Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 451 (Part 1):

Three days later, Heike and Antiol joined the group, bringing reliable investigation results.

The largest conference in history had yet to take place.

A small-scale meeting was held, attended only by the key figures involved: the Grand Duke of Renosa, Charlotte, Alonso—the commander of the Black Wing Knights, the Crown Prince, Asuka, High Priests Levina, Agato, and Romulo, and Helmut’s party.

As expected, it was an uncomfortable gathering, especially for the High Priests.

Having to listen to the investigation results of the two archmages, who were public enemies of the Temple of Lumen, was no small matter.

Moreover, the fact that those responsible for the collapse of the sacred barrier knew more about it than they did was galling.

The High Priests suppressed their humiliation and displeasure, holding their ground.

The mission bestowed upon them by Lumen reminded them of the rationality needed to endure this absurd situation.

High Priest Agato, in particular, found Helmut especially unsettling.

Hadn’t his abdomen been pierced by Helmut’s sword?

He had also vividly witnessed the death of High Priest Paolo—a chillingly horrific scene.

Afterward, Agato had been dragged to Renosa, where he endured grueling imprisonment.

The news of his survival brought unexpected joy to the Temple.

Although Renosa demanded an enormous indemnity, the Temple was wealthy.

What they had lost was manpower, not their immense wealth, so the payment was no issue.

One might think he’d earned a rest upon his return, but Agato hadn’t even enjoyed two full days of respite.

How could a High Priest rest in the face of a crisis that might lead to the Temple’s downfall?

Without even time to compose himself, he had to hold his ground in this meeting, burying all those moments deep within.

As soon as everyone was seated, Antiol dove straight into the matter at hand without hesitation.

“The sacred barrier will collapse in 54 days from now. That’s the earliest estimate, so it could be delayed, but it won’t happen sooner. Although the collapse is accelerating, the resistance is considerable.”

His gaze briefly flicked toward the High Priests.

“Lumen is pouring all His strength into stopping the Demon King until the very end.”

The High Priests’ expressions hardened coldly.

They didn’t like that a public enemy of the Temple dared to speak of Lumen.

High Priest Agato reluctantly opened his mouth.

“Are you all going to fight as well?”

It was Heike who answered.

“Of course. A black mage is nothing more than a slave to the Demon King, having lost all reason. Such borrowed power is of no use to an archmage. How could I aim for greater heights with power that isn’t fully mine?”

“But even if that’s true for you, ordinary mages wield power that’s easily corrupted.”

It was High Priest Levina who pointed this out. Sian raised his hand sharply.

“The imperial family has provided a large plot of land near the capital to produce the Root of Rosetta. Its awakening effect apparently influences humans as well. And, of course, beings with the power of darkness, too.”

He subtly included demonic beasts in his statement, but the High Priests didn’t catch it.

“We’re working with the Mage Association to mass-produce the harvested Root of Rosetta into consumable pills.”

“Here’s a report on the effects of the Root of Rosetta for your reference.”

Heike distributed papers.

She had been busy in Basor, capturing demonic beasts for experiments, barely finding time to rest.

Igrelle had taken care of capturing the demonic beasts.

Perhaps because they weren’t birds, Igrelle showed no sense of camaraderie.

“A few days ago, we approached the center of the sacred barrier.”

Helmut explained what they had seen at the core of the sacred barrier.

He also spoke of the black circle eroding the sacred barrier.

High Priest Agato sighed.

“It’s the will of the Demon King. As the sacred barrier completely collapses, the Demon King’s resurrection will occur simultaneously. And all the demonic beasts in the Forest of Roots will fall under the Demon King’s powerful mental domination.”

High Priest Levina continued.

“For countless years, the Demon King’s magi fragments have scattered across the human world, influencing it in many forms. The Temple has fought desperately to stop it, but the demonic nature has surely mapped this world by now.”

“So, He knows exactly how to conquer this world,” the Grand Duke of Renosa said, stroking his chin. The atmosphere was uniformly grave.

The Crown Prince, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.

“54 days. We should be grateful it’s not tomorrow. It gives us time to prepare.”

Charlotte followed.

“Time, yes—but not much. The large-scale conference is meant to explain the situation and rally others to join us. We need to decide how to fight.”

Everyone who knew how to deal with the enemy most effectively was present here.

The people of the Temple, with memories from a thousand years ago, and Helmut and his party, who knew the Forest of Roots well.

And then, another presence.

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