Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 386 (Part 1):

Right after the announcement of the Comprehensive Martial Arts Tournament, time flew by like an arrow.

The venue for the tournament was set in Madwin, a city in the Empire near Renosa.

Coincidentally, it was the very place where the temple closure had taken place after the Crown Prince’s assassination attempt incident.

It was also officially declared that the Mage Association would cooperate with the imperial family to oversee the tournament’s proceedings.

Through this, the Emperor was sending yet another message to the Temple: they would pay a price for the deeds they had committed within the empire.

The Emperor’s resolve was unshakable, and this was merely a step in the process.

In the end, Asuka managed to secure permission from Grand Duke Farnese to participate in the martial arts tournament.

With the announcement of the Comprehensive Martial Arts Tournament—an event promising an enormous prize and even a noble title—the eyes of every nation were fixed upon it.

The tournament was promoted and registrations were accepted through the mercenary guilds with branches in various countries, resulting in a flood of participants lining up to join.

‘If Asuka achieves a notable result, it’ll be a good thing.’

That was Grand Duke Farnese’s train of thought under the circumstances.

Asuka wasn’t born and raised as royalty from the start; he was a successor who emerged later in life under Grand Duke Farnese’s banner.

To solidify his standing within the empire, it was desirable for him to objectively prove his capabilities.

Especially if he aimed to secure a position within the Imperial Knights.

Grand Duke Farnese had already somewhat decided Asuka’s path, steering it toward a direction that suited his talents.

‘When I had him serve as a temporary Imperial Knight, he seemed reasonably satisfied with that life. If he’s to become the commander of the Imperial Knights someday, he needs to climb the ranks step by step starting now.’

The position of commander of the Imperial Knights was one that could never be attained without exceptional swordsmanship skills, but the Deus Empire was different from the Kingdom of Basor.

Unlike the commander of the Palma Knights, who was chosen purely based on swordsmanship prowess, the Imperial Knights’ commander wasn’t determined solely by skill with a blade.

Other indefinable qualities and accomplishments could not be overlooked.

‘Asuka may lack in those other qualities, but he has the skill.’

Even the Crown Prince acknowledged Asuka’s skills, didn’t he? That was why he treated him rather favorably.

In that sense, Asuka’s top graduation from Greta Academy’s swordsmanship department was a respectable achievement to highlight.

Moreover, he had earned merit by saving the Crown Prince. His foundation was solid.

And surprisingly, Asuka was adapting well to the life of royalty. Regardless of his temperament, his learning ability wasn’t bad, and he had grown accustomed to the luxurious lifestyle.

With the Grand Duchess by his side, he naturally restrained himself in the presence of nobles.

The flamboyant, peacock-like attire that once stifled the free-spirited Asuka now suited him as a royal, and there was no one left to pick a fight with him.

If anything, people might try to curry favor with him to get closer to Grand Duke Farnese, the core of power.

Those who had known Asuka during his academy days rubbed their eyes in disbelief when they saw him at social gatherings.

‘Wasn’t that guy a commoner?’

‘A royal? How can this be possible?’

Grand Duke Farnese had even carefully packaged that part of his story.

He proclaimed that Asuka had completed his academy life without flaunting his royal status, strictly adhering to the rule forbidding him from revealing his identity.

He was presented as a royal endowed with both ability and a sound mind, a prepared successor to Grand Duke Farnese—an image spread far and wide.

Those who had suffered under Asuka’s bizarre tyranny—beating others down while flaunting his commoner status during his academy days—could only clutch the backs of their necks in frustration.

He was anything but “prepared.” Back then, Asuka was just a cocky hellion riding on raw talent.

But what could they do? The truth was, he was royalty. They had no choice but to let go of even the smallest flickers of vengeance they harbored.

‘No wonder he wasn’t afraid of what came after graduation.’

‘What a smug bastard.’

That aside, the resentment they couldn’t voice only grew stronger.

But it seemed that resentment would never surface openly.

In any case, while Grand Duke Farnese delayed his response to Asuka, making it seem as though he viewed his participation negatively, he was actually considering it quite favorably.

‘But to join the tournament, he’d have to leave the capital.’

Whether Asuka would behave himself outside the capital or refrain from running off was questionable. And in a Comprehensive Martial Arts Tournament where powerhouses from various nations would gather, would he even be able to make a name for himself?

After much deliberation, Grand Duke Farnese permitted Asuka to participate anonymously, taking a conservative stance.

If he achieved good results, they could reveal his identity then.

Asuka accepted without hesitation.

“No take-backs, all right?”

“If you’re going to compete, then aim for victory.”

It was something Asuka couldn’t boldly promise especially against Helmut.

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