Chapter 53
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Letter
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"Are you threatening me now?"
At the mustached demon's calm question, Galahad's lips curled into a smirk.
"A threat? I'd call it persuasion. Now, what's your name?"
"Bel Urtang of the Proxel family."
"An interesting name."
Galahad chuckled softly and tightened his grip.
"It will be of no use."
Bel Urtang sneered.
One of his arms was severed, the other charred black. And yet, even with a hand around his throat, Bel Urtang's voice was serene. A demon, through and through.
"You have a point. Capturing you alone certainly won't stop them."
"Then why did you capture me?"
"If you were to tell them to stop, would they not stop?"
Bel Urtang laughed out loud.
"My life means nothing to me."
"I am aware of that."
Galahad clicked his tongue and added.
"Now, look here. Besides you, there are three demons left. You, with no arms, are utterly useless. Tell me, do you know what kind of meat gourmets favor most?"
Bel Urtang narrowed his eyes.
"The flesh of a wizard. They believe eating a wizard's heart grants them power—and it's actually effective. Their next favorite is the flesh of a child."
Galahad grabbed Bel Urtang's chin and turned his head. With Galahad having dealt with some of the demons, the gourmets now outnumbered them.
"From now on, I will only target the demons. I may be a little tired, but I can still take three of them with me. Do you think they will intervene? Hmm, humans are not so loyal."
Galahad whispered into Bel Urtang's ear. Bel Urtang looked at Galahad.
"Now, here's a question for you. In a situation where only you remain, armless, do you think those fiends will give up on their meal? Seeing how they plunged their swords without hesitation earlier, I think not—."
Bel Urtang's eyes narrowed slightly. Seeing those emotionless eyes, Galahad's lips curled upwards.
"What do you think will happen?"
At Galahad's question, Bel Urtang let out a dry laugh.
"You… you were a demon."
"Pfft, my apologies, but I am no demon. Merely a competent wizard."
"You still don't know."
As Bel Urtang smirked mockingly, Galahad's brow furrowed.
"I'm not usually one to rush, but I suggest you decide quickly."
Galahad flicked a finger from which a lightning flower blossomed. The direction his finger pointed was towards a demon with an indifferent face.
Bel Urtang nodded.
"Stop."
At Bel Urtang's quiet command, the demons froze in place.
'They're connected.'
Galahad observed him with interest.
When the demons stopped, so did the gourmets. A strange tension once again descended upon the area.
The terrible stench of blood, sweat, and urine filled the air. Galahad clicked his tongue and placed a cigarette between his lips.
Just then—.
"Kill the gourmets."
Bel Urtang commanded curtly.
The demons swung their swords without hesitation. The heads of the gourmets standing beside them were instantly sent flying. The demons continued their assault.
Caught off guard by such a demonic reaction, the gourmets were struck again.
"Damn it! You stupid demon bastards! Kill them first!"
A gourmet in a large hat shouted fiercely, and the gourmets and demons once again became a tangled mess.
The smell of blood grew thicker.
"Is this satisfactory?"
Bel Urtang asked, looking at Galahad.
What Galahad had demanded was for them to stop their attack.
Of course, his intention was to instigate a fight afterward.
But Bel Urtang had immediately ordered an attack.
He was a quick calculator.
There was no denying it.
'He's easy to communicate with, for a demon.'
"I appreciate your quick understanding."
Galahad nodded.
Just then, he saw the blood flowing from Bel Urtang's chest.
A shame—. Galahad clicked his tongue and pulled a canteen from his belt, uncapping it.
He then held the canteen to Bel Urtang's chest and said.
"Give it a little push."
Bel Urtang's face briefly stiffened.
"I said give it a push. It's spilling."
Galahad clicked his tongue and pushed the canteen closer. Bel Urtang nodded. Whether he pushed or not, the blood flowed neatly into the canteen.
Galahad flicked the ash from his cigarette and spoke.
"Now, I have a few questions."
Bel Urtang looked up at Galahad. His eyes were still calm.
"Who are you?"
"Bel Urtang of the Proxel family."
At Bel Urtang's answer, Galahad narrowed his eyes.
'He values his family.'
Galahad let out a small sigh.
Next was Damian.
Depending on what answer came from this one's mouth.
Galahad flicked his finger. The lightning flower that flew out enveloped a gourmet. *Crackle-crackle-crackle*. With a sound like popping corn, the man collapsed.
"A formidable authority."
"It's magic."
"That's what humans call it."
Galahad casually dusted off his hands.
"Now, for the next question. What is Damian?"
"I will not answer."
Bel Urtang answered resolutely. There was not a hint of leeway in his voice.
This was the same one who didn't even flinch when his arm was burned off.
Conventional persuasion wouldn't work.
