Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 297 (Part 2):

Knowing this, everyone else remained silent, unsure how to respond.

[Did you hear yourself? Aren’t you misunderstanding something? I’m a demonic beast. The ruler of the central territory, no less! I’m an incredibly dangerous being to humans.]

Elaga boasted.

Elaga seemed like a carefree leopard, content with life in the Forest of Roots. Unlike Igrelle, Elaga showed no particular desire to leave. So this was Helmut’s selfish desire.

‘It can’t be helped. Elaga is the one I can trust the most.’

Alea might feel hurt to hear it, but to Helmut, Elaga was even more trustworthy than Alea.

Elaga had done everything it could for Helmut, who was just a baby, without any conditions since they first met.

Though its words and actions were rough, it was like the devotion of a parent caring for their child.

For Helmut, taking Elaga with him wasn’t just about necessity—it was personal. Elaga was his strongest and most trusted ally. With Elaga by his side, they would be a great force.

Moreover, wouldn’t this be virtually the only chance for Elaga to leave the Forest of Roots as well?

Elaga responded indifferently.

[What if I go out and start devouring humans left and right?]

“You won’t do that.”

Elaga tilted its head at Helmut’s rebuttal.

[How can you be so sure? Maybe once I’m out there, I’ll change my mind. The people here don’t look all that tasty.]

“You said it yourself, Elaga. That you let me out because I wanted to, but I came back broken. After seeing that, would you want to let me out again? What about Susan and Sarah, don’t you care about them?”

Elaga’s eyes wavered at those words.

‘Well, even if he’s become as strong as Kantara, Helmut still has his naive side. It wouldn’t be strange if he gets tricked again. Those two who are weaker than him don’t even need mentioning.

Hmm, this won’t do. Humans really are lacking creatures. I need to keep looking after them.’

Elaga was persuaded by Helmut’s logic. Before that, for some reason, even while listening to Helmut’s invitation, it didn’t feel like leaving and had been putting it off.

Even hearing Igrelle’s desire to leave hadn’t changed that.

Perhaps something caught in its instincts. Its demonic nature seemed to be telling Elaga to stay in the Forest of Roots.

But Helmut’s words were right. The word ‘care’ might be ridiculous for a demonic beast, but it could be replaced with another word.

Powerlessness.

But Helmut’s words struck a chord. The idea of being powerless—of not knowing what was happening to those Elaga cared for outside the forest—was unsettling.

That was not what Elaga wanted either.

[Fine, let’s go. As you said, I won’t eat humans once we’re out. But the temple or Renosa or whatever, that’s a different story. If they dare to attack me, then…]

Elaga raised its lips and growled fiercely.

[I’ll chew them up from head to toe.]

“Then it’s decided. Everyone here will leave together.”

Alea calmly concluded.

She had already discussed this with Helmut. While she hadn’t expected Igrelle to force its way into the plan, they had considered the possibility of Elaga joining them.

With Elaga by their side, they would have a tremendous advantage. Moreover, if Igrelle was coming along, they needed Elaga to keep it under control.

Because demonic beasts instinctively follow those stronger than them.

If Igrelle was leaving, Elaga absolutely had to come too. Since Igrelle had destroyed the golem, riding on Igrelle was also their best option.

That’s how they unexpectedly gained two more members.

The others accepted that conclusion without much comment anyway.

Igrelle complained, though not entirely seriously.

[Even Elaga is coming along! Are you telling me to carry that big leopard on my back? I’ll run out of strength and fall before we even break through the barrier! No, I’m not sure I can even take off. My wings will break before that!]

Elaga and Igrelle were similar in size. But their body weights were vastly different.

Birds are inherently light, and they’re used to snatching and flying with prey much smaller than themselves.

Alea spoke as if she had already thought about this.

“We’ll cast a weight reduction spell on Elaga. Please don’t resist the magic. It takes a lot of magical power to cast spells on you.”

[How light will I become?]

Elaga’s eyes shone with interest.

Alea replied.

“It might be too much to reduce you to the weight of one person, but we should be able to reduce you to about the weight of five people. Maintaining balance will be more important though.”

Being large, Elaga would take up a wide area on Igrelle’s back.

Moreover, Elaga alone weighed as much as dozens of humans.

It would have been impossible to lighten Elaga without Alea’s considerable magical prowess.

Igrelle continued grumbling.

[There are already seven, and now five more are being added? Oh my, to think I have to fly with that leopard on my back! Elaga, don’t dig your claws into my back!]

[Don’t be such a wimp. Who told you to be so small and weak?]

[Who are you calling weak! You fat leopard!]

[Fat… you say? Can’t you see how sleek and agile I am?]

As the two engaged in childish bickering, Sian raised his hand.

“And don’t forget, we have a spirit mage here. My wind spirits can help ease the load.”

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