Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 453 (Part 2):

Representatives from smaller, remote nations flinched.

They had secretly hoped the nations bordering the Forest of Roots would handle it.

They were only here because of pressure from the Temple, treating it as someone else’s affair.

But if the wall was breached and demonic beasts invaded the continent, reaching their nations, they would have no means to resist.

Few nations had the strength to face demonic beasts head-on.

It was an era of peace. But that peace could be overturned in an instant.

The crown prince, presiding over the meeting, spoke up.
“But if we enter the Forest of Roots, how exactly do we stop the Demon King’s revival? Didn’t you say that if the sacred barrier collapses, the gate to the demon realm opens?”

It was Archmage Antiol who answered.
“Just as demonic beasts have a core, the Demon King is a being of power and will combined. There must be a focal point. We need to destroy and purify it.”

A thousand years ago, they had only managed to seal the Demon King because they couldn’t decisively eliminate him.

It wasn’t negligence but necessity.

The situation back then had been dire.

The creation of the sacred barrier, with the full might of Lumen, was a calculated strategy.

It had secured their victory, but they couldn’t fully destroy the Demon King.

The dead cannot return, but the sleeping will eventually awaken.

This time, they had to ensure his end.

So that humanity would never face such a threat again.

Antiol emphasized, “At the same time, we must not merely block the entrance to the demon realm—we must eradicate it.”

Heike spoke in a heavy tone.
“As long as magi exists, we cannot completely sever the connection to the demon realm. Power naturally calls to its source.”

Magi had spread across the world for far too long.

Eradicating it entirely was near impossible.

Antiol fixed his gaze on her.
“The entrance to the demon realm is a gate. A gate created by the Demon King’s will. While the connection cannot be severed, the gate can be destroyed. It’s a gate, after all.”

A gate. The most recent gate had been opened by the Temple during their holy war to invade Renosa.

Though the nature of the power differed, the gate to the demon realm operated on a similar principle.

The method to destroy it would be the same as destroying any gate.

The discussion increasingly leaned toward sending a small elite team into the Forest of Roots.

The urgency to act before the sacred barrier collapsed fueled the momentum.

While more possibilities needed to be explored, the consensus was nearly unanimous.

Now, the focus shifted to how to destroy the Demon King and the gate to the demon realm.

Specific methods and forces needed to be discussed.

Finally, someone voiced the critical question.
“Who will go to the Forest of Roots?”

A ripple of tension spread through the meeting hall like a wave.

Some let out heavy sighs, others exchanged glances.

The attendees held their tongues.

It was like putting a bell on a cat’s neck.

Except this cat wasn’t asleep.

It was watching the mice swarm while fighting another cat.

The most dangerous task. Offering up their own people willingly would be strange.

The silver lining, if there was one, was that only ten could enter the Forest of Roots.

They would undoubtedly be the best of the best, universally acknowledged for their skill.

For nations without such elite warriors, it was a relief—they could benefit without lifting a finger.

Helmut spoke calmly.
“From Renosa, there are three who can go.”

If he went, he wouldn’t be able to stop Alea, and both were undeniably qualified.

Sian, Helmut’s mage and the Earth Spiritmaster, was also an obvious choice.

Who else but someone empowered by the Earth Spirit?

Charlotte, however, didn’t step forward.

Not out of fear for her life, but because she realistically judged her skills insufficient to be among the ten.

The same went for Asuka.

But he was about to shamelessly raise his hand.

If not for Grand Duke Farnese, his father, stopping him.

“You’d only be a burden with your skills. You’d be mocked for trying to claim glory with your royal status,” Grand Duke Farnese said, forgoing threats of imprisonment.

Asuka flinched and lowered his hand.

Frustration surged, but he had no choice.

Heike raised her hand.
“We need three spots. We have the strength to justify it.”

Heike, Elaga, and Igrelle. The three of them were included in the count.

Antiol would stay behind to help the mage association build the front line.

So, who would fill the remaining spots…?

Voices murmured back and forth.

The criteria were clear.

First, did they have the necessary skill?

Second, were they suited for the role?

Third, were they expendable?

It was a pragmatic standard. The team also needed balance.

Too many mages or too many swordsmen wouldn’t do.

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!

•