Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 243 ( Part 1):
“How did you come to have the pendant?”
“The one who took me in after I was abandoned in the Forest of Roots later gave it to me.”
Margret and Helmut continued their conversation. It was mainly Margret asking questions and Helmut answering.
He needed to explain from the beginning, but somehow his throat felt tight.
Moreover, he wasn’t sure if Margret would be able to accept the entire truth, which is why it turned out this way.
‘I wonder how Mother will think of Elaga.’
A leopard the size of a house, and a demonic beast at that. Margret was a noblewoman who had lived a graceful life and was different from Alea, who could be flexible in her thinking as a mage. Helmut knew at least that much.
Before long, Margret’s tears had stopped. She was holding Helmut’s hand tightly and listening intently to his words.
Her blue eyes warmly embraced him, as if urging him to continue speaking with trust.
“You say you are the disciple of Sword Saint Darien?”
“Yes.”
“That’s remarkable. The bloodline of Renosa has always excelled in swordsmanship.”
Now it was time to ask how he had come out of the forest.
But suddenly, Margret frowned.
“I think we need to stop here. It seems difficult for me to stay away any longer. I must return.”
Margret had secretly slipped away. Now it was time for her to go back.
“Yes.”
“Rest. We’ll talk again next time.”
Helmut watched Margret’s figure as she turned around, composing her disheveled expression.
The door opened and closed, leaving him alone in the training ground.
It felt as though he had awakened from a dream.
But the lingering emotions remained.
It was a night that felt as if he had gained everything. Somehow, he wanted to talk to someone.
‘Alea said she wouldn’t be able to contact me.’
She must be conducting a long, focused experiment with the dungeon.
For the first time, Helmut felt a clear sense of dissatisfaction with his girlfriend.
“…She’ll probably contact me soon.”
Until then, he had no idea how things with his mother would unfold.
*
Michael had grown quite close to Leon. Michael had an exceptional talent for winning people’s hearts.
Michael acted as if he had a purpose in recruiting Leon into the Black Wing Knights.
On the other hand, he behaved as if Helmut, merely the winner of the lower-grade tournament, wasn’t even worth considering.
Leon was a high-ranking noble with a lofty attitude, a boy who had always lived as an honor student.
He was not the type to easily open his heart, but he couldn’t resist Michael’s blatant favoritism and eloquence.
While having tea with Leon, Michael skillfully guided the conversation to his desired topic.
“You must have swung your sword a lot during the tournament. How about getting it checked? Ratona’s blacksmith is quite good. I heard some competitors bought their swords from Ratona.”
Leon responded nonchalantly.
“Helmut did. His previous sword seemed like a fine blade, so I wonder why he suddenly changed it.”
It was the answer Michael had been hoping for.
“Is that so? Maybe his sword was damaged?”
“It was fine when we sparred on the way here… Ah, never mind.”
Leon hastily closed his mouth. Michael could guess the outcome of their sparring from his attitude.
Michael’s eyes narrowed. But he smoothly let it pass without pressing the issue.
“I see. He must have found a sword he liked.”
A short while later, Michael naturally concluded the conversation and left. He had heard what he wanted.
It was something he could have found out more quickly, but he did not rush. Michael walked, lost in thought.
‘So, he did change his sword. Where could his previous sword be?’
It was a Sword Saint’s sword. It wouldn’t be left just anywhere. He would always carry it. Perhaps in a cloak with spatial expansion magic.
Hyde also had one. Helmut wouldn’t have expected to see Michael in Renosa.
So, he wouldn’t have bought a new, expensive cloak with spatial expansion magic.
Even a stealthy entry into Helmut’s room to inspect his belongings would remove any doubt that Helmut was Hyde.
Michael realized one thing.
‘Charlotte must have known. She’s hiding something too.’
It was an unpleasant thought. Charlotte didn’t trust Michael.
Michael knew this well. Yet, it was unacceptable that she was hiding something from him.
Michael also understood Charlotte’s nature.
Charlotte was raised as the Grand Duke’s daughter. She knew she shouldn’t easily give her heart to others and indeed had a detached side.
Charlotte was hiding the truth from Michael to protect Helmut.
She didn’t want Michael to harm Helmut.
‘She wouldn’t go to such lengths to protect just a skilled commoner senior.’
Michael pressured Charlotte as if it were related to the Grand Duchy’s security.
Yet, she kept silent, indicating she held Helmut in special regard. It wasn’t romantic interest.
‘Does Charlotte feel something similar to what I feel?’
They were twins. Unfortunately, there was no such thing as empathy between them, but he could guess. Charlotte was simple-minded.
‘What worries me more is Mother.’