Nurturing the Hero to Avoid Death

Translator: mii

Editor(s): ASplashOfMusic, sleepchaser

Alfred jumps back diagonally from my words.

At the same time, the frost that was underneath him earlier suddenly expands and solidifies into an ice block. It runs up to his large sword, freezing it.

It’s a restrictive ice magic technique.

As long as the caster continues to chant the spell, the ice created by the technique will also continue to restrain the opponent.

Right after I notice the spell, the ice piles up at a tremendous speed, swallowing the large sword from the tip to the handle. It then expands, trying to capture not only the large sword but also Alfred’s feet.

When Alfred notices it, he hurriedly lets go of the sword and tries to dodge the ice magic, but he’s a second too late.

The ice swallows Alfred’s ankle, keeping him in place.

After the knights finish casting, they grip their swords and charge forward at the same time. Toward Alfred’s back.

Immediately after they’re within close proximity to Alfred, they swing their sword down his back, taking advantage of the fact that their opponent can’t move.

The ice shatters due to the force of the blow. Alfred’s body is thrown forward along with the ice fragments.

His body smashes against a square stone stand, upon which the statue of the saint is standing, before he bounces back and falls to the floor.

…Like a doll.

Looking at Alfred’s still body, I become frightened when I see blood.

No.

“Alfred!”

All at once, the other knights rush toward Alfred’s crumpled figure, thinking this is their chance to defeat him. Even though just a while ago, they were cowering away from him.

Ahh, what should I do? I have to help him quickly.

But what can I do now?

If this keeps going on, Alfred will—!

“…Ngh!”

Suddenly, I hear a multitude of footsteps from behind me. My body twitches in surprise.

Panicking, I look back, only to see Schwede and his group running toward us from the other end of the long hallway.

When I turn my head back again, I see guards running from the back of the corridor and flanking us on both sides. They’re also blocking the staircase that leads downstairs. Not to mention, the knights and monks are also coming up.

My escape route is gone.

…No. There’s still a way.

I grab the railing and plant a foot on it.

“Lian-dono?! P-please wait! What are you do—”

As if I’ll wait for you!

As I listen to Schwede’s unusually surprised and panick-stricken voice, overlaid with many other shouts and screams telling me to stop…

…With my hands and one foot supporting me, I lift my body over the railing and jump over.

Jumping at this height isn’t a problem for me. I haven’t survived my teacher’s survival training for nothing. Breaking my legs and dying here will bring shame to him.

As I fall, I cover my head with my arms and keep my body as small and round as possible.

The moment I touch the floor, I purposely roll my body to dampen the impact. After rolling several times, I stand up. My shoulders and arms hurt a bit from when I first collided with the floor, but this much isn’t a problem.

I sweep my gaze over my surroundings while I brush off the falling white feathers.

And I run.

“Al!”

Jumping off is a good decision. I’m the first to reach Alfred.

I lift him up and hug him, covering his head with my entire body as he kneels and staggers.

To prevent anyone from attacking him again.

Then I turn to the knights that are running toward us with their weapons and gather strength in the pit of my stomach. I don’t care if my throat breaks. I have to shout very loudly.

“Don’t come here!!! Stop!!!!!”

I don’t know if my loud voice surprised them, but the knights stop. Then they look at each other in confusion.

“Lian-dono,” says Schwede, above me.

I look up.

Schwede rests his hands on the railing and looks down at us with a shocked, troubled… and somewhat speechless look.

“Really. Jumping off like that… That was dangerous. Even I would be terrified to make that jump… You always do things that are outside my expectations,” he says, before taking a big, long sigh. And when his gaze meets mine, he stares for a while before smiling in relief.

But when he shifts his gaze to Alfred, his smile disappears in an instant, and his eyes narrow.

“…And Alfred-dono too. I have heard that those who receive the grace of God are born with various benefits, but… Looking at how much you favor him, the benefits he has received are truly frightening.”

Schwede turns his eyes back on me and exhales. “Lian-dono. We and the Goddess are just worried about you. Losing you is something we can’t bear at all… We want to keep you away from the disaster and protect you. That is our wish, our hope, and our feelings. That’s the only thing I want you to understand.”

“If you’re saying that… then it shouldn’t only be me. Other people, like the villagers, and…”

I hug Alfred to my chest.

“Him too. Can you please worry about them too if you think that my life is worth that much?! Marie taught me… that all of you extend your helping hands to those who seek salvation. So please. Help not just me but them too. Please extend your hands to them!”

“…Lian-dono.”

“Your Holy Scriptures state that all living creatures in this world are of equal value! My life and their lives are all just as valuable! And yet, you all only want to protect and save me… Isn’t that wrong?!” I exclaim. Then I shout toward the sky, “Goddess!!!”

Loud enough to hurt my throat.

Hoping my words will reach her.

“Are you listening, Goddess?!!! If you take me away like this… then I will have to live with the regret that I wasn’t able to protect anyone. I will live a life of self-deception. I don’t wish for that, and yet you’re telling me to do just that?! Didn’t you tell me before? That I can do whatever I want?! You said that I can guide him by following my heart, right?! And yet… you, the Goddess, are going against your word? Your promise?!!! Crotour!!!!!”