Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 199 (Part 2):

It was uncharacteristic carelessness for her. She seemed to have thought only of obtaining the legacy of Lampione in the dungeon.

She hadn’t obtained Lampione’s grimoire yet, but since she had achieved her goal, it felt as if everything was over.

“What did you write on the document?”

Alea had taken on the task of drafting the document alone, or rather, she had managed the entire mission assignment.

Of course, Helmut performed more than his expected role, but Alea wouldn’t have written reports that they explored the dungeon of the archmage Lampione.

The fact that Lampione’s dungeon had been conquered would eventually come to light.

Doing something else would leave no trace.

‘Not only the temple, but the mages will also try to investigate.’

If someone discovered that the timing of conquering Lampione’s dungeon and the killing of the Hight Priest coincided, they might try to find a connection between the two incidents.

But they won’t be able to trace it back to Alea and Helmut, since they didn’t leave any bodies behind.

Alea recalled,

“What did I write again? Ah yes, an ecological survey. I have all the data, but I may need to submit proof that we actually went there.”

The forest was about two days away by horse. Quite far, but still within reach for Alea’s magic.

Helmut immediately suggested,

“Then let’s go.”

“Already?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to go and come back quickly?”

It’s one of the rare weeks without classes. Since Alea could write the report quickly, they might as well get the mission and everything else done quickly…

The same thought crossed their minds. It wasn’t something to be done alone.

Alea’s cheeks flushed as she glanced around, wary of anyone watching.

“Okay.”

*

When they returned after a bit of casual gathering in a somewhat intimate atmosphere, it was already night.

Alea decided to write the report based on the data and submit it tomorrow.

Right before entering their rooms, their hands briefly touched. Helmut had grabbed hers.

“Tomorrow……”

Alea looked around nervously to see if anyone was nearby. She couldn’t forget that she was disguised as a man here.

Fortunately, since it was the last room at the end of the hallway, there was no sign of anyone. Helmut then suggested,

“Shall we go out to Baden around lunchtime?”

Ethan would likely be away from the mansion anyway, and it didn’t seem quite right to loiter at the instructor’s mansion during the mission period.

“Tomorrow, sure.”

Alea nodded. Though they were just neighboring rooms, it was time to part.

The two stood facing each other for a moment, neither making the first move to leave.

It was only when they heard footsteps approaching in the hallway that they finally turned their backs and entered their rooms.

“Good night.”

They exchanged brief farewells.

*

The next day, Helmut finished his morning training as usual and returned to his room.

Suddenly, the door opened and Alea appeared.

She looked perfectly put-together, unlike her relaxed appearance the day before. Every single strand of her hair was neatly arranged. He wouldn’t be able to run his fingers through that hairstyle.

Helmut felt a tinge of regret for the missed opportunity.

With a determined expression, Alea said,

“I’ve thought about what we could do.”

After completing the mission report, Alea had pondered for a while.

As someone who valued planning, she had made plans while Helmut seemed to have none. If they just had lunch in Baden, then they would have nothing else to do afterwards. Alea thought about what to do after that.

Wasn’t there anything they could do together?

Alea turned Helmut’s vague plan of going to Baden into a concrete schedule for the remainder of the mission period.

Admittedly, after writing it down, it felt a bit odd to call it a date. But that could be adjusted by incorporating Helmut’s input as well.

“Here, take a look at this.”

Helmut silently examined the schedule Alea handed him. Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she asked,

“Do you have any other plans by chance?”

Pointing to the blanks, Alea confidently said they could adjust those since the schedule wasn’t fully set. Helmut was momentarily at a loss for words.

In truth, he didn’t really have any specific plans. He had simply focused on the idea of meeting Alea.

Having lunch. Visiting a bookstore. Or checking out shops. Then stopping by a cafe to read books. Alea’s plan was roughly along those lines.

‘There seems to be a heavy emphasis on reading.’

Reading books, huh? Helmut had never opened a book unless he was at the academy.

Sitting idly and reading wasn’t really Helmut’s cup of tea.

But what choice did he have? He nodded.

“Let’s do it this way.”

“Great.”

Alea smiled brightly. A tingling sensation surged through his heart at that radiant smile.

He found it laughable how he had once blamed the seed of darkness or questioned his own heart. He now had a clear answer.

Soon, the two had lunch and sat down at a cafe. The cafe had various books available. It seemed to be a place where people could read books while enjoying drinks.

After purchasing numerous academic books at the bookstore, Alea stacked them on the table and suggested,

“There are also some light reading books here. Why don’t you pick one up and read it?”

She then promptly buried her nose in her newly bought books, her brows slightly furrowed in concentration.

This almost felt like Alea’s normal daily life, just with the addition of Helmut.

As Helmut glanced at the cafe’s bookshelves, he felt like he was being told to ‘start studying for exams now.’

‘It would probably help with grades.’

Perhaps this was her way of telling him in advance to start studying for exams.

In any case, he did get to spend time with her as he intended.

After randomly picking up a book titled ‘The Mansion Murder Case’ and reading it, Helmut thought he might actually be able to develop a taste for reading.

And so the day in Baden came to a close.

Otaku_Tensei

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