Richard Aurius Helsing.
The story of the duke himself regarding his son was not a particularly complicated one.
It was a tragedy.
However, it wasn’t a severe tragedy.
In Geladridion, it was one of the few tragedies that could be considered happy.
Of course, even so, a wound is still a wound. The fact that it was common or relatively happy did nothing to lessen the weight of the tragedy.
Emotional wounds are personal, and Aslan didn’t bother nitpicking about them.
Richard Aurius Helsing, the runaway youth whom Aslan had to bring back at all costs, traced his maternal lineage to the Mountain Kingdom—a land of towering mountains, rugged people, and widespread ancient imperial technology.
A people who preferred duels over intrigue and war over political strife.
Duke Helsing married someone from such a people.
The duke did not speak about the marriage life that followed. Whether he didn’t want to recall it or deemed it unnecessary, no one knew.
But one thing was certain: he hadn’t entirely disliked that marriage life.
He said this with a look tinged with faint nostalgia.
He mentioned losing his wife due to a brief setback in a feud with a now-extinct family.
Beside the assassinated wife’s corpse, there was a son.
Afterward, Richard kept his distance from the duke.
He distanced himself from power, from the Vida Kingdom, and from his father.
Instead, he grew closer to the Varmanz.
He got magical tattoos, learned how to handle axes and other weapons widely used by the Varmanz, and acquired skills for surviving in the wild.
They worshipped great mountains and favored duels and wars over intrigues or political struggles.
At this point, the duke chuckled and said:
“Me and my son only resemble each other in face and height. Even if placed side by side, he wouldn’t look like my son.”
“He rejected the heir position, wandered around, and became a disciple of I’taar.”
Five years passed. The duke then decided to bring back his estranged son.
And the reason wasn’t something hard to understand.
“I know it might seem strange… but when I saw the priest you defeated, I thought. Such incidents can definitely happen again. My blue blood doesn’t guarantee my safety.”
Aslan seemed unsure of how to respond to these words, so the duke shook his head with a twisted smirk.
It was a gesture indicating he didn’t need comfort or reassurance.
He simply said:
“I fear the disappearance of our family and the erasure of our history.”
“That’s why I want you to bring Richard back.”
“If you do, I’ll do anything. I’ll even sever ties with the Vida Kingdom—something no one else among our allies would dare to do.”
Aslan found the duke’s demeanor unfamiliar.
The Helsing duke, always adept at information warfare, cunning, and meticulous in games, was showing a vulnerable side.
Strangely uncomfortable yet unable to refuse the request.
It was indeed impossible to bring in the Vida Kingdom without Duke Helsing, and Aslan wasn’t heartless enough to tell someone like him “no.”
With a firm promise to carry out the task, the conversation ended. Two days later, Aslan was in the town of Seini.
The view upon entering the town gave an impression of prosperity, nestled between a lake and a forest.
Moreover, as they explored the town, it became clear that Seini wasn’t merely affluent but also steeped in history.
There were ruins hundreds of years old on the outskirts, and ancient walls belonging to Belus Castle surrounded the town.
Clearly, Seini was an ancient town.
Its founding predated the Helsing family’s legendary tale of driving away hill giants with songs.
I’taar wasn’t originally from Seini Town, but he had lived there for fifty years.
Even in Geladridion, where priests and monsters abound, and elves or Greens live longer than humans, fifty years was a long time.
I’taar had become part of the town.
The townsfolk didn’t bother offering directions to find him.
“This village must surely be rife with dragon prejudice; they ignore someone as handsome as me!”
Ignoring the first sarcastic comment from Tiamat,
“The scales aren’t entirely wrong. Even Phey, the cute elf, couldn’t get anyone to tell her.”
“…Scales? This elder is Tiamat…”
“Hush. Phey said it.”
Phey’s case was special.
Despite appearing as a young girl, which usually made information gathering easier, no information came back.
This implied three possibilities: either there were already many such individuals in the town, their caution was unexpectedly high, or both.
