Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 427 (Part 1):

The Temple was shrouded in an unusually dense silence today.

With nearly the entire Holy Knight Corps, five High Priests, and most of the priests and temple soldiers gone, the temple felt almost leisurely.

‘It won’t be an easy task to accomplish their goal.’

Worry clouded the face of High Priest Levina, who remained alone to guard the temple.

Ever since the sacred barrier in the Forest of Roots began to waver, a storm of upheaval had swept through.

As if that incident had been the catalyst, changes beyond the temple’s control were unfolding.

Not once had Levina slept with a peaceful mind.

Though they had decided to confront the issue head-on, sitting idly in the temple awaiting the outcome was far from comfortable.

All Levina could do was pray for those who had departed.

Who would dare infiltrate this sacred temple, brimming with Lumen’s holy aura?

This was the holy ground of Lumen, never once defiled by an enemy.

‘Why does Lumen not answer?’

As she placed flowers before the altar, Levina, almost blasphemously, harbored resentful thoughts toward Lumen.

Lumen’s power resided in the sacred barrier, but his will was present wherever holy energy existed.

On rare occasions, whenever a grave issue concerning the forces of darkness arose, Lumen would send an oracle to the High Priests, guiding the temple’s path.

But gradually, the frequency of oracles dwindled, and it had been many years since the last one.

‘Perhaps Lumen means for us to find our own way, without relying on Him.’

Levina believed as much. Thus, she lived following Lumen’s will through her own judgment and resolve.

The power of a High Priest had been bestowed upon her because she possessed the discernment to uphold Lumen’s will rightly.

‘I’ve done my utmost. Always. Never once have I acted out of selfish desire.’

Yet, she could not fathom where things had gone wrong this time.

How had the situation deteriorated to this extent?

The temple’s honor lay trampled in the dirt, mired in a swamp of disgrace.

As if the temple were the villain in some play, every nation turned its back and pointed fingers at them.

The temple’s misdeeds, laid bare one by one.

Even Levina could not defend them; she could only hold her tongue, unable to make excuses.

Levina admitted she had been negligent.

She should have paid closer attention to others, reined them in.

Believing they would return to the right path despite occasional straying had been excessive confidence.

‘But why should that lead to condemnation of the entire temple?’

Surely, there were more who remained true than those who had fallen.

Had not the latter, under Lumen’s name, vanquished evil and protected the world?

Levina felt a fierce sense of injustice.

Even if some who shared her faith fell to corruption, she had lived a life as unblemished as the pure white temple, steadfast in her principles and beliefs.

For Levina, who had led such a noble life, it was only natural to find this distorted situation unjust.

As a human, she could make mistakes or overlook things.

But the current crisis was far too harsh and severe.

The temple being scorned by the entire world felt like it was tearing down the life she had built.

Life within the temple had been one of honor and praise.

The current situation, like a fall from the heavens to the earth, evoked an immense sense of deprivation.

She suffered from insomnia. Even when she managed to sleep, nightmares plagued her.

In those nightmares, a figure glared at her from the darkness with cold, dry eyes, as if accusing her.

From those dreams, Levina recalled one person.

‘Helmut, it all began with him.’

Following Lumen was not always easy or comforting. It required enduring harsh and difficult decisions.

Deep faith and a sense of duty had made Levina resolute and strong.

Even when sending an infant to Forest of Roots, she had never once hesitated.

She had only pitied the child for being born with a cursed fate.

It was the same with Helmut.

It was unavoidable. A sacrifice for the world. When she considered the countless lives that would perish by his hand, no exceptions could be allowed.

She had always scrutinized herself, striving to do what was right. As a follower of Lumen, as a High Priest who had devoted her life to the temple.

Levina pondered where things had gone wrong.

But she could find no answer to the question.

Within her faith and conscience, Levina was righteous. To deny that would be to deny Lumen.

“…No, that cannot be.”

Levina shook her head vigorously. Steadying her storm-tossed heart, her lips tightened with resolve.

“The temple will return victorious, and all that is amiss will be set right.”

Much had gone wrong, but there would be a chance to make amends.

What had been warped over time could be corrected with time and sincerity.

She would see this as an opportunity to cut away the rot and act decisively.

Kneeling before the altar, praying to overcome this trial, she was just about to rise when—

*KRRRUMBLE!*

Otaku_Tensei

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