Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 439 (Part 1):

“Heike.”

At last, contact had been made. Alea, her brow furrowed, gazed at the image of Heike reflected in the communication crystal ball. She didn’t seem to be in any particular trouble.

“What happened? Is something wrong?”

Ever since Alea had grown stronger, Heike had paid less attention to her.

But never had there been such a long period without contact.

After losing her child to the Temple’s pursuit team, Heike had made it a habit to check the crystal ball at least twice a day, even when engrossed in her research, in case an urgent message arrived.

Moreover, there had recently been a war between the Temple and the Grand Duchy of Renosa.

One would expect Heike to be worried about Alea, yet there had been no word from her whatsoever.

That could only mean she was in a situation where she couldn’t spare a thought for Alea at all.

[I was away investigating something.]

“Where? Investigating what?”

Heike’s expression stiffened.

Alea only then noticed that, unlike her usual composed self, Heike bore a trace of anxiety.

[That… seems like something we should discuss in person. You’re in Latona, aren’t you? Helmut is there too?]

“Yes.”

[Then let’s talk there. He, no, as well as the Grand Duke of Renosa, needs to know about this.]

Alea’s eyebrows shot up at the unexpected words.

“Archmage!”

[I’ll be there soon.]

Without another word, the light of the crystal ball faded. Alea blinked slowly.

‘What in the world is going on?’

The fact that even the Grand Duke needed to be involved was no trivial matter.

Alea recalled her own purpose for reaching out.

Helmut’s ominous dream. And the Sacred Barrier.

‘Antiol hasn’t been in touch either. Could it be…?’

This was no time to linger. Alea moved into action immediately.

Two hours later, Heike stepped into Renosa through Latona’s teleportation magic circle, arriving discreetly.

As a public enemy of the Temple, she could not move openly in other nations, but here in Renosa, things were different.

Even so, visiting the royal castle of a nation required certain formalities, which no one could bypass entirely.

For this reason, despite being an archmage capable of teleporting to directly near the royal castle, she had taken a more circuitous route.

Heike was not alone. Accompanied by her party, she boarded a carriage and headed straight to Latona’s royal palace.

When one a beautiful woman who bore a striking resemblance to Alea appeared at the royal palace, everyone stared at her in astonishment. No, rather, at *them*.

“Did you all fare well? I heard you won the war. That the Temple scoundrels fled, didn’t they?”

Helmut and Alea had come out to greet her.

Before they could respond, however, a voice rang out from beside her.

“Hello.”

Standing next to Heike was a stunning beauty with flowing pink hair. Standing side by side with Heike, she stood out even more.

But her identity was no less extraordinary than the archmage’s.

Alea asked.

“Igrelle, were you with Archmage Heike?”

Igrelle, the phoenix-like demonic beast who had soared off declaring her ambition to roam the skies of the world, was an unexpected presence.

Her being here with Heike felt distinctly odd.

“Been a while, hasn’t it? Hmm, I’m not quite used to human notions of time, so I’m not sure.”

Igrelle, who had been craning her neck to take in the sights of the royal palace, rambled on.

“Nice place you’ve got here.”

“Why are you with her?”

Before Alea could finish her question, Heike spoke up.

“Explaining twice is a hassle, and this isn’t the place for such a discussion. Let’s speak with the Grand Duke present. It’s an urgent matter.”

The Grand Duke was not someone who could be met on a whim.

But for Archmage Heike, trivial formalities could be easily overlooked.

Given that Helmut and Alea were betrothed, she was practically family to the Grand Duke as well.

They soon moved to the Grand Duke’s study, where they met informally.

It was daytime, and Charlotte happened to be out, while Sian was occupied with duties.

Only five people gathered in the study: the Grand Duke, Helmut, Alea, Heike, and Igrelle.

“My, you’re truly handsome. It’s like a treat for the eyes.”

Instead of a proper greeting, Heike launched into unabashed praise. Her radiant face dripped with sincerity.

Despite claiming to be in a rush, she had apparently still found time to notice the Grand Duke’s appearance.

Naturally, the Grand Duke did not respond with a polite, ‘You’re a beauty yourself.’

“What brings you to me?”

The Grand Duke seemed unsure how to address the stunning woman before him, who was far older than he.

The idea that this youthful beauty was old enough to be his parent was something even a Grand Duke found hard to reconcile.

Moreover, preserved in her youth by the power of an archmage, Heike looked more like Alea’s older sister. Only high-ranking mages could achieve such a feat.

“Helmut takes after Your Grace quite a bit. When he ages, he’ll likely grow as distinguished as you.”

Heike remained fixated on his appearance, scanning the Grand Duke’s face with a smile.

“Heike.”

Alea shot her a look, as if to say, *Stop embarrassing me*.

The Grand Duke’s eyebrow twitched. It had been since his youth that he’d received such compliments.

As the lord of Renosa, he was not someone whose appearance was typically subject to evaluation. He felt more bemused than flattered.

“State your purpose.”

“I found something.”

Igrelle raised her hand casually. Her tone was far too relaxed. The Grand Duke’s brow furrowed.

“She’s a demonic beast, around a thousand years old.”

Helmut supplied the explanation, drawing the Grand Duke’s gaze. Helmut added calmly,

“She’s not dangerous.”

His tone was so nonchalant, as if it were nothing noteworthy.

Otaku_Tensei

I'm currently Translating the following novel: Helmut: The Forsaken Child. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

•