Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 282 (Part 2):
Before they left, Alea handed Adamantium and provisions to Charlotte.
“The central gem will show the location with light. Just place it there.”
“I understand. Good luck to you.”
With Charlotte’s determined farewell, they set off immediately.
Among the four humans—Asuka, Sian, Helmut, and Alea—three rode on Alea’s golem, while Helmut alone rode on Elaga’s back.
The others had declined to ride the leopard without a saddle.
Helmut could have ridden the golem too, but then he wouldn’t have been able to communicate with Elaga.
Helmut held on tight.
He endured the vibrations and impacts transmitted through Elaga’s body. It was a process Asuka would soon have to experience.
After a grueling journey, they finally reached the eastern edge. A day and a half had passed.
Elaga stopped, keeping a distance from the sacred barrier.
As soon as the barrier came into view, the holy power began to burn Elaga’s demonic energy.
It wasn’t an overwhelmingly intense sensation, but just getting close to it was enough to weaken the demonic beast.
Elaga’s face contorted in discomfort.
[Ugh, what an unpleasant feeling. How can anyone live with something like that near their territory?]
Helmut realized something and asked,
“Is this the first time you’ve seen the sacred barrier?”
[Yes. It’s in the sky above the central region, so it’s not visible.]
Though Elaga had never seen it, it knew about the sacred barrier.
Knowledge instinctively acquired through the awakening of demonic power.
Helmut focused on the sacred barrier at the eastern edge.
The Seed of Darkness within him was reacting as well. He felt nauseous. He couldn’t help but activate his Vis.
Thud.
The golem flew down from the sky and dug its claws into the ground.
Alea, Sian, and Asuka disembarked, preparing to rest.
At some point, Sian murmured,
“So now, everyone’s leaving and I’m the only one left here, right?”
The east was a land without an owner.
Although it was close to the sacred barrier and supposedly safe, Sian couldn’t help but feel anxious as he looked around.
Being alone in the Forest of Roots was like a test of courage. Unlike the southern region with its waterfalls, the east was simply an extension of the forest.
“All you have to do is activate the item and come back. I’m the one with the real problem.”
Asuka glanced warily at Elaga.
Even though Elaga was the demonic beast who raised Helmut, it was large and possessed terrifying demonic energy. He had to go west with Elaga to where another ruler of the region was.
Riding on the back of such a large leopard was going to be grueling, not to mention the possibility of getting caught up in a battle between two demonic beasts.
His task was the second most difficult among the group.
Elaga snorted.
[Don’t worry, I won’t eat you, little one.]
“Who are you calling little…!”
Asuka, on the verge of snapping, held his tongue.
Helmut was treating Elaga casually because he was so familiar with it, but Elaga exuded an aura that even a former mad dog couldn’t handle carelessly.
[Well, even though they say Baharek has a nasty temper, that’s an old story. I’m much stronger now.]
Elaga was trying to reassure Asuka.
With Naho dead and the balance of power already disrupted, it wouldn’t be surprising if another regional ruler disappeared.
Even if its personality wasn’t overtly violent, Elaga was still a demonic beast.
It wasn’t the type to always resolve problems peacefully.
‘If things go wrong, I can just kill them.’
Elaga thought leisurely. It was rather friendly towards Igrelle.
That was because Igrelle knew when to bow out gracefully.
“It shouldn’t be too dangerous. Take this.”
Alea handed Sian magic stones, food, and the Adamantium.
“To enter the sacred barrier, even you as a mage will experience magic depletion. Hurry with your task as much as possible, and use the magic stone to replenish your magic right after you come out.
After that, carefully make your way back to the central region. It would be ideal if you could meet up with Lord Elaga or Lord Igrelle on the way.”
Sian received the items with a tense face.
“Got it.”
Helmut turned to Elaga.
“Elaga, extract the demonic energy from Sian.”
Just being in the Forest of Roots, consuming food and drink, caused demonic energy to seep into one’s body.
At Helmut’s request, Elaga naturally raised its front paw towards Sian. It was a huge front paw with claws as sharp as beast fangs.
Sian’s face naturally turned pale.
But Elaga, unconcerned, very lightly, as if tapping, placed its front paw on Sian’s chest.
Soon, Sian felt a faint energy leaving his body.
It was the remnants of demonic energy.
“I feel… refreshed somehow.”
As he looked at his hand in wonder, Helmut replied.
“You’re near the sacred barrier, so you shouldn’t accumulate more demonic energy.”
“But Alea, how do I use this Adamantium? Do I just take it towards the sacred barrier?”
“Hold it up.”
“Huh? This…”
When Sian held the Adamantium toward the sacred barrier, a thin beam of light emanated from the Adamantium.
The blue light, though faint, clearly pointed to a specific location within the sacred barrier.
Sian exclaimed in wonder.
“So I just have to follow this!”
Alea spoke calmly.
“Stay around here for a few days, then move when the time comes. Not yet.”
Sian nodded, putting the Adamantium into his pocket.
“Alright, I might be a bit bored for a few days, but it shouldn’t be dangerous. You all take care of yourselves.
Especially you, Alea and Helmut. No matter how strong you are, a demonic beast that’s a ruler of a region doesn’t sound easy to deal with.”
They had already encountered Igrelle, and even if not on Elaga’s level, any demonic beast of that stature opposing them would be a formidable enemy.