Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 163 (Part 1):

After about 8 hours of horseback riding, the oasis village they arrived at was completely devoid of any remaining inhabitants.

It was the smallest place they had encountered so far. After completing their search, they gathered in one place.

“This place isn’t it either.”

“Where on earth did it go?”

If it had sent a large number of beasts to Deser, shouldn’t they attack this small group of people?

It was natural to find the intentions of beasts difficult to read, but something felt off.

However, they had no solid plan. The six people who had evacuated the villagers from the previous village hadn’t arrived yet, but they had sent word that there was no trouble.

“I wish something would happen at the next place.”

“It’s frustrating to keep coming up empty.”

Everyone wanted to end this quickly and return to the capital rather than wander the desert indefinitely. The knight commander maintained a calm demeanor.

“Let’s not be hasty.”

“Yes.”

Traveling at night was forbidden. They decided to spend the night in this village.

Among those who remained, the lowest in rank was Luke Yeager. He was also in charge of preparing the meal.

Surprisingly, cooking was a basic skill for a member of the Palma Knights. They often participate in subjugation without servants.

Luke had asked Helmut to help,

‘If you want to poison the knight commander, feel free.’

was the kind of response he got.

“What can you even do? Are you a kind of young lord or something?”

He muttered as he came to cool off by the water of the oasis.

Helmut looked around carefully. Only after confirming that no one was following them did he speak.

“Be cautious around the commander of the Palma Knights.”

The moment Luke heard that, an incredulous look appeared on his face.

“What are you talking about? Why should we be cautious around the knight commander?”

He spoke as if he had realized something a little later.

“So, you’re saying the knight commander is the one His Royal Highness the Second Prince warned us to be cautious about?”

“It’s definitely the knight commander. I’m not sure how many more there might be.”

“Why would he ambush me? He could take me on one-on-one.”

His expression was one of disbelief. It was good that he understood the gravity of the situation.

“Why would the commander of the Palma Knights target me, of all people?”

The fact that he didn’t fly off the handle suggested that throwing out hints over time had been worthwhile. Suspicion had begun to take root in him as well.

Helmut stated emphatically,

“Because you are the great-grandson of Darien Deferth.”

“The knight commander was a follower of my great-grandfather.”

“Lutus Cicero is involved with the disappearance of the Sword Saint.”

Luke’s eyes widened.

“Is that for certain? How do you know?”

“It’s certain. Just as certain as you being a descendant of the Sword Saint.”

Helmut frowned slightly. It was a dilemma. Should he reveal right away that he’s a disciple of Darien? He wasn’t sure if it would just cause a commotion.

Suspicion flickered in Luke’s eyes.

“You’re not scheming with the Second Prince, are you?”

The likelihood of Helmut, a foreigner, having a connection with the Second Prince was low. Luke probably knew that too.

Normally, Helmut would retort with a “Believe it or not,” but this time was different.

“I don’t have confidence in the Second Prince. He doesn’t wish for it to be known that he suspects the knight commander. That’s why he didn’t name him. I’m different.”

“How are you different?”

“Because…”

Just as he was about to speak, Helmut sensed someone approaching and quickly closed his mouth.

The person who approached was a knight named Jefford, essentially the right hand of the knight commander.

“What are you doing here? This isn’t the time to be chatting.”

Naturally, the conversation came to an end.

*

The journey had been exhausting because they had to ride continuously, but it was peaceful enough to be monotonous. Tomorrow, they would join with the relief troops of the Palma Knights.

The anomaly occurred on the way to the next village.

From a distance, the last village they saw was the largest among those they had visited since leaving Deser. Yet, it was eerily quiet.

The commander of the Palma Knights took out a compass. The needle of the compass, moving erratically, was not normal. It meant there were several creatures nearby.

Luke, being the lowest in rank, and another knight took the lead as scouts.

“We’ll take a look around the village.”

It wasn’t far. The knight commander was here.

‘Within sight range.’

Helmut stopped himself from following too closely, not wanting to arouse suspicion. He waited calmly.

However, shortly after, something unexpected happened. From the direction of the village, a loud explosion resounded.

Boom!

Hee-hee-heeiiii! The horses simultaneously reared up, kicking wildly. Amid the billowing dust, a dark shape loomed over the rooftops of the village.

“It’s a demonic beast!”

“To the village, everyone!”

The Palma Knight Commander took the lead, his warhorse calm and swift. He charged ahead alone.

Helmut spurred his horse, White, to follow. However, the distance between them grew.

White, not a Basor breed, had not yet fully adapted to the desert.

In the next moment, Helmut felt a strange sensation.

‘Below.’

Helmut pulled on the reins. Hee-hee-hee-heeiii! White came to a halt, embedding its hind legs in the sand.

Thud! The creature that sprung from the sand flashed its red eyes. A giant snake. It was a suck-up quicksand creature.

Right after the Palma Knight Commander passed, it had ambushed, aiming specifically at him.

Though not as potent as the red scorpion, a strong magical essence emanated from the creature.

“Take it down, then head to the village!”

The knights drew their swords unanimously. This creature was no big deal for Helmut. He needed to leap over it and follow the Knight Commander.

However, a rustling sound came from somewhere on the snake’s body. A strange scent wafted through the air.

White staggered. The scent emanating from the creature was intoxicating, clouding the mind. The knights quickly covered their noses and mouths.

Poison did not affect Helmut. But the horse was a problem. He couldn’t just leave it behind; White was a horse Helmut had named himself.

He decided against jumping over the creature and drew his sword.

‘I’ll take it down quickly and follow.’

A sharp light flashed in Helmut’s eyes.

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