Discussion Helck

Episode 15 was good. Helck promptly arrived at the demon lord's castle. He spotted some mannequins dressed to look like soldiers from the capital which was a bit spooky. He also sensed a great power an presumed it to be the demon lord, he thought who had managed to revive himself. However, it was Azudra. They had a brief fight, and Helck was dealing with the trees with his bare fists. When questioning why they keep sending monsters, Azudra explained they weren't and that they come from the land. He also said that Demon Lord Thord already should've explained that to the hero Cless. That's when Helck realized he wasn't the demon lord, and Azudra realised Helck wasn't Cless.

Azudra went on to explain about their own empire, and the castle being just one fraction of it. He also explained he was one of the four elites that rule and they have no intention of going to war with the humans. The increase in monster attacks are also a result of the castle falling, as it was an outpost to curb them. It previously had the ability to stop them spawning.

For hundreds of years, the humans have had the fake information spread that they're evil. Helck was touched to see the burial site Azudra created for those killed in the war. Helck also asked him if he bore a grudge, and while he was angry, he illustrated the demons stationed there knew the risks of their post. The reason why the demons haven't crushed the humans, is because they one day hope to reforge the friendship they once had with humans. They used to be allies, but with the rise and fall of various editions of the empire, this has been lost knowledge, and it seems someone intentionally fed lies.

Azudra believes that Thor would've dried offering peace to Cless, as he was the biggest pacifist, but something clearly went awry. Helck and Azudra reached and understanding and Helck hoped to change the people's mind.

When Helck returned to the capital, he saw the dire situation outside. He frantically rant to check on the mercenary friends, and was relieved to see them banged up, but ok. Turns out when things went south, the nobles shut the gate on them, so they had the fight of their lives and barely survived the monsters. It was requested Helck go to check on Alicia and Edil, who were fine, but in turmoil over it.

On his way over, Helck saw some demons hung up and being stoned to death. He tried to intervene, but the people also turned on him. The demons recognised Helck was virtuous, like the illustrated Cless to have been, and begged him to let Azudra know that among the humans, the power of the New World is lurking within. I presume this is to do with the king, or the awakened heroes.

Raphaed issues a warning doubling down that they're evil, and devious. He asks Helck to look at them, and their "true form". One of the demons warn him of Raphaed seemingly, so I guess he's involved. They turned into mindless monsters, and were killed by some masked warriors. They were blessed with the power of the heroes, like Cless. They are presumable prototype awakened. This is when Alicia and Edil come across the scene too.

Raphaed tells the people that the dangers of the monsters aren't over, and they need to kill all demons. He also shows the "secret weapon" those they have managed to forcefully awaken. With the awakened being put out to fight, the victims from the monster attacks dropped, and things improved in that regard. Even still, Helck couldn't think Azudra was lying to him, but he refrained from telling others.

One of the men got two tickets to a fancy restaurant and the group tried to make it so that Alicia and Helck would go alone. It's rather obvious she has feelings for Helck, but he's way too oblivious. They others were able to wrangle them together to go alone.

As they were getting ready, Zelgeon stopped by and asked for Helck's help.

 

Episode 16 was good. Zelgeon came warning that the kingdom will turn into something repugnant if they don't take action. Specifically, the warning is about the awakening power, and he believes that it'll destroy the country. Then new awakened warriors were all dangerous criminals that had committed serious crimes. They were frail and sick from being locked in prison for so long, but after the awakening, they completely transformed and grew extremely powerful, in a manner that shouldn't be possible.

Zelgeon reveals it's a spell that destroys the mind while granting power, making the person lose all sense of self and making them a puppet for the caster. The upper echelon of the kingdom plan to cast the spell on every citizen that isn't a member of nobility. They plan to then rebuild the kingdom solely for the nobility. They somehow plan to awaken everyone at the same time, which seems to have succeeded, based on the army in the current time. Zelgeon is also supposed to play a role, but he doesn't agree with it and there are several on his side.

The Great Sage Mikaros is the one who devised the entire plan. Raphaed is also on his side, which explains the whole interaction "warning" Helck of the demons. The entire elite seems to be in cahoots and agreement of the plan.

