The questions didn't stop there. It was a chance to uncover more about Helmut, the subject of much discussion in the swordsmanship department and a figure wrapped in mystery.
"Your parents? Why did your master raise you?"
"Stop there."
Helmut cut off Wesley's burgeoning curiosity with a firm response.
His parents were probably still alive, but he couldn't be certain, nor did he know who they were.
Wesley readily shared his purchase details.
"Alright, I paid 30,000 marks for this cloak. I bought it from the official store of the Vutan Commerce, so it would probably cost more in Baden, right? There are import costs to consider as well."
"30,000 marks, huh?"
"That's a bit pricey, but seems worth it."
Andro and a few other noble lads nodded. True to their noble upbringing, they seemed to have no concept of money. Asuka grumbled from the side.
"I thought I'd learn something new, but your lips are sealed tight."
Wesley raised the liquor bottle high.
"Anyway, let's just drink."
Helmut quickly emptied the small glass in front of him. A rush of heat surged up.
It felt like swallowing a ball of fire from his throat to his stomach. If he hadn't filled his stomach beforehand, it might have burned a hole through it.
'It's almost like poison.'
In the sense that it numbed the senses, it wasn't odd to consider it poison.
In the situation of being targeted by the Black Hawk, being drunk was not an option.
Helmut managed to dissipate the rising drunkenness without making it obvious.
Only he could protect himself. More than anyone, Helmut did not forget this fact.
"Ah, why is it so strong?"
Asuka, who was strong against alcohol, slapped his cheeks. He guzzled water to sober up, while the others seemed to have taken medicine, laying their heads on the table.
This was his chance. Helmut abruptly stood up.
"Where are you going?"
"To throw up."
"Come back safe."
Asuka looked disgusted but let Helmut go.
Freed, Helmut headed straight for his intended destination, the caretaker's quarters he had seen on the way into the campsite.
If anyone would know about anything unusual in the vicinity, it would be the caretaker.
The light was on at the quarters. Knock, knock. The door opened quickly.
"Ah, a student from the swordsmanship department? What brings you here?"
Being an academy frequented by nobles, the elderly caretaker was courteous. He was just two steps away.
"I wanted to ask something."
"Please, go ahead."
"I've been having trouble sleeping lately. I feel like something might happen at the campsite."
Helmut adapted the dialogue of academy students having nightmares or bad dreams. Of course, he had slept soundly the night before.
The caretaker laughed heartily. A calm expression. Usually, this would prompt a reaction like 'What kind of person is this? Am I a priest?' but he seemed unbothered, perhaps out of respect for dealing with nobility.
"Well, you might be a bit too sensitive. Living in Baden and spending a few days in this dark forest can make you feel that way."
"Has anything unusual happened around here recently? Like seeing someone or finding traces?"
"I'm not sure. The forest is mostly used by academy students, and during the semester, poachers don't show up. They'd get a harsh treatment if caught by the students. The fines for poaching in the Pedica Forest are hefty."
"I saw a trap on the way here. It seemed newly set."
"A good trap can look new even if it's old. Did you remove it?"
"When I went back to check, it was gone."
That should have made him flinch, but the caretaker answered calmly.
"That's curious. Maybe you saw wrong."
"I'm from the swordsmanship department. My eyesight is very good. And so is my mind."
"Maybe the magic department students played a prank. They cast strange magic in the forest. Even I get startled sometimes. It seems they wish this old caretaker would have a heart attack."
Helmut watched him laugh it off with a cold gaze.
"It didn't feel like magic."
"Well, maybe a quick poacher noticed his trap was found and retrieved it. It happens."
The caretaker emphasized his point. Helmut, who had been persistent in the conversation, closed his mouth.
It was a situation that could have made anyone frown, but the caretaker's responses and demeanor were relaxed yet businesslike.
However, there was an indescribably strange feeling to his responses.
"Then, it must have been my mistake."
"The forest is inherently dangerous. Maybe something dangerous has appeared from the mountains far away. That's beyond my control."
The caretaker shrugged.
"But as far as I know, nothing unusual has happened. Does that answer your question?"
"Yes."
Helmut quickly added.
"I'd prefer if you didn't mention this to the instructors."
"Of course."
A sensitive student had come to pester the caretaker. So, keep quiet. That was enough to interpret the situation.
As Helmut turned to leave, he suddenly asked.
"Oh, and one more thing."
"Please, ask."
"Do you know anything about the hunting competition's location or the areas for group activities tomorrow?"
"The academy students come here around the same time every year. It's no different this time. I showed the instructors the map of Pedica Forest and the records of past usage. It was decided based on that."
"Ah, I see."
"Take care."
Helmut turned and walked away. The door closed immediately behind him, hastily as if to shut him out. That sound called to Helmut's instincts, the predator's instinct to pursue prey.
Helmut stood still, his eyes sharpening.
'I don't have my beast with me. The caretaker is just an ordinary person.'
Just stretching out a hand to snap his neck would kill him. That weak, he could probably extract information through intimidation.
Suspicion arose. Should he restrain himself? A murderous thought crossed his mind.
But Helmut clenched his fist. He controlled the wild impulse within. He had to restrain himself.
He was a student of the Greta Academy swordsmanship department, with instructors and fellow students nearby.
'I've found out what I needed to know.'
Helmut moved his halted feet. He was bound by restrictions. There wasn't yet a reason to break those restrictions and act.