Nurturing the Hero to Avoid Death

translator: mii

editor: ASplashofMusic

After I pull out the Goddess’ name from my stock memory, Schwede’s eyes spark in happiness. One corner of his mouth curls upward, causing his lips to resemble the shape of a crescent moon.

He barked out a short laugh. “So you know the name of the Holy Goddess, Lian-dono. Do you know that Her name is very precious? Since the beginning of the church’s existence, the Goddess has given us a few revelations, one of which states that it is strictly forbidden to write Her name. Furthermore, only those whose position in the church ranks higher than the bishop are told, and other than the archbishop, it’s forbidden for those in the know to reveal Her name to anyone else. As such, it is considered ‘the ultimate secret verse.’”

“Ohh…”

Is that so?

Then that means… Not just the ordinary believers but even a nun like Marie doesn’t know the Goddess’ name?

Ah, come to think of it… I’ve read the bible many times, but I’ve never seen that white goddess’ name appear in it at all. Marie has also never said the Goddess’ name.

How shocking.

I still remember how that carefree goddess cried to me with snot running down her nose, lamenting how she’s going to fail her promotion test. And yet, her name is praised and treated so reverently here!!

This situation doesn’t really suit her… I mean, this is the first time I’ve heard this, and I never expected that her name would be treated this preciously. Must be because she introduced herself in such an ordinary manner back when I met that goddess for the first time.

She could’ve told me that she only revealed her name by accident and that I had to keep it a secret. Then this wouldn’t have happened… Well, that’s just my personal opinion.

Inwardly, I surmise that she must actually have a serious personality, just that she can be a bit too carefree at times.

Oh well. Although this matter’s a surprise to me, let’s just leave it at that for now.

Right now, the main problem is the knight’s motive in asking me that question. He seems to have done that to test me.

I look up at the knight, intending to question him. But he only looks down at me, his smile deepening. He says, “Since you know Her name, you must be an Angel sent by the Goddess of Genesis, right?”

An angel…?

I’ve heard someone call me by that word before. It was a very long time ago… Ah, it was when I first met Marie. I vaguely remember her calling me an angel too.

Right, she did. At that time, her small eyes shined like a little girl, and her rosy cheeks flushed even redder. Yes, such a thing happened before, but…

I shake my head at Schwede. After all, I’m definitely not someone who deserves to be called such an extravagant being. “You’re wrong,” I say. I’m not an… angel or anything like that.”

I’m not like Alfred, Efa, or the knight in front of me who are the key figures in the main storyline. I have no outstanding abilities.

I’m just a student who was busy looking for a job when he caught the Goddess’ eyes by chance. It was then that she asked for my help before throwing me into this world. And even now, I’m just the second son of a rich family. No more, no less.

The knight stares at me in puzzlement. He blinks his eyes a few times and tilts his head.

I have to properly tell him about the truth of this matter.

I don’t want to be hoisted on a pedestal and worshipped for no reason. If he continues to believe I’m an angel, it’ll be troubling if he places too many expectations on me.

“Please listen carefully, Schwede-sama. I’m not an angel. I’m just… helping the Goddess out a little. She only asked me to be her helper.”

So please don’t call me an angel. Please. I’m sure that if someone calls me that, I’ll feel apologetic every time because they’re completely mistaken about me.

Hearing my words, Schwede, who has been silently listening, widens his eyes. His face right now looks similar to the dove in the Owen family crest… No, to a pigeon.

I guess he’s surprised. Well, even I am surprised right now. My hard work has really paid off to be able to reach this far. This thought has been running through my mind quite often recently.

Also, does he understand what I just explained to him?

I stare at him, waiting for his reaction. But the next moment our eyes meet, he bursts into loud, joyous laughter. Hey, why is this bastard laughing?

“Ha… hahaha! Pfft, I see… Because the Goddess asked you for help, you came down to this place?”

“…Yes. Though, it’s not like I came here willingly. She just threw me in.”

The knight widens his eyes again. “Threw you in…? The Goddess?”

“That’s right.”

Speechless, the knight lowers his head to face the ground.

Is he shocked? Well, it’s a shocking truth. Schwede even thinks that I’m an angel, a godly being like an angel… Maybe he felt proud and filled with hope and faith just a moment ago that I came to this world. Like Marie at that time.

Well, it’s shattered now. And I’m the one who crushed it.

But that’s out of my control! How was I supposed to know that this was his impression of me?! He’s the one who started regarding me as someone I’m not. It’s not my fault.

“Do you understand now? So, if there are other people who have similarly misunderstood, please correct their impression of me…”

It is at that moment that I notice the slight tremors wracking the knight’s shoulders.

“Schwede-sama…?” I say tentatively.

As I continue to stare at him, he rests a hand on his stomach and descends into incredibly boisterous laughter like he can’t bear staying silent anymore, mouth wide open.

Hey you. What’s with the sudden laughter? What’s so funny?

I’m being very serious and polite here. In contrast, aren’t you acting very rude?

As I silently glare at him, feeling sullen inside, the knight presses a hand against his mouth, probably noticing my displeasure, and apologizes… But his shoulders are still shaking.

“Haha, I’m… sorry for my rudeness. Really… Many of your answers have exceeded my expectations by far… Ahaha… I guess there are still many unexpected things in this world that humans can’t predict, huh?”

…Well, I do agree with that.

Even now, there are times when things don’t go as I planned or expected. And every time that happens, my stomach and head hurt like hell.

“Schwede-sama, may I ask you some questions?”

“Sure, go ahead,” says the knight, turning his palm up in an exaggerated manner and presenting it to me as if to prompt me to ask away.

“What made you come to this small village when it’s already near the country’s western border? This place is also very peaceful, and demons don’t show up that often. And even if there are demon sightings, we can usually deal with them on our own. It’s normally so peaceful here that the villagers can relax without any scruples. I’m sure there are many other people who urgently need the Knights’ Templar’s help.”

Just like his earlier approach toward me, I also try probing him in a roundabout manner.

I wonder if he’s noticed my intentions. How ironic for me to probe him when I’m hiding so many secrets myself.

Schwede raises an eyebrow and then grins in interest, but that’s it. Looking at his face makes me a bit angry.

Then the knight gracefully puts one of his hands just above his heart and bows deeply and politely. “My apologies, Lian-dono. It seems my unscrupulous words have offended you… Please forgive me. But even though I act like this, I need to obtain convincing evidence first before freely making my move. I hope you can understand and forgive me.”

…He even apologized for probing me earlier.

I sigh. Since it can’t be helped… I nod, albeit unwillingly.

It’s not like I don’t understand his situation. He has to confirm that I’m the real deal. And since he can’t make a mistake, he’s even more cautious.

Schwede nods back with a smile. “Thank you very much, Lian-dono. It seems you are as bright as the rumors say.”

“Enough with the compliments. Answer my question now,” I say, preventing him from giving a vague answer. It’ll be dangerous if I’m swept into the knight’s pace. Very much so.

I don’t know why, but I just get that kind of feeling.

He’s Alfred’s comrade in the future, but he’s kind of… somehow a bit too… In my head, alarms ring in my head, warning me to be careful around him.

As I contemplate and wrack my head, I clench my sweaty palms to ensure that Schwede won’t notice my nervousness. Afterward, I exhale slowly to calm my pounding heart.

“…So she asked for your help, and that’s why you came here. Is that right?”