Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 389 (Part 2): The Comprehensive Martial Arts Tournament

Helmut was sharpening his sword in preparation for the tournament the next day.

It wasn’t Darien’s sword, but it was the finest blade the blacksmith had to offer.

The main tournament was about to begin. Though there was no way he would lose, yet a swordsman must always be fully prepared.

[Hmm, something still feels off.]

Elaga tilted his head and muttered.

He had been sensing something unusual for a while now.

As the eliminated preliminary participants left the city, the sensation had grown stronger, only to weaken again as spectators filled the void.

Amidst this, there were occasional bursts of energy that felt like ripples on water, subtly unsettling.

Unable to pinpoint the source, he had waited until now to bring it up.

[I sense a disturbing presence.]

Helmut’s hand paused.

If Elaga, a demonic beast, described something as “disturbing,” it could only mean one thing.

Holy energy.

“Is there a priest here?”

The Mage Association was present in the city.

Given that the Crown Prince was also here, the city had been sealed off with barriers and placed under strict surveillance to prevent the Temple from making any moves.

Even the Temple wouldn’t find it easy to infiltrate.

Elaga shook his head.

[It’s not a person. I’ve already looked around. I can sense it, but I can’t tell where it’s coming from.]

“Demonic beasts instinctively detect the presence of holy energy, don’t they?”

[It’s like a flickering firefly. Faint yet sticky, not from a person but from a sacred barrier.]

Helmut rose from the sofa and asked, “Is it something that could pose a threat?”

Elaga, the strongest demonic beast in the Forest of Roots, wouldn’t react to just any low-ranking priest.

If Elaga sensed something, it had to be significant. Helmut’s guard was up.

[Threat? I’ve never experienced such a feeling in the human world even once.]

Elaga puffed out his chest.

Unless it was a direct collision with a sacred barrier or a confrontation with Lumen, even a high priest wouldn’t pose much of a challenge to Elaga.

“Something that possesses holy energy… It couldn’t have been in Madwin originally. It must have appeared because of the tournament. Is there a participant connected to the Temple?”

Helmut’s calm, dark eyes remained steady.

The answer was simple.

Whatever it was, he would cut it down if it appeared before him.

In that regard, Helmut was no different from a demonic beast.

Elaga, having grown up in the Forest of Roots, casually presented Helmut with a new dilemma.

[More importantly, have you thought about what you’ll do if you face your girlfriend? It’s the main tournament now.]

“……”

His words effectively captured Helmut’s attention. It was a situation he hadn’t yet figured out how to handle.

And it was a highly likely scenario.

For that reason, Elaga’s earlier remark was quickly pushed to the back of his mind. Helmut would have to wallow in deep contemplation until he checked the tournament bracket the next day.

*

Fortunately, Helmut’s first opponent in the main tournament was not Alea.

“Do you know me? You’re looking at me like you do.”

Helmut studied his opponent on the stage and suddenly asked, “Do you, by any chance, possess the abilities of a prophet or foresight?”

The man burst out laughing.

“What kind of joke is that? Is this some kind of strategy to unsettle my mind?”

“I guess not. You don’t recognize me.”

“Well, you’re wearing a mask, aren’t you? But I’m certain we’ve met before. My memory isn’t that bad…”

The man narrowed his eyes as he scrutinized Helmut.

Four years had passed, but his relaxed demeanor remained unchanged.

A seasoned and skilled mercenary.

Helmut remembered him clearly.

Not only because of his skills, but because the advice he had given Helmut had come true.

“You once told me that I would be betrayed.”

“So you were betrayed? I didn’t mean to curse you or anything. I just tend to give unsolicited advice.”

The man looked somewhat apologetic.

Helmut replied in an emotionless voice, “It doesn’t matter. And you also said this: A tree that has been broken once grows even stronger.”

The man’s eyes widened in surprise. Helmut added firmly, “Today, you’ll see that for yourself.”

Otaku_Tensei

I'm currently Translating the following novel: Helmut: The Forsaken Child. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

•