#370
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370
“That’s an amazing story. “It’s also a story that’s hard to believe.”
When Asuka finished speaking, a heavy voice flowed from Archduke Farnese.
“Are you saying I’m lying?”
Asuka got angry and raised her voice. Archduke Farnese shook his head.
“You’re not the kind of person who would make up such a big lie. “It’s not like you can get anything from me through that.”
Lying is the way to go, and Asuka is the type to break through right away. Asuka is a pretty honest person.
However, even as the archduke, I had some doubts about whether Asuka had an eye for people.
“But you can be fooled by them. So I must see them with my own eyes.”
The noble lineage of Linosa. Forest of digging. A person who fell there twice and survived twice because of the temple.
And if it were not for the temple, he would have been closer to the successor than anyone else based on his outstanding swordsmanship skills as the first child of Grand Duke Rinosa.
It gave Archduke Farnese a momentary thought.
Even though he looked calm on the outside, it didn’t mean he wasn’t angry at the temple.
Asuka looked at Archduke Farnese. Helmut spoke to Asuka.
Make the choice you want to make, not because of me. He said he could lend 5 million marks.
Asuka also knows how she can help Helmut. The power of Archduke Farnese will make it possible.
But Helmut told Asuka to make a choice for you, not for me. Those words moved my skeptical heart.
‘Okay, what does it mean to be a good friend?’
Asuka is a selfish guy. She left a letter for her mother and headed to the Forest of Pahe because she wanted to do it, not because she was thinking too much about Helmut or because she was angry at injustice.
He just followed his heart. This time, Asuka’s heart moved. Of course, Asuka was not without calculations.
‘First, live as an heir, and if you don’t like it, run away.’
It would be easier to escape when my father felt safe.
Asuka spoke firmly.
“He’s my friend.”
His eyes were that if he was called out and caused harm or if he was reported to Linosa, he would never stay silent.
the archduke asked.
“Isn’t it just a connection at the Academy? Besides, the time I spent with Helmut was only one year.”
“Time is not important. I owe Helmut a lot. “That guy gave me a lot.”
The relationship between Asuka and Helmut was not very good at first. However, when Asuka was in crisis, a helping hand was extended unconditionally.
The debt of one’s life is not the only debt. New emotions, new life. I felt and gained many new things.
Those are moments that cannot be replaced by anything. After Helmut appeared, Asuka’s boring life at the academy changed.
No, it wasn’t just academy life. Some part of your life has completely changed. As if a rushing water course had changed direction.
It became a part of Asuka.
You can’t cut out a part of yourself. No one.
If Archduke Farnese threatens Helmut, Asuka will gladly take up the sword.
He was the mad dog of Greta’s swordsmanship department, and Helmut was the first one to hold that leash. Dogs never betray their owners.
Archduke Farnese read Asuka’s decision. He was a good negotiator and a capable bureaucrat.
Archduke Farnese clearly knew what he had to do.
“I understand what you said. Even if he doesn’t grant your request, I promise not to cause any harm to Helmut. “There won’t be any news about him, even at Rinosa.”
Anyway, due to this incident, the relationship with Rinosa was going to remain strained for the time being.
Until the conflict between the empire and the temple is resolved. Or until Rinosa breaks off its ties with the temple.
It is said that Rinosa is inclined towards the temple, but it is towards the Archduchess and Michael.
The Grand Duke of Linosa had never once raised his hand to the temple on behalf of Linosa. Even though the temple healed him from his injuries.
“great. “I believe that promise.”
Asuka nodded. If it goes well, he could bring great help to Helmut with this.
That was the best gift a friend could give.
*
At that time, Helmut and Area were facing the dean at Greta Academy.
Just as Asuka had told Archduke Farnese, Area had told the story of Helmut to the dean with better speaking skills.
But when she finished speaking, the dean was more preoccupied with the report she had presented than with Helmut’s story.
The dean, who was looking at it as if fascinated, immediately stretched out his hand. And he muttered as he frantically flipped through the report.
“After visiting the Forest of Pahe, you must have achieved the most outstanding achievements among the wizards produced by Greta Academy. “I realize once again that it was a good decision to take a risk and admit you to Greta Academy.”
Area nodded. As if it were natural.
“Amazing. The Forest of Pahe has been a completely unknown world for the past thousand years. The temple did not allow wizards to even approach it, let alone explore it.”
“I did.”
“It’s a shame. “This fact cannot be made public.”
