I Became the Hero While Paving a Flower Path for My Niece - Chapter 23

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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A Hero Born from Paving a Cousin’s Path – Episode 23
It seemed So Young-joo had called her younger brother over, worried that Leo might feel uncomfortable with only adults around.
Arden Caldis appeared both eager and cautious to meet another child his own age.
“…Hello. I’m Arden Caldis. …Thank you for saving my brother.”
“Please, think nothing of it. This is my nephew, Leo.”
“Hello, Arden!”
At Leo’s spirited greeting, Ethan Caldis laughed and spoke.
“You can call me brother, Leo.”
“Yes! Hello, Arden!”
Brother! He called me brother!
The eight-year-old Arden Caldis’s eyes widened at the unfamiliar form of address.
“…Hello!”
As Leo and Arden Caldis greeted each other warmly, Alex’s memory of the Future suddenly surfaced.

* * *
The Future.
Knight Arden Caldis of the Relief Army and Hero Leo met during the war with the Demons.
“I’m Arden Caldis.”
“Caldis…you say?”
‘Caldis?’
The Caldis Domain had been destroyed just months before.
When Leo and the phantom Alex echoed his words in shock, Arden Caldis smiled sadly and nodded.
“It’s been a long time, Hero.”
“Come to think of it… we did meet back then. When you defeated the Goblin Sorcerer.”
“Yes.”
The Tainted Dungeon of the Caldis Domain.
When Leo destroyed the Goblin Sorcerer then, those whose resentment was laid to rest were not only Sophia and Haron, but the Marquis and Marquise as well.
Leo and the phantom Alex could recall the faces of Arden Caldis and the Marquis couple, who had expressed their gratitude while holding back their sorrow.
“I was truly grateful back then.”
“No. I merely did what had to be done.”
Leo, having said as much, opened his mouth to speak again, then closed it, hesitating.
When the Caldis Domain was destroyed, Leo had been elsewhere and couldn’t rush to save them.
‘Leo….’
He wanted to apologize for that.
But thinking of the dead, an apology felt far too light.
Understanding that feeling, Arden Caldis spoke gently with a soft smile.
“There’s no need to apologize. I escaped cowardly, but….”
Arden Caldis remembered his mother, whom his father had given Sleeping Medicine, and his father, who had helped the residents escape.
He remembered too those words: survive, at least you must survive.
“They refused to retreat and fought to the very end.”
The day before the escape from the Caldis Domain.
A letter arrived at Bello Village along with weeping children.
“To protect the village and to be a source of strength for you, Hero.”
Hearing those words, Leo could not help but recall the kind people of Bello Village who had bid him farewell with “Take care of yourself, Leo!” and “Come back safe, Leo!”
‘All of them….’
The phantom Alex could not even begin to fathom what spirit moved those villagers as they fought.
“They all wished for you to grieve no more and to stay well, Hero. I feel the same.”
Arden Caldis’s words brought some solace to Leo’s heavy heart.
After that.
Leo and Arden Caldis sat side by side, speaking of their longed-for homeland, the Caldis Domain.
Beautiful wheat fields, peaceful landscapes, magnificent sunsets, the cuisine of the Caldis Domain….
“If my brother hadn’t died back then, perhaps we could have protected the Caldis Domain for longer. Father and Mother wouldn’t have suffered so.”
And they spoke of those they missed.
“He must have been a good person.”
At Leo’s words, Arden Caldis laughed with genuine warmth.
“Yes. He was truly a wonderful brother. The way he worked for the domain was truly admirable.”
After that, whenever a battle ended, Arden Caldis would seek out Leo to talk. His bandages grew in number, though none of the wounds proved fatal.
‘His talent is ordinary, but it seems he put in considerable effort.’
By his appearance and manner, he seemed the administrative type, but it was clear he had trained hard in Swordsmanship after his brother’s death.
Arden Caldis participated in every battle.
“My skills are lacking, but I hope to be of some help nonetheless.”
he said gently, with a soft smile.
And then,
“Caldis fell in the fourth battle.”
He never returned from that engagement.
“Ah… I see.”
Leo had endured countless farewells, yet never grew accustomed to them; his face darkened as he mourned his friend’s death.
‘Leo….’
The spectral Alex could only watch.
If only he could touch him—he would hold him tight enough to let him weep.

* * *
“This is… the reception room.”
“Wow! This is amazing!”
That brief friendship, which had ended so quickly then, was being rekindled here.
Watching the young Arden, much as he had watched young Leo, Alex found himself smiling.
The two boys dashed ahead of the adults, exploring every corner of the mansion.
“Uncle! The ceiling is so bright!”
[Made with magic, I see.]
“That’s a Magic Light. It creates illumination through magic.”
“My uncle is a mage too!”
Leo spoke with pride, and Arden nodded with a grin.
“I heard from my brother. He said you’re an incredible mage?”
“That’s right! Hehe!”
Alex’s mood lifted at the sight of Leo laughing so openly.
