#456
Helmut
Episode 456
13. Finish from the beginning.
A month later.
The wind was blowing over the castle walls.
Helmut watched the green leaves fluttering in the forest beneath the castle walls.
The forest here, untouched by the sacred barrier, is still alive with life.
‘If the monsters come rushing in, you’ll get trampled by them anyway.’
The magical energy emitted by monsters will cause necrosis or deterioration of the forest.
The peaceful appearance of the present will disappear everywhere, and the forest will turn into desolation.
And if all goes according to plan, the corpses of monsters will pile up one after another under the castle walls.
Although their poisonous blood and flesh would not even provide nutrients.
At that time, there was a voice speaking from the side.
“What are you looking at?”
Helmut turned his gaze towards that.
Area was standing with a smile on her face.
“I just thought you were able to create something like this in a short period of time.”
Helmut tapped the barrier with his fingertip.
The magic circle engraved at the end of the wall gave off a metallic glow.
Each of those small magic circles exerts power and forms a barrier.
Surprisingly, this castle wall, which was as high and strong as a rock and even had a defensive barrier installed, was a structure that was formed in about 20 days.
It’s not that bad considering it was hastily built, but it’s comparable to castle walls anywhere in the world.
This wall blocked the road from Pahe Forest to the human world.
“It has everything functionally. “Everyone is pretty good.”
Area also agreed.
It was no exaggeration to say that the entire essence of humanity was poured into these walls.
Enormous wealth and the most outstanding talents were generously invested.
Only to protect the human world from world crises. To block the monsters of Pahe Forest.
Helmut said hopefully.
“At this rate, unless the guys guarding the castle wall are really bad at fighting, wouldn’t it be worth holding on to?”
How well will the remaining ones be able to fight against the monsters of Pahe Forest? I had no faith.
Area responded.
“If we succeed and they don’t form an army, we’ll be able to deal with them, right? “After all, they all play separately.”
“I must succeed.”
Helmut withdrew his hand.
No matter how calm and mentally strong he was, he couldn’t help but feel nervous.
Alea shook her head gently.
“Still, I was lucky in many ways. The flow isn’t bad. “In the end, the wall was built well.”
When building the walls, the first thing to consider was location.
The forest of Pahe was spread out quite widely, and it would take too long to build a castle wall right in front of it.
It was a problem to build a wall of that length in a short period of time, but it was also a problem because the troops to guard it were dispersed.
Fortunately, the problem was quickly resolved.
They were able to find a suitable location.
On the road from Pahe Forest to the human world, rugged rocky mountains rise on both sides, forming a natural castle wall.
If you want to go south from Pahe Forest, you have to pass through the middle of it.
There was quite a distance between the mountain ranges, but it was worth bearing.
Build walls between mountain ranges and establish a front line. The plan came together fairly easily.
Each country opened its treasury and poured out the necessary materials, the best experts and craftsmen in castle wall construction participated, and all useful wizards were brought in.
As a result, Helmut was standing on the completed castle wall.
This is for final inspection.
“I’m glad there’s a place like this.”
Surprisingly, this terrain, blocked by cliff-like mountain ranges, was said to have been formed a thousand years ago.
It might have been the arrangement of the Earth Spirit in preparation for the Demon King’s resurrection.
There were several villages beyond here, some distance from Pahe Forest, but all the people had evacuated.
It is convenient to think that we have given up a little more land to monsters.
Those who turned and swam down to the northern sea were likely to be few in number.
The biggest reason is that those in the water are passive like Kantra and have a strong sense of territory, and the climate is completely different.
There’s nothing we can do about flying monsters, but Igrel told me that there aren’t many flying monsters.
‘Perhaps because the sacred barrier blocks the sky, flying-type monsters have not developed much. Except for me, there are few strong guys. It’s usually a small piece.’
Of course, by his standards, even a small fry would be a threat to humans.
If it were a carnivore, even an ordinary human would be able to defend itself.
Additional measures were also taken.
A magic of deception had been cast so that any monster would not be able to avoid this castle wall while moving south.
Because of this, it was as if a difficult battle had already been predicted at the castle walls.
But this is the responsibility of those who remain. Helmut had other areas to worry about.
“Tomorrow.”
The day we enter the Forest of Pahe. The temple prepared a magic circle.
Through it, you will be taken somewhere inside the Forest of Pahe.
Because the situation inside was unknown, there were no grand plans.
I had to work together with the people I was with to achieve my goal.
Even Helmut cannot do everything alone.
Moreover, if the opponent is an enormous being called the Demon Lord.
[Humans are pretty good too. At this level, I can’t even jump over it in one go.]
Elaga jumped up onto the castle wall and landed in front of Helmut.
This was before the defensive magic circle was activated.
After it is activated, Elaga will be attacked without exception.
