Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 355 (Part 2):

Helmut and Luke Yeager stood apart, maintaining their distance. The duel would continue until one of them dropped their sword or admitted defeat.

Clang! The sound of two metals clashing echoed. As soon as the signal was given, Helmut moved like lightning.

Clang! Luke Yeager blocked it. As if he had anticipated it. It was an instinctive movement. The best physique and talent. His growth was evident even in that brief motion.

If Helmut hadn’t been born and raised in the Forest of Roots, could he have defeated Luke Yeager?

Helmut pondered this but couldn’t be sure.

Luke Yeager wasn’t some spoiled noble. He was a true swordsman who had fought in countless battles, more than a mercenary.

‘He has more experience than me.’

In terms of human combat, that was a given. Helmut had been in the Forest of Roots, while Luke Yeager had trained with the Palma Knights and fought demonic beasts.

Once you reach a certain level, no one knows whether training or combat is more effective in advancing to a higher level.

But one thing is certain: trials that bring you close to death elevate a person in many ways.

Without a doubt, Luke Yeager had never experienced anything on par with that.

‘Compared to my life, Luke Yeager is just a spoiled noble.’

It wasn’t entirely wrong. Darien’s son had settled well in a foreign land and lived comfortably enough to teach his grandson the sword.

Helmut knew Luke Yeager wasn’t underestimating him.

His sword was precisely defending the center of his body. Despite having only won fights as the Palma Knights Commander, he had chosen an uncharacteristically defensive style.

While offense is the best defense, that doesn’t hold true when a single attack could leave your neck exposed.

When facing an opponent stronger and faster than you, you can’t afford to create openings with reckless attacks.

Especially when your opponent isn’t a demonic beast but another swordsman.

Clang! Clang! Clang! The fierce exchange continued.

Helmut was the aggressor, but he couldn’t easily break through Luke Yeager.

He was a sturdy shield. Luke Yeager couldn’t surpass Helmut’s movements.

So when Helmut moved first, he responded.

Though it was clear Helmut had the upper hand in Vis reserves, Luke Yeager’s shield subtly deflected the attacks.

If the force doesn’t concentrate on a single point, it’s meaningless. Even an egg with a thin shell can withstand considerable pressure when distributed.

But both the attacker and the defender were similar in some ways. Everyone noticed it.

Like a mirror reflection. Their builds and masters were different, but their swordsmanship was the same. The details differed, but the essence was similar.

Ordinary people might not have noticed, but the Palma Knights did.

At first, the movements were too fast to recognize, but soon their eyes widened.

“What is this? That swordsmanship… Could it be?”

“No way. How can there be someone else who uses the Sword Saint’s style?”

Someone voiced a more realistic thought.

“Could they be cousins, maybe…? And here they are, duking it out in broad daylight with the Second Prince’s permission—everything about this is strange.”

“Maybe he’s an illegitimate child?”

“The Commander’s father…”

“Or his grandfather.”

In an instant, a novel’s worth of speculation was born, mostly in a defamatory direction.

Meanwhile, some knights worried,

“Wait, could our Commander be replaced?”

“Don’t say such unlucky things.”

Whatever they were discussing, Helmut and Luke Yeager’s battle continued.

After about twenty minutes of relentless assault, Helmut changed his thoughts upon seeing Luke Yeager’s unwavering stance.

‘He has stamina. Calm, focused, and patient.’

Luke Yeager, who had trained under the scorching desert sun and hunted demonic beasts, naturally excelled in that regard.

Though it hadn’t been a very long time, from Luke Yeager’s perspective, this was like being pummeled by falling boulders.

Enduring that kind of barrage would be no simple task. Yet Luke Yeager was holding firm.

‘I’m the one getting impatient here.’

He had done enough to save face. If he kept hammering away, even the sturdiest shield would crack, but Helmut had no intention of waiting that long.

For him, the key to battle was to secure victory in the fastest, most decisive way.

‘He’s waiting too.’

Helmut’s Vis consumption was higher. While Luke Yagger was more efficient, that alone couldn’t secure victory.

Helmut’s Vis reserves were beyond imagination.

So Luke Yagger was waiting for Helmut’s Vis to deplete. Or perhaps looking for an opportunity to counterattack.

‘How will he come at me?’

Helmut steadied his breathing. A massive surge of energy spread from his core to his sword.

The most straightforward and certain strategy: deliver a blow too overwhelming to parry.

He would pierce Luke Yagger’s shield with his Vis. Could Luke manage to deflect it again?

Vis enhances physical abilities. Then, at the highest speed.

Otaku_Tensei

I'm currently Translating the following novel: Helmut: The Forsaken Child. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

•