Nurturing the Hero to Avoid Death Chapter 7

Hey everyone! Here’s the long awaited seventh chapter. It’s literally 20 pages. The 8th chapter is only 9 pages, so that should be out in a week or so. Enjoy!

Seventh Story:

A Rainy Day's Event Pt. 2

Somehow, we made it just in time to the treatment center.

Hours of operation ranged from 10 am to 7 pm.

Ten minutes had pa.s.sed since we arrived, but I made it my plan not to watch the clock. Since it's an emergency, that should be allowed.

I had asked Shurio to contact the doctor and waited in the coach.

Minutes later, an old man who seemed better suited in judo uniform than a doctor's white coat stepped out from the building, a face full of stubble and all.

It's a bear.　

A bear appeared.

Although I likened him to a bear, his cheeks were puffed up like a squirrel's while chewing.

He must have been a bear in his past life. No doubt about it.

Not only that, his name was k.u.mario Baired¹. 

Shurio stood next to the bear, I meant next to the bear-like doctor, and opened the coach's door.

The doctor had to bend over to fit through the doorway. He's still munching on something.

"Ah, just when I thought I could start my dinner an emergency happens—woah!"

After seeing me, his eyes popped.

"Wooaaah! You surprised me! What's the matter, young master Lian? Huh? W-what? What's that?"

For some reason, he's in a state of confusion. I just ignored it.　

"It's a good thing I made it in time," I said.

"No, you actually didn't. I was just talking out of reflex before. Hours of operation are over. I was already eating dinner!”

"I'm sorry about this, doctor. Although it's rude of me to say this, I want you to examine someone."

"Examine who? You?"

"No, Alfred."

"Alfred? …Woah! Isn't this the unsocial s.h.i.+tty brat from the church's orphanage? I'm really surprised now." The bear-like doctor widened his eyes once more.

"Please examine him quickly. He has a terrible fever."

"O-oh…" He sat down next to me and began diagnosing Alfred. Despite the coach being large enough to fit three people comfortably, the doctor's huge body took up a lot of s.p.a.ce.

"His wounds… What happened to him?"

"…He collapsed on the road."

"…Oh?" He shot me an inquisitive look. What was he staring at me for? Got any complaints?

I tore my gaze away to look at Alfred. It'd be a pain in the a.s.s to explain the situation.

"So, how is it? What's his condition?"

"O-oh… Yep. This must be what they call 'magic power.'" (魔力あたり)

"Magic power?"

"Yep. This guy has crazy magic potential. He's just going through his growth spurt right now. That's what the fever is from. I've seen this a lot back at the royal capital. The patients’ bodies would become unstable and they'd have trouble controlling how much magic they'd let out. As they continued to produce and acc.u.mulate magic power, they'd fall flat on their faces. But this is the first time I've seen it since coming back to the village."

Oh yeah. Now that he mentioned it, I remembered something.

Alfred did tell me before that he had trouble controlling his strength.

Had the symptoms started since then?

Even in the game, there were times when the Hero's power ran wildly. I wondered if it was similar to what happened here.

Anyway, these details were hard to tell in the game. Did the doctor diagnose him correctly?

"Alright, wait a minute. I should have some magic suppressing medicine from the royal capital…" The bear, I mean, the bear-like doctor headed back for the clinic as he mumbled.

After a while, he returned with a small paper bag of prescription drugs and a gla.s.s of water.

It's totally sticking out to me. 

"Oh. This is it. Have him take one pill in the morning and one at night until tomorrow evening. If he takes one now, he'll feel a lot better tomorrow.”

"I see…"

My shoulders finally relaxed from the wave of relief cras.h.i.+ng into me.

He'd have a full recovery. Thank goodness. Seriously. I was so glad I brought him here. Thank goodness there's medicine for what he had.

"Can you help him drink?"

"Oh. Okay."

Sitting down by Alfred, I helped support his torso and tilted his head up slightly. He's still unconscious. Sweat soaked through his tattered clothes. He looked racked in pain.

I retrieved one of the pills from the doctor, pried Alfred's lips open, and slipped it inside. Then I gently poured some water into his mouth.

"Drink, Alfred. It's medicine. It'll be easier if you flush the meds down with water."

No response.　

He's still not awake, so I wondered if he could actually swallow. His throat was moving though. No clue if it was a conditioned reflex or a physiological phenomenon.

After I voiced my doubts, the bear-like doctor grasped Alfred's chin, peering into the opening of his mouth.

