Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 394 (Part 2):

A few days later, everyone smoothly advanced through the round of 32. Asuka faced the holy knight in the first match of the round of 16.

Asuka had watched the holy knight’s match in the round of 32.

But if there was anything he gained from that…

The holy knight had secured victory in the round of 32 with overwhelming strength. From that short battle, one thing was clear.

It wasn’t a fluke that he had nearly killed Sian; the man was truly strong.

Asuka had clearly seen the strength of the opponent he was about to face.

Before the round of 16, Charlotte visited the waiting room.

It wasn’t a personal visit but an official one, under the pretext of checking on the participants’ conditions.

Meanwhile, the Crown Prince had apparently gone to see the holy knight, and Asuka wondered if his annoying cousin was actually helping for once.

‘He’s been sticking close to Charlotte while running the tournament, so maybe he’s willing to give a little ground.’

If so, did that mean there had been progress in his relationship with Charlotte?

Thinking that far, a crack formed in Asuka’s calm demeanor. His focus was slipping just before the match.

‘That jerk must be hoping I lose’

No matter what the crown prince did, it seemed like he had some ulterior motive, and it didn’t sit well with Asuka.

“If you have something to say, make it quick,” Asuka said bluntly.

“Was I interrupting?”

“Not… really.”

Asuka immediately backed down at that one remark.

‘I hope she doesn’t watch the match.’

No matter how strong his opponent was, he didn’t think he would lose. He believed he would win no matter what.

But regardless of that, the likely reality was… He didn’t want to show that reality in front of Charlotte.

Charlotte’s calm expression wavered slightly.

“Senior Sian was badly injured. Please be careful.”

“Are you… worried about me?”

His sharp nerves quickly settled. Asuka’s expression became strange.

Seeing this, Charlotte misunderstood, thinking Asuka was displeased with her words.

“I’m not looking down on you or underestimating you. It’s just that the opponent is quite formidable…”

Charlotte trailed off. Asuka gave a disbelieving snort.

“Do you think I’ll lose too?”

“…It wouldn’t be right to say such things before the match.”

She didn’t mean to be harsh, but her honesty came off as harsh. Asuka looked incredulous.

“What are you talking about?”

“From the perspective of running the tournament, it’s not right to be biased toward one side, but as a person, I can’t help it.”

Charlotte had learned from Alea that the golden-eyed man, whose identity was unknown but who had drawn attention with his outstanding skills, was from the temple.

She was still investigating further, but there was no rule that someone from the temple couldn’t participate in this tournament or that they couldn’t win.

Of course, the official purpose of this comprehensive martial arts tournament was to promote harmony between the empire and Renosa and to refresh the political climate.

The temple had already caused problems in the empire. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to expel someone from the temple on some pretext.

But Charlotte didn’t do that. She always believed in doing what was right.

If the Temple came at them openly, she would meet them openly. She had faith that certain people would handle him.

Charlotte hoped that one of Helmut, Alea, or Asuka would defeat him.

“You’re telling me in a roundabout way that you’re cheering for me.”

Asuka, who was about to break into a grin, deliberately hardened his expression and turned away, coughing lightly. He then asked subtly.

“…So, will you be disappointed if I lose?”

Charlotte shook her head.

“Fighting your best but losing to a stronger opponent is nothing to be ashamed of.”

Her clear voice continued without hesitation.

“Nor is it something to be disappointed about. So please fight your best.”

The look in Charlotte’s eyes was steady and unwavering. Her gaze resembled Helmut’s in some ways, yet there was a warmth like polished pebbles under sunlight that was entirely her own. Asuka suddenly felt his throat constrict.

After a brief pause, he managed to answer.

“…Sure. Of course.”

*
As he stepped onto the stage, a gust of wind swept past him. It was an unusually windy day.

Asuka glared fiercely at his opponent. His eyes clearly showed that he wanted to rush in and beat him up rather than cross swords.

The golden-eyed man noticed Asuka’s demeanor.

“I sense hostility. Do you know me?”

“I do. Sian, you probably remember him too.”

Since you’re the one who nearly killed him by slashing his stomach. Asuka swallowed the rest of his words.

The man tilted his head with the same expressionless face.

“Isn’t Sian your name?”

Asuka and Sian had exchanged their participant names.

“My name is Asuka.”

A faint sneer flickered across the man’s lips.

“Asuka… So you’re one of his friends. Well, he survived, didn’t he?”

He nearly died, but he lived. That should be enough. It was the sort of accident that could happen in a martial arts tournament.

If Sian had died, it wouldn’t have necessarily been grounds to hold the man responsible. Logically speaking, Asuka knew that.

But Asuka had lived his entire life guided by emotion.

“Was it truly an unavoidable ‘accident’?”

As if to confirm, Asuka examined the man’s expression. But that cold, unchanging face betrayed no remorse.

The holy knight felt no remorse for staining his sacred sword with blood. His god was a merciless god to enemies, not one who forbade bloodshed.

Instead of answering the question, he spoke in an accusatory tone.

“I see no reason to defend a mage, of all things. Magic is a vile force, repeatedly abused for evil. Why take a mage’s side?”

“I’m not a huge fan of mages either. But I can’t stand you for nearly killing my friend.”

His golden gaze fixed on Asuka.

“My name is Servant. That’s the name I’m using in this tournament.”

Servant. A name that meant one who serves. He was the servant of his god, and his sword was the will of that god, thus righteous in his eyes.

The man moved his hand to his waist. A sacred artifact, one of the most holy objects, imbued with immense divine power, fit perfectly into his grip. It was the power his master had bestowed upon him.

“If you want to punish me, you’ll have to defeat me first.”

If he deserved punishment, God would grant him defeat.

As soon as the man’s words ended, the match began.

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