#263
Helmut
Episode 263
Area answered simply.
“There is someone who can help us.”
“Can you trust that person? “This is not normal.”
Xian looked suspicious.
Building temples and shrines. It would not be easy for anyone to take risks and help them.
So they have been completely silent about Helmut’s disappearance.
There were a lot of rumors about the genius and handsome second-year representative of the swordsmanship department who disappeared after attending the academy for only one year.
However, in response to a barrage of questions, the friends simply said they did not know.
Who can I tell?
That Helmut is the Archduke of Rinosa and the holder of the ‘Bud of Darkness’. Because of that, he was kicked out again even though he came back alive from the forest of Pahe.
Belief is meaningless. Because no one can be completely trusted.
So, just choose someone you can’t betray or who you don’t need to betray.
Area was faithful to that logic.
‘It is impossible for me to break the sacred barrier in a short period of time by myself, which no archmage has been able to overcome.’
No matter how genius he was, the world of magic was wide and Area was still young. She calmly assessed her own limitations.
It was impossible to go to the forest of Pahe on my own. This is something that even Heike is reluctant to do.
So Area found another way. If he can’t do it, he just needs to find someone who can.
*
If there was anyone who knew anyone, it was Heike. Heike answered Area’s question.
‘Among those archmages, there is someone who studies the sacred barrier of Pahe Forest. Well, I can’t contact him either… … In fact, he hates me very much. ‘I tarnished the name of the Grand Wizard or something.’
‘That’s understandable. ‘Who is that archmage?’
‘Anthiol.’
It was a name I had heard of before.
No, it was very famous.
A master of barrier magic.
Archmage Antiol replaced divine power with magic and helped each country transition from being a god.
The human world had long since moved away from the threat of demonic energy, and the influence of the powerful temple was decreasing day by day.
In the meantime, it was clear how much the temple was grinding its teeth against Antiol.
‘He is a man who takes care of the temple and the family, and will do anything that the temple will dislike.’
‘When they see me, they think of you. Will he cooperate obediently?’
‘That’s up to you. But you are different from me, and he is not narrow-minded enough to hate you because of me. And if you pique his interest, Antiol will help you.’
Heike spoke confidently. Wizards are a curious race. This would be even more true if you were an archmage.
However, the problem was how to contact the antiol.
‘I heard that Antiol has secret ties to other wizards. They say there is someone in every academy who has a connection to him. I think he might have someone among his professors who is in contact with him.’
Area had an accurate understanding of the tendencies of each magic school professor.
From those who are friendly to temples to those who dislike temples.
Among them, he is the most flexible in his thinking and has a strong sense of inquiry, and is able to relate closely to the archmage who has become a contributor to the temple.
‘Professor Luxen.’
Is there a need to reveal the truth as it is? Even if Professor Luxen, who was with Linosa, had an idea about Helmut, he had no intention of involving him.
Area approached Professor Luxen and informed him of her interest in Archmage Antiol’s research field.
After quickly assessing her, Professor Luxen informed Archmage Antiol of her existence and the meeting was concluded.
‘It’s called Area. You look just like Heike. But her personality seems quite different. I heard your story. Luxen praises me as the greatest genius in the history of Greta Academy.’
‘It won’t just be Greta Academy.’
Antiol laughed at Area’s confidence.
“You seem to resemble your grandmother in that respect. ‘So, you are interested in my research?’
‘Yes, actually.’
Unlike Professor Luxen, Area revealed some of the truth to Antiol.
Her friend has been exiled to the forest of Pahe, and although her fate is unknown, she tries to save him. I want to know about Pahe Forest and the Holy Barrier.
Shallow water doesn’t work in front of an archmage. It is close to impossible to get what you want by vaguely explaining things.
So, the calculation was to show this side’s cards and get that side to cooperate as well.
‘I need your help. I will make your research results come true.’
Area said politely. The only thing that was disappointing was this. But Antiol showed an unexpected reaction.
‘It’s Helmut. It reminds me of a boy I met. Could it be that Helmut is a sword-wielding boy with black hair and black eyes?
Alea’s eyes widened. Helmut had never told Area about Antiol.
It’s not that I tried to hide it on purpose, but since I’m a person who doesn’t talk much, it was naturally omitted.
‘That’s right.’
‘I had a connection with him in the past. Did he go to Greta Academy?’
Antiol muttered, his eyes shining sharply.
‘There’s something you didn’t tell me.’
Helmut has a seed of darkness.
There is a world of difference between simply rescuing a boy who was exiled to Pahe’s Forest and taking the Dark Sprout holder out of Pahe’s Forest.
‘Is he still in control of the sprouts of darkness?’
‘I have never once felt any signs of runaway. He is in complete control of himself. Even though he faced the same Dark Sprout holder.’
Area told Helmut about what happened.