The plan devised to stop this disaster, is with how the spell works. The spell needs someone with a special power to act as the "key" for the spell caster, which invokes the spell and allows it to be used on other people. The caster is the king, and the "key" is Cless, although Cless isn't any the wiser, and they've been using him whilst he's unconscious and recovering. With both taken out, the plan falls to bits. Due to the king's heavy guard and uncertain whereabouts, they plan to go after Cless and take him away from the capital.

The reason Zelgeon came to Helck, is because Cless was the one to say if he ever needed help, there was no one more reliable and strong than Helck. Helck is in agreement with the plan, as is Alicia after overhearing everything. Edil also agreed to help. Helck tries to go it alone, but Alicia won't have any of it.

Making their move, they're able to take out a number of awakened and infiltrate the castle. They make it all the way to Cless, where Mikaros appears, revealing himself. Mikaros already picked up that Zelgeon wasn't a fan of his plan, so it's strange he didn't kill him earlier. I guess he thought it was of little consequence, which I suppose, was proven true. The other higher members of nobility that run the kingdom also confirm what Zelgeon said, trying to convince them it was good.

The king was present too. He commanded them to kneel, and they all did. The king also commanded them to slit their throats, and they were about to, until Helck intervened. Helck somehow resisted what is called the king's "divine tongue" I guess it allows him to forcefully command people to do what he says. Apparently it happened, because they view Helck as higher than the king. It looks like Mikaros is also aware of Helck's power, which makes it stranger he didn't try and assassinate him or something.

Mikaros' "plan" to deal with them is to use Cless. The King orders Cless to kill them all. It seems Cless has some dark power about him now too. His mind has also basically been wiped, so he's basically a puppet too now. Mikaros discovered Cless' special power when he healed him all of those years ago. A power he didn't think he'd find in a thousand years. The ability Cless has, is the ability to draw upon power from the other world, I suppose it means the place the New World Monsters are from. He had to develop Cless, as he was too weak and frail, which is why he had Cless trained and waited so long.

The hero slaying sword is the sword that Alicia's family passed down. She was able to basically shut Cless down by attacking him with it. Mikaros seemed to be terrified of it, and was quick to take it. He attacked Helck with it, which has caused a lot of pain, and seemed to have defeated Helck.

 

Episode 17 was good. Helck was able to barely pick himself up and tried to fight Makaros, but was too weak. Makaros as a precaution decided to kill Helck then and there to be done with it. Right before the fatal blow, Cless broke free, severed Makaros' hands and broke the hero slaying sword in two. He was intent on finishing things and he has been put down, if not outright killed.

The king started to command Cless to kill them, before Cless threw the sword into his head. Only, for it to do nothing and the King issued the full command. Cless unable to resist completely, picked up the broken off blade of the hero slaying sword, apologised to Helck for only causing him trouble, and stabbed himself in the neck.

Helck was beyond furious, especially after they started calling Cless trash, and other such names. He was intent on slaughtering them all, and started tapping into that power Cless had. The nobles were all terrified, and even the awakened soldiers couldn't move. Unfortunately, even his friends couldn't move, and actually were being negatively affected, so they begged him to stop. In the end, Alisha held him which stopped the power. This is when Helck basically passed out while they faught the awakened and managed to get him to safety.

Helck woke up in a cave with the broken sword and some basic supplies. He doesn't have a great memory of what went on. When he had some interaction with some unsavoury idiots that tried to kill him for his bounty, this triggered his memory a bit of his friends fighting to keep him safe, while he couldn't move. Helck blames himself for not being able to to anything then. Apparently, the others are still alive and in prison while waiting public execution.

 

Episode 18 was good. Everyone is after Helck, the hero slayer. I feel like they're after the bounty more than any form of supposed justice. Helck is absolutely trekking it back to the capital, while fighting off wave after wave of enemies, including some awakened heroes. During the fighting, he has some flashes of memories of his friends fighting hard to keep him safe. It's why he's so determined to not give up, and save them in turn. One of the defeated awakened kills himself, to start over.

