Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 414 (Part 2):

Didn’t he try to kill him? It was a natural question.

Yet the emotion raw in Michael’s eyes was resentment.

“Yes, I… I could have told the Temple.”

“Told them what.”

“That you’re Darien Deferth’s disciple. I knew. I saw your swordsmanship. If they’d known… they would *never* have let you live.”

Indeed, had the Temple known, they wouldn’t have merely followed the Grand Duchess’s orders and sent Helmut to the Forest of Roots.

Darien Deferth. That name alone was enough to make the Temple paranoid.

“I kept it hidden. That was *my* choice. I… four years ago, in Latona, I could have had you eliminated. But instead, I sent you to the Forest of Roots. The place where you’d lived.”

Using the Temple’s hand to cleanly dispose of his rival—a golden opportunity.

Sending Helmut, who’d escaped the Forest of Roots once, back there was less certain than a more definitive method.

That Michael hadn’t chosen the latter stemmed from some inexplicable sentiment.

But one thing was clear: back then, Michael hadn’t wanted Helmut to die there.

He’d acted rationally all his life, yet he’d always pursued his desires.

That time, he’d followed his heart.

Helmut, closing and opening his eyes as if suppressing something, remarked icily.

“You have a convenient way of tending to your conscience.”

It was surprising, though. Back then, the position of heir, meaningless to Helmut, had been everything to Michael.

He wasn’t the type to tolerate any variable that could cost him what he’d spent his life building.

To Helmut, Michael was a rival before a brother.

Even if he felt genuine affection, he’d eliminate any threat.

That’s what Helmut had thought of him.

“…Yes, I did. But because of that, you survived! You lived and came back here. So you… you can’t do this to me.”

He declared it boldly, as if Helmut owed him.

Helmut stared at Michael’s battered, bruised face, finding no more space to strike, and asked.

“Why bring this up now? Because you did that, you want a merciful death? To have your life ended here?”

Michael fell silent, as if at a loss for words.

His gaze dropped, embarrassment flickering across his face, as though he’d realized his own contradiction.

Helmut understood then. Michael didn’t truly desire death.

He’d likely assumed Helmut wouldn’t actually kill him.

That naive notion came from a life where his whims were always indulged.

This was likely the first time he’d ever been struck.

Who would dare harshly punish the Grand Prince of Renosa for a mere mistake?

The idea that his choices could cost him his life was unconsciously dismissed.

Having lived so close to death his whole life, the word itself held less weight for him.

Helmut realized one more thing. The Grand Duke couldn’t have been unaware of this side of Michael.

Even if Helmut hadn’t appeared, the Grand Duke wouldn’t have named Michael his heir.

Michael was driven by selfishness and desire, lacking the will and responsibility to uphold Renosa.

That strength belonged to the unassuming Charlotte.

Helmut spoke.

“You are Charlotte’s brother and a member of the Grand Duchy of Renosa. But that’s not why I’m keeping you alive.”

Michael’s gaze, fixed on his bitten lips, lifted.

“You are useful.”

Michael was, in his own way, a capable individual. Intelligent and educated as a prince, he knew the inner workings of Renosa well.

If kept from betraying again, he could be used effectively.

Though Helmut had vented his anger, Michael wasn’t the true target of his rage.

He’d never trusted Michael, but he had trusted Margret.

Taking out his rage on her most beloved child was only fitting.

Helmut warned.

“Once a month, you must take the medicine, or that insect will burrow into your heart. If you want to live, prove your worth.”

If Michael proved useless, Helmut would withhold the medicine, and his death would be dismissed as a heart attack.

It wouldn’t be suspicious. Michael was known in Renosa as someone who could die at any moment.

No reply came from Michael. Helmut left him and exited the room.

To Alonso, who was waiting outside, he tossed a single remark.

“He’ll need treatment.”

Having only recently recovered, Michael, beaten to a pulp, was sure to fall ill again.

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!

•