Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 357 (Part 1):

Helmut and Alea returned to their quarters, where they were greeted, of course, by Elaga and Igrelle.

[Helmut, it seems you’re not as weak as I thought.]

It was unclear where or how they had observed the duel, but the white cat on the sofa stared intently at Helmut. For some reason, the gaze felt unpleasant.

Elaga soon nodded.

[Hmm, you’ve grown well. Yes, I raised you well.]

“……”

Helmut stared at Elaga for a moment, dumbfounded.

Just a while ago, he had been berating him for being weak, and now he was praising him for growing up well. But his mood swings were nothing new.

Igrelle suddenly chimed in.

[You’ve become quite strong. So, I don’t need to protect you anymore.]

This time, it was equally baffling. While Elaga’s behavior was expected, Igrelle was an existence on par with Helmut.

There was no situation where Helmut would need protection from Igrelle, nor were they in a relationship where they exchanged protection.

Igrelle quickly got to the point.

[So, I want to go my own way. As I originally intended.]

To freely roam the skies beyond the Forest of Roots. To the ends of the world.

That was all Igrelle had ever wanted. A natural desire for a bird.

Alea immediately objected.

“It would be troublesome if a demonic beast like you caught the attention of the Temple.”

Especially at this point. It would be better for Igrelle to stay with them a little longer until Helmut achieved his goals.

Alea was thorough by nature and didn’t want to take even the slightest risk.

[I can simply shift my appearance with the artifact before descending into any human field of view.]

[Besides, who’s to say you won’t stir up trouble?]

Elaga responded sarcastically. Igrelle flapped her wings.

[I am a free demonic beast, and I have the right to do as I please. I’ve been quiet all this time, haven’t I? I’ve shown enough that I won’t cause any trouble.]

That was true. Although she had caused a bit of a stir in Sian’s village, it was minor.

Igrelle was originally a demonic beast that didn’t prey on humans. She had actively cooperated in leaving the Forest of Roots, so it wasn’t right to keep her confined.

In fact, Igrelle could have left anytime she wanted, regardless of Heike’s artifact. Elaga wasn’t always watching her either.

[That mage, Heike, put a tracking spell on this artifact, right? So you’ll know where I’m going.]

“That’s true.”

Alea reluctantly nodded. Helmut didn’t offer any particular opinion.

He had two choices: either cut Igrelle down to stop her here or let her go.

And since Igrelle had helped Helmut in the past, it was clear that the former wasn’t an option.

Elaga snorted and said,

[Well, having you around is just noisy and not helpful anyway, so get lost already!]

Helmut stared intently at Elaga’s white head.

It wasn’t just Igrelle who was noisy and unhelpful.

But it wasn’t easy to get rid of this one either.

Igrelle flapped her wings and perched on the windowsill. Before leaving, she turned her head and said,

[Don’t miss me too much. I’ll drop by again if I get bored during my travels.]

[Who’s going to miss you? Just don’t crash while dozing off!]

[I’m not you, Elaga.]

With that parting shot, Igrelle flew away. She would change her form at a suitable altitude and soar into the sky, beyond human sight, above the clouds.

A flight unique to Igrelle, heading toward the sun. More radiant and free than lonely.

[So, where do we go now?]

After Igrelle left, Elaga flicked his tail and asked. Helmut and Alea looked at each other.

Their business in Basor was done. Now, the question was their next destination.

Alea spoke up.

“Whatever decision we make, Asuka won’t be able to leave the Empire for a while.”

There was no reason to go all the way to the Empire just to see him.

Even if Asuka wanted to escape from Grand Duke Farnese, it wasn’t the right situation to help him while antagonizing the Empire. Even if they owed him.

“We should go to Baden.”

“No matter what happens to Asuka, at least Sian can come there. Grand Duke Farnese won’t keep him locked up forever.”

Sian of Greencana. Grand Duke Farnese couldn’t possibly not know about him. And perhaps, about them too.

A sudden sense of caution arose. Helmut had disappeared four years ago, abandoning his studies, so Grand Duke Farnese might not have looked into him that deeply.

But with Alea, it was a different story.

‘I took Asuka and Sian to Antiol’s residence, and the Imperial Mages wouldn’t have been able to track us.’

Only a limited number of mages can cast magic that Imperial Mages cannot track.

Moreover, mages who possess magic unregistered in the Mage Association are extremely rare.

The fact that Alea and Asuka were acquainted wasn’t entirely unknown.

If Grand Duke Farnese had looked into it even a little, he could have discovered Alea’s existence.

Alea was already rumored to be the greatest genius in Greta Academy’s history.

Her reputation within the academy was well-known.

Her skills had reached a level surpassing even the Imperial Mages.

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