# 409
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409
While they were sharing the joy of victory, someone entered the waiting room.
The right arm of Archduke Rinosa, wearing black armor. He bowed his head towards Helmut without hesitation.
“This is Alonso, Commander of the Black Wing Knights. “His Majesty the Archduke is waiting.”
That sharp yet strong face was familiar to me.
However, the situation was completely different from four years ago when he was wary of Helmut.
Now Helmut was also someone he had to protect. As a member of the Grand Duke family of Rinosa and the successor to the Grand Duke who will inherit Rinosa in the future.
Area smiled and pushed his back.
“Come back.”
“Is this your first reunion with your father? “His Royal Highness, Prince Rinosa, is probably not as old-fashioned as my father.”
Asuka grinned.
“Try to talk carefully. “Unlike me, you seem to be a very likable child.”
[Your father looked like you. I liked it.]
It was a white cat nodding its head and making sounds that were strange to say it was affectionate.
“then.”
Helmut greeted them and followed Alonso.
Outside the door stood the members of the Black Wing Knights who had followed Alonso.
As soon as they saw Helmut, they bowed their heads politely. The change in their attitude was quite unfamiliar.
Four years ago, Helmut was a guest in Linosa, but at the same time, he was a stranger and an object of caution.
“Please go.”
As he walked, Helmut felt a strange feeling.
My heart was beating somewhere between excitement and tension. Like walking into an unfamiliar world.
‘The father of the Grand Duke of Rinosa….’
Father. It was an unfamiliar word. From the moment he was born until now, even as he left the Forest of Pahe and searched for his mother, Helmut had never clearly recognized his father.
Is it because of my personality of focusing on one thing?
If my desire for my origins is focused on my mother, my thoughts about my father may be blurred.
Helmut had a being called Elaga, and since Elaga was male, he may have been taking his father’s place.
‘No, if you say it’s a reason.’
It was probably because he was a distant being. Before this martial arts meeting, Helmut had never heard his father’s voice even once in his life.
It was his mother who was present at every moment of abandonment and betrayal.
Even when Helmut was abandoned in the Forest of Pahe as a newborn, Archduke Linosa, who would have decided on his disposition at that time, did not look into him.
I don’t know if it was because I was afraid that my heart would be shaken, or because I had already decided to throw it away and thought it wasn’t worth it.
Anyway, Grand Duke Linosa was an extremely cold-hearted monarch.
I still couldn’t completely believe that he had raised his hand.
Helmut rechecked the sword at his waist.
‘If you do something foolish, I will cut you down.’
Because it was such an unfamiliar entity, it was easy to decide to commit adultery.
While following Alonso in silence, Helmut suddenly opened his mouth.
“What happened to that paladin?”
“They put him in prison. His disposition has not yet been decided.”
They said it was a disposition, but even if it were decided, it wouldn’t be a big deal.
The only crime that could be applied was, at most, insulting Grand Duke Linosa and raising his voice in front of the emperor.
I didn’t know if they could even apply the crime of insulting the imperial family if done well.
However, even if applied, it would not be able to actually punish.
The temples had immunity and still maintained their authority.
Also, he was a paladin who was even said to be the first sword of Lumen. If he is detained, there will be a fierce protest from the temple.
“It will be difficult to hold him back for long.”
Helmut warned.
It wasn’t just because of the temple. The Holy Sword is a weapon that only the chosen can touch.
A soldier was carried away as he tried to touch the holy sword that the Servant had taken away and was wearing at his waist.
He was imprisoned with his entire body handcuffed and chained, holding the holy sword.
In that situation, he would get out of there as soon as his body recovered enough to use the power of the holy sword.
Although he was defeated by Helmut, he was stronger than the Black Wing Knights in front of him.
Also, since he has the holy sword, there must be a way to track his location in the temple.
“I am aware of it.”
Before they knew it, they had reached their destination.
The door opened and Helmut entered a room with a heavy atmosphere.
The Grand Duke of Rinosa was waiting for him there. A man whose appearance alone seems to overwhelm the majesty of a monarch.
And she too.
‘mother.’
Grand Duchess Magritte of Linosa. The moment Helmut met her gaze, her pupils fluttered.
As she sat on the sofa, her complexion was as pale as lead.
She, who had always maintained a dignified attitude as the Grand Duchess, was no longer calm or calm.
Magritte was more agitated than Helmut had ever seen him. Fearing the punishment that will fall on him.
That would be a fitting appearance for a sinner.
“Did you call me?”
Helmut opened his mouth to the Archduke.
