Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 432 (Part 2):

While the priests ahead poured sacred magic to buy time, the High Priests made their decision.

A message arrived from Levina, and immediately, one High Priest, along with nearby priests, cast a teleportation spell.

Three High Priests, with the priests behind them, swiftly retreated.

Even as they launched sacred magic to keep Helmut at bay, they steadily widened the distance.

A retreat order had already been issued to the forward troops engaged with Latona’s forces.

They would join the approaching army and return to the sanctuary.

That was their plan.

To do so, they needed to buy time. Someone had to stand against the evil before them. A sacrifice was required.

Who could do it? Even Lumen’s First Sword had been broken; how could a priest, weaker in combat, hope to succeed?

While relentlessly pouring sacred magic at Helmut, High Priest Agato declared,

“I will stay and hold him off. Keep him at bay and retreat.”

His solemn face burned with resolute eyes. The gaze of one prepared for death.

All bore the resolve to face a holy war, but no one could be free from fear when death loomed near. It was human instinct.

Thus, the will of one resolute in the face of death shone all the brighter.

The High Priests groaned.

“To do such a thing…”

“High Priest Agato!”

Among the High Priests, Agato was the most influential, having held his position the longest.

No one could readily accept his sacrifice.

“Hurry! We must protect the Temple!”

Agato raised his voice sharply. After a moment’s hesitation, all followed his decision.

“We shall meet again in Lumen’s embrace.”

For those who remained, only death awaited.

The evil one was strong, and even with all their forces combined, victory was uncertain.

They could not abandon the Temple to gamble on an uncertain victory.

If Priest Levina had sent them a message, the situation must be truly dire.

Having decided to retreat, all had to abide by that choice.

Agato now stood alone.

Leaning on his staff, he stood tall. Helmut, tilting his head at the solitary figure, slowed his pace warily.

As if suspecting a trap.

The priests ahead attacked Helmut with full force, buying time.

With sacred magic unleashed so overwhelmingly, he could not possibly be unscathed. Though their lives flickered out like candles.

Feeling the weight of despair, Agato gripped his staff tightly.

Twisting the head of the staff, the lower handle detached. It was a sword.

Before being a High Priest, Agato was a Holy Knight.

While his swordsmanship was unremarkable compared to his sacred power, which surpassed all others, he had become a priest and risen to High Priest.

Yet, he never forgot his roots as a Holy Knight, diligently honing his swordsmanship.

Though his skills paled compared to Levant’s, he was a Holy Knight who wielded sacred power better than anyone.

Thus, his decision to stay was fitting. It was not a reckless choice.

He was the most combat-capable priest among them.

‘I can buy some time.’

Helmut, reaching his vicinity, was slightly taken aback.

Focused on countering the relentless sacred magic, he hadn’t noticed the others retreating.

Why was one man left alone? Where had the others gone?

‘Did they teleport? I can’t sense them.’

Could they have used a trick to cloud his senses? Helmut grew suspicious.

If they had chosen to retreat… something must have changed.

No matter what, hadn’t they invaded Renosa with the intent to kill him at any cost?

Without letting his guard down, Helmut asked casually,

“Decided to run?”

“Helmut.”

Startled at hearing his name for the first time, Helmut flinched. The High Priests never acknowledged him as human.

They saw him only as an evil being consumed by the Seed of Darkness.

Yet, this High Priest looked him in the eye and called his name. It felt unfamiliar.

Helmut frowned.

“I know you.”

“Of course, you’re desperate to kill me.”

Helmut brought his hand to his sword, bored. Could he cut him down mid-sentence?

‘He’s a High Priest, so why does he hold a sword?’

Was that sword a holy blade or a sacred artifact?

Faced with an unexpected situation, Helmut needed to think.

Agato’s intent to stall was clear, but his words rang true.

“I saw you as a child. I remember every soul sent to the Forest of Roots. It was I who sent you, a newborn, to that forest.”

Helmut’s body twitched.

An unreadable glint flashed in his eyes. His stance lowered.

Agato’s words continued, as if in confession.

“It was regrettable, but unavoidable. Then, and four years ago.”

“Yet here I stand, alive. You failed!”

At that moment, Agato’s next words were something Helmut never could have anticipated.

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