# 285
Helmut
Episode 285
‘Couldn’t I die like this?’
Asuka thought. It wasn’t a pessimistic thought. He was brave enough not to lose his senses and fall.
Every time Elaga took a step on the ground, it shook from the inside to the bone marrow. Elaga’s entire body that hit her back tingled as if it had been beaten.
I tried to tell her to take a break, but Asuka almost bit her tongue every time.
Naturally, Elaga was only focused on reaching her destination and did not care about the condition of the human on her back.
Of course, it would have been a different story if it had been Sarah or Susan on her back.
But what he was carrying was a large and strong-looking guy.
‘When will it arrive? Why is this damn forest so big!’
It is definitely a short journey lasting only a few days. However, even if it is a short journey, it is a different story if you are experiencing this kind of torture.
It wasn’t about pride at that time.
During a short break during the journey, Elaga looked at Asuka, panting, stretched out on the floor and looked at her with a puzzled look.
[You are a weak guy, unlike Helmut.]
“Who is weak?”
Asuka lay down and lost her temper.
“I have no problem with this too! “I’m just a little seasick!”
Asuka later regretted that she wasn’t bluffing.
[Huh, okay. It’s okay, right? But weren’t you one of Helmut’s subordinates? You have quite a temper.]
“No. Why am I your subordinate?”
[You are weaker than Helmut.]
Asuka gritted her teeth.
“It is true that he is weak…but he is a friend and not a subordinate. “We are the same student. Where can we find something like that?”
Elaga asked, “That’s right.”
[How was Helmut doing at the academy or something? [I heard you were first place.]
It was a question that somehow made me feel like a parent.
What do monsters know about humans’ life at the academy?
However, even Asuka couldn’t help but feel intimidated as she was alone with a huge leopard radiating magical energy.
‘Yes, I heard you raised Helmut.’
For some reason, Asuka spoke with the feeling of ‘an adult asks a question, so she answers.’
“That guy came in in the middle… There was something atmospheric, cold, and elegant about it. “When other guys started arguing about being commoners, I beat them up.”
[okay? So, were you a problem child or something?]
“No, I am the problem child. “Helmut never beat anyone who picked a fight with him.”
Asuka was surprisingly good at grasping reality.
“Helmut was an honor student. He has excellent grades, is sincere, and is highly regarded by his instructors. First of all, my skills are overwhelmingly good. I also participated in a sword fighting competition as a representative of the Academy. I wasn’t sure at the time, but Helmut was the strongest swordsman at Greta Academy, or rather in Baden. “Including instructors.”
The corners of Elaga’s mouth went up. He looked like a parent who was happy to hear praise from his child.
Asuka, feeling somewhat annoyed, grumbled.
“Then what are you doing? Your eyes are black and your hair is black, so your eyes are fierce and you look like an old man. He doesn’t talk about himself at all and always sets the mood and just shows off. “I never felt like I was 15.”
[That guy has been like that for a long time. The little guy didn’t even smile and was busy practicing or something all day. They say you need to be strong to get out of the forest.
Ever since I met Darian or something, I’ve been sweating profusely, building my muscles and practicing swordsmanship. Well, he grew up quickly then.]
“Darian? Is that by any chance the Sword Saint Darian?”
Asuka’s eyes lit up.
I heard a brief story about Helmut’s teacher from Area, but she knew almost nothing about Darian.
[Yes, that person took Helmut as his disciple…]
“I’m done with Helmut, but I’d like to hear about Darian.”
[Darian? That person is called the Sword Saint in the human world. That guy was really strong. Even Naho can’t do anything about him.]
Elaga obediently answered Asuka’s questions.
It’s been a while since he talked to a new conversation partner.
The two got along really well, especially when talking behind someone’s back.
The only problem was that since I was delayed chatting at that time, I started running without taking a break or anything.
It is a journey from the eastern end to the western end. Asuka and Ella had the farthest distance the group had to travel.
So it is natural that Elaga is in a hurry.
‘I haven’t been able to rest even once since then.’
However, as Asuka ran forward, holding on to the fur of a giant, saddleless leopard, such circumstances began to matter little by little.
He had spent vis just to hang on to Elaga’s back. You can’t believe you’re using your vis for something like this!
‘It would be better to just jump down and fight the monster.’
As soon as Asuka remembered that thought, Elaga suddenly stopped.
Asuka’s body seemed to fly forward. His hand clenched as if he were going to rip off Elaga’s fur.
‘Damn leopard!’
However, as soon as Asuka regained her balance, she felt something and her body stiffened.
I felt a dark and heavy magical energy.
It would be rare for a monster to reveal its presence by emitting this much magical energy in front of Ella.
Goosebumps rose up on my skin. A powerful enemy. It was felt by instinct before sense.
There was a tremor on the floor.
Passs.
Something huge came sauntering out from between the trees ahead.
