#411
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411
“This is the place.”
Helmut stepped inside the creaking iron door.
Although you had to go through two doors guarded by a knight to escape, it was not a very strict prison facility.
It would also be surprising if there was a great prison in this border city chosen for the martial arts festival.
But at least, the guards guarding the prison were just as powerful as the guards for the distinguished guests.
Since the general martial arts competition was held with half responsibility, the prison here also had imperial knights and black wing knights guarding the doors, respectively.
‘Even if it’s a temple, you won’t be able to get him out without a head-on collision.’
But that doesn’t mean we can’t lead our troops and invade here right away.
They would never have imagined that the owner of the Holy Sword, said to be the first sword of Lumen, would be defeated.
Helmut looked inside through the bars.
The man was sitting on the floor, bound tightly with magical handcuffs and chains.
A magic circle was visible above my head and under my feet. It was a device to suppress divine power.
Although he recovered from his wounds immediately on stage, it is difficult for divine power once exhausted to return so quickly.
Since the flow of divine power was blocked by magic, his recovery will be very slow.
‘It may be a temporary measure, but.’
There was a holy sword stuck at his waist. It is said that the holy sword burns those who are not its owner.
Since they couldn’t tamper with it, it seemed like they just sealed it all up.
However, because of that, the Holy Sword could only help him recover.
Helmut could see right through the subtle flow of power.
Who would have expected that the temple’s paladin would be locked up like this?
They were the ones who reigned in a position where everyone looked up to them.
High-ranking officials in the temple are treated as if they were members of the royal family, no matter which country they go to. Because divinity gave them the nobility to stand above humans.
However, their nobility has been damaged at some point, and has now fallen to the bottom. The floor here was a prison.
As Helmut stood silently watching, he was the first to speak.
“What business do I have? “You evil one.”
He opened his mouth, pretending to be calm, but his eyes showed shame and hostility that could not be hidden. Helmut tilted his head.
“I thought he was dead, but he wasn’t.”
A sneer formed on the corner of his mouth.
“The first sword of Lumen was defeated by the evil one. “Shouldn’t he bite his tongue and die because of his shame?”
As always, it was difficult to tolerate the arrogance of someone weaker than him.
Judging from the fact that he could speak, it didn’t seem like he had attempted suicide at all.
Well, I knew that he would be released in time, but it was strange that he was making such a fuss that he would die if he was captured.
The paladin’s face distorted mercilessly.
“I have a mission! “Unless my life is at an end because of my mission, it is impossible for me to give up the life that Lumen has given me because of my small pride.”
“Is your mission to kill the holder of the sprout of darkness in front of you?”
“We will punish those with evil powers and all who help them!”
It was a will to defeat both the Empire and Rinosa. Helmut snorted.
“Unfortunately, this may not be possible.”
“No matter how dark it is, there is no day when the sun does not rise. The dawn before dawn is the darkest. “Light is always meant to brighten the darkness.”
It was dumbfounding to see the paladin just being tied up and muttering solemnly as if he was facing great hardship.
It was a dark time for the temple, with the Empire and Rinosa turning their backs on Basor, who had already turned their backs on him.
“… … Well, okay. This is my business. “When you are released, go to the temple and tell me.”
Dealing with fanatics takes a toll on you mentally. It would be easier if I cut it down.
Helmut resisted temptation and declared with questioning eyes.
“When you are released, go and tell the temple. “I have conquered the sprouts of darkness, and I can prove it as much as I can.”
Karring! The paladin vehemently denied this, vibrating his handcuffs and chains.
“It’s a lie! “How is this different from saying that a warlock can control demon energy?”
“It was impossible in the temple, so those with the sprouts of darkness were thrown into the Forest of Pahe, but the power of magic made it possible.”
“That can’t be possible!”
“If I were to deal with you and be controlled by a sprout of darkness. “You wouldn’t have been trapped here alive.”
After being silent for a moment, the paladin insisted in a firm voice.
“Looking at your evil disposition, it is hard to believe that the sprouts of darkness are not at work.”
Who points out whose personality? It was absurd.
Helmut didn’t think his personality was particularly good, but it wasn’t something a paladin would say.
“… … I’m sorry. To me, he also seems to have a bad personality. If what you say is true, it seems that divine power and demonic energy have similar effects on humans.”
The paladin pursed his lips. I don’t know if he has a conscience, but I think he knows he has a bad personality.
Helmut ended the conversation in a cold tone.
“Did you say servant? Next time you attack me, you will have to prepare for death. “At that time, the rules of the martial arts club will not protect you.”
The paladin’s pupils shook. He was the one who vividly experienced Helmut’s strength. He still can’t get over the thrill of that time.
But he is Lumen’s chosen sword. A weak heart is not worthy. He said as if he was making a promise.
“… … Next time, I will never lose.”
Helmut glanced at him with cold eyes and left the prison without hesitation.
Tomorrow, we finally head to Linosa. His life started again and he was now in Linosa.
No matter what situation you face, you will definitely overcome it.
