Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 422 (Part 2)

Greta Academy was a fairly reputable educational institution.

In truth, Alea didn’t care what stance Greta took. She had only needed their support.

But the Dean had prioritized his conscience as an educator over his ambitions as a mage.

For a mage who would typically abandon morals in the face of rare research, his will was surprisingly firm.

‘That’s why you’ll never become an Archmage.’

Crossing the line could make one a dark mage, but it was also the path to becoming an Archmage. The limits of those who walked the righteous path were clear.

Alea asked sharply, “If you’re staying neutral, why are you here?”

The Dean’s eyes sharpened. It was the glint of insatiable greed.

He wasn’t siding with Helmut because he was a Greta Academy student or because the Academy had failed to protect him back then.

Alea’s report on the sacred barrier wasn’t something he could easily give up. His resolve was strong, but he wasn’t one to surrender.

“I’m not here as the Dean of Greta Academy but as an individual mage. A mage of my caliber would be a valuable asset, wouldn’t you say?”

Thus, the Dean had decided to step forward alone, excluding Greta Academy.

If he took the fall himself, the Academy would have an escape route.

After all, he was also a member of the Mage Association.

The Mage Association was openly siding with the Empire and Renosa against the Temple.

“Will they accept that?” Sian asked skeptically.

“I’ve submitted my resignation. It’s on hold and won’t be processed until this matter is resolved, but it proves that my decision to help Renosa is unrelated to Greta Academy.”

Greta Academy was, in essence, an institution owned by a single family for generations.

In the current Dean’s family, there was no one else suitable to take the role of Dean.

If no one in the family could assume the position, a noble from Baden would be temporarily appointed as Dean.

“If I die, the most suitable person to become Dean would be… yes, Ethan Kudrow. That’s why he can’t come. He has people to protect.”

Helmut nodded slowly.

He had already spoken with Ethan Kudrow through magic after this situation arose.

He had entrusted Susan and Sarah to Ethan’s care. Ethan had to protect them.

Alea, however, doubted the Dean’s capabilities.

Among mages who hadn’t reached the level of Archmage, he was among the best, but…

“It’s been a long time since you’ve had any real combat experience, hasn’t it?”

Hadn’t he been sitting in the Dean’s office, buried in paperwork for ages? The Dean frowned and replied, “I won’t be trembling and dragging you down, so don’t worry. I don’t need payment either. Alea, just hand over the sacred barrier report as promised.”

“Very well.”

For Helmut, gaining a skilled mage for free was a deal with no downsides. The Dean looked at him and added, “And if the Temple’s army comes, I plan to mediate with the High Priests.”

The Dean had interacted with a few High Priests in the past.

During a festival, the Temple had visited Greta Academy for an inspection.

There had been a minor incident between Helmut and Alea back then… but that was long ago.

“Mediate?” Helmut asked.

“The Mage Association will join in. We’ll offer to verify the Seed of Darkness and demonstrate the process in front of the Temple.”

Sian pointed out, “The Temple has never been one to negotiate with mages. They’ve consistently refused contact with the Mage Association and you.”

As if they were royalty refusing to speak with commoners.

“That’s why I’m stepping in. If it works, we might avoid war.”

‘War… We have no intention of avoiding it either.’

With the Temple’s strength still unclear, Helmut had sought help from the Empire and Basor to minimize casualties in case of conflict, but he never considered his own death or defeat.

A certainty of victory, starkly contrasting any premonition of loss, dominated him.

He didn’t feel like he could lose. Just as Darien was undefeated in direct combat, who could defeat a Sword Saint?

Still, Helmut spoke calmly.

“Avoiding war would be a good thing.”

As if that were his wish. A response cloaked in harmlessness and goodwill.

To the Dean, who wasn’t a complete ally, it was advantageous to appear that way.

The Temple wouldn’t stop or compromise. Not until they were shattered.

Helmut was certain of that.

But a futile attempt didn’t matter. The Temple would think they were trying to avoid war out of weakness, and if that led to their complacency, it wouldn’t be a bad outcome.

With war against the Temple looming, allies and enemies were now clearly defined.

All that remained was the war itself. They couldn’t strike first, so they had to wait for the Temple to come.

Straight into their trap.

A fierce glint flickered in Helmut’s eyes.

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