Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 368 (Part 2):

Asuka and Sian were thoroughly exhausted. The attempted assassination of the Crown Prince had thrown the entire imperial palace into chaos, and it was only natural that Asuka and Sian, who were at the center of the incident, were required to give their statements.

Especially Sian, who had been in the perfect position to aid the Crown Prince, had to endure a lengthy investigation.

“Ugh, I’m so tired. We were up all night.”

While Sian was grumbling, Asuka was summoned by Grand Duke Farnese after giving his preliminary statement.

He had no idea where he was being taken. When he arrived, his father was there.

“I thought I was done with the statements.”

Asuka grumbled as he asked. He had been given a brief moment to wash up, so he was relatively presentable as he faced his father.

His father’s expression was as unreadable as ever. He spoke in a blunt tone.

“I hear you went through quite an ordeal last night.”

“Don’t tell me you’re worried about me? If that’s the case, then just pull me out of this whole escort duty. Actually, aren’t we nearly at two weeks? Just two more days, and that’s the full two weeks.”

Asuka fired off his words like a machine gun. Grand Duke Farnese, who had been silently observing him, spoke.

“You seem to have adapted quite well to life as an imperial knight.”

“Eh, it’s pretty much the same as academy life—or any other knight Order.”

Silence hung between them for a moment. Asuka braced himself, expecting the Grand Duke to insist he officially join the imperial knights. But Asuka had no intention of doing so.

He was already committed to helping Helmut. For now, that loyalty came first.

However, what Grand Duke Farnese said next was unexpected.

“You have demonstrated your qualifications quite impressively.”

It was the first time something resembling praise had come from the Grand Duke’s mouth. Asuka quickly retorted.

“What qualifications?”

“The qualifications to inherit the Grand Duke title. You saved the Crown Prince and captured the enemies, achieving a great feat. It’s something to be proud of. I intend to announce you as my successor.”

Asuka was stunned. For a moment, he doubted his ears. As soon as the Grand Duke’s words sank in, anger surged within him.

All this time, he’d been treated as if he didn’t exist. And now that he’d proven useful, he decided *Now you’re worthy to be called my son!*? It sounded like, *Since you’ve accomplished something this impressive, I acknowledge you. Not bad.*

That was exactly how it felt to Asuka.

Grand Duke Farnese calmly added.

“The credit you’ve earned covers any minor shortcomings in your conduct. However, you must be mindful of your words and actions going forward. I worry you might still show discourtesy before His Majesty the Emperor.”

Asuka’s face twisted in frustration as he shouted.

“What do you mean, ‘cover my shortcomings’?! I don’t need that from you!”

“Then what do you need?”

Grand Duke Farnese always had a way of giving answers that Asuka never wanted. Asuka gritted his teeth and answered,

“What I want is to leave freely, without all this nonsense about being an imperial knight or a royal. I’ve already served as an imperial knight for two weeks as you asked, and I’ve earned my merit. Isn’t that enough?”

And if Asuka insisted strongly enough, the Crown Prince would take his side. After all, Asuka was the Crown Prince’s lifesaver.

Just then, the door burst open. A woman rushed into the reception room where the two were sitting.

“Asuka, you can’t speak to your father like that!”

“……M-Mother?”

Asuka’s eyes widened in surprise. It was his mother, whom he hadn’t seen since arriving at the imperial palace.

No doubt, if he had met her, she would have cried and tried to persuade him, so Asuka had considered it fortunate that he hadn’t seen her. He wasn’t exactly a filial son.

Though he was weak when it came to his mother.

“I’ve spoiled you too much. That’s why you ignore your duties and and only know how to whine like this!”

It was the first time Asuka had seen his mother so angry, raising her voice like this. He stammered in confusion.

“Wh-whine? Mother, I’m…..”

“If you really want that freedom so badly, then fine. But you’ll have to pay back the cost of raising you before you leave.”

Asuka was momentarily speechless. This was completely unexpected. He asked after a pause.

“The cost of raising me? How much……?”

“5 million marks! And that’s a low estimate. The cost of your swordsmanship training since you were a child, your food, shelter, the guards, and the labor I put into raising you in luxury! Pay it all back before you leave!”

His mother declared boldly, placing her hands on her hips.

Her eyes shone with intensity, making it clear she wasn’t joking.

Asuka was silent for a long time.

“Can I…… pay in installments?”

Asuka asked after some thought. Though he lived carelessly, he wasn’t completely ignorant of the world.

5 million marks was an enormous sum, something even a rank-1 mercenary would have to work their bones off to repay. His mother shook her head.

“Then I’ll add interest. 10% per year.”

“10…… 10%?”

Asuka was speechless. He wanted to protest, asking if she was running a loan shark operation against her own son.

Grand Duke Farnese, who had been silently watching his wife’s outburst, stepped in.

“Since I can’t trust you to repay, you can’t leave the imperial palace until you’ve paid off half the debt. You’ll have to repay it with your salary as an imperial knight.”

Hearing his parents demand reimbursement—like they’d conspired to do so all along—left Asuka feeling like he’d just been clobbered on the back of the head.

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