Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 460 (Part 1):

Holy Knight Levant. Helmut recalled his name.

A man with power surpassing even Luke Yeager.

Of course, if he hadn’t been a Holy Knight, the story would have been different.

‘A useful asset.’

If he put aside personal feelings, that was the objective truth.

Unlike Sian, whose belly had been pierced and who had lost to him, or Asuka, who had tasted defeat, Helmut had won against him.

The victor harbors no personal grudges.

But that didn’t mean Helmut was favorably inclined toward him.

A Holy Knight of the Temple. The Temple had been his enemy for a long time.

And it still was.

It wouldn’t be strange if he harbored resentment, having nearly died at Helmut’s hands.

A man who could thrust a blade into his back at any moment.

The power of the holy sword was formidable. Even Helmut couldn’t underestimate him.

Levant averted his gaze from Helmut.

For a fleeting moment, the muscles on his face twitched.

Anger? Or hatred? It had to be closer to a negative surge of emotion.

It was amusing. Even in this situation where they had accepted Helmut as an ally, it must be the will of Lumen for them.

For the sake of a greater cause, to follow Lumen’s will, shouldn’t they naturally draw out goodwill toward Helmut?

They were comrades who would fight together, after all.

‘Doesn’t matter. As long as he doesn’t stab me in the back.’

The Temple was wary of this side’s personnel, who included demonic beasts, a possessor of the Seed of Darkness, and even those wanted for crimes against the Temple.

Conversely, this side couldn’t trust the Temple’s representatives either.

Their existence, wielding holy power, was a great help, but at the same time, a tremendous threat.

Even if the goal was achieved, when all were exhausted and wounded, they were the very ones who might stab them in the back.

They had to walk the same path amid mutual distrust.

‘If anything, I’d prefer they died once they’ve outlived their usefulness.’

It was a question even to himself whether he would extend a hand if they were on the brink of death or in need of aid.

Helmut’s gaze then briefly crossed with Levina’s.

Levina gave a slight bow before gesturing toward Levant.

“Shouldn’t you greet them? Since you only recently arrived after recovering, I doubt you’ve had the chance to show your face.”

Levant bowed his head toward the group. A stiff, rigid motion.

“I am the first sword of Lumen, Holy Knight Levant.”

“You must already know all about us, so no need for introductions.”

Helmut cut in coldly.

“Don’t be like that. Even I, whose belly was pierced, decided to put the past behind me.”

Sian grinned and let out a pointed remark.

At least the neutral Luke Yeager properly returned his greeting.

“Pleased to meet you. I am Luke Yeager, Commander of the Palma Knights.”

In any case, all the opponents Luke Yeager needed to seek revenge from were already dead.

It was true that he disliked the Temple’s misdeeds, but he harbored no emotions that could be called grudges.

Levant sensed that Luke Yeager was the most at ease among them.

“In the name of the High Priestess, I swear that no personal grudges or past matters will arise from within me.”

High Priestess Levina said with a gentle expression.

It was also an affirmation that they wouldn’t strike from behind.

“For we must unite our strength and fight.”

Heike chimed in with a grin.

Levina’s eyebrow twitched awkwardly.

She and Levina were not on comfortable terms, but the Temple had agreed to lift the wanted status.

Levina, regaining her composure, continued.

“Please step to the center of the magic circle. It will take some time to complete the adjustments. We will depart afterward.”

From the other side, the other High Priests appeared.

They, excluding Levina, would send the group into the Forest of Roots and remain to guard the barrier with the elites from each nation.

Levina exchanged a few words with them.

Soon, ten people stepped onto the magic circle.

Helmut had to forcibly suppress his hand, which kept drifting toward his sword.

With Levina and Levant standing so close, the irritating feeling only grew stronger.

Elaga and Igrelle, too, scowled deeply, uncomfortable with being on the sacred magic circle.

[If we’re leaving, let’s leave quickly.]

“I thought that after passing through the sacred barrier, we wouldn’t have to deal with holy power anymore.”

To make matters worse, they even had to accept sacred magic.

It took some time until activation, for final checks.

Those who had come under the guise of seeing them off—but really to monitor for any funny business from the Temple—stood nearby, watching them.

The Empire’s Crown Prince, Grand Duke Farnese, Basor’s second prince, the instructors from Greta Academy, Charlotte, and Antiol were all there.

Antiol’s gaze fell on Heike.

“Well, isn’t it something, sending off two people with identical faces. Heike, wouldn’t it be better if I went instead of you?”

“You’re the expert on sacred barriers. For direct combat, the younger me is better suited.”

“We don’t even differ by five years. You think you’re young just because your face looks it?”

“Youth is proclaimed by the face, not the age.”

At Heike’s sharp retort, Antiol spat out a single word and fell silent.

“Come back safe.”

Heike replied with a smile.

Their positions were different.

Antiol would sacrifice Alea if needed to achieve the goal, but Heike would never choose to sacrifice Alea.

The reason Heike had volunteered was one.

‘I can’t lose my granddaughter too.’

The situation was completely different from the first dispatch.

The Forest of Roots had become incomparably more dangerous than before.

Resolve hardened in Heike’s eyes.

If she couldn’t protect Alea, she would have no face to show her deceased son and daughter-in-law.

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!

•