Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 411 (Part 1):

“This is the place.”

Helmut stepped through the creaking iron gate.

The prison facility, though requiring passage through two guarded gates to escape, could hardly be called heavily fortified.

In this border city chosen for the martial arts tournament, the existence of an impressive prison would itself be surprising.

Yet, at the very least, the jailers guarding the prison were as formidable as escorts for a dignitary.

Since the martial tournament was co-hosted with shared responsibility, the prison was guarded by both Imperial Knights and Black Wing Knights, each stationed at one of the gates.

‘Even the Temple wouldn’t be able to extract him without a direct confrontation.’

That said, they wouldn’t dare storm this place with an army.

After all, they could never have imagined that the master of the Sacred Sword, said to be Lumen’s First Sword, would suffer defeat.

Helmut peered through the iron bars.

The man was seated on the floor, bound tightly with magic-infused handcuffs and chains.

Above his head and beneath his feet glowed magical circles—devices designed to suppress holy power.

Though he had healed his wounds instantly on the stage, holy power, once depleted, was not so easily restored.

With magic blocking the flow of his holy power, his recovery would be painfully slow.

‘Though it’s only a temporary measure.’

At his waist hung the holy sword. It was said to incinerate anyone but its master who dared touch it.

Unable to handle it carelessly, they had sealed it along with him.

Yet, because of this, the holy sword inevitably aided his recovery.

Helmut could perceive the subtle flow of power as if he could grasp it.

Who could have foreseen a holy knight of the Temple imprisoned in such a state?

They were beings who once reigned from a pedestal of reverence.

The Temple’s high-ranking officials, no matter the country, were treated as near-royalty. Their sanctity endowed them with a nobility that set them above humanity.

But that nobility had long been tarnished, and now it had plummeted to the depths. Those depths were this very prison.

As Helmut stood silently observing, the man spoke first.

“What business do you have with me, wicked one?”

Though he tried to sound composed, his eyes betrayed an unmistakable mix of humiliation and hostility. Helmut tilted his head.

“I thought you might have died, but it seems not.”

A mocking smile curled at the corners of his lips.

“For Lumen’s First Sword to be defeated by a vile one. Shouldn’t you bite your tongue and die of shame?”

As always, Helmut found it intolerable when someone weaker dared to act arrogant.

Judging by his ability to speak, it didn’t seem he had attempted suicide either.

Then again, knowing he’d be released in time, it would be odd for him to throw a tantrum and choose death over captivity.

The holy knight’s face twisted viciously.

“I have a mission! So long as my life endures for that mission, I would never forsake the life Lumen has granted me over petty pride.”

“And that mission involves crushing the bearer of the Seed of Darkness standing before you?”

“I shall punish those who wield wicked power and all who aid them!”

It was a declaration of intent to take down both the Deus Empire and the Grand Duchy of Renosa. Helmut scoffed.

“Unfortunately for you, that’s a feat you won’t achieve.”

“No matter how deep the darkness, there is no day the sun does not rise. The dawn before daybreak is the darkest. Light is destined to illuminate the darkness.”

Watching the holy knight recite such grandiose words, as if facing immense tribulation while merely bound, Helmut found it absurd.

The Temple was indeed in its dark age, having already lost the support of Basor and now facing the opposition of the Empire and Renosa.

“…Fine, whatever. Here’s my business. When you’re released, go to the Temple and tell them.”

Dealing with fanatics only drained one’s sanity. It would be easier to cut him down.

Suppressing the temptation, Helmut declared, locking eyes with the man’s questioning gaze.

“When you’re released, tell the Temple this: I have conquered the Seed of Darkness, and I can prove it as many times as needed.”

*Clang!* The holy knight shook his handcuffs and chains, vehemently denying it.

“Lies! How is that any different from a dark mage claiming to control their dark energy?”

“The Temple deemed it impossible and cast those with the Seed of Darkness into the Forest of Roots, but the power of magic has made it possible.”

“No, it cannot be!”

“If I had been dominated by the Seed of Darkness while facing you, you wouldn’t be alive and imprisoned here.”

After a brief silence, the holy knight asserted in a resolute voice.

“Given your wicked nature, it’s hard to believe the Seed of Darkness has no hold over you.”

Who’s judging whose character? Helmut was dumbfounded.

He didn’t exactly think his own personality was stellar, but a holy knight had no right to say such things.

“…That’s unfortunate. From where I stand, your personality seems just as bad. By your logic, holy power and demonic energy must affect humans similarly.”

The holy knight clamped his mouth shut. Perhaps he had some conscience, aware of his own flawed character.

Helmut concluded the conversation in a chilling tone.

“Servant, was it? The next time you come at me, be prepared to die. The rules of the martial arts tournament won’t protect you then.”

The holy knight’s pupils trembled. Having vividly experienced Helmut’s strength, the thrill of that moment still lingered.

But he was Lumen’s chosen sword. Weakness was unacceptable. He spoke as if making a vow.

“…Next time, I will not lose.”

With a cold glance, Helmut left the prison without hesitation.

Tomorrow, finally, he heads to Renosa. His life, now restarted, lay in Renosa.

No matter the circumstances he faced, he would break through them all.

As the heir of Renosa.

Compared to the trials he had overcome thus far, this was nothing difficult.

The notion that the Seed of Darkness no longer held sway over him must have been a blatant lie, considering his inclination to cut down everything if things went awry.

A chilling smile touched Helmut’s lips.

Even if a demon lurked within, his true task was to live while masquerading as human.

*

Otaku_Tensei

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