Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 263 (Part 1):

Alea replied simply.

“We have someone who will help us.”

“Can we trust this person? This isn’t an ordinary situation.”

Sian wore a suspicious expression.

Going against the Temple was no small matter. It wouldn’t be easy for anyone to risk helping them, no matter who they were.

That’s why they had maintained perfect silence about Helmut’s disappearance until now.

There were many rumors about the handsome, genius second-year representative of the Swordsmanship Department who vanished after attending the academy for just one year.

But when asked, his friends only said they didn’t know anything either.

Who could they possibly tell?

That Helmut was the heir to the Renosa duchy and possessed the “Seed of Darkness”. That he was abandoned in the Forest of Roots and he was exiled again even after surviving and returning.

Trust was meaningless. No one could be trusted completely.

So you just need to choose someone who can’t betray you, or has no reason to betray you.

Alea was faithful to that logic.

‘It’s impossible for me alone to break through a sacred barrier that even the greatest archmages couldn’t breach in such a short time.’

No matter how much of a genius she was, the world of magic was vast and Alea was still young. She coolly assessed her own limitations.

Going to the Forest of Roots was impossible on her own strength alone. Even Heike was reluctant to do it.

So Alea looked for another way. If she couldn’t do it herself, she just needed to find someone who could.

*

The person to ask about such a someone was obviously Heike. Heike provided an answer to Alea’s question.

‘There is an archmage who researches the sacred barrier of the Forest of Roots. But, well, I’m not in contact with him… Actually, he really dislikes me. He says I’ve tarnished the name of archmages or something.’

‘I see. Who is this archmage?’

‘Antiol.’

It was a name she had heard before.

No, he was very famous.

A master of barrier magic.

Archmage Antiol helped various countries transition away from the Temple by replacing holy power with magic.

The influence of the overbearing Temple was already declining day by day, as the human world had long been free from the threat of demonic beasts.

In such circumstances, it was clear how much the Temple must be grinding their teeth at Antiol.

‘He’s already burned his bridges with the Temple, so he’ll do anything the Temple dislikes.’

‘He’ll be reminded of you when he sees me. Will he really cooperate so easily?’
That’s for you to figure out. But you’re different from me, and he’s not petty enough to dislike you just because of me. If you pique his interest, Antiol will help you.’

Heike spoke with certainty. Mages are a curious breed. Archmages even more so.

But the problem was how to contact this Antiol.

‘I’ve heard Antiol has secret connections with other mages. There’s supposedly someone linked to him at every academy. There’s likely a professor who’s in contact with him.’

Alea had an accurate grasp of each magic department professor’s inclinations.

From those friendly to the Temple to those who disliked it.

The one with the most flexible mind and strong curiosity, likely to have connections with the archmage who became an enemy of the temple.

‘Professor Luxen.’

Was there a need to reveal the whole truth? Even if Professor Luxen, who had gone with them to Renosa, had suspicions about Helmut, Alea had no intention of involving him.

Alea approached Professor Luxen and let him know she was interested in Archmage Antiol’s field of research.

Professor Luxen shrewdly sized her up, then informed Archmage Antiol of her existence, and that’s how the meeting was arranged.

‘So you’re Alea. You’re the spitting image of Heike. But your personality seems quite different. I’ve heard about you. Luxen praised you as the greatest genius in Greta Academy’s history.’

‘Not just Greta Academy.’

Antiol chuckled at Alea’s confidence.

‘You seem to take after your grandmother in that regard. So, you’re interested in my research?’

‘Yes, actually…’

Unlike with Professor Luxen, Alea revealed part of the truth to Antiol.

Her friend had been exiled to the Forest of Roots, and though his fate was unknown, she wanted to rescue him. She wanted to know about the Forest of Roots and the sacred barrier.

In front of an archmage, shallow tricks wouldn’t work. Trying to get what she wanted with vague words was nearly impossible.

So she laid her cards on the table, hoping for his cooperation.

‘I’d like your help. I will bring your research to fruition.’

Alea spoke politely. The one in need was clearly her side. But Antiol showed an unexpected reaction.

‘Helmut, you say. That reminds me of a boy I once met. Is this Helmut a sword-wielding boy with black hair and black eyes?’

Alea’s eyes widened. Helmut had never mentioned Antiol to her.

It wasn’t that he deliberately hid it, but given his taciturn nature, it had naturally been omitted.

‘That’s right, but…’

‘I had a connection with him once. So he went to Greta Academy.’

Antiol muttered, then his eyes flashed sharply.

‘There’s something you haven’t told me.’

That Helmut possessed the Seed of Darkness.

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