Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 429 (Part 1):

[I came here of my own will. Lumen trapped me in the Forest of Roots, did he? Yet it’s more underwhelming than I expected. Did you think staying inside would make Lumen protect you?]

A menacing gaze poured forth demonic energy. A tongue slithered slowly, licking around the lips.

A low, rumbling growl leaked from the throat of the massive leopard.

To a human, standing before this leopard was like being a mere rabbit—a sound that could only inspire fear.

Humans, too, are but one kind of beast, unable to ignore the overwhelming strength of their foe.

Yet Levina stood her ground, her pale face unwavering. Her staff pointed steadfastly at Elaga.

“Demonic beast. What is it you seek? Revenge?”

[What do you plan to do with that little stick?]

Elaga snorted derisively. Then, with bold declaration, he proclaimed:

[I will bring this place to ruin. I’ll tread upon the shattered stones and erase every trace of Lumen from here!]

He hesitated for a moment, but this kind of threat would surely draw back those who had gone to Renosa.

Baring his fangs, Elaga let out another mighty roar.

*Crraaaahhh!*

The roar, laced with demonic energy, struck the barrier once more. The surrounding air trembled with the shockwave.

In that brief moment, countless thoughts raced through Levina’s mind.

The Temple’s army had marched to Renosa for their holy war. They could not be recalled so recklessly.

Eradicating the one who bore the Seed of Darkness was their sacred duty.

How could Lumen’s army abandon their goal and retreat?

Yet this was an unforeseen crisis. A demonic beast had breached the barrier and invaded.

This beast was far too powerful, having stormed this place with ease.

Here stood Lumen’s altar. The heart of the Temple could not be allowed to fall.

Levina quickly concluded her calculations. With a still-calm expression, she spoke.

“Vile demonic beast. I don’t know how you learned of it, but the Temple’s army is not here. When they return, they will vanquish you.”

[Yes, they’re not here. That’s what matters. Try stopping me if you can!]

But Elaga, who had seemed ready to charge forward, suddenly paused.

Levina’s staff began to glow.

The staff, infused with the High Priest’s holy power, radiated holy light into the air.

‘An attack spell?’

He could dodge it. Elaga watched her movements closely. But then, as the light faded, she lowered her staff and struck the ground with its tip.

For the first time, a fierce emotion flickered in her eyes.

It was anger. Anger at her own powerlessness to uphold Lumen’s will.

Whenever the one with the Seed of Darkness appeared, the Temple had always devoted its full strength to eradicate them.

But this time, they would fail.

They would recall their army. It was tantamount to defeat. A humiliation.

“Though the holy war may be delayed, Lumen’s will remains unbroken. The time will come again.”

Muttering, she gripped her staff tightly and glared at Elaga.

Moments ago, she had informed the High Priests who had marched out. The Temple had been half-destroyed by a demonic beast, a dire crisis, and they must return swiftly.

As a result, Elaga and Alea’s plan had worked perfectly.

[Elaga, the enemies have begun to retreat. They’ll come rushing back soon.]

Alea’s voice echoed from somewhere, and Elaga glanced around.

But Alea, cloaked in invisibility magic, was nowhere to be seen.

[What are you talking about? All I need to do is destroy that building, and it’s over.]

[We need to leave now. No delays.]

They’d return soon enough. To reach Renosa, they’d need to open a gate, but returning to the Temple was far easier.

Lumen’s followers required only a fraction of holy power to return to their sanctuary.

For Elaga and Alea to erase their traces and escape, it was best to act now.

They had come via Latona’s teleportation circle, but returning would require multiple spatial teleportation spells.

Yet as Alea saw the Temple’s heart looming behind Elaga, her fingers twitched.

‘If I use an attack spell one last time.’

Elaga’s demonic energy was the antithesis of holy magic, so his attacks wouldn’t land as powerfully as the amount of energy he unleashed.

Holy power could neutralize vast amounts of demonic energy with minimal effort.

But magic was different. If Alea used the most powerful attack spell she knew, she could pierce the barrier Elaga had struck repeatedly and shatter that place.

She was a mage nearing the realm of an Archmage, after all.

‘Why shouldn’t I?’

If anyone harbored resentment, it was not Elaga but her. Alea was startled to discover the intense desire for vengeance that had been slumbering within her.

Suppressing the urge to act on that desire was no small feat.

But doing so would unmistakably leave her mark here.

A mage controlling a demonic beast to attack the Temple. That would give them ample reason to brand her a public enemy.

It would justify the Temple’s actions, who had killed her parents for her ties to Heike.

The Temple’s enemy, Heike’s granddaughter, a mage who commanded a demonic beast to invade their sanctuary.

She had walked a long, winding path to stay on the righteous course. She couldn’t ruin it now.

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