Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 145 (Part 2):

Helmut scrutinized the delicately beautiful face.

‘A woman dressed as a man?’

The thought came naturally to Helmut. Yet, without any magical aura and considering the Adam’s apple, it seemed unlikely.

Asuka was delicate enough to be mistaken for a woman, but he wasn’t one.

‘Do such people only gather around me?’

Helmut wondered.

“I apologize for my knight’s rudeness. I am frail by nature, and it’s hard to find a suitable room elsewhere.”

“Is that so.”

Helmut responded dismissively. He intended to ignore the boy, but something about him made that impossible. Beyond his age, his calm and unreadable eyes were striking. He stood out significantly.

“It’s hard to find a room, I know. We also struggled before resorting to this place due to connections. But, I have an idea.”

The boy smiled, a smile that could make older women fall head over heels, perhaps even create a room out of thin air for him. Of course, Helmut wasn’t swayed. He asked nonchalantly.

“What is it?”

“How about this? I need a room for my people, and you just need a place to stay. So, we share the room. In exchange, I’ll cover the lodging cost.”

Robert immediately raised his voice.

“Lord Michael! That’s absurd. How can you suggest sharing a room with someone you’ve just met!”

“Robert, do we have another option?”

Michael’s gaze turned cold. Robert promptly shut his mouth. The boy had authority over his attendant. He smiled and persuaded Helmut.

“Are you afraid? I don’t have any bad sleeping habits. The room is spacious enough for an extra bed.”

Sharing space wasn’t a big deal for Helmut, having experienced dorm life. But was there a reason to? Helmut considered.

‘A new type.’

One who hides his intentions well, wearing a deceptive smile. While Alea had an elegant and noble aura, she was frankly honest, not like this. It was interesting.

‘No significant energy. Not a Vis user.’

Definitely not a threat. Helmut could overpower him single-handedly.

‘Though his intentions are unclear, it’s something new.’

Helmut thought positively. An unfamiliar person, especially of mysterious status sharing a room, was an intriguing proposition.

‘Not a bad idea.’

Even if it wasn’t a losing deal, Helmut wasn’t inclined to agree so easily.

“That alone isn’t enough.”

Helmut proposed a counteroffer.

“I’ll take care of your dining expenses at the inn as well.”

“That’s expected. Don’t you have something more unique?”

Helmut was curious what this confident youth could offer.

“Something special? You mean something emotional or spiritual rather than material?”

“Anything.”

Michael clapped his hands as if struck by an idea.

“You’re not from Basor and came here for the martial tournament, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Then, let’s do this. I’ve come to Basor to watch the martial tournament. I’ll cheer for you. Having someone support you will surely give you strength.”

‘Cheering?’

Helmut was momentarily speechless, finding the offer absurd. Yet, strangely, he was drawn to the odd proposal. It was the first time anyone had made such an offer to him.

‘There’s not much else to ask for, anyway.’

He could ask for money, but with free lodging and meals sorted, Helmut decided to let it slide.

“Okay.”

The employee who had informed Michael’s party that Helmut was staying alone in the Emerald Room returned the prepaid money to Helmut.

Helmut slapped the employee’s cheek. Not hard enough to cause a nosebleed, but the sudden strike left the employee with a shocked expression.

“Why, why would you do this!”

“Be careful with your tongue in the future.”

The employee, realizing what Helmut meant, recoiled with a flinch.

‘In this country, you have to be assertive.’

Being alone and not causing trouble, Helmut seemed easy to bully. He was underestimated everywhere.

Upon entering the room, the inn’s staff cautiously brought in an extra bed. The two beds were placed at a distance from each other.

The small rooms attached to the Emerald Room, which Helmut had not bothered with, were occupied by Michael’s attendants. From knights to servants, it appeared he was from a high-ranking noble family.

After talking with his people, Michael approached and asked.

“We’ll be sharing a room, so I can’t just keep calling you ‘you’. What’s your name?”

“Ha… Hyde.”

Helmut hesitated, not used to using a pseudonym. Naturally honest, he got slightly confused. Michael seemed to catch the slip and asked.

“Hade?”

“No, Hyde.”

“Are you a noble?”

“Think whatever you want.”

Helmut was slightly irked. Since attending the academy, he’d instinctively used informal language with those younger than him.

But a commoner shouldn’t speak that way to a noble. Even though Helmut was of noble birth, without proof, that was irrelevant.

“I’m Michael, from the empire. I am a noble. Ah, I’ll keep my last name a secret.”

“I didn’t ask.”

“Ha! Hyde, you’re very frank. But being frank isn’t always good. Sometimes, you need to choose who to be frank with. Imagine if I were royalty or someone of similar status. Hyde could be in a lot of trouble.”

The nuance was subtle. Firm, yet gentle.

‘Is he saying my attitude is problematic?’

Helmut responded coolly.

“I don’t need your advice.”

“No one doesn’t need advice. It’s impossible to know and handle everything alone. There’s something to learn even from a passing child.”

‘This chatterbox is asking for a beating.’

Helmut thought. However, Michael was not someone he could just hit.

Too weak-looking. Male, but still a child. One hit might end him. Unintentionally committing murder wasn’t something Helmut wanted.

Helmut understood why Asuka found Alea annoying. More precisely, that annoying feeling.

Helmut decided to verify.

“Are you an academy student? From the scholarly department?”

“No, I couldn’t attend the academy due to my frail health. Asking that, Hyde, suggests you are an academy student? People tend to see others as reflections of themselves.”

Otaku_Tensei

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