Chapter 86
Chapter 86
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Helm Awakens
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“What did you say?”
Arthur furrowed his brow.
“His goal is to rule the ‘Oscar Empire’. And all the families have been preparing for that.”
“Since when?”
“Since Artisan seized control of the imperial power, so nearly ten years now.”
“Hmm…….”
Arthur’s face twisted.
If it had been that long, they would have completed all their preparations and were just waiting for the right moment to strike.
Just as Keda said, scouting parties were probably already deployed to assess the situation within the empire.
“This makes it a three-way battle—no, a four-way battle. And that guy’s out there too. The whole world’s crawling with enemies.”
“Enemies besides the emperor?”
“Shut up. It’s none of your business.”
“You’re just going to send me away like this? I may not be much help right now, but when the time comes to face the Nanshar Empire, you’ll need our strength.”
“I don’t need it.”
“Why are you so certain? Artisan’s power is overwhelmingly immense, beyond imagination.”
“Even so, it’s nothing compared to that guy.”
“Who is this guy?”
“The Demon King.”
“The D-Demon King……?!”
Keda’s eyes shook violently.
Arthur continued calmly.
“That’s the Julius family’s true enemy. I’m not about to cower before the likes of the Nanshar Empire. So don’t try to persuade me with empty words.”
Arthur shot back coldly and stood up.
Keda suddenly dropped to his knees with a thud, his face filled with resolve as he asked.
“If we had power, would you accept us?”
“Sorry, but I’m not so weak that I need to borrow strength from you.”
“It’s the power of spirits.”
“……?”
“If the spirits are still by our side, there might be a chance. If we regain our power, my lord, you would gain thirteen spirit mages.”
Millerph, who had been silent, added.
“If that happens, it would be equivalent to acquiring at least 4th Class mages. It would greatly bolster our forces.”
“It would certainly help. But I still can’t take you in.”
Keda shook his head in disbelief.
“Why not?”
“I don’t need conditional loyalty. I won’t see you off, so leave on your own.”
Arthur walked out without a second thought.
Keda sat there blankly, unsure how to process the situation.
Meanwhile, Millerph nodded with a meaningful smile.
‘As expected of our lord.’
If Keda had asked with pure sincerity, the outcome might have been different.
This incident reaffirmed what kind of man he was.
“Tell me how I can win the count’s favor. I’ll do anything.”
Millerph answered cautiously.
“I’m still learning about the count myself, so it’s hard to say. From what I’ve observed, he values people as they truly are.”
“What do you mean…….”
“Now that the lord has given his orders, we can’t stay here. He didn’t tell us to leave the territory, so…… stay nearby and think it over.”
Millerph also left with a meaningful smile.
Keda stared at the door he exited through and muttered to himself.
“As they truly are…….”
***
When Arthur entered the study, Adran was waiting. Her despair was so profound that she looked on the verge of collapse.
She seemed like she could drop dead at any moment.
“Did you see your father off properly?”
“……Yes.”
Her voice cracked, hoarse and broken.
Arthur approached her and patted her shoulder comfortingly.
“Rest for a while and collect yourself.”
“No.”
Adran shook her head and continued.
“I want to get stronger. Teach me how, no matter what it takes.”
Before coming here, she had gone to Skevin and asked how to grow stronger.
His response had been:
-Ask the young master instead of me. He can make you twice as strong in no time.
That’s why she had come straight to the study and waited until now.
“Sir Skevin said you could make me twice as strong.”
“He shouldn’t have said that.”
Arthur frowned slightly and sat in his chair.
Adran looked at him with a resolute expression.
“Please teach me.”
“If you trust in yourself and train steadily, you’ll reach your goal someday.”
“Something more than empty words…….”
As Adran’s face fell in disappointment, Arthur added one more thing.
“But only if you push yourself to your absolute limits.”
“…….”
Adran stared at Arthur silently.
After a moment.
Her eyes flashed as if she had realized something, and she bowed deeply to him.
“Thank you for the advice.”
“One more piece of advice: learn to control your anger, and you’ll gain true strength.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
After Adran left the study, Arthur alone pondered Keda’s words.
‘Artisan is making a move?’
If that was true, he couldn’t ignore the Nanshar Empire.
They were biding their time and would surely strike when the two powers weakened.
Since they were targeting Emperor Ruan, he could buy some time.
But Emperor Ruan would suffer significant losses from the battle with him.
If they pushed with overwhelming force, no countermeasures would suffice.
The same went for him.
Even if he grew stronger, there were limits to facing a large army alone.
The surest countermeasure was to bolster his forces.
Taking in Keda could be one way, but he couldn’t accept them without verification.
Moreover, with the families and the Horcamun tribe joining in such a short time.
The knight orders were being organized, but things were still chaotic and disorganized.
Incorporating another group, and assessing Keda, would take time.
‘Spirit mages…….’
If they regained their power, it would greatly strengthen his forces.
But that would take time.
‘I need someone who can contribute right away.’
Arthur’s gaze deepened as he fell into thought.
Some time passed like that.
