I Became the Hero While Paving a Flower Path for My Niece - Chapter 24

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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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Cousin’s Flower Path Laid Out and I Became a Hero — Episode 24
The Viscount cleared his throat quietly before speaking.
“I’d like to offer you a reward. Is there anything you need?”
Alex hesitated before responding carefully.
“Well… I did accidentally destroy the Dungeon, didn’t I?”
The Viscount waved his hand quickly. He’d already heard the story from his son.
“Think nothing of it. There are two Dungeons to the north anyway. Besides, wasn’t it unusual that a Goblin Shaman appeared in a Lowest-Tier Dungeon?”
The Viscount frowned as he spoke.
“Having such a strange Dungeon near the South Gate is far more dangerous. You can never be sure when a Dungeon Break might occur. It’s simply too difficult to manage.”
It was a Lowest-Tier Dungeon where only novice Mercenaries ventured.
No skilled Mercenary capable of defeating a Goblin Shaman would bother with a Dungeon that paid so poorly.
“And using magic like Poison Magic or Weakening Magic that we’d never seen before — that makes it all the more troublesome.”
So the Viscount had never encountered such magic before?
Did this world not have Poison Magic or Weakening Magic?
Such magic, the sort used by the Demon Race or their servants, the Dark Mages, had not yet been revealed in this era.
“Do you happen to know anything about those magics, Alex?”
Ethan Caldis asked, thinking that while these were new to them, the mage might already be familiar with them.
Alex shook his head.
“No, I’m seeing them for the first time too.”
“I see.”
The Viscount and Sub-Lord nodded. It was fortunate, after all, that the Dungeon had been destroyed.
“And surely that paltry Dungeon isn’t more important than my son’s life or the lives of my people?”
The Viscount spoke, and Alex smiled as he continued.
“It’s not quite compensation, but you should be careful about snow this winter.”
“Snow?”
“Yes. An acquaintance of mine is a remarkably talented mage.”
Ahem!
“She said there would be unusually heavy snow in the Caldis Territory this winter.”
I never said anything like that!
Ah, so that’s how it is?
Alex was himself a remarkable mage, yet he spoke of someone even more accomplished — that somehow rang true.
“Understood. I’ll keep watch.”
The Viscount nodded.
“But you still haven’t mentioned what reward you’d actually like.”
“Please, feel free to tell us, Alex.”
Land, ask for land!
Urged on by the Sub-Lord and Yi Baek, Alex finally spoke.
“I would be grateful if you granted me some of the Northern Grassland.”
“The Northern Grassland?”
The Viscount and his wife, as well as the Sub-Lord, all wore puzzled expressions at Alex’s request.
They already knew that Alex and Leo had come from Belo Village.
The fact that he’d left the village where he’d lived suggested he intended to go elsewhere, so why ask for grassland rather than money?
“Yes. It will likely be helpful for my livelihood when I return.”
The Viscount and Sub-Lord exchanged a glance.
So he wasn’t leaving permanently, but planned to depart for a while and then come back?
That was welcome news.
Even if he wasn’t formally part of the Viscount’s House, having a mage of his caliber settled nearby would be invaluable.
“By all means. Do you have a location in mind?”
The Viscount asked, secretly pleased. Alex indicated the place where a Mid-Tier Dungeon would appear in the “future,” but since the grassland was empty, he couldn’t pinpoint the exact location.
“We can go look at it together tomorrow.”
At the Sub-Lord’s suggestion, the Viscount and Alex agreed.
This secures development property real estate!
This is the return point!
As he listened to Yi Baek’s delighted voice, a small voice spoke up.
“Um… if Leo is going… can I go too?”
It was Arden.
“You too, Arden?”
“Arden, this is adults’ business.”
“…But….”
At his father and brother’s words, Arden’s gaze drifted unconsciously toward Leo.
The Viscountess, recalling her timid younger son’s spirited demeanor, asked gently.
“Will Leo be joining you tomorrow as well, Alex?”
At the sound of his name, Leo—who had been eating cake—widened his eyes.
Alex, understanding the Viscountess’s meaning, smiled and asked in turn.
“Leo, would you like to go north with your uncle tomorrow?”
“Yes! I want to go!”
At that, Arden gazed up at the adults with bright, eager eyes. Moved by his endearing expression, the Viscount, Viscountess, and Sub-Lord all laughed.
“Then let’s take Arden along too.”
“But brother will be working. I shouldn’t get in the way.”
“I promise I won’t get in the way at all…!”
Arden spoke with sparkling eyes.
“What if we prepared a lunchbox for tomorrow?”
Ethan Caldis suggested that since they were going anyway, they might as well have lunch while they were out.
“That’s a fine idea. The food at the inn where I’m staying is delicious, so I’ll prepare something to bring.”
At Alex’s reply, Leo’s eyes lit up.
“Uncle! Can Sofia come too?”
“Who is Sofia?”
“She’s my friend!”
Leo answered Ethan Caldis’s question eagerly. Alex added, “She’s the daughter of Soldier Cain.”
“She’s the daughter of Soldier Cain.”
“Ah. Then that’s fine.”
Once Ethan Caldis nodded his assent, Leo threw both hands up in the air.
“Hooray! A picnic!”
“A picnic…!”
Arden, his cheeks flushed with excitement, found himself joining in and threw his own hands up in jubilation.
[Yay!]
[A picnic lunchbox!!]
What was meant to be a visit tomorrow had somehow transformed into a picnic.

