Nurturing the Hero to Avoid Death

translator: mii

editor: ASplashofMusic, Sleepchaser

“Lian-dono…” Schwede looks at me before lowering his gaze for some reason, his smile turning into a troubled one.

“I think this is good enough, Lian-dono.”

“…Ok.”

“Since you already have everything planned to such an extent, why don’t you leave the rest to someone else? I think that will make your work a little easier. If you’re fine with that, I’m willing to take responsibility—”

“No. This is what I started, so I will see it through to the end.”

This is my responsibility and my duty.

Schwede heaves a big sigh. “Is that so? If your will is that strong, then… I guess I can’t interfere.”

His usual grin has disappeared, making me feel apologetic. I cast a glance at him.

Schwede’s dawn-colored eyes look at me. He then smiles in helplessness.

Since he’s smiling again, is it okay for me to assume that he’s given up and returned to his usual self? I know that his offer is out of worry for me, but I can’t accept it no matter what.

“Thank you very much for worrying over me, but this is enough for now. Actually, you’ve already helped so much. Too much. I’m very grateful for your help, Schwede-sama. Thank you. I’m counting on you.”

“Yes, of course, Lian-dono. Please tell me if you need any help. It is my mission to be of use to you. Helping you also brings me happiness.”

“…Yes, thank you very much,” I say with a smile.

He smiles back at me with great joy.

There are a lot of things to worry about, but my defense plan has been strengthened thanks to Schwede’s help. He has given me ideas for new defense measures that I’ve never thought of.

Using his abundant knowledge and experience in dealing with demons, he has also thought of possible improvements and plans for a more effective utilization of the equipment and taught them to me.

Having someone by my side who is also aware of the impending situation and shares the same sentiments as me has helped me a lot mentally.

However, even though he knows about the demons… It seems he doesn’t know about my original purpose for staying in this village as the “helper” to “guide the future hero and ensure the world won’t have a sad ending.”

When I tried probing him about this matter, he didn’t sound like he knew about it.

The Goddess must’ve also thought it isn’t good to tell him too much about the future. If she also told him that… I’d want to call her and scold her right away.

I hope she can carefully consider the consequences of divulging information about the future to the people she “whispered” to. Especially to those with influence, status, and power.

It’s not that I don’t trust Schwede, but… No matter how much of a good person he is, he’s also a person with his own feelings and desires. And since he has a free mind, his heart can waver and head into a different direction depending on the circumstances he’s placed in.

It can move toward a good direction… but also toward a bad direction.

There may be times when various estrangements will unfortunately overlap in the future. And during those situations, he may have no choice but to use the knowledge and information he has at hand.

These are all just what-ifs, but no one can say whether they won’t happen.

If they do become reality at some point… It will clearly become a serious matter.

With that in mind, there’s no doubt that the best approach is to not give them unnecessary information as much as possible in order to avoid such worst case scenarios…

By the way, Efa doesn’t seem to know Schwede’s true identity. She thinks he’s exactly how he introduced himself to be. An apprentice knight of the Fortuna church’s national branch who was dispatched to help this local church.

Even the acolyte attendant doesn’t know much better. Although he is aware of Schwede’s true identity, the Fortuna Church seems to have only told him that the knight came here on “secret orders.”

So for now, the only people who know the details of his “secret orders” are the Patriarch, me, Marie, the archbishop who manages the branch church, and a few bishops.

And to avoid causing disorder, they have been ordered to refrain from talking about this matter.

I press my hand against my upper stomach.

For some reason, his words make me feel a bit… No, not even a bit anymore… It’s like the situation has turned strangely troublesome… Every time I think about this matter, I can’t calm down at all.

I lightly shake my head to calm my ever-changing mood and stop its sudden ups and downs. Once I drive out all these thoughts, I once again lower my eyes onto the map spread on the desk.

My eyes shift toward the new defense line I drew at the beginning of this year.

Drawn with brand new red ink, the dotted lines within the squares on the map are evenly spaced with a 100-meter interval and located outside of the demons repelling fence around 5 meters away. The defense line goes from the north to the south of the village.

I name this set of dotted lines within the orderly squares the demon dispersion line.

“Schwede-sama, for the Holy Stone Pillars of the Holy Mountain… After calculating the remaining distance, it seems sixty will be more than enough. So can I ask for your help again?”