“My younger brother is usually shy with strangers, but he seems quite comfortable with you.”
Ethan Caldis remarked with a pleased expression.
“Arden seems like a good person as well.”
[That’s odd. Most nobles keep their distance from commoners.]
[But they’ve gotten completely friendly.]
Arden appeared not to care about such things at all. Instead, he was watching carefully to ensure that Leo, absorbed in his exploration, didn’t stumble and fall.
Watching this unfold, not only Alex but also So Young-joo and the butler Norton smiled as they observed.
After viewing the garden and other areas that were open to visitors,
Ethan Caldis showed Alex and Leo to a room where they could rest comfortably until dinner.
“Please make yourselves comfortable here until this evening’s meal.”
The room was furnished with neither too little nor too much—a balanced simplicity.
“Your current attire is acceptable, but would you care for the clothes we’ve prepared?”
[Oh, noble clothing? I’m curious.]
[Leo would look adorable in that.]
Without hesitation, Alex accepted Ethan Caldis’s offer.
The butler Norton returned with two sets of clothes—one for Alex, one for Leo.
“Would you like assistance changing?”
Alex quickly declined Norton’s offer. He could manage that much on his own.
“Then we shall take our leave. If you need anything, simply pull that cord, and Norton will attend to you.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Rest well. Come along, Arden.”
At his brother’s beckoning gesture, Arden looked reluctantly at Leo.
“…See you at dinner, Leo.”
“Yeah! See you later, Arden.”
[They’ve really gotten close.]
[The Hero’s charm at work!]
Alex chuckled despite himself.
Whether in the Future or the present, Leo’s gift for drawing people to him never ceased to amaze him.
Once the Caldis brothers and the butler departed, Leo set about exploring the room.
A plush, spacious sofa, a beautiful table, heavy curtains framing the large window, and an exquisite painting on the wall.
He would have so much to tell Sophia, his grandfather, and Matthew.
“Uncle, this place is amazing!”
Leo sat on the soft sofa, beaming as he spoke.
“Really? Maybe we should decorate our house like this someday?”
“Really? I’d love that! So, how should we decorate it?”
While Leo was lost in thought, Alex changed clothes first.
[I thought medieval noble clothing meant things like stockings, but it’s just formal trousers.]
In the Future when he was a ghost, Alex had never worn such aristocratic garments, but he’d watched Leo put them on countless times.
Alex dressed quickly and neatly, then stepped in front of the mirror. As befitted a noble house, there was a full-length transparent mirror.
Thanks to that, Yi Baek could see Alex’s face in detail for the first time.
Dark blonde hair, sharp and masculine features, eyes the color of young leaves, and a lean, work-hardened frame.
[Oh! Alex, you’re handsome!]
[Well, considering cute Leo is your brother, I suppose it makes sense!]
[But I didn’t know you were this good-looking!]
[The clothes really suit you too!]
Alex let Yi Baek’s exclamations wash over him without comment and called out to Leo.
“Leo, change your clothes.”
“Okay!”
Leo, who had been rolling around on the wide sofa, came running over to Alex right away.
“Hands up.”
“Up!”
Then he changed his clothes.
Though it was noble attire, since it was made for a child, it didn’t look particularly uncomfortable on him.
“How is it? Comfortable?”
“Yeah! It feels a little strange, but it’s comfortable!”
Leo, dressed in a child’s formal suit, giggled with delight.
[Leo looks amazing too!]
[You could just call it Leo’s outfit!]
[Did a butler pick it, or So Young-joo? Either way, someone has excellent taste!]
[If only I had a camera, I’d take pictures. He could pass as a child model!]
Alex could only understand about half of what Yi Baek said, but he certainly grasped the sentiment.
Leo looked that charming in formal wear—the kind of adorable that made you want to preserve it in pictures.
Even in the Future, when Leo was properly dressed, he’d been truly elegant and handsome and perfect.
Alex smiled warmly.
Knock-knock.
There was a knock at the door. It was Norton, the butler.
“You’ve changed. We’ll groom your hair for you.”
Two maids entered and neatly groomed Alex and Leo’s hair.
“It looks wonderful on you!”
When all the preparations were finished, Ethan Caldis and Arden appeared. Both had changed into formal clothes as well.
“Leo, it suits you perfectly!”
“You look great too, Arden!”
The children praised each other with bright smiles, and the adults couldn’t help but laugh.
“Since only our family will be dining tonight, please make yourselves comfortable.”
Listening to Ethan Caldis speak, Alex and Leo headed toward the dining hall.
When they arrived at the dining hall entrance, a servant opened the door.
The large door swung open, and inside, the Marquis and Marquise, who had arrived earlier, rose to greet them.
“Welcome!”
“Delighted to see you.”
The Marquise greeted Alex and Leo with a bright smile, and the Marquis offered a gentle bow and greeting.
[Oh! Real nobility!]
[These people seem decent enough.]
“It’s an honor to meet you. Marquis, Marquise—I’m Alex, and this is my nephew, Leo.”
“Hello!”
