Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 339 (Part 2): The Beginning of Change

Several figures from the magic department flashed through Michael’s mind.

“Interesting.”

Her swordsmanship had already surpassed that of Greta Academy graduates. She didn’t even need to continue attending at her level.

Even so, Charlotte wasn’t one to neglect her studies. She was fundamentally diligent and enjoyed academy life.

There must have been something significant enough to make Charlotte move.

Otherwise, she would have faithfully attended the academy until the end, with just one year left until graduation.

‘It’s been nearly four years since I last spoke with Charlotte.’

Four years ago, Charlotte learned all the truth and closed her heart. When she discovered what the Grand Duchess and Michael had done, she didn’t forgive them. Not just Michael, but even the Grand Duchess whom she had thought so highly of.

They say she spent her academy life quietly, without anything special happening. For someone like her to take action, there could only be…

One possibility.

“But that’s…”

Michael muttered. His subordinate questioned:

“What do you mean, Your Highness Michael?”

“…No, it’s nothing.”

Michael waved his hand. For a moment, he had entertained an impossible thought.

It was impossible for someone sent to the Forest of Roots to come back alive. Even if it had been possible once, it couldn’t be possible twice. Hadn’t even the Temple assured this?

The sacred barrier remained solid, rejecting everything that carried demonic energy.

“To leave the academy without permission and make no report to the family, this is unacceptable. Now that she’s returned, I must inform His Grace the Grand Duke.”

Charlotte would have to explain herself about this. Michael would soon know why she had been absent from Greta Academy.

*

On a broad road, two horses trotted leisurely. Asuka held up his gold medal to Sian’s face.

“Hey, look at this. I’m a gold medal mercenary. Cool, right?”

Riding beside him, Sian responded curtly.

“Hey, I can’t see! Besides, you’re just a gold medal in name – you’ve never actually worked as a mercenary.”

“I’m working as one now.”

“No, you’re not. The client isn’t even with us.”

“Yeah, that’s right. Why did they tell us to go to Baden first? Where did they even go? So rude, leaving us behind.”

Asuka grumbled.

“Probably don’t want us getting in the way of their date.”

Helmut and Alea, along with the two demonic beasts, had left for somewhere. Without telling them their destination.

Did this mean they didn’t trust them to keep quiet? It was disappointing, but blocked by the cold-acting Alea, they couldn’t ask more.

After all that talk about getting mercenary certificates and working together, they just told them to wait in Baden without any explanation.

They had been left behind. Both Asuka and Sian were naturally dissatisfied.

But nevertheless, both were satisfied with this new and dangerous adventure they were experiencing by being involved with someone like Helmut. Even enough to work without pay.

They probably would have joined even if Helmut hadn’t offered to pay them.

“If this is how it’s going to be, we should have gone with Charlotte when she left.”

“We can’t go around with her.”

“Well, she went by magic anyway. Traveling by magic would be convenient… Oh? Come to think of it, you’re a mage too.”

“What do you mean ‘you’re a mage too’? Did you forget I’m second in the magic department! You idiot.”

Besides, he had been in Greencana until recently. Somehow in Asuka’s mind, spirit mages and regular mages seemed to be different entities.

Asuka asked, finding it strange:

“Then why are we traveling by horse instead of using magic?”

“Because Baden is a magic city. They monitor traces of magic use over a wide area. My magical power is now registered with the Mage Association, so if we use magic, someone might notice. We’re supposed to keep a low profile.”

“Who’s going to notice?”

Asuka sounded skeptical. Sian sighed in exasperation. For someone who’d drawn so much attention at the Academy, how could he think the world would have so little interest in him?

“Anyone. We need to leave as few traces as possible.”

The Temple or Renosa might be interested in them.

Not to mention Asuka’s family, who would surely be looking for him since he hadn’t contacted them after graduating from the academy.

Moreover, there were several graduates who might want to kill Asuka.

Before his family, avoiding those guys’ notice was the priority.

To get from Greencana to Baden, one had to either go around the mountain range or cross it. They had only used magic to travel to the point where they would cross the mountains, and had been riding horses since then.

“Don’t cause any trouble on the way. We need to meet up without problems in Baden. If we’re late, those guys might leave without us.”

“No way, they wouldn’t do that.”

Asuka snorted and spurred his horse. Sian sighed and prayed inwardly.

‘Please let us reach Baden without any incidents.’

However, prayers often go unanswered.

Otaku_Tensei

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