Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 419 (Part 1)

The Grand Duke of Renosa, with a cautious expression, accepted the letter handed to him by Alonso. His brows furrowed.

“To our distinguished guests, please enjoy the banquet.”

With those words, the Grand Duke left the banquet hall alongside Alonso.

It was evident that something unusual had occurred, but since the Grand Duke had given no further indication, Helmut and Alea remained in the banquet hall.

After the two, the central figures of the evening, shared a dance, a servant approached.

“His Grace, the Grand Duke, summons you.”

It seemed the matter was not urgent enough to abruptly end the banquet.

The aftermath was left to Charlotte’s care.

Helmut and Alea immediately made their way to the Grand Duke’s study.

The Grand Duke sat at the desk, his face impassive.

Standing by his side was Alonso, the Commander of the Black Wing Knights.

“Has the Temple made a move?”

At Helmut’s question, a glint of resolve flickered in the Grand Duke’s eyes.

His thoughts, which had been drifting through various strategies, converged on a single point.

“What did they say?”

Helmut pressed. It was Alonso, standing beside the Grand Duke, who spoke.

“‘The one who bears the Seed of Darkness will inevitably bring calamity. Such an existence cannot be tolerated in this world and must be dealt with accordingly. The laws of Lumen do not permit him, and it is unthinkable that he, Helmut, should become the heir of Renosa.’”

“If I emerged alive from the Forest of Roots, shouldn’t that mean they have no right to punish me?”

At Helmut’s query, Alonso shook his head.

“They said this: ‘Those who survive the Forest of Roots are absolved of all sins. However, this is because the sacred barrier, like death itself, purifies the sins of those who pass through it. Yet, one who still carries the Seed of Darkness after leaving the barrier bears an unwashed sin and continues to commit sins. The reason he could leave the Forest of Roots is that he possesses a dangerous darkness that even sacred power cannot dispel. Thus, the only way to cleanse his sin is annihilation, and destroying him is the will of Lumen. Renosa, too, is under Lumen’s protection, so it must abide by this will.’”

Helmut raised an eyebrow.

“Didn’t they also say that my emergence from the Forest of Roots was the will of Lumen?”

“The will of Lumen is whatever they choose to interpret and justify.”

Disillusionment twisted Alonso’s brow.

It was a doctrine prepared with counterarguments for every possible rebuttal.

As expected, the Temple of Lumen would not tolerate Helmut’s existence.

Those who would not yield before a holy war.

Yet, it was not for that reason alone—they likely saw this as an opportunity.

A chance to mobilize their forces under a righteous pretext, to strike at the Empire that sought to curb the Temple and restore their divine authority.

The Empire would undoubtedly side with Renosa.

“They indulge in sloth and debauchery, but they never shy away from a fight.”

As Alea muttered, Alonso responded.

“They must have confidence in their martial might. And enforcing their will through force is the easiest path for them. Even the slothful cling to power.”

A plausible cause or pretext was all they needed. They had the strength to back it up.

That was how the Temple had dominated the world.

Not merely by preaching justice or raising their voices, but by suppressing with force when necessary.

Of course, they had also beguiled the ignorant with divine justice, using them like chess pieces.

All of it was the Temple’s power.

“There are many followers of Lumen in Renosa. Some of them may become our enemies.”

Whether to choose Renosa or the Temple.

At the moment of decision, even those hailing from Renosa might choose the latter.

Faith often superseded patriotism.

“Yet the decision of the Grand Duke of Renosa is the law of Renosa.”

The Grand Duke’s forehead creased as he entertained the unpleasant possibility.

“But isn’t it said that the Temple’s laws stand above the laws of the land?”

Moreover, the laws of the land and the Temple’s rules were never entirely separate.

In truth, the Temple’s laws took precedence over the customs or laws of any nation, akin to an absolute law.

To avoid conflict with the Temple or to mitigate existing disputes, most heeded the Temple’s asserted laws.

Recently, the Empire had begun establishing its own imperial laws, creating a system to enforce them rigorously.

They saw it as the first step toward freedom from the Temple’s grasp.

In Basor, Lumen’s laws were already obsolete. If the Empire solidified its stance, it would spread like wildfire.

Respect, but do not obey.

In the future, even that respect would be granted only when the Temple fulfilled its role.

A thousand years had passed since the Forest of Roots was sealed. Over time, Lumen and the Temple had gradually lost their authority.

Now was the time to show that their authority was within the bounds of humanity.

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!

•