Nurturing the Hero to Avoid DeathCh25.1 - Going to Grandfather’s Birthday Party (Middle Part)

Translator: mii

Editors: sleepchaser, ASplashofMusic 2n0JYq


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.

Chrysanthemum Garden.

“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. Cdh54Z

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.”

oFynXl

“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. odUnXe

“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.” rqkSeu

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.

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

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!

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

Chrysanthemum Garden.

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. 6AySDf

“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?” NOhWfa

“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.” 0SLBxd

“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.  n2xGbD

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. dW0v1e

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.

Read more BL at chrysanthemumgarden (dot) com

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. 5vQGyE

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. SNt4V

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. xjltZ

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.” Fyox90

“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. aYgdlS

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?”

Read more BL at chrysanthemumgarden (dot) com

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. A5FdYB

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. tuXpTP

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. bwOJT9

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.  3mN sd

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. tvP2s5

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?”

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

Alfred isn’t in the hallway.

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Translator's Note

ASplashofMusic: Um, he’s not even an Owen; sleepchaser: LOL; mii: YOU’RE RIGHT

Leave a Comment

30 comments

  1. Hahaha his grandfather is like a typical grandfather found in cultures with close familial ties– but for Lian, which is a bonafide japanese it would be sexual harassment and he doesn’t really know that guy (and his real grandfather is still out there TvT)

    Thank you so much for the chapter!!!~ 🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇

  2. I hard agree, something about this chapter was way more uncomfortable than any of the older brother advances tbh.

  3. Maybe the mother is like this too. Its only because she’s raise as a noble elegant woman that she can’t pinch Lian everytime.😂😂

    Thanks for the Chappie!O(≧∇≦)O

  4. Tbh, I honestly don’t see anything wrong with how Lian’s grandfather acts?

    Like someone else said, that’s pretty much how grandparents in cultures where familial ties are closer act, maybe with exception of the pet name. My maternal grandparents were italian and holy shit, they hugged and pampered us with food any time they could.

    It’d be particularly true considering Lian looks a lot like his mother and his grandfather used to pamper her. For him, Lian is like Lila ver 2.0, but even better because the task of having to educate him doesn’t fall upon him, but upon his daughter and her husband, so he can just do the ‘pampering’ part. Also the reason he doesn’t care much about his brother, he probably looks like their father lmao.

    Considering the author is japanese and that’s just not how japanese family acts, plus it being a BL, I do think they intended this as creepy, though lmao.

    • Yep! I totally agree. Plus from what we read as well as Lian’s own instincts he’s clearly being regarded as a pet with no untowards feelings mixed in which is what I feel the author was going for too.

    • Ah, so that’s how it is! Since I don’t have any grandpa and grandma, I thought he was a bit creepy >< Thank you for the clarification, Urichay-san!

  5. Lian dodged a bullet here! I imagine the original Lian who was sexually harassed by so many people before dying and I feel bad for him.

  6. I would definitely say that if Lian’s grandpa was just a not blood related old man the line he said would comes of as wrong: ” I’ve prepared candies for you, as well as many other things that you will definitely like. Come, follow me.”

    🤣

    Thanks for the chapter!

  7. Seriously. I dont like anybody in this but Alfred. Everybody seems like they’re two steps away from raping Lian T-T I only trust Al and the church kids and the Granny. And Lian’s teacher. But that’s about it.

  8. The behavior itself is not very creepy to me—sounds like good ol’ doting to my ears. It’s the feelings that Lian perceives from behind those actions that makes it creepy. A pet? I guess Grandpa will enjoy pampering Lian when times are good but if it were more beneficial for the Owen family to discard him, Grandpa probably be upset but not enough to save him. Where’s Alfred?????????? Thanks for the chapter!

  9. Thank you for the hard work! This weekly update is what gets me through the week!💛

  10. OH NOOOOOOOOOO QAQ Did what’s-her-face (the blonde pokemon mom) take him away?????

    thanks for the chapter, Mii-sama, SleepChaser, and ASplashOfMusic!!!!

  11. While reading this, i felt sad for Lian.

    When MC mentioned the condition of original Lian after graduating where he was very calm and quiet. I felt that it might not be because he was just calm but because of all of his horrible experiences. Remember the captain who attempted to rape him? Lian had no one to depend on and was probably kept by them for a while till the grandpa called them for his birthday. And after the offer of the grandfather, he must’ve readily accepted it… to stay in a cage away from the outside world where he was humiliated and away from people who might hurt him more. And knowing how high his pride is, he probably never mentioned it to anyone or seek anyone’s help 😭

    Poor Lian… (sorry if i got anyone who read this sad)

    Side note: was alfred hauled away for grandpa’s questioning? Maybe the flirting on the carriage ride reached his ears and he probably checked with the parents who misunderstood (but probably understood more than Lian) Lian and Al’s relationship. I’m hoping the mom is supportive of the ship 😊

    Thank you for translating 💕🙏💕

  12. I knew it! That family is not normal! The hell they did to Alfred! It’s clear something os gonna happen to Lian! (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻

    Thank you for the chapter!!

  13. I feel like the original Lian was the secret NPC for the TRUE ending. The Lian and the ML really did have a connection in the real game and the reason why the Goddess could never get a good ending because Liam kept dying. This is why she transported him to keep LIAN alive.

  14. The original Lian was abuses for that commander Knight and he was harassed daily for his grandfather afterward.. . Even as a rich kid, he had a Hard life.Thanks for the chapter!