Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 452 (Part 1):

[So, I suppose that settles it. Oh, and don’t worry. My brother didn’t recognize me and came at me, so I dealt with him the other day. He won’t be showing up again.]

Elaga tied up the matter lightly, as if it were nothing.

High Priest Levina, holding her throbbing forehead, spoke with exasperation.

“Then, tell us what you know about the Forest of Roots.”

To think they were having a conversation with a demonic beast—and not just that, but considering it an ally!

For the Temple of Lumen, it was a relentless barrage of shocks, as if walls were being shattered one after another.

They, who had always been rigid and domineering in following Lumen’s will, had never appeared so softened.

Elaga began his explanation nonchalantly.

[The Forest of Roots is divided into five domains: East, West, South, North, and Central. Each domain is ruled by the strongest demonic beast. This Elaga is the ruler of the Central domain. And also the strongest demonic beast in the Forest of Roots.]

Elaga concluded with pride, his legs instinctively spreading apart and his tail stiffly raised. But no matter how much he tried to exude majesty in his feline form, it only came off as cute.

“You’re the strongest in the Forest of Roots?”

Levina asked skeptically, prompting an immediate response from Helmut.

“He killed Naho of the East and absorbed his power. Among beings with magi, he is the strongest.”

Elaga elaborated on his lie with more detail.

[Oh, my brother? That guy was small fry, leeching off my territory. He’s dead now, so no need to worry about him.]

“Continue about the Forest of Roots,” the Crown Prince interjected, reining in Elaga’s rambling explanation.

Elaga shared everything he knew about the Forest of Roots.

Being a demonic beast, he didn’t know what was significant or not. That judgment was left to the humans.

The small meeting concluded with discussions on how to acquire and use the Root of Rosetta and on acknowledging Elaga’s existence.

Further information gathering was necessary.

As the meeting adjourned, Levina turned to Helmut and asked, “Is there perhaps anything else you’ve yet to reveal?”

Her tone was laced with worry, as if she couldn’t bear any more burdens.

Helmut replied calmly, “There’s one more demonic beast.”

Igrelle was also a significant asset. Since things had come this far, it was better to reveal everything.

Levina, at a loss for words, clutched her face. There was simply too much to process, each revelation more shocking than the last.

“Is it as strong as… no, you said this one is the strongest in the Forest of Roots, so perhaps not to that extent.”

“That demonic beast is Igrelle, the ruler of the Southern domain of the Forest of Roots.”

Levina fell silent.

Her eyes glinted with suspicion, wondering how he had formed connections with such powerful demonic beasts.

Could the Demon King have already descended upon Helmut?

Yet, there was barely any magi emanating from him.

And Elaga hadn’t slaughtered anyone when he charged into the Temple.

If he were the Demon King’s pawn, he would have destroyed the Temple then and there.

Helmut, kindly aiding her understanding, explained, “Elaga and Igrelle are friends. Since I lived under Elaga’s protection in the Forest of Roots, we have a bond.”

[Who’s friends?! That guy’s beneath me, got it?]

Elaga snapped indignantly.

Ironically, his words made it seem as though he and Igrelle were indeed friends.

Levina, glancing between Elaga and Helmut, asked in a voice that sounded like she had given up, “Is that one friendly to humans as well?”

“Yes, both demonic beasts don’t eat humans and have helped me.”

Given that the Temple was responsible for creating the circumstances that led to their help, Levina’s expression grew awkward.

She soon nodded curtly in acknowledgment.

“We’ll meet at the next meeting. If anything urgent arises, I’ll inform you immediately.”

Nothing was decided yet, but findings were accumulating, and the looming disaster was taking shape.

Interests, grudges, and trust were being muddled, somehow coalescing into one.

Like a snowball.

Whether that snowball could shatter the boulder that was the Demon King, no one could hold confidence or faith.

A unified path had yet to be forged.

Sleepless nights would likely continue for some time.

* * *

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!

•