#328
Helmut
Episode 328
Rodril and his party boarded the horses and carriages prepared for them. It took less than a few hours to arrive at the royal capital.
As if prepared in advance, a magic circle was set up in a village near Green Carna.
Measures were taken to allow large numbers of people to move.
This was a part where we could see how far Teresa had planned and prepared for this incident.
“We will move straight to the royal road.”
Teresa, who guided them, was just kind. It certainly worked when she first released her hostage without any conditions on her part.
The most important thing in giving trust is to show it through action.
She showed it with her actions. You may say that it is natural since he was provoked first, but the human mind does not work that way.
As soon as I stood on the magic circle, the scenery changed.
Those managing the magic circle installed in the royal capital all bowed their heads to greet them.
“Teresa.”
“They are precious guests, so please greet them courteously.”
Teresa, who said those words, looked back at Rodril and the others with a smile.
“Let’s take you to the royal castle by carriage. “I have prepared a place for you.”
Terra nodded.
Ever since Teresa left Green Cana, she had been talking only with Terra, who represented the group. She didn’t even glance at Sian or the others.
Although there is no fuss with Area. Like when was the last time you had a hostile conversation? She seemed to have drawn attention from everyone except Rodril.
They soon boarded two luxurious royal carriages.
Terra, Sian, Charlotte, and Teresa were in one carriage, and the rest of the party was in another carriage.
Elaga stood up on Helmut’s shoulder and looked around out the window. To him, everything about the new human world was amazing.
[I think this is bigger than the city I went to last time. It’s swarming with humans.]
If it were any other monster, it would have been a mouth-watering situation, with plenty of prey wandering around and being able to choose anything to eat.
“Because it’s the city where the king lives.”
Helmut answered harshly. Veneta’s royal capital, Mentum, was embroiled in a war over succession until a year ago.
However, currently, Mentum was as peaceful as ever.
Even though it is a royal city, it is not particularly beautiful or splendid, but the streets are clean and neat, and the buildings do not stand out.
Mentum was a city with a stable and practical temperament, different from the rough and arrogant Basor or the sophisticated and sharp Rinosa.
It also showed what kind of personality the King of Veneta had. People are bound to be influenced by the city they were born in and live in.
“Okay, this is a real human life experience!”
Ygrel raised his fist excitedly. Immediately, Area gave a warning.
“Don’t think about moving around as you please. We are only here to prepare for any emergency. “If you act carelessly, things can go wrong.”
Ygrel’s eyebrows twitched.
“What are you going to do if I go around as I please?”
The corner of Alea’s mouth lifted up coldly.
“This is the human world, not Pahe’s forest. “You can imagine what sanctions I could impose on you.”
“You, Area. “It seems like you’ve become more and more arrogant since leaving the Forest of Pahe?”
“My personality is like this. “That was just an exception.”
“Aren’t you jealous of this body’s beauty?”
Area immediately looked away from Ygrel, as if she were looking at something insignificant. Her response was that it wasn’t worth responding to.
Helmut took one look at Ygrel and moved his gaze to his shoulder.
Elaga was so focused on looking outside that she was raising her claws without realizing it.
If I hadn’t strengthened my skin with vis, I would have bled.
Moreover, he raised his tail and thrust his butt towards Helmut’s face. It felt like there was some kind of stinky smell in the air.
Helmut stretched out his hand and grabbed Elaga’s back. Elaga immediately got angry and started struggling. It looked pretty cute.
[You bastard, what are you doing!]
“It would be better for you two to go together.”
Helmut placed Elaga on Ygrel’s lap.
Ygrel immediately frowned like a fussy noblewoman.
“What are you doing so dirty! “Where’s the dirty cat!”
Elaga jumped straight to the ground and exposed her teeth.
[Who is dirty?]
“You! Four-legged beast! “You soiled my clothes with your feet running around on the dusty ground!”
[Speaking of monsters, since when did you start wearing shoes!]
Helmut sternly declared to them who were bickering.
“Both of you can get into trouble, so let’s keep an eye on each other.”
Now I hate carrying Elaga around. It was annoying.
I don’t think I ever hung around with Elaga like this even when I was young, but I guess she got tired of being her horse.
Elaga immediately asked as if to stop saying nonsense.
[Then who will protect you when you are weak?]
Although hearing him call me ‘weak’ was extremely annoying, Helmut said, suppressing something that was brewing inside me.
“… … Area will protect you.”
Immediately after saying those words, an inexplicable sense of shame came over me, but no matter how Helmut felt, it worked out quite well for Elaga.
