Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 422 (Part 1)

Immediately after concluding his conversation with Michael, a delegation from the Deus Empire arrived.

Helmut examined the two items the delegation had left behind.

One was a golden insignia proving the title of Count, and the other was a thick sheet of paper embossed with numbers and the imperial seal.

“Count Deus, huh… The reward for the martial tournament.”

Unlike Asuka, Helmut found the Crown Prince’s handling of affairs quite satisfactory.

Given the current state of Renosa, he had expected delays, but the reward was delivered with precision.

The title of Count, promised as the reward for winning the martial arts tournament, didn’t matter much to him.

After all, even if he went to the Empire, he would hardly be addressed as Count.

Helmut was far more pleased with the wealth.

Instead of sending money directly, they had neatly provided him with an account at the Imperial National Bank.

As long as the Empire existed, that sum would remain valid.

Sian, who had appeared out of nowhere, peered at the items with curiosity.

He gazed at the ornate insignia, its edges intricately engraved with vines and floral patterns, and made a peculiar expression.

“So, you’re a Count now? Some of us don’t even have a single title, and here you are, not just a Grand Prince but a Count as well.”

Sian grumbled. But it was hard for him to complain too much, considering he hadn’t made any effort to earn a title himself.

After all, being chosen by the Spirit of the Earth meant he was destined to be tethered to Greencana for life.

“Come to think of it, Helmut, you didn’t even collect your tournament winnings.”

Sian was the type to account for even the smallest details—though, admittedly, he was also the poorest among his friends.

“There wasn’t time for that. If I ever head to the Empire, I’ll claim the prize money and let you know.”

“That sounds like you’re saying you don’t want to treat us. How about giving me a raise instead?”

Sian seized the opportunity. That seemed to have been his true aim all along.

Helmut cut him off coldly.

“Don’t talk nonsense. You’re already overpaid for the work you do.”

Having worked as a mercenary, Helmut had a keen sense of what fair compensation looked like.

Sian was practically freeloading off Renosa’s budget just because he was Helmut’s friend.

Just as Sian opened his mouth to protest, Helmut’s gaze shifted toward the window.

“It’s quite busy today.”

Amid the sound of hooves, the faint rumble of carriage wheels could be heard.

The sound was soft, indicating a high-quality carriage with minimal sway—a sign of a guest of considerable status.

He sensed the presence of a mage. Someone familiar.

From the distance, Alea approached Helmut.

“The Dean is here.”

It was a visit from Liam Weiss, the Dean of Greta Academy.

Helmut, Alea, and Sian—everyone from Greta Academy except Charlotte, who was with Michael—gathered in the reception room to meet the Dean.

“You seem to have a lot on your mind lately,” Sian remarked, staring pointedly at him.

The Dean’s face looked older than before. Mages typically had an advantage in maintaining their youth, so his aged appearance likely stemmed from a lack of energy to even manage his looks.

“There were some concerns. But I’ve made my decision.”

Alea, having heard about his decision, crossed her arms and asked, “Didn’t you say Greta Academy will cooperate?”

Alea had been wrangling with the Dean, using her report on the sacred barrier as leverage.

Though he had promised to help, the Dean had been hesitant, and Alea had demanded action. The Dean nodded.

“The Academy isn’t an army. Nor is Greta solely a mage’s academy. There are students with deep faith in Lumen. The Academy has been in an uproar over this situation. I didn’t want to burden them. Some might even abandon their studies for their beliefs.”

“Those who believe in Lumen would be better off not at the Academy,” Sian muttered.

“Just because the Temple is wrong doesn’t mean Lumen himself is,” the Dean countered.

Lumen was the will and power that protected humanity from the Demon King. It wasn’t something to be rejected outright.

That was the foundation and justification the Temple had upheld for so long.

And it was the Temple itself that had undermined that foundation with its own hands.

The Dean added with a worried expression, “This is too big a fight for Greta Academy to get involved in. The risks are too great.”

The conflict between the Temple and Renosa had escalated into a broader confrontation between the Temple and the human nations opposing it.

With the Temple refusing to back down and preparing for war, it was difficult for Greta Academy to publicly support Helmut and vouch for the Seed of Darkness.

Alea was part of the reason. The Temple was currently preoccupied with war preparations, but if they set their minds to it, it wouldn’t be hard for them to uncover that Alea, Helmut’s fiancée, was the granddaughter of Archmage Heike, the Temple’s public enemy.

It was also rumored that she had attended Greta Academy disguised as a man.

Since the Dean had concealed Alea’s identity, if it were exposed, Greta Academy would lose its impartiality.

People would suspect a close connection between the Dean and Heike, who had been on good terms during their time at Greta Academy.

Heike had grievances about her charges, but overturning her status as the Temple’s public enemy was no easy task.

If the crimes of being the Temple’s public enemy and the bearer of the Seed of Darkness were entangled, public perception would worsen.

Hadn’t Alea already decided to deny her connection to Heike?

In fact, Heike had chosen not to involve herself in this battle.

“A very reasonable conclusion,” Alea said, her gaze still icy.

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!

•