Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 330 (Part 1):

“Welcome to the royal palace.”

The king’s brief greeting fell from his lips as he sat at the head of the table. Helmut narrowed his eyes.

As expected, the man who had approached him last night was none other than the one welcoming Rodril’s party: Davis, the King of Veneta.

Devis regarded them with a neutral gaze, neither warm nor hostile, as if the prior night’s encounter with Helmut had never occurred.

“I trust you have been well during your stay.”

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s gracious hospitality. Of course, we suspected such comforts were provided for a reason beyond mere kindness,” Terra replied, her posture upright and confident.

The woman who had wanted to abandon her family and remain here just days ago now spoke with an air of authority that belied her humble origins.

Even as she offered a bold response, the king remained unfazed, his tone businesslike as he continued.

“It has been a year since I ascended to the throne. Neighboring countries have showered me with gifts, but it seems this fact has been of little importance to those within my own territory.”

The unexpected remark caused Terra to falter slightly before responding.

“…Greencana is a remote village, unaccustomed to news and slow to learn of Your Majesty’s coronation.”

“Now that you are aware, I trust I can look forward to your congratulations.”

The king’s gaze rested on her, neither a plea nor a command, but a clear expectation.

Though the exchange lacked the overt dynamics of a hierarchical relationship, it was evident that Devis had skillfully maneuvered the conversation to extract a concession.

Helmut raised an eyebrow.

‘He’s clever.’

Teresa had mentioned that the nature of the request would be determined by the king. If that was the case, he was proving to be a formidable negotiator.

“If it’s a coronation gift, I can offer something as a neighbor. However, as merely a spirit mage from a small village, I cannot fathom what Your Majesty of Veneta might prefer.”

Without hesitation, the king delivered his request, as though he had it prepared in advance.

“There is a ruined garden on the western side of the palace. About a year ago, during a great disturbance within the palace, the land was scorched and rendered barren. Since then, it has been left untouched, as none knew how to restore it. I wonder if the Earth Spirit Mage of Rodril might be able to revive such dead land.”

A disturbance a year ago. His words carried a weight that everyone in the room could feel. Terra responded cautiously.

“Would Your Majesty permit me to visit the site?”

The king shifted his gaze to the woman standing nearby.

“Teresa.”

With her usual serene smile, Teresa responded, “Allow me to guide you.”

*

**The Western Garden**

A war of succession inevitably demands sacrifice.

Davis had not ascended to the throne without strife.

While he may not have been branded with the stigma of being unfilial or tyrannical, his path to power was paved with blood.

Two princes died, and countless corpses burned in this ominous place.

Among the fallen, some had wielded poison, and the ash and fumes that filled the garden’s air had contaminated the soil. It had become a dead wasteland, incapable of supporting even weeds.

Teresa frowned.

‘We could have restored this long ago, but His Majesty insisted it remains untouched.’

The king could have chosen to meet Rodril in a formal audience, flanked by nobles, but he had instead opted for a simpler approach.

Even without such formality, if Rodril restored this land, it would carry tremendously symbolic meaning.

‘A new era under a new king, acknowledged even by Rodril. It’s a perfect statement.’

A faint smile graced Teresa’s lips. She was pleased to see she had chosen the right king to serve.

Although his demeanor had been somewhat odd in recent days, she dismissed it as insignificant.

Soon, the group arrived at the western garden.

“This is the place.”

Terra stepped into the garden’s barren expanse. Despite its size, the area was desolate, devoid of mature trees or vegetation.

Sparse, withering weeds grew amidst patches of blackened ash. The lifeless garden lay hollow and forsaken.

Terra examined the ground and muttered,

“Scorched earth. Normally, ash would enrich the soil, but the vitality here is so depleted…”

“Perhaps it’s haunted by the malice of the dead,” Teresa suggested.

“Malice of the dead? No, it’s poison. The soil has been contaminated.”

Terra swiftly assessed the situation and turned to Teresa.

“So you just want me to revive this garden? Not make it like other gardens?”

“An Earth Spirit Mage is an excellent gardener. Wouldn’t any garden touched by Lady Terra be vibrant and beautiful, regardless of its form?”

“Indeed, no need to waste more time. Everyone, please step outside the garden.”

At Terra’s gesture, the group retreated to the garden’s perimeter.

Soon after, Teresa would come to deeply regret her words.

‘What is this?’

Moments later, Helmut turned his gaze toward Terra. Tremendous energy was converging upon the western garden.

Typically, powerful magic draws in magical energy from the surrounding atmosphere. Magic is usually formed by combining one’s own magical energy with surrounding energy.

But this was different. Subtle tremors rippled through the ground as if the very earth’s veins were channeling their strength into Terra.

Roots extended from her, draining nearby water sources with alarming speed.

Helmut couldn’t shake an unsettling feeling.

‘This much magic just to restore one garden?’

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