Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 120 (Part 1):
The questions did not stop there. Given the opportunity to dig into Helmut, the enigmatic and intriguing figure of the swordsmanship department.
“What about your parents? Why did your master raise you?”
“That’s enough.”
Helmut cut off Wesley’s curiosity abruptly.
His parents were probably alive, but he couldn’t be certain and didn’t even know who they were.
Wesley readily shared his purchase information.
“Alright, I bought this cloak for 30,000 marks. Since I bought it from an official store of the Butane Trading, it might be more expensive in Baden, considering the cost of bringing it here.”
“30,000 marks, huh?”
“That’s somewhat pricey, but seems worth it.”
Andro and a few other nobles nodded in agreement. As expected of nobles, they seemed to have no concept of money. Asuka grumbled from the side.
“I thought I could learn something new, but you’re all tight-lipped.”
Raising the liquor bottle high, Wesley declared, “Anyway, let’s drink.”
Helmut quickly emptied the small cup placed before him. A hot wave surged up, burning from his throat to his stomach as if he had swallowed a ball of fire. Had he not eaten beforehand, it might have burned a hole through his stomach.
‘It’s like poison.’
Given its effect to dull the senses, it wouldn’t be strange to call it a poison.
In a situation where he was targeted by the Black Hawk, being drunk was not an option.
Helmut used Vis to discreetly dissipate the impending drunkenness.
He was the only one who could protect himself. Helmut never forgot that fact.
“Wow, this is strong.”
Asuka, strong against alcohol, slapped his cheeks. He quenched his intoxication by gulping down water. The others either laid passed out, struggled to stay conscious, or were nauseous.
This was Helmut’s chance. He abruptly stood up.
“Where are you going?”
“To throw up.”
“Have a good trip.”
Asuka let Helmut go without much concern.
Now free, Helmut headed straight for his intended destination: the caretaker’s residence he had noticed upon entering the campsite.
If anyone was aware of unusual occurrences around the campsite, it would be the caretaker.
Light was on in the residence. Knocking on the door, it opened promptly.
“Ah, a student from the swordsmanship department? What brings you here?”
The elderly caretaker was polite, accustomed to dealing with nobles from the academy. He stood just two steps away.
“I have a question.”
“Please, ask away.”
“I’ve been having bad dreams recently. I feel like something might happen at the campsite.”
Helmut borrowed a line commonly used by academy students complaining about nightmares. Of course, Helmut had slept soundly the previous night.
The caretaker chuckled. His expression was calm. Normally, one would be baffled, thinking, ‘What’s with this guy? Do I look like a priest?’ But he didn’t seem bothered. Perhaps he was just being cautious because he thought Helmut was a noble.
“Well, you might be feeling overly sensitive. Living in Baden and then spending a few days in this dark forest can make anyone feel uneasy.”
“Have there been any strange occurrences around here recently? Seeing someone or finding traces?”
“I’m not sure. This forest is mostly used by academy students, and during the semester, poachers don’t show up. They know they’d be in for a tough time if caught by the students. Poaching in Pedica forest carries a hefty fine.”
“I saw a trap on the way here. It seemed newly set.”
“A good trap can look new even if it’s old. Did you collect it?”
“When I went to check again, it was gone.”
It was a statement that should have caused a flinch, but the caretaker responded coolly.
“That’s curious. Perhaps you saw it wrong.”
“I’m from the swordsmanship department. My vision is excellent. And so is my mind.”
“Maybe the magic department students played a trick. They cast strange spells in the forest. Even I get startled sometimes. They must be hoping this old caretaker keels over from a heart attack.”
He laughed heartily, watched closely by Helmut.
“Doesn’t feel like magic. I didn’t sense any mana.”
“Well, then perhaps a quick-witted poacher noticed their trap was found and retrieved it. It happens.”
The caretaker emphasized his point. Helmut, persistently questioning, finally remained silent.
It was a situation where one might expect the caretaker to be annoyed by the interrogation, but his responses and demeanor were relaxed yet professional.
However, there was an odd feeling in his handling of the conversation, difficult to pinpoint.
“Then, it was my mistake.”
“The forest inherently harbors dangers. Maybe something dangerous crossed over the mountains recently. But that’s beyond what I can handle.”
The caretaker shrugged.
“But as far as I know, nothing unusual has happened. Does that answer your question?”
“Yes.”
Helmut quickly added, “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention this to the instructors.”
“Of course.”
It was a perfect scenario for interpreting that a paranoid student had come to bother the caretaker, asking him to keep quiet.
As Helmut turned to leave, he suddenly asked, “Oh, and one more thing.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“Do you know anything about the areas where tomorrow’s hunting competition or the group activities will take place?”
“The academy students come here around the same time every year. It’s no different this time. I showed the instructors the map of Pedica forest and the records of previous uses. They decided based on that.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Take care.”
Helmut turned around neatly. The door closed immediately behind him, as if to shut him out abruptly. The sound called to Helmut’s instincts, the predator’s instinct to chase prey.
Helmut stopped, his eyes sharpening.
‘He doesn’t have Vis. The caretaker is just an ordinary person.’
Extending a hand to snap his neck would mean death. Weak enough for threats to work, perhaps extracting information was possible.
Something suspicious lingered. Should he restrain himself? A murderous thought flashed through his mind.
But Helmut clenched his fist, controlling the wild impulse within. He had to hold back.
He was a student of Greta Academy’s swordsmanship department, and with instructors and classmates nearby, he had constraints. There wasn’t enough reason yet to break those constraints.
‘I’ve found out what I needed to.’
Helmut moved again. He had his limits. There wasn’t yet a reason to act beyond them.