Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 336 (Part 1):

‘If the Temple makes an obvious move toward the barrier, even Black Hawk will notice.’

The anomaly in the barrier. As he had glimpsed through the spirit of Rodril, Helmut hadn’t forgotten that the phenomenon was ongoing.

“How did you know I was of Renosa’s bloodline?”

“You resemble the Grand Duke of Renosa. And Renosa tried to eliminate you. If the Grand Duchess of Renosa gets involved in eliminating a mere academy student while the Grand Duke is absent, it must be because you’re someone significant enough.”

Helmut remained silent while meeting Talon’s gaze.

“A Sword Saint’s disciple and an exceptional swordsman. A new heir who could threaten the position of the current heirs of Renosa – a daughter skilled with the sword and a frail son.

The Grand Duchess of Renosa is known for her gentle and compassionate demeanor, but that’s only possible because her foundation is solid. After all, she is still a member of Renosa and a noble.”

Talon immediately thrust forward with another question.

“Are you the illegitimate child of the Grand Duke of Renosa?”

If he confirmed it was true, it would be a lie, and if he denied it, Talon would form another hypothesis.

Helmut chose not to answer that question.

“I’m the one asking questions. Finding out the answers is your business.”

“…Very well, do you have another question?”

“Why did Black Hawk join hands with the King of Veneta?”

“To step into the light.”

“Why try to step into the light? Isn’t Black Hawk an organization that can’t be touched because it stays in the shadows?”

Revealing themselves would inevitably draw retaliation from someone.

Black Hawk was a group bearing original sin. Quite a few of its members were wanted criminals.

Mercenaries who abandoned their clients and fled, criminals, thugs. How many people would welcome them?

It was shocking enough that the King of Veneta had joined hands with them.

This decision had politically burdened the king, as he now had to shoulder the consequences of aligning with such a notorious group.

“Because it’s everyone’s wish.”

Talon responded simply.

“The desire to walk proudly under the sun is human nature. Black Hawk has accumulated enough power to protect itself even if it emerges from the shadows into the light.”

“Didn’t you consider that failure could collapse the entire Black Hawk organization?”

“Risk is inevitable. The greater the ambition, the greater the accompanying danger. But while we’ve assessed the risks, we’ve never shied away.
This is something worth the gamble. We’ve prepared for failure, but we focus on how to succeed.”

[This one has quite a positive mindset.]

Elaga muttered with a bored expression. Helmut was quietly listening to Talon’s words. Talon suddenly mumbled.

“I know what you want to ask me.”

His eyes gained intensity. Talon spoke in a firmer tone than before.

“Power is a right. We have power, so we seek new rights. Rights are won through struggle and maintained through strength. And when you protect your rights, you protect yourself.”

Talon asked.

“Helmut, what rights do you have?”

It wasn’t about succession rights he should have rightfully had as Renosa’s heir or the Grand Duke’s legitimate child.

The right to live as a human in the human world. This was the most desperate right for Helmut, who had been driven into the Forest of Roots for having the Seed of Darkness.

Helmut desired only that. He had no intention of claiming anything as a member of Renosa’s bloodline.

But because he claimed nothing and desired nothing as Renosa’s bloodline, all he had was his swordsmanship.

And when he temporarily lost his swordsmanship, Helmut couldn’t protect himself.

Talon asked another question.

“Do you hesitate to raise your sword against Renosa?”

Swordsmanship that reached the level of Sword Saint, excellent companions. Helmut already possessed enough power to destroy a country. If he wanted to, revenge wasn’t impossible.

However, revenge without killing is harder than revenge through killing.

He already knew he didn’t need to necessarily stab his mother.

He also understood that vengeance didn’t always require eradicating one’s bloodline, as the King of Veneta had done. To take that path, he would need to bear certain burdens.

Helmut finally answered.

“What I hesitate about is shouldering Renosa.”

To exact revenge without killing, he needed justification. And to obtain justification, Helmut would have to claim Renosa.

He had the talent, the skills, and the strength to do so.

As the Sword Saint’s disciple who reached the realm of Sword Saint, Helmut could prove his own quality.

But did someone bearing the Seed of Darkness deserve to claim justification?

The Seed of Darkness had gnawed at him his entire life, making him doubt even his own humanity.

The image of the monster consumed by the Seed of Darkness that he had fought in Renosa before. It was still vivid in his eyes.

That was Helmut, himself, who would appear someday, or who he had already experienced being.

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