Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 459 (Part 2):

After finishing breakfast, the ten carefully selected—or rather, hastily decided—members gathered in one place.

Having each settled their affairs in their respective countries, there was no grand departure ceremony.

After all, no matter the circumstances, these were people who had been fighting fiercely against each other until recently.

The atmosphere was far from conducive to cheerful camaraderie.

The place where they gathered was a small building near the barrier.

Inside, a spacious hall devoid of furniture had been built alongside the barrier itself.

Recently, priests had all but taken over the place to set up a sacred magic circle.

As Helmut stepped into the building, he furrowed his brow. Unpleasant memories began to stir faintly.

The scene was all too similar to four years ago. The magic circle etched on the floor made his stomach churn.

Just then, someone approached him.
“How are you feeling?”

[Good.]

Luke Yeager flinched in surprise.

He had directed the question at Helmut, but the answer came from the cat—or rather, the demonic beast—perched on Helmut’s shoulder.

Elaga sniffed at Luke Yeager.
[You must be Darien’s blood. No wonder you feel familiar.]

“Are you acquainted with my great-grandfather?”

“Acquainted, sure, but not exactly friendly,” Helmut pointed out.

[In human terms, we were neighbors. Darien trespassed into my territory, but I generously let him stay.]

“You were just afraid you’d lose if you fought him.”

[Who said I’d lose?! …Well, he was a bit of a tricky opponent.]

Elaga grudgingly admitted.

“This is surreal. A cat and a human having a conversation.”

Luke Yeager looked back and forth between Helmut and Elaga with a curious gaze.

Helmut said with an impassive face,
“You’ll see even more surprising things once we’re there.”

After all, Luke would soon witness Elaga’s true form with his own eyes.

“That sounds ominous.”

Luke Yeager shrugged.

Alea stepped forward and stood beside Helmut.
“‘How are you feeling?’”

“You’re asking the same thing.”

Like Luke Yeager, she was concerned about his state of mind.

“It’s a situation that warrants it.”

This was his third time being sent to the Forest of Roots. Of course, this time it was by choice, but it would be stranger if he felt at ease.

Seeing her vivid silver hair calmed his nerves. Helmut nodded slowly.
“I think of it as returning to my hometown.”

“Ugh, I’m doomed. I barely slept last night.”

Sian approached, clutching his face, with Asuka by his side.

Asuka’s response was nonchalant.
“No need to worry. Tired or not, the Earth Spirit will handle things for you.”

“A fatigue recovery potion.”

Alea pulled a vial from her pocket and placed a pill in Sian’s hand.

Sian’s eyes widened at her uncharacteristic kindness, but Alea’s words were cold.
“I didn’t expect proper self-care from you lot.”

“You lot?”

Asuka frowned.
“I slept just fine. It’s only this guy who didn’t.”

Sian, having swallowed the pill, shot Asuka a glare.
“Thanks for confirming it’s just me.”

For comrades who would soon fight side by side, it was a surprisingly lively scene.

“Your friends seem to get along well.”

Luke Yeager shook his head. Asuka turned to look at him.
“The Commander of the Palma Knights!”

“Yes, that’s me.”

“You’re young.”

“Yes, quite young. Three years older than Helmut.”

“Then you’re three years older than me too?”

Asuka stared intently at Luke Yeager’s face.

For Asuka, encountering someone whose talent surpassed his own—excluding Helmut—was a rare experience.

Even if Luke was the descendant of a Sword Saint.

Moreover, Luke Yeager was strikingly handsome. His status wasn’t particularly high, but as the Comm ander of the Palma Knights, a descendant of the Sword Saint, and an exceptional talent…

Asuka suddenly asked,
“Have you ever met Helmut’s sister?”

“I haven’t met her, though I’ve seen her in passing.”

Luke Yeager’s expression grew troubled. Asuka’s demeanor was deadly serious.
“Once this is over, you’ll head straight back to Basor, right?”

The words carried an unspoken wish for him to leave quickly.

“Yes, that’s right. I have to report back.”

“Good.”

Asuka nodded, visibly relieved.

For Luke Yeager, it was a baffling reaction.
“Is there a problem with me?”

“Oh, don’t mind him. He’s just prickly. Looking forward to working with you.”

Sian gave a polite bow, and Luke Yeager returned it awkwardly.

‘He’s got some peculiar friends.’

Especially considering his girlfriend was far from ordinary. Just then, a cheerful voice rang out.
“Yo, hello, humans!”

It was Igrelle, appearing in human form.

Behind her, Heike approached at a leisurely pace.

[Your tattered feathers don’t seem to show up in your transformation?]

Elaga asked suspiciously, prompting Igrelle to scoff.
“My tattered feathers have already healed.”

“Is this one a demonic beast too?”

Luke Yeager asked, and Igrelle turned to look at him.
“Oh? A handsome human. And the aura coming from you… quite powerful.”

Sian stepped in to defend Luke Yeager.
“This guy’s a comrade. Don’t get any weird ideas.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? I’m done with those games.”

Igrelle snorted. Heike added,
“She’s also learned to fight in human form. It’s better for controlling herself in case of emergencies.”

“Control?”

“Like Helmut, she’s taken precautions. Staying in this form reduces her demonic influence—a kind of seal, you could say. Seems I don’t fully trust her in her original form.”

Igrelle had once nearly fallen under the Demon King’s control. The risk was undeniable.

The Root of Rosetta, in case of emergency, would be easier to administer in her human form.

As a bird, Igrelle would maintain this form until she needed to fight in the air.

“Looks like everyone’s here.”

Helmut surveyed the room. By “everyone,” he meant those on his side.

Helmut himself, Alea, Sian, Asuka, Heike, Elaga, Igrelle, and Luke Yeager.

All eight from his faction were present.

The remaining two were those who had been enemies until now.

The white robes of the latecomers caught his eye.

In the ashen Forest of Roots, they would stand out as much as red would.

“Wearing that is practically begging to be spotted,” Asuka remarked, clearly displeased.

A calm response came.
“As humans—especially those of us with holy power—we’d stand out there regardless.”

It was High Priest Levina. Her serene expression and gentle demeanor suggested she had already steeled herself.

And then there was one more.

Helmut locked eyes with the figure. Their gazes met, and the other visibly flinched.

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