Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 153 (Part 2):
Michael initiated the conversation.
“The opponent you defeated this time was a member of the Palma Knights. Since he was quite a high-ranking knight within Palma, there seems to be quite a stir. Everyone’s paying more attention to you now. There hasn’t been a year in the past five when a Palma knight didn’t win.”
Now he was starting to stand out as a contender for the championship.
“He would be ranked lower than Luke Yeager.”
Palma strictly ranks by ability, so that must be the case. Michael’s eyes widened at the casually dropped name.
“Luke Yeager? Oh, right, Hyde went to see him before. You met the Palma knight commander then.”
Since they hadn’t spoken outside the tournament stage or waiting area, Michael wouldn’t know the content of their conversation.
Helmut guessed that Michael noticed the knight commander’s offer to join because he saw him heading towards the waiting area.
Helmut vaguely answered.
“Luke Yeager will probably be my opponent in the final.”
“Do you consider him a notable opponent? Indeed, he’s seen as a rising star within the Palma Knights. But I don’t think that’s why Hyde is interested in him.”
It was a sharp observation. Michael chuckled softly.
“I’m not trying to pry. Just wondering about Hyde’s purpose. To me, it doesn’t seem like you’re here to win the prize money or make a name for yourself in the tournament. You’re confident in your abilities, so it’s certainly not to test your strength.”
“And your conclusion?”
“Since you won today, let’s have a meal. I would like to go out, but it would be troublesome now. Many people would recognize Hyde by now.”
“Indeed.”
Covering his face while moving around had become essential. Walking around without a disguise could work, but then there’s a risk of someone discovering his true appearance. Like the very Michael in front of him.
‘It would be problematic to reveal more to this guy.’
Though Alea also had secrets to hide and thus didn’t pry, this clever individual was different. He would undoubtedly dig endlessly. How far he would go was uncertain.
Helmut suggested.
“Let’s have a meal then.”
As they had done many times before, they dined together in the Emerald Room of the Golden Leaf Inn. It had almost become a ritual.
***
Luke Yeager, too, had predictably advanced to the quarter-finals. On the tournament bracket that split in two directions, they were gradually closing in on each other.
On the day of the match, before leaving, Michael said to him while looking at the bracket.
“Your opponent in the quarter-finals is the only non-Basorian contestant left besides you. In the round of 16, he struggled for over an hour against a Palma knight ranked lower than Horten Cicero but narrowly secured victory. He won’t be a difficult opponent for Hyde.”
“His name is Hutton.”
“I’ve heard he’s a fairly famous first-rank mercenary. In his mid-thirties, I believe. Mercenaries of his caliber usually avoid participating in tournaments so as not to lose to much younger knights, but unfortunately, he met Hyde.”
There was a sense of victory in his voice.
Michael seemed to underestimate Hutton based on the struggle, but Helmut thought differently.
Being a mercenary of that age meant he had accumulated substantial combat experience. He could be a more challenging opponent than the Palma knight Horten he had previously encountered. A swordsman who knows how to win even in adversity.
‘Still, I don’t think I will lose.’
It would be better to not show his full strength from the start.
Only two more steps to the final. Helmut steeled his resolve.
***
Michael was seated in a prime spot with a clear view of the arena, just before Hyde’s match was about to begin.
‘Hyde seems to overestimate his opponent, but how will it turn out?’
Michael watched the stage with interest.
Despite being of a frail constitution, being in Basor for several days had somewhat accustomed him to the intense sunlight and heat.
Perhaps due to Hyde’s influence or taking better care of his diet, he felt a noticeable increase in his vitality recently.
‘In the past, I detested watching knights spar or anything to do with martial tournaments.’
At some point, Michael had changed his mind. It was painful because he longed for something he couldn’t have. If he couldn’t have it, it was better not to want it.
Even though he had such a weak and feeble body, unable to even wield a sword, Michael possessed something others did not.
He used his abilities and what he was born with to bring strong swordsmen under his feet.
“Sir Michael.”
Suddenly, Robert whispered something into his ear. Michael responded with a gentle voice.
“Bring them here.”
Soon after, Robert returned with a man sporting an unkempt black beard and a quirky demeanor. The man respectfully bowed to Michael.
“Thank you for allowing me to watch the match with you, Sir Michael.”
The spacious area was all Michael’s seating. Seats reserved for those who had to bring guards with them. Naturally, these were incomparably more expensive than regular seats in the tournament arena.
Michael smiled gracefully.
“Not at all. Thanks to you, my knights were able to get new swords of fine quality.”
The man who appeared was Kevin, a renowned blacksmith from Basor.
He was known for making swords for the Palma Knights and had recently completed an order of five swords for Michael.
Kevin was a disciple of the legendary blacksmith Layton and had learned the craft directly from him.
Despite being a commoner by birth, he was so famous in Basor that the king had bestowed upon him an honorary title. Kevin felt a fondness for Michael, who respected him as a commoner.
“I didn’t expect to see you here. I thought you’d be too busy with orders lately.”
“Of course, I’m busy. But there’s something interesting about this tournament.”
“Something interesting?”
“For example, a particular contestant. Oh, looks like the match is about to start. Let’s talk while we watch.”
Kevin took a seat next to Michael without asking for permission, naturally settling in.
Despite being a respected craftsman, he didn’t care much about his appearance. His unkempt beard and hair, and even his attire, suggested he didn’t mind being slightly repulsive.
His clothes were of fine fabric but stained with grease, as if he had just come from hammering away in a sweltering forge, emitting a strong smell of sweat.
‘I don’t know if he can make swords look convincing, but he certainly lacks manners.’
Robert frowned, but Michael’s expression remained unchanged.
Ding―!
With the sound of the bell, the match began.