#267
Helmut
Episode 267
The response to Ygrel’s request was cold.
‘What is he saying now? ‘This crazy monster.’
‘This new bastard!’
In particular, Asuka was not the type to tolerate her opponent’s arrogance.
However, even the mad dog of the Swordsmanship Department had the eyes to recognize opponents who were stronger and more dangerous than him.
[no? If you don’t like it, would you mind passing me by? In human terms, would you say it is a game of tag? That would be fun too.]
Ygrel lowered his head towards them, his eyes shining. His beak gleamed menacingly.
This is his territory. It is no exaggeration to say that the fate of the people in front of us depends on us.
The decision was made by Area.
“let’s do it.”
So, within a few hours of entering the Forest of Pahe, they were tasked with grooming Igrel’s fur.
***
[Yes, there! It’s cool there!]
‘Should I just stab it with a knife?’
Asuka gritted her teeth. Ygrel’s body was huge, and it was so vast that it would have been burdensome for four people to stick together and take charge of each area.
The shiny, colorful feathers looked perfect for plucking and using as hat decorations.
Although it was a monster, it was not particularly strong, but rather soft and silky, so it was nice to stroke it.
However, the magic energy within it strengthens the bones, muscles, and even surface flesh.
A decent sword wouldn’t be able to pierce it, and would slip off due to the glossy surface.
Asuka was dissatisfied as she brushed her feathers with the comb that Area gave her without knowing where it came from.
‘You didn’t train to your death at the academy to do something like this, right? ‘It’s better to fight hotly.’
The reason Asuka couldn’t do that was because of Area’s message delivered purely through magic.
“The probability of winning is less than 40%. “Even if we succeed in escaping, we expect significant damage on our side, so we will follow suit for now.”
40% is a relatively high figure. They had never fought against a monster this powerful.
Of course. Because in the outside world, there is no monster as powerful as Ygrel.
Igrel, who was lying down on the floor and leisurely getting his feathers prepped, touched Asuka, who looked the most grumpy.
[There, wipe it more delicately. Blue hair, your hand movements are really rough and dexterous!]
Asuka asked bluntly.
“How long has it been since you last washed?”
Ygrel was silent for a moment. Asuka slapped her hand away and scrunched up her face.
“Oh, let’s take a shower, and your fur will be fluffy! “It will be dirty.”
[Hairy… … Book room book room? nastily??]
Ygrel was dumbfounded by the criticism he had heard for the first time in his life.
This is Igrel, who has lived proudly as the ruler of the southern region.
The moment I was about to get a little angry, another person’s voice came up.
“A bird’s fur needs some oil to be shiny. You did a great job. Indeed, the dignity of the ruler of the south can be felt from these feathers.”
Asuka looked at Xian with a dumbfounded expression. Sian squinted her eyes and glanced at Asuka.
[This person seems to know something.]
Ygrel boasted.
[I feel a strange power from you. Like something in the forest. Oh yes, it’s a spirit. They are humans with various powers.]
They are definitely strong in their own way in the human world.
But unfortunately, as soon as I entered the Forest of Pahe, I met Igrel. Ygrel chuckled to himself.
At that time, Area stood up.
“It’s done.”
[Oh, your skills are amazing. After all, being beautiful is also a good thing. Very good.]
Ygrel’s feathers, which Area had worked on, were perfectly textured and shiny.
Like a model student, Area was focused and finished the work.
“I’m glad you’re satisfied.”
Area answered indifferently and looked at the other guys. It was a urging to stop talking nonsense and finish it quickly. I had no intention of helping.
Ygrel’s focus shifted to Charlotte, who was quietly grooming her feathers.
[You, a quiet black-haired female human. What is your relationship with Helmut? Are they blood relatives?]
“you’re right.”
[yes? You smell similar to that guy. You can’t hide your blood.]
“okay.”
A bitter smile crossed Charlotte’s face.
The bloodline cannot be hidden, but it was that bloodline, and no one else’s, that betrayed Helmut.
Charlotte also could not be free from that sin.
In silence, Ygrel leisurely enjoyed the touch of humans.
‘Is this what it felt like to leave the grooming to humans? ‘I can’t believe Ella was enjoying all the good things to herself!’
It felt like tasting a new world. In fact, Ygrel had already known that Helmut had returned to the Forest of Pahe.
It was hard not to notice as it was running around noisily, destroying the forest in Hado Pahe right after returning.
Fortunately for Helmut, he quickly approached the central area and caught Elaga’s attention not long after his rampage.
If the ruler of another area had stepped forward, they would not have spared Helmut, who was going crazy due to the sprout of darkness. Ygrel also had an idea why Helmut had returned.
‘For a guy who left with such earnest eyes to come back, he must have been stabbed in the back by a human.’
Even the monsters of Pahe Forest, who had never had much contact with humans, knew the human ecology well enough to make it obvious.
It wasn’t a view that looked down on humans at all. Because the relationship between monsters is more primitive. A relationship without ties, like eating each other, exploiting each other, or something like that.
