Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 298 (Part 2):

Elaga stepped down, and Alea, along with Helmut, wove and installed the rope on Igrelle’s back.

The rope wasn’t meant to tie Elaga and Igrelle together.

It was to tie knots so as not to slip off Igrelle’s back, like a saddle, so to speak.

Igrelle immediately grumbled.

[Ugh, this feels tight. What is this?]

[You look quite good. Like a human’s mount. Since you’re so eager to leave, you’ll have to put up with it.]

However, when Helmut and Alea approached it with ropes, Elaga, who had been sneering, made an expression as if thinking ‘surely not’.

“In order for everyone to stay safe up there, we’ll need a harness on Elaga as well. The wind is strong up in the sky, you know.”

At Helmut’s words, Elaga frowned intensely.

[Get that away! I’m not some human’s mount! To try to put such a thing on me, the strongest in the Forest of Roots!]

“What if Susan and Sarah fall off?”

[Even so, I— Wait, why do you keep bringing those two up?]

Elaga was strongly opposing, seemingly hurt in its pride. At that moment, Sarah poked her head out from the side. The girl’s eyes sparkled brightly.

“Elaga. Sarah thinks it would be really reassuring to cling tightly to Elaga’s back. I really want to leave together with Elaga, can’t you bear with it just a little?”

[Uh, um? Is that so? Well, if that’s the case…]

Elaga reluctantly nodded. Unlike with Helmut, it was weak to Sarah, who had been cute and lively, truly child-like since she was young.

While Elaga quieted down like that, Helmut and Alea installed the saddle on its back as well.

The preparations ended quickly.

Elaga would climb onto Igrelle’s back, then the rest would climb onto Elaga’s back.

Igrelle was already big, but with Elaga taking position and standing on top, it looked like a towering hill. The swordsmen had no problem, but the rest were an issue.

“It feels just like mountain climbing.”

Sian grumbled as he barely managed to climb up to Elaga’s back.

To save even a little magical power, he climbed up with just his bare body. Charlotte, who had already lightly jumped up and was standing there, grabbed his wrist and pulled him up.

“Be careful, Senior Sian.”

“Ah, thanks.”

When Sian spoke bashfully, Asuka, for some reason, took issue with the situation and began to pick a fight.

“Pathetic, with such a frail body, could you properly escape if your house caught on fire?”

“If there’s a fire, I’d just put it out. I’m a mage, you know. What else would I use my water spirits for?”

“You’re the type to collapse clutching your throat and coughing even at a little smoke.”

When Asuka fiercely picked a fight as if his foot had been stepped on, Sian’s eyes narrowed. He could guess why he was acting like this.

“Are you jealous bec—”

Before Sian could finish his words, a cold voice flew from Alea, who had climbed up holding Helmut’s hand.

“You two, stop quarreling noisily and just take your seats. Sian, you know where your position is without me telling you, right?”

“Got it.”

Sian, after quickly scanning Elaga’s back, sat down at the very back seat.

This was in case something happened in the sky, to be able to rescue anyone who might be blown away by the wind.

Asuka and Charlotte sat side by side in front of him. Charlotte looked at Asuka and asked.

“Did I do something wrong? Why did you argue?”

At her worried expression, Asuka gradually avoided her gaze.

“It’s nothing. It’s not like we haven’t fought before. Just focus on what’s ahead. This is the final hurdle.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Charlotte nodded and sat up straight. Although she hadn’t wished to face great danger, from Charlotte’s perspective, this Forest of Roots adventure had been far too uneventful.

Susan and Sarah sat side by side in front of them. Susan watched over Sarah’s seat and cautioned:

“Sarah, hold on tight. Don’t do anything dangerous.”

“We’re going to fly out of the forest like this? Wow!”

Sarah was purely delighted, as if she had never cried about losing a friend (Pomi XD). With Helmut and Alea taking their seats, the departure preparations were complete. All personnel were on board.

Seven humans on top of Elaga. There was no bird on earth that could fly carrying this many people except in the Forest of Roots.

.

Igrelle, who had been crouching and waiting for all the luggage to be loaded, slowly stretched its legs.

[It’s heavy. This is the first time I’ve flown with such a heavy back.]

It was a flight that only a demonic beast could manage. Alea spoke calmly.

“The wind spirits will help lift your body. Please depart when you’re ready.”

[If we’re in a hurry, let’s not waste any more time.]

And Igrelle began to flap its wings.

The strong wind arising from its wing beats filled with demonic energy shook all the surrounding trees. It was as if a typhoon was occurring around it.

The giant bird that had taken off after a slightly longer time than usual began to fly.

The wind spirits formed an air current from below, pulling Igrelle upwards.

Empowered, Igrelle shot up into the air as if sliding. Its demonic energy subdued the surrounding atmosphere, creating a vacuum in the center to enable smooth flight.

The scenery below gradually receded. The vast ashen forest.

Everyone looked down at the receding Forest of Roots. It was especially emotional for Helmut, Susan, and Sarah.

How long had they spent in this perilous place? But they would never set foot on that ground below again.

The ground was getting farther away, and the sky was getting closer.

Then at some point,

[Grrrrr…]

Elaga’s back, which had let out a groan, shuddered. Everyone riding on top felt the vibration that occurred in Elaga’s body.

“What’s happening?”

At Alea’s question, Helmut also showed a puzzled look.

“Is it because we’re getting close to the barrier?”

The force of holy power was gradually extending from above. Though not as intense as the barrier in other directions, its effect was still valid.

[Don’t tell me you need to pee?]

Igrelle showed an anxious look.

The thought of this huge leopard peeing on its beautiful feathers was horrifying just to imagine.

However, there was no answer from Elaga.

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