When Ereta spoke up, Aslan understood it was both.
“Same here. They stared so intensely that I had to leave. I’m a guest after all!”
“I encountered similar situations. Instead of providing information, they warned me against potential dangers.”
“I just asked three times, and they tried to hit me, so I struck first.”
Listening to his companions report similar news, Aslan thought it was expected.
While he had asked them to gather information just in case, it seemed consistent with the game events’ context.
‘They didn’t reveal it in the game either. Even though it said he lived there for forty years, it was the same… Now, after fifty years, it’s likely even more intense.’
Concluding his thoughts, Aslan stood up.
It didn’t matter much whether he heard it directly or not since Aslan already guessed where I’taar was.
As the group’s gazes followed Aslan rising, he casually said,
“Well, there’s nothing we can do. Let’s go see him directly.”
The group looked puzzled. Hadn’t they started the investigation precisely to find his location?
Aslan smiled softly without bothering to explain. The group, having seen his inexplicable judgment calls multiple times, reacted differently but quietly followed.
The reason for starting with reconnaissance rather than going straight was simple: to avoid arousing suspicion from I’taar.
To make him aware that they were searching for him.
So, the lack of results wasn’t meaningless. At least, Aslan thought so as he led the group.
Their destination was the Seini Forest.
*
Seini Forest lay near Seini Town.
An lush woodland abundant with flora and a lake, exuding a pastoral atmosphere.
Yet, Seini Forest was far from being a magical realm.
As the group moved in a straight line toward I’taar’s residence, the occasional sounds of fleeing wildlife echoed through the peaceful woods.
In such a forest, there was nothing threatening under normal circumstances.
“Kid.”
Phey grabbed his hand, and Tiamat whispered low. Aslan glanced at the two who had noticed the tail before him and nodded slightly, signaling to ignore it.
Of course, it didn’t last long.
Crunch!
The sound of a twig snapping. Startled, whoever it was hurriedly tried to hide.
Frowning at the sound, Aslan turned slightly, while Ereta and Lumel glanced back briefly, suppressing laughter.
“Aslan… um… someone seems to be following us…”
Even Angie, who was less perceptive, noticed, leading Aslan to realize the pursuer had no prior experience in tailing.
‘It can’t be I’taar.’
I’taar was a seasoned veteran who had mastered combat and lived well over fifty years. It was unlikely such a figure would tail so clumsily, making it easy to deduce the identity of the pursuer.
‘It must be Richard.’
Thinking it was actually a good turn of events, Aslan pretended not to notice and continued walking. Despite the group occasionally looking back, Richard persisted in trailing them.
As the group approached the center of Seini Forest, the presence that had been following them finally revealed itself.
“Hold it right there!”
The voice shouted as a young man dressed in Varmanz attire emerged.
‘Varmanz attire, hair, Varmanz magical tattoos.’
Long brown hair tied in a high knot, with red-tinged magical tattoos spreading from the corners of his eyes across his cheeks and forehead—an appearance that almost proclaimed his Varmanz heritage.
Coupled with clothing made of furs and what appeared to be monster scales, he looked unmistakably Varmanz.
Upon seeing him, Aslan was certain this young man was Richard Aurius Helsing, the duke’s son.
Everything until this point was as expected.
The Varmanz attire, the magical tattoos—all of it.
That he would come after inquiries in the village were also anticipated.
What was unexpected was Richard’s skill level.
“Aslan.”
“I know.”
Tiamat’s quiet call met with Aslan’s acknowledgment.
It wasn’t just them who had noticed.
Excluding Angie, who couldn’t gauge others’ abilities, the rest of the group had recognized Richard’s prowess and belatedly raised their guard.
Contrasting sharply with his novice-level tailing skills, Richard’s combat abilities were genuine.
His posture and physique, partially concealed by his bulky clothing, betrayed his capabilities.
Aslan glanced sideways at his companions before stepping forward.