In the capital, Alicia is strong up being stoned almost to death, like the demons had been previously. They're all relishing in her suffering. The noble in charge of the execution asked if she wanted to beg for her life, and indicated he'd spare her if she became his slave, but she refused. Right when the execution is about to behead her, he stops. The execution can't shake the feeling of fear he has. This is when Helck finally arrives on the scene and saves Alicia.

Helck plans to take her to the demon continent, far away as they are likely going to treat them better than the humans. Alicia agrees to go with. This is when Raphaed arrives as it starts to snow. Raphaed admits to have underestimated Helck's strength, and Helck vows to take down those that stand in his way, showing no mercy. Helck succeeded, only for Raphaed to ominously declare he has further anguish in store, and that he never should've come back.

Turns out the snow isn't snow, but the magic which turns people into the awakened heroes. This transformation is playing out on everyone in the capital except Helck. Even Alicia is affected and Helck can't do a thing. Even running doesn't help. Alicia begs Helck to kill her, but he can't bare to do it. Helck insists that he'll fight her as many time s as necessary. Alicia fears that as they all look alike, when transformed Helck will never know it's her, but Helck insists due to their time together, he'll always know. Alicia's final request to Helck is to always continue smiling, even when fighting her as the enemy, and Helck agrees. It closes out with Helck cradling her as she transforms.

 

Episode 19 was good. Vermilio "knew" Helck was lying about something, just not that it would be the smile. Even as Helck was leaving, Raphaed continued to insult him, calling him cruel to not be able to kill Alicia. Helck is, or was, determined to find a way to reverse things. Helck was shocked to see the transformed Zelgeon having completely given into the power, and have his personality be rewritten.

Vermilio questioned why Helck never confronted and put an end to the King. Given his power, even up against a large amount of them, she believes he'd have been able to at least take the King out. Helck actually tried to do that, but killing the King doesn't resolve the issue. Killing the King would just leave everyone going berserk and rampage. They need to King's power so there is some level of order. It also turned out that Mikaros was still alive. From what Mikaros said, he's live a very long time, and Helck is by far the person able to tap the deepest into that power that he's seen. In some fucked up turn of events, Mikaros has managed to keep Cless "alive" if you can even call it that. He's basically just a head keeping things going. Mikaros regrets not killing Helck when he had the chance. After Helck injured him by hacking his side off, he used Cless' power to teleport Helck to the demon realm.

Vermilio was touched by Helck's explanation on things. With Helck viewing it as his duty to bring an end to it, Vermilio wanted him to stop fighting and let the demon kin finish things. After Helck arrived and wandered around aimlessly, Kenros was the one to find him and take him to his home to help him out. That made Helck very happy there were good people with families and friends. Helck's journey has just given him more new people as reasons to fight, to keep them safe. Helck also reveals that when awakened humans are killed, they can revive. Helck's view is, due to being human, he's obligated to end things, even at the cost of his life. With Helck's rage sometimes being too strong to keep under control, he wants Vermilio to kill him if he goes out of control and is a danger to people. He intended to give the hero slaying sword to Azudra, one of the four elite lords, but has decided on "Anne". This is when "Anne" finally comes clean and reveals that she's Vermilio, one of the four elite lords and accepts the request. However, in exchange, she wants Helck to promise to not fight with the fear of death, but the drive and hunger for life. She also encourages him that he's not alone and after it's over, he will have a home in the empire, and is always welcome there.

As they continue on, unaware a search and rescue team is looking for them, or the sole survivor, they catch a train. After that, they ran into some giant monster and slayed it. The chief of the village ahead warned them to turn back, and wouldn't listen when they revealed they slayed the monster. Luckily, the other villagers found it, and then a celebration ensued. During their dinner is when the search and rescue team's Harpey finally found them. She presented Vermilio with a letter from Azudra. The message from Azudra, has them already incorporated into their plans. They are to travel to the southern part of the human realm, instead of the empire.

