#436
Helmut
Episode 436
The temple army that entered the land of Rinosa suffered quite a heavy blow, but preserved much of its strength.
It was painful to lose two old high priests, Paul and Agatora, but thanks to them, we were able to return safely.
In addition, all those still alive were rescued. With just treatment, you will be able to return to your original state.
Despite its recent reputation, those wishing to become part of the temple still line up.
The temple did not experience much difficulty in recruiting priests or paladins.
Lumen will appoint a new priest to the temple, so the empty seats will be filled gradually.
A major wound, or a wound that can be repaired. That restorative power was also their strength.
When the time comes, the temple will be opened again. This time, conquer Rinosa without failure. That is their mission.
However, when the temple army gritted its teeth and retreated, what they saw was an unbelievable sight.
“This can’t be right, temple!”
“Lumen, how can this happen!”
The ruined temple, with a straight path extending from the collapsed outer wall to the center, looked like a conquered castle.
It seemed like a huge furrow had formed. The building in that furrow was literally destroyed.
Most of the priests and paladins who remained to guard the temple were crushed by falling buildings or injured and were left groaning.
As soon as they arrived, they were in a situation where they had to restore the temple, and they could not keep their mouths open from shock and astonishment.
High Priest Levina, who greeted them while trying to control the situation, was also in shock.
“High Priest Agato remained in Rinosa?”
“Yes, Paul also passed away on the way, saying he would save Agato.”
“But the thing that hasn’t appeared yet, maybe… … .”
When one of the high-ranking priests spoke with a dark face, Levina lost her composure and stormed out.
“No, that can’t be possible!”
I had no doubt that they would win there, but was the person with the sprout of darkness really that powerful?
I quickly sent a message, but there was no response from them.
“Oh, I should have been there!”
One person must guard the temple, and if another high priest had taken her place, there is no guarantee that she would have been able to prevent the monster’s attack.
But Levina blamed herself and shed tears. The thought of losing her old comrade sent her into a state of extreme panic she had never felt before.
“May those who were sacrificed rest in peace in the light of Lumen.”
But Levina quickly came to her senses and offered a prayer of condolence.
Levina was faced with the cold reality that the crisis was not over yet and that she was the only one left to command the temple.
Excluding the two most recent priests, there is only one priest with some experience, except Levina.
Even one of them seemed immature in the eyes of Levina, who had ruled the temple as a high priest for decades.
‘This is not the time. I need to come to my senses too.’
After picking up the injured and giving the order to restore the temple, Levina immediately set about entering the sacred barrier.
In the meantime, she did not forget what Elaga had said.
‘A monster escaped the sacred barrier? ‘A crack has appeared in the sacred barrier?’
This is ridiculous. Lumen’s divinity was intact, and the High Priestess herself did not experience any difficulties in using the divine power.
If something had gone wrong with Lumen’s essence and the most powerful sacred barrier, wouldn’t the temple have been affected?
‘But what words can explain the appearance of that monster?’
A huge leopard that destroyed a temple. The magic I felt from him was terrifying.
It was a monster that would have only appeared in the Demon King War a thousand years ago.
How could a guy like that have been hiding and not being known? He wouldn’t know if he came out of the forest of Pahe.
Levina immediately entered the sanctuary where divine power was maximized and concentrated her mind.
The sacred barrier had been neglected for a while. Immediately after the conflict with the great wizards, the sacred barrier felt unstable, but it was expected that it would soon be restored.
Didn’t Levina pour out her divine power to return the barrier to its intact state?
After that, we tracked down the archmage, things happened in the empire, the martial arts club, and now the crusade.
Because I was busy taking care of the temple, which was embroiled in all sorts of incidents, I was unable to closely examine the sacred barrier that had been solid for a thousand years.
But what problem has happened in the meantime?
Levina’s anxious consciousness followed the flow of divine power. This is something that not just any high priest can do.
Her spirit, which was connected to the sacred barrier through the sanctuary, examined every corner of the barrier in detail. And she found it.
The magic world that has been sealed for a thousand years, the forest of Pahe, what is happening there.
My whole body was shaking like an aspen tree. She staggered out of her sanctuary, her body staggering.
The priest standing guard at the entrance quickly helped her up. Her body was damp with sweat.
“High Priest Levina! Are you okay?”
“… … I am OK. Hurry up rather than that.”
Levina’s dull, exhausted eyes gained strength.
“Convene a round table. “It is urgent.”
Dark clouds rushing in like a roar. Disaster was beginning. While they were looking away.
I don’t know when and where the signs first appeared. But this was definitely a crisis.
A crisis not just in the temple, but in the world.
‘Ah, Lumen.’
High Priest Levina sighed deeply.
With no one to stand by my shoulders, I was at a loss as to how I would get through this situation alone.
* * *
Helmut was standing in front of Archduke Rinosa. To hear about the situation before and after.
