Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 14 (Part 1):

“I am not leaving.”

Darien asserted firmly as he continued.

“The way out is simple. Beyond the southern edge of the Forest of Roots lies the human world. To go there, one naturally has to cross the sacred barrier. It is said that there are specific places where this sacred barrier weakens. In theory, it’s possible to cross into the human world through these spots, provided one either lacks the seed of darkness or, even with it, can withstand the sacred barrier.”

There were several conditions to meet. However, Helmut realized he quite satisfied those conditions.

He had the seed of darkness, but it was small in size. With Vis protecting his body, he should be able to withstand the weakened sacred barrier to some extent. Reaching there was the issue, though.

“I do not know of that place. I never intended to leave, so I did not seek out the information.”

“Then how can I get there?”

“There is someone who knows. The domain of a monster with two serpent heads. Erugo, the chieftain of the village in that region, knows the way. That leopard should know where it is.”

Erugo, a name he had heard before. So, it was him. Helmut nodded in understanding.

“Erugo is a mage, but not a formidable one, so he should be manageable. But do not let your guard down. He has many subordinates, so sneak into the village and look for an opportunity to overpower him. He cherishes his own life above all, so under the threat of a blade at his neck, he will confess.
It’s winter, so the two-headed snake monster might be in hibernation, but if Erugo calls it out, it will appear.”

Darien declared.

“Remember, you cannot defeat it. It is a monster with a domain. Since it cannot leave its domain, do not engage it recklessly and run away at all costs. Understand?”

“Yes.”

Four years ago, Helmut had seen the monstrous form of Naho with his own eyes. Recalling it made every cell in his body tense up. His dark eyes filled with determination.

‘Even if I end up fighting.’

He wouldn’t just tremble helplessly like that time. Helmut steeled his resolve.

‘And a mage, you say?’

He had never fought one, but he knew how mages battled.

It would be his first real combat against a human. And the first opportunity to apply everything he had learned.

A tension deep in his belly made his fists clench involuntarily.

Darien continued with a long story afterward. It was about his past and the human world.

Helmut engraved every word of Darien’s into his mind.

He had been preparing to leave the forest, so it was only natural to feel excited, but his mood strangely sank.

Darien stared intensely at him, at the young boy just beginning to embody the demeanor of a swordsman.

His gaze was as if etching something into his retina, as if looking at a precious sword he had forged with the last of his life’s efforts. Darien felt a special emotion.

‘He is not yet complete. But.’

Helmut possessed boundless potential. Darien couldn’t even imagine what kind of swordsmanship the future Helmut would display.

Darien felt a fresh sense of regret that he could no longer witness Helmut’s growth.

It was an unavoidable fact. His mission had come to an end today.

‘He is bound to have many enemies.’

The outstanding always stand out like a sore thumb. Attention brings enemies, especially for someone like Helmut with the seed of darkness, inevitably facing enemies who are difficult to handle someday.

“There is no black Vis in humans. Only Magic have blackness. Even if you go into the human world, stay away from Magic to prevent your Vis from darkening further. Understand?”

“Yes.”

“And one last thing to say.”

Darien’s voice, heavy with emotion, broke the silence. His life’s confessions seemed to pour out.

“Once you leave the forest, you will experience many things in the human world. To you, who have lived only in the forest, the outside world will be fascinating. Perhaps, it might seem like a series of enjoyable events without any difficulty.”

Suddenly, his voice roughened.

“But tragedy always strikes silently. It hides in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to grab your ankles and throw you off a cliff.”

“……”

“Being cautious doesn’t mean you won’t be caught, and avoiding doesn’t mean you can escape. You will feel helplessness and pain. Moments more hellish than falling a thousand miles into fire might come. But in any situation.”

Darien emphasized as if shouting.

“Do not lose yourself! Do you understand?”

Helmut frowned. He couldn’t quite grasp the situation Darien was describing.

But he vaguely understood what he meant.

The darkness lurking within Helmut. Still quiet for now, but its nature is greedy and wicked.

The moment he loses his reason and self, it won’t miss the chance to engulf Helmut.

Helmut answered carefully.

“Yes.”

“Your body may be as solid as a rock, but even the strongest rock can be broken by internal fissures. It won’t be easy. But humans can stand up again even if they fall, as long as they don’t lose themselves.”

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