Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 350 (Part 1):

“This isn’t something you can just end by saying you don’t like it or don’t want to do it.”

Sian cut in sharply. If the spirit of the earth chose him, he would become the next Rodril.

While it wasn’t entirely unavoidable if he vehemently refused, Sian would accept it. He believed it was his duty as someone born into the bloodline of Rodril.

“I told you. I was born a commoner and raised as one. I can’t live like them.”

“Yeah, given your temperament, that’d be tough…”

“And I’ve never been officially announced as the son of Grand Duke Farnese. The people of the empire know the Grand Duke has a son, but they don’t know who it is. If they say he died somewhere, that’s the end of it.”

It was a simple and straightforward way of thinking. While it wasn’t a foolproof plan, it wasn’t entirely wrong either. Asuka let out a scoff.

“Maybe my father didn’t acknowledge me because he didn’t like me? Either way, that works out just fine for me. The real issue is whether or not they’ll accept it on their side.”

“…I think I understand why your father did that.”

It seemed Grand Duke Farnese had a good grasp of his son’s nature. He was probably worried Asuka would cause trouble—and he likely would have.

Grand Duke Farnese had probably been waiting to reveal Asuka once he had accepted his role as a member of the imperial family.

‘But this guy Asuka is just as stubborn.’

Besides, wasn’t the position of a royal family member something to cherish? Even if Asuka didn’t care, Sian found it a waste. Having a friend who’s the heir to Grand Duke Farnese is a big deal! On the left, the heir to Grand Duke of Renosa, and on the right, the heir to Grand Duke Farnese. Somehow, that dynamic appealed to him.

Sian himself had no particular desire for status, but he knew how significant it was.

Letting his friend throw that away didn’t feel right.

‘Maybe the reason I’m here is to persuade Asuka.’

Moreover, there was no guarantee that those on the other side weren’t listening to this conversation.

If they were, they’d know Sian was being cooperative with Grand Duke Farnese, which might allow him to escape unscathed.

After all, Sian had been caught because of Asuka. If Asuka couldn’t guarantee his safety, Sian had to find a way out himself.

After some thought, Sian casually brought up the topic.

“Still, you’ve been getting along pretty well with the academy kids since Helmut left, haven’t you? The noble kids weren’t as bad as you thought, right?”

“Well, yeah. Mainly because I’m strong.”

Strength equates to power in the Academy’s Swordsmanship Department. During his time at the academy, it had proven more effective than his status as a commoner.

After Helmut disappeared, Asuka had become the undisputed strongest in Greta Academy’s swordsmanship department.

The gap only widened as the years passed.

At this point, Asuka could easily become a knight commander if he joined any decent knight order.

Of course, that wouldn’t be that easy for something like the Palma Knight Order, but still.

Sian continued his persuasion patiently.

“So what I’m saying is, not all nobles are like the ones you’ve dealt with. Those guys weren’t even swordsmen, right?”

“Yeah, those guys. I don’t even remember their names now, but they were pale, soft-handed, and frail. They probably went into academics.”

“Right, the kids in the academic academy are naturally a bit shady. There are a lot of weirdos, and since they’re physically weak, they take it out on the weaker ones. That’s probably the problem.”

Anyway, Sian was from the magic department, so he had no connection to the academic department. Whether he was convinced or not, Asuka nodded.

“Well, the swordsmanship department kids are a bit different from those guys. Even that Sabbat or whatever guy was getting criticized.”

What happened to that Sabbat and Jerome, they didn’t know.

But neither Asuka nor Sian cared about their well-being.

Even if the two of them rotted in a dungeon until they died for the crime of attempting to assassinate a royal, they wouldn’t feel an ounce of pity.

“So, living as the heir to Grand Duke Farnese might not be so bad. If you join a knight order, you’ll probably meet more people like the ones you dealt with at Greta Academy. That wouldn’t be so bad, right?”

Asuka’s eyes narrowed.

“What are you talking about? Did you take money from my father or something?”

“What the hell are you on about? We were dragged here together, and I’ve been by your side the whole time. How could I have done something like that in the meantime? I’m just giving you serious advice as a friend about your future.”

“I don’t need advice. My mind isn’t going to change!”

Asuka turned his head sharply. It was a defensive reaction. Sian asked curiously.

“But how do you like Charlotte? She’s a noble too.”

And not just any noble. Charlotte was the kind of girl who exuded nobility the moment you saw her.

Unlike other noble ladies who were raised delicately and gracefully, she had a sharp way of speaking and an air of maturity beyond her years.

An aura that was almost regal, subtly intimidating those around her.

She didn’t look down on commoners and followed the academy’s rules without issue, but she still distinguished between nobles and commoners.

She respected them, but they were different from her. Charlotte’s noble consciousness was firm.

To be honest, that was one of the reasons Sian never felt entirely at ease with Charlotte.

Of course, she might have treated him differently once she learned he wasn’t just a commoner but a Rodril.

“Who said I like her? It’s just… she’s kind of pretty…”

Asuka, uncharacteristically, trailed off.

“Oh? So should I tell Charlotte that Asuka definitely doesn’t like her?”

“You brat!”

Otaku_Tensei

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