I Became the Hero While Paving a Flower Path for My Niece - Chapter 48

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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 48
While they spoke, several carriages arrived.
“The injured will be transported to the Temple for treatment. Our Countess House will cover all medical expenses.”
Alex nodded at Klaus Brodel’s explanation.
The kidnapped people rose one by one, supported by soldiers.
Their visible wounds had healed thanks to Alex’s Heal, but their bodies remained weak.
Yet instead of heading toward the carriages, their steps turned toward where Alex, Dain, and Klaus Brodel stood.
“Thank you, truly thank you.”
“We’re so grateful you saved us….”
They wanted to express their gratitude to Alex.
They had learned from Milo that his younger sister was only thirteen and their family was poor.
To take on such a request from a child and search this far — no ordinary mercenary would do such a thing.
And the warm energy flowing from Alex’s hands, the wounds that vanished at its touch — it all felt impossible.
The mages they knew were invariably cold and frightening figures, yet this one had saved them and healed their wounds without hesitation.
“We will never forget this kindness, not for the rest of our lives…!”
Today felt like a dream, and they feared that waking would return them to the darkness of the Underground Space.
But the warm sunlight, the full bellies, the vanished scars — all proved this was no dream.
“Without you, mage, we would never have seen our families again.”
“Thank you, truly.”
No matter how many times they offered thanks, it never felt enough. They wanted to give something in return, but having nothing, they could offer only words.
Shame and sorrow washed over them at their poverty.
“It’s all right. It was simply a job, after all.”
Those rescued couldn’t help but be moved again by Alex’s gentle smile.
In calling it a job, Alex had shown a kindness that eased their troubled hearts.
[And I uncovered a Dark Mage in the bargain!]
Of course, Alex had gained something far more important.
“Thank you so much!”
The people who had showered Alex with thanks turned to offer their gratitude to Dain and the Crow Guild members as well. The guild members smiled sheepishly.
Once their thanks were finished, they climbed into the carriages despite their weakened state.
Alex approached Milo as he boarded.
“Once you’re recovered, come by the Blue Forest Inn. Jake’s there too.”
“Yes, I will! I’ll head there right away! Thank you!”
Milo’s eyes glistened at the thought of his sister’s face, and he nodded repeatedly.
Klaus Brodel watched Alex with keen interest.
‘A decent mage.’
No Tower Mark, working as a mercenary — independent, it seemed. Good temperament too.
The sword at his side pleased Klaus Brodel as well, practical for self-defense.
‘It would be excellent to recruit him into the Countess House.’

* * *
Having entrusted Klaus Brodel with the Underground Space and the unconscious guards, Alex and Dain mounted their horses and set out toward Brodel Lord’s Castle. The guild members rode behind them.
“Why didn’t you tell me Klaus Brodel was coming? Do you have any idea how shocked I was?”
Dain grumbled as they rode.
Since becoming the branch chief of the Information Guild, he’d never been this flustered — yet since yesterday, shock followed shock.
“I didn’t know the Young Lord would come either. The letter was meant for the Lord’s daughter.”
[That’s true.]
[And it was surprising that the Young Lord was a swordmaster, not a mage.]
Alex found that strange too.
“Is that man really the Young Lord?”
[Could there be a hidden eldest mage?]
“He is. Current Count’s eldest grandson, previous Young Lord’s firstborn son. The previous Young Lord and his wife died during monster subjugation.”
Dain explained for Alex’s benefit, who knew nothing of the Brodel Countess House.
“That’s why the eldest, who showed swordsmanship talent from childhood, was named heir. The Brodel Countess House is a family of knights.”
[But in the future, wasn’t the Count a mage?]
“The mage is the second son?”
Dain nodded at Alex’s question.
“He’s the first mage the Countess House ever produced. Quite talented — learned from a mage sent by the White Tower since childhood, I’ve heard.”
[Hm? He didn’t join the Mage Tower Federation?]
Many mages desired to join the Federation, but not all chose to.
Partly because the Mage Tower Federation lay far across the western continent, making return difficult once one departed, and partly because joining the Federation meant surrendering one’s noble title.
