Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 371 (Part 1):

The Temple of Lumen had been making what appeared to be sincere efforts in response to the incident that occurred within the Empire. From the beginning, their relationship with the Emperor had always been strained, and they were determined not to let it deteriorate further.

After a brief silence, they dispatched a High Priest to offer an explanation. However, this so-called explanation was nothing more than an excuse, and the dispatched High Priest repeatedly insisted on one fact alone—just as they had done before.

“The Temple of Lumen is not involved in this matter. This was merely the deviant behavior of some of our followers.”

But when it came to light that the Temple had granted privileges and positions within its ranks to the nobles of the ‘Prayer Association,’ the High Priest’s excuses grew increasingly feeble. The evidence of their support was undeniable, and mere words could no longer absolve them of responsibility.

The Temple didn’t even protest the closure of several temples adjacent to Renosa. The Emperor, openly enraged, demanded an astronomical sum in reparations from the Temple—a figure so outrageous it seemed absurd. He declared that if they refused, he would announce the matter to the entire Empire and order all nobles to sever ties with the Temple.

The Temple relied on donations for its operations and wealth, most of which came from the nobility. If the Emperor banned all nobles from visiting the Temple, the temples within the Empire would quickly fall into financial ruin.

The Emperor’s stance was firm, and this time, he had a legitimate reason. This was, after all, an issue involving the imperial bloodline and a threat to the Crown Prince—an act that could even be considered interference in internal affairs. It was the organization known as the ‘Prayer Association,’ nurtured by the Temple within the Empire, that had orchestrated these events.

The High Priest, burdened with demands too significant to decide on his own, had no choice but to return to the Temple. He made no attempt to save the noble members of the ‘Prayer Association.’ Even though they had been informed of the truth, those who were abandoned did not confess that the Temple had orchestrated this scheme. Through some form of clever indoctrination, they truly believed they had devised and executed this plan for the sake of Lumen.

Even in prison, they remained convinced they were enduring suffering for Lumen. Regardless of what happened between the Temple and the Empire, these individuals would soon face execution.

—

Three days after leaving Baden, Helmut and Alea arrived at Grand Duke Farnese’s mansion in the imperial capital. By then, the High Priest had already returned to the Temple in a panic.

Elaga expressed his disappointment with a grumble.
[What? I wanted to see what this ‘High Priest’ is all about. Maybe he’d be able to sense my true nature.]

Elaga was essentially a massive, living mass of demonic energy. No matter how powerful Archmage Heike’s magic might be, a High Priest would likely sense his true nature instinctively.

“Then what would you have done if he had noticed?” Helmut asked.

[What do you mean, ‘what’? Unlike your weak self, I could finish off someone like that—holy power or not—in one blow!]

“Truly reassuring,” Helmut replied half-heartedly.

Elaga immediately puffed up his chest. [Yes, I know. I am quite reliable.]

With his tail held high, Elaga strutted about like a haughty white cat. Sian, who had given a concise explanation in Asuka’s stead regarding the recent crisis in the Empire, shrugged his shoulders.

“Honestly, zealots are hopeless. I’m curious about how the Temple brainwashed them.”

“But where’s Asuka?” Helmut asked.

They had contacted Sian and entered Grand Duke Farnese’s mansion, but Asuka was nowhere to be seen. Sian greeted them in the reception hall as if he were the master of the house and began explaining the political situation within the Empire.

“Well…” Sian scratched his cheek, looking vague. “You know how Asuka is… a bit rough around the edges. He said he’s busy with some kind of lessons or something.”

At that moment, loud thudding footsteps echoed through the hall. Everyone in the reception room immediately knew who it was.

*BANG!* The door slammed open and shut with a thunderous noise.

“This is so annoying.”

Asuka, his hair ruffled back, glanced at the people in the room.

“Helmut. Alea. Welcome. This is my home.”

His tone carried a hint of self-deprecation when he said “home.” Alea scrutinized him from head to toe and gave him a suspicious look.

“You.”

“Me, what?”

“You’ve become quite refined.” Alea stated plainly, though it sounded like a compliment.

Of course, Asuka interpreted it differently.

“What? Are you mocking me?”

Scowling, Asuka looked down at his attire. Instead of the ceremonial uniform of the Royal Knights, he wore an extravagant purple outfit—truly the garb of royalty. It had jeweled buttons, and golden chains draped from the shoulders. It was the kind of attire one might wear to a grand ball.

One might have expected Asuka to appear awkward in such clothing, yet his natural roughness seemed softened by the elegant uniform. He looked more like a slightly edgy young royal than a rugged swordsman.

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