Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 370 (Part 2):

“To think you ventured into the Forest of Roots… Among all the mages Greta Academy has produced, you’ve achieved the most remarkable feat. Bringing you here despite the risks was truly the right decision.”

Alea nodded, as if it were only natural.

“Amazing. For the past thousand years, the Forest of Roots has remained a complete mystery. The temple forbade mages from exploring it—or even approaching it.”

“That’s correct.”

“A pity we can’t announce this discovery.”

It was certainly enough to bring a legion of Holy Knights to Baden if the Temple caught wind of it. Even the Mage Association couldn’t be informed. Any leak could be disastrous.

The dean laced his fingers together, struggling to contain his excitement.

It was a detailed report that sparked the academic curiosity of any mage, making him want to lock himself in his study immediately.

And if it affected him this way, how much more so would it affect other mages?

Alea responded lightly.
“The temple won’t stay quiet about this.”

“Of course not.”

“But… what do you think? About my story?”

Alea waved another report in the air.

It was a report on the sacred barrier.

During her brief time in the Forest of Roots, Alea had observed as much as she could. She had meticulously documented her research on the sacred barrier and her collaboration with Archmage Antiol.

She knew the immense value such a report held for mages.

She had several of these reports—documents that mages would pay a fortune to obtain.

Bait enough to hook the dean.

But the dean shook his head deliberately.
“I need some time to think.”

“The temple has oppressed us mages for far too long. If they lose their power, it will benefit all mages. Even rooting out dark mages is now handled internally by the Mage Association, isn’t it?”

“It’s true the temple has hindered the progress of magic. But mages are human too, and the temple has protected humanity. A thousand years ago, from the Demon King.”

“The Demon King no longer exists, and this is now the era of humans—and mages. Even if the Demon King were to return…”

Alea’s amethyst-like eyes gleamed with intensity.

“Humans can fight with their own strength. We shouldn’t endure the temple’s tyranny under the pretext of opposing the Demon King or rely on the power of Lumen.”

Perhaps it was time for the temple to step aside. The dean’s expression turned solemn.

“However, there’s one crucial matter we can’t ignore.”

Everyone present knew what that issue was. Alea shrugged.

“I told you before—it’s no longer an issue.”

Her expression didn’t waver in the slightest.

Her shimmering silver hair and otherworldly beauty lent undeniable credibility to her words.

“Well, if what you say is true, then indeed, there’s no issue.”

“Feel free to confirm it yourself.”

Helmut glanced at Alea. She confidently nodded.

The dean proceeded with the “verification.” After a moment, he spoke with a cautious tone.

“Yes, it seems you’re correct.”

“Then I trust you’ll assist us.”

The dean slowly nodded in response to Alea’s statement.

Helmut, as a member of Greta Academy, had visited Renosa and encountered trouble. Even though time had passed, Greta Academy couldn’t overlook the matter.

“You’ve been through a lot. Congratulations on returning alive.”

To the dean’s encouragement, Helmut gave a brief reply.

“Thanks.”

The dean of Greta Academy was an accomplished mage with significant influence in the Mage Association. Securing his cooperation was essential, which was why they had come to Baden.

A faint smile crossed Alea’s lips.

“Dean, all you need to do is quietly support our side when the time comes.”

He wouldn’t need to make any blatant gestures of support. Acting impartial while subtly backing them would be more effective.

With this, both Basor and Baden stood on Helmut’s side.

And the empire…

When Helmut and Alea returned from their meeting with the dean, they received a message from Sian just in time.

“I have good news and potentially bad news. Which do you want to hear first?”

Helmut tilted his head.
“That’s vague. Start with the good news.”

“The good news is that Asuka seems to have decided to become the successor of Grand Duke Farnese. Honestly, being born into royalty should make one grateful, don’t you think?”

It was the kind of remark Sian, born into the Rodril lineage and contentedly living as a spirit mage, would make.

Alea asked,
“Okay, and the potentially bad news?”

“As you know, the temple caused quite a stir with the empire. The empire might end up helping Helmut. However…”

Sian paused briefly before blurting out,
“Grand Duke Farnese—Asuka’s father—wants to meet you personally and judge you for himself.”

It was a risky proposition, but Helmut didn’t hesitate. He had faced greater dangers before.

“All right. Let’s go to the empire.”

“The empire, huh… There’s no better ally against the temple than them. You have to go.”

Alea’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Helmut understood why.

She had listened to Sian boast about the imperial palace library countless times without showing it, but she had been envious.

Now, with an excuse to visit the empire, she was probably thrilled at the thought of accessing the imperial library.

And so, they decided on an unplanned trip to the empire.

This was the final stage. How the conversation would unfold there remained to be seen.

The very next day, Helmut and Alea departed Baden for the empire’s capital.

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