“Yes, I understand. Please leave it to me. I’ll inform the branch church to contact the headquarters immediately. Don’t worry, I’ll also tell them to expedite the request.”

“…Yes, thank you.”

The squares on the map indicate the installation location of the sacred item called Holy Stone Pillar of the Holy Mountain.

This item is made by cutting out and processing the stone near the summit of the holy mountain where the Goddess descended. Its shape is similar to the square pillar signpost placed at the end of a highway or a branch road, and it approximately comes up to the knees of an adult.

The sacred stones are purified even further with holy water. Its surface is also engraved with scriptures using sacred techniques.

This item has two functions.

Its first function is to provide assistance for some sacred arts. It’s mainly used to support and sustain techniques such as the Sanctuary Barrier. The Sanctuary Barrier repels evil creatures and objects, causing it to be nicknamed the holy barrier.

Not only does this barrier technique require a lot of preparation and labor, the caster also needs to possess a lot of endurance, concentration, and patience since they have to continuously chant its incantation. However, using the Holy Stone Pillar will provide support to the caster and ease the maintenance of the barrier. Or so I heard.

I always think this every time I hear about the troublesomeness of magic techniques, but… It’ll be nice if I can easily summon whatever I want just by casting a spell since it’s magic. I want that fantasy feel. If this world were like that, the hard work and effort I’d need to exert would have been drastically reduced.

Well, there’s nothing I can do about it. Magic is complicated, but that can’t be helped. Let’s just move on.

The one we want right now is its other function.

The Holy Stone Pillar can calm and scare raging demons within its range of effect just by placing it there.

If we have to compare it, it’s almost similar to using a scarecrow or a light to chase away vermin.

It might sound like a very plain and insignificant effect, but don’t underestimate it.

Its effect varies depending on the strength and resistance of the demons. The more affected the demons are, the more time for me to think and take action.

The more scared they are, the more likely they are to run away. And that will lessen the damage we will have to suffer.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that even if the merit of installing the pillars is so simple, it’ll be very useful.

But there’s one problem.

As you can guess from the name… the Holy Stone Pillar of the Holy Mountain is a sacred item, meaning that it’s rare. Even in the game, there’s an “EX” mark in front of the item name.

The sacred stone isn’t a material that someone can casually go and say, “Is it okay for me to take home that stone at the back of the mountain?”, and then expect a response like “Okay sure, take as much as you like!”

Since this material is too sacred, it can only be obtained from the Holy Mountain at the back of the church’s headquarters.

Let alone mining it without permission, just the desire to take some home will definitely cause me to end up in one of the church’s prison cells. It’s impossible to obtain the sacred stone unless I have a connection with the higher-ups in the church. Also—

An offering is required.

The church will say with a smile that the person can have as much sacred stone material as they want. But they’ll say it with a gaze and an attitude filled with implications, demanding a large sum of money in exchange.

Although they don’t state a definite number, they have set only a considerably high lower limit. No upper limit. And that amount is already incredibly mind-blowing.

However, the person who proposed to use that troublesome item as a defense measure is… the strongest cathedral knight right in front of me. Who’s currently eating pastries and leisurely sipping on his tea.

I was very interested when I heard his idea, but the necessary offering for it immediately flashed through my mind. Just calculating the total frightens me.

No, I’m sure anyone will feel scared. Just thinking about how much it’ll cost already causes the blood to drain from my face. It’s too extreme.

With such thoughts, I unconsciously mutter about the offering. Schwede seems to understand and nods vigorously. Then with a dazzling smile, he declares, “You don’t need to offer anything.”

For a moment, I can’t comprehend what he has just told me and stiffen. Schwede then adds, “After all, this is a request from me and the angel.”

This person sure is eager to use his boss’ command and abuse his privileges to make people work and give things out for free, isn’t he!!!

It can’t be helped if I fight back on reflex with a tense smile due to fright from his horrible, abusive attitude and remarks, right?

My heart is still that of a common person who feels scared of making people work for me for nothing in return.

But… I can’t afford to say such a timid thing in this situation.

I suppress the apologetic feelings that make me want to scream from the bottom of my heart and say, “Ahhhh, I’m sorry. Please forgive me.” Afterward, I bow to Schwede in thanks for his cooperation.

That’s right. Whatever I can use, I have to use it.

The indescribable strain on my body and my nerves, the stomach pain, and the stress are all second priority. No, the third priority. Or even fourth.

The first one is… being able to protect the village with all of my power.