#415
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415
When I returned to the shelter, Area was waiting for me.
Although she may have lived her entire life as a commoner, she exuded a sense of comfort as if she were at home.
The attendants next to her, who were bowing their heads politely, seemed to have already accepted Area’s position.
Well, being talked about was part of everyday life at the academy, so it wouldn’t be anything special for her.
“Xian is in his fifties.”
He was a dull and tactless Sian. As soon as Helmut returned, he had never imagined that he had gone to catch Michael.
Michael is also the Archduke of Rinosa, and it is difficult to think that his punishment will be carried out personally.
“There’s blood on it.”
Area looked closely at Helmut’s wrist.
He said he roughly wiped off the stains on his hands, but blood stains remained on his clothes.
“iced coffee.”
Area raised her gaze. The light in her eyes seemed to penetrate deep into her heart. It was a mysterious purple color.
she asked gently.
“Will that be enough?”
As if he already had everything figured out. Helmut quietly looked into those eyes and answered.
“I’m not angry, but how about beating him up every time I see him?”
“Wouldn’t it be better to kill him? he is.”
A faint smile appeared on Alea’s lips and then disappeared.
Four years ago, she was so angry at Rinosa’s disposition that she wanted to burn Latona.
The task of getting Helmut out of Pahe Forest was more important, so it was put off.
Even now, if Helmut wanted revenge, she was willing to become his weapon.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Wizards are more heartless than anyone else.
That’s why Helmut’s punishment was too lenient in her eyes.
Just like the despair Helmut felt at that time, Area also felt pain.
To the extent of devoting all his strength to the reckless challenge of entering the Forest of Pahe to forget the pain.
‘Only this much.’
Even beneath the frozen ground of glaciers, what exists deep beneath is lava. Area was swallowing it.
Helmut calmly opened his mouth, looking at her eyes that revealed cold heat.
“I am not keeping Michael alive out of generosity. “This is so as not to give justification to the temple.”
In order to bring despair to Magritte, it would be appropriate to kill Michael as revenge.
But Helmut thought of something else.
“It is better to give the impression that this side is controlling the sprouts of darkness, rather than being a cold-blooded person who cuts down his brothers without blood or tears.”
Even if it is a pretense, the warm word forgiveness draws people’s hearts.
Helmut had to be seen as the rightful successor to Linosa.
The mercy he shows will strengthen his legitimacy.
He even forgives his younger brother who drove him to death. Isn’t that proof that he is not controlled by the sprout of darkness?
Helmut was also mindful of highlighting that fact.
“Not even the temple can deny the fact that I control the sprouts of darkness.”
In reality, it was not mercy, nor was it an easy choice that might leave behind a spark for a succession war later.
Helmut chose the best answer. And showed it to Area.
Only then did a satisfied smile appear on Area’s lips.
“You’re right.”
It was a look in his eyes that showed he had grown up a lot.
There were times when he struggled to pass the academy’s moral test while listening to Area’s criticism, but Helmut was now able to measure justification and justification beyond morality. The feeling was new.
“Now we just have to wait and see how the temple turns out.”
Helmut answered in a relaxed tone. For some reason, the way he spoke with his chin raised seemed arrogant.
Area, who narrowed her eyes at the sight, immediately smiled and suggested.
“Until then, Helmut, you had better take some etiquette lessons. “You’ll have to get used to your place.”
It was inevitable that his face hardened as he witnessed Asuka’s penance at those words.
*
It was a few hours later that Charlotte found out that Helmut had gone to visit Michael.
After being summoned to the Archduke and reporting on the martial arts event, Charlotte was overcome by a strange feeling.
Kingseong here. It’s been a long time since I came back.
Because I had not visited once in four years, I was unfamiliar with the royal castle of Latona, my hometown.
Therefore, as I was taking my steps to look around the castle, I heard a commotion coming from Michael’s quarters.
“Michael was seriously injured.”
When I called the maid, who was moving somewhere, in a hurry, she explained in a panic. That’s why the healer and wizard ran to Michael.
Charlotte realized what had happened just from those words, without any context.
She went straight to Michael. The therapists were just leaving the room.
Charlotte opened the door that was about to close and went inside.
He was lying down on the sofa and had just finished treatment.
If you are a prince of Rinosa, you can receive high-quality treatment to the point that even if you are mortally wounded, you will survive as long as you can breathe.
The pain lasted only for a moment, and even though Helmut didn’t pay much attention to him, he was already seemingly fine.
However, there was no blood on the face where the bruises had disappeared after receiving treatment.
“Charlotte.”
As soon as he saw her, Michael frowned.
