Chapter 32
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Competent
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“······Where did you say you’re going?”
“Your speech has gotten rather blunt, Sir Gilberton.”
Ahem, Gilberton let out a small, dry cough.
“Where did you say you were going?”
“The Miasmic Realm.”
“You’re insane. Do you have any idea what that place is like?”
“Do you take me for you? It’s the Miasmic Realm, so it must be where the demons live.”
Gilberton bit back the curse that was about to erupt.
To say the Miasmic Realm was dangerous was an understatement.
Even within the 1st Battalion, only Adrianna’s direct subordinates were permitted to enter the Miasmic Realm.
The moment one stepped into the Miasmic Realm, the air grew so thick it was hard to breathe.
For a mage to accompany them to such a dangerous place was unprecedented.
Even though Galahad had already killed two demons—.
‘Come to think of it, he’s pretty good at killing demons, isn’t he?’
Galahad was better at killing demons than most knights.
“It should be fine, then.”
Gilberton nodded.
“I think so too.”
“Did Lady Adrianna give her permission? She’s usually as sharp as a blade when it comes to the Miasmic Realm.”
“She said it was fine. It’s our first date.”
Gilberton snorted at Galahad’s joke.
A date in the Miasmic Realm. Surely, not even Galahad would say something like that—.
“······Did she really say that?”
“She was too shy to admit it, insisting it wasn’t. I asked Tom to pack us some food.”
Gilberton opened his mouth to say something, then pressed it shut. It wasn't like the man would listen anyway.
“You won’t be able to eat there anyway. It’s full of ash.”
“Ash? I saw Adrianna clearing it away yesterday.”
“That’s true, but…. Captain, what do you take Lady Adrianna for? No, never mind. Don’t answer that.”
Gilberton hastily shook his head. Hearing something blasphemous would only be a loss for him.
“Well then, let’s get going.”
Gilberton grabbed his sword without another word. Galahad picked up the bundle Tom had prepared.
It was before sunrise, the darkest hour.
When they arrived, the preparations were already complete. They had timed their arrival for sunrise, but it felt as if they were late.
“Sir Gilberton must have woken up late.”
“What are you—.”
“It’s alright. We just finished our preparations a bit early.”
Adrianna said nonchalantly. The atmosphere from the men behind her was the same as ever.
“What is that?”
Adrianna asked, pointing to the bundle in Galahad’s hand.
“Lunch.”
“It will be difficult to eat anything inside. There’s too much ash.”
“I’ll stick close to you while I eat, so it’ll be fine.”
“······Yes, I understand.”
Adrianna gestured. The preparations were quickly finished.
The others stepped aside.
“It seems Lady Adrianna chose the less aggressive members out of consideration for you, Captain.”
Gilberton said, gesturing to the remaining men.
‘Those guys?’
Their eyes were certainly softer than that woman Mardian’s. Still, an unsettling air lingered about them—.
The total party size, including Galahad’s group, was ten.
The sun had not yet risen, but soldiers and knights were already out and standing in formation.
Bwoooo—. The sound of a horn pushed back the darkness. Thump, thump, the beat of a drum shook the ground. The soldiers offered a powerful salute.
“We’re moving out.”
Adrianna took the lead. Galahad was right behind her. The other knights formed a circle around him, as if to guard him. Gilberton blended in among them with practiced ease.
Bwooooo—!! The horn blew again, its sound deep and resonant. The heavy darkness began to recede. Thump, thump. The drumbeat echoed like a heartbeat.
“Raise it!”
A knight shouted. Soldiers cracked their whips, and an ox let out a long cry. Pulleys screamed as they turned. Iron bars lifted one by one.
Soon, the castle gate was revealed. It scraped roughly against the ground as it opened.
Through the open gate, a smoke made of ash reached out like a hand.
Facing it head-on felt different.
“How thrilling.”
“You can still turn back.”
Adrianna said, looking back at Galahad. The knights around them snickered.