"Oh. …Should be fine. There's still some in his mouth."

"I see…"

If he drank it, then there shouldn't be too much of an issue.

Feeling the weight of my stare, the bear-like doctor raised his head in my direction, pitch black irises narrowing with a smile.

"W-what?"

"Hm? Oh, nothing. Just that young master Lian has changed. I feel deeply for you."

I'm shocked. But somehow, I was able to hide this. His wording wasn't usually this crude. It was thoughtlessly intimate and super unnatural, an unpleasant way of speaking. Like he was amused. Like he was teasing me.　

"W-what are you going on about? Nothing has changed," I said.

But the doctor was persistent. "No, no. Something definitely did. I'm extremely happy. The previous young master Lian absolutely wouldn't have helped a s.h.i.+tty brat lying on the side of the road."

"N-no—" I tried to refute, but in the end I swallowed my words.

…He's completely right. Just like he said, Lian would not have saved the unconscious Alfred. In fact, it'd be safe to say he viewed the poor as dirty and idiotic, a source of much scorn for him. The best way to dig myself out of this hole was to feign ignorance.

That's what I thought, but…

But…　

Although I was aware of and had seen what I should and should not do, I just couldn't leave him by himself.

He suffered so greatly. And he's injured too. All this while having a fever.

No one came for him. He had laid in such a dark and cold place, but no one came for him. I would never let him be alone.

Until the morning, anyway.

Even if it's painful, he was always alone-—

The unpleasant smile on the doctor's face disappeared without a trace.

Lowering his brows, he scratched his head with a concerned expression.

"…No. Sorry. I'm sorry. I've blundered with my words. I blamed young master. That's why I look so ashamed. And I’m impressed. Yes. I am full of admiration toward you. Now I have a better opinion of you. I think you’re a decent guy."

Once again, I wanted to rebuke him. Was he really complimenting me? For some reason, I didn't feel that was the case.

It basically meant I failed to act like Lian.

Playing this role was no walk in the park.　

Our personalities were too different. Inevitably, bits and pieces of my true self s.h.i.+ned through the cracks.

I knew that. I was aware of that but…

This was just too difficult for me.

Naively, I thought it’d fun to literally walk in someone else's shoes. Lian's, in this case! But I just couldn't understand the selfishness and thought patterns of the rich! I was a common person through and through! And now I had chronic stomach pains too!

Not only that, the G.o.ddess' request became all the more depressing and heavy of a burden!

"Yes, yes. Thank goodness, thank goodness," muttered the doctor, crossing his arms and nodding, having been anxious that the next lord would be a hedonistic good-for nothing. "I'm relieved. I was worried about the future of this village, but now it somehow feels bright!"

Peeping in from outside, Shurio smiled wryly with a troubled expression. I wouldn't tell him to be quiet, but Shurio must be thinking the same thing as me.

I meant, wasn't the village lord's successor my elder brother?

I definitely felt b.u.mmed out. And anxious. What would happen to this village in the future? No matter what I did, I kept thinking about this out of reflex.

"If young master Lian is around, I have peace of mind."

It's useless. This was bad. I'd be troubled if you're relieved by this.

"P-please don't overestimate me," I said, throwing my arms up in the air. "Thank you for examining him. How much will this cost?"

Bent on finis.h.i.+ng this conversation, I pulled out my wallet.

"Oh? Ohhh. That's right… That medicine is very valuable. The price is a little outrageous, so will it be okay?"

"Please don't fuss over me. Unlike you, I'm loaded."

I wanted to say something unpleasant. Just to put myself back on track in the role of Lian.

Arching one of his eyebrows, the doctor snorted.

The price was certainly high. It made sense since the medicine was special and this world had no health insurance. Even so, it didn't change the fact that the cost was a burden. This kind of sum would be painful for anyone else in the village.

But for me, for Lian, it was doable.

Well, it might be.

If an ordinary villager was the customer, the doctor probably would have charged a more reasonable amount. Sorry for being rude about you not having money. In reality, it's gossip I heard from the aunties in the village. Whether it's the normal price or hara.s.sment, I wouldn't know.

Well, it's fine, but how I'm feeling now was the normal reaction.

Because of their  arrogant personalities, Lian's family was disliked by the villagers.

Anyway, I paid the said amount. That seemed to surprise the doctor. What the heck. I paid the proper amount, so what's with that strange expression? Did he want to complain? If he's going to say it's still not enough, I'd give him more.

