Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 162 (Part 2):

After finishing the conversation, the vice-commander immediately went to the commander.

“Commander! We’ve found out where the beasts are heading. They are gathering in Deser.”

The Palma Knight members around him all looked at him, causing a stir.

“Have the beasts lost their minds? Not another oasis village, but Deser is a city.”

“It would have been possible only when the old Scorpion was alive.”

The power of the demonic beasts had weakened compared to then. They knew the fear of humans. Therefore, the beasts attacking Deser was quite unexpected. Even if they were excited from tasting human flesh.

Deser had sturdy walls to prevent demonic beast invasions.

It was in a much better situation than this bare oasis, but support was still needed.

“It seems the attack will start soon.”

“The red scorpion?”

“It hasn’t shown itself. It’s not hiding, but it seems to be not near here.”

After pondering for a moment, the commander made a decision.

“Vice-commander Dasim and twenty others will return to Deser immediately. Deser is a city; the beasts must be dealt with quickly to prevent damage. The rest will stay here.”

“Any idea where they might have gone?”

“They’re capable of diversionary tactics. The attack on Deser is likely aimed at drawing us back there. The rest will stay here to observe.”

Being closer, this place was more convenient for supporting the nearby oasis. Ten elite members, including the commander, should be able to handle most situations.

The reason the old Scorpion was powerful wasn’t that it could defeat the Palma Knights in a head-on battle.

It chose favorable battlefields, knew how to strike and retreat.

“Who will you leave behind?”

Lutus Cicero selected those to stay. Injured Horten, mute Alex who lost his horse, and about twenty members of the Palma Knights headed straight for Deser.

As if it were natural, Helmut and Luke Yeager remained here. Helmut scanned the faces of those left behind.

‘All close to Luke Yeager have returned, and those remaining are close to the commander.’

If something happens, even if they don’t participate, they would provide testimony favorable to the commander.

‘It’s convenient for him.’

But it seemed he wasn’t planning to act immediately.

They stayed in the oasis that day, waiting for news from those who had returned.

The next morning, the news came that the demonic beasts had been eradicated and the red scorpion had not shown itself till the end.

Damage to Deser was not significant.

“We’ll move to another village immediately.”

The commander’s compass showed no reaction. The red scorpion was not in the vicinity.

“It’s a creature that could single-handedly devastate a village. It’s not unlikely it would attack alone. We must hurry.”

Where had the creature gone? Amidst the questions, the remaining Palma Knight members followed the commander.

It was time to move again. Luke Yeager became noticeably quieter. The colleagues he was somewhat close to had all returned, and only the difficult ones remained.

It wasn’t possible to joke around with Helmut, who was not a member of the Palma Knights, during a mission with the commander.

They arrived at the next oasis village before evening. Fortunately, it had not been attacked.

But it was deserted. Many had fled to Deser, leaving behind only the elderly and their families who were unable to move.

They were afraid of dying on the spot if attacked during the move.

There were also stubborn people who refused to leave the village no matter the danger.

“There are many empty houses.”

Luke muttered. It seemed they could pick any place to stay. The dozen or so knights gathered in one place after scouting the area.

The Palma Knight commander asked a middle-aged knight. Among those remaining, he was the second in command.

“How many villagers are left?”

“Fourteen in total. Many have gone to Deser, so there aren’t many.”

“The beast is not detected. Now that we’re here, it would be better to evacuate them.”

“There are those who refuse to go.”

“If the Palma Knights are accompanying them, who would refuse such an honor?”

It wasn’t arrogance but a fact. Even those who hesitated would not miss the once-in-a-lifetime honor of being escorted by the Palma Knights.

“Wouldn’t that reduce our numbers too much?”

“The beas were largely eradicated in Deser. There are elderly and weak among them, so it’s prudent to send six to lead the villagers back. Once they return, they can switch with those who went to Deser.”

“That does seem like a lot of people to leave in Deser.”

“Have them bring back supplies. There’s no time to delay, so the next village will be visited by those remaining, including me. We’ll join up at the next village.”

Though the number of people would be reduced for a while, sending a few from here and having a dozen or so return from there was more advantageous.

The risk of being defeated in detail justified leaving fewer people here with the commander.

The knight finally agreed.

“If the commander stays, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“You have the magical communication tool, right? Use it to keep in touch.”

They brought five magical communication tools when they left Deser. Since the vice-commander was the main contact, only he had received messages, but the others were fully functional.

If they were attacked on the way, support could come from either Deser or here, whichever was closer.

“Who should stay to support the commander?”

“Considering their contributions, Luke Yeager and Hyde should stay. The rest…”

The Palma Knight commander named those who would stay.

“Be careful on the way back so there are no casualties. It would be best to leave at dawn tomorrow.”

“Understood.”

The next morning, more than half of the Palma Knights left with the villagers.

What remained were the Palma Knight commander, Helmut, and Luke Yeager, among four others. The number had significantly decreased compared to when they first left Deser.

Luke, looking around the deserted village, said,

“Now we can leave this village with peace of mind.”

Helmut mounted White and fell into thought. Whether it was fortunate or not, opportunities to fight demonic beasts had rarely come.

The red scorpion. He was curious about the creature he had only seen the shed skin of. But there was no rush.

‘It will show itself eventually.’

Probably when trying to eliminate Luke Yeager.

“We must hurry. To the next village.”

Helmut looked at the Palma Knight commander, who had spoken succinctly.

There was nothing to read from his expressionless face. From his perspective, before the replacement personnel arrived was the opportune moment.

It was time to reveal the truth to Luke Yeager.

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