[Hmm, really? Well, it seems like your partner is good at keeping up with you.]
Elaga seemed to think that Helmut was completely untrustworthy and weak, and that Area was capable because she came all the way to the Forest of Pahe to rescue Helmut.
No matter what his actual strength is, if it is so in his perception, it is so.
Helmut unconsciously cupped his forehead. Area looked at him blankly.
“… … why?”
“Nothing.”
It was a mysterious expression. I didn’t want to ask what he was thinking.
As Elaga began to concentrate again on the scenery outside the window, the carriage fell silent again.
*
It was around dusk when I entered the royal castle.
Teresa came in the afternoon, and considering the travel time, it was impossible to meet the king right away that day.
Since the king was also a king, he had a busy schedule, so we decided to have a dinner together three days later.
Rodril and his party were treated generously as promised. Luxurious accommodation and meals within the royal castle. And a few days of relaxation.
“You won’t find it inconvenient to stay. “There is a bathhouse filled with hot spring water, and a training center suitable for a swordsman.”
Theresa, who led the group, looked towards Helmut as she spoke.
It was an indecipherable look that did not seem to be filled with emotion.
Her gaze immediately shifted to Charlotte and Asuka.
“Isn’t this kind of treatment natural for Grand Princess Rinosa?”
Charlotte frowned.
“My presence here means…” … .”
Teresa smiled.
“I didn’t inform Linosa. If they found out, it wouldn’t be any good for us either. “If our conversation ends amicably, there will be no need for Linosa to find out in the future.”
So it sounded like they were asking us to cooperate to make that happen.
“I hope you all have a comfortable stay in the royal castle. If you need anything, please tell the attendant. “I’ll see you again in three days.”
After saying those words, she turned around completely. The enemy’s stronghold.
But I didn’t get the feeling that she would attack or betray this side.
Everyone felt that fact instinctively, so everyone was relaxed to some extent.
After eating, each person dispersed to their assigned room.
“Helmut, are you going to practice swordsmanship?”
Area didn’t even ask what he was going to do, but asked as if it was obvious. Helmut nodded his head.
“That’s right.”
When he heard a story about Blackhawk not long ago, a certain shock came to him.
And now we have come to the royal castle. Helmut can now contact Blackhawk at any time.
But before that, I had to organize my thoughts. Helmut was a prosecutor. To organize your thoughts, you need to swing your sword, not sit still and be lost in your thoughts.
“Then I’ll take a bath. “I’m a little tired.”
[A bath? me too.]
Elaga hurriedly followed along. Because he is a cat, he was not assigned a separate home.
Even though he acted the same way as Ygrel, he was followed by Helmut, saying he did not want to share the same room. Alea raised her eyebrows.
“… … “Aren’t you a male?”
[I am a cat and you are a human, what does it matter?]
“Still, I feel uncomfortable and don’t like it.”
[Then I go into another bathhouse.]
After reaching an agreement, Area and Elaga walked together.
Helmut, who was left alone, picked up his sword and headed to the training room attached to his quarters.
Charlotte and Asuka’s living quarters are a bit far away, so they will be using the training hall on the other side. So there was no one else here to use the training center.
It was a moonlit night. The tip of Helmut’s sword caught the moonlight and reflected a cool glow.
My mind was clear, and my breathing was even and undisturbed.
A completely refined movement. Straight lines and curves so beautiful as to be breathtaking were embroidered in the air.
The state of a sword cannot be completely hidden even if the energy is hidden. It is revealed in the movement.
If there was a swordsman who saw Helmut training, he would just be overwhelmed and his eyes would be wide open. Powerful and fast swordsmanship reached its peak.
Whenever Helmut swung his sword, he was always extremely absorbed in it.
Sadness and pain were forgotten in complete immersion.
Helmut was a born swordsman. He is not only his physical qualities, but also his spirit. That’s why he was able to reach his current level.
At some point, Helmut stopped his sword. Pretending to be someone’s popularity.
His eyes were focused directly on the other person.
It was a young man. The clothes are not flashy, but they are luxurious and light, like walking. The neat, scholar-like face was imbued with calmness, composure, and a dignity that could not be underestimated.
The sight of Helmut holding a sword in the darkness was even threatening, intertwined with his unique aura.
However, the other person raised his hand indifferently.
“Oh, excuse me. “I interrupted you.”
Helmut looked at the smiling man with an expressionless face.
It’s not a prosecutor. Since I don’t feel any special energy in my body, I’m not a wizard either. But he was not a servant or an ordinary person. One thing was certain.
Aside from the fact that this is a place that no one can access.
The man began walking straight toward Helmut.