"I don't need change," I said.

"Eh?! N-no, wait that's not it. Seriously? I didn't expect you to pay… eh?! No, w-wait a second! Is it really okay? This is such a large sum!"

"It's fine. Isn't this an expensive drug? Well then, I'm in a rush so I'll excuse myself."

He stood there bewildered for some reason. Pus.h.i.+ng his shoulder, I urged him to disembark. But he wouldn't get off. It's crowded in here, so hurry up and get off you b.a.s.t.a.r.d!

"H-hey! Wait a moment young master! Wrong, I was wrong! I'll return half of this payment—woah!"

I shoved his back. The bear-like doctor lost his footing and fell on his behind.

"O-ouch! What'd you do that for?"

"A refund is unnecessary," I said. "Please put that to good use." I flashed my usual smile. Full of impertinence.

My money came from taxes levied on the village.

In any case, he better use it well. I'd be troubled if he also collapsed.

"Shurio. Start the carriage."

The horses resumed their trot.

Sitting in the driver's seat, he shot a quick glance behind him. "Young master. Um, where do you want to go?"

"…Take me to the church."

Shurio watched me and smiled. What's with that? It's a smile, but I have a bad feeling about it!

Ughh.

s.h.i.+t!

Placing Alfred's head on my lap, I considered my options as the coach shook with every b.u.mp. Until now, I hadn't come up with a good plan.

So tired. My brain's shutting down.

Is it going on strike? How brave. Don't screw around. Keep working, brain.

Suddenly, I heard a soft groan. I quickly left my thoughts and s.h.i.+fted my attention to my lap. Alfred’s brows were furrowed and he sweated profusely. His breathing was irregular. Rough.

A loud, rumbling sound. He seemed to be very hungry. His arm trembled as he raised it in the air, wandering about. It was almost as if he were searching for something.

"…one…"

"Alfred? What is it?"

As expected, he didn't respond properly.

Huh. Was he still sleeping?

"...someone²…" 

Who? Was he trying to tell someone to come? Was he looking for someone?

"…someone…"

It's unclear who Alfred was looking for. Slowly, his hand sank back down, as though he had given up. It fell to his chest. His breathing became painful.

…Ah.

I understood.　

Yeah. I felt like I understood.

That's because I had been in a similar situation years ago.

It was when I was asleep with a high fever.

No one else was home.

Even though I knew no one was home, I still called out for someone. I knew it, knew that I had no one, but I still called out.　

(Somebody, please help me.)

The people who had been by my side since the beginning no longer existed in this world.

I was all alone.

He's a bit like me.　

Both of us had no family.

Both of us had no parents or adults to rely on.

Both had to live alone but couldn't.

After repeating I was fine by myself in my mind like a mantra, somehow I struck an odd sort of balance, and had been pus.h.i.+ng onward ever since.

Nevertheless, I managed to do it.

Although I had to rely on myself, I was mostly fine. I thought it would be an ‘easy victory.’ Since I was stronger than most people, it was okay.

That's how it was supposed to be, but…

As my body grew weak and I surrendered to the darkness, I called out to someone. Somebody, anybody would do.

I wanted them to hold my hand. To tell me everything would be alright.

An adult… or my parents…

In spite of this sentimental period…

"…It'll be okay." I patted Alfred's hand. "You'll be okay because everything is fine now."

I tried to grasp his hand lightly. I had done so at that moment because I wanted to.

No response. No actions besides sweating buckets and breathing heavily.

That said, I received a strong squeeze back. I thought he woke up, but his eyes remained closed. Even if he sprang awake now, I'd still be troubled.

Sorry, but if you could, please stay asleep until we arrived at the church.

His grasp was strong enough to hurt my fingers, but I didn't pull away.

Please reign in your absurd strength.　

Little by little, the wrinkles in his brow faded. The rough, irregular breathing calmed as well. At last, it seemed the medicine's effects had taken place.

Yeah. That appeared to be so.

Which brought to mind a strange thought: Alfred was still a child.

Although he gave off the aura of an adult, he was only fourteen years old.

I'd never given this part of him much thought. He acted like a grown up and wore a cool expression, but it's fact that he's a kid.

It's unpromising. I was anxious for both me and the future.

Once the coach reached the church's entrance, and after Shurio hoisted Alfred's body into his arms (it was too heavy for me), I banged on the door.

I knocked several times.

At the sound of a woman's voice and footsteps, the door slowly swung open.

