Nurturing the Hero to Avoid Death-Chapter 25.1: Going to Grandfather's Birthday Party (Middle Part)

As I enter the room, an old man stands up slowly from behind the big and large desk in front of me, showcasing his full height. He is taller than me.

Lian’s grandfather’s cold ice-colored eyes soften as if the ice in them has melted. His eyes narrow, joy flashing in them.

“Oh… Oh, Lian… My cute little bird. You came.”

His long, wavy silver hair is loosely tied in a low side ponytail with purple string, the ponytail resting over his right shoulder.

He’s dressed in a long-sleeve long coat a shade of purple, its length reaching past the knees, with large silver epaulets sewn on the shoulders. The coat is paired with a white dress shirt and a light purple tie, the shade complementing that of his coat.

Even though it has been a long time since Lian’s grandfather retired from active duty, his intimidating, dignified aura, showing how accustomed he is to having his orders followed, hasn’t faded at all. I’m sure that if I were to let my body relax, I’ll subconsciously back away from him.

Lian’s grandfather approaches me, his steps unthinkably light for an eighty-year-old man, and wraps his arms around me in a tight embrace.

“G-grandfather. It has been a long time. I’m glad that you look healthy.”

“Hehe, I am very healthy. But look at you. My little bird has become even prettier in the time I haven’t seen you.”

“H-huh? N-no, that’s not true…”

In fact, I don’t think I’ve changed at all!

Feeling tired all of a sudden, I internally sigh.

“Has become even prettier” isn’t a compliment you should say to a man.

This has been on my mind for a long time, but… Lian’s grandfather takes extremely good care of Lian, just as much as he pampers his youngest daughter.

And that seems to be the reason why he gifts so many frilly clothes to me, me, a boy.

“Oh, you’re looking more and more like Lila… Just like Lila, light blue suits you well. Are you thirsty, my cute little blue bird? I’ve prepared candies for you, as well as many other things that you will definitely like. Come, follow me.”

Lila is the name of Lian’s mother.

Even though Lian’s mother has another son aside from me, only I am always called to Lian’s grandfather’s private room like this.

Apparently, Lian’s grandfather holds no interest in Lian’s brother. Just like how indifferently he treats Lian’s father. Ah, I’m jealous!! Exchange with me, damn it!! Please, I want a role change!

Lian’s grandfather pulls my hand and sits me down on the large sofa in the lounge. He then sits right next to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders to pull me to him, stroking my head and cheeks.

I don’t know why, but I feel somewhat like a… pet.

And I feel like my intuition isn’t necessarily wrong this time.

On the low table in front of us sits a big bowl of sweets. So many sweets that I’m sure one person alone won’t be able to finish them all.

The maid, who has been waiting near the wall, approaches us, sets a cup down onto the table, and pours tea into the cup with perfectly practiced movements, her face in an equally perfect smile. She doesn’t look a bit bothered by how her master is sticking so close to his grandchild, looking to be just one step away from committing sexual harassment. She is surely a professional.

“I heard that you started working right after graduating from school? What a diligent child. But you don’t have to work that hard, you know?”

“No, I… want to do it. That’s why they let me continue my job…”

“Is that so? But it’s hard, right? When I heard the news of you becoming the lord’s assistant, I felt pity for you and thought that I can’t just stay silent and do nothing about this. So I came up with a good idea.”

“Good idea?”

“Yes. Lian, why don’t you stay here, at my place, and be my assistant instead?”

“…Eh?!”

“A job in that kind of village shouldn’t be something important. You should just leave them to the villagers. Besides, the Lord’s successor is going to be Robert, so you should be free to do as you wish, right? Becoming my assistant will be far more meaningful and good for you. So, what do you think?”

Lian’s grandfather breaks into a smile and squeezes my hand lightly. “I’ll have you wear beautiful clothes and let you eat delicious food every day. You just have to stay by my side forever. Isn’t that a good deal, my cute little bird? You can stay here forever.”

“Grandfather…”

“Ah, is it because you’ll feel lonely living away from your parents? Yes, that’s right. Hm… If you miss your mother, you can go home every once in a while. I can at least allow that. But you have to return soon, okay? I also get lonely after all.”