It just so happened that he was eager to try a new method.
"I see."
Galahad nodded and grabbed Bel Urtang's head.
With the cigarette in his mouth, he opened the canteen with his left hand.
A nauseating smell of blood filled the air.
*Tsk*, Galahad clicked his tongue and drank the blood from the canteen.
The blood was still warm, having just been collected, which made him feel even fouler.
For the first time, Bel Urtang's eyes wavered.
The Pain Orb throbbed violently. It was a fierce reaction, as if it were screaming about how exquisite the taste was.
'Is this what nobility is?'
The Pain Orb nodded. The excited orb continuously sprayed out dense mana.
'Give me a little more.'
Galahad rolled up his sleeve and spoke. The magic circle began to glow slowly. The Pain Orb resisted for a moment before offering up its life force.
The magic circle, now infused with life force, emitted a brilliant light. Galahad compressed the already dense mana with the magic circle.
The experience of compressing a high-ranking demon's mana, combined with the magic circle left by the first wizard, made it possible to compress even such dense mana.
Galahad met Bel Urtang's gaze. The demon's eyes trembled.
In response, Galahad's lips curled upwards as he chanted an incantation.
"The truth shall set you free. Confess—."
Bel Urtang frowned. His focus wavered wildly.
'The resistance is considerable.'
Unfazed by the resistance, Galahad calmly continued to channel his mana.
His mental magic, honed by his encounters with psychic demons, delved into Bel Urtang's mind.
Soon, the focus in Bel Urtang's eyes went slack.
"Tell me about Damian."
Galahad asked, not losing his concentration.
In response, Bel Urtang's mouth slowly opened.
"Damian is—."
Just then, the demon's focus shifted erratically. His body trembled violently as if someone was shaking him.
'A mental barrier.'
A mental barrier was a measure to prevent psychic magic.
Those mental barriers were the most annoying. They were typically implanted by those with dirty secrets as a means of silencing, but for a demon to have one…
Faced with this unexpected situation, Galahad's brow furrowed deeply.
Why would a demon have a mental barrier?
'Is it to block psychic demons?'
Were these noblesse-imitating demons on bad terms with the psychic demons? Since he didn't know the demons' circumstances, he couldn't be certain, so he filed it away as a clue.
'It's shrouded in an authority.'
Galahad moved his mana to assess the situation.
It seemed to be a function related to the authority of those who shared power.
'Interesting.'
Another new authority—!
His interest was thoroughly piqued. His breath grew hot.
Since its nature was unknown, he had no choice but to use a slightly rougher method.
"This might hurt a bit."
After the short warning, he immediately moved his mana.
The mana coursed through the demon's head, moving wildly like a hunting dog.
Soon, he was able to pinpoint the location of the authority.
It was in the deepest part of the brain.
To embed it so deeply—.
'How cruel.'
Galahad briefly licked his lips.
To get to that depth—.
"Ah, pardon me for a moment."
After asking for permission, Galahad pressed his fingers into the demon's temples. His fingers dug into the flesh.
Mana raged violently. The Pain Orb trembled in ecstasy. Bel Urtang's focus flickered wildly.
"Guhk—."
"Oh, so even demons feel pain when you touch their brains."
Galahad marveled quietly at this new discovery.
Bel Urtang's body thrashed as if he were having a seizure.
"Now, now, such a drama queen. Hold still."
Galahad clicked his tongue and held Bel Urtang firmly.
Soon, the authority was caught by his mana. Without hesitation, Galahad shattered it. *Crack*. With a sickening sound, Bel Urtang's head snapped up and down.
"Kugh!"
Urtang's body convulsed violently. Tears of blood streamed from his eyes. Broken pieces of teeth fell from his mouth.
"Now, tell me again, what is Damian?"
Galahad asked kindly, supporting the crumbling Bel Urtang.
Urtang's eyes, looking at Galahad, wavered.
After a moment's hesitation, Bel Urtang slowly opened his mouth.
"He is a bastard."
It was a short answer.
"A bastard, you say. Why are you so obsessed with a bastard?"
"Because—."
At Galahad's follow-up question, Urtang's mouth opened and closed.
Just then, clarity returned to Urtang's eyes. It seemed the truth spell had been broken along with the mental barrier.
Urtang's eyes trembled. Bewilderment flickered within them, soon replaced by resolve.
"For Proxel—."
As Bel Urtang uttered the firm words, a long stream of blood burst from the corner of his mouth.
The mental barrier was already gone.
He had burst his own heart.
How tenacious—.
Galahad shoved his hand into the demon's mouth.
*Gack*. The demon's eyes widened as if they would tear.
Watching the violently trembling eyes, Galahad's lips curled upwards.
"Where do you think you're going?"