The Archduke slowly turned around. Eyes of the same color met. One could not be said to be light or dark. It could not be said that one side was deep or shallow.
The eyes are similar yet very different, as if each ocean exists.
They looked like twins, but the gap in time was clear.
The Archduke suddenly asked a question.
“Are you ready to carry Renosa?”
Again, there were no warm greetings or kind words toward my son.
What existed between them was a cold bargain.
For Helmut, it was actually more pleasant.
Because affection betrays, but need does not betray.
And since it was a moment that required a ‘yes’ answer, Helmut answered.
“yes.”
Unlike Charlotte or Michael, he did not live his life to shoulder Linosa.
Because it was not a duty reserved for him.
But what can’t be done? I have done things that were even more difficult than that and were said to be close to impossible.
‘I was already prepared.’
However, even Helmut had to agonize before making that decision.
Because I knew that the burden would never be light.
But once I had decided, I had no intention of turning back.
Everyone changes to fit that mold. Just as he learned about humans at the academy and became a human.
Helmut will become a worthy successor to Linosa.
“There is a seed of darkness in you. “That is true.”
Helmut answered clearly.
“Speak to the temple. That the sprouts of darkness no longer have any influence on me. “They were wrong, and what they did to me 20 years ago was ultimately nothing more than a slander against Linosa’s lineage.”
The Archduke’s eyes narrowed. As if checking the truth of words.
Helmut was going to shatter the temple’s cause. The reason they sent Helmut to the Forest of Pahe was because Helmut had a seed of darkness that would one day go crazy.
But if Helmut doesn’t go crazy, if the sprout of darkness is just a controllable factor.
The temple sacrificed innocent people due to the uncertain risk that it might cause mania.
And if one of those innocent people were to become the successor of a country, this becomes a serious problem.
A problem that shakes trust in the temple from its roots.
“Is there any way to prove it?”
“there is.”
Instead of asking about the method, the Archduke changed the topic.
“Unlike Charlotte and Michael, you did not grow up in Rinosa and were not educated as a member of the Grand Duchy. If you want to be recognized easily, you need people to support you. When I return to Rinosa, I will pursue your engagement. “Let’s find a suitable partner.”
Helmut’s eyebrows twitched. He obviously knows that Helmut has a lover, but is he engaged?
‘It’s a test.’
Helmut said with a cold expression.
“In case you’ve forgotten, I saved you.”
There was nothing that Helmut, who had saved the life of Archduke Rinosa, could not do.
Helmut’s expression and voice clearly showed his uncompromising feelings.
It was an answer that was obvious, but was fully aware that Area might be eavesdropping.
If you don’t answer well here, you’ll be in big trouble. That was a bit scary.
The Archduke’s voice fell low.
“The fact that you saved me is a blessing that will never be experienced again by Rinosa. However, it is also a different matter from what is appropriate as a successor to Mr. Rinosa.”
Just as the Crown Prince had once done to Asuka, Grand Duke Rinosa was telling her to exhaust the opportunity to demand repayment in other ways.
No, this was a warning.
Helmut’s promise to be Linosa’s successor was not light, but it was also not impossible.
If Helmut proves unfit to be his successor, Archduke Linosa will not hesitate to do so at any time.
A warning to remind you of that.
The corners of Helmut’s mouth lifted fiercely.
“Is the family motto of the Grand Duke of Rinosa a betrayal?”
The Grand Duchess, who had been silent, raised her head.
“Is it a right for a successor to betray a lover who risked his life to save someone who abandoned his own blood relatives from the Forest of Pahe?”
Even in the face of explicit criticism, the Archduke did not even raise an eyebrow and came forward without hesitation.
“You said you would carry Renosa.”
“Caring for Linosa means protecting Linosa’s honor. It is honor not to betray your trust. “Just as your daughter and my sister Charlotte did.”
It was unclear what kind of expression Grand Duchess Linosa made when she heard those words. Helmut’s gaze was directed at the Archduke.
However, it was clearly visible that Grand Duke Rinosa’s eyes were shaking.
Because he could not once again deny his proud daughter Charlotte, whom the Archduke himself had affirmed.
A scolding fell from the Archduke.
“You are trying to take the unfavorable path instead of taking the advantageous path.”
“It’s not important whether it’s advantageous or disadvantageous. There’s only one path I can choose, so I just follow that path.”
In the first place, it was impossible to even weigh the position of Grand Duke of Rinosa and Area.
“If you thought I would obey your will, you were greatly mistaken. “The qualifications were not given to you, but were earned by me.”
Helmut’s black eyes glowed coldly.
“Don’t test me.”