 

Episode 20 was good. We cut back to see the demons fighting against the awakened humans. The demons are still clapping the absolute shit out of them. Hyura was warned to capture her opponent and not kill him, but when s he was about to take action, another awakened killed him. He vowed again to defeat her next time, which has just been repeated over and over.

So Helck and Vermilio are the plan A of Azudra, but the other demon lord candidates are viable replacements if they either take too long to get back or aren't found. Their plan is currently to convince them they're weakening and can't strike back to get them to let their guard down, boosting the chances of succeeding with plan A. Azudra has been sensing a strange presence, that seems to be human. I wonder who it is? Could be Mikaros.

I'm a little confused why Azudra is bringing up someone being able to defeat Demon Lord Urum, I thought Helck had already told him about his brother being the one to do it? Using this "unknown" he's reasoning there must be at least one other human aside from Helck with enough power to pose a threat to them. He also finds it odd the way the awakened throw themselves at them, despite their immortality.

We then switch over to Asta, their spy. She's been snooping around and has remaind undetected. It's pretty funny she keeps using spy gatches which are basically useless with her own innate abilities. She was almost caught a few times, but managed to keep hidden thus far. She even came across what is left of Cless.

In Asta's pursuit of escape, she entered a higher open window, which landed her right in front of Shalamy, which actually has me a little shocked. I guess she must be the only other human alive, aside from Mikaros and Rafaed. It seems she has no idea about anything, and just thinks the others have left to somewhere far away. She has very much enjoyed Asta's company, seeing as she is isolated in her room constantly. Asta enjoys a nice meal with her too. This is when Asta touches base with her sister, Azudra and the others.

 

Episode 21 was good. Helck and Vermilio have been escorted towards their destination. The others will report back to Azudra about their status. Vermilio realizes that humans have become a real menace now and a war is approaching.

The assault between the winged knights and army lead by the Southern Area Demon Lord Shin, of the 15 demon lords has commenced. The winged knights have 30,000 monsters approaching the demons, including some New World life forms from the south. They also have 50,000 from the north west approaching. They have ancient magic that can generate hordes of those monsters. How ironic, the very thing in life they feared and accused the demons of, is what they're using. So, it turns out that Mikaros is capable of using magic to summon New World life forms. He was the one to kill Demon Lord Urum and Demon Lord Thor. It seems that Azudra has come to the battlefield leading reinforcements to the assault against the winged knights. This has actually been the plan of the winged knights, to leave the other castle unguarded by a Demon Lord.

At Castle Thor, Mikaros is making easy work of things without an Elite Lord. Dorsche was there, but was handily defeated. Hyura also gave it her best, and actually injured Mikaros several times, catching him off guard. He has regeneration though, and more stamina than her, leaving him in a more favourable position for a battle of attrition. Edil ended up showing up, which actually worked in Hyura's favour. Makes you wonder if he's not playing the other side. He convinced Mikaros that he'd handle Hyura, so Mikaros went on.

When Mikaros finally got to his target, the crystal, this is when it was revealed to be a trap. The other Azudra was a decoy, and the real one has been here to confront Mikaros. Azudra actually seems to have Mikaros outmatched. Flinging some New World magic back to him, finally did damage to Mikaros. It's finally revealed that Mikaros is about 1500 years old. There were 10 human empires and the great empire of the dwelling dragon. It seems that the human empires fouht the dwelling dragon empire, I'm assuming the latter is of demon origin. Mikaros really was terrified of Azudra back then, as he was basically death incarnate on the battlefield to his enemies. Mikaros was just a lowly soldier in one such battle, and barely managed to survive out of cowardice. In the process of being alive, he managed to acclimate with the poison of the demon realm, gained immortality and his abilities. Mikaros' goal is to destroy the world and create a "new world". Apparently the demons have always been the one fighting this, but "nature intends" this. Now Azudra has resolved to kill Mikaros over imprisoning him.

 

Episode 22 was good. Edil seems to be gaining some semblance of his human self as he continues to fight Hyura. He's a bit tsundere with her.

