Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 470 (Part 1):

Baharek surprisingly had a talent for pulling the carriage.

He pulled it far more stably than Elaga ever could.

Whether golems were good at serving as carriages or not, there was hardly any vibration felt.

Riding in a carriage pulled by a tiger demonic beast would be a bizarre experience that was hard to encounter even once in a lifetime.

The four humans who had been forced to vomit up their stomach acid while riding on Elaga’s back felt the change in their situation keenly.

“Ah, this is comfortable.”

Asuka muttered. His body felt limp and relaxed. The others silently expressed their agreement with their expressions.

The biggest problem had essentially been resolved.

The carriage advanced toward the central region without any resistance.

[We’re only about half a day away from the central region now.]

Baharek, who had been continuously measuring the distance, suddenly stopped and said. It was his territory, so he would know best.

Helmut suggested.

“Then it would be good to rest for the night at a suitable spot. We need to recover our strength.”

Even if they were a bit delayed, the Demon King wouldn’t become tremendously stronger.

The sky was growing dark.

Night came without fail even to the Forest of Roots. For having invaded the Demon King’s domain, they had spent their time rather peacefully.

They had expected to face demonic beasts rushing at them the moment they arrived, but only half the party had faced a minor crisis.

Though it hadn’t been an intensely fierce battle in that crisis, it was true that they had expended some energy.

Asuka and Sian, the High Priest and the Holy Knight. Among them, the one who had expended the most energy was Levina.

However, the holy power of the High Priest who possessed the sacred artifact recovered quickly, so she didn’t need to rest for long. Though some sleep would be necessary.

They would recover their strength and stamina and proceed in optimal condition.

Each had already left behind their last will, but if there was one last moment to leave something behind, it was now.

The carriage was positioned in a spot shaded by trees. The prepared food was brought out and set up like a last supper.

The tension that had been gripping their nerves since entering the Forest of Roots loosened. Everyone quietly ate and drank while checking their own conditions.

They might truly die. There was no guarantee for anyone that they could return.

All might die, or some might die. They didn’t know who would meet death or in what form.

Even as they forced food into their stomachs, the atmosphere was silent. Anxiety peaked in this moment.

This time with the destination right before them.

“Alea, a moment.”

Having finished her thoughts for a bit, Heike beckoned her over with a gesture. Alea stood up from her seat and readily followed her.

It was a short distance away from the campsite.

“What is it?”

“I was wondering about your condition.”

“Of course, my condition is good. There’s no reason for it to be bad.”

Alea answered calmly. It was truly sincere.

Condition management was perfect. She fiercely thought of ways to accomplish the goal and survive, aligning her body and mind to that.

She had already survived the Forest of Roots once. What reason was there she couldn’t do it a second time?

Alea had considered contingencies as well.

In the case where certainty came that they couldn’t win against the Demon King. Or if she had no choice but to die.

‘I might have to enter the dungeon with Helmut.’

If they lost, there was no point in fighting, and a world peace achieved after her death held no meaning to her either.

She was the standard, but Helmut was on the same level in similar significance. She couldn’t die, but neither could Helmut.

‘The rest…… it’s unfortunate, but it can’t be helped.’

One couldn’t have everything.

The magic dungeon that Lampione had passed down, now completely Alea’s, consisted of a subspace separated from the world.

It was difficult to enter subspace in the Forest of Roots, but she had devised a method.

If they entered and severed the connection to the outside, it could only be invaded by forceful means.

And a mage’s dungeon was thoroughly the mage’s domain. It was useful for fighting against intruders.

If they were defeated and the surface was conquered by the Demon King, they would have to live trapped in the dungeon until the end of their lives, so it was a method she didn’t want to choose if possible.

Alea had left it as the last option.

Heike’s expression clouded.

“I see.”

She abruptly said.

“I’m sorry about your parents.”

Alea’s expression subtly changed.

“……That’s sudden. Besides, they’re your children too, aren’t they?”

Your parents. Heike said bitterly.

“I’ve never properly cared for my children. It’s hardly appropriate to suddenly bring up a parental stance like this.”

“Well, whatever. You probably didn’t know things would turn out that way. I know that.”

She knew it intellectually. Even if some unresolved emotions lingered in her heart.

But time had gradually worn down those feelings. The target Alea should vent her anger on wasn’t Heike, and the one she should repay wasn’t Heike either.

She couldn’t even hold that target accountable for their sins.

It required much thought and justification to bury the past as the past.

But Alea had decided to do so. For her, who could remain calm even with the High Priest and Holy Knight before her eyes, it didn’t make sense to suddenly blame Heike.

‘Separately from that, I just don’t get along with Heike personality-wise.’

Heike was her master. That was enough.

“I wanted to say it, since I don’t know what will happen ahead.”

“You already left a will behind. Though you made it so no one but me can open it.”

The only one Heike would leave a will for was Alea.

But if Alea died too, the contents of the will would never see the light of day.

Heike said as if entrusting.

“You will survive and return.”

“I think so too. And I’ll make it happen. But that…… shouldn’t you be assuring yourself of that?”

Alea’s question was natural. As an Archmage, Heike had a higher chance of surviving than Alea.

However, Heike wore a faint smile. Alea cut in coldly.

“Please don’t think something like sacrificing your life to save me. I don’t want to live carrying dead people on my back anymore.”

“Of course, I won’t.”

Heike smiled. The conversation ended amid an uneasy feeling.

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