# 448
Helmut
Episode 448
“I don’t know what the high priest means. Are you trying to criticize and find fault? So, are we going to start a war again?”
Grand Duke Rinosa asked. It was a cold yet dignified tone.
As if reminding us of the defeat of the temple.
He came here for cooperation.
Because this is a crisis in the human world.
However, that did not mean that he approved of the temple’s atrocities.
It also does not mean that we will tolerate it in the future.
Charlotte struck sharply.
“The actions of the temple that invaded Rinosa and caused a loss of power for both sides were also beneficial to the Demon King. “I don’t think that’s what Lumen means.”
“How can the Grand Duchess judge Lumen’s will!”
“It doesn’t seem like the temple was cut very well.”
The atmosphere was like a sheet of thin ice.
The Crown Prince, worried that Levin, who was turning blue with anger, might ruin the board, opened his mouth.
“You think it’s something that’s going to happen someday. “If the Demon Lord is so powerful and dangerous, we must fight against him with all our might.”
Although they emphasized that they were the same human beings by mentioning ‘we’,
the temple’s momentum did not seem to be fading away.
“Is the power of not knowing if you will betray also power?”
High Priest Levina raised her voice. Although the situation was hopeless, it was important to distinguish between allies and enemies.
If you don’t have enough power and get hit in the back of the head, the situation will get more serious.
“I will not doubt the authenticity of my Grand Duke Rinosa. That Helmut doesn’t harbor any evil intentions. But yes. Do you think that your strong successor can be free from the devil’s control? Having a sprout of darkness means having demonic energy, and those who possess demonic energy obey the power of darkness!”
Levina spoke in a confident tone.
“He will go over to the devil and point his sword at you. Then, Grand Duke Rinosa, how will you protect yourself?”
“We will take sufficient measures. “And Helmut,”
the Archduke said with emphasis in his tone.
“I am ready to fight against the devil with my life.”
Yes, he definitely will.
As long as his reason and will are strong.
It was as if he would rather die than be ruled by the devil.
Levina’s spirit also softened due to that decisiveness.
I felt the other person’s resolve.
It was suitable as a comrade to fight together in war. Because the mindset of a temple approaching a temple has always been that way.
“This is the verification that Linosa wanted to do.”
Levina opened her mouth.
“Let’s try. “If your successor is truly free from the control of the sprout of darkness, he will be able to fight with peace of mind.”
It was as if there was nothing he could do about it.
If someone with that much power were to fight the Demon King, it would be an incredible feat.
“Good.”
Grand Duke Rinosa readily nodded.
“After the meeting, I have something to show you.”
It was not appropriate to talk here because a transaction was necessary.
Levina agreed with expectant eyes.
“yes.”
The meeting is not over yet.
“Realistically, wizards cannot be excluded.”
The crown prince looked around at the audience and said.
“They say they are also internally cracking down on those who might become warlocks. “I believe that they will do their best to protect the world they belong to rather than succumb to the temptation of the demonic spirit.”
High Priest Levina sighed deeply.
The reason she hit hard wasn’t simply because her emotions were heightened.
This is to raise awareness of the fact that a traitor may occur.
“I suspect that the reason the archmages appeared near the sacred barrier was to provide help to Prince Rinosa’s successor.”
When I thought back later, the timing was strange.
Being able to escape from the Forest of Pahe twice was once again a miracle.
Rather than saying that he created such a miracle alone, it is more correct to say that he had a powerful helper.
Although it was the temple’s achievement, the archmages had been quiet for so long, so if they were to come out in the open and confront them…
Levina had already made up in her mind what decision the temple should make.
Even if I don’t feel like it.
“They are the deeds of the temple, but if they actively cooperate in this matter, the blessing will be forgotten.”
Unlike Grand Duke Rinosa, who did not make a single movement, Charlotte’s eyes flinched in surprise.
I had no idea that the temple would suddenly change its stance like this.
‘Well, they… don’t want to be destroyed either.’
When the devil takes over the world, those who embrace the power of darkness will be able to survive.
But it was not a temple.
The victory of the Demon King means the annihilation of the temple. Because demonic energy and sacred power are powers that can never be mixed.
In any case, it saved the effort of persuasion.
The power of two archmages was extremely useful, and their power was desperately needed.
However, since they were the temple’s public servants, they had to persuade the temple.
It’s mind-boggling to hear these stubborn people so willingly say this.
“An archmage has a strong sense of self that prevents him from being controlled by demonic energy. But the wizards of the Wizards Association… we would like to verify on our side. “I interacted with the Magic Academy some time ago and studied ways to identify those who would become warlocks.”
Levina spoke in a much weaker tone.
