Nurturing the Hero to Avoid Death

Ch 10.4

…The first day had a tough schedule.

We had to climb a mountain and ate our rations at the peak. As we walked through the mountains the teachers taught us which plants and fruits could be eaten, how to set up camp and make a fire, and how to hunt for game. Then after half a day passed, we descended the mountain back to our accommodation. The students that were late would get punished.

What is with this survival training. Is this really how this event went?

It’s too unpleasant. I want to go home. I’ve been saying I’m an indoor type of person!

By the time I return to our lodging, I’m extremely exhausted. Once nighttime arrives, the teachers and the volunteers confirm the route for the test of courage, along with the locations of the frights.

As originally planned, Jade (one of the bully trio) and I take position near the cliff. Nearby are the other two bullies.

Holding a lantern in one hand, Jade and I peer at the cliff.

A large red sign reads “no trespassing,” “slippery,” and “beware of slipping,” and in front is the fence made of wooden poles tied with rope.

Lifting the lantern, I try to lean my body forward as much as possible.

I inhale.

While a person probably won’t die falling from this height, the cliff is still really deep. Moreover, the slope is steep, almost a ninety degree angle. Looks difficult to ascend. Though people who rock climb often probably wouldn’t have a problem.

Also…It’s pretty dark. I can’t see through the darkness but there’s a cave at the bottom where demon dogs live.

I shudder, rubbing my arm.

“Hey, Lian. If you look any more, you’ll fall over the edge. It’s dangerous.”

“Y-yes…”

“It looks dark and scary! If he falls here, he’ll definitely cry!”

“Y-yeah…”

It’s here in this spot that I have to shove Alfred.

For tomorrow night.

I wonder if it’ll go well. No, it’ll be bad if it doesn’t go according to plan.

Oh that’s right, just in case, I’ll hand him some recovery medicine tomorrow. Ah, but it’ll be weird to pass it to him when he’s not injured. I need to think of a reason.

“Lian? What’s wrong?” asks Jade. “Your face looks pale…”

“Ah, no. I’m just a little cold! It’s n-nothing. But it’s really dark…”

“Yeah! Hehehe.”

Jade laughs maliciously.

Well, let’s also hand Alfred the recently-finished, pendant-type amulet, “Shining Self-protection Number 7 (complete with flash blinding function)”.

There’s a lot of things I want to give him, but the training sessions are too exhausting. Not to mention, there’s always a crowd around Alfred, so I haven’t even had the opportunity.

I need to give these items to him soon…

I rub my churning belly.

The schedule was so packed until it was time to go to bed. (Who was the one who thought of this?) In the end, I just had no opportunity to pass Alfred the items.

Tomorrow. I still have time. I’ll give them to him tomorrow.

Speaking of which, occasionally when Alfred catches sight of me, it looks like he has something he wants to say. I wonder what it is.