Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 396 (Part 2):

Servant replied straightforwardly.

“Regardless of past unfortunate events, my only objective is victory.”

Of course, winning and revealing his identity would lead to an outcome the hosts didn’t desire.

‘I also have my own assurances.’

Helmut’s image flashed briefly in the Crown Prince’s mind.

It wasn’t absolute confidence. Still, rather than expelling him now and prompting the temple to adopt another strategy, it was better to watch whatever they had planned.

The Crown Prince pressed firmly.

“Then swear it. Swear by Lumen’s name that the temple will not interfere with this competition beyond your participation. That is, if you have the authority to make such an oath.”

With deliberate mockery, Servant’s eyes sharpened. His golden eyes glowed intensely.

“Everything I do is the will of Lumen, and the will of Lumen is the will of the temple. To my knowledge, no such thing exists, and it will not happen in the future. I swear by Lumen’s name.”

“Then I’ll believe your words.”

“I shall take my leave. May you remain in peace.”

The Crown Prince watched Servant’s retreating form coldly.

‘I truly dislike those temple dogs.’

Look at that arrogant, rigid attitude. Wasn’t it exactly like the temple’s high priests?

Always hiding behind Lumen, claiming everything they did was divine and therefore just.

Yet when things went wrong, they conveniently dismissed it as individual deviance, not Lumen’s will.

‘They cover up their sins with nothing but faith.’

But even they wouldn’t dare break an oath.

In the end, they are merely humans who cannot help but fall.

“It’s about time the world changed.”

Muttering softly, the Crown Prince rose. He had taken precautions upon meeting this man.

Had the Holy Knight drawn his sword here, it would’ve provided a perfect justification—a justification to declare war against the temple.

But, as expected, they didn’t desire that either. Having avoided the trap, it was now time for a direct confrontation.

*

Meanwhile, the iron-masked participant—this competition’s favored winner, expected to crush the temple’s representative—was embroiled in a fierce struggle.

With a very angry white cat.

“Kyaaaong!”

[Release me! How dare you!]

Elaga clawed frantically at Helmut’s arm, nearly tearing through his clothing.

Helmut grabbed Elaga by the scruff of the neck and pressed him down, whispering.

“Calm down.”

Pure strength was barely enough, and if he used Vis, Elaga might instinctively sense the threat and break free, revealing his true form.

If this had happened in their quarters, it would have been manageable, but unfortunately, they were on the street, drawing unwanted attention.

A group of women who had come to watch the tournament were whispering as they watched the commotion.

“Oh my, look over there! A tournament contestant is tormenting a cat!”

“How could he do that to such a small, cute cat! What did he do to make it hate him so much?”

“I was keeping an eye on him because of his skills. But wearing a mask like that, maybe he’s a criminal!”

“Maybe he’s trying to eat it! I heard in some eastern countries, they eat cats for arthritis.”

“Oh my! That poor thing. How scared it must be! Shouldn’t we help?”

From the outside, Helmut, wearing a mask and black clothes, looked like a criminal straight out of Black Hawk. It was a misunderstanding waiting to happen.

“Excuse me! Let the cat go!”

Finally, a cat lover stepped forward bravely. Helmut, struggling to hold the thrashing Elaga, spoke up.

“It’s my cat. He’s acting up because he doesn’t want to take his medicine.”

“But you shouldn’t handle such a small creature so roughly… Are you sure it’s your cat?”

The suspicious gaze was evident. Helmut, who didn’t usually care much about others’ opinions, didn’t want to be labeled as an animal abuser.

Helmut covered Elaga with his cloak and held him close. He spoke firmly to his head.

“Let’s go back inside.”

Elaga, with his quick temper, had rushed out of their quarters as soon as he sensed holy power. Like a cat hearing a bird, his hunting instincts had kicked in.

Helmut had chased his out like lightning and caught his as he jumped out the window.

Helmut grabbed Elaga by the tail and yanked him inside, and Elaga resisted with all his might as a cat.

It was fortunate that he hadn’t reverted to his true form, having grown too accustomed to his cat body.

“It’s our cat. He ran away because he didn’t want to take his medicine and got too excited. I guess it looked rough.”

Alea, who appeared belatedly, spoke to the cat-loving woman.

Her strikingly beautiful and mysterious aura immediately convinced everyone present.

Led by her, those who had been throwing accusing glances at Helmut reluctantly turned away.

Helmut felt as if he had been treated unfairly.

“Let’s go back.”

Elaga’s tantrum showed no signs of stopping as they returned to their quarters. The inside of Helmut’s cloak was probably in tatters.

As soon as they entered the windowless room, Helmut closed the door and released Elaga. Freed, Elaga sharply scratched Helmut’s leg with his claws.

The stinging pain made Helmut frown.

“Enough!”

[Why are you stopping me! Coward! Are you scared of the temple now?]

He wasn’t scared of the temple, but he was worried that Elaga might cause chaos.

“I’m curious why you’re so worked up.”

Both Helmut and Alea knew that Asuka’s opponent was a Holy Knight. Seeing the holy power so openly displayed, it seemed the Holy Knight had to show his true strength against Asuka.

[Some guy is spreading that filthy energy in my territory! My territory!]

Alea, standing nearby with her arms crossed, asked incredulously.

“…Since when has this been your territory?”

[I’ve been marking it with my scent all this time! It’s my territory!]

Elaga’s aggression was ultimately due to the hostility of a predator whose territory had been invaded.

Helmut and Alea looked at each other, dumbfounded.

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