Episode 10

**In Pursuit of a Map** (地図を求めて, *Chizu o Motomete*) is the tenth episode of the Helck Anime series.

## Summary

Stoically standing before the newly transformed Tothman King, Helck deftly dodges the Tothman King's explosive punch, who launches more punches onto the ground. The attacks caused smoke and wind to stir, prompting Vermilio to ask the Erille solider to take the Erille Princess to safety. She then attacks the Tothman King with a fireball, which blows off his left arm, but immediately regenerates it. As Vermilio analyzes the situation, she then spots Helck standing firmly from the clearing dust, who claims he'll release him from his torment. With one punch, Helck blows off the Tothman King's right arm, and before he can land another blow, Vermilio stops him, claiming the Tothman King was done for. Immediately, Tothman King's body starts to crumble, and he states that the pleasant feeling he was experiencing was amazing. Once the Tothman King died, Vermilio contemplates how the king could have gained such power if it wasn't natural. Vermilio and Helck were then approached by a few Tothman soldiers and expected to fight them; however, they merely thanked them and went on their way.

From the city, Vermilio and Helck saw a glowing light emanating from the Erille Country. When they arrived there, the residents were engulfed in light and reverted back to their true forms. Bowing in thanks to their savors, the Erille Princess asks for their names, and although Helck was reluctant to give it, Piwi gives it for them, much to Vermilo's dismay as they call her "Annie".

After a night of celebration, Vermilo and the group head west to reach one of the nearby kingdoms, hoping to purchase a map. However, they soon meet a traveler for directions, and he informs them that both nearby kingdoms had fallen by warring with each other. The traveler suggests heading toward a nearby town for more information, and Vermilo's group heads there.

In the town, Vermilo watches a bard sing a song about someone named Augis from afar. Helck then spots a map seller, and when they ask for a map of their destination, he charges an exorbitant price with a currency they don't have on hand. Hence, they sell the crystals given to them by the Erille Kingdom, but they receive only half of the amount they need. Considering how they can earn the remainder, someone announces that a cooking contest will be held, and the amount would help them earn the total amount they need.

Vermilo then demands that Helck enter the contest and win; however, Helck is reluctant to as the locals may not like his cooking style, and he should at least try something made by them. Before the sign-up deadline ends, Vermilo has Helck enter it, and at that moment, a local cooking celebrity named Ajikaba the Contest Sweeper signs up. It's then that two more famous chefs Moonmi the Mild Taste and Tougi the Spicy Sauce. The crowd also mentions that the head judge Ryo Ridon is also famous in his own right.

The contest theme was a one-pot meal, and helping Helck was Vermilio. While the contestants prepared their respective meals, the audience and the other contestants were impressed by how Helck prepared his dish. Vermilio then informs them all that Helck's cooking allowed him to pass the first round of the New Demon Lord contest. The revelation inspires the hot-blooded Ajikaba, who hopes to surmount the hurdle before him.

Meanwhile, Piwi stands by the bard in the town center and sings along with her song. Once the bard was finished, Piwi talked with the bard and informed her that he purchased food to help Helck for the contest he was in, but got lost. In light of that, the bard offers to help Piwi locate Helck, which he is thankful for.

Returning to the cooking contest, it ended, and the judge taste-tested all the dishes and, in the end, Helck one. A despondent Ajikaba was so depressed that he nearly quit cooking, but walked back on that notion after Helck praised his cooking. As a show of his gratitude, Ajikaba gives Helck his personal cookbook and departs. Piwi then regroups with them and was dejected to learn that his endeavor was unnecessary because they won the contest.

Vermilo and the others then revisit the map seller and buy the map from him. Learning that their destination was in the northeast, they had planned to continue onward, but were given a piece of advice from the map seller to avoid that direction. Then, the bard chimes in and claims that the "Warrior of Darkness" roams the area.

## Characters

* Helck
* Tothman King
* Vermilio
* Erille Princess
* Piwi
* Elise
* Augis (Mentioned)
* Ajikaba
* Moonmi
* Touga
* Ryo Ridon