A volume fully dedicated to Helck’s backstory is proof that it is a vital piece of this story. As we have the perspective of the Demons. We get to see how Helck & Azudra meet for the first time. Vermilio mentioned it before, but as Azudra said, the monsters attacking have nothing to do with demons. Despite so many stories of how demons are evil and manipulative. That belief is ingrained into the humans, so it is interesting for Helck to learn. Funny enough, Thor was the biggest pacifist in the empire. It explains why Azudra was trusting of Helck because sometimes having an honest conversation can speak volumes of someone’s character.
Of course, with everything Azudra said, there is much more to be concerned with. What exactly happened when Cless encountered Demon Lord Thor? The situation in the capital is just getting worse. Demons are berated in public, which only serves to give a lash out to the citizens anger. Of course we see the warriors with the hero’s power awakened within them. Of course this should have been a big red flag.
Zeruzeon comes to Helck for help as the awakened warriors have lost their minds. Could this be in relation to the Winged Soldiers that we see in the present? Also, Zeru and Edil we know, are part of them. So we know something quite terrible is bound to happen. Nobles have been shown to be awful, but to turn everyone but nobles into puppets is sickening. Still, isn’t the idea of nobles that they feel superior to commoners? Essentially you would have a division of new nobles who are better off than the lower nobles. Something feels fishy.
Master Mikaros devised the plan. It’s clear that this isn’t something that can just change. The key, though, is the king and Cless. At the very least, it seems Zeru has a good friendship with Cless from what is presented to us. Which is why he goes to Helck for help. Of course Mikaros knew that Helck would be in his way. Still, Helck isn’t bound to the words of the King but even frees his allies. What is Helck & Cless’s family origin? Tough forcing Helck to fight his brother is just cruel.
Alicia’s hero slayer makes a big impact in the fight. As we have seen, Helck and Cless are powerful as true awakened heroes. The Hero Slayer gets Cless to snap out of it, but Mikaros abilities seem extraordinarily strong. Still, Cless does snap out of it, but the King still gives orders even after he gets stabbed. Even more suspicion on both Raphaed & Mikaros. Is the king just a puppet too at this point? The fact that it leads Cless to killing himself is just brutal, and you can understand the pain that Helck feels in the present.
The darkness inside Helck has been an important topic in this story. We saw a bit of anger when Vermilio & Piwi were being targeted last volume. That doesn’t compare to the rage that Helck feels after his brother is now killed. His hatred of the nobles is completely justified, but he feels like a true monster. Alicia helps him snap out of it, but even then that takes far too much out of him. Which is a reminder that the darkness with Helck isn’t a concern of what he does around him, but also to himself.
Helck wakes up, and he runs to his allies, and that is Alicia’s execution date. It is clear as day that the nobles have everything wrapped underneath their pinkie. As they have now gotten them to redirect their anger at the very people who protected them. Still, the plan to take away Helck’s allies to lead him to despair is cruel. But Raphaed’s plans even go further than that. He plans to turn all humans into weapons for the King. Though this differs from what Zeru mentioned, was that a ploy?
Still a heartbreaking farewell between Helck & Alicia as she is forced to be awakened. The words she tells to Helck are to keep smiling, as she loves his smile. Which is why, in the present, Helck is almost always smiling despite the intense pain he is in. It is that which puts off Vermilio because he acts like a nice guy, but his smile hides his true emotions. It is important to remember Azudra’s conversation with Helck happened before all of this intense pain occurred, so it is clear that his impression of Helck will differ from Vermilio’s first impression. Still, what does Vermilio do now, learning all of this?