Out popped an old nun who was shorter than me. Her cheeks were red as apples and the muscles along her spine stretched as she took in the sight of me.

Her name should be Marienne. Or Ms. Marie, as the villagers called her.

"Good evening, Ms. Marie. Please excuse me."

As I greeted her, eyes that resembled thin threads widened, revealing irises a light shade of cocoa.

"Yes, good evening… eh? Huh? Oh dear. Could this be Mr. Lian? Welcome to our church. Well, um… How is everything? Fine?"

Granny Marie's eyes trembled with uneasiness.

Yep. I understood her reaction. I really did. It's because of Lian's father, the lord. There were so many terrible stories about him!

Things he had said included the following: that there were complaints of the orphans being too rowdy and to reduce the noise, that it would be such a waste of the church's large s.p.a.ce not to destroy one section of the vineyard for something else, that managing the church’s donations was difficult so he had to do it at home. He really wasn't painted in a good light.

I shook my head in denial. "No. Alfred had collapsed on the road so I brought him here."

"He did?! He collapsed?! Oh, after all… These days he seemed unwell, so I said that if he felt sick he should stay home…"

Ah, so he really was in bad condition. That guy seriously came to school while sick. It's to the point where just knowing about it was a pain.

Noticing Alfred in Shurio's arms, Marie approached him full of worry and tilted her gaze upward.

"Thank you for your help. Al is…"

"Please don't worry," I cut in. "He's alright now. He's taken medicine and is resting."

"Is that so? Oh, thank you so much. I really mean it. How can I repay you?"

"There's no need for that." I immediately dismissed that thought of hers. "Well then, let's bring him to his room. Shurio."

"Yes. Ms. Marie, please lead the way."

"But… S-sorry… Is it okay if I shared a few words with you?"

I smiled and nodded after listening. Of course, I doubted such a thin granny could carry him.

Relieved, Marie returned my smile.

"Oh, that saved me. Thank you very much, really. I will let this child guide you."

After calling out behind her, a naughty boy with a bruised face appeared. He led Shurio into the church. Then a gaggle of small children left the front doors and headed in my direction, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Now Mr. Lian, after you," said one of the kids.

"No, I—"

"Hehe. Please don't hold yourself back. Today's different from usual. It's as cold as winter! So please warm yourself up with some tea before you leave." And I was pushed further inside. Not wanting to shove a small body, I allowed myself to be ferried inside the church.

"Oh yeah. Pa.s.s this along for me." Before I forgot, I retrieved the prescribed pills from my pocket. "It's medicine. Please make sure Alfred takes one pill in the morning and one at night. This should calm his condition."

Once again, Marie narrowed her eyes.

"Oh my! What is this? Thank you! However…" In a flash, her expression dimmed.

"It's unfortunate, but we cannot afford this medicine. So we can only accept your good intentions." She smiled, pus.h.i.+ng the bag back in my direction.

The pills were very expensive. As such, I was aware of what Marie was hinting at.

But I shook my head.

"No, I don't need payment. Please accept this. Yes… That's right. Yeah. This is a donation. Therefore, put it to good use."

If I labeled it as a donation, then she was sure to accept it. Because this was a church.

Marie opened her mouth and watched me intently. And I pressed the bag of medicine back toward her.

Ill at ease and unable to withdraw from my grasp, she hesitated, thin hands littered with wrinkles shaking as they received the package.

"I-is that really okay for me to take such an expensive thing for free?"

"Yep. But I do have one request."

"A request?"

"Yes. Please don’t reveal that this medicine is from me. Tell the children to keep it a secret too. Especially from Alfred. Absolutely don’t speak of this in front of him."

"Eh…"

"Please."

Otherwise, I'd be concerned.

Gazing at me motionlessly, she tilted her head as she succ.u.mbed to her thoughts.

"…Ah, could it be? …Oh my!" She muttered something. Light cocoa eyes widened and sparkled. 

"U-um."

Those apple-like cheeks flushed redder, a smile spreading across her lips.

"Ah, the revelation I had from my dream… This must be it!"

"Y-yes?" I'd no clue what she was talking about. Revelation from a dream? I wondered what that meant. Was this in the game's plot?

No, it wasn't. It shouldn't have existed. 

"A revelation from a dream, huh?"

"Yes! That's right! Approximately two years ago, a G.o.ddess spoke to me in a dream!"

"Eh?" G.o.ddess? No way…

Don't tell me it was that air-headed G.o.ddess?!

