Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 211 (Part 2):
‘An orphan, huh…’
Ethan Kudrow grew newly curious about Helmut’s background.
Knowing that asking would only heighten Helmut’s wariness, he swallowed his questions but still wanted to share the burden.
Given that he tried so hard to hide it, it wouldn’t be a simple story. Ethan Kudrow wasn’t sure if he could handle it.
That’s probably why Helmut didn’t speak of it either.
Helmut looked into Ethan Kudrow’s eyes. Affection could be disguised but not hidden.
That’s how Helmut could sense Alea’s heart. And though of a different kind, the same was true for Ethan Kudrow.
Helmut knew that Ethan Kudrow cared for him beyond just overseeing him.
‘He has repaid his debt to Darien by simply accepting and sponsoring me at the academy.’
But Ethan Kudrow had done more. He had given his heart.
Even Helmut couldn’t remain untouched by that fact.
Even a wild animal recognizes the human who feeds it.
Even if Ethan Kudrow turned against him, Helmut could not easily end his life.
His sword was merciless. Yet, killing him would not be easy.
Therefore, he could never tell the truth. That much was certain.
Creating a situation that might require killing him was not the right thing to do.
Ethan Kudrow had things to protect, things he possessed, a position he had already established. It was better he didn’t know.
It is only proper that a human bearing the Seed of Darkness remains that way.
Only Alea, with the vessel of an Archmage, could handle Helmut and oppose the Temple with the resolve and capacity required, without being overwhelmed by the vast darkness that was Helmut.
‘But there are things I can say.’
Not everything needs to be said; Ethan Kudrow would understand. Helmut seemed to know that too.
“In Renosa, I think I will find out about my origins.”
“Do you have family left in Renosa?”
“Well, I’m going to find out.”
Helmut deliberately left it vague.
After a pause, Ethan Kudrow spoke calmly, having gathered his thoughts.
“Return safely.”
His words were different from Alea’s.
Alea had told him to win, as if she had no doubt he would be safe.
Alea knew Helmut’s strength. Ethan Kudrow also knew, to some extent.
But his words sounded like those of a parent.
“If you cannot return, I hope you’ll at least leave a message behind.”
Ethan Kudrow knew. He knew that Helmut might leave at any time and might never return.
Helmut was too great a bird for the small nest of Greta Academy.
After a brief glance, Helmut responded tersely.
“…Yes, I will.”
As he turned to leave, Helmut was seized by a lingering doubt.
His departure was imminent. A dark premonition once again enveloped him.
What would happen if he found his mother?
If she recognized and accepted him, would he stay by her side?
If she did not accept him…
His heart skipped a beat.
If his mother turned against him…
Helmut mulled over this grim hypothesis, tasting bitterness. Until now, although there had been crises, the path had been smooth.
And now, he was nearing the end. It had been barely a year since he left the Forest of Roots!
‘Is it too fast?’
Naturally and swiftly like flowing water, Helmut had resolved the tasks before him one by one.
It wasn’t necessarily bad, but it somehow invoked unease.
The reason Helmut had staked everything to leave the Forest of Roots was his mother’s voice.
Not only did he not wish to live out his life and die in the Forest of Roots, but his mother’s voice had become an intense call beckoning him.
It was still clear. Her voice, calling his name as if etching it into him.
Even if it changed somewhat over the years, Helmut felt he would still recognize his mother’s voice instinctively.
But had her heart, his mother’s heart, still not forgotten Helmut?
‘Mother…’
After all, more than a decade had passed. No matter that he was her son, they had not spent any time together.
Margret Irene might have already erased the name Helmut from her memory and heart.
Even if there was remaining affection, it was unlikely to be significant enough to risk her current status, especially as a noble.
Even if she felt a momentary joy upon seeing him, she might be horrified to discover that Helmut carried the Seed of Darkness and attempt to cast him out.
Perhaps it was better not to reveal his identity.
Although his name, appearance and age matched, Helmut was a commoner.
It could be passed off as a coincidence. It seemed like the safer choice. It was wise not to be greedy.
But Helmut felt a desire. He had experiences of success.
Perhaps she was the one he most earnestly hoped for. Not to be shocked or afraid of him, but simply to accept him as Helmut.
‘Alea accepted me.’
Alea was a mage. Even Archmage Antiol had casually accepted his presence, so perhaps mages could accept the existence of a boy with the Seed of Darkness.
It might have appeared as something with challenges to overcome.
Mages, inherently opposed by the Temple, might see it that way.
His mother was not a mage, and he knew her thoughts would be different.
But he could not resign himself to giving up, having succeeded in every adventure so far.
‘First I’ll meet her.’
He could think about it later. Helmut put his thoughts on hold.
Soon, he would depart for Renosa.