Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 164 (Part 2):

‘Defeating him and saving Darien’s descendants would be a sufficient repayment.’

There was no guarantee of victory. Assuming such against the Commander of the Palma Knights would be arrogance.

There was no need to hide his skills. He wasn’t Luke Yeager. He would fight with all his might!

Using the swordsmanship that had become second nature to him through relentless practice, the legacy of Darien.

He was close to the entrance of the cliff. Suddenly, his instincts alerted him.

It came from below.

Helmut immediately leapt.

Boom!

Sand blasted against him. If he hadn’t protected himself with Vis, he would’ve been bruised.

A red scorpion’s pincer sliced through the spot he had just been in, with enough force to instantly sever a frail human body.

-Kieee.

The giant scorpion, having missed its attack, turned towards Helmut. Its red eyes colored the air like flame. A foreboding red glow. A strong magical presence was felt.

This was the strongest creature he had encountered in the outer world. In the Forest of Roots, it would rank high in the food chain.

But it wasn’t comparable to creatures like Elaga or Naho. It seemed more adept at using its surrounding environment.

‘Good at hiding in the sand.’

It killed its magical presence like a ghost. Such creatures could be why Basor hadn’t managed to exterminate them.

Almost in a state of hibernation, its presence was so faint that detecting it while hidden would be difficult.

But something was off.

‘An unusual energy on its forehead?’

Helmut suspiciously observed the white bead embedded in the creature’s forehead. He felt he understood the nature of the energy emanating from it, but why?

His thoughts quickly followed a certain possibility. Helmut soon found an answer. An external influence.

“Oh, my darling seems to have taken a liking to you.”

A low voice came through. Helmut turned his head. From the right side of the red scorpion, a man approached, wearing strange white robes.

‘That attire, yes.’

Temple. Helmut recalled the word he had been avoiding since leaving the Forest of Roots.

A subtle energy emanated from the man. The same purifying power that had once brought him close to death. The same sensation he had felt from the sacred barrier.

Unforgettable. A chilling sensation crawled up Helmut’s spine. He realized the man’s identity.

‘Priest.’

Not just any priest. The holy power emanating from his entire being.

Although he revealed little, the power within him subtly pressured even the seed of darkness.

The red scorpion hissed and eyed Helmut, but it had already softened its stance since the man appeared, almost as if submitting.

The man smiled.

“Unlucky boy. I won’t ask why you’re here.”

Soft brown hair, brown eyes. The very image of a priest, yet his eyes carried a cold, cruel light.

Almost youthful in appearance, but the energy he emitted was anything but ordinary. A powerful being capable of hiding his own energy.

“You’ve come to a place you shouldn’t have.”

The man’s gaze swept over Helmut, sharp as if piercing through him.

“You can wield Vis, disguise yourself with the power of magic, and… I feel a dark power from you. What are you?”

“If you beat me, I’ll tell you.”

Helmut replied simply. If they had to fight, then fight they would.

His hand reflected the cold light of his blade.

*

Just fifteen days ago.

“It’s been quite some time since I’ve been to Basor.”

High Priest Dolos muttered as he stepped on the sand. The sentiment was fresh.

The intense sunlight that seemed to cook the body, followed by the biting cold of the night in this barren land without a single blade of grass.

‘It’s not cursed for nothing.’

At one time, the temple believed Basor to be a land even gods had forsaken. Though now, it was unbelievably prosperous.

‘It must also be Lumen’s will. They should willingly come into the embrace of the temple.’

Dolos clicked his tongue in displeasure. The people of Basor, strengthened by their battles with the desert’s demonic beasts, were inherently solitary and arrogant.

The Temple of Lumen wanted to extend its branches into Basor, but Basor would not allow it.

Because they did not assist in eliminating the Red Scorpion, the people of Basor vehemently refused even the establishment of a temple.

The Temple of Lumen looked for opportunities to penetrate Basor.

And 20 years ago, that opportunity arrived. An irresistible opportunity.

Dolos recalled.

“Darien Deferth.”

The man called the Sword Saint. Daring to wield divine influence in a nation as a mere human, he was a thorn in the temple’s side.

Humans should remain within human limits. Hence, the devotion towards the Sword Saint in Basor was dangerous. It was akin to faith.

Eliminating him would be ideal, but the Sword Saint was not a title in name only.

He was powerful, and the temple could not confront Basor directly without just cause.

However, if Basor itself took the initiative, it was a different story. A little assistance would suffice.

Initially close to the temple, the First Prince managed to win over one of the Sword Saint’s confidants.

Or was it really winning over? Who reached out first is uncertain. The reasons for turning against the Sword Saint were unclear, but that was unimportant.

The plan was carried out in secrecy.

Three high priests were deployed. Dolos willingly volunteered for the mission. It was an excellent opportunity to test his research.

Trapping the Sword Saint and sending him to the Forest of Roots was easy.

Killing him would have been preferable, but priests could not stain their hands with blood. The traitors of Basor wanted that too.

Yet, the outcome remained unachieved. The king of Basor still lived. He would never allow the Temple of Lumen to set foot in Basor’s capital during his lifetime.

But divine history is longer than human history. The Temple of Lumen looked further ahead.

The king would eventually die, and if his successor was the First Prince, establishing a temple in Basor was only a matter of time.

And now, the descendant of the Sword Saint.

Otaku_Tensei

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