Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 221 (Part 1):
The capital of the Principality of Renosa, Ratona. The Greta Academy group entered their smoothly assigned lodging shortly after noon.
This time, they were escorted not by the Black Wing Knights but by Renosa’s soldiers.
Nils’ impression of Ratona was this:
“It may be a small country, but its splendor is not inferior to the Empire’s marketplace.”
His words revealed that he was from the Empire.
In any case, Renosa was a wealthy nation. A small but prosperous country.
As it inherited the imperial bloodline, it maintained quite an amicable relationship with the Empire.
The current Grand Duchess was also from a noble family of the Empire.
Nevertheless, the Principality of Renosa guaranteed its independent status.
“Alright, everyone, head to your assigned rooms. Today, you can eat and rest whenever you wish.”
“Everyone has worked hard so far. It’s been a long journey, right? Rest your bodies in preparation for the upcoming tournament.”
As Instructor Alan and Instructor Patricia finished speaking, they each dispersed to unpack and rest.
No matter how skilled they were in swordsmanship, the journey in carriages all day drained their stamina.
Helmut looked around. This lodging was not exclusively allocated to Greta Academy.
Already, personnel from Loen Academy, who had arrived early, glanced over at them occasionally.
Those who arrived early had already been frequenting the training grounds to prepare for the tournament.
It’s said that Matesis Academy would soon join them here as well.
They had gathered the academy members from Baden in one place in Renosa.
Even though the hand of the temple reached here, it wasn’t as if they were planning something, but it was an odd situation.
Helmut muttered the names of the other two academies in Baden.
‘Matesis and Loen.’
Although his appearance had changed, something was still bothering him.
There was someone from Matesis Academy he recognized from when he split as Hyde.
Gordon, a sixth-year student from Matesis Academy, who had attended the martial arts tournament in Basor and fought against him.
Helmut only recently recalled his presence.
‘If he has the skills to participate in Basor’s martial arts tournament, he must have come here too.’
Helmut judged that his skills were better than those of Nils, who was also in the sixth grade.
But the difference wasn’t significant. They were almost equal.
Gordon was undoubtedly one of the top talents in Matesis Academy. It wouldn’t be wise to think he wouldn’t come.
‘He probably won’t recognize me right away though.’
Just from the face alone. Hyde and Helmut’s images were somewhat different.
However, he was an opponent Helmut had already faced once. Fortunately, Helmut was competing among the lower grades, so he wouldn’t have to face Gordon.
But what if Gordon happened to watch Helmut’s match?
Helmut’s skills were well-known even within Baden. Loen and Matesis might also take an interest.
If Gordon was perceptive, he might sense Hyde’s presence from Helmut’s movements, swordsmanship, and actions—things that couldn’t be changed by a disguise.
A measure was necessary. Helmut wasn’t very good at acting.
He first returned to his room to unpack. He had an idea of what to do.
Just then, as if on cue, he received a contact from Alea. As soon as he entered his room, he accepted her communication.
“Hello.”
Alea waved lightly from beyond the screen-like.
The view behind her was the usual dormitory room.
“So you’ve arrived in Ratona. Is that your room?”
“Yes.”
The room had become noticeably more modest. Although “modest” might not be the right term.
The room, decorated in blue tones, wasn’t as splendid as their first lodging in Renosa, but it was clean and luxurious.
This was the treatment provided equally to all academies.
Even Charlotte wouldn’t be an exception.
“It seems the other two academies from Baden are also staying here.”
“Matesis and Loen? Matesis’ swordsmanship department has a better reputation than Greta’s.”
“That reputation will change this time.”
Helmut smirked, and Alea’s laughter echoed.
“Of course. With you there. At least in the lower grade tournament, Greta will almost certainly win. But the important thing isn’t winning. There’s something more important.”
Her tone had changed. Wasn’t Alea the one who insisted on an absolute victory before?
Helmut tilted his head. There must have been a reason for her change in thought.
Alea spoke with a cautious voice.
“I’ve heard rumors that at least two High Priests are heading to Renosa. To observe the comprehensive swordsmanship tournament.
As you know, the temple’s permission is why Baden’s academies can participate in this tournament. They want to monitor it. They don’t like Baden.”
The temple likely suspected someone in Baden of the High Priests’ murder. Specifically, someone among the skilled members of Baden’s academies.
But even so, they wouldn’t have sent High Priests just because of the handful of selected members from Greta Academy.
Unless they were certain that the culprit was among them!