Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 353 (Part 1):

“Hey, did you get that?”

When Sian, who had been waiting, asked, only then did Alea’s answer come back.

[You said Asuka is the son of Grand Duke Farnese and is actually a member of the imperial family, right? I understand.]

Although the term “imperial family” didn’t quite suit Asuka, it wasn’t entirely unexpected that he might come from a prestigious family.

Alea’s tone was calm.

[So, you and Asuka will have no choice but to stay in the Imperial Palace for a while.]

It would be advantageous for Asuka to be recognized as a member of the imperial family. If he were acknowledged as the son of Grand Duke Farnese, Helmut would gain a powerful ally.

Sian thought the same.

“If that guy changes his mind, it’ll be good for everyone.”

In any case, it didn’t seem like anyone here respected Asuka’s opinion or prioritized his happiness.

[We’ll have to be more cautious. We don’t know how much Grand Duke Farnese knows. It’s not something he can decide lightly. Even if Asuka wants to help Helmut, he can’t move the empire. Grand Duke Farnese is the emperor’s brother, not the emperor himself.]

Moreover, Grand Duke Farnese was more likely to make decisions on his own and have Asuka follow them.

No matter how much Asuka insisted, it was highly unlikely he would be listened to.

[Besides, the empire is quite close to the Temple. Although things have changed a bit with the current emperor, there are still many believers within the empire.]

Alea had already researched countries with close ties to the Temple. The empire was one of them.

However, the Temple had been meticulously working to increase its influence within the empire. Intervening in the succession dispute was part of that effort.

They had worked hard behind the scenes to place a more manageable prince on the throne instead of the astute current emperor.

This was because they were aware that their influence was waning and sought to recover their power by exerting more control over the strongest nation.

For this reason, the current emperor did not view the Temple favorably.

Given the history and the issue of believers, the empire couldn’t afford to openly antagonize the Temple.

After ascending the throne, the emperor accepted the Temple’s gesture of goodwill as a courtesy to the victor, but that was all.

Those who fought fiercely for the throne and won do not forget their enemies and those who helped them. The emperor was no different.

‘If someone helped my enemy, it’s only human to feel resentment. And since the emperor is also human, we’ll have to play on that.’

Sian cautiously lowered his voice and whispered.

“By the way, our conversation might be overheard by the imperial mages.”

[I’m not you, and they can’t eavesdrop on my conversations.]

While connected to Alea, the surrounding wavelengths become distorted.

There are no archmages among the imperial mages, and Alea is already close to the level of an archmage.

It’s difficult for a mage to penetrate the magic of a stronger mage, so the situation Sian was worried about wouldn’t happen.

“You’re really something,” Sian clicked his tongue and asked.

“So, I don’t know where you’ve gone, but are things going well on your end? How’s Helmut?”

[……It’s going well.]

There was a slight pause in her answer. Sian narrowed his eyes.

“Is there a problem?”

[It’s not a problem, but it’s not over yet. Well, it’s fine. I’ll gather the information you’ve given me. Let me know if you find out anything else.]

“Alright, you too……”

The signal was abruptly cut off. It was very much like Alea to end the conversation as soon as she was done speaking.

Sian was just disappointed that he couldn’t brag about being able to freely use the imperial palace library.

“Saying it’s going well is a bit vague.”

Sian had no idea what they were planning or preparing for.

Of course, at this point, being kept in the dark was probably for the best.

“Anyway, I wonder if that guy Asuka is adapting well.”

Sian murmured as he looked out the window. He was the only one with nothing to do at the moment.

*
At that moment, Sabbat and Jerome, who had been captured by the imperial knights, were locked up in a cell along with the people they had mobilized.

“Why on earth are we being held here?”

“Can we at least hear the reason?”

Despite their vehement protests, the imperial knights paid no attention and offered no explanation. Nobles receive different punishments from commoners.

Unless it’s a serious crime, nobles are rarely thrown into prison.

So, Sabbat and Jerome, who had no idea why this was happening to them, grew increasingly anxious.

The cell reeked, and they were confined like caged animals, staring out through the bars.

Every time the jailer appeared, Sabbat and Jerome banged on the bars and made a scene.

They believed that if their families found out, they would be released.

But the jailer paid no attention to them, and one of the other prisoners spoke up.

“Man, you’re noisy.”

“Ugh, this is such rotten luck, getting dragged into a mess like this!”

One of the men Sabbat had hired spat out. Sabbat turned to him, his eyes blazing.

“Mind your tongue! Did you forget who hired you?”

The atmosphere in the cell quickly turned hostile.

“Hey, young master, do you not understand the situation?”

“Whose fault is it that our lives are ruined now?”

“Yeah, you said it was just some commoner! Are we here because of some commoner brat?”

It was almost like they’d been scammed.

These were the men Sabbat had carefully selected to capture Asuka. They were all skilled individuals.

With such men glaring at him with murderous intent, even the prideful Sabbat couldn’t help but flinch.

Otaku_Tensei

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