* * *
After the meal had ended.
Accompanied by Arden’s reluctant farewells, Alex and Leo made their way back to the inn.
“Leo!”
“Sofia!”
Despite the late hour, Sofia was there waiting for Leo.
“How was the Viscount’s house?”
“It was amazing! This big!”
Leo stretched his small arms wide to convey the size. Sofia gasped in wonder, and Hallon, Matthew, and the other guests remaining at the inn burst into laughter.
“And guess what! He gave me a present!”
“A present?”
At Leo’s gesture, Alex smiled and opened the box he’d been holding. Inside were beautiful desserts.
“Wow!!”
“These are really delicious. Sofia, you try too! And you, grandfather, and Matthew!”
At Leo’s insistence, Matthew and Sofia quickly fetched plates and divided up pieces of cake. The innkeeper Hallon hardly had time to say a word.
“Those rascals….”
At Hallon’s exasperated reaction, Alex and the guests erupted in laughter.
“Please, everyone, enjoy!”
“Us too?”
Small slices of cake were passed to the other guests as well. All of them tasted it with delighted expressions.
“Wow! That’s delicious!!”
“It’s so rich!”
“It’s sweeter than candy!”
Exclamations of appreciation came from all corners.
“I should save some for Mom!”
At Sofia’s words, Leo handed over his own cake as well.
“I already had plenty, so you take this for your mother.”
“Really? Thank you, Leo!”
Sofia beamed with joy, and Leo returned her smile with equal warmth.
“Oh, and one more thing. Want to go on a picnic tomorrow?”
“A picnic?”
“Yeah. I’m going with Arden.”
While Leo was telling Sofia about it, Alex explained the same to Hallon.
“Hmm. Is it all right if our Sofia goes?”
The Viscount’s House was respectable enough, but Hallon couldn’t help feeling uneasy—they were nobility, after all.
“Don’t worry. I’ll look after her well. And look how happy Sofia is about it.”
At Alex’s words, Hallon looked over at Sofia, who was already chattering excitedly with Leo about what they’d do tomorrow.
“All right then. I’m counting on you. I’d better pack plenty in the lunchbox!”
The sudden enthusiasm that seized Hallon at the thought of a noble eating his cooking made Alex laugh despite himself.

