Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 154 (Part 2):
“Hyde, victory!”
The roar that shook the surroundings marked the end of the match. A tournament official handed him a towel.
Helmut wiped the blood off his sword blade and sheathed it. His limbs felt stiff.
It was a challenging fight, though it only lasted about 20 minutes.
‘This guy was better than the Palma Knight.’
An experienced and cunning mercenary. Dodging nimbly and occasionally striking with deadly precision.
Even with superior speed and force, it wasn’t easy to bring him down. A tricky type.
Helmut crashed into him like a boulder, breaking his shield. The opponent stood up, laughing lowly.
“A honest sword. Loyal to strength without tricks, a well-trained blade.”
He clutched his bleeding shoulder with one hand. The pain must have been significant, yet he only grimaced without moaning.
A patient and stoic man. He was the same during the fight. Not someone who could be quickly defeated without injury.
“Honest swords are destined to break someday. The world prefers the weak to survive.”
“If it becomes strong enough not to break, that’s enough.”
“It’s not that simple. A sword reflects its wielder’s character. You’re not one to betray. But such people are eventually betrayed by someone.”
“Are you speaking ill because you lost?”
“Not at all. Everyone experiences betrayal, big or small, in life. It’s just advice for a winner. You seem to have never been broken before.”
Everyone seemed eager to offer advice to young Helmut, but this was advice he couldn’t ignore.
‘Was his name Hutton?’
A man who had accumulated countless experiences to rise to the rank of a first-rank mercenary. Not all those experiences were about life-and-death battles. His words carried weight.
“But a tree that has been broken once becomes even stronger.”
Hutton smiled wryly and extended his hand.
“Shake hands with me. You seem like you’ll rise to heights I can’t even dream to reach.”
A surprisingly down-to-earth character for a first-rank mercenary. Even second-rank mercenaries tend to be arrogant.
Helmut lightly grasped his hand, and once again, cheers erupted from the stands.
Hyde! Hyde! Hyde!
The exchange of handshakes between the victor and the defeated was an apt conclusion to a tense duel, painting a picture-perfect moment.
‘I wish it was my name echoing through the arena.’
Helmut pondered how it would have felt if his name, Helmut, reverberated across the tournament stands.
The ambiance would have felt even more palpable.
For him, once abandoned in the Forest of Roots, to stand at the center of the martial arts tournament, exerting such overwhelming presence.
And once again, to deeply realize the success of his life’s greatest challenge.
‘But this is fine too.’
Flowers began to rain down onto the stage.
“You’re not supposed to throw those here!”
Organizers hurried to stop the crowd from tossing objects, in preparation for the next match.
“Seems you’re popular with the ladies. Since you don’t wander around much, your fans are getting anxious,” Hutton commented with a half-smile.
“If you need anything, find me through the Mercenary Guild. Under the name Hyde,” he hinted, suggesting he was aware Helmut wasn’t using his real name.
Helmut tilted his head slightly.
“Are you suggesting I might have a job for you?”
To think he was here trying to drum up business. Was that his motive for participating? Helmut wondered.
The cost of seats at the martial tournament was exorbitant. Filled with nobles from Basor and abroad capable of hiring a first-rank mercenary.
Hutton laughed heartily.
“What? Ha! Sure, the tournament prize could hire me. But I mean, for anything. You seem like the type to attract incidents. Among those, there might be some requiring a rank 1 mercenary.”
It was a puzzling statement. Helmut replied noncommittally.
“Ah, I see.”
“I’ll be off then.”
Hutton was still bleeding. It was time for him to receive treatment.
Helmut descended from the stage and headed towards the waiting area.
There he was again, standing there. Luke Yeager. Arms crossed, watching him.
Helmut realized suddenly.
‘I forgot to wave.’
He had meant to wave to the audience. But it was too late now.
Approaching Luke, he initiated conversation.
“Just one more step after today’s match.”
The unspoken remainder hung in the air between them. Their confrontation was imminent.
Luke’s match was next. Helmut hadn’t seen it all, but among those left, no one seemed a match for Luke except Helmut himself.
Luke seemed aware of this, exuding a relaxed air.
“Got nothing better to do, always hanging around here.”
“Observing a competitor is meaningful. It allows one to identify strengths and weaknesses in advance.”
“Are you asking me to watch?”
“Cheer for me? Nah, I only take cheers from women. If I think all those spectators are beautiful women, I get energized.”
Helmut glanced briefly at the stands. While there were some women among the predominantly older male crowd, martial tournaments, especially in Basor, tended to be a frenzy for men.
“…I see.”
Thinking like Luke would require a bit more imagination.
Though he had no intention of cheering, Helmut decided to watch Luke’s match today. He needed to spot any weaknesses in Luke Yeager’s performance.
Facing him with common swordsmanship would be tricky. And revealing Darien’s swordsmanship in the tournament wasn’t an option.
Before coming to Basor, he had thought of casually revealing his swordsmanship while disguised, to gauge the traitors’ reactions. But plans had changed.
With a high chance of Knight Commander Lutus Cicero targeting Luke Yeager, Helmut needed to conceal his presence, to remain an unpredictable element.
‘The Dark Seed is a problem, and so is Darien’s swordsmanship.’
There were numerous constraints. A perfect opportunity to showcase his full capabilities had yet to arise. Nor had he encountered a worthy opponent.
Helmut passed by Luke as he had done previously.
“Good luck with your match.”
“But you don’t think you can beat me with common swordsmanship, do you?”
It was a sharp inquiry. Helmut turned back. Luke Yeager wore a seriousness he hadn’t shown before.
“You might have your reasons to hide, but you won’t be able to do so till the end. You’ll have to show your true strength. I’ll make sure of it.”
“…”
Helmut turned away. If Luke Yeager, unleashing Darien’s swordsmanship at full force, came at him with intent to kill, could he end it with common swordsmanship alone?
Even Helmut didn’t have the answer to that.