Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 282 (Part 1):
Alea’s gaze shifted.
“Helmut and I will go.”
A fleeting light crossed her eyes as they fixed on Helmut.
With both Igrelle and Elaga unable to go, it was only natural for the strongest among the humans to take on the ruler of the northern region.
Naturally, Helmut and Alea were the best choices.
“You’re not just trying to be alone together, are you?”
Asuka’s expression turned suspicious.
It was difficult for the two to be alone here, with all the bustle and many eyes around.
Since their reunion, Helmut and Alea hadn’t had much time to talk privately.
Helmut had been focused on his sword training, while Alea had been busy reviewing her plan.
In a way, Alea’s haste was also for this reason.
She wanted to wrap everything up quickly so they could leave the Forest of Roots and spend time together at leisure.
For now, she was fully dedicated to the plan.
“Do you have a better idea?”
Alea didn’t deny it; instead, she asked quietly.
Asuka closed his mouth. He had no reason to argue.
Everything was now decided. Sian, Asuka, and Charlotte exchanged tense glances.
They had been thinking only of working together, not that they would be split up like this.
‘It should be fine.’
“We’ll depart in two hours. Lord Elaga will accompany us to the eastern edge, so it should take two days if we move at full speed.
Lord Igrelle, please depart southward from here in two days.
Four days after departure, at noon—that’s when we’ll activate the items. And within three days after that, we must return to the central region. The most important thing is…”
Alea looked around at everyone.
“It’s not activating the items but returning to the central region within three days.
You must stick to the time limit. We have to leave before the barrier regains its strength.
It would be ideal if the items could be activated, but even if not, don’t push yourselves. According to the calculations, even activating just one should be enough to disrupt the balance of the sacred barrier.
I’m confident that at least one of the eastern, southern, or western items will be activated successfully.”
The biggest unknown was the north, where they wouldn’t have the help of the regional rulers.
‘Kantara of the North.’
Helmut repeated the name in his mind.
He knew nothing about the creature except its name.
Helmut had grown much stronger since his fight with Naho, but he still wasn’t sure how strong he had become.
Elaga had also grown significantly, making it difficult for Helmut to gauge his own level.
“Excuse me.”
At that moment, Sarah raised her hand high.
“What should I do? I can fight too.”
She spoke up because she hadn’t been assigned a role.
Instead of saying that a weak person like her wouldn’t be of help and should stay put, Alea spoke more gently.
“Stay here in the central region and protect your mother. This place will be empty for a few days.”
“I can enter the barrier too!”
Of course, that was possible. But the problem was what came after. She wouldn’t be much help in a fight against demonic beasts.
Igrelle spoke up nonchalantly.
[So you want me to leave in two days? Fine, I’ll hang around Elaga’s territory for the time being. You can groom my feathers. You groom Elaga’s fur, don’t you?]
Elaga glared up at Igrelle in annoyance.
[Why do you think you can just order my humans around?]
[We’ll be in your territory anyway. I’m even helping out. Just think of it as borrowing them for a bit.]
[What are you talking about? You’ve got nothing better to do than shed dandruff while flying around.]
[Who’s shedding anything? I’m clean! Unlike you, You smelly furball beast.]
With the bickering between the two demonic beasts as the final note, the conversation ended.
With that, the plan to escape the Forest of Roots was set in motion.
*
“Helmut, be careful. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.”
Before leaving, Susan said goodbye to him with a look of regret.
Sarah, holding her mother’s hand, waved to Helmut.
“Come back safely, Master!”
Helmut responded coldly.
“Don’t wander around; stay inside the house.”
It was a scene reminiscent of a wife and daughter seeing their husband off.
The familiarity between them made Alea’s eyes grow cold for some reason.
“They look almost like a family, don’t they?”
Elaga, oblivious, spoke up.
[I was just about to say that those… Why are you looking at me like that?]
Helmut’s pitch-black eyes locked onto Elaga with a warning, and Elaga quickly changed the subject.
If Elaga kept talking, Helmut was ready to deliver a swift punch to its most sensitive spot—its nostrils.
Helmut didn’t want to suffer because of Elaga’s careless words, which had nothing to do with his own intentions.
Alea, still on edge, reacted.
“Those?”
[It’s nothing.]
Elaga quickly shut its mouth. It couldn’t understand why it had to watch Helmut’s moods, but it decided to stop talking.
Fortunately, Alea didn’t press further.