“There are less than two months left until the sacred barrier collapses. “You have to choose your forces, separate out potential enemies, and devise a strategy.”
There is so little time left. Two months. The crown prince nodded.
“In that case, we should quickly gather representatives from each country. “We will have to discuss measures.”
“Fortunately, there is a simple solution. There are crystal spheres in temples in each country. Through that, you can communicate through video without having to gather in one place. “You just have to time it right.”
Levina added in a firm tone.
“That is why we have placed great importance on having temples in each country. “Only to stand against the power of darkness.”
It was a call to be heard from the empire that was destroying the existing temple and driving out the temple dwellers.
The crown prince did not bother to mention their tyranny.
The act of establishing their own kingdom in a country that already has a leader, which amounts to treason against the system.
For those who are already at odds to join hands, there must be concessions.
Also the flexibility to bury the past.
I showed you that at the temple that seemed as stubborn as an iron wall, so it’s time to show you this too.
“Archmage Heike and Antiol are researching the sacred barrier. “I will tell you the exact moment when the sacred barrier collapses.”
Charlotte opened her mouth.
Now there was no longer any need to hide their connection to Helmut.
High Priest Levina slowly closed her eyes and opened them.
“Now we have a strategy.”
What strategy will you use to deal with the devil?
The sacred barrier is a huge holy object containing the essence of Lumen.
Therefore, when the sacred barrier is broken, Lumen’s sacred power is lost.
Lumen cannot become angry and take the lead in attacking the Demon King like he did a thousand years ago.
Only high priests and paladins carrying holy relics can be mobilized. It would be difficult to fight head-on in such a situation.
It was something I had to think about from now on.
After some discussion, the first round of talks ended.
The place broke up and everyone left to do their own thing.
High Priest Levin and Grand Duke Rinosa moved together.
Charlotte was also about to follow him.
“Charlotte!”
Asuka, who had been watching the meeting mute the whole time, called out to her.
Charlotte, who was lost in complicated thoughts, greeted him with the same attitude as before.
“Asuka-senpai, it’s been a while since I saw you.”
“Where did the others go and you came alone?”
“I went to check out Pahe’s forest. “To find out what’s going on there.”
Asuka’s expression wasn’t good.
‘I’m trapped in the empire, but they only have fun with themselves.’
Asuka did not shy away from risks. And the sword is almost rusty.
“Aren’t those guys coming to the empire?”
“I contacted him after the meeting, so he will probably be here soon. He said he returned to Linosa after completing his exploration.”
I was nervous but also wanted to hear what results they got.
“Can I listen too?”
Asuka, who was Archduke Farnese’s legitimate daughter and had no other position, but was able to join the meeting, asked timidly.
I felt like I was cornered and had nothing to do.
“Of course.”
Charlotte kindly helped Asuka, who was being left out, get involved.
A lot had happened in the meantime, but they were still colleagues.
Everyone will gather in this empire.
The reinforcements that were not sent during the war between Rinosa and the Temple will now head elsewhere.
Toward the Forest of Pahe.
All causes and effects would come to an end there.
* * *
“What does it mean to show you?”
High Priests Levina and Romlo had followed Grand Duke Rinosa together.
The empire gave a building within the imperial palace to the Linosa people.
“It’s probably good news.”
Grand Duke Rinosa maintained an unreadable, blunt expression.
The moment they entered the room together, the priests’ eyes opened wide.
Levina screamed.
“High Priest Agato!”
In the middle of the room, there was a man sitting on a chair with both wrists shackled.
Although his body was uncomfortable, his clothes were clean and he seemed to have no other discomfort.
Levina held back the tears that threatened to spill and held her face with both hands.
“You’re alive… you’re alive.”
It was Agato, a long-time comrade.
Without him, the obligation to support the temple as the oldest high priest weighed so heavily on his shoulders.
“I’m sorry to see you like this. But I guess Lumen thought I still had work to do before I died.”
A smile appeared on Agato’s lips.
“It’s not like this… these shackles. Please release me quickly!”
High Priest Levina demanded to the Grand Duke. But the Archduke was cool.
“You can’t do that.”
“What are you talking about? He is the high priest of the temple and a major force….”
“Before that, there are documents that need to be signed at the temple.”
A black-winged knight who was guarding Agato came holding a piece of paper.
80 million marks. It was a piece of paper with an incredibly large amount of money written on it.
“What the heck.”
“This is compensation for the war and the release of prisoners. “I believe the temple can afford to pay.”
To begin with, there is no country as rich as the temple.
The ministers looked at the Archduke with bewildered eyes.
But they had no choice but to sign the document.
Because it was an official document written with the intention of simply signing the 80 million mark without any room for negotiation.
That was the end of their deal. The compensation will be delivered to Linosa within 10 days.
