Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 464 (Part 2):

“Let’s see… If we’re split in half, then Helmut, Alea, Heike, Luke Yeager, and Igrelle are in the north. That’s five,” Asuka counted on his fingers.

Levina nodded. “We need to regroup with them. Elaga, can you guide us?”

It was rare for her to ask for help so readily. A demonic beast and a priestess working together in the Forest of Roots—an unprecedented sight in history.

[That’s no trouble. But…] Elaga’s eyes scanned the surroundings. [It’s oddly quiet. Where’s Baharek? The demon king scattered us for a reason, didn’t he?]

Divide and conquer—a classic tactic.

Elaga’s expression soured. A demon king resorting to such petty tricks? After failing to conquer the world once already? ‘Calling yourself the king of demonic beasts, the ruler of all creatures,’ Elaga scoffed inwardly.

A true demon king should be strong enough to crush everything in its path. This one didn’t live up to the title.

Elaga, who had never met a demonic beast stronger than himself, even before absorbing Naho’s power, brimmed with confidence. [Hmph. For now, let’s head north. Baharek will show up when it wants to.]

If it didn’t, all the better. Having fought Baharek once before, Elaga found it unimpressive.

Defeating an unworthy demon king could wait; his priority was protecting Helmut. Having seen Helmut unleash chaos before, Elaga felt uneasy being separated.

“Then let’s scout the area first,” Levina said. She and Sian simultaneously cast detection spells. In a land saturated with *magi*, where the air was thick as fog, their efforts were as hampered as any mage’s.

“There doesn’t seem to be anything nearby,” Levina concluded.

“I sense the same,” Sian agreed.

Asuka, acting as though he were in charge, declared, “Then let’s move out. But how do we travel?”

All eyes turned to Elaga. If Alea were here, they’d have ridden her golem—she’d even prepared a carriage-like compartment for it. But Alea was likely in the north. If Igrelle were here, they could’ve ridden her transformed back. But all they had was Elaga.

The small white cat flinched under their collective gaze, clearly unprepared to be used as a mount. A leopard, even a large one, wasn’t built for riding. And worse, there were two temple members among them!

[Carrying those holy power-radiating humans on my back? I’d rather not!] Elaga grumbled. The thought of running with their energy clinging to him was revolting.

“It’d be fastest to ride you,” Levina said reluctantly. She, too, had never imagined riding a demonic beast—especially one that had almost destroyed a temple.

“I’m not thrilled about riding Elaga either,” Asuka muttered, wincing. His last trip through the Forest of Roots had taught him how painful such a ride could be.

“I’ll help with spirit magic. It won’t be comfortable, but it’ll do,” Sian offered, sounding equally unenthused.

With a heavy sigh, Elaga released his demonic energy. Black energy writhed from his body. Levant instinctively reached for his sword, and Levina raised her staff, but in an instant, Elaga’s form expanded. Before them stood a massive leopard, larger than a house, its gleaming white fangs and overwhelming presence sending chills down their spines.

*Grrrrrr.*

Elaga’s reluctant growl sent shivers through the group. [Here I am, back in this form right after arriving.]

Levina, who had faced him before, paled instinctively. If Elaga turned on them, none would survive. The ruler of the central region had returned to the Forest of Roots.

Elaga circled once, each step making the ground tremble. [Consider it an honor to ride my back.]

His voice dripped with dissatisfaction, but what choice did they have? Humans were too slow, and he needed to find Helmut quickly. With a fierce thud, Elaga crouched down.

*BOOM!*

The impact echoed. Asuka, who had ridden him before, leapt up first. Sian followed slowly, while Levant and Levina hesitated before moving. Levant climbed up and offered a hand to Levina.

“Climb carefully,” he said.

[Hurry up and get on! You’re sitting comfortably, so why dawdle?!] Elaga roared.

The four scrambled to settle in. Asuka warned, “It’s gonna shake a lot. Hold on tight.”

Sian hurriedly summoned a wind spirit. In that instant, Elaga launched himself forward.

*BOOM!*

With a heavy thud, the five shot into the air. Elaga’s massive leap covered an immense distance, and when he landed, the bone-rattling impact shook the group. Levina and Sian, with their frailer constitutions, clamped their mouths shut against rising nausea.

[Puke on my back, and I’ll toss you to the demon king myself!] Elaga warned sternly, not slowing as he leapt again.

Thus began the grueling journey of those who landed in the west. For Asuka, it was, unfortunately, his second time enduring it.

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