Back with Asta and Shalamy , Shalamy had me too when she said she was actually the King. She did say she knew where he w as and would lead Asta to her, in exchange she just wanted to be taken with her, to meet up again with her friends, including Cless and Helck. As Astra was being led Shalamy, she ended up showing Asta her ability. It seems she's the person that cast the "snow" which spread the powers.

It seems that Shalamy is confused, and likely being controlled by the king. She had no idea where they were and wondered were Asta was leading her, only for Asta to be confused as Shalamy was the one leading them both. She did remember after Asta pointed it out. Shalamy did figure something was wrong, as the path taken isn't one she'd usually take.

They ended up in the King's throne room where the King controlled Shalamy to try and kill Asta. Asta dodged the attacks, and Rafaed intervened, actually scolding the "fallen king" for using his powers on Shalamy, it seems Rafaed might be the one truly in control, or the King fears him. Asta was captured, but seems like she's not dead for now.

The battle between Mikaros and Azudra continued a little. Mikaros was cornered, so he severed the link between the winged knights and the king, which had all of them transform into the mindless beasts, basically New World Lifeforms. Edil was the sole exception seemingly, who retained his control and saved Hyura. He has at this point broken free from the King's control. Azudra is planning on using the Dibvivne Tree's power to combat the thousands of transformed humans while he orders the retreat of all people to save as many lives as possible.

Hyura and Edil have actually gained some weird friendship, almost seeming like romantic feelings for each other. Mikaros having spotted them, teleported to attack Hyura but Edil countered him. His true target was Edil, who he tried to mind break with a spell. Mikaros ended up even worse off, but was able to end up affecting Edil enough that he lost control and transformed even further. The transformed Edil ended up attacking Azudra, and it seems like most likely Azudra is now dead. All hope rests on Helck, basically.

 

Episode 23 was good. Harpey wanted to be helpful to Vermilio and so wanted to do guard duty, but was orderd to rest as she'd be scouting ahead the next day. Helck and Vermilio fought over who was going to do guard duty, so Helck decided to make some hot cocoa. If they don't take breaks, they'll arrive at the small camp in two or three days. Helck and Vermilio's role is to actually take out the king, and then take out all of the mutated people as a result. Vermilio reassures Helck he's not alone, and her magic is built for taking on large groups.

The group preparing for the arrival of Helck and Vermilio was attacked by winged knights that happened to spot them while advancing. Roufe managed to make it to Helck and Vermilio to tell them about the base's annihilation. Rafaed is the one leading them, searching for Helck. He's offered to take out Helck, and has brought Alicia too, in hopes of crushing Helck's spirit and thoughts of fighting back. Helck remains the largest threat to their plans, and Mikaros revealed himself back before Helck teleported to get some blood from him to use it in a spell to track him.

The showdown between Helck and Vermilio vs Rafaed and the winged knights has been going fine, but now that Alicia has appeared it may go to shit.

 

Episode 24 was good. Vermilio continues her fight with Rafaed and Helck goes to confront Alicia. Helck's power starts coming out and the other normal winged knights start being overwhelmed by it and immobilised. Alicia finally moved on the attack with her sword, only for Helck to catch her blow. Helck unmasked Alicia and was happy to finally find her again, as she feared he wouldn't. Vermilio finally realised how terrible it is for Helck. Having to fight and kill every one of his loved ones. It's the bad feeling she's been having about it, not putting herself in Helck's shoes. Especially considering Helck never puts himself first.

When Helck was going to strike and finish of Alicia, Vermilio called out for him to stop. She made up her mind instead to save all of the humans. Her words touched Helck, and he as very grateful. Rafaed tried to speak about Vermilio being full of it, but she just shut him down. Rafaed tried to also dissuade her by revealing Azudra's death, but she basically just shrugged it off, because she's been told a lot before about his death, but he always manages to crawl back. Sure enough, Azudra is just bandaged up recovering now. Vermilio's new idea is to seek any possible help from Azudra to save the humans.

For whatever reason, Rafaed ended up just pilling back. That battle ended and Vermilio sent a letter to Azudra with her plan, and he's happy to try and accomplish it.