Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 148 (Part 2):

Upon returning to the lodging, Helmut encountered Michael, who had returned earlier.

Despite being in the shade, the geothermal heat was intense. Michael’s face was flushed as if he would fall ill again tomorrow. He spoke in a gentle voice.

“Hyde, you were truly amazing today. It was worth cheering.”

“…Your, that way of talking.”

He wanted to point out how ticklish it sounded. But it seemed he was already getting used to it. He felt slightly better. Perhaps it was the contrast effect.

In Basor, where everyone was eager to underestimate him, Michael was the only person who had treated him right from the start.

‘It must be his way of winning favor.’

If not falling for it, at least it softened his heart. Most would be smitten.

‘Asuka is a dog, Alea is a cat, and this guy is…’

Helmut found the answer. A fox. If he were a merchant, it would make sense to act this way.

“Do your family run a trading company or something?”

“No.”

“…Then never mind.”

“Hyde seems curious about me now. Have we gotten closer?”

A shiver ran down his spine. The smile on his face made his fist clench.

A test of patience in a different sense. As if he were a fragile man, too weak to hit by mistake.

He was a new type. As if a multiple-choice question turned into a true-or-false.

“I’ll look forward to the day you advance to the main event. Sorry, but I’m not feeling well enough to join you for dinner.”

Michael knew exactly when to pull back. He indeed looked unwell.

“Eat as much as you want.”

He felt strangely tamed by food. Perhaps that was why he couldn’t do anything about Michael. This luxurious inn served food on par with the Kudrow mansion.

“Okay.”

Michael entered his room, and Helmut quietly enjoyed his meal. Since the matches ended so swiftly, there was hardly any physical toll on him.

Among today’s participants, likely none had completed their matches with as little exertion. Ending it with a single strike meant he didn’t reveal much to be analyzed.

‘There’s something I need to check out.’

After finishing his meal, Helmut returned to his room.

Michael was breathing softly in sleep. He slept soundly and wasn’t disruptive in his movements.

Whether it was intentionally directed or not, Michael’s attendants and Helmut rarely bumped into each other.

The only inconvenience of sharing a room with him was the lack of personal space, except for the outside training ground.

Helmut glanced at the sleeping Michael, then settled on his side of the sofa. He immediately pulled out the documents sent from the mercenary guild.

‘Tonight, I need to familiarize myself with this.’

As if studying for an exam, he needed to focus on reading the thick pile of documents totaling three volumes.

He had postponed it, thinking to prepare for the preliminaries. When he went to apply, he had guessed, but seeing the competitors’ skills, Helmut’s chances of not making it to the main event were practically nil.

The documents briefly mentioned the investigated individuals’ personality, status, authority, family relations, tendencies, political affiliations, and more.

Helmut’s eyes suddenly stopped on one part.

‘Palma Knight Commander.’

Palma, the highest-ranking knight order in the Kingdom of Basor, once commanded by Darien. The name of the current commander was familiar.

Darien didn’t know how many had participated in banishing him to the Forest of Roots. He was also unclear why they did it.

He could only guess they found the existence of a sword saint with significant influence in Basor bothersome. Given his autocratic nature, Darien likely didn’t pay much attention to his surroundings until he was betrayed.

Driving Darien to the Forest of Roots was a deadly trap. Even for him, nearly at the pinnacle as a swordsman and possessing immunity, the poison was strong enough to blur his mind. The Vis, suppressed by holy magic, and the desert trap without any aid.

Vis and mental strength interact. Thus, with a blurred mind, controlling Vis properly was impossible. Three high priests, each a match for a Great Mage, were mobilized to suppress him.

Darien hadn’t noticed any signs because he trusted that person. Because of that trust, he was betrayed.

The only one Darien named as a traitor.

‘Lutus Cicero.’

He was the deputy commander of the Palma Knights at the time.

‘After Darien disappeared, he became the Palma Knight Commander.’

Skill played a part, but backdoor deals were also worth considering. Thus, those who benefited from Darien’s disappearance, likely traitors.

Sharing a deep secret that needs to be buried in the past can maintain relationships. Likely, other traitors remain close to the current Palma Knight Commander.

‘I can’t ask Talon to investigate information from over twenty years ago.’

That would reveal too much. It seemed better to casually gather information while moving around.

Basor favors the strong. Many powerful individuals approach the finalists of the tournament. Sometimes, there are even recruitment attempts from knight orders.

The problem is Helmut has never done such work. He is significantly weak at dealing amiably with others.

For Helmut to become affable like Michael would be harder than reaching Darien’s level.

‘Even if I find out who the traitors are, there’s nothing I can do immediately.’

The Palma Knight Commander would be a formidable opponent, likely more so than Talon. Not to mention, there’s no guarantee others could be easily dealt with.

‘But it’s not just about him; there are those around him.’

Helmut’s eyes turned icy.

Humans are not solitary beings. They have families or others they hold dear. Just because those associated with the Palma Knight Commander benefit from him doesn’t mean they can be spared from the cycle of vengeance.

Vengeance is about ruthlessly crushing the opponent. Mercy should not be considered.

According to the documents Talon investigated, the Palma Knight Commander has a family: a wife, a son, a daughter, and even grandchildren. Mercy for the weak does not apply here.

‘…I’ll have to look into it. The decision can wait.’

The day he would face Darien’s great-grandson in this martial arts tournament was eagerly anticipated.

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