Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 176 (Part 1):

‘But would the temple really be aware of Hyde’s existence?’

The Second Prince wanted to erase Hyde’s achievements to highlight Luke Yeager, whom he had almost completely won over, as the successor to the Sword Saint.

In Basor, the temple’s intelligence was limited. Hyde was merely seen as a skilled boy who participated in the beasts hunting tournament, a potential winner.

Naturally, the focus would be on Luke Yeager, the successor to the Sword Saint, who had a debt of gratitude.

The temple might find out later, but it was too early for them to detect and pursue him at this point.

Moreover, Helmut deliberately chose a less traveled path to erase his tracks as he had been chased by Black Hawk once before, quite thoroughly.

‘Even if they’re not after me, but just surveilling Baden, it’s worth being cautious.’

High Priest Dolos had recognized the existence of a dark seed within Helmut. Therefore, it was likely that the High Priest visiting Greta Academy could recognize it too.

He must not encounter that person. While a High Priest might not appear secretly without any presence, it was essential not to let his guard down.

His senses were as sharp as ever, sensing an enemy approaching from afar.

Encountering the High Priest in Basor was an unexpected contact for Helmut. He had to abandon the thought that they were far away.

‘After all, they are an enemy that must be fought someday.’

The most formidable enemy. It was an inevitable fate for Helmut, as long as he harbored the dark seed.

For now, he could only hope to pass by them from a distance.

‘Not yet, I’m not fully prepared yet.’

Helmut looked down at his hands. He had been lucky to kill a High Priest.

But Dolos was alone. It was rare for a High Priest escorted by knights to be alone.

Unless he could fight and win against the entire Palma Knights alone, confronting the temple, which possessed even greater forces, was currently unthinkable.

They, too, would fight to the death if they faced someone with the seed of darkness. That was the purpose of the temple’s existence.

‘Above all, I’m weak against sacred magic.’

The seed of darkness convulsed whenever holy power neared, making it hard even to exert full power due to having to fight both inside and out.

However, this could also be used to his advantage. The seed of darkness could sensitively detect the approach of a High Priest more than anyone.

‘High Priest, huh.’

Helmut remembered the names of the other two High Priests who had participated in sending Darion to the Forest of Roots, mentioned by Dolos. The one coming this time could be one of them.

‘It would be nice to get rid of them if there’s a chance… What a pity.’

It couldn’t be done in Baden. Not here, not where he couldn be discovered. His determination was strangely strong, leaning significantly towards avoidance.

The impending crisis, but Helmut was sure he could overcome it, as he always had.

Class was about to start, and sensing the distracted atmosphere, instructor Patricia shouted.

“Everyone seems excited because of the festival. Get your heads straight!”

She looked around the students and declared.

“Today, we will have a dueling session!”

Helmut’s opponent was Andro, the second in skill in the swordsmanship department, right after Asuka.

But even Asuka couldn’t last long against Helmut, so being second meant little difference from the others, in terms of weakness.

“Please take care of me.”

Andro greeted him with a tense expression. Facing Helmut as his first opponent in dueling was surely daunting for him.

Under normal circumstances, Helmut would have been more relaxed with Andro, giving him a chance to attack a few times, following the familiar pattern at the academy.

However, Helmut did not do so. Or rather, he couldn’t even think to do so.

It was the first duel since the end of the vacation. During that break, Helmut had fought in an entirely different manner. The opponents he met in the tournament were not the kind to afford leisure with common swordsmanship.

With full power, in one strike, the most efficient way!

Helmut immediately parried Andro’s first wooden sword attack and darted inside like lightning.

Such a weak and defenseless opponent. Ending it was as simple as twisting a baby’s wrist.

Unintentionally, the tip of his sword aimed towards Andro’s neck. Even if it was a wooden sword, it was threatening.

The neck, a vulnerable area, could break if struck properly. The murderous intent was like the slicing of flesh.

“Stop the duel! Helmut, stop!”

A sharp cry, along with something blocking the path of the wooden sword. With a loud noise, the wooden sword was blocked and trembled.

Helmut nearly revealed his murderous intent towards the interrupter but quickly regained his senses.

“Instructor.”

Behind the stern-faced Instructor Patricia, Andro showed a bewildered expression with a pale face, not fully realizing he was close to death.

“After class, come with me, Helmut. For today, I won’t allow you to duel.”

Instructor Patricia spoke decisively. The dueling continued with different opponents, but Helmut could not participate.

After class, Patricia crossed her arms and asked in the place where Helmut was called.

“Helmut, is there a problem? Your swordsmanship isn’t as calm as usual. Did you have a quarrel with Andro?”

“No.”

“Then why are you so sharp? If I hadn’t stopped it in time, Andro could have been seriously injured.”

If Andro had died, it would have been a big problem. It was rare for someone to die or get injured in dueling with wooden swords. Even Asuka didn’t beat his opponents to death.

“It seems my nerves were on edge because I had real fights during the vacation.”

Otaku_Tensei

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