Nurturing the Hero to Avoid Death

Ch 15.5.2

I close my eyes, recalling the events that led up to my bizarre conversation with the star-gazing traveler. Or rather, her one-sided conversation with me.

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After I returned home from my part time job and took a bath, I still had several hours before bedtime.

I used that free time to complete my other part-time job, the one Lian had entrusted to me. Be it resting on a chair, laying on the bed, or while reading a book, I multitasked by charging his magic crystals.

“…This much should be enough for today.”

Leaning on the chair, I stretched my body. In my opinion, I had sat there for way too long. As I rubbed my shoulder, I glanced at the pile of blood-orange magic crystals on my desk.

I attempted to lift the bag that I had placed beside the desk.

Judging by the weight, there’s probably only half a bag to go through.

Lian had asked me to infuse my magic power inside these transparent stones, known as ‘Magic Origin Stones.’ All before spring break began.

Since he had wanted me to deliver the crystals once I finished, I’d probably do that soon, since I already finished half of them anyway.

With the public bar where I worked part-time on Saturday nights temporarily closed,  I clocked out of my construction work shift in the evening. That way, I could return to the church before sunset. Lian should still be at the church then. I could pass the magic stones to him there.

This year’s spring break was a pretty busy time for me.

Well, it’s not like I could afford to take a break, though.

Either way, I still had to accompany Cheddar-san, my boss from my part-time job at a ranch, and his wife to Fothel Village a mountain away.

Before spring break started, Cheddar-san’s uncle and his wife had traveled far to Leis Village.

Their purpose: to ask Cheddar-san for some livestock after losing much of their own from an epidemic.

Cheddar-san and his wife were very kind. Sympathizing with their relatives’ misfortune,  they decided to send eight cows and two horses to their relatives’ village. The relatives offered to help, but Cheddar-san and his wife gently refused them. His cousin’s back wasn’t what it used to be, and it’d be a lie to say his cousin’s wife was healthy. So I agreed with Cheddar-san’s decision. It’d be meaningless if his relatives suddenly collapsed on their journey home after all the help he gave them.

Additionally, Cheddar-san and his wife had asked if I would accompany them on their journey.

A higher wage would be provided than usual if I agreed to this task. He said he would also cover my meals and accommodation, as well as insurance. For a long trip like this, it was better to be safe than sorry.

They gave me until next week’s shift to think it over, in case I might already have other plans. Which was unnecessary, since I accepted the job on the same day.

Of course I’d like the extra money, but the main reason I accepted the job was due to Cheddar-san and his wife’s great care of me..

They’d invite me to dinner once I ended my shift, gave me clothes that, in their words, were from overshopping at sales. And sometimes, his wife would give me some of her homemade confectioneries.

Moreover, during their monthly day of prayer at the church, they would occasionally do a bit of handiwork, a bit of repairing here and there.

They were truly kind-hearted people.