As the successor to Rinosa.
Compared to the trials we have overcome so far, it was not difficult at all.
I guess it was an outright lie that the sprouts of darkness no longer had any effect. If things don’t work out, I see you’re thinking of cutting them all down.
A faint smile crossed Helmut’s lips.
Even though he was a monster on the inside, living while pretending to be a human was truly his remaining task.
*
While Helmut and the Archduke and his wife were having a not-so-peaceful conversation, Charlotte was cleaning up after the martial arts meeting.
She also returns to Linosa with Helmut tomorrow.
Even if the crown prince took care of the rest, she also had to work until then.
The moment Charlotte had hoped for came true, but her worries still remained.
‘Michael.’
What will happen to her twin brother? A sigh escaped me. Michael stimulated Charlotte’s sense of indebtedness.
Twins grow together in their mother’s womb. It is known that when one side is weak, the other side is strong and sucks up the mother’s nutrition.
If Michael’s body hadn’t been so weak, he wouldn’t have developed such a twisted personality.
Charlotte could not let go of the idea that the root of her problems was linked to her from birth.
‘What will happen to Michael now?’
What does Helmut plan to do with him? If left alive, Michael, who was deprived of his position as Rinosa’s successor, would never go docile.
As Charlotte looked around the empty martial arts hall, lost in thought, she suddenly heard a voice from somewhere.
“Why is your expression so dark, Charlotte? “The boring martial arts competition is over, and your work is done. Isn’t that done?”
It was Asuka, wandering around.
“Senior, will you remain in the empire?”
“Uh, well. That should be it, right? “Xian says he’ll follow, but I can’t either.”
He is now the heir to Archduke Farnese and a member of the royal family. He couldn’t just decide his own direction.
Asuka seemed displeased with the fact that everyone was leaving for Rinosa, leaving her alone.
“Don’t be stubborn, just deal with it roughly and move on. “The prince will take care of the troublesome and difficult things.”
“Whose will it be?”
Asuka and Charlotte turned to look at the voice coming from the other side.
The crown prince with a disapproving expression was standing there.
“How dare you treat me like a servant who cleans up after me? “You have a lot of guts.”
Asuka accepted calmly.
“Don’t act like a little idiot after eavesdropping, and if he shows up, make an announcement first.”
“Jjomsaengi? That’s a vulgar expression. Archduchess Farnese needs to receive etiquette training again.”
“Please don’t bring up that guy’s etiquette training in a trivial way. No, and you can at least take care of organizing martial arts events, right? “It’s nothing special.”
“For someone who was eliminated from the martial arts competition a long time ago and has been playing around, this might seem like an easy task. “Even if I helped, it wouldn’t have helped.”
Asuka was furious at the prince’s sarcasm.
“I beg your pardon? “I don’t even have the skills to participate in a martial arts competition.”
“Your meager swordsmanship skills were at an all-time low during this martial arts event. “How does it feel to have experienced something at my level?”
“No, I was unlucky and met a potential winner, so I was eliminated. What’s my level?”
“I still have a long way to go. “That paladin seemed to be of a similar age.”
“You have to know how to use a sword, so we’re talking about levels. “Does His Highness the Crown Prince have the eyes to do that?”
For some reason, seeing their bickering conversation made me laugh. The eyes were bent and a bright smile appeared.
Charlotte burst out laughing without realizing it.
Both Asuka and the crown prince froze for a moment when they saw this.
Asuka came to her senses first and narrowed her eyes.
“… … what? “That look on your face is like looking at a child.”
“Oh, no. “Because you two seem friendly.”
“I can’t believe we’re close, the Grand Duchess has such a positive outlook.”
The crown prince also cleared his throat and vomited.
But before I knew it, I was no longer in the mood to argue.
“I heard you’re leaving early tomorrow.”
“Yes, that has been decided.”
The Crown Prince spoke to Charlotte with a brilliant smile.
“I guess I’ll probably have to visit Rinosa sometime soon. It’s a pity, but I look forward to meeting you then.”
Asuka’s eyes grew fierce.
“Who visits Rinosa freely? “Charlotte, if the Crown Prince visits, refuse him.”
“No matter how senior or junior you are at the Academy, you are extremely rude. “Are you using a tone that makes you sound like you’re treating the Grand Princess of Rinosa?”
Charlotte answered late.
“… … “That’s not my decision.”
Asuka declared as if to interrupt.
“If His Royal Highness visits Linosa, I will go with him.”
“By whom, and under what pretext?”
“As an escort. “Your Majesty is weak and incompetent, so I must protect you.”
A sharp look was exchanged between the crown prince and Asuka.
Charlotte remembered her nervous expression, as if asking when she had last laughed.
For her, it was easier for only one of them to visit, or for neither of them to come at all.
However, Charlotte is a trained Grand Duchess of Linosa. She answered in a formal manner.
“Yes, both of you, if you ever visit Linosa, I would be happy to welcome you.”
It was Charlotte who could not escape the troubling love triangle until the end.