This was information that could not be conveyed to the Wizards Association as it was something that would warrant sending the Holy Knights to Baden from the temple. I don’t want information to leak out.
The dean nodded silently. He barely contained his excitement.
It was a detailed report that aroused a magical academic spirit that made me want to pick it up and lock myself in the lab right away.
If that’s the case, what about other wizards?
Area responded lightly.
“Because the temple won’t stand still.”
“I guess so.”
“Rather… … what do you think? “About my story.”
Area waved another report in the air.
It was a report on the sacred barrier.
Area was in the Forest of Pahe for a short time and observed as much as she could. He also kept detailed records of his research with Sacred Barrier and Antiol.
Because he knew how much it was worth to the wizard.
She had several reports like this. Reports that wizards would pay thousands of dollars to buy.
It’s a bait that will lure the dean.
But the dean shook his head. “I’ll have to think about it.”
“The temple has oppressed us wizards for too long. It would be good for all wizards if they lost their powers. “Isn’t the Wizards Association now responsible for hunting down warlocks?”
“It is clear that temples have hindered the development of magic. But wizards are also humans, and the temple protects humans. A thousand years ago, from the Demon King. “You seem to be overlooking that fact.”
“The devil no longer exists, and this is the era of humans. It’s the age of wizards. Even if the Demon King appears again… … .”
Area’s powerful eyes shined brightly like amethyst.
“Humans can fight with their own strength. Instead of enduring the tyranny of the temple that uses the justification of opposing the Demon King as its justification, borrow the power of Lumen.”
It would also be the temple’s role to leave at the appropriate time. The dean’s expression became solemn.
“However, there is one issue that needs to be addressed.”
Everyone here knew what the problem was. Area shrugged her shoulders.
“I told you, right? “That’s no longer a problem.”
Alea’s expression did not waver at all.
She has shiny silver hair and a beautiful, non-human appearance. It gave her words a sincerity that no one could doubt.
“Okay, if what you said is true, there won’t be a problem.”
“You can check it out.”
Helmut glanced at Area. Area nodded her head confidently.
The dean immediately did what he called a ‘confirmation task’. After a moment, he opened his mouth with a cautious look on his face.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“Then I trust you will help me.”
The dean nodded slowly at Area’s words.
Helmut visited Linosa as a member of the Greta Academy. If something happened there, it is a problem that cannot be ignored in Greta, no matter how much time has passed.
“You’ve been through some rough times. “Congratulations on coming back alive.”
Helmut also responded briefly to his encouragement.
“yes.”
The Dean of Greta Academy is an outstanding wizard, and is a highly recognized and influential figure in the Wizarding Association.
Getting him to cooperate was absolutely necessary. That’s why he came to Baden.
Area grinned.
“All you have to do, Dean, is to gently raise your hand when the time comes.”
There is no need to overtly take sides. Because pretending to be fair and taking sides is actually more helpful.
With this, Basor and Baden sided with Helmut.
And the empire… … .
When Helmut and Area returned from their meeting with the dean, they received a call from Xian.
“I have some good news and some bad news. “Which one should I say first?”
Helmut tilted his head.
“That is a vague statement. “Tell me the good news first.”
“The good news is that Asuka seems to have decided to become Archduke Farnese’s successor. “If she were born as a child, a member of the royal family, she would know how to be grateful.”
It was something that Xian, who was born into Rodril’s bloodline and had no complaints about living as Rodril’s spirit wizard, would say.
Area asked.
“What’s the news that might be bad?”
“As you know, you caused trouble for the empire at the temple, right? The Empire might be of help to Helmut. but… … .”
Xian paused for a bit, then spoke as if bursting out.
“Grand Duke Farnese, Asuka’s father wants to see you and judge you in person.”
It was something that had no choice but to take risks. But Helmut did not worry. After all, he has overcome greater dangers than this.
“Okay, let’s go to the Empire.”
“It’s an empire… … . There is no better ally than them to fight against the temple. “You must go.”
Alea’s eyes suddenly became alive. Helmut seemed to know why she was doing that.
All this time, she had been listening to Xian’s boasts about the imperial library and was envious, although she did not show it.
Maybe even now, I’m just thinking about going to the imperial palace library, thinking that it’s a good thing that I have an excuse to go to the empire.
So they decided to go to the empire, which was not planned.
This was the final step. It remains to be seen how the conversation will conclude there.
The very next day, Helmut and Area left Baden and headed to the capital of the empire.
