Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 116 (Part 1):
“This guy, his name doesn’t seem to be that of a commoner. Is he a noble or a royal? Who is his master?”
“As we’ve handed over to the headquarters, the information through our confrontation with him is all we have on his capabilities. His publicly known status is that of a commoner, and according to those who have met him, he did not act like a noble.”
“There’s not much to learn from that information. Have you tracked anything else?”
“We tracked the Butan merchant association and the Pace Mercenary Corps he took on a request from. According to what we found, while moving for a request, the Pace Mercenary Corps happened to come across him and he joined them by chance. Other than that, there’s no information on his past or identity.”
The Pace Mercenary Corps did not go around blabbering about Helmut. The only things known were the fragmented facts delivered to the Butan merchant association.
They kept silent about the fact that Helmut had been injured and collapsed, and where they had encountered him.
This was also due to the mercenary’s instinct to keep a distance from dangerous opponents.
Because a guy as unusual as Helmut would surely get involved in some dangerous affairs one way or another.
That’s why they also noticed that Helmut left without telling them where he was going.
“A monster that fell from the sky? Then, I’ll have to ask him directly.”
“Are you here to deal with him?”
“Yes, but first, we need to have a conversation.”
It seemed merely formal, as a sinister smile peeked through the gap in his mask.
“Such a guy is bound to have his own forces. If he appeared in the world alone, he must not be someone we should mess with.”
“And if he was someone we shouldn’t have messed with?”
That’s why Anton waited for instructions from his superiors.
If the opponent belonged to some hidden forces, or was a descendant of a great sword family, or had a great swordsman as a master.
There was too little information.
“We’ll have to kill him to silence him. Dead men tell no tales, after all.”
“If you need anything, please let me know.”
It was out of his hands now. Anton bowed his head in acknowledgment. This time, the connection between Helmut and the Black Hawk would surely end.
*
“Is everyone gathered?”
On the morning when the hunting picnic began, the courtyard was unusually filled with horses. The students had brought their own horses. The horses were loaded with plenty of luggage.
Instructor Alan and instructor Patricia, along with about ten others, inspected the luggage for prohibited items.
Some of the students had their alcohol and food confiscated, leaving them with long faces.
“Ah, that alcohol was expensive!”
“Please, instructor!”
“Who told you to bring this? Good for us. Our staff will enjoy the luxury.”
Despite the students’ pleas, neither instructor budged an inch.
The confiscated items piled up on one side. It was a literal confiscation. They didn’t seem to plan on returning them.
As instructor Patricia examined Asuka’s luggage, she wore a baffled expression.
“Asuka, we’re going on a hunting picnic, not on a trade expedition.”
“I know. But you never know, right? Bringing all sorts of things might come in handy?”
“Sure, having enthusiasm is good, Asuka. But please, try to stay out of trouble while you’re there. Don’t cause any accidents.”
If Asuka had said he wanted to stay at Greta Academy due to circumstances, both instructor Patricia and instructor Alan would have welcomed him with open arms.
But Asuka did not do so. His face was full of anticipation, as if he had never disliked the idea.
Patricia’s nagging slightly changed his expression. He retorted gruffly.
“I’m the second in my class in the swordsmanship department. Why do you say that to a top student like me?”
“Being a top student doesn’t mean you’re not a troublemaker. Make sure you don’t shoot your fellow students with arrows while hunting!”
“Ah, I won’t do that.”
“Good, Helmut. Please take care of him.”
“Okay.”
Taking care of a troublemaker had become a familiar task. Helmut, looking at Asuka’s sulking head, turned his gaze to his horse.
It was a white horse he hadn’t seen in a long time. He had received it as payment for a request for House Zahringen. It seemed to be in a good mood, snorting and puffing.
It had been enjoying luxury at the Kudrow mansion, but a horse would prefer running outside.
“What’s this horse’s name?”
When Asuka asked, Helmut hesitated for a moment. Had he named it? He couldn’t remember doing so.
“What would be good?”
“What, isn’t it your horse?”
“It is, but I haven’t named it.”
“You’re so indifferent. Name it now.”
“A name, huh.”
Naming something was a challenging task for Helmut, who had never named anything in his life.
Asuka grinned crookedly at the pondering Helmut.
“How about calling it Alea?”
It was a calculation that Alea would hate immensely. Helmut stared hard at the white horse.
It didn’t resemble Alea much at all. A more fitting name existed for a wild white horse with an untamed nature.
“How about naming it Asuka?”
Asuka’s face twisted in anger.
“Why name it after me? That’s creepy!”
“Why is it creepy? You suggested naming it after Alea.”
Helmut, while receiving criticism from Asuka for being out of his mind, realized one thing.
Naming an animal after someone indicates a special relationship with that person, like lovers or family. Hearing that story gave him goosebumps.
‘Asuka, that would have been a disaster.’
He definitely refused that option. If he had found out later, he might have wanted to kill either Asuka or the horse.