"She said in the future, someone would appear in the village to teach and guide Al. That person would be very kind and have hair like spun silver. She also said to accept that person's help when he arrives."

I stopped breathing for a moment.

W-what the…?

W-wait… G.o.ddess?!

HEYYYYY!!

What the heck!

You should have filled me in quicker!

Someone in this village was actually cooperating with me!

If I had known this, I would have dragged my behind to this church sooner!

Moreover, what did you mean from the very beginning? Why in the world had I been suffering from stress alone and drowning myself in stomach medicine all this time?

d.a.m.n it!

I'd seriously sue for workers' compensation! I'd suck every last penny out of you!

"After that, the G.o.ddess said there would be an extremely profound circ.u.mstance that should not be revealed to Al or anyone else. However, there's no need to worry about it since her a.s.sistant will lead the world in a good direction. She said to please believe in that person, and…"

"Hahaha. Did she really say that?"

"Yes!"

I felt my strength melt away.　

This person ran her mouth about my troubled circ.u.mstances before my comprehension could even catch up. She had most of it correct though.

I closed my eyes.

I was exhausted, unable to tell anyone what I had to deal with, with n.o.body to rely on. It was incredibly tough.

"I don't know what I can do with this old body, but I will try my best! So please tell me anything. I will do whatever I can to help!"

"…You can a.s.sist me?

"Yes. Of course!" She broke into another warm smile.

"…You can't tell anyone about me."

"Yes, yes. I know. Mr. Lian—no, you are a heavenly a.s.sistant who borrowed Lian's figure, aren't you?"

A heavenly a.s.sistant? “No, I’m…”

Marie's expression reflected compa.s.sion and she nodded.

"It's alright. You received an important mission from the G.o.ddess and descended to this village from above. And it's a secret to everyone. Oh, how exciting! No, it's more like it's wonderful! To think there'd be a time that I can meet the G.o.ddess' a.s.sistant!"

Granny wheezed heavily from excitement.

Hold on a second, don't act like you understand!

You didn't understand anything granny!!

I meant, the mission shouldn't have been that big of a deal in the first place. It was supposed to have been a simple task.

I definitely said I would only help with small things.

As such, I was a victim deceived by the G.o.ddess.

I rubbed my face with my hands. This misunderstanding needed to be corrected.

"The mission isn't that impressive. I'm just a little helper. A h-e-l-p-e-r," I said, stressing that part.

"Is that so?"

"Yes. And I must complete it."

Otherwise, everyone in the village, including me, would perish.

Only I knew this.

And the night of tragedy would occur in four years.

I had thought I could only consult with myself regarding what to do in that event.

At times, I was racked with anxiety, and in other instances I had trouble falling asleep.

But now, I was no longer alone in this. Now there was someone I could talk to. This was huge. Not only that, but it's great for my mental and emotional health.

I was so relieved that my knees gave out in front of me.

"Heavenly a.s.sistant? Are you alright?!"

Marie prodded my knees in a panic. While watching carefully, she stroked my back.

"I-I'm okay. Also, can you please stop calling me a heavenly a.s.sistant? …Um. Even though the G.o.ddess said all of that to you, just consulting with you will be good enough for me."

To those words, Marie gestured approvingly.

"Yes, of course. Tell me anything. And don't you worry. I'll keep everything you say between the two of us. I swear it in the name of the G.o.ddess."

"Is that so…?"

Hanging my head in shame, I covered my eyes with my hands.

How miserable.

I must be firm. Unlike Alfred, I was already an adult.

In the inside, anyway!

"Please don't worry about everything by yourself anymore. I'm always in the church, so please swing by anytime."

With her small body, Marie hugged my gently. The hands that stroked my back rea.s.suringly were too warm. I kept my eyes shut, unable to raise my face.

Ending notes:

k.u.mario Baired¹: It’s a play on words. k.u.ma is bear in j.a.panese, and "baired" was actually spelled "Bear-ed." someone²…: Alfred actually says れ…か (re…ka) first, then だれ(dare). Lian thinks he said 誰か (dareka), which can be used to mean "who is it" or “is someone there" depending on the context. It doesn't work as well in English, so I just used "someone" for all instances.

Aaannnd here it was! It’s getting really fluffy, and we got some more insight into Lian’s past life. I also did a bit of redecorating for my blog. As always, if you enjoyed this chapter, please leave a like or a comment below.

You can also add to my wink wink.