Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 159 (Part 2):
With only his thumb and forefinger, Michael carefully removed Luke’s hand from himself, as if peeling away dirty hair.
Helmut pushed Luke out the door, feeling it best not to entangle the two.
Luke, puzzled, remarked, “No matter how young, why do some men look so delicate? I’ve come across rare things one after the other.”
“Not only are you rude, but you also speak as you look?”
“What’s wrong with how I look?”
Luke casually touched his face, which was objectively handsome. Due to the influence of the martial arts tournament, he was extremely popular among the women of Basor.
Michael responded with a somewhat cold smile.
“It’s fine if you don’t understand.”
It seemed to imply a light, frivolous impression. Clearly, Michael didn’t like Luke Yeager. Whether due to the rudeness at their first meeting or because of Helmut was unclear.
Soon, the temperature of the smile changed. Michael gave Helmut a bright smile.
“Take care, Hyde. I hope you don’t get hurt.”
It sounded as if he would wait here until Helmut returned. Before Helmut could decline, the door closed. A clean break, leaving no room for argument.
‘Wait if you like.’
It didn’t matter much. Michael didn’t seem too busy to leave Basor right away.
As they descended the stairs, Luke placed a hand on Helmut’s shoulder and asked, “Your friend, why is he so unpleasant?”
“He’s not a friend.”
“Not a friend? Ah, I’ve heard rumors of someone serving you already.”
“It’s not like that. Just a provider of food and shelter…?”
After briefly explaining the situation, Luke nodded without further questions.
“Really? A peculiar relationship. What does he do?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask.”
“Pretty but chilly, not cute at all. Ah, you’re the same.”
“I don’t particularly want to appear cute to you.”
“‘You’? Refer to me as Sir Luke when on duty.”
His voice carried a hint of boasting.
“…Fine, Sir Luke.”
“Right, address me as such from now on.”
Luke proceeded with a somewhat swaggering gait. Helmut’s eyes narrowed.
Luke was only 18, mature for his age but still young. A freshly matured male.
Despite his congenial personality, he was somewhat elated by such minor acknowledgments, especially since his Palma was the leading knight order in Basor.
Of course, to Helmut, who received a direct invitation to join from the Palma Knight Commander at 15, this was not so impressive.
But there was no need to belittle him openly.
“Let’s hurry.”
The stage set by Lutus Cicero was about to begin. His heart raced with anticipation.
With a mix of slight anxiety and great expectation, Helmut willingly stepped onto the new stage.
As an unpredictable factor.
*
After leaving the inn and visiting Luke’s residence, an unknown man approached them.
“Sir Luke.”
“Who are you?”
“I come with a message from a noble personage. Please accept this.”
The man, giving off the vibe of a messenger, handed over a single note and disappeared.
“Now we’ve reached the point where even men…”
Luke joked as he unfolded the note. The moment he saw the seal of the Second Prince inside, his expression hardened.
He turned away from Helmut to read the note, his face growing increasingly serious.
“What in the world is this?”
Luke glanced at Helmut, his eyes filled with contemplation, but his dilemma was short-lived. This boy might know something.
“Do you, by any chance… understand what this means?”
Helmut read the note Luke held out.
‘I’ve heard you’re leaving urgently for demonic beast subjugation. Many eyes are upon us, so I leave you this message alone. Do not take this lightly, and be wary of your back. Trust no one in the Knight Order with it. Remember this well if you wish to preserve your life. I await your safe return from the mission.’
It seemed the Second Prince had his suspicions about the sudden situation, though he lacked certainty.
Helmut kindly interpreted the note as it was.
“It seems he’s worried you might be stabbed in the back during the subjugation.”
“Why would he worry about that? No, this means someone in the Palma Knights is targeting me, doesn’t it?”
‘The very Knight Commander targeting you.’
If Luke knew, he’d be terrified. Revealing it prematurely could expose him to greater danger.
For now, while Helmut was with him, it was okay not to know. He would tell him when the time was right.
“…I’ve never made enemies. Does the Second Prince think so poorly of my reputation? I know there are people who dislike me.”
‘But that’s not the issue.’
“Being a non-Basorian finalist in the Knight Order, aren’t you an eyesore to the Basorians?”
“Betray a colleague over such a reason?”
“Reasons for betrayal vary. They can be trivial.”
While there were strong suspicions as to why Lutus Cicero betrayed Darien, Helmut was not certain it was the truth.
Viewing the Knight Commander’s position as a motive seemed inadequate; Lutus Cicero wasn’t known for greed.
Rather, aside from supporting the First Prince, his reputation was quite decent.
He had been a model knight, fulfilling his role as the Palma Knight Commander.
Hence, Luke Yeager and other Palma Knights followed him.
But there’s no definitive reason for human betrayal.
What Helmut knew was that Luke Yeager could follow Darien’s footsteps.
Luke muttered, “It’s unsettling even before we set out. The final ended in disarray, and now this feels like a harbinger of trouble.”
“Well, perhaps being cautious will suffice.”
Luke Yeager began to seriously consider the warning. That was enough for now.
“Indeed.”
Their conversation ended there, but Luke’s furrowed brow remained, steeped in thought.