It was a story that could arouse sympathy even for Archmage Antiol, who had lived long enough to become indifferent to most things.
Antiol clicked his tongue with a confused expression.
‘I never imagined that there would be someone who escaped from the forest of Pahe. If I had known who he was looking for, I would have told him. Aristocrats are a race that cannot be trusted at all. Moreover, Rinosa’s lineage is extremely heartless.’
‘We can’t help what has already happened.’
Antiol’s face showed concern.
‘But my helping you is a different matter. Of course, what happened to him was terrible, but it would be better for the world if he stayed in the Forest of Pahe. It wouldn’t be normal for a swordsman like that to bloom and run wild with the sprouts of darkness. Countless amounts of blood may be shed.’
Area shook her head. A clear voice flowed from her mouth.
‘For the world. Small sacrifices are inevitable for the greater good. That is the justice advocated by the temple. I understand that Antiol does not agree with the intention of the temple.’
‘that.’
‘Helmut was innocent and was exiled to the Forest of Pahe simply because he had a seed of darkness. Those who return from exile in the Forest of Pahe are forgiven of all their sins. However, because he had a seed of darkness, even that law was not allowed. He never committed any sin in the first place. ‘Is what happened to Helmut fair?’
‘It’s not fair. However, for nobles, their family has the right to decide the fate of its members.’
‘Helmut is not the official Archduke of Rinosa. He never enjoyed any of the wealth and fame that Linosa had to offer. He was just a little boy trying to remember and find his mother who gave birth to him. But his mother abandoned him twice.’
A moment of silence followed.
Antiol’s brows furrowed.
He was a great wizard who lived his life realizing what he wanted, but he could not easily participate in something that could bring disaster to the world.
But he didn’t think long.
‘… … Your attempt to excite my sympathy was quite useful. Okay, let me help you. The fact that I met him then may have been my fate as a wizard. In the end, this is probably what it was meant to be.’
‘thank you.’
‘There is no need to say thank you. ‘It is you who moved my heart, but it is I who decided to respond to you.’
That’s it.
Area, with the help of Antiol, was able to make a plan leading up to this day.
*
By the end of Area’s story, everyone had blank expressions.
Asuka looked dumbfounded.
“Archmage Heike, Antiol, really big names are popping up one after another.”
Xian added Chuimsae.
“I think I heard something amazing.”
“Let me be clear, they will not accompany you to the Forest of Pahe. “I don’t know what will happen in there.”
“Well, I’ll only believe that, you’re so good, Area!”
“You will take care of it. We just go and do what we’re told.”
Are there people who have no measures like this?
Area looked at them with those exact eyes. They had faith that the smart Area would not head to the dead without any countermeasures.
Of course, when in danger, there was a high possibility that Area would try to live alone.
Charlotte, who came to her senses belatedly, opened her mouth.
“Then Area-senpai is the blood relative of Archmage Heike? “I guess you inherited your senior’s amazing talent from him.”
Area frowned slightly. She is reluctant to get involved with Heike in any way.
“Maybe so.”
Asuka and Xian were talking loudly next to each other.
“That’s right, we didn’t know either!”
“We’ve been friends for years and I still don’t know!”
“Who is your friend?”
Alea snorted. Since Helmut disappeared, I’ve often spent time with them, but that’s because it’s become a habit, not because I really think of them as friends.
There was also a calculation that if we were going to go to the forest of Pahe together, we would have to build up a bond similar to friendship to some extent.
Area immediately looked straight and declared.
“The explanation ends here. “I’m going straight to see Archmage Antiol.”
“Movement magic?”
“no.”
Area took out something from her arms. It was a red-colored gem. There was a small oval-shaped circle engraved on the inside.
As Alea immediately injected magical power, light spread outward from the gem.
The light expanded the oval inside the jewel and drew it in the air. The entrance was large enough for one man to stand and enter.
The scenery inside the oval was clearly visible. As if a window to another world had been opened.
“It’s the door to his place.”
“This is great.”
“I feel like I’m being invited into a myth.”
Xian and Asuka exchanged a few words. Both of their faces were flushed.
Area approached the door first.
“Follow me right away.”
Asuka, Xian, and Charlotte quickly approached. Asuka glanced at Charlotte and said as if she remembered her.
“Ah, but it’s good to go to Pahe’s Forest, but it might be uncomfortable for Charlotte. “Among men.”
Sian responded harshly.
“As long as you don’t do anything strange, there will be no problem.”
“What strange thing am I doing! Accuse someone of being a pervert!”
“I am okay. “It was like that at the swordsmanship department.”
Area listened to their conversation and realized that there was something she had not yet said.
Area tilted her head slightly and blurted out as if it was no big deal.
“I’m a woman too.”
And then I stepped right inside the door.
Immediately after her appearance disappeared beyond the oval, confusion swept over the group.
