Chapter 13
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: The Front Lines
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*A demon has infiltrated the Intelligence Bureau.*
Galahad rolled the acrid thought around in his mind.
On the surface, it was just a demon infiltrating a safe house in the North—
*But it could never be that simple.*
Always assume the worst. A memorable quote from one of Galahad’s seniors. That same senior, ironically, had failed to heed his own advice and met a rather unfortunate end.
*Since when has the North’s intelligence been compromised?*
The demons could have had a hand in the friction between the Grand Duke and the Empire.
After all, the information the Empire received was produced by the Intelligence Bureau.
To track them down—
*I’ll have to compare the Intelligence Bureau’s reports on the North with the reality on the ground.*
If they’d tampered with it, they must have left a trail.
*Tap, tap.* Galahad drummed his fingers out of habit.
“Why are you sitting in the driver’s seat, anyway? It’s cramped.”
“Can’t smoke my cigarettes inside, can I?”
“Why not? You smoked just fine on the way here.”
“Damian’s in there now.”
“You smoked in the tavern without any issue, didn’t you?”
“Is a tavern the same as a sealed carriage?”
Gilberton furrowed his brow. He opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it.
Galahad clicked his tongue softly and flicked the ash from his cigarette.
Just then, a cold wind brushed against his face.
“Damn cold.”
This was beyond a biting wind; it felt like an axe. He was lucky he’d gotten a coat before they left. Otherwise, he would have had to burn through all his mana just to stay warm.
“This is the North, after all.”
Gilberton snapped the reins. The four horses snorted roughly. Snow, piled thick beneath their hooves, flew up in violent clumps.
The surroundings were a stark mix of white and black. The white was snow, and the black was the earth beneath it.
“The ground is black?”
“It turns black where demon blood has touched it.”
“Hmm, is it related to the mana in demon blood?”
“What are you on about? Speak Imperial, please.”
“You’re quite ignorant. A fine knight.”
Gilberton turned his head away slightly. Galahad once again sank back into his thoughts.
Demons and mana, Adrianna’s mana-burning properties—
Both were maddeningly fascinating.
“...What are you planning to do?”
Gilberton’s question broke his reverie.
“What do you mean?”
“The resistance will be worse at the front lines.”
“For a genius, resistance is destiny.”
Gilberton’s eyes narrowed. He seemed to think it was a joke. Galahad smiled bitterly.
First, once he arrived at the front lines, the most important thing to do was—
*Study Adrianna.*
Compared to Adrianna’s importance, the demons were nothing.
The most important thing right now was Adrianna.
He wasn’t sure how long they’d been riding.
An unexpected sight greeted Galahad.
“Didn’t you say we were going to the front lines?”
“Yes, that is the front. The command headquarters, to be precise.”
“How is that a front line? Isn’t that a city?”
Countless houses were packed tightly together. Tower-like structures were interspersed among them.
It was larger and more populated than the Grand Duke’s castle. How could that possibly be called a front line?
“Most of the troops are stationed at the front, so people have gathered around them. And as you can see—”
Gilberton turned the reins. The horses snorted again.
“It has developed.”
The scale was too large to be summed up with a simple, *ta-da, it has developed*.
“Isn’t it dangerous being so close to the front?”
“If they break through here, it’s dangerous no matter where you are in the North.”
Hmm. Galahad nodded. That made sense. Still, was it really feasible?
Just then, a group of soldiers came into view. The one at the front wore a peculiar outfit. The leather of his coat was thick, but it was neither wolfskin nor bearskin.
“That’s a coat made from demonic beast hide.”
“Demonic beast?”
“Yes. Demonic beasts are a type of demon. They take the form of wild animals and lack intelligence. Their hides are thick enough to block demon attacks, so we use them for coats and armor at the front.”
Armor made from the hide of a demonic beast. For a mage like Galahad, that was not welcome news.
A soldier approached. Upon seeing Gilberton, he saluted loudly, his face filled with respect.
“And this person is…”
The soldier’s gaze shifted to Galahad.
“The name’s Galahad. The man who will be Adrianna’s husband.”
The soldier’s expression changed in an instant. He looked as if he’d just heard someone insult his parents. He ran back and shouted something. The atmosphere soured.
“Why are you cracking your knuckles?”
“I’ve found that a single bolt of lightning is more effective than a hundred words.”
“...Absolutely not.”
Just as his fingers began to itch, the carriage was allowed through.
Galahad frowned as he entered the fortress city.
It was noisy everywhere. Taverns dotted the streets, and men were brawling in front of them. People gathered in circles, tossing coins and placing bets. In one corner, someone was chasing a thief, shouting about a pickpocket.
It was as if there was no law. Or perhaps they had killed it.
Just then, a horse snorted violently. Saliva from its mouth splattered onto a man on the roadside.
“Which son of a bitch—!”
Gilberton casually kicked the man who charged at them.
The man tumbled into the half-melted snow. A moment later, he got up, brushed himself off, and went on his way.
“Welcome to the Northern Front.”
Gilberton said with a smile, wiping blood from his boot.
