Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 448 (Part 1):

“What exactly does the High Priest mean by this? Is it to point fingers and assign blame? To start another war, then?”

The Grand Duke of Renosa spoke, his tone cold yet brimming with authority, as if reminding the room of the Temple’s defeat.

He had come to this meeting for the sake of cooperation.

This was a crisis for the human world.

But that did not mean he condoned the Temple’s atrocities.

Nor did it mean he would tolerate them moving forward.

Charlotte cut in sharply.

“The Temple’s actions, invading Renosa and causing losses on both sides, were also beneficial to the Demon King, weren’t they? That couldn’t possibly be Lumen’s will.”

“How dare the Grand Princess presume to judge Lumen’s will!”

“And yet, the Temple doesn’t seem to be doing a very good job of it either.”

The atmosphere was as brittle as thin ice.

Fearing that High Priest Levina, her face blue with rage, might shatter the delicate balance, the Crown Prince spoke up.

“Think of it as something that was bound to happen eventually. If the Demon King is such a powerful and dangerous entity, we must unite all our strength to confront it.”

He emphasized “we,” underscoring their shared humanity, but the Temple’s fervor showed no signs of abating.

“Is a power that might betray us truly a power at all?”

High Priest Levina raised her voice. In this desperate situation, distinguishing friend from foe was critical.

With their forces already stretched thin, a betrayal could spell disaster.

“I do not doubt the sincerity of the Grand Duke of Renosa. Nor do I believe that this Helmut harbors malicious intent. But do you truly think your formidable heir can remain free from the Demon King’s dominion? To bear the Seed of Darkness is to possess magi, and those who possess magi are subservient to the power of darkness!”

Levina spoke with unwavering conviction.

“He will fall to the Demon King and turn his blade on you. And then, Grand Duke of Renosa, what will protect you?”

“We will take sufficient measures,” the Grand Duke replied, his tone firm with emphasis.

“And Helmut is prepared to fight the Demon King with his life.”

Yes, he would surely do so.

As long as his reason and will remained steadfast.

His words carried the weight of someone who would choose death over being dominated by the Demon King.

Levina’s momentum softened, sensing the resolve in his tone.

It was the conviction of a true ally in war, a mindset the Temple had always held in its holy wars.

“The verification that Renosa spoke of so adamantly,” Levina began.

“Let us proceed with it. If your heir has truly freed himself from the dominion of the Seed of Darkness, we can fight with confidence.”

Her tone suggested resignation.

A warrior of such power fighting against the Demon King would be an immense asset.

“Very well,” the Grand Duke nodded readily.

“There is something I will show you after this meeting.”

It was not the time or place to discuss such matters openly, as a transaction was required.

Levina nodded with an expression devoid of expectation.

“Yes.”

The meeting was not yet over.

“We cannot realistically exclude the mages,” the Crown Prince said, addressing the room.

“They claim to be internally regulating those who might turn to dark magic. I believe they will strive to protect the world they belong to rather than succumb to the temptation of magi.”

High Priest Levina let out a deep sigh.

Her forceful stance was not merely due to heightened emotions.

It was to instill vigilance against the possibility of betrayal.

“The appearance of the archmages near the sacred barrier… I suspect it was to aid the Grand Duke’s heir.”

Upon reflection, the timing was peculiar.

Escaping the Forest of Roots twice was nothing short of a miracle repeated.

Rather than achieving such a feat alone, it was more likely that a powerful ally was involved.

Though the Temple claimed it as their achievement, the archmages had remained quiet for so long. For them to openly confront the Temple suggested…

Levina had already decided what judgment the Temple must make, however reluctantly.

“They may be enemies of the Temple, but if they cooperate fully in this matter, past grievances will be forgotten.”

Unlike the impassive Grand Duke of Renosa, Charlotte flinched, her eyes wide with surprise.

She hadn’t expected the Temple to shift its stance so abruptly.

‘Well, they too… wouldn’t wish for the world’s destruction.’

If the Demon King conquered the world, those who embraced the power of darkness might survive.

But not the Temple.

The Demon King’s victory would mean the Temple’s annihilation, as magi and sacred power could never coexist.

At the very least, this spared the effort of persuasion.

The strength of two archmages was immensely valuable, and their power was desperately needed.

Yet, as enemies of the Temple, convincing them had seemed daunting.

For the unyielding Temple to concede so readily was almost bewildering.

“Archmages possess the strong will to resist being dominated by magi. But as for the mages of the Mage Association… we would like to verify them ourselves. We’ve previously collaborated with the Magic Academy to study ways to identify those who might turn to dark magic.”

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!

•