Judging by the sneers etched on the knights’ faces, they seemed to think Galahad was afraid.
‘Afraid—.’
It was something only those who knew nothing of mages would say.
The blood of demons contained condensed mana. The strange powers they wielded seemed to be the very origin of magic.
There was a reason people said magic was the filth of the demon race.
Therefore, for a mage to enter the Miasmic Realm was akin to a priest visiting a holy land.
This trembling was not born of fear.
“I’m trembling with anticipation.”
Adrianna’s eyebrow rose slightly at Galahad’s reply.
“Isn’t this our first date?”
“······I told you it is not.”
Adrianna’s eyes widened slightly. Galahad chuckled at her cold denial.
Jokes really didn’t work on this woman.
Thump, thump—! The drumbeat echoed once more.
The gate swung wide open. Smoke billowed out, revealing the blackened, rotten earth beyond—. It was like a gate to hell.
“Stay behind me.”
“I’m counting on you.”
Adrianna nodded and moved forward.
The thick ash receded as if in fear of Adrianna. The blackened, rotten earth clung to their feet. The stench of rotten eggs filled the air.
They had officially entered the Miasmic Realm.
The knights who had been glaring at Galahad just moments before now focused on their surroundings. The tension was palpable. Gilberton, too, wore a serious expression.
‘So this is the Miasmic Realm.’
Instead of tension, Galahad felt a deep sense of interest.
What he was most curious about was the mana density here. The North already had a high concentration of mana, but what would it be like in this place where demons resided—.
Galahad snapped his fingers, but no mana arrow formed. The mana had dispersed midway.
‘This mana density is absurd.’
Galahad was quietly impressed.
They had only passed through a single wall, yet the density had increased dramatically.
‘This is the Miasmic Realm—.’
To manifest magic, the caster’s mana density had to be greater than that of their surroundings.
This was because mana flows from low concentration to high. If a caster’s mana density was lower than their surroundings, the mana would dissipate, and the spell would fail. Just like what had happened now.
To use magic in an environment with this level of mana density, ordinary mana compression was not enough.
Most mages wouldn’t even dream of casting a spell here.
The mana density was just that high.
However, Galahad was not most mages.
Furthermore, he had the highly concentrated mana given to him by the Egg of Pain.
Adjusting the density, he snapped his fingers, and a mana arrow appeared. Thanks to the high concentration, even a simple mana arrow had a significant presence.
‘Excellent. I’m glad I came.’
Galahad smiled in satisfaction.
“Are you alright?”
“Never better.”
Galahad beamed at Adrianna.
Adrianna frowned for a moment before nodding.
“All bravado—.”
A knight sneered, but Galahad was in too good a mood to care.
Just then, a thunderous cry echoed from somewhere.
“It’s coming.”
Adrianna drew her sword.
A brilliant white aura surged forth, instantly pushing back the surrounding ash. The pressure was immense.
‘Oh—.’
That thing will melt you the moment it touches you.
An instinctual aversion made Galahad take an unconscious step back.
The smoke parted, and a massive claw shot out. It was so large and sharp that each talon looked like a keen longsword.
The force behind the claw was incredible. Such a threatening attack came from out of sight, yet Adrianna met it with her sword without batting an eye.
The demonic beast’s foot was sliced clean off. Adrianna’s sword, wreathed in white aura, cut through the massive appendage as easily as tofu.
The giant foot, as large as a grown man’s torso, flew into the air. No blood sprayed from the wound.
Like paper touching a high-temperature flame, it instantly disintegrated into ash.
Adrianna’s sword, having effortlessly severed the giant foot, continued its smooth arc.
The beast’s form was revealed. It was a hideous creature with the face of an insect and the body of a bear. Adrianna’s sword drew a long line across its chest.
It was a single strike.
Adrianna flicked her sword as if that was all it took.
The beast froze. A clean line was etched across its chest. Like dry grass catching fire, the wound rapidly widened.