‘It’s not easy to leave the Mage Tower Federation either.’
So ambitious mages who wanted to become nobles didn’t belong to the Mage Tower Federation at all.
Instead, they would request the Mage Tower Federation to send them a skilled mage, take that mage as their teacher, and receive instruction.
It seemed Brodel’s second son had done something similar.
“If he didn’t go to the Mage Tower Federation, he must have his eye on a noble title.”
“Probably. He was born a noble, so it’d be hard to ask him to become a commoner overnight.”
Dain added.
“Besides, not every Mage Tower Federation is good either. You have to choose carefully — find a good master and one that gives solid support. Otherwise you just end up as a research slave, or so I’ve heard.”
[Like a graduate student?]
Ibaek let out a soft giggle.
I couldn’t quite grasp what he meant, but somehow I understood anyway.
“But from what I hear, he seems to be struggling now. He’s been stuck at 3rd Circle for a few years.”
[He must be incredibly frustrated.]
[But even at 3rd Circle, can he enter the Mage Tower Federation?]
Alex relayed Ibaek’s question to Dain.
Dain nodded.
“There are Mage Tower Federations you can get into if you pay enough. But to get into a good one, you have to prove your talent.”
Clip-clop, clip-clop.
Dain spoke as he rode, sharing news he’d heard recently with Alex.
“So Domerik Brodel — that’s the second son’s name, Domerik Brodel — he went to a magical symposium held in the Royal Capital a few months back. If you impress people there, you can get into a good Mage Tower Federation.”
“What happened?”
At Alex’s question, Dain shrugged.
“He went straight back to his domain once the symposium ended. Apparently another mage refuted his research paper.”
[Oh…]
[That must have been a real blow.]
[But didn’t you say in the future he’s supposed to be a fairly capable mage?]
[Ah, a late bloomer type?]
[Or… did he use some other method?]
Hmm.
At Ibaek’s words, Alex couldn’t help but grow suspicious.
A mage who wanted to remain noble and wanted to grow stronger, yet had no exceptional talent.
It wouldn’t be strange for someone like that to look for shortcuts.
‘Dark Magic.’
But if that were the case, the fact that Brodel Domain had worked so hard to repel the Demon Race in the “future” didn’t make sense.
‘If he were a Dark Mage allied with the Demon Race, he would have handed over the domain long ago.’
It seemed better to meet him in person.
With that thought, Alex spoke to Dain beside him.
“Dain. I have a request. Can you find out where the people who were dragged away from the Underground Space went?”
“Why? You already found Jake’s brother.”
At Dain’s puzzled expression, Alex answered.
“Just because.”
[To deal with an aspiring Dark Mage!]
[For Leo’s bright future!]
“I’ll pay the request fee.”
Alex calculated how much money he had left.
Dain, who had been staring at Alex, broke into a grin. His expression said he knew this was coming.
“I figured as much. You’re going to rescue those people, aren’t you?”
“Well, if they’re still alive, I might as well save them too while I’m at it.”
It would be strange to deal with a Dark Mage and not rescue them.
At Alex’s words, Dain burst out laughing. The guild members who had been listening to their conversation from behind laughed as well.
[They probably think you’re being shy about it.]
Yeah, they probably do.
I’d only said what I genuinely thought.
Dain waved his hand.
“Skip the fee. The information you’ve given us isn’t nearly paid off yet.”
This request had been completed in just a day too.
Even if they took dozens of requests like this one, they wouldn’t come close to the value of what Alex had provided.
“Then I’ll let you know as soon as I find anything out.”
After passing through the city gates, Alex and Dain headed toward the Blue Forest Inn, leaving the guild members who were heading off to a tavern behind.
From a distance away, the window of the second-floor room where Leo was staying came into view.
A member of the Crow Guild stood there, and when Dain’s eyes met theirs, he saw a nod.
“He’s coming right down.”
‘Didn’t he say anything?’
‘They communicate just by looking at each other?’