The moment Asuka witnessed the sight of something, she was startled.
It was a tiger.
A huge body with shiny black stripes on its almost golden yellow fur.
Its sharp, pure white teeth seemed as if they would kill the prey in an instant.
Although they were said to be the same beast, it was different from Elaga. Those two eyes filled with such ferocity that your heart will stop as soon as you meet them in the dark.
This is exactly what I imagined the ruler of the forest area of Pahe would look like.
The guy stopped at a distance, as if on guard. He was the first to open his mouth.
[Isn’t this Ella? What’s going on in my territory?]
This is the first time I’ve heard a monster’s voice contain such blatant hostility.
They said it was fierce, but it was really full of fierce energy. Enough to make Ygrel feel docile.
‘You look just like a villain.’
Asuka slowly got down behind Elaga’s back. I wanted to avoid being exposed to that guy’s gaze.
But the guy had already noticed Asuka’s presence.
[What is the person who came with the moon? The barrier has been shaken recently. Is that a gift to me?]
Baharek made a sound as if he was laughing. A growling, throaty cry sounded creepy. Elaga responded harshly.
[No way. The only thing I will put in your mouth is dirt. I’m just passing by, so get out of the way. After you finish your business, go to the palanquin.]
‘Is this leopard just planning on fighting in the first place?’
Asuka looked at the back of Elaga’s head. Even though they came to someone else’s land, their tone of voice is quarrelsome.
But Elaga is a monster. He wasn’t the type of person to speak kindly to a guy who was weaker than him but was hostile towards him.
[Ella, are you looking down on me just because you killed Naho? How dare you set foot in my territory!]
Baharek showed his will to kill.
Baharek was subtle but stronger than Elaga. That was 4 years ago.
It was a small advantage, like Elaga being stronger than Naho. Tigers are usually stronger than leopards.
Baharek was used to that advantage. In other words, even though he felt that Elaga was stronger than him, he could not fully accept it.
Because he was a monster with awakened demonic nature, his ego was strong enough to overcome his instincts.
[I’m not looking down on you, but I’m just saying I have to pass by? I’ll stop by the west end and then go right away, so why don’t you just leave it alone? You won’t win anyway, so don’t meow for nothing.]
On the same feline topic, Elaga spoke of Baharek as if he were a cat.
Baharek’s eyes immediately turned bloodthirsty.
[The white cat that was crawling just four years ago!]
[Who is crawling? That’s why I didn’t deal with you because you had such a nasty temper. [On the subject of the yellow cat!]
Elaga seemed to be enraged when she heard the sound of a cat since she had treated her like a cat first. Perhaps it is an insult to call leopards and tigers “cats.”
Asuka was standing there feeling strange, when she suddenly heard Elaga’s voice.
[Hey, blue hair. Listen without opening your mouth. We’re almost there. Just go a little further from here. I’ll deal with that guy, so just run towards the barrier. Some monsters might appear on the way. You can handle that much, right?]
It seemed like it was a question, but it wasn’t a question. The moment when you have to do it no matter what.
Even Elaga does not know how strong the monsters that will appear in the future will be.
Baharek was still tolerant of other monsters living in his territory.
Although the forest is so thick that visibility is not secured, the energy of the sacred barrier is not yet felt.
Elaga’s standard of ‘just go a little further’ would not be the same as Asuka’s standard.
But there was no choice. If Elaga fights Baharek, the aftermath will be huge. Asuka had to get out of this place to avoid being disturbed.
‘Fortunately, I can guess the direction.’
Asuka nodded instead of answering.
Anyway, it was a good thing that I got off Elaga’s back. It was better to take risks while dealing with monsters.
[Okay then, just sneak off to the side and go. I will tie that guy up.]
As soon as Elaga finished speaking, Asuka moved her feet. As soon as he got a little far away, black magic energy bloomed from Elaga’s body.
A feeling reminiscent of a combat stance. Elaga said provocatively.
[How long are you going to keep your mouth shut?]
[Elaga.]
Baharek muttered his name as if he was chewing. I didn’t even care about insignificant humans anymore.
The land that Elaga is currently stepping on belongs to Baharek, and Elaga is an intruder who has invaded his territory.
That is ignoring Baharek, the ruler of this western region. They had to be punished.
[Yes, I was curious too. I wonder how strong you have become!]
Magic energy exploded from Baharek. The demon energy was so dark that the entire body looked black.
[It reminds me of that time, five years ago.] The
corner of Elaga’s mouth curved up. It was a smile as ferocious as Baharek’s.
About five years ago, Naho almost killed Helmut. Elaga, who arrived late, fought against Naho, tore him apart and took his core.
The winner at that time was Elaga. And it will certainly be so this time too. Because Elaga has become stronger than before.
‘I’ll finish it as quickly as possible.’
Elaga ordered arrogantly.
[Attack.]
Kwaaaang!
A ferocious roar shook the air.