Of course, just because it was Ygrel, it did not mean that he felt sympathy for Elaga.
‘Tsk tsk, I’m weak. If I go out, I will be a little more cautious.’
Helmut, no matter what, Igrel was a little jealous of Elaga in a corner of his heart.
I’ve already heard that Ella is lucky enough to have eaten Naho’s core and has become stronger, and that he is saving human women and using them as masseuses.
Because of that, its white fur becomes as white and shiny as snow.
So I tried imitating Elaga, and it was really good.
In the first place, my thoughts about whether to let them go or not turned to one side. In a direction I don’t want to send it to.
‘If it comes into my territory, doesn’t it belong to me? ‘If you twist him, he’s stronger than me.’
In the area south of Pahe Forest, you are the law. Ygrel thought like an outlaw.
And as time passed, everyone’s feather touching came to an end.
Asuka, who had a bug-bitten expression on her face, also completed the task assigned to her with great sincerity.
The colorful feathers that sprouted from Ygrel’s vast body were more dazzling than before.
Ygrel looked down at his feathers in self-absorption. He had a much nicer coat than when he had picked it out on his own.
[Great! Are humans truly useful? This is something monsters can’t do!]
“Are you satisfied now?”
In response to Area’s question, Igrel immediately shook his head.
[It’s still not enough. If you invade my territory, you will have to pay the price.]
Igrel, who instantly changed into an arrogant attitude, glanced at the four people. And he declared.
[Hmm, is there anything interesting? You guys, show me something.]
***
When Xian took out the spirits I had and showed him a fun feast, Igrel watched with satisfaction.
But his demands continued. Something is lacking. Please show me more.
Area used fantasy magic to embroider scenes in the air that were difficult to see in the Forest of Pahe, and Asuka and Charlotte performed a sword dance according to Igrel’s request.
But Ygrel’s demands did not stop.
[Is there anything else you can show me? It’s amazing and eye-opening!]
In the end, Sian secretly sent a message to Area with magic.
“How long do we have to stay like this? “I don’t think there will be an end to this.”
“I thought I could send it to you if I guess, but I guess that won’t work.”
Ygrel was not as ferocious as Area had figured out. Didn’t they say he doesn’t even eat humans?
But Ygrel was persistent and, above all, leisurely. So much so that he holds on to them and tries to extract fun or anything from them until they die.
Area said to Ygrel.
“Now please let us go as promised.”
[huh? Did I make that promise?]
Ygrel naturally asked back.
[I definitely said I could send it to you, but I didn’t say I would.]
“We are humans, and the Forest of Pahe is not a place for us to stay.]
[I can protect it. Now that this has come to an end, how about staying here with me? I can guarantee your safety. If you want to build a village, you can do so.]
Ygrel’s attitude was relaxed, but somehow ironclad.
“We will leave the Forest of Fahe in search of Helmut.”
[You’re leaving to find it? Yes, you could go out again, but Helmut, that kid is impossible, right? And maybe he doesn’t want that? Helmut might want to live in the Forest of Pahe.]
When Igrel refuted, Area’s eyes narrowed. She realized one thing from Ygrel’s words.
“Helmut is in the Forest of Pahe. And Ygrel has heard about him.”
[Yes?]
Ygrel was stung and rolled his eyes at the direct point. Area asked in a pinch.
“Helmut is in Elaga’s territory, right?”
In the end, Ygrel sighed.
[You are as smart as you are beautiful, human child. Did you say Area? I like it more and more.]
Greed appeared in Ygrel’s eyes. It was a feeling that became more intense than before.
He envied Elaga for having Helmut.
However, I don’t think I would have anything to envy Elaga if I had this beautiful, talented, and smart person in front of me.
Arena realized that good words could not persuade Lee Geojo. She immediately spoke in a cold and clear tone.
“Lord Ygrel, of course we cannot defeat you. But Elaga may be different.”
Ygrel, who seemed to be shocked when Elaga’s name was mentioned earlier, showed a similar reaction this time.
[…] … Do you think Elaga will fight with me for you?]
Area quickly noticed their hierarchical relationship. Although they are the same as the rulers of the area, Elaga is higher than Igrel.
“Charlotte over there is Helmut’s younger sister, and the rest are Helmut’s friends. If something happens to us, Helmut won’t stay quiet. And if Helmut steps forward, Elaga will too.”
Ygrel got angry.
[Still, I don’t want to let you go? If it doesn’t reach Elaga’s ears, it’s over. How far is it from here to the central region!]
“If the four of us split up and run away, even Master Ygrel won’t be able to stop us.”
Igrel flinched at Area’s declaration. However, his stubbornness as he lived as the ruler of one region began to stir.
‘Are you insolently threatening me? No matter how much I like a person, I can’t respond to threats from someone like him!’
Monsters are sometimes like children. If you don’t like it, you don’t like it no matter what rational reason there is.
Area, who sensed Ygrel’s reaction, offered a compromise in a softer tone.
“Then let’s do it like this.”
