Nurturing the Hero to Avoid Death

Ch 25.3

Since all the main relatives have gathered, the parents and brothers of Luzé and I enter the reception hall in one group.

Though dreading what is ahead of me, I follow at the back.

And naturally, Alfred’s sword is confiscated⁠—I mean, placed under compulsory supervision at the entrance. 

The doors open to a dazzling room, which looks just like a scene in those European movies. The grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling is so glaring that it’s painful to look at.

I recognize many celebrities… This world is too different from mine. Ah, my stomach pain’s flaring up again.

Lian’s brother slaps Alfred’s shoulder. “Hey, escort. Go keep watch by the wall,” he says, pointing to it.

“Brother, he’s⁠—”

“Lian, even though he’s your personal escort, you can’t have him walk beside you here. It’s an eyesore and inelegant.”

To verify his words, I scan my surroundings.

He is indeed telling the truth.

All the other escorts, their weapons left at the entrance like Alfred’s, are standing near the walls.

When I look up at Alfred, he returns a nod before pointing his thumb at the wall with a reassuring smile.

As if telling me that he’ll be watching from there.

“Alfred…”

“It’s okay. I will make sure to watch over you.” Then with a wave of his hand, he walks off. Just like that.

I want to tell him something, but the ladies next to me call out my name. According to etiquette, I have to entertain them for a while. So in the end, I’m unable to do so.

Eventually, I lose count of how many people I’ve talked with. I neither know who I’m currently talking to nor what they’re talking about.

This place feels stuffy. There are too many people here. Ah, I’m getting dizzy…

A familiar voice cuts through the haziness. “Hello there. Could you possibly be Lian-sama?”

I look behind me. “Yes?” Then I catch sight of two knights in blue cloaks, their faces also somehow familiar.

Then something clicks in my mind.

I remember now.

“Ah!”

They’re the bespectacled captain and the tired-looking vice captain!

 I get the feeling that my voice will come out strange, so I immediately cover my mouth to muffle my voice. “So the both of you are also here! Thank you once again for the matter before…”

“No, no. In fact, we should also thank Lian-sama.”

“That’s right! Whoaaa… Lian-sama, you look like a prince!”

“Ahh… this? My grandfather told me to wear this… I actually want to take everything off right now, but he won’t forgive me if I do so…”

“Take off… everything… now…”

The face of the tired-looking vice captain reddens. Why?

“Lian-sama. Please don’t say such extremely provocative words to an innocent youth like him.”

Huh? Which part is provocative? I don’t think I said anything of the sort.

In fact, don’t the women around us look much more provocative? Some are wearing backless dresses, while a few others have plunging necklines so low that their chests are mostly exposed.