Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 438 (Part 1):

The Temple of Lumen was in a state of utter chaos.

Not a single moment of rest was afforded to anyone, as they scrambled to tend to the wounded and manage the aftermath.

The High Priests expended vast amounts of holy power to restore the buildings that Elaga had demolished.

Only the advanced sacred magic, wielded solely by High Priests, could make such restoration possible.

Fortunately, Elaga had torn through the temple in a straight line.

Thanks to the beast’s neatly destructive path, the cleanup was somewhat manageable.

With all resources and sacred power poured into the effort, the temple regained its former appearance in just a few days, as if no disaster had ever struck.

But while physical traces could be erased, the shocking memories were not so easily forgotten.

The atmosphere within the temple was grim. Everyone wore faces etched with worry, seeking solace in the prayer halls, turning to Lumen with more fervor than ever before.

“Oh, what will become of us?”

“Lumen, grant us your answer.”

Their anxiety stemmed from unease and a sense of helplessness.

Facing a crisis unlike any they had ever known, they had no idea how to proceed.

They had been defeated—though they stubbornly denied it was anything more than a retreat, the world saw it differently.

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

They could not simply remain idle.

Yet, even if they declared another expedition, they lacked the confidence to defeat Renosa.

The temple had lost two seasoned High Priests. That loss was not something that could be easily replaced.

And what if, during another expedition, that demonic beast appeared again?

Whether facing Renosa or the demonic beast, they would need to commit their full strength, fighting with the resolve that one side must fall.

Splitting their forces would achieve nothing.

But even if they abandoned the temple to fight with everything they had, what if they still couldn’t win?

Public opinion toward the temple was already unfavorable.

While some devotees remained steadfast, many had begun to separate their faith in Lumen from the temple itself.

At this critical juncture, with their cause and support waning and their enemies growing stronger, the temple’s loss of power made optimism difficult.

And if the temple were to fall, what would become of this world?

For a thousand years since the Demon King War, the temple had stood as the world’s steadfast guardian.

Despite minor conflicts, the world had slowly but steadily prospered.

The temple’s efforts had kept the world safe from demonic power.

The Demon King War had not been fully concluded.

It was a dormant volcano, one that would eventually erupt again.

The temple knew this. Lumen had inscribed it upon their souls in a way that transcended explanation.

But if the volcano erupted after the temple had lost its strength, who could stand against the flood of the Demon King’s power?

The mages, so easily swayed to corruption? The swordsmen, forced to face physically superior demonic beasts?

Only the temple could accomplish such a task.

That was why Lumen had bestowed his power upon humanity, commanding them to establish the temple.

Yet the demonic power they faced this time was overwhelming—far beyond their ability to counter.

The Demon King War had not even resumed, yet such a crisis had already struck.

Amidst the swirling chaos and doubt, the Round Table Conference was convened.

High Priest Levina, her face pale, greeted the other High Priests.

“Welcome.”

Naturally, the High Priests were filled with questions.

“Lady Levina, why have you called this Round Table Conference?”

“At a time when we’re busy restoring the temple, what is this major announcement?”

“Has there been some significant revelation?”

The High Priests, taking their seats, all looked unwell.

After opening the gate and returning from their expedition, they had immediately poured immense holy power into healing the wounded and restoring the temple. There had been no time for proper rest.

Even those blessed by Lumen’s grace were pushed to the brink of collapse by such a grueling schedule.

Levina was no exception, but no matter how exhausted she was, she could not collapse into sleep.

Because she had learned the truth.

Levina spoke, her voice like a thunderbolt.

“The Sacred Barrier will soon collapse.”

Her words struck the assembly like a tidal wave. A suffocating silence pressed down upon the Round Table.

Three pairs of eyes, wide with shock, fixed on her, their gazes tinged with irreverent doubt about the truth of her statement.

High Priest Romulo spoke first.

“How much time remains?”

Not “What do you mean?” or “What’s your evidence?”—he was the first to process the shock with rationality.

“It is…”

Levina blinked heavily, a deep unease churning within her.

And now, that unease would no longer be hers alone, as it spread to the others.

She confessed the devastating truth.

“It’s accelerating. At most, one or two months. After that, the Sacred Barrier will vanish without a trace.”

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