The couple, watching Leo’s spirited greeting with delight, quickly told them to sit.
Beside Alex was a tall chair sized for small Leo, so he was able to sit comfortably.
Once Leo sat down, Arden, who had been watching carefully, quickly signaled a servant and moved his seat next to Leo.
The Marquis, Marquise, and Ethan Caldis widened their eyes before breaking into laughter.
“This is the first time we’ve seen our younger son take such a liking to someone,” the Marquise remarked.
At her words, Arden’s face flushed with embarrassment, but he didn’t move back to his original seat.
“The kitchen worked hard preparing this meal, so please enjoy plenty,” she said warmly.
The servants laid out various dishes on the table. Each course clearly bore the mark of careful, dedicated preparation.
“Thank you.”
“We’re grateful for this meal!”
[This looks delicious!!]
Alex had just taken a bite and reached to set a dish before Leo when he paused mid-motion.
“This is delicious….”
Arden Caldis, seated beside Leo, had begun placing food directly onto Leo’s plate himself.
“Thank you, Arden.”
“…It’s nothing.”
Even as he said this, Arden’s heart lifted at being called brother, and he continued eagerly piling dishes onto Leo’s plate.
The adults couldn’t help but smile.
“He seems delighted to have a little brother.”
“Apparently so.”
The Marquis smiled at Ethan Caldis’s remark.
As the two young ones ate with gusto, the adults began their meal in earnest.
[Look there!]
[Let’s try the fish dish on the right!]
[Next, the meat! The sauce here is incredible!]
The food from the Caldis household was indeed exceptional.
The ingredients themselves were fresh, the seasoning perfectly balanced. The sauces enhanced the flavors of the dishes without overwhelming them.
Moreover, there were dishes seasoned with rare spices that no commoner’s table would ever see, treating Alex to flavors entirely new to him.
[Ahhhhh!]
[This is absolutely insane!]
Yi Baek, who hadn’t tasted food properly in decades, shouted excitedly for everyone to eat everything, and Alex, who had been a ghost for twelve years, ate with eyes shining bright.
“It’s truly delicious.”
“Is it? The chef will be pleased to hear that.”
Of course, he didn’t eat ravenously; on the surface, he maintained a composed demeanor.
[Wow! We should try that one too!]
[And the one in the back!]
[Ah! Wine!!]
…Though the pauper inside him seemed utterly unconcerned with such niceties.
“This is delicious! You should try it too, Arden.”
“Yeah…!”
Leo, who’d crammed in dining etiquette at the last moment, was managing quite well.
The Marquis, Marquise, and So Young-joo watched Alex and Leo with expressions of mild surprise.
Commoners who nevertheless knew proper table manners—it was unexpected.
‘Interesting people, these two.’
Ethan Caldis regarded his uncle and cousin with fascinated eyes.
After eating their fill, they began to converse.
“Thank you so much for saving our son.”
The Marquise spoke with a trembling voice, as if the memory still unnerved her.
“I’m truly grateful. Had you not been there, I never would have seen my eldest again.”
The Marquis, who’d heard the news on his way back, felt the same.
Who could have imagined that during a brief moment of his absence, his precious son had nearly perished in that strange dungeon.
Even now, the memory made his hands tremble.
“Thank you for saving my brother.”
Arden’s voice wavered slightly as he recalled Ethan Caldis, who’d lain bandaged in bed only yesterday.
His brother nearly dead.
He couldn’t even bear to imagine such a thing.
“Thank you, Alex. I owe my life to you.”
Ethan Caldis offered his gratitude once more.
“Please, don’t mention it. If not for you, an acquaintance of mine would have perished.”
Kane had survived until Alex could reach him because Sophia, a swordsman, had held the line with him.
“Your acquaintance was Soldier Kane?”
“Yes.”
Ethan Caldis spoke with a smile about the compensation he’d given Kane and the soldiers who’d fought alongside him.
[With this, I’ve certainly made an impression.]
It was possible Kane might reach a higher rank within a few years.
“Where do you intend to go next?”
“We’re planning to go to Mitera.”
“Mitera?”
Alex nodded.
“Yes. I have business at the Mercenary Guild in the capital.”
“Will you perhaps stop by the Brodel Domain on the way?”
Ethan Caldis spoke with an oddly buoyant expression.
Alex paused to trace their route through his mind. As it happened, there was a mid-tier dungeon in the Brodel Domain.
“I’ll likely stop by.”
“How fortunate! Count Brodel’s daughter is my fiancée.”
Ethan Caldis beamed as he said this.
“If any trouble arises in the Brodel Domain, please inform the Count’s household. Once Maelin—my fiancée, that is—learns you’re the savior of my life, she’ll see to everything!”
‘He’s positively glowing just talking about his fiancée.’
‘And his ears—they’re burning crimson.’
At the sight of Ethan Caldis in such a state, Yi Baek began to chuckle, and Alex found himself laughing as well.
The Marquis and Marquise joined in with quiet laughter—they couldn’t help but be amused by their lovestruck son.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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