Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 395 (Part 2):

Asuka surged right before the man.

*Whoosh!* Like piercing a wall of wind, he felt immense resistance—but he pushed through it like a razor-sharp arrow.

The man’s sword moved. For an instant, it shimmered with a golden radiance—a holy, heavenly glow. Many swordsmen could manifest Vis in dazzling forms.

Vis, the essence of a swordsman’s spirit, was a beautiful light born from the body.

But what appeared in that instant from the man was different.

The moment Asuka glimpsed that light, the man’s sword flashed through stopped time, appearing right in front of his own.

BOOOM!

An unbelievable clash erupted. A storm-like impact exploded outward, violently shaking the stage.

“Aaah! Watch out!”

Spectators ducked, protected by a barrier but blinded momentarily by the powerful gust.

When the chaos subsided, only one figure remained standing, eerily calm at the eye of the storm.

The organizers hastily announced,

“Servant, victory!”

“Bring medical assistance,” the man commanded, looking down at Asuka.

Asuka’s sword had shattered, scattering fragments across the ground.

His sword, though not as exceptional as Helmut’s, had been good. Yet it had crumbled against superior strength and energy. His arm twisted, his hand crushed, pain flooding his nerves.

“Ghh…”

As Asuka groaned, the man approached calmly.

His own clothes were slightly torn by flying fragments, but it was minor damage—the mark of a victor.

“My judgment was correct again.”

His tone suggested that everything was decided by the outcome. Even if his god wasn’t absolute, the man’s voice carried absolute certainty. He had shown his true strength, if only for a moment.

‘A royal.’

The man glanced at Asuka. Among all the opponents he had faced, this one had been the most troublesome. He hadn’t found it difficult, but ‘troublesome’ was the right word.

As expected of an imperial royal, there was a certain refinement to his skills. He was a fairly strong swordsman.

“It’s just that I was stronger, so don’t take it to heart.”

The man’s voice became polite. His attitude was completely different from when he had faced Sian. Now that Asuka had been eliminated, he reverted to being a royal.

His opponent wasn’t some mage but a swordsman and an imperial royal.

Though there was tension between the Temple and the Empire, even the current emperor’s rule was considered the will of the gods.

The noble bloodline granted the divine right to rule the Empire. That was what made the imperial royals.

The Temple, too, was a ruler, and rulers respected other rulers.

The man extended his hand toward Asuka, who was struggling to get up.

But Asuka sharply refused. He’d never felt such hatred toward an opponent before.

With wounded pride, Asuka spat out bitterly,

“With that level of skill… you won’t even be able to graze the clothes of the opponent you’ll face in the finals.”

He had quickly built up a tolerance to the pain. He was a swordsman, after all. Pain was quickly becoming familiar. What hurt more was defeat.

The man replied impassively,

“You seem certain who will advance?”

“Yeah.”

The man neatly withdrew his rejected hand. A cold aura settled over his face.

To show such words and attitude to the one who had defeated him was an insult.

“Let me give you advice. As someone of noble birth, behave accordingly. Avoid barking like a defeated dog.”

Asuka’s face twisted. His bloodshot eyes flashed. He had been insulted before, but this was the first time he had been insulted by the one who defeated him.

The man turned and walked away without looking back.

“Damn it!”

Asuka stomped angrily, pain flaring again. Blood dripped to the floor.

The medics, who had rushed over, politely escorted him away.

“You must receive treatment.”

Charlotte appeared in the infirmary soon after. Medical staff swiftly exited, leaving them alone.

She wore a worried expression. Asuka couldn’t bring himself to look at her face. Charlotte asked softly.

“Are you feeling alright?”

“I wanted to avenge Sian…”

Asuka’s gaze avoided Charlotte.

“I did my best, but I lost. Isn’t it pathetic? I… I’m pathetic.”

Instead of answering his question, Charlotte asked in a clear voice.

“If I fought my hardest and lost, would you find me pathetic?”

“…No.”

“I feel the same.”

Only then did Asuka properly look at Charlotte. Her faint smile and steady gaze had a soothing effect on Asuka’s battered body and mind.

Asuka frowned as he looked at Charlotte’s face. For some reason, his mind felt hazy.

“You really did well. You should rest to recover your strength.”

Charlotte stood up as if she had never been worried.

“Do you have to go?”

His voice carried a hint of regret.

“Yes, I slipped out briefly. I’ll take my leave now. Please rest well.”

Charlotte gave a slight nod and left the room. It felt as if they had returned to being mere academy seniors and juniors.

Asuka scratched his head. It felt like she remained unchanged, while he was being pulled further and further away.

He sighed and muttered.

“…Helmut will avenge us, I guess.”

But before that, there was a long and difficult road ahead. That guy (Helmut) would have to defeat Alea first.

Now, all of Asuka’s battles were over. It was a result that wouldn’t tarnish the honor of Grand Duke Farnese.

‘I need to get stronger.’

Asuka made his resolve and buried his upper body back into the bed.

He planned to rest his body and mind until Sian came barging in, fussing over whether he had lost too, and scratching at his wounds.

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