Unlike him, who had collapsed and lost consciousness after much hardship, Prince Rinosa, who was in the rear row, had a stern face.
Meeting Helmut’s indifferent gaze, the Archduke somehow stroked his chin.
Even though he was an archduke, there was no way he would have never experienced a crisis in the whirlwind of war, but he had nothing to say in front of Helmut.
Moreover, as soon as he wakes up, he immediately comes to see him and performs his role, without showing any signs of neglect.
If he had a successor of this caliber, anyone would envy him.
For a moment, a satisfied smile passed across his lips.
Helmut was the clear answer that put to shame the days of agonizing over Michael and Charlotte, two people with different strengths.
“Good job. “You did a great job.”
A fatal curse flowed out of Grand Duke Rinosa’s mouth.
Those words were even more meaningful because the Archduke never said empty words.
“Basor, you seem to think that it is inaction suitable for a disciple of the Sword Saint, but the Empire is especially surprised.”
Helmut reacted indifferently.
“They must be happy because they achieved victory before even sending reinforcements.”
The alliance’s victory is also their victory. Both the Empire and Basor only sided with Rinosa in words, but in the end, they wasted very little.
After trying to send them away, the Wongun returned to their original positions without any losses.
On the other hand, although there were quite a few sacrifices, Rinosa protected Rinosa on her own.
“Yes, I guess so. We are in the process of recruiting new members for the vacant Black Wing Knights. “There are ordinary knights who played a prominent role in the war, so I think we can fill it with them.”
“Then you are lucky.”
“A sword saint in Rinosa. “Thanks to your performance, I think there will be more talented people flocking to us in the future.”
The Grand Duke of Linosa was pleased with Helmut’s performance in another way.
The Archduke’s acceptance of Helmut was not simply a matter of honor or belief, but also proved that he had made the right choice for the country of Rinosa.
But naturally, concerns followed.
“The empire will now have no choice but to be wary of Rinosa.”
It is said that the Black Wing Knights speak loudly, but even ordinary soldiers cannot do that.
Helmut’s prowess in charging into the center of the temple’s army and cutting down the enemies from the front was already well-known.
Through the rumors that spread through Linosa’s soldiers, the empire and other countries learned about how Linosa achieved victory.
The rumor was more exaggerated than the reality, and it was said that every time Helmut swung his sword, the enemies fell like a wave.
Excessive strength raises alarm.
Because of this, unlike the Swordsman who had almost never left Basor in his life, Helmut emerged as a vivid danger who could point the tip of his sword at a foreign country at any time.
No matter how many lies were added, he was a prosecutor capable of dealing with the military alone.
The power was too much for the size of the country called Rinosa.
Linosa’s military power might have been able to surpass the Empire with the presence of Helmut alone.
And the empire will never be able to comfortably accept that fact.
Basorya is a desert country where monsters appear to begin with. It was a country that wanted to be invaded, but it was far from being invaded.
But the empire was different. Rich lands, enormous wealth, and many gem mines. No matter what country it is, it has everything it covets.
Will the empire that reigned at the top of the continent, with the greatest economic and military power, look upon Rinosa’s rise with joy?
Moreover, didn’t the Grand Duchy of Rinosa inherit the bloodline of the imperial family?
The direct descendants of the Linosa family are treated as imperial family members in the empire, and although they are of lower rank, they also have the right to succeed to the throne.
That might have been a justification for usurping the throne.
Helmut, who had summed it all up in his head at once, knew one thing for sure.
“Charlotte might be in a bit of trouble.”
As an empire, it is impossible to keep Rinosa in check as the temples are being driven out.
In that case, it is best to strengthen the alliance with Rinosa.
The best way is a national wedding. It was the marriage of the Crown Prince and Charlotte.
On the other hand, it became more difficult for Asuka to form a relationship with the grand princess of Rinosa.
If Rinosa’s power is added to the Farnese family, which has the right to succeed to the throne, Asuka will be able to threaten the crown prince.
Of course, that has nothing to do with Asuka’s intention to escape from the empire without looking back if asked to become emperor.
The future is going to be a bit difficult.
But Helmut didn’t really care. He will even respect Charlotte if she chooses to remain single.
“I will respect that child’s wishes.”
The Archduke concluded his speech seriously. Helmut turned to another question.
“What are we going to do with the temple now?”
I already knew that they were dead quiet.
The Archduke responded calmly.
“They still don’t know that a high priest is captured. Depending on how they come out, we may have to expose him and negotiate.”
With that many hostages, the temple would have no choice but to tear down its arrogant arrogance and agree to negotiations.
At the end of the conversation, the Archduke informed Helmut.
“There will be a banquet in the evening.”
It was clear who would attend the dinner. Helmut answered after a moment of silence.
“All right.”
He could not be left out when celebrating victory.
And it wasn’t him who was uncomfortable.
