Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 335 (Part 1):

“Whatever choice I make is none of your business. And you can rest assured that I have no interest in Veneta.”

“That’s short-sighted thinking.”

The king laughed.

“You never know. I might be able to help you.”

“…You?”

Helmut responded with slight hesitation.

“Yes, what I mean is…”

The king’s eyes grew notably serious.

“Veneta could support the bloodline of Renosa in their pursuit of rightful claims.”

The moment he understood those words, Helmut raised his eyebrows.

So that was the objective from the start. It seems the king also needed time and opportunity to evaluate Helmut.

The King of Veneta wasn’t idle or foolish enough to scrutinize Helmut just out of sheer jealousy.

‘He’s even joined hands with Black Hawk.’

Black Hawk was a famous criminal organization across the continent.

Strangely enough, the temple paid little attention to them, meaning they rarely found themselves officially targeted. However, any ruler aware of Black Hawk’s activities or members would hesitate to openly align with them.

Regardless of their usefulness or trustworthiness, prejudice would naturally precede them.

Davis was practical enough to make such bold choices.

He was someone who had risen to this position with nothing to begin with.

If he hadn’t been the type to take risks, he probably couldn’t have ascended to the throne.

“W-Wait. Then Helmut is from Renosa… So he was related by blood to Charlotte? No wonder Charlotte followed him all the way here.”

Teresa, who hadn’t yet properly investigated Helmut, covered her mouth and muttered.

Judging by her rapidly moving eyes, she seemed to be recalling information about Helmut and making all sorts of assumptions.

Helmut responded coldly.

“Renosa doesn’t even border Veneta.”

How much help could Veneta provide in such a situation?

Even if they sent soldiers, they couldn’t avoid crossing other countries’ borders.

Even if they took the mountain route, they would have to cross territories belonging to other countries. That would risk conflicts with other nations.

The difficulty in deploying military force meant there was no guarantee that the king of Veneta could secure his own benefits.

If Helmut accepted help and then washed his hands of it, Veneta would have no recourse.

But the king still maintained his relaxed smile.

“Don’t assume my support only means military assistance. The power of a king extends far beyond just that.”

“Are you saying you’ll just cheer me on?”

At that moment, the king’s expression turned peculiar, Talon’s shoulders shook, and Elaga sneezed as if choking.

Only Teresa, busy with her thoughts, failed to properly hear his words.

Elaga, who had finally stopped coughing, said to Helmut.

[Hey, that was meant to be funny, right? It worked. It was really funny!]

It seemed the cat couldn’t laugh, so it had sneezed instead of trying to hold it in. The king asked incredulously.

“Would my cheering be of any help?”

“No, it would be pointless and serve only to boost your own ego.”

“Ha-ha!” The king burst out laughing. Elaga started sneezing again furiously. Keh-lok! Keh-lok!

[Stop it! I’m dying here! Are you trying to expose my true identity!]

Though that wasn’t his intention at all. Helmut had to contemplate what part of his serious response was causing such laughter.

The king spoke again.

“Take some time to think it over. Just remember that the King of Veneta can offer his support.”

What the king didn’t know, however, was that aiding Helmut—who was publicly wanted by the Temple—would inevitably turn the temple against him. The temple wouldn’t attack Veneta itself but might replace its ruler.

After all, there would be many in Veneta who would follow the Temple’s will.

There was no reason for Veneta to help Helmut at the cost of making an enemy of the Temple.

‘But… I’ll keep it in mind.’

It was the first time someone had extended their hand first. Even if the intention wasn’t pure, it wasn’t meaningless.

A calculated offer was easier to accept than one veiled in false kindness.

Besides, it gave Helmut an idea.

A vague plan began to form in his mind, no more than a rough outline for now.

Helmut responded, still in a cold tone.

“That help would come with a price, I assume.”

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