Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 124 (Part 2):
The next morning, the team members were somber upon confirming that the departed members had not returned.
Typically, a group consisted of eight members. The noticeable reduction in their number made the absence more pronounced.
“What happened to these guys? It’s one thing for Basil, but are these guys deliberately not coming back?”
“That’s unlikely. Even if I don’t know about the others, Wesley was looking forward to the group activities.”
“Maybe they changed their minds after being bitten by mosquitoes?”
“The guy even brought alcohol. He said he’d come back after leading Basil to an academy staff member, but it’s strange.”
“I’ll go ask the instructor.”
Andro stepped out of the tent and returned shortly.
“There seems to be a problem. The two instructors and Professor Dwayne were already discussing it.”
“What problem?”
“Mitchell and Wesley can’t come. They had an accident. Remember the bridge over the large stream we crossed on our way here?”
“Ah, I remember.”
“The railing was a bit flimsy. As they were crossing, a horse suddenly panicked, and Mitchell and Wesley fell from the bridge and got injured. Mitchell hit his head on a rock and bled quite a bit. It was serious, so they decided to return to the academy.”
“What about Basil?”
“Basil was following them and, fortunately, was unharmed. He called an academy staff member after seeing Mitchell and Wesley’s condition.”
“Such bad luck, anything and everything happens.”
Asuka interjected.
“So, they’re not coming back at all?”
“That’s right. It took us quite a while to come here on horseback from the academy.”
“If they’ve gone back to the academy, it’s too far to come back here. And after such an incident, it’s not feasible to send the students back on that long journey again. Even if an academy staff member guides them, it would be almost pointless to arrive by this evening.”
“Yeah, whatever.”
Asuka shrugged. While it felt a bit empty with only five of them left, it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Andro spoke again.
“With our numbers significantly reduced, the instructor is considering mixing some groups. He asked me to gather the team’s opinion.”
“We don’t need to do that. Besides, it would mean sharing our food with others for no reason.”
Asuka seemed reluctant to share the food he had painstakingly prepared. Although he cooked it, the ingredients came from different members. Dividing them if the groups were mixed would be problematic.
“Well, the other groups probably have their plans, and mixing them up might not be the best idea. Plus, with fewer members, we’re less likely to be split up, right?”
People generally preferred to stick with those they were close to. The decision was made quickly. Andro said,
“Then, we’ll proceed as is and I’ll relay that to the instructor.”
As he went to inform the instructor of their decision, James muttered with a gloomy expression.
“I hope those guys who returned are okay.”
Asuka immediately scolded him.
“Stop worrying about unnecessary things. They’ll be resting and enjoying the comfort of a soft bed in a warm place. You should worry about yourself, having to camp in the forest for the next two days!”
“Heartless brat.”
“What was that? You do realize we have to stick together for the next 2 nights and 3 days, right? Away from the instructors.”
Asuka raised his fist in a threatening gesture. It seemed in the absence of a lion, the fox would play the king. James looked pleadingly at Helmut, but Helmut was preoccupied with a vague premonition and didn’t notice.
‘Finally, the group activities.’
His heart raced. It felt like something exciting, perhaps even dangerous, was about to happen. Helmut looked forward to that danger.
Since leaving the Forest of Roots, he had never once faced a danger that threatened him directly.
It had been too peaceful, too easy.
This time, he had a feeling it wouldn’t be so easy. And Helmut liked that.
Helmut’s dark eyes sparkled for a moment. The real battle was about to begin.
*
“Alright, let’s set off! Everyone, be careful, and if anyone gets hurt or something happens, make sure to contact the campsite!”
Following Instructor Patricia’s resonant shout, each group began to leave the campsite, leading their horses.
Helmut glanced down at the leather map in his hand.
A map of the Pedica Forest with their destination marked. It detailed water sources, caves, cliffs, and other terrains.
Hunting in the Pedica Forest was allowed only to a limited extent, so this map was confidential. It had to be returned.
Only two maps were given to each group. One was with Helmut, and the other with Andro.
Asuka pocketed the crystal ball he had been fiddling with in his hand.
A magical device given to each group, allowing for voice transmission over long distances. In their case, it was connected to Professor Dwayne.
Group 9’s members discussed before leaving.
“We just need to return here by noon in two days, right?”
“Correct.”
“Where do we need to go? Is it far?”
“According to the map, it’s further away from the academy. We’ll need to ride diligently for about four hours from here.”
“Wow, that’s quite far. So, on the last day, we ride from there to this campsite, and then from here back to the academy?”
When someone asked, Andro confirmed.
“Yes. It’s indeed a forced march.”
Riding for a long time would result in sore buttocks, a problem separate from training. After all, they weren’t training their buttocks.
“Even for the swordsmanship department, this is excessive.”
Asuka grumbled.
“Let’s just take it easy since we have food. Once we set up camp and light a fire, we’ll have nothing to do today.”
“Think of it as a leisure trip.”
The others lightened the mood appropriately. Asuka looked back and forth between his words and Helmut’s, then brightened up.
“We brought a lot of stuff, might as well use some of it.”
Asuka had stocked up on various items for the trip. It was uncertain if all would be used, but they wouldn’t lack anything.
The conversation concluded, and they set off.
With three fewer members, the biggest advantage was that fewer people meant less disagreement. Consensus was reached quickly and easily.
Of course, most decisions would be made by the loudest voice, Asuka’s.
With the reduced numbers, conversation also diminished. The usually noisy Wesley and Mitchell were gone. Their group became progressively quieter.
As they moved further from the campsite, Helmut remained alert. Anything could happen now.
He was excited about the possibility of those events. It would be disappointing if nothing happened.
Group 9’s members arrived at their destination in less than the anticipated four hours.
They had hastened their pace, not stopping to rest. The path to the destination was straightforward, with no chance of getting lost.