* * *
The next morning.
Alex woke earlier than Leo and went to the back courtyard of the Inn to check his condition.
“My Circle feels fine, and the Mana Circuit has improved.”
[Is this a blessing in disguise?]
[Your Circle has thickened. The circuit has expanded too, even if only slightly.]
Just as Yi Baek said, Alex could feel the increased Mana compared to before.
[But you can’t use it this recklessly every time.]
“I know. This was only this once.”
[Only this once?]
[If an enemy like a Goblin Shaman shows up again, can you stay composed?]
“…Hmm.”
Alex had no answer. He wasn’t confident he could.
[See?]
[You need to cultivate your mind first. You have to take care of your own body!]
“…And you became a Lich just to seek revenge, didn’t you?”
[…Hmm.]
Both the man who wouldn’t spare his own body for revenge and the Lich fell silent at the same time.
[…Fine. Should we try some magic?]
“Yeah.”
They both silently agreed to forget the conversation that had just happened.
“Fire.”
A small flame flickered to life above Alex’s palm. Relieved to see the magic working properly, he relaxed.
[This time, try Silent Casting.]
“Silent Casting?”
[It’s using magic with just thought, no incantation.]
[Normally only High-Circle Mages can do it, but you used it when you defeated the Goblin Shaman.]
“Really?”
Alex scratched his cheek.
He remembered most of the fight with the Goblin Shaman, but not that particular detail.
“Do I just try it?”
[Yeah. Think the incantation in your head.]
Following Yi Baek’s instruction, Alex thought “Fire” in his mind while staring at his palm.
A moment of silence passed.
“….”
[…Doing anything?]
“Nothing’s happening.”
[Hmm. It must have been a fluke then.]
[Or maybe it’s like that burst of strength that comes in danger?]
[Well, there’s nothing for it. Let’s try again once you’re High-Circle.]
Alex agreed.
“Oh, Yi Baek. Can you teach me another spell?”
[Another one? Water Magic?]
“That would work, but I promised the children I’d show them some magic. Don’t you have something more impressive?”
[Hmm. There is something…]
[How about this?]
As Yi Baek explained further, Alex’s eyes lit up.
Time passed.
When Alex returned to his room after finishing sword practice and washing off the sweat, Leo’s eyes flew wide open.
“A picnic!”
[Full of energy.]
Yi Baek and Alex burst out laughing.
“Oh, wait a moment. Leo.”
“Hmm?”
Leo, who had been hurrying to wash up and head downstairs to prepare for an outing with Sofia, stopped at Alex’s call.
Alex hated to say this to Leo when he looked so happy, but it seemed better to tell him now.
“We’re leaving Caldis Territory tomorrow. So you’ll need to say goodbye to Sofia, Matthew, and Arden.”
“…!”
Leo’s eyes and mouth fell open in shock.
[We’re leaving tomorrow?]
[Time has already slipped away like this.]
They had finished all their business here, and it was time to move on.
Alex watched Leo with concern, wondering if he might cry.
Leo’s eyes were beginning to redden, and his lips trembled as if he might break down.
But Leo understood as well.
To find his mother and father, he had to leave Caldis Territory just as he had left Belo Village.
“…Yes! I understand. I’ll say goodbye!”
Leo didn’t cry. With eyes glistening with tears, he spoke with spirit.
[Oh, my.]
Alex held Leo tightly, his heart aching for the boy.
“When we come back, let’s play with your friends again, Leo.”
“Yes!”

* * *
Leo told Sofia and Matthew that they were leaving tomorrow.
Sofia and Matthew’s eyes also reddened, but living in an inn where many people came and went, they accepted the parting quickly enough.
“You have to come back to our inn!”
And they promised a new reunion.
“And let’s have so much fun today! The most fun ever!”
“Yes! Let’s do it! Matthew too!”
“Huh, me?”
Matthew backed away a little.
“I, I’m all right.”
Nobility and all that….
“Oh, come on.”
Leo and Sofia, disappointed, ate the breakfast Hallon had brought and cheerfully discussed what fun things they’d do today.
There was certainly a difference between children who knew nothing of the world and young people who had some understanding of it.

* * *
“Look, the carriage is coming!”
“And the knight too!”
In the distance, the Viscount’s House carriage driven by the steward Norton and a knight on horseback, Loren, came into view.
A face poked out from the carriage window—it was Arden, the Viscount’s House’s second son.
“Arden! Hello!”
“…Leo! Hello!”
Hearing Arden’s cheerful, resonant voice answer Leo’s enthusiastic wave, Ethan Caldis couldn’t help but smile.
They’d only met yesterday, yet the boy was so delighted.
“This is Sofia. And this is my brother Arden.”
“Hello!”
“H-hello…!”
Arden was clearly shy but happy to meet a new friend.
“Sofia is quite remarkable.”
“Isn’t she?”
Both Matthew and Hallon, who had been standing back, marveled at Sofia’s ease in conversing with a nobleman.
“I’m off!”
The children bade farewell to everyone at the inn and climbed into the carriage with eager faces.
“Yayyyy!”
At the high, dolphin-like squeal, Ethan Caldis muttered almost like a sigh.
“Should’ve brought another carriage.”
Alex, Loren, and Norton chuckled quietly.
The carriage soon left Lord’s Castle and headed toward the Northern Grassland. As the children leaned their heads out the windows, the fresh breeze and the rapidly changing landscape swept into view.
“Ahahaha!”
That alone seemed to delight them.
“Here we are.”
At Alex’s word, the carriage came to a halt and the children tumbled out in a rush.
“Don’t wander far—play here. And be careful.”
“Yes!”
The children answered Alex’s words perfunctorily and bolted away without so much as a backward glance.
Everyone broke into laughter at the sight.

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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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