Grandfather uses the hand that isn’t around my shoulder to comb my bangs and stroke my cheek, a smile plastered on his face.

I am surprised by this offer since I received no prior notice about this at all. The gears in my brain spin in overdrive.

Maybe Lian decided to go to his grandfather’s place after his graduation?

After all, if he accepts this offer, he can most probably live well without having to work his entire life.

Going to Lian’s grandfather’s place is undoubtedly better than going to the capital.

If Lian chose to be his grandfather’s “little bird,” to enter the gilded birdcage, accepting a life of pampering and allowing himself to be wholeheartedly cherished and loved, then it makes sense.

In the game, after Alfred graduated from school, he rarely ever sees Lian in the village. It’s almost like Lian’s left the village.

But that doesn’t mean they never have any more encounters.

There are rare occasions where they pass by each other in the village.

If Lian went to the capital, then he’d definitely have gotten a job there. And that means that he wouldn’t be able to easily travel between the capital and the village since they’re a considerable distance from each other. With that in consideration, I think it’s safe to say that he hadn’t gone to the capital after graduating. In the first place, no one mentioned such a thing in the game.

And even whenever Lian and Alfred meet, he doesn’t rabidly come onto the protagonist like before, only mouthing off some slightly unpleasant words. To put it simply, Lian has become calmer.

When I was playing the game, my initial thought was that he was unable to accept his defeat against the hero and grew depressed.

But maybe… Lian has been living with his grandfather in the next town, only occasionally returning home whenever he misses his mother?

…No.

This is all just my imagination and speculation.

A story behind the main story that no one knows.

The scenario writer may not have developed Lian’s story that far too. No, I’m sure they haven’t.

After all, Lian is fated to die in the starting village. He is only a small rival of the protagonist. Only a little better than a mob character.

No one cares about what actually happens to him.

I may be right, but I may be wrong as well.

But even if my speculations are true, I will still–

“…Grandfather.”

“What is it, my little bird?”

“I am really happy with Grandfather’s generous offer, but… I really like that village. It’s peaceful and beautiful. And there are things there that only I can do. That’s why… I will continue working as the lord’s assistant.”

After all, only I can save everyone in the village.

“Lian…” Lian’s grandfather muttered, his eyes widening in surprise as if unable to believe what I just said.

Also, only I know about the impending doom that will arrive at the village.

“I’m sorry, Grandfather. But I love you very much too. So, is it okay for me to just come and visit grandfather every once in a while?”

I don’t hate him.

He may tend to go a little too extreme when pampering his grandchild and youngest daughter, but he is a relatively calm and thoughtful person. And while his actions may seem too severe during a few situations, they’re all for good reason.

This is why many people idolize him. Even after he has retired from active duty, many people are still willing to come celebrate his birthday.

“Oh, ohh, of course. Of course you can. You can come whenever you want, my cute little bird. And if you ever change your mind, don’t hesitate to tell me and come to my side.”

“Yes. Thank you very much, Grandfather.”

Lian’s grandfather once again gives me a hug, pressing his cheeks against mine. While stroking my shoulders, back, and chin. But I endure it. After all, pushing an elderly away is rude and awkward.

But seriously, this is toeing the line between affection and sexual harassment! No, this is already sexual harassment!!

…This excessive love and borderline obsession with their relatives… is this common in the Owens’ bloodline? Because it feels like it is.

I inwardly let out a sigh.

I’m tired.

Seriously very tired.

But the party hasn’t even started yet, so I can’t say anything.

Will I survive until the end of this?

No, of course I will. I’m a man. Get a hold of yourself. It’s just a few hours of patience and endurance.　

After a while, the smiling butler arrives to take Lian’s grandfather away for some other matter.

It seems like he needs to go around and greet the people of royalty before the start of the party. Lian’s grandfather grumbles and complains, telling me that it’s very troublesome.

However, he finally leaves after the butler literally pushes him out of his office. But not without looking back at me countless times with a very sad look on his face. I merely wave him goodbye with a smile, sending him away.

Some time after they leave the room, I do the same, fatigue and relief simultaneously washing over me.

All the tension and stress has been really tiring. But at least my meeting with Lian’s grandfather is a success.

However, when I exit the doors, I stop in my tracks. “…Huh?”

Alfred isn’t in the hallway.