***
Galahad and Gilberton dropped Gwen, Damian, and Tom off at Gilberton's house before heading to the command headquarters.
The headquarters was unusually crowded with soldiers and carriages. Even the carriages of each battalion were present.
It was proof that the battalion commanders had gathered.
“Looks like they’re in a major meeting.”
“Major meeting?”
“A meeting for the commanders. It’s not the scheduled time for a regular assembly, so something must have happened.”
“So we’re late.”
Gilberton chuckled at Galahad’s joke.
Galahad was stopped right at the entrance.
“Unauthorized personnel are not permitted to enter.”
A burly soldier said, gesturing at Galahad. The reason given was that they had no information about him.
It was impossible that the headquarters hadn’t received a report yet. This was blatant obstruction. *How childish.* Gilberton frowned.
It was, in its own way, an effective obstruction.
The problem was that their target was Galahad.
As expected, Galahad showed no signs of backing down. If Galahad got involved, things would surely escalate. So Gilberton stepped forward first.
“This is Lord Galahad, commander of the Special Task Force. If he is unable to attend this meeting, will you take responsibility?”
“The name Galahad is not on the invitation list. In fact, I’ve never even heard that name.”
The soldier’s response was perfectly by the book.
After a moment of hesitation, Gilberton subtly gripped the hilt of his sword. Galahad stopped him.
“That’s enough. You’re a fine knight. Stick to the sword; I’ll handle the thinking.”
Galahad stepped forward.
“You don’t know me? Didn’t you frown the moment you heard my name?”
The soldier pressed his lips together and averted his gaze.
“Hmm, did you receive an order from above? Not to let anyone named Galahad pass.”
“I received no such order.”
“You’re not very good at lying.”
Galahad tapped his cigarette. The falling ash slightly melted the piled-up snow.
“Attend me!”
Galahad bellowed, holding out a document. It was a paper stamped with the Grand Duke’s seal. Galahad’s fingers cleverly obscured the part that read ‘Conscription Order.’
Startled by the loud voice, other soldiers rushed over, their faces pale.
“An important meeting is in session! Lower your voice!”
“Now, here is a document from His Grace the Grand Duke. All of you, kneel and listen.”
Galahad presented the document with confidence. The sight of the Grand Duke’s seal made the soldiers’ faces twitch.
“Please wait just a moment. I will report to my superiors.”
A soldier who appeared to be a senior officer stepped forward. His expression made it clear he was only pretending he would report it.
“Is there someone inside of higher rank than His Grace the Grand Duke?”
“...Pardon?”
“To stop me, who has received a direct order from His Grace the Grand Duke, there must be someone of higher rank inside! Is His Majesty the Emperor here? I had no idea!”
The soldier, startled by the mention of the Emperor, shook his head.
“N-no, sir! He is not.”
“I see. Then with what nerve do you dare obstruct me, who acts on the Grand Duke’s command?”
Galahad spoke in a low voice. His tone was always relaxed and calm, but it carried a strange power.
The soldiers exchanged hurried glances. As Galahad took a step forward, they parted to let him pass.
Galahad walked through the gap they created as if it were his due.
“Wasn’t that the Special Task Force conscription order?”
“I did say that. They’re the ones who decided to step aside.”
“Ah, I see.”
It was a shameless excuse, but Gilberton nodded.
“Do you know where the meeting is being held?”
“It’s over there.”
As Gilberton led the way, he suddenly realized the corners of his mouth had turned up into a smile.
Gilberton quickly forced it down.
***
“Recently, a large number of demonic beasts have descended near the fortress walls. Four watchtowers under the 4th Battalion’s jurisdiction have been overrun. The beasts, which normally return to their territory quickly, have instead occupied the area around the watchtowers and are not moving.”
“...It seems Galahad has arrived.”
Mark, commander of the 5th Battalion, nodded at his adjutant’s report.
The other commanders were also receiving reports. Only Adrianna, the person most concerned, remained silent.
Her subordinate must have intercepted the news. The excessive loyalty of the 1st Battalion’s men to Adrianna was well known.
Besides, Adrianna wasn’t the type to care about trivial matters. The only thing that held her interest was the Demon Race.
“But why isn’t he coming to the meeting?”
“The soldiers are blocking him, apparently.”
“Blocking him? What in the—”
Just then, he saw the commander of the 6th Battalion smirking.
*That idiot is at it again.*
A wave of disgust washed over him at the foolish act. Their target was someone sent by the Imperial family. Were they mad, stopping him like this?
Mark scratched his cheek irritably. As he started to rise, his adjutant, Lumian, grabbed him.
“Where are you going?”
“I have to bring him in. He was sent by the Imperial family. And he’s to be Adrianna’s husband.”
“Your relationship with the other commanders is already poor. Are you planning to completely alienate them?”
Mark scowled at Lumian’s rebuke.
“So you’re saying I should just watch as we turn away someone sent by the Imperial family?”
Mark pushed Lumian's hand away and stood up. The gazes of all the commanders fixed on him.
Mark smirked and headed for the door. The moment he grasped the handle, the meeting room door swung open violently.