The beast let out a horrific scream. It was a shriek so painful it made the hair on one’s arms stand on end.
The beast thrashed violently. Ash poured continuously from the gaping wound. It felt as if its very existence was being erased, its soul burning away.
‘A demonic beast is feeling pain?’
Galahad muttered to himself.
Soon, the beast collapsed. Its form crumbled into ash.
“Are you alright?”
Adrianna was more concerned about Galahad. Faced with the unruffled Adrianna, Galahad forced a nod.
‘If I get on her bad side, I’m really in for it.’
Galahad subconsciously touched his neck.
Then he suddenly noticed a problem.
‘There’s no blood left.’
Adrianna’s sword incinerated the beast, turning it to ash. Not a single drop of blood remained.
He had followed them into the Miasmic Realm for various reasons, but his main goal was demon blood.
With the Egg of Pain, he had planned to drink as much demon blood as he could on this trip.
He had even borrowed canteens from Tom for this purpose, but it seemed Adrianna would turn everything to ash.
One of his main objectives was about to disappear.
Facing the crisis of returning empty-handed, Galahad’s mind raced.
‘The mana density is high, which makes it a bit difficult, but if I apply that—.’
He thought of a way to find the demons.
‘I’ll have to kill them myself.’
Galahad nodded.
****
‘He’s thoroughly scared.’
Robert, a member of Adrianna’s direct subordinates, sneered at Galahad’s grave expression.
The demons and demonic beasts in the Miasmic Realm were on a different level from those below. There was a reason it was called the Miasmic Realm.
Demons and demonic beasts became unnaturally strong within their own territory.
He’d been swaggering around after killing a few beasts and demons below, but he was clearly terrified after encountering one in the Realm.
‘Just as I thought—.’
It was all a bluff. Robert exchanged glances with the other knights. They were all wearing sneers.
Just then, the man looked at Adrianna and asked.
“Are you traveling like this on purpose?”
“What do you mean?”
“Isn’t the ash inconvenient? Mind if I clear it away?”
The man, who had been quiet for a while, started bluffing again.
Thanks to Adrianna, the ash was already much thinner. To find this level of it inconvenient—. Robert clicked his tongue.
“Yes, if you could clear it, we would appreciate it.”
Adrianna nodded.
“Rustling grass, gentle breeze, harsh wind, typhoon.”
The man muttered strange words. A peculiar pressure emanated from him, and Robert found himself focusing unconsciously.
The man waved his hand. Despite the grand gesture, it was just a small gust of wind.
‘As I expected….’
Just as Robert was about to sneer—.
“Whoa—.”
Adrianna exclaimed in awe. For Adrianna, who rarely showed emotion, an exclamation of awe was a significant expression.
‘What?’
Robert turned his head and his jaw dropped.
The surrounding smoke was being pushed back as if by a raging typhoon.
Their field of vision cleared.
‘This… This is magic?’
The smoke from the ash was the greatest danger in the Miasmic Realm.
The acrid smoke grated on the nerves just by breathing it in. Moreover, they had to remain tense, never knowing when or where a demon might attack. Because of this, fatigue built up quickly.
To clear away the smoke, the biggest obstacle in the Miasmic Realm, with a single gesture—.
“Can other mages do this?”
Adrianna asked, looking at the man.
“No, only I can do this. Ah, perhaps the Master of the Magic Tower could manage it.”
“I see. That’s incredible.”
“I’ve always been an incredible mage.”
Robert’s eyes narrowed at Galahad’s arrogant words.
To think magic could be used this way—. It was a method he had never considered.
No, they had never brought a mage with them in the first place.
“Demonic beasts are coming.”
Adrianna said, readjusting her grip on her sword.
The approaching beasts were clearly visible. Their horrific forms were laid bare. Paradoxically, the tension eased.
What they could see, they could block. The truly terrifying thing was the unseen claw.
Robert tightened his grip on his sword. His aura flared.
With Adrianna at the forefront, the battle began.
