Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 16 (Part 2):

“Hans?”

“He has not returned yet.”

“I see, leave then.”

Erugo dismissed his subordinate, frowning. He had to consider Hans and Lux as dead. Knowing they would die yet still sending them, the reality now soured his mood.

“Nothing goes as planned.”

Keeping a rebellious one alive could influence the others, so it might have been for the best. But at such a time!

‘Damn them.’

Being brothers doesn’t mean they had to die together. Now, with key forces Lux and Hans gone, protecting the village during Naho’s hibernation would be difficult.

“There’s no one immediately available to replace them.”

Tsk, Erugo soon left his quarters. He planned to devise ways to protect the livestock against the upcoming storm. This village was his property, after all.

Stealthily masking his presence with magic, Erugo reached his laboratory. Here, he recovered the magic he had lost or delved into new research.

While he couldn’t use humans outside as experimental subjects, did he really need to?

The magic-filled Forest of Roots was a treasure trove for a dark mage. It was more practical to capture a monster for research.

Dark magic is the power to make the impossible possible. In the Forest of Roots, Erugo regained some of his lost magic.

With more time, he would be able to use magic at his previous level.

‘But still, I can’t escape this cursed forest.’

Clutching at his lifeline, continuing his current life was not smooth even for a dark mage. And today’s misfortune was far from over.

The laboratory, merely five minutes away from his quarters. Though unlikely to be attacked by someone as he’s full of Naho’s scent, Erugo remained vigilant.

He wouldn’t meet his end through carelessness like Lux.

‘It’s eerily quiet.’

Due to the demonic beasts, everyone refrained from going out as it got dark. Keeping a watchful eye, Erugo soon reached his destination.

Standing in front of the laboratory door, accessible only to him, Erugo activated the magic circle. Click. The door’s lock opened.

Just as he was about to enter, a gust of wind blew from behind.

‘A whirlwind?’

As he was about to dismiss it, thump! Something struck him from behind.

Falling into the laboratory, Erugo’s eyes widened. The door closed automatically behind him. Thud.

“Don’t move.”

He felt a presence at his neck. The laboratory lights brightened on their own, revealing someone standing behind him.

Not a demonic beast. A demonic beast couldn’t hide its magic from him, a dark mage.

‘How long has it been since I felt such a threat?’

For the first time in a while, Erugo felt a chill. The seasoned dark mage opened his mouth as calmly as possible.

“Who are you? What do you want?”

“I heard you know a way out of the Forest of Roots. Tell me.”

‘Who would be looking for that now?’

Erugo glanced at the small shadow reflected on the floor, his eyes shifting slightly back.

The face, as pale as moonlight against his dark eyes, had fine features that could be mistaken for a girl’s, expressionless.

A boy he had never seen before. Yet, Erugo thought he knew who it was.

“Insolent brat. Barely thirteen and already so bold!”

The dull blue eyes that caught sight of Helmut sparkled cunningly. Calculations raced through his mind.

‘If I coax him well, he’ll show his weakness.’

The moment the opponent let his guard down, Erugo would demonstrate why he was a dark mage. Helmut responded indifferently.

“Does it matter to an enemy? Answer me.”

“I’ve heard Darien was raising a disciple. That must be you.”

“Just tell me how to leave the forest. You know, don’t you?.”

“Why should I tell you?”

Swoosh. A blade gleamed blue, pressing instantly against his neck.

“Because you’ll die if you don’t.”

“If I die, Naho will wake from his slumber and appear, and then you’ll die too. You don’t think you, as a human, can stand against Naho, the ruler of this territory, do you?”

“Can Naho revive the dead? Don’t worry about me; you’re definitely dying. Stop your tricks.”

Erugo closely observed the opponent’s expression.

The voice, forcefully spat out, showed no flinch at threatening someone’s life. There was no sign of nervousness or trembling.

A calm coldness that seemed to rule out any negotiation or trade.

‘A tough nut to crack.’

A human living in the Forest of Roots yet not one of his livestock. This human was threatening him!

‘Where did Darien find such a creature?’

An absurd risk factor. Yet, Erugo had controlled every danger in the Forest of Roots. Hadn’t he even managed to persuade Naho?

“I’m the only one in this forest who knows that. If you kill me, you’ll never find a way out.”

“Mages like to keep records, they said. I could search your place, but I’d rather simplify the process.”

Unable to linger in Naho’s territory, Helmut was determined to extract the answer from Erugo.

At all costs.

Helmut’s gaze sharpened.

“I could spare your life. But would Naho still keep you as a subordinate if you couldn’t use magic?”

Even with a once-broken body, Erugo could use magic in the mana-filled Forest of Roots.

But if made unable to speak or if his tongue were removed, a mage couldn’t cast spells. Not even the Forest of Roots could change that. Erugo’s expression changed.

‘A young kid, but not easy.’

“Fine.”

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