“Are you Richard Aurius Helsing?”
On hearing the question, Richard’s eyebrows rose in surprise.
“Did you come looking for me? Not your master? That’s somewhat fortunate. At least it won’t be those monstrous brats, so I won’t have to soil my hands with blood.”
At the mention of “monsters,” Aslan’s expression darkened, prompting Richard to crack his neck.
“I’ve told you repeatedly—I’m not going back. I’ll follow in my master’s footsteps. If you insist on taking me, you’ll have to knock me out and drag me along.”
Stretching his stiff neck, Richard stepped forward. With each step, dry leaves crunched beneath his feet. He pointed at Tiamat.
“Who’s the one over there who seems to throw punches? You, big guy?”
Not expecting to be called out, Tiamat snorted.
Truthfully, Tiamat was the weakest in close combat among the group.
Snorting, Tiamat tapped the ground with his tail and said,
“This elder doesn’t engage in barbaric fistfights. I’m a civilized person who shoots arrows.”
“Civilized?” Tiamat’s half-naked state contradicted the word.
Richard tilted his head, seemingly amused, while Aslan observed the young man’s stance silently before stepping forward.
“It’s me. I’ll take care of it.”
“Oh, you? Hmm, you look strong, but aren’t you the type who uses swords?”
Richard eyed the twin blades at Aslan’s waist and back before smirking and adding,
“Though, it doesn’t matter whether you use them or not. I’ll win anyway.”
The smirk carried the arrogance of a superior.
Soon, Richard assumed a fighting stance—legs spread, body lowered, fists raised.
“In any case, I can’t promise not to hurt you.”
Taking the stance, Richard waited, inviting Aslan to make the first move. Watching this arrogance, Aslan couldn’t help but smile.
It had been a long time since someone underestimated his abilities so blatantly.
Most opponents recognized him as a combat expert and raised their guards accordingly.
Of course, Aslan wasn’t letting his guard down just because of an attitude he hadn’t seen in a while.
He was always serious.
“Don’t worry. There won’t be time for that.”
Thus, Aslan replied and closed his eyes.
“Save.”
With the muttered command, the world paused. In the monochrome world that enveloped everything, only Aslan’s senses remained vividly alive.
Aslan aimed for a decisive victory.
To overpower completely, demonstrate the difference in strength, and gain an advantage in recruiting I’taar. That was the purpose of this foresight.
Though prolonged use left undesirable effects, brief usage was manageable.
Therefore, Aslan clenched his fists, exhaled, and opened his eyes within the expanded foresight.
Not a student of a combat master but a warrior who had reached the highest level in both martial arts and battle tactics.
It wouldn’t be difficult.
Thus, he closed the distance as if on a leisurely stroll. Each step crushed leaves, filling the silent forest with sound, and the wind brushing past Aslan stirred Steamfalos’ wings.
Aslan sought a counterattack. To intercept incoming attacks, create confusion with quick strikes, seize the opportunity, and pin the opponent to the ground.
And his plan was correct.
Against a regular opponent, it would have worked flawlessly, even against an armed one, allowing for a successful subjugation.
The problem, however, was not Aslan but Richard.
Richard’s skill surpassed Aslan’s expectations.
Aslan realized this immediately after their clash.
The moment Aslan caught Richard’s first attack, Richard countered with two rapid kicks, closing the gap.
When Aslan closed the distance after blocking the kicks and unleashed a flurry of attacks, Richard naturally blocked them and retaliated.
When Aslan attempted to seize Richard amidst his own counterattacks, Richard instantly closed the distance, nullified Aslan’s attempt to pin him, and instead tried to pin Aslan.
Ultimately, Aslan had to break free and create distance.
Creating distance and realizing his plan had failed, Aslan frowned in puzzlement even within the foresight.
‘So this isn’t the work of a combat master?’
Richard’s martial arts were superior to any opponent Aslan had faced before.
[!– Slider main container –]