While they couldn’t compare to Adrianna, they were elites in their own right. Robert, for instance, was talented enough to have turned down a vice-commander position in another battalion.
The battle went almost too smoothly.
There was only one reason for it.
‘It’s because he cleared our line of sight.’
He had to admit it.
With a clear view, the battle was far easier than before.
The beasts were insidious creatures that attacked from the fog; with the fog gone, it was naturally easier.
Adrianna’s movements, in particular, were much more fluid.
It felt almost anticlimactic.
Even for the entrance of the Realm, this was unheard of.
‘This—.’
Robert swallowed hard and looked around.
Everyone else had a similar expression.
This was… something… strange.
Clearing the smoke was surprising enough, but Galahad didn’t stop there.
“Seems like there’s something over there.”
Galahad said, pointing randomly in one direction.
“How did you know?”
“I used a variation of mana arrow to spread my mana, but I got no feedback from that direction. It’s a method that only works because of the high mana density of the demons.”
He pointed them in a direction with his strange explanation.
Given what he had already shown them, everyone nodded.
And when they arrived—.
“Finally, some demons.”
There were actual demons there.
Unlike the demonic beasts that charged recklessly, demons were insidious creatures that waited for an opportunity.
Because of that, finding demons was a rather tricky task.
And yet he had found them—.
“You’re amazing.”
Robert nodded in agreement with Adrianna’s awe-filled words.
They usually had to wander around quite a bit to hunt demons. But this man had pinpointed their location and even cleared the fog.
This was just—.
‘He’s practically spoon-feeding us.’
It was a crude expression, but none could be more fitting.
Robert pressed his lips together.
Just then, the man put a cigarette to his lips and smiled.
“Just as you are beautiful, I am incredible.”
It was an obnoxious reply, but he couldn’t deny it.
The man was incredible.
“Get ready.”
They were low-level demons, but there were quite a few of them.
Demons, regardless of rank, were opponents you could never let your guard down against.
With Adrianna in the lead, the battle began.
Before, they had been the ones being ambushed. Now, they were the ambushers.
The first strike was crucial in battle.
Even more so when the opponent was a demon—.
The battle didn’t take long.
The knights cooled their heated bodies and looked at one another.
Their expressions were all complex.
Galahad was a mage from the Empire. A man who had only recently arrived in the North.
When a man like that said he was following them into the Miasmic Realm, they all had similar thoughts.
He must have a death wish. Today is going to be a pain because of him—. That’s what they thought.
It was only natural. He was a mage from the Empire, after all.
He was supposed to be a hindrance.
But why—.
‘······is he so competent?’
Robert gulped.
No, ‘competent’ wasn’t enough to describe it.
The entire dynamic had changed since he joined them.
Before, they had wandered around, fending off ambushes from demons and beasts. Now, they were the ones actively hunting them down.
As if they were on a hunt—.
‘So, why?’
How?
He couldn’t understand.
Just then, he heard Adrianna’s voice.
“Why are you collecting the demon blood?”
Robert turned his head at her question and froze.
The man was holding a canteen to a decapitated demon, pressing down on the corpse. As if he were squeezing juice from a fruit—.
‘What in the world…….’
Why was he collecting demon blood? And with a smile on his face?
He couldn’t make any sense of the situation.
“Ah, it’s for my magic. This stuff is a great help.”
“Ah— I see. Shall I help you?”
“Oh— would you?”
“Yes.”
Taking a canteen, Adrianna began collecting blood flowing from another demon’s corpse.
The bizarrely wholesome scene made Robert swallow hard.
A moment later, they started moving again.
Gulp, gulp—.
Hearing the sound of someone drinking heartily, Robert turned his head and froze once more.
Galahad had a canteen to his lips.
Seeing the red liquid trickling from the corner of his mouth, Robert whipped his head away.
Only then did he see it.
Everyone else’s head was turned away at an unnatural angle—.
“Mm, good.”
Their heads turned a little further.
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