Knock knock.
Andrew entered with the knock and bowed politely.
“Sir Helm has awakened.”
“……!”
Arthur’s eyes flashed, and he quickly left the study.
***
“How is it?”
“Ugh…….”
Helm, the white-haired man lying on the bed, grimaced and sat up.
“Where am I?”
“The Julius Count Family estate.”
At Millerph’s words, Helm seemed to think for a moment before cautiously speaking.
“What of Count Hoiron’s body……?”
“Lady Adran held the funeral.”
“The lady did…….”
Fortunately, she had shaken off their pursuers and made it here.
In the pitch-black darkness where nothing was visible, a single ray of light flickered.
“Is the lady all right?”
Millerph silently shook his head, and Helm clenched his fist with a resentful expression.
“If only I had been stronger…….”
Seeing Helm blame himself, Millerph looked sympathetic.
Though he hadn’t been on the battlefield, Millerph believed Helm had done his utmost to protect the count family.
It wasn’t his fault.
The enemy had simply been too strong.
“Don’t blame yourself.”
“I failed to protect my lord. How could I not feel guilt?”
As Helm glared fiercely,
Creak.
Arthur opened the door and asked.
“You’re awake?”
“You’ve come.”
Millerph bowed to greet him, and Helm realized he was the master of the Julius Count Family.
As he tried to stand with his heavy body, Arthur approached and raised a hand.
“Don’t push yourself. Stay put.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Unlike with Millerph, Helm responded politely.
Arthur examined his condition and asked Aild, who was bringing a potion.
“How’s his state?”
“Thanks to Millerph’s healing magic, he’ll be fine after about a week of rest. Have him drink this.”
Aild handed Helm a glass vial.
Helm took it and asked.
“What is this?”
“A potion I made. It’ll help you recover your strength.”
“Thank you.”
Helm drank the potion in the vial in one gulp without hesitation.
He immediately felt energy surging through his body where there had been none.
“Huh!”
He had tried many potions before, but none had reacted so instantly.
“What is this, exactly?”
“Seeing the effect, you’ll recover quickly.”
Aild grinned and checked the areas of Helm’s wounds that hadn’t fully healed.
Even the traces left by Millerph’s healing magic vanished cleanly.
“As an Aura Master, your recovery is monstrous.”
Aild turned to Arthur with a very satisfied expression.
“Two days should do it.”
“Good work.”
“Just doing my part. I’ll check on Mother briefly, so talk comfortably.”
Aild gripped Arthur’s shoulder encouragingly and left.
While the two talked, Helm sat on the bed with his eyes closed, examining every part of his body.
Energy was circulating, slowly restoring him.
‘At this rate…….’
As Aild said, two days would be enough for full recovery.
Arthur noticed Helm checking his condition and waited silently until he finished.
After about ten minutes.
Helm opened his eyes.
Unlike before, a fierce light gleamed in them.
Even though he wasn’t fully recovered, an overwhelming presence emanated from him.
Anyone else in the room besides him or Millerph would have struggled to endure it.
‘As expected…….’
Helm Del.
Ranked 8th in the Oscar Empire’s martial prowess, the only Aura Master.
Stronger than ‘Capo Mars’ of the Steel Knight Order, ranked 10th, who had been the strongest opponent he’d faced.
If Helm hadn’t been injured, could he have handled him?
He thought it over several times but couldn’t be sure.
Millerph was inwardly shocked by Helm’s prowess.
As the guardian deity of the Kandara Count Family, his presence was formidable.
But it wasn’t enough to intimidate him.
He worried, though, about the impact of this immense energy surpassing Arthur’s on the knights.
‘Beyond expectations.’
Expectation and concern crossed Millerph’s face.
Meanwhile, Arthur’s heart raced with excitement at the arrival of a new powerhouse.
‘With this guy…….’
He could not only draw out his stagnant power but also push him to the extremes, letting him experience his limits.
As Arthur’s lips curved slightly, Helm met his eyes. He scanned Arthur from head to toe and let out a low exclamation.
“Ah…….”
“You seem to have sized me up. Care to share?”
“Sword Expert mid-level—no, nearing advanced. Impressive for your age.”
“I see.”
Arthur smiled meaningfully and continued.
“When you’ve recovered, come find me. I’ll give you an experience that’ll surprise you.”
“What do you mean…….”
As Helm looked puzzled, Arthur turned and said to Millerph.
“Help him reach peak condition.”
“If I may overstep, he still seems too much to handle.”
“You’re getting sharper.”
Arthur chuckled and stepped out. He paused at the door.
“Sir Helm.”
“Yes?”
“How about this?”
Arthur drew up his mana.
A golden aura gathered in his right hand, summoning the Sig Sauer.
Helm’s eyes flashed as he watched.
An immense power was condensed in the strange object that suddenly appeared in his hand.
‘What is that?!’
It wasn’t the level of a Sword Expert.
The power made the hairs on his arms stand on end, rivaling a Sword Master’s aura.
As Arthur walked out, he muttered to himself.
“It’ll be a good experience for both of us.”