Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 449 (Part 1):

After the conference ended, Helmut’s group set off for the Empire.

Right after the Grand Duke sent his message, Charlotte briefly relayed the outcome of the meeting to them.

“It went… smoothly enough. With the Temple’s cooperation, we’ll be discussing countermeasures for this incident—at the largest conference in history.”

From the subtle nuance in her tone, it was clear the process hadn’t been entirely smooth.

Regardless, a temporary alliance had been formed.

It would be uncomfortable, given they’d once fought like mortal enemies, but they now had to stand united against the Demon King.

When the fate of the world was at stake, there could be no exceptions.

From here on, they were bound by the same fate.

The Empire would serve as both the central pillar and the mediator.

The moment that small-scale conference concluded, envoys were dispatched immediately to every nation.

The Temple also agreed to use its branches across the land to spread word of the events and help prepare for the gathering.

Two months. An alarmingly short time to deal with a being powerful enough to destroy the world. They had to move fast.

From Latona, Helmut’s party used a teleportation circle to reach the Imperial Capital.

From there, they traveled to the Imperial Palace by carriage.

Seated in the special carriage provided by the Imperial family, Helmut found his gaze drawn out to the streets.

It was afternoon.

The bustling, prosperous streets were lively but not overcrowded.

Through the window, Helmut could see ordinary people enjoying their daily lives, blissfully unaware of what was coming.

The people of the Imperial Capital lived in a peace so complete that danger and threat were alien concepts to them—worlds apart from the harsh, desperate life Helmut had endured.

But once the Sacred Barrier’s seal was broken, their peaceful lives would shatter.

It would take little time for the ravenous demonic beasts of the Forest of Roots to reach this city—after slaughtering countless men, women, and children in villages and towns along the way.

Over a thousand years, humanity had advanced in many ways, but in dealing with the Demon King, they had grown dull.

It was only natural—they couldn’t live every day conscious of a legendary foe when they faced enough mundane dangers in the real world.

The Temple alone had spent those thousand years honing their blades against the Demon King.

But since they drew their strength from Lumen, their power had an obvious limit.

Alea predicted that once the Sacred Barrier fell, Lumen’s will would disperse, and the supply of holy power would slow.

“Holy Knights recover holy power in a way similar to Vis-users, so they’ll still be reasonably effective. But priests will basically be no better than mages with slow mana recovery. They’ll hit their limits fast.”

“It’s fine. I’m here to fill that gap.”

Sian smirked, brimming with confidence. He had already planted a test Rosetta field near Renosa.

Even the massive Elaga couldn’t have eaten his way through that much Rosetta in ten days without bursting his stomach.

Alea shot Sian a look full of irritation before turning away—her body language screaming she had no interest in talking.

But Sian wasn’t about to miss a chance to needle her.

“Fragile little Alea can stay in the back. I, the great Second Seat, will take the front lines.”

It was a boast that he was stronger now. Helmut, noting Alea’s reaction, quietly intervened.

“In that case, I’ll stay in the back too. Works out nicely.”

“Helmut, you stay out of this. Let me enjoy my moment of swagger for once. She’s been doing it all her life.”

Sian’s nose wrinkled, clearly holding a grudge against Alea.

Her reply was cold and cutting.

“For your information, even a thousand years ago, the Earth Spirit fought at the front. Its strength hasn’t grown since then. And unlike back then, Lumen’s power is weaker now.”

Sian just shrugged.

“That’s what mages are for, right?”

“Exactly. Mages.”

Alea pointed at herself, making it clear she considered herself essential.

“And just so you know, I never singled you out to belittle. You were the one with the inferiority complex. Now that you’ve unexpectedly gotten stronger, you’re showing it in the pettiest way possible.”

That was true—Alea had always looked down on everyone equally. Sian had never been “special” in that regard.

Sian stammered.

“P-petty…?”

Alea’s lips curved into an icy smile as she landed the critical hit.

“That’s why you weren’t popular back in school. Who would like such a petty guy?”

Staggering from the back-to-back blows, Sian could only open and close his mouth.

Helmut thought Alea’s words revealed her own pettiness too—but saw no reason to say so aloud.

It was only after a pause that Sian ground his teeth and snapped,

“You… Alea, you’re awful!”

“If you know that, then stop picking fights.”

With that final jab, a tense silence settled over the carriage.

Sian huffed and turned his head to the window.

Helmut simply waited for the carriage to arrive. The matter was settled; there’d be no more sparring—for now.

Inwardly, though, he’d already taken a side.

‘He knew what Alea’s temper was like—he should’ve kept it in check.’

In Helmut’s mind, this one was Sian’s fault.

All this time, Elaga had been gazing indifferently out the window, unconcerned with the conversation. Then he spoke.

[Hey, won’t the Temple guys recognize me?]

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