Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 322 (Part 1):

While Sian and his companions were conversing with Teresa, Helmut and Alea entered a bustling restaurant.

It was located on the ground floor of a large inn and was filled with noise and chatter.

The food was below average. It wasn’t the type of place Alea preferred, but it was ideal for gathering information.

They had come here for their original purpose. Although they didn’t know when they would leave, for now, they were Rodril’s guests.

Helmut and Alea intended to fulfill their minimum obligations as guests.

“Everyone seems friendly.”

Helmut murmured. The current king of Veneta had not been on the throne for long.

However, the country had entered a period of stability quickly.

The current king was the only surviving heir to the throne and was skilled in governance, with the support of the Duke of Fidelis.

Though his foundation couldn’t be called solid yet, it was only a matter of time before the king fully controlled Veneta. A few more decisive moves would help…

Moreover, this was Fidelis. It was well known that the Duke of Fidelis, following his daughter, had sided with the current king.

With the local lord supporting the king, it was no wonder the king was viewed favorably in Fidelis.

“If Fidelis has sided with the king, then this matter must have the duke’s involvement.”

Alea muttered, barely touching her food. After all, this wasn’t her kind of restaurant.

“If Fidelis understands what Rodril represents, there’s no way they wouldn’t be involved in the king’s decision targeting Rodril—whether opposing it or spearheading it.”

“The great earth spirit with absolute power. How could they even dare?”

It was like targeting Elaga. Helmut’s question was understandable.

Of course, Elaga was now even beyond that. He was a creature capable of destroying entire nations.

Even if he faced the temple directly, despite the weakness of beasts to holy power, it didn’t seem like Elaga would lose.

He was akin to a resurrected demon king.

“Humans have limitations because they have constraints and things they must protect. They must have believed they could manipulate Rodril if they didn’t confront it directly. Making appropriate use of everything available is what nobles do.”

“So it’s not the king’s idea, but a noble’s?”

“Would the newly crowned king, fresh from winning a succession war, really take the risk of directly opposing Rodril? He’s the one who would bear the risk. There must have been a powerful advocate—someone the king trusts, someone close.”

Alea’s deduction was close to the truth.

“In my opinion, it’s a Fidelis idea.”

“If Sian has gone to speak with the Fidelis side, the issue might be resolved easily.”

“If their demands are reasonable enough for Rodril to consider, yes. Since they used such aggressive methods, they’ll likely offer compensation behind the scenes.”

Alea tilted her head.

“But why would they go without us? Meeting with Fidelis would be safer if we were together.”

It seemed odd that they would go without Alea and Helmut, the strongest among them. Helmut gave a simple answer.

“Maybe they want us to come if there’s trouble.”

“Right, and it’s not good for us to catch Fidelis’s attention.”

As a public enemy of the temples, Alea didn’t need to be mentioned, and Helmut even more so. The point was that information about them shouldn’t be widely known.

Even Rodril could be put in a difficult position if they were connected to them. It would become a weakness for Rodril against Veneta.

“The food here is terrible. Should we go somewhere else?”

Helmut’s plate was nearly empty as he made the suggestion.

Helmut had lived in the Forest of Roots for so long that he could eat just about anything, but Alea was the issue.

Alea smiled, her eyes narrowing as she appreciated Helmut’s consideration.

“That’s a good idea.”

She ate just enough to keep up her appearance. They would wait to hear what Sian and his group discovered.

Crash!

Suddenly, there was a commotion nearby. It looked like a fight had broken out. A hulking man grabbed another by the collar and slapped him hard across the face.

Smack! Blood streamed from the man’s nose. Beside him, two more men glared menacingly.

People around them whispered in low voices.

“Those guys are at it again.”

“Why does the lord tolerate them?”

“So those thugs can now strut around legally in the estate? The world’s going mad.”

As Helmut paused to listen to the murmurs, he gathered that these men were notorious troublemakers in the area. They frequently picked fights, beat someone up, and then robbed them.

They didn’t kill but chose targets who wouldn’t cause big problems if attacked.

Nearby, some men who appeared to be merchants spoke nervously.

“Those guys belong to that… what’s it called? That underworld group that’s now officially active in Veneta. That’s why even the small fry are so brazen.”

“Why would His Majesty make such a choice?”

“There must have been a deal. How would we know what the bigwigs are up to? Let’s finish eating and leave before we get caught up in it.”

Helmut’s eyes narrowed.

‘An underworld group…?’

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