbued with deodorizing and self-cleaning magic, so Alfred doesn’t have to wash it.

This kind of lifestyle magic is really useful. By the way, my favorite book is “Super Convenient! How to Use Magic to Enrich Your Life.” Back when I borrowed it at the library, I was so impressed that I immediately bought a copy at a bookstore.

Most spell books are expensive, but that book is actually more expensive than some other popular titles. Even so, I don’t regret buying it.

Alfred crosses his arms, looking at me in amazement. “You… Don’t you think this is overkill? What am I going to fight against anyway?”

“Uhh… l-lots! Things have gotten pretty dangerous lately. Plus, we will be… inspecting the outskirts of the village and may encounter some demons. It’s better to prepare beforehand.”

“Aren’t you too prepared?”

“S-shut it! Just wear it during work! Do you understand?”

“Got it.” Alfred nods obediently.

Hmm. It’s good that you understand!

“Also, Instructor Granza will come soon,” I add.

“Granza?”

“I told you about him before, right? He’s my swordsmanship teacher. I’m having him train me for half a day every week from now on. I’ll ask him to let you join the training.”

“Me too?”

“Yes, that’s why we will be meeting Instructor Granza later. Just a simple introduction.”

Back in school, I would spend several hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays after class to temper my skill in the sword. That was my valuable and limited free time.

Thinking about it now, I find it amazing that I could endure having such a physically-taxing schedule.

But since I don’t have school anymore, it’s fine to even practice all day.

And he’s even given me a discount: the tuition is merely for half a day!

I won’t stop training my butt off until the disaster day. No matter what, I can’t allow my body to grow dull.

Not only that, I want to improve the hero’s combat power as much as possible.

“Practice…? So that’s the reason you asked me whether I have half a day free every weekday?”

“Yes. Are you okay if we train on Wednesdays from noon until evening?”

“Yeah. I’ll let you know if I’m ever too busy to make it.”

“Okay.”

I’ve asked Instructor Granza to teach us combat techniques that incorporate magic.

Instructor Granza is a veteran knight. He remained in duty for fifteen years near the southwestern border of the country, in a fort surrounded by a wall-like mountain range covered in dark forests. A dangerous demon-infested area.

Many demons that reside in those dark and desolate mountains are belligerent and ferocious. And they always seem to be hungry. Instructor Granza once fought against a three-headed demonic dragon that descended the mountain. That’s a monster three times the size of a human. Even as the other knights fell one after another, he managed to defeat it in a one-on-one fight. Amazing. His story sounds like something from “Explorer Gorgon’s Adventure.”

Instructor Granza won that life-or-death battle, but the dragon managed to bite off his left arm by the elbow. After receiving public recognition and a large monetary compensation for protecting the fort and his fellow knights, he decided to retire.

Now, in addition to living a leisurely life away from worldly affairs, he also teaches swordsmanship to the people he is fond of.

With his unquestionable skill in swordsmanship, the number of people approaching him to ask for his guidance is countless.

Well, I’m also one of those people…

“Ah, that’s right. I will say this first, Alfred. Instructor Granza is a person with definite skill, but… his personality is a little odd. Or more like… he has a weird quirk.”

“Quirk?”

“Yes. If he doesn’t like you, he’ll most likely reject you. That’s why, when he asks for a simple match… give it your all.”

“My all?”

“Correct. Don’t hold back. Don’t concentrate on the fact that he only has one hand because if you go easy on him, he will definitely thrash you until you’re on the brink of death. He really hates people who cut corners in a fight regardless of the reason.”

To tell the truth, he did that to me. Me!

“Even though this is a life-or-death battle, you are still cutting corners. Such courage…” That’s what he said to me at that time. With a terrifying smile on his face.

“You’ll understand when you meet him. He likes being distinct about what is good and bad or hot and cold, and really hates people who do things half-heartedly. Keep that in mind.”

Alfred nods with a muddled expression, looking as if he both understands and doesn’t.

“Then I’ll leave everything to you.” I pat his chest to fire him up.

You got that?

His jacket collar seems too open, so I step closer to him in order to fix it.

“Instructor Granza also hates sloppy people, so keep your appearance neat. First impressions are important.”

“Hmm.”

“Don’t answer me with a ‘hmm!’ Are you even listening to me? Seriously… please listen to me. I’m begging you.”

His bangs spring up like bed hair, so I try to flatten them several times.

I must get Instructor Granza to like Alfred so that Alfred can practice with me.

Ughh, my stomach hurts.

Alfred stares at my hand. Then he turns to me, before breaking into a soft smile.

I don’t know why he looks happy. Did something please him just now?

As I ponder over this for a moment, he suddenly grabs both of my hands.

“H-huh?!”

I failed the interview. I was pretty sad and disappointed at the result last Monday, but I decided that I just haven’t given it my best, and I can definitely pass this next year by doing better than this. Trying to improve my speaking skills now! >< My Dad cheered me up a lot and told me, “If you can’t even get over your disappoinment, how can you qualify to win this scholarship?” That’s right, I only have to improve myself more!

On the side note, I’m taking more shifts and becoming more active in my university events, kind of regretting it now ahaha… Haven’t been translating anything this week (because too busy and I just lost the motivation to do so…), but I’m doing my best to get into it again soon! Mii, you can do this!

Also, please consider pledging to my patreon/supporting me on ko-fi (if you want to!)~ I’m kind of broke rn…