*I didn’t open it that hard.*
Just then, he met the eyes of the man standing on the other side.
It was a young man with a sharp look and neatly styled hair. His eyes were unnaturally deep for his age, giving him a strange aura. He could have passed for a young man or a middle-aged one.
Behind the man, pale-faced soldiers were visible.
From his refined appearance, so out of place in the North, Mark knew this man was Galahad.
“Thank you for opening the door. Would you mind stepping aside?”
At the man’s polite request, Mark stepped aside with a bewildered expression.
“A pleasure to meet you all. I am Galahad, commander of the Special Task Force. My apologies for being late. The road was blocked, you see.”
The man who had opened the door and entered greeted them with confidence.
A sharp tension filled the air. The commanders’ faces hardened.
“We are in the middle of a major meeting.”
The commander of the 6th Battalion said in a thick, fleshy voice.
“I’m aware. Didn’t I just apologize for being late? Don’t be so harsh.”
Galahad’s voice was full of ease. His informal speech was remarkably natural.
“Sit down.”
Just as the atmosphere was about to turn hostile, Adrianna spoke in a monotonous voice.
“It’s been a while, my lady.”
Galahad sat down next to Adrianna as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Adrianna gave a slight nod.
“...Contrary to our concerns, the demonic beasts have returned to their territory. In the process, two watchtowers were destroyed and are no longer usable. This is a rather unusual phenomenon, and a detailed investigation is required.”
The 4th Battalion commander continued his report.
Galahad raised his right hand. All eyes turned to him again.
“I arrived late and missed it. Could you explain again?”
The answer came from a different person.
“More demonic beasts than usual came over the walls. And they didn’t return to their territory right away.”
Adrianna explained calmly. For a moment, the meeting room fell silent.
The face of the man standing behind Adrianna flushed with anger. His hand was on the hilt of his sword.
“Lingering before returning is strange. Is it possible they installed something around the watchtowers?”
“Demonic beasts lack the intelligence for that, so it’s unlikely. Still, it’s worth checking.”
It was a plausible theory, so the other commanders nodded in agreement.
“The 4th Battalion currently has no spare troops for watchtower restoration. We will need support to conduct that kind of search.”
The 4th Battalion commander said with a frown. Demonic beasts were treated much like wild animals. He was indirectly saying they didn’t have the luxury to investigate them.
“The other battalions don’t have the manpower, do they?”
The 6th Battalion commander said in a spiteful tone, his gaze fixed on Galahad.
Telling the newcomer to the front to investigate demonic beasts—it was a clear provocation. The other commanders clicked their tongues softly.
As if oblivious to their intentions, Galahad nodded. He even seemed to welcome the idea.
“Then the Special Task Force will take it. However, since I’m not yet familiar with our duties here, I’d appreciate it if someone could provide support.”
Just as Mark was about to raise his hand at Galahad's words—
“I’ll go with you. It’s on my way back.”
Adrianna said in her monotonous voice.
The once-noisy meeting room became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
***
*Flash!*
*N-no...*
At the image of lightning that flashed in her mind again, Gwen squeezed her eyes shut.
The broom in her hand fell, knocking over a bucket of water.
Water spilled, instantly making a mess of the floor, but Gwen didn’t even notice.
Her mind was focused on one thing.
[Divine Punishment.]
The magic Galahad had shown her kept flickering before her eyes.
She saw it even with her eyes closed, and it haunted her in her sleep.
It was so bad that she hadn’t been able to offer a single word of encouragement or a funny joke to her juniors, Damian and Tom, on the way here.
*No, magic is a curse. A curse that has driven my life into this corner.*
It was magic that had tormented her her entire life. If Gwen used magic, the children she cherished would surely be put in danger.
She could never use it. It was for the sake of those lovely children who depended on her.
But then why—
*Why does it keep appearing before my eyes!*
Every time she thought of it, her heart pounded. It beat so fast she worried it might burst.
She tried desperately to ignore it, but the more she did, the more vivid it became.
At this rate, maybe I should just—
*Use it and get it over with?*
Gwen whispered the sweet thought to herself, then shook her head.
She had to endure. For her children—
She could endure.
***
Tom, who had come upstairs to call for Gwen, froze in his tracks.
Tom had only ever called Gwen his senior half-jokingly. Galahad had also called her senior in jest, and besides, she wasn't a soldier, just a regular maid.
However, her heart was foolishly kind, and she took good care of him as her junior, so he followed her without complaint.
And that same Gwen was now sweeping with lightning wreathed around her body.
It was clearly the same magic Galahad had used.
*She’s cleaning while covered in that stuff? Why? Was she a mage?*
Questions aside, Tom’s posture instinctively straightened.
“Ah, junior Tom, I’ll take care of cleaning upstairs! You can go down and rest!”
“...Yes, ma’am! As you command!”
Tom quickly bowed low.
As he walked back down the stairs, Tom squeezed his eyes shut.
*Just a maid, she said...*
A murderous kid, a mage maid, the knight Gilberton, and the most mysterious commander of all—
Tom seriously wondered if he really belonged here.
Unfortunately for Tom, he had no choice in the matter.