Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 253 (Part 1):

Never in history had Renosa been pushed into such a crisis.

Seven Black Wing Knights were dead. And the Grand Duke and his daughter the Duchess were severely injured.

Fortunately, the most important people of the Renosa family did not die, and the situation seemed to be resolved without incident.

However, at that time, an unwelcome guest visited Ratona.

In preparation for any emergencies, a message had been sent to the temple.

The temple is always looking for opportunities to expand its influence.

That’s why even the imperial family, which is already somewhat influenced by the temple, doesn’t rashly seek the temple’s help.

Renosa’s affairs are handled by Renosa. That was the principle.

However, with such a powerful magical beast, there might be variables. If the newly dispatched forces were to be annihilated as well, then…

Therefore, Renosa naturally contacted the temple.

But no one expected that the two High Priests, who were originally supposed to visit Renosa but had disappeared without a trace, would immediately come to Ratona.

The one who greeted them was Margret, the Grand Duchess of Renosa.

Because she was the only one in a position to greet the High Priests.

“It’s been a very long time, Your Grace the Grand Duchess.”

It was known to the public that the High Priests of the temple were arrogant people who placed nothing above the gods, looking down even on royalty.

However, these two were among the more moderate of the High Priests.

But even if they were considered moderate, they were still High Priests.

Those who believed that divine rules were superior to human laws.

They could do anything. As long as it was the rule of the gods.

Although the Grand Duchess of Renosa had grown up with deep faith since childhood, she couldn’t wholly welcome them.

After all, she had clearly seen what they were capable of 15 years ago.

Margret calmly greeted them.

“High Priest Agato, High Priest Levina. Thank you for visiting us. Renosa will not forget the help you’ve provided in treating His Grace the Grand Duke and our Charlotte with your noble hands.”

The pair of High Priests, a man and a woman, both exuded a young and sacred aura, looking young enough to be considered youths. They had an appearance befitting High Priests.

Especially High Priest Levina, who exuded a gentle yet noble dignity that would suit being called a saint.

“I’m glad we could be of help. We were originally supposed to visit Ratona for the swordsmanship tournament, weren’t we?”

“Our schedule was disrupted, but we didn’t expect the cause of that disruption to be here in Renosa. We were completely off track.”

High Priest Agato clicked his tongue. Margret looked at him.

“Does that mean the temple also knew about the existence of that demonic beast? I heard it was a truly powerful and unheard-of vicious beast. You must have heard about the damage we suffered.”

“Yes, we heard that seven Black Wing Knights and several dozen soldiers died. That’s relatively minor damage. The beast killed a priest and a holy knight as soon as it awakened and fled. Its whereabouts have been unknown since then, and we’ve been chasing it, but we didn’t expect it to flow into Renosa along the mountain range. Indeed, intelligent ones are difficult.”

One word that Agato uttered caught Margret’s attention.

“What do you mean by awakening?”

High Priest Levina explained in a gentle voice.

“The beast is a human with the Seed of Darkness. It managed to grow while evading the temple’s eyes and awakened early. Being a former mercenary, it’s skilled at moving without leaving traces, which made tracking difficult.”

The seed of darkness. Those words made Margret’s usually composed face stiffen.

High Priest Levina didn’t find her agitation strange.

Because she was one of the people from the temple who had been here in Renosa 15 years ago.

“It seems to bring back unpleasant memories.”

“…A little, yes.”

“You must be very tired, Your Grace, having to protect Ratona alone during this series of events.”

High Priest Levina’s transparent green eyes met Margret’s blue ones. It was a gaze that seemed to pierce through the heart.

Her heart chilled. How could that be possible?

No, the other party was a High Priest. Nothing would be strange no matter what they could do.

Margret answered with a ladylike smile, hiding her agitation.

“There was a moment of crisis, but fortunately it was resolved safely. You both must be tired from rushing here, why don’t you rest in your quarters first?”

“That would be good.”

High Priest Agato left first. However, High Priest Levina, who was about to follow him, hesitated.

She exchanged a glance with Agato and returned to the room to face Margret.

“Do you have any remaining business with me?”

High Priest Levina wore an ambiguous smile. It was an unreadable expression.

“I forgot to mention one thing.”

“What is it?”

“About that boy. The remarkable swordsman who faced the demonic beast. A black-haired boy, I hear? Strangely, they say he resembles His Grace the Grand Duke very much.”

Where did she hear that from? Margret’s heart sank.

Margret calmly met High Priest Levina’s eyes. A light flashed in Levina’s green eyes. Whether it was curiosity or hostility, it was unclear.

“I heard he was injured. Would it be alright if I examined the boy?”

After a moment, Margret’s lips parted.

*

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