He was going to die anyway. Galahad moved his mana violently.
He rummaged through the demon's mind. Soon, the demon's breathing became even and steady.
"You should finish what you were saying."
Galahad whispered softly.
At that, the demon's mouth gaped open. A faint voice seeped out from between his lips.
"Because he is the only one—."
With that, the demon's head lolled to the side.
'He's dead.'
Galahad muttered, shaking the blood from his hand.
'The only bastard.'
Just then, a sharp scream erupted. He turned his head to see a gourmet collapsing, pierced by a demon's sword.
It seemed the situation had been resolved. Amidst the corpses scattered everywhere, only a single demon stood precariously.
'I thought the gourmets would win.'
The gourmets had outnumbered them. Galahad's calculation was that the gourmets would barely win.
But the demons had won—.
The reason soon became clear.
"Knight—! Gilberton—!"
Gilberton, his sword suffused with aura, lopped off the demon's head.
The demon's head flew into the air before falling. It then bounced and rolled across the ground.
"Victory is ours!"
It was because of Gilberton.
There was no way a failed knight could defeat that excellent one.
"I'll take that."
A voice from the side made him turn his head, and he saw Tom taking a canteen from a bundle.
"Ah, I only managed to fill three. It was quite a chaotic battle."
Tom said, shaking the canteens. At the clear sound, Galahad nodded.
"That's plenty. Thank you, Tom."
Tom shook his head humbly, then squatted down to collect Bel Urtang's blood.
'The only bastard—. The Proxel family?'
Galahad put a cigarette to his lips and recalled what he had just heard.
Just then, the carriage door opened. Damian stumbled out in a hurry.
Damian's face contorted as he frantically looked around.
It was the first passionate reaction Damian had ever shown.
Just then, his eyes met Galahad's. Seeing the look in Damian's crumpled eyes, Galahad realized he must look a mess.
Damian rushed over. He ran so fast he nearly tripped on his way.
Galahad stubbed out his barely-smoked cigarette with his foot.
Damian stood right in front of him and looked up at Galahad.
Reflected in those pupils, Galahad's appearance was truly a wreck. He clicked his tongue and ran a hand through his disheveled hair.
Since his hand was covered in blood, it only made him look worse.
Galahad clicked his tongue with a *tsk*.
Just then, Damian opened his mouth.
"I told you. It's dangerous to be with me."
His usually monotonous voice trembled slightly. As if a mask had cracked, the face of a boy briefly surfaced on the perpetually indifferent Damian.
To that, Galahad smiled and replied.
"And did I not tell you? I have a long life ahead of me."
Damian's eyes wavered greatly. Through the stormy pupils, a clarity befitting his age could be seen.
A brief silence followed.
Galahad coughed lightly, ran a hand through his messy hair again, and straightened his clothes.
His eyes met Damian's. Damian's eyes held a slight, but definite, sparkle.
The emotion veiled in those eyes was admiration.
Damian blinked and opened his mouth.
"I want to be a wizard."
There was a subtle hint of life in his voice.
It seemed the wizard looked quite cool to the boy.
Galahad clicked his tongue and—.
"My apologies, but you have no talent for magic. You are far too simple."
He refused flatly.
"I see."
Damian understood immediately.
"Knight—! Gilberton!"
At Gilberton's shout, Damian's gaze shifted.
Gilberton was holding up the demon's head, radiating the full heat of battle.
He was the very picture of a magnificent knight.
Damian's gaze flickered between the shouting Gilberton and Galahad.
Urgency appeared on Damian's face.
"I want to be a wizard."
To that, Galahad—.
"My apologies, but you have no talent for magic."
He refused once more.
"Knight—! Gilberton—!"
Damian let out a small sigh.
Galahad laughed out loud.
"Damian! Are you okay?! Are you hurt anywhere?!"
Gwen, looking a mess herself, examined Damian. Damian looked at Galahad and asked.
"Gwen is a wizard, too."
At the implied meaning, Galahad laughed as if coughing. Gwen tilted her head with a puzzled look before turning her attention back to Damian.
"What in the goddamn hell—. What are these things?"
Gilberton said, his face contorted. In his hand was a gourmet's bag. A skull was visible through the open flap.
"They're disgusting fiends who eat people."
"Why are things like that showing up here? The North has been strange lately. We've always had demons and monsters, but never anything like this."
At Gilberton's sharp muttering, Galahad let out a low groan.
The Black Magic Society and the gourmets were originally fiends who operated in the central regions.
The Intelligence Bureau preferred to manage them rather than eliminate them. Because of that, Galahad had never been able to root them out.
And then they suddenly disappeared—.
'They came to the North.'
It seemed the things Galahad had worked so hard to drive out during his time with the Intelligence Bