Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 419 (Part 2)

“So, what must be done to follow Lumen’s will?”

Alea asked, and Alonso answered.

“They demanded that Helmut be sent to the Temple. An absurd notion, of course.”

“They said they would send an army to Renosa to take you.”

The Grand Duke spoke in a calm tone.

“From the moment you appeared, they were already preparing their forces. They were merely awaiting the day to march.”

Given the gravity of the situation, one might have expected the banquet to be halted, but the Grand Duke’s decision not to do so suggested he did not feel an overwhelming sense of crisis.

He had already been preparing inwardly.

“Do you know the Temple’s military strength?”

Helmut asked, and Alonso spoke.

“The power of the priests who wield sacred magic is impossible to gauge. Sacred magic is not developed for offensive purposes, but considering the sheer number of priests and high priests, if we regard them as mages, even the Mages’ Association would pale in comparison. And the Holy Knights…”

Alonso paused, choosing his words carefully.

“They use holy power in place of Vis and can even employ sacred magic. This means they can instantly heal injuries during combat. Even against knights of equal skill, they hold a significant advantage. Moreover, the Temple gathers devout and talented individuals from across the world to train in swordsmanship. They have methods to identify those with talent for swordsmanship through physical structure, movement, and sacred magic. Though the Holy Knights have never engaged in large-scale battles against nations, the skill of such a group cannot be underestimated.”

Their numbers were their strength.

Based on gathered intelligence, Alonso estimated the size of the Holy Knights.

“From what we know, even the combined forces of the Black Wing Knights and the Imperial Knights of the Empire would not suffice to repel their Holy Knights.”

Helmut listened with an air of indifference.

That assessment applied only when discussing the forces excluding Helmut and his companions.

The Empire would not commit its entire Imperial Knights, but the Temple could mobilize nearly all of its Holy Knights, making the situation far more disadvantageous for Renosa.

But their strength did not end there.

“What if Basor’s Palma Knights were added?”

At Helmut’s question, a spark lit in Alonso’s eyes.

“…If the Palma Knights joined, it would be a fight worth having. Their involvement would mean Basor has taken our side.”

The Empire, Renosa, Basor—none of these military powers could be discounted.

The corner of Helmut’s mouth curled fiercely.

“They, too, bear grudges against the Temple. Let’s see how many more allies we can muster.”

“Renosa rejects the Temple’s demands.”

The Grand Duke declared in a weighty tone. Even if it meant all-out war, he would not back down.

Helmut placed a hand on the hilt of his sword. He knew he shouldn’t appear eager for battle, but in truth, he wanted to fight them.

They were not the only ones accustomed to enforcing their will through force.

*

‘To condemn the innocent heir of Renosa under the pretext of uncommitted sins, using the Temple’s laws, is an intolerable interference in our affairs and an insult to the Grand Ducal House of Renosa. To comply with the Temple’s tyranny, demanding the life of our heir, would be to shatter Renosa’s honor and banner. Renosa is prepared to wage war if necessary.’

Renosa’s proclamation was resolute, even aggressive, enough to unsettle the Temple.

It was practically a challenge to fight.

When had the Temple ever faced such blatant opposition?

The Grand Duke of Renosa summoned the nobles, proclaiming it across the land, to the Empire, and to every other nation.

As if to say Renosa was blameless, upright, and the Temple’s baseless accusations were contemptible.

Before the Temple could even respond, the Empire was the first to back Renosa.

‘The Grand Ducal House of Renosa also carries the blood of the imperial family, so this is tantamount to a declaration to kill imperial royalty. The Grand Duke has declared Helmut as Renosa’s heir, and the Emperor of the Empire has acknowledged this, making it an unshakable fact.’

And the Empire, subtly weaving in its own grievances, issued a statement.

‘Furthermore, the Temple has yet to provide a proper explanation regarding the involvement of Lumen’s followers in the attack on the Crown Prince. To evade accountability for their own suspicions while recklessly brandishing pretexts is unjust, and it calls into question their qualification to speak of justice. If the Temple seeks to oppress Renosa with force, in the name of the Emperor, we will not tolerate it.’

Following Renosa’s readiness for war, the Empire challenged the Temple’s legitimacy and declared they would not stand idly by.

Words set the continent ablaze.

Basor issued an even more direct and shocking statement.

‘In the past, the Temple conspired with internal forces in Basor to establish a temple there, attempting to eliminate Sword Saint Darien. Though ensnared by the Temple’s schemes, Darien did not die, but in disillusionment, he chose seclusion. Helmut is his disciple, bearing the sword of the Sword Saint as proof. To brand the heir of Renosa and the disciple chosen by the Swordmaster as a calamity or sinner is to tarnish the Sword Saint’s honor and an attempt by the Temple to bury their own sins. Basor will not tolerate this and is ready to fight alongside Renosa.’

By exposing the Temple’s conspiracies and threatening to unearth buried evidence, Basor’s statement was enough to shake the Temple’s legitimacy and moral ground.

In comparison, the Kingdom of Veneta’s cautious support, stating, ‘The Temple must first provide explanations to the Empire and Basor,’ seemed almost feeble.

As the great powers raised their banners against the Temple, other nations that had suffered its tyranny hesitated, then began to join, one by one.

The Temple’s misdeeds were laid bare for all the world to see.

It was a situation the Temple had not foreseen.

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