When Alex and Dain dismounted in the backyard of the inn, they heard the sound of running footsteps.
“Uncle! Uncle Dain!”
“Uncle Alex! Uncle Dain!”
It was Leo and Jake.
“That’s what I’m saying—why do I get ‘mister’?”
At Dain’s grumbling, the two guild members who’d brought the children chuckled. The Crow Guild was a close-knit bunch.
While Leo examined Alex’s body for wounds, Jake’s gaze drifted across Alex’s surroundings. He was hoping—perhaps his brother would be there.
But seeing no one besides Dain, Jake’s shoulders slumped.
Knowing the longing in a child’s heart, Alex spoke up quickly.
“I found Milo.”
“You found him, Uncle?”
“You found him? Our brother!?”
Leo’s eyes sparkled, and Jake stared at Alex in surprise.
“I did. But he’s hurt right now, so he’s at the Temple. He should be able to come back tomorrow.”
At those words, Jake’s eyes glistened.
Worry washed over him at the news that his brother was injured, yet relief and joy flooded in at the thought of seeing him tomorrow—and before he knew it, tears spilled down his cheeks.
“It’s okay, Jake. If your uncle says he’s fine, he’ll be fine!”
“…Yes!”
Leo pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped Jake’s face, which was now streaked with tears and snot.
“Well then, we should be heading out.”
Dain, holding the reins of the horse Alex had ridden in on, spoke. The two guild members beside him bowed respectfully.
“Thank you for looking after the children.”
“Goodbye! Uncle Dain! Brother! Sister!”
“Thank you!”
“No, I mean—I also want you to call me uncle.”
As Dain grumbled with half-joking amusement, Leo looked at Alex. It was as if he were asking, ‘What should we do?’
Alex glanced between Leo and Dain.
Pupil and teacher from the ‘future.’
It seemed all right to let that precious bond from before reconnect.
“…All right. Call him uncle, Leo.”
As Alex spoke with something like a sigh, Leo laughed and cried out, “Uncle Dain!”
“Yes! That’s it! Uncle! Should I buy you something delicious, Leo? Jake, you try calling me uncle too!”
“Uncle Dain!”
Dain laughed with genuine delight—a booming, hearty laugh.
Watching him, Alex spoke.
“Now that you’re an uncle, you’d better be willing to stake your life on Leo’s future.”
“…? Stake my life? Can I cancel the uncle title?”
“Think you can?”
“Well, I suppose not.”
Dain grinned and ruffled six-year-old Leo’s hair roughly. Leo burst into delighted laughter.
“What trouble could a little kid like this possibly get into?”
‘Very big trouble.’
‘He’s the Hero.’
Ibaek chuckled.
“Oh, this.”
Dain pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Alex.
“What is it?”
It was a list of the best restaurants in Brodel Lord’s Castle.
“My first gift as an uncle. Well, I was going to give it anyway. I wrote down only the places my guild and I love. The kids will like them too.”
‘Ooh!’
‘A local’s restaurant guide!’
‘And recommended by Information Guild members, so it’s extra trustworthy!’
‘So grateful! Overwhelmingly grateful!’
A decades-old lich from another world—not merely a child—was delighted as well.
Of course, Alex was pleased too. The moment Dain became an uncle, and already he was giving such thoughtful gifts.
“Thank you. I’ll definitely visit them.”
“Then let’s see each other again next time!”
Dain and the two guild members departed.
“So, shall we try that restaurant Dain recommended?”
“Sounds great!”
“Yes, let’s!”
[Let’s go right now!!]
Alex tracked down Milo, then led Leo and Jake—both noticeably lighter of heart—toward the establishment Dain had praised.
“Wow! Uncle! This is really delicious!”
“I’ve never tasted anything this good before! Uncle Alex!”
“Right? It’s genuinely excellent!”
[Oh!]
[It’s delicious!]
[The balance between texture and flavor is nearly perfect! The ingredients’ natural taste really shines through! How did they manage to make it like this?!]
[4.2 stars!]
It was a restaurant that had earned Ibaek a remarkable 4.2-star rating.

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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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