Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 157 (Part 2):
Upon returning to the inn, Michael immediately approached. Annoyance seemed inevitable.
“Helmut, did you meet the Second Prince?”
“Yes.”
The question of how he knew was moot. Facing Michael, Helmut felt as if the situation was reversed compared to dealing with Luke Yeager.
He knows me, but I don’t know him.
‘Unlike Luke Yeager, I’m not interested in this guy.’
Showing interest might give him away. Even that might be part of Michael’s strategy.
“Did the Second Prince propose any conditions? He’s in need of talents to stand against the Palma Knights. Apart from them, all other knights support the Second Prince.”
“Nothing of that sort.”
“Was it such a significant condition that you hesitate to tell me?”
Michael was persistent. He seemed determined not to let ‘Helmut’ be taken from Basor. Perhaps because he had invested much effort.
“Again, nothing. It was just a visit to encourage the finalists.”
He pondered deeply, his eyes lighting up.
“The Second Prince isn’t someone to act rashly. It must be you or Luke Yeager then. Speaking of which, you had an interest in him too. What could a Palma Knight have that I don’t know about?”
“…”
What’s clear is that Michael’s intelligence network, at least within Basor, doesn’t surpass that of Black Hawk.
But that also means Black Hawk’s intelligence is exceptional.
‘Useful fellows.’
Not being able to eliminate Fasho was regrettable, but the gains from it were significant.
Helmut realized through Black Hawk that sparing an enemy and extracting a price can be beneficial.
He moved past Michael.
“I’m off to bathe.”
“Ah, Helmut! Congratulations on making it to the final!”
As if he hadn’t been pressing questions moments ago, Michael smiled brightly. Helmut glanced at him before heading straight for the bathhouse.
Now, only the final remained.
***
After the scorching sun set, the desert turned ice cold at night.
The extreme heat of Basor’s desert belonged only to the day.
At night, the vast desert was ruled by chill. The desert’s tremendous diurnal temperature variation and harsh conditions had long resisted human domination.
The desert had been, for much of its history, a realm of beasts. Or still was.
Because, although humans had driven the demonic beasts back, their fragile bodies couldn’t survive in the barren sands. The desert belonged to those who dwelled within it.
Keiiii.
A low howl vibrated each grain of sand. Red eyes flared through the white expanse, spreading across it.
With a burst, sand split like a wave, revealing a monstrous form atop a dune.
A malevolent, dark red carapace. Two massive pincers. A venomous tail.
The creature was a giant scorpion, instilling terror in those who beheld it.
This being held a special significance in Basor.
The desert’s ruler, Scorpion!
However, the being that had long been a symbol of fear in Basor’s desert had died.
It had been over thirty years since Scorpion fell to the sword of Sword Saint Darien Deferth.
Scorpion was cunning and formidable. It fought viciously, utilizing the desert terrain, but ultimately fell.
Yet, in its dying moment, it buried its core deep in the earth, an unusual act for a demonic beast.
Darien couldn’t immediately deal with the core, and one of Scorpion’s offspring fled with it in its mouth.
The creature consumed the core, making it its own. It took time to fully assimilate the magical power.
But it wasn’t as strong as Scorpion. With its underdeveloped magical nature, it couldn’t handle the magical power bestowed upon it.
Scorpion was powerful not because of its immense magic but because of its intelligence.
It was natural that a less intelligent offspring couldn’t become like Scorpion, unless given a long time.
Time, however, was not granted, and the creature lost its freedom.
Keeiiing.
The creature, enjoying freedom for the first time in a while, flashed its red eyes. A transparent orb embedded in its head reflected a white light.
The creature was enveloped in a contrasting pure white power to its dark magic. It was sacred magic, controlling magic.
It was a powerful restraint. For the creature, it was an inescapable bondage. The restraint had suppressed its instincts until now.
But today, the restraint didn’t hold back the creature. It had the chance to unleash its instincts freely.
Although its goal was set.
Keeii.
The scorpion’s gaze fell on a small oasis. Humans gather around oases. A village of no more than thirty families survived in the desert, braving its winds.
Excited by the prospect of tasting human blood and flesh after so long, the scorpion’s tail thrashed the ground. Sand dust swirled like foam.
Unable to wait any longer, the creature slid toward the village like an arrow. Behind it, numerous desert beasts followed.
***
On the stage of the final.
Helmut faced Luke Yeager. He seemed unusually tense, remaining silent as if nervous about the upcoming final.
The match hadn’t started yet. Deafening cheers assaulted their ears.
Shouts calling Helmut’s name were as fierce as those for Luke Yeager, a member of the Palma Knights.
It wasn’t the time for conversation.
Helmut glanced at his sword.
To face the descendant of the Sword Saint with the sword given by the Sword Saint himself was an unforeseen circumstance.
‘Darien wouldn’t want me to go easy on his descendant in a duel.’
Darien would want Helmut to fully engage in any competition.
There was no option to go easy anyway. Helmut was bound by force.
He could break free, but the aftermath was the concern. Despite the dilemma, the conclusion was unchanged.
‘I’ll have to use all the ‘exposable’ power I have.’
Helmut declared,
“I’ll only use common swordsmanship.”
His voice, filled with determination, cut through the surrounding noise, reaching clearly.
Luke Yeager’s gaze turned cold. As if questioning Helmut’s words still.
“Don’t misunderstand. It’s not because I underestimate you, but because I have reasons.”
“Then, because of your reasons, you’ll lose.”
“I won’t lose. But that’s because I’m strong, so don’t feel bad about it.”
He wasn’t lacking in ability to be disheartened by a loss. Luke Yeager showed his sword, still sheathed.
“You speak as if you’ve already won. That’s something you won’t know until we fight.”
“Indeed.”
That attitude was somewhat admirable. Helmut smiled slightly.
Ding-!
With a familiar bell sound, the match began.