Even after meeting my own blood relatives for the first time in four years, I felt annoyed rather than happy.
I was in a state where it would not be strange if I collapsed right away, so my nerves were very sensitive.
Charlotte stormed into that car without making any contact.
Perhaps because he was worried about himself, who might have died?
Without pretending to be lonely and leaving for Greta Academy, he didn’t return for four years. As expected, she is weak and soft. still.
Michael was in a funny mood.
Charlotte quietly looked at him and called his name.
“Michael.”
“why? Did you come to see my mess? “I’m satisfied now.”
It was absurd that a reunion would take place this way.
Michael responded with a wry expression.
Charlotte, who came closer to him, took a moment to breathe. And then he threw his fist out with all his might.
puck! There was no way Michael could avoid an attack from a trained swordsman.
Every time he scratches, it could have been like this a long time ago.
In shock, my head hit the headrest of the sofa. In an instant, my mouth burst open and my cheeks swelled.
Michael looked at her in disbelief.
Charlotte hitting herself? It was a situation he had never experienced before.
In his memories, Charlotte was not someone who could stab him.
The protest came out late in shock and confusion.
“W-what are you doing!”
“I’m glad you survived today.”
A bright expression of anger appeared on Charlotte’s face.
Has she ever looked at Michael with such a cold expression?
“Michael, from now on I won’t care whether you die or not.”
Michael shouted as if he was angry.
“Where did you learn such ignorant things? In Greta?”
“Even if you get hit, you’re still a cheap guy. I didn’t know that. But I think I understand now.”
Michael ignored her, treated her poorly, and tried to hurt her. For many years, Charlotte just endured it.
Because Michael was a sickly younger brother who did not know when he would die.
“You are weak and I am strong. But that doesn’t mean what you did didn’t matter to me.”
“Charlotte!”
“Don’t talk nonsense in front of me again. “I will never look after you, whether you are sick or on the verge of death.”
Charlotte left those words and turned around. He could not bear to catch the sudden momentum.
Michael, who had been dazed for a while, cupped his cheek from the surging pain.
It was an indignity suffered twice in one day.
Although he was prepared to die solemnly, all that was left to him was the humiliation of swallowing disgusting insects and being beaten like an animal.
And that shame will continue until the day Michael dies.
There was water in his bloodshot blue eyes.
It was not a show of pretense or acting, but a pathos that aroused sympathy emanated from him.
Michael had no choice but to bring back the therapist he had sent.
The only person who can comfort and care for him is his mother, Marguerite.
*
Linosa’s successor. Those words, of course, have the implication that Helmut can rule over the Black Wing Knights.
However, there were few Black Wing Knights who readily accepted the new facts.
Even if it was the order of Grand Duke Rinosa, whom they served.
Helmut, who appeared out of nowhere, was unfamiliar enough to cause resistance among the members of the Black Wing Knights.
Most of them had lived their whole lives thinking that Michael would one day ascend to the throne.
If Charlotte had been the successor of Rinosa to whom they had to obey, the Black Wing Knights would have been hard-pressed to accept it.
Her teacher is the commander of the Black Wing Knights, and Charlotte has excellent swordsmanship skills to the point where she ranked first at Greta Academy.
But is someone other than Michael or Charlotte the successor to Linosa?
There were only a few members of the Black Wing Knights who witnessed Helmut’s skills in person.
Even though he won the overall martial arts competition, it was somewhat questionable.
An unknown being whose face I have never seen. Is it okay to leave Linosa in the hands of someone like that?
Skepticism and doubt followed.
Although Michael is weak, he has been involved in internal affairs as a member of the Archduchy.
He has already proven his abilities.
Moreover, unlike Charlotte, who had no tact, Michael captivated them with his human charm.
A beautiful appearance that doubles the sadness that makes you want to protect him because he is sick.
Even though he has fatal limitations, he has devoted his entire life to Rinosa as a member of the Grand Duchy.
But the grand duke’s eldest son appeared out of nowhere and took over the position of successor.
Moreover, didn’t he use violence against Michael on the first day he visited Latona?
To that sick archduke!
Michael seemed to them like the protagonist of a tragedy.
Because it was a matter related to the honor of the Grand Duchess, the story between the Grand Duchess and Michael was only forgotten and was almost unknown.
Add to that the pity and antipathy, and most of the Black Wing Knights were unable to mentally accept that they had to follow Helmut.
“I guess it’s your ability to keep them under control.”
Grand Duke Rinosa threw it like that as if testing it.
Helmut clearly knew what abilities he could show in this situation.
Just as it was in Bashor, it was always the easy way for him.
