Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 119 (Part 1):
The tent was spacious, creating an awkward atmosphere as everyone found their own spots, contrasting the conversations held while riding.
Among the group members, Andro, James, Basil, and Dino were close, as were Wesley and Mitchell.
Originally divided into these small groups, they seemed to have become friendlier with each other during the journey. However, this camaraderie did not extend to Helmut and Asuka, who still felt a distance from the rest.
Asuka could easily throw a punch at anyone within reach, and everyone was warily aware of this.
“Ah, I should have bought a new saddle! I thought my buttocks were going to fall off.”
Fortunately, Asuka seemed too drained to cause any trouble. Laying down his sleeping bag and sprawling out on the floor, he seemed ready for a nap.
Helmut considered stepping out to survey the campsite perimeter.
If the adversary was the Black Hawk, they might have prepared traps or might approach directly.
The Black Hawk had gone through the trouble of sending a warning. Would they have done so just to finish things off? It seemed more likely they intended to intimidate or initiate a deal or dialogue.
‘They wouldn’t involve the other students from Greta Academy.’
He didn’t want others to be caught up in his own affairs.
Here were students from prominent noble families. Even if Black Hawk operated in the shadows, they wouldn’t risk antagonizing the numerous nations and families of the surface by making a move here.
It was an unwritten rule not to meddle with Baden, a consensus among all groups. Logically, they wouldn’t cause such a disturbance just to target Helmut.
As he was about to leave, the other group members stopped him.
“Helmut, where are you going?”
“Just thought I’d get some fresh air.”
“We’re going out again soon, aren’t we?”
“I wanted some air too. Shall we go together?”
“Me too.”
Quick glances towards Asuka suggested they didn’t want to share a space with him, uncertain when he might wake up.
Helmut settled back down on his sleeping bag.
“I’ve changed my mind.”
Relieved, the others quickly sat back down. Helmut wasn’t free. As long as he owned a pet, that was his reality.
But it wasn’t a bad thing. It wouldn’t be too late to act once everyone was asleep.
‘They’re all paying more attention to me than I thought.’
That was a problem, but also an advantage. It would make it harder for the Black Hawk to target him.
Since the Black Hawk had revealed their intentions, Helmut was curious how they would approach him.
‘This hunting picnic is going to be interesting.’
Helmut closed his eyes, listening to the soft murmur of conversation. It was a brief moment of rest.
As dusk fell, a lively bonfire was lit in the center of the tents. The barbecue party had begun.
Near the fire were large log tables and chairs for each group, along with wood and griddles for transferring the fire. Platters filled with meat, mushrooms, potatoes, and more were laid out on the tables.
The food, divided by groups, was to be cooked by the students themselves. It was a simple task, but in a place where many had never even grilled meat themselves, used to having servants handle everything during camping trips.
Seeing the hesitant students of the swordsmanship department, instructor Alan sternly declared.
“No one is going to cook for you. If you can’t cook, you’ll just have to go hungry.”
The members of Group 9 looked at each other, waiting for someone to confidently take the lead, but it seemed no one was particularly eager.
“I’ve seen it done, so I guess I can manage.”
Andro was the first to step up. Seeming to recall some method, he skewered marinated meat and vegetables onto a long metal rod.
The others began to move as well, transferring fire to the prepared wood.
“Hey, be careful! You almost got sparks on me.”
“I’m warning you, I won’t heal anyone unless it’s a life-threatening injury.”
Professor Dwayne passed by, issuing a stern warning.
Helmut pondered his role. Group 9 members were surprisingly proactive, even Wesley, who subtly hinted at his distinguished family background, took part.
‘Wait.’
As the griddle heated up, Helmut suddenly suspected something. Could the Black Hawk have poisoned it?
“Careful, you’ll burn yourself.”
“It’s okay.”
Helmut wiped the scorching griddle with a damp cloth. Then it occurred to him that if they wanted to poison someone, they could have just tampered with the food.
But that would risk poisoning everyone, and it seemed unlikely the Black Hawk would target so broadly.
‘I worried for nothing.’
But Helmut soon reconsidered. It wasn’t for nothing. As Helmut took action, even the usually inert Asuka began to help, laying out utensils and cleaning the table. Now, all that was left was to place the meat on the now perfectly heated griddle.
“Just lay it on there?”
Curious, James tried placing a piece of meat directly on the griddle. Sizzle!
He should have spread it out, but he just left it there, soon causing black smoke to rise.
“Uh, is it burning?”
The meat turned black on the bottom. Panicking, he flipped it over, leaving it unattended. Soon, a bizarrely shaped dish was completed.
“You can eat that yourself.”
Asuka frowned. Helmut looked at the charred meat and, for the first time in a long while, thought back to his days with the Pace Mercenary Corps. It was the first time he missed them.
Then Asuka stepped forward, pushing others aside.
“Move.”
Asuka expertly grilled the meat. Despite the strong fire, he flipped the meat timely and removed it once the blood vanished. It was a simple task, really.
Next to Asuka, a pile of well-grilled meat and vegetables accumulated on a large plate. James, who had burned his meat, quickly grabbed a plate and dug in. Asuka dusted off his hands.
“You incompetent fools, can’t even grill meat. How do you plan to survive? You all grew up too sheltered.”
“Asuka, you…”
It was a look of newfound respect. Being a commoner seemed to have its advantages. The term ‘commoner’, long looked down upon, was beginning to gain a new respect among them.
“It’s tasty?”
“Wow, well done.”
“See?”
Asuka beamed. Aside from his personality overshadowing his talents, Asuka was a versatile individual.
Helmut saw Asuka in a new light, particularly rating his cooking skills highly.
The heap of grilled meat soon disappeared into everyone’s stomachs. After only having sandwiches all day and riding horses, they were bound to be hungry.
Especially since no one had brought any snacks or emergency food, thanks to the instructors’ threats and the morning inspections confiscating everything.
Had they been unlucky enough to end up in a group bad at hunting or cooking, they would have starved over the next five days.
Not that the robust students of the swordsmanship department would actually die from it.
“Listen up, I’ve got something good.”