Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 428 (Part 1):

“Demonic beast!”

“Die, you cursed creature!”

“How dare an evil being invade the temple!”

[Yeah, I’m a demonic beast! What’re you gonna do about it? I’m sick of dealing with weaklings.]

Elaga muttered irritably, whipping his tail.

*Thwack!* A figure charging with considerable holy power was sent flying with a single strike.

He held back a bit, knowing that a swipe of his forepaw might flatten them like a pancake, bursting on impact.

The demonic energy radiating from Elaga’s body was so dense it seemed to stain the pristine white temple floor.

It wasn’t as if he’d wrapped himself in a solid barrier, yet the shimmering demonic energy, like a heat haze, carried an overwhelming presence just by existing.

It was potent enough to drive back and repel its natural enemy, holy power.

In fact, despite several direct hits from holy magic aimed at his massive form, the spells couldn’t penetrate the demonic energy surrounding him and fizzled out in midair.

To Elaga, it felt like nothing more than a strong breeze brushing against his body.

‘Maybe because all the strong ones went after Helmut.’

This temple, famed for defeating the Demon King, was underwhelming.

It seemed all the elite forces had gone after Helmut, leaving only the weak behind.

These foes, buzzing like mosquitoes or flies, wielded holy power but posed no physical threat—just an annoying nuisance.

Elaga had come here hoping for a worthy opponent to face him. But this was just too pathetic.

[Is that the temple’s core? Where they offer prayers or whatever to Lumen.]

As he swaggered forward, Elaga spotted a towering building piercing the sky and narrowed his eyes.

The temple was supposedly the headquarters, and its scale was impressive. Even for the swift-footed Elaga, reaching the center took some time.

To an ordinary person, the sight would have been awe-inspiring, enough to make them a devout follower of Lumen on the spot.

At the heart of the temple stood a white structure made of translucent crystal-like material.

Its surface was intricately carved with symbols, sacred artifacts, and animal motifs representing Lumen and its followers.

Light cascaded from the heavens, touching the highest point of the towering building.

A powerful holy energy, emanating from that point, spread through the structure.

It was the altar of Lumen, a place both mystical and beautiful.

But Elaga, devoid of sentiment, felt something else entirely.

‘If that’s Lumen’s nest, would storming in there make Lumen descend or something?’

Elaga ground his teeth with a *grrr*. To Elaga, Lumen was a vile entity.

Elaga had never felt confined in the Forest of Roots throughout his life.

But seeing humans desperately struggling to escape the forest sparked a sense of grievance.

It was as if he’d been imprisoned in that stifling forest like a criminal.

A kind demonic beast like himself, who cared for humans, locked away for nearly a millennium just because they were all branded as evil!

‘If his house gets trashed, he’ll be pissed. Maybe he’ll show up in person. Should I take him on?’

His body twitched instinctively, suggesting that Lumen was likely stronger than him.

A demonic beast’s instincts were sharp, instantly recognizing a superior foe.

‘Hmph. Maybe fighting’s not the best idea.’

If Elaga could defeat Lumen, he would’ve shattered the holy barrier long ago. If Lumen showed up, he’d have to flee.

In a way, Elaga understood why Lumen had trapped the demonic beasts in the Forest of Roots.

Unlike Lumen’s strength, most humans were pitifully weak.

Even if a few were strong, the rest were as frail as insects, liable to collapse and die at the slightest touch.

Elaga had thought Helmut was weak, but except for his very early childhood, Helmut had never truly been so.

When Elaga left the Forest of Roots and followed Helmut’s advice to conceal his identity, it wasn’t out of fear or aversion of human hostility.

It was to avoid startling fragile humans.

The sight of Elaga radiating demonic energy might be enough to send some into cardiac arrest.

‘Looking at this temple, with these flimsy humans acting as protectors, if the beasts from the Forest of Roots broke out, they’d all be wiped out in no time.’

With creatures like Naho, obsessed with human flesh, running rampant, humanity would face extinction in a flash. Elaga nodded, surveying his surroundings.

The area had gone silent, with no one daring to challenge him anymore.

But he sensed a group gathering ahead. The temple’s defenders had seemingly decided to make their stand with the sacred site at their backs.

The light descending from above converged on that building, the source of holy power. Just being near it would amplify the holy energy of Lumen’s followers.

That place was the holiest of sanctuaries.

For a demonic beast, the sight of a place brimming with holy energy was unsettling.

Elaga paused to consider, then took a step forward. His slow gait suddenly exploded into a frenzied sprint.

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