"I think I'll be leaving now."
It was early in the morning when Alea said this to Helmut. There wasn't a need to pack his belongings yet, but he had started sorting things out a few days prior. Having only the essentials made it an easy task for him.
Alea asked,
"Are you leaving right away too?"
"I'll be leaving the dorm soon. I plan to visit Ethan before heading out of Baden in the afternoon."
He intended to have lunch with Ethan for one last time, test the artifact sent by the dean, and then prepare to leave Baden.
It would have been fine to travel together partway if they were headed in the same direction, but neither intended to share their plans with the other. It was something that shouldn't be done, the same went for Sian and Asuka.
The two, burdened with secrets, hesitated in silence, unsure of what to say as they wasted time.
Their gazes met. Staring into those purple eyes felt like a sharp pain in one part of his chest, almost as if his heart was aching.
Helmut was slowly realizing that this sensation wasn't due to Alea's magic.
Eventually, Alea, who had decided to leave first, broke the silence.
"If something happens, use the bracelet to call me. It's for one-time use, so don't summon me without a good reason."
"Alright."
"Have a good holiday."
With those simple words, he, or rather she, turned around. Thud. The door closed, and Helmut, who had been standing there for a while, began to move as well.
There was no time to laze around. Everyone would be leaving, but eventually, they would meet again in Baden, at Greta Academy.
Two months wasn't that much time. Helmut decided to look forward to the break.
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"Do you want me to avenge you?"
Helmut had once asked Darien this question. Darien's response was,
"No."
However, Darien clarified that he didn't teach Helmut the sword intending for him to die. Helmut accepted and agreed with this response.
Less than a year since that conversation, Helmut had changed. He regretted not asking more detailed questions, a time when he couldn't guess the underlying meanings without being told directly.
"If Darien wanted revenge, but couldn't ask me to do it because he was considering me."
Ethan believed Helmut should rightfully seek vengeance, not because of Darien's grudge but because it was the just thing to do.
Traitors must pay for their crimes. That was Ethan's idea of justice.
That also meant Darien didn't live a life that warranted betrayal.
"Darien said he wouldn't leave the Demonic Beast Forest because he'd have to seek revenge if he did."
Did that mean Darien was capable of revenge?
Helmut had no doubt he would eventually reach Darien's level, but he also knew he was far from it now.
"Still, I can start gathering information now. I can deal with it later."
Who were Darien's enemies? He needed to see them with his own eyes and judge. Were they truly deserving of death without regret?
If they were good people or had repented, then Darien, who didn't even want to kill those rearing humans in Demonic Beast Forest, wouldn't want revenge. Even those who committed evil acts might be worth sparing depending on the circumstances. Darien always considered the greater good.
"I don't have to do the same."
Helmut made this clear to himself. Since it concerned Darien, he would follow his wishes. But if they targeted him, he would eliminate them without hesitation.
Helmut didn't plan to investigate Darien right away. During the holiday, unable to hunt demons due to the influence of magic, he thought of earning money through quests or any means. He also planned to visit large countries like the Empire, which many students from Greta Academy belonged to.
However, Ethan's suggestion changed his plans.
"How about visiting the place where Darien lived?"
It was an unexpected proposal. Helmut tilted his head in thought.
"I heard there's a martial tournament happening there soon. The dean is giving you an artifact with appearance-altering magic for passing Stage 10. The dean is a remarkable magician. There's no doubting the effectiveness of his artifact. You could participate incognito."
The idea appealed to him. Helmut responded positively.
"That's a good idea."
"It would also be a good opportunity to test your skills. But..."
"You mean I shouldn't reveal my swordsmanship, right?"
Using Darien's swordsmanship in the place where he lived might increase the chance of someone recognizing it.
"Yes, but general swordsmanship should suffice. There's essentially no one at Greta Academy who could be a match for you. Isn't your body itching for a real challenge?"
There was one. Alea. However, Alea was an opponent Helmut couldn't face.
Although Alea, being a mage, might not match Helmut's combat prowess, Alea had cleared the 10th stage of the combat exam. He could be a more difficult opponent than Talon. A worthy sparring partner indeed.
Yet, even jokingly suggesting a duel to Alea was out of the question.
"Alea is off-limits."
It was rare for Helmut to consider someone a formidable yet untouchable opponent. But Alea was different. Somehow, that fact was accepted naturally.
Helmut made up his mind.
"I'll participate in the tournament."
Ethan didn't know who had betrayed Darien. He was unaware of any enemies Darien had, where he lived, or his social standing. What Ethan knew was merely the surface-level facts.
However, the information about the tournament being held was valuable. Helmut found a way to discreetly gather the information he desired without revealing his intentions.
Before leaving the dormitory, the last thing Helmut did was use the crystal given by Talon.
The crystal activated not so much by Vis but rather reacted to it. Soon, a voice emanated from the softly glowing crystal.
