Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 295 (Part 2):
Heike’s son, who was an excellent mage though not on her level, resisted with all his might.
His residence, which the temple forces raided, was in a forest separate from the village.
In that place, riddled with magic circles and traps, Heike’s son fought fiercely alongside his wife.
Heike’s son and his wife met their deaths while annihilating the temple forces, including the Holy Knights’ Commander.
Just as the two knights had died in a duel, so did they.
When Heike, who heard the news belatedly, arrived at the scene, everything was already over.
All she saw were the destroyed forest and corpses. The only survivor was Alea, hidden inside a hollowed-out tree stump.
“You must be… Heike.”
Heike had never seen such cold eyes in a child. The heart of the girl who had lost her parents at too young of age had frozen over.
Revenge begets revenge.
Everyone who fought there died, and she lost the will to do anything against the temple. She had already lost her son and daughter-in-law, and only that fact remained, painfully etched in her mind.
Although she might not have been a mother who cherished and loved her child enough to take care of him, her son was almost the only precious being to Heike.
Heike sought to repay her sin by taking care of Alea.
Although Alea doesn’t know, if Heike had to risk her life for Alea, she would gladly do so.
From that day on, Heike’s life was determined to live for Alea.
For the first time, Heike revealed this story to Antiol. Sadness shadowed her face.
“…So it wasn’t a game as you think. I didn’t know it would turn out like that either. I was just careless, and that’s why I lost everything.”
Antiol’s expression hardened. He had only known that Heike had seduced two knights and caused a tragic accident. He struggled to find words, choosing them carefully.
“…Fortunately, your granddaughter has grown up well.”
“Truly fortunately, that child is a mage with even more excellent talents than me. Now, shall we get moving?”
She had caused the death of two knights, and the Holy Knights’ Commander had died along with her son.
Although her feelings towards the temple weren’t good, she didn’t particularly want to clash with them again.
But now was the time when the collision she had been avoiding was necessary.
Antiol nodded.
“Let’s go.”
*
“I’m glad everyone is safe.”
Susan, who had been waiting anxiously with Sarah in the central region, brightened up.
Charlotte was the first to return, of course. No matter how fast Elaga was, it couldn’t be faster than Igrelle who could fly.
“I’m the first one back, it seems.”
“Yes, I wonder what happened to the others.”
Igrelle spoke to Susan, who looked worried.
[I sensed the barrier waver four times. That means the others succeeded. Whether they make it back safely is another story.]
Charlotte bowed her head slightly towards Igrelle.
“Thank you for taking me there.”
[Well, no need to thank me.]
Igrelle replied with a nonchalant hum. Beasts didn’t exchange pleasantries, so receiving such gestures from humans felt strange.
Charlotte asked,
“Senior Sian is in the east. Shouldn’t we go pick him up?”
But Igrelle sat down, muttering,
[My wings are stiff from flying around too much lately. I need to rest a bit. You guys can groom my feathers.]
It was clear that Igrelle was going to milk this situation for all it was worth. Once the humans left, there would be no more feather care for it, so it intended to enjoy it while it could.
A sigh escaped Charlotte’s lips.
“Alright.”
The next to return was Asuka, clinging to Elaga’s back.
“Ugh!”
He greeted them with an uncomfortable noise as he tumbled off Elaga’s back.
[Huh? Igrelle, you’re just lounging around here?]
[I went to the south, that’s enough help! You can handle the rest yourself.]
[Lazy bum.]
After spitting that out, Elaga immediately rushed towards Sian in the east.
Asuka groaned.
“Oh my, I thought I was going to die.”
Charlotte reached out her hand towards him.
“Good work, Senior Asuka. It must not have been easy to cling to Lord Elaga’s back for so long.”
Asuka looked at her hand for a moment, then turned his head away abruptly.
“Y-Yeah, it wasn’t easy. Unlike you, I didn’t have the luxury of flying comfortably. But of course, someone like me can handle it.”
Charlotte asked in her characteristically calm tone,
“Then do you not need a hand? Are you going to sit longer?”
“No, that’s not it…”
For some reason, Asuka grabbed Charlotte’s hand firmly and stood up. As he brushed past Charlotte, Asuka blurted out,
“You did well too.”
‘Oh my, these two…’
Susan looked at them alternately with suspicion. But she didn’t open her mouth to voice her doubts.