Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 135 (Part 2):
When Helmut returned to where his team was, Asuka bluntly asked.
“Hey, what did Alea say?”
“He asked if I would return with him. I declined.”
“That’s right. But look at the favoritism! He barely speaks to me but wants only you to return with him! It’s infuriating.”
Asuka was visibly annoyed. Considering he hadn’t even thanked her for the treatment, it was ironic. Helmut just let Asuka’s complaints slide. By now, Asuka’s behavior was expected. Full of energy, he’d probably spend the journey back ranting about Alea.
After returning, there were many issues to resolve. But for now, the hunting picnic was concluded.
***
“Talon, sir.”
Fasho cautiously called out to his superior. After erasing their tracks and mounting the horses prepared by Talon, they were nearly out of the forest and on the road. Despite their bold actions, they hadn’t underestimated Greta Academy.
The teaching staff of Greta Academy was formidable. They would thoroughly search the forest to find them. With Hawk Eye’s existence revealed, they had to retreat quickly.
“What is it, Fasho?”
Talon, always calm, never raised his voice, even when scolding.
He always acted with a heavy, mountain-like demeanor but became flexible when necessary. His inscrutable nature and formidable skills made him a daunting and uneasy ally for Fasho.
“Isn’t it too much to give that boy? Money, your magical cloak, and information three times over. It’s too generous for him.”
Talon had even sent the horse back, worrying Fasho yet baffling him. Why would Talon go to such lengths for that boy?
“Do you think I’ve paid too high a price to save you?”
Talon’s gentle question sharply pierced Fasho. Apart from failing the mission, Fasho hadn’t made any mistakes, having disclosed only necessary information.
Yet, failure might have warranted death. Fasho’s survival was thanks to Talon’s grace.
“That’s not it. I’ll repay what you’ve spent. But.”
A cold light flashed in Fasho’s eyes.
“What’s done is done. How about we properly kill him next time and retrieve what was given?”
Fasho had to admit his desire to kill Helmut.
‘He saw my face.’
Not just because of the humiliation, but seen his face was unacceptable for an assassin. Those who saw his face had to be killed.
The question came back to him.
“Do you think you were close to success?”
Swallowing his response, Fasho knew Talon disliked bravado.
Helmut’s skills were beyond Fasho’s estimates. Success seemed unlikely from the start.
“We won’t do that.”
Talon’s tone was final.
“Why not? If I’m not enough, we can add more men. If we mobilize Hawk Eye, we can eliminate him.”
Helmut, at 15, was a monstrous talent. Fasho couldn’t imagine what kind of monster he would become by graduation.
Helmut was a terrible threat to Black Hawk. They needed to eliminate him now, while he was still a naive youth, caring for his friends’ lives.
Talon explained calmly.
“You’re a valuable asset. Worth my personal intervention. This time, no one died because I appeared. But that may not always be the case.”
Talon had never planned to reveal himself to save Fasho.
“How many of Hawk Eye would die trying to kill him? How much would it cost? Have you thought about it?”
Targeting an individual as if waging a war, but Fasho had no answer. To take down Helmut, they would need to prepare on that scale, with inevitable sacrifices.
“Such plans need to be worth the effort. My judgment is that Hawk Eye cannot be wasted on him alone. We can’t operate so narrowly. If there’s a risk, we manage it.”
“Are you sure? He’s hostile to Black Hawk.”
“I’ve observed him closely. As long as there’s something to gain, he won’t attack Black Hawk. He distinguishes between friends and foes. Establishing a friendly relationship could be beneficial. That’s my judgment.”
This explained why Talon had generously compensated and returned the horse.
“Not just to save Fasho, then,” Fasho realized. Talon softened his tone.
“Fasho, focus on recovering once we’re back. You have much to do.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Convinced, Fasho was about to shut his mouth when a thought struck him.
“There’s one more thing I’d like to mention.”
Fasho told him exactly what he had realized while fleeing from the campsite. Talon stroked his chin with a thoughtful expression.
“An interesting tale. Disguising as a commoner… Such pranks are sometimes played by the nobility. We should investigate. I have a hunch.”
Interest sparked in his eyes.
“Let’s return promptly.”
Talon spurred his horse, and Fasho followed suit. Their horses galloped away from the forest and any pursuers.
The connection between Black Hawk and Helmut was far from over.
Above the lush forest, the sun shone brilliantly. It was still midday.