Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 270 (Part 1):

“What happened, Elaga?”

Sarah immediately asked Elaga, who appeared ambling around the territory.

Elaga sat down on the ground and glanced at her.

[What do you mean, what happened? Nothing much.]

“Is there some kind of disturbance in the Forest of Roots?” Helmut asked pointedly.

Elaga shook its head.

[I thought so, but it’s nothing to do with my territory.]

Despite saying this, it seemed like something had happened. Helmut pressed further.

“So something happened outside the central region.”

Elaga responded, seemingly annoyed.

[Someone broke through the sacred barrier from outside and entered. Of course, it must be humans.]

All three of them flinched. It had been a while since there were exiles. This hadn’t happened for several years.

The Forest of Roots was like an ecosystem. Therefore, someone entering from the outside was like a meteor falling – a significant change.

Those with particularly sensitive senses, especially the rulers of the regions, keenly sense when someone enters from the outside.

In Naho’s case, he secretly sent his subordinates to collect humans even if they fell into other territories, but other regional rulers generally didn’t pay that much attention to inspect their territories.

Elaga tilted its head.

[This wave was a bit strange, but… anyway, it’s not really important.]

Susan asked with an urgent expression.

“Elaga, then what about those humans…?”

[They’re either already dead, or about to die, one of the two. Let me tell you, I can’t do anything about what happens outside my territory.]

Elaga spoke as if it wasn’t a big deal.

A beast cannot be an altruist. It’s not in their nature from the start.

Unlike what Helmut might have thought, Elaga wasn’t particularly interested in farm-like activities where humans under his control would multiply and form villages.

Taking care of three humans was enough. Why should it care about humans dying somewhere far away, not even in its territory?

Elaga rules the central region of the Forest of Roots.

Its territory was already large enough, so it didn’t extend to include Naho’s territory.

As a result, Naho’s territory, except for the human farm, remained ownerless land.

Those who enter from the outside fall somewhere in the Forest of Roots, but it’s rare for them to fall in the central region, which is farthest from the barrier.

Finding Helmut had been a pure stroke of luck for Elaga.

Susan said with a sad face.

“How pitiful. I hope at least their passing is painless.”

Her face showed resignation, even though her words were kind. After a moment of thought, she calmed herself, not insisting on going to rescue them.

After all, those who fall into the Forest of Roots aren’t necessarily good people.

While some, like Susan, were unfortunate victims caught in the winds of rebellion, criminals like Erugo who deserved execution were also exiled to the Forest of Roots.

More than half of those exiled had committed such wicked deeds.

There was no need to risk their current peaceful life by trying to save them out of misplaced sympathy. She had a young daughter too.

But that young daughter had a different opinion. Sarah shouted with an angry expression.

“How can you talk so casually about people dying! I’m disappointed in both Elaga and Mom!”

Elaga snorted.

[What disappointment? I’m a beast, you know? Have you ever seen a beast saving humans?]

“Sarah… There’s nothing we can do. Elaga can’t bring and protect all the humans who fall into the Forest of Roots.”

“But we won’t know if we can save them unless we try!”

“They might not be people we should save.”

“There might be a child like me among them! What sin could a child have committed!”

[Oh, so you want to make friends? One noisy child like you is enough for me.]

Sarah was affectionate, but sometimes annoyingly noisy.

It was exactly like Helmut when he was young. Helmut too used to annoy Elaga with constant questions.

Still, it was fortunate that her mother Susan was there to indulge her.

Sarah shouted loudly.

“Stupid leopard! You’re mean!”

[Hey, I told you it didn’t happen in my territory, didn’t I? By human standards… would you go save people dying in a distant neighboring country?]

“Well, that’s not…”

[Of course, I could save humans who fell into another beast’s territory. But then I’d have more mouths to feed. Three is enough for me! I don’t want my territory to be covered in human smell.]

Helmut then calmly stepped in.

“There is a way to reduce that burden.”

Everyone’s attention focused on Helmut. Sarah’s eyes hoped that Helmut would take her side.

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