"Helmut. I didn't expect you to contact me so soon."
Expecting a minion or underling of the Black Hawk to answer, Helmut was surprised to find Talon himself on the line, speaking with a demeanor not unlike that of nobility. Unperturbed, Helmut asked directly.
"What information do you need?"
"The Kingdom of Basor, the capital city is about to host a fighting tournament. I want to know about the organizers and the power brokers of the country, significant events in Basor, the king, the royal family, and the major nobles. The more information, the better. I'd prefer it in detail."
Helmut clearly stated his destination and what he sought. Asking and listening, not trying to blindside with half-truths. Otherwise, attempting to conceal his tracks would only highlight them. Among many truths, his would be just one.
"Strengths, weaknesses, public opinion, policies enacted, personal tendencies, family relations. All of that?"
"Yes."
If Helmut asked for specific information, the Black Hawk might wonder why he needed it. By requesting broad information, he minimized the risk of being traced back to him. That was Helmut's strategy. After all, he couldn't fully trust these people.
'They'll think I'm participating in the Basor Kingdom's tournament.'
Even if they asked, he had no intention of confirming. Participating under his real name was not in his plans.
But Talon asked nothing, almost as if he had no particular interest in Helmut's actions.
"Alright. Are you heading straight to the Kingdom of Basor?"
"Yes."
"Then, where should I send the documents?"
"Leave them at the mercenary guild in the capital of Basor. I'll find them there."
The mercenary guild often served as a secure point for exchanging items.
Helmut had no intention of meeting with the Black Hawk face-to-face, revealing his disguised appearance. Since he had acquired a fine artifact from the dean, he intended to keep his identity concealed as much as possible.
Fortunately, the tournament allowed for participants to remain anonymous. It was designed to enable warriors from other countries to join freely.
"Fine. I'll contact you again once the documents are ready. Remember the password well. 'The eagle's claws never miss its prey.'"
Talon swiftly offered a password, realizing Helmut had no plans for a direct meeting. Helmut memorized it carefully.
"Got it."
"Then, as we discussed, I'll make the arrangements. If you need anything else, feel free to contact me."
Ending the conversation, Helmut felt a complex mix of emotions. He had always considered the Black Hawk—or Hawk Eye—as an enemy to be utterly destroyed.
Yet, Talon's straightforward and compliant handling of the matter somewhat endeared him to Helmut. His opinion might change.
'But I'll have to see the documents first.'
Ethan Cudro might be unaware, but Helmut knew who the traitor was. The plot to betray Sword Saint Darien Difer and cast him into the Demonic Beast Forest couldn't have been concocted by just anyone.
Only those in power could orchestrate such a deed. Talon's documents would surely contain information about them. Helmut planned to use this information to judge them preemptively.
'Maybe there will be a chance to confront them.'
Especially if he made a name for himself in the tournament. The Kingdom of Basor revered strong swordsmen. Standing out was something Helmut was confident in.
The Kingdom of Basor was a military powerhouse with numerous formidable swordsmen. Its knights were said to rival those of the Empire in grandeur.
The people of Basor adored strong swordsmen. From childhood, it was common for Basorians to engage in mock battles with wooden swords. For them, the sword was life.
It went without saying what kind of figure Darien Difer was in such a country.
'Striking from behind in such a nation.'
It wasn't something to be proudly disclosed. Even if Darien had plotted a rebellion, without a public trial, not even the king could dethrone Basor's symbolic hero.
Darien Difer vanished one day, and the reason remained undisclosed. Officially, he was missing.
Helmut wondered how much the Black Hawk knew about Darien. Whether they were aware that Darien had been betrayed and eliminated, not just sent to the Demonic Beast Forest. The documents might shed light on this.
The tournament in the capital was an annual event of the Kingdom of Basor. With it occurring during the holiday, students from the academies in Baden, especially the upperclassmen, often participated to test their skills.
Considering the possibility of being recognized, Helmut meticulously disguised himself. It wasn't overconfidence; Helmut was indeed a well-known figure in Greta Academy, mostly for being seen with Alea.
'This artifact is quite useful.'
Helmut examined the second bracelet on his wrist. Made by the dean, a magician of high renown, though not a grand mage. Its duration and effect were excellent.
He wouldn't have to worry about hiding his identity. The artifact was charged with enough magic to last up to three months.
After using the artifact, Helmut looked into the mirror and was satisfied with his changed appearance. Blond hair, blue eyes, a gentler demeanor. He was unrecognizably different.
He also didn't forget to wear the glasses he used last time to avoid Black Hawk's pursuit. His current appearance was far removed from Helmut of Greta Academy, almost a completely different person.
Helmut thought he looked a bit like Sian now.
'Not quite the look of a swordsman.'
While he didn't appear intimidating, it didn't matter. True strength was proven not by appearance but by skill.
However, Helmut would soon realize that the issue wasn't as simple as he thought.