[There is nothing to be afraid of. It’s like the devil, it’s just a mouthful away.]
“Even Elaga can be controlled by the devil. Because the Demon King is the master of demon energy.”
And it is Magi that occupies Elaga’s entire body.
I wasn’t sure if it was right to be with Elaga.
But it would be a safer situation than leaving it behind.
[I am the owner of my power. The powerful demonic spirit controls the demon energy.]
With reason, contrary to the nature of monsters, he knows how to care for and cherish humans.
Affection.
It was a feeling that was not thought to exist in a monster that ate its own babies.
In a sense, Elaga could be said to have transcended the realm of monsters.
Therefore, just as Helmut, who had reached the level of a swordsman, was confident, Elaga was also confident.
Confidence that you are in control.
“Because I packed a lot of Rosetta roots.”
Helmut spoke incredulously.
If Elaga turns into an enemy, this is where it gets dangerous.
Pure faith without preparation is prohibited.
Elaga was a monster among monsters that only the remaining nine could barely fight with all their might.
[Well, I heard it was made with some kind of scent. It was refreshing and nice.]
Elaga sniffed.
“If you spread it with scent, you don’t have to feed it.”
Area opened her mouth.
It had already been a long time since the roots of Rosetta were processed and made into pills to increase convenience.
However, even though it had an immediate effect when ingested, it ultimately took effect only after being fed.
So, Area came up with a way to spread it as incense.
“In the Forest of Pahe, it will be more useful than anything else.”
Normally, the monsters of Pahe Forest would not dare attack Elagan or Igrel.
However, it was a different story if you were under the control of the devil.
Because it is the devil’s power to overwhelm one’s instincts.
The way to deal with them is simple. To awaken the mind and let go of control.
If they come to their senses, they won’t be able to rush at me like a moth when there’s Elagan and Ygrel.
“It can be made into a liquid and sprinkled, and it has been prepared in various ways.”
There was a radiance in the purple eyes.
It was an area that seemed to have poured all of its research power into it.
It was easy to apply because she had made a magic scent that improved concentration even during her academy days.
[I like it made like candy. Just keep holding it in your mouth. I may not be able to use my teeth, though.]
“Once you enter the Forest of Pahe, you will get sick of it.”
Helmut answered.
There didn’t seem to be anything wrong. The operation of the defensive magic circle was to be carried out by magicians.
The temple also brought in more than 90% of its military power to protect this castle wall.
If everything is thrown at us, we will have to wait and see who will end up as the winner.
Helmut doesn’t know how many monsters are hiding in Pahe’s Forest.
“There are a lot of stupid people, so it would be nice if they continued to live like that without even knowing that the sacred barrier was broken.”
[If it’s a hunting monster, their instinct will tell them. If you go down south, there are lots of delicious meats.]
Elaga muttered bitterly.
Since they lived in a bloody fight in the forest of Pahe, they will be scrambling to move to a larger hunting ground where they can find easier prey.
It was a clash between beings called humans and beings called monsters, who had nothing to do with the Demon King.
The inspection of the castle walls was easily completed with just one look around.
“Go down. “They say there’s a banquet prepared.”
After saying those words, Area went down the stairs first.
Helmut reached out and grabbed the back of Elaga’s neck.
Elaga, dangling in his hand, narrowed her eyes.
[Play with it to your heart’s content. Anyway, if I go to Pahe Forest, I will return to my original self.]
“It would be a shame. “I thought you were enjoying it.”
Helmut roughly placed Elaga on his shoulder and walked away.
Elaga stretched out her claws and quickly regained her balance.
[do not worry. Because I will protect you. Don’t go crazy like you did then.]
“is not it. “Stop saying you’re protecting him.”
Do you still think you are a child? Helmut frowned.
However, there was nothing to say as it was true that I was cared for by him even after returning to Pahe’s Forest.
[Being a demon lord or something, it’s all a matter of will. But you have weak will. Get your mind straight!]
Helmut had to head to the banquet hall while listening to Elaga’s nagging the whole time.
* * *
The banquet hall was already crowded.
It is a last opportunity to have fun and strengthen your resolve with your comrades before competing.
The will has already been left behind. Not only that, but everyone except the two monsters.
‘Is it the Last Supper?’
Although it made him uncomfortable to think like that, Helmut decided to enjoy the present.
Alcohol is not allowed as the battle starts immediately after moving.
When he appeared with Area, attention was drawn.
Two emotions, joy and unfamiliarity, intersected among the hesitant gazes pouring in on me.
Someone spoke to him hesitantly.
“Helmut! no… … “You are Archduke Helmut.”
Helmut looked at the other person’s face.
It is a face in my memory. It’s hard to believe they’re the same person, even though their appearance and size have changed since then.
‘It’s good that you found out.’
Helmut opened his mouth.
