Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 276 (Part 2):

At that moment, Sarah shouted.

“Ah, right! I saw that bird called Igrelle! The ruler of the south, wasn’t it?”

Elaga’s gaze shifted.

[So that bird over there is Igrelle, huh.]

A thudding sound came from the distance. Emerging from between the trees first was Igrelle, walking towards them like an enormous chick.

Despite its huge size, Igrelle’s footsteps were light and pattering, but the ground still trembled.

In the gloomy Forest of Roots, its shimmering feathers stood out.

Igrelle greeted them cautiously.

[Hello? It’s been a while, Elaga.]

Igrelle lightly tapped its beak as if to sound a warning.

The stance of the aerial predator meeting the land predator Elaga was filled with unease.

Elaga responded arrogantly.

[Yeah, you colorful-headed bird. Why are you walking on the ground? Is your wing broken?]

After Elaga had swallowed Naho’s core, their hierarchy was established. The rulers of the other regions instantly fell under Elaga.

Elaga’s personality was not particularly cruel or eager to grow stronger, so fortunately, even if it wished, it could have killed all the other regions’ rulers and absorbed their cores.

Elaga’s words stung Igrelle’s pride.

[Your uncouth manner of speaking hasn’t changed, Elaga. What’s the point of being stronger if your intellect doesn’t keep up?]

[Yeah, should I just pluck your feathers to greet you in a way that suits my level? What are you lurking around my territory for! Don’t tell me you were trying to eat Sarah?]

Elaga bared its teeth. It disliked other beasts.

Somehow, while being friendly towards humans, it was hostile to the few other sentient demonic beasts.

[I just came down to see that white rabbit! You better keep your human pet in check!]

Igrelle turned to look at Helmut.

[But more importantly, over there, aren’t you Helmut? I almost didn’t recognize you, all grown up. Your hair is still black, I see.]

Igrelle looked at Helmut with curious eyes.

The first human to leave and return to the Forest of Roots. His encounter with Igrelle was a particularly deep memory in the bird’s long life.

[Lately, there have been humans appearing in my territory. I brought them here.]

Despite being the one to bring them, Igrelle spoke shamelessly.

Sarah, realizing something, opened her mouth.

“Ah, yes. I met those people. They looked fine, and those people were…”

Searching for Helmut.

Sarah trailed off and glanced slyly at Igrelle. It tilted its head.

[I’m curious. I wonder if you’ll be glad to see them.]

Helmut’s gaze had been fixed on the distance for a while.

Gradually approaching from beyond the forest were the presences Igrelle had brought. Among them, one presence felt particularly vivid.

Helmut knew who that presence belonged to. He thought he knew.

Four years ago, someone he had been so close to, their breaths almost mingling.

It was hard to believe. Was such a thing possible? This was the Forest of Roots, a cursed land where no one was supposed to survive.

But soon, something entered his vision.

It was as if his sight was illuminated, a sliver of moonlight-like silver. Walking out in a white robe, her bearing was unwavering, graceful.

Her gaze, with its mystical violet hue like amethyst, was directed at him. Could there be two people in this world with such a appearance?

“It’s been a while.”

That clear voice seeping in softly. Unfamiliar yet familiar. But above all, she was…

Beautiful. Just as he remembered.

No, even more so. A mature feminine figure, a faint smile playing on her lips.

“Helmut.”

His empty interior was filled by that voice. His heart burned fiercely.

“Alea.”

Helmut finally uttered her name. As if just remembering. The dry words he threw out contained countless emotions.

The feelings he had forgotten over those four years suddenly came alive.

Helmut realized that he was indeed a human capable of feeling.

Had he missed her? Or had he not?

It seemed he had tried not to think of it. To protect himself after enduring the pain that had torn through his heart.

For fear that he might remember he had lost her and would never see her again.

For fear that he wouldn’t be able to endure it. After all, he couldn’t return.

Even if he could return, what if he had to face her turning away from him once more?

But what had he feared?

“Helmut.”

Alea called his name again.

Somehow, she had drawn closer to him. Just a few steps away.

Helmut’s black eyes trembled. His gaze, full of agitation, met hers.

Alea was different from the Alea of four years ago.

The moments when he had felt Alea to be special had faded, and his heart had grown cold. It was only natural for it to be so.

Perhaps she had even become his enemy. Humans change easily, they say.

But that hardened defensiveness crumbled within him.

Amidst the change, there was something unchanging.

‘You still…’

There was no need to confirm it with words.

He just knew.

Helmut reached out his hand. The warmth of her embrace filled his arms.

Or was it he who was burning?

His trembling hands held her tightly. Her arms, embracing him in return, felt soothing and kind.

They simply stood there. Vividly sensing each other’s existence.

Otaku_Tensei

I'm currently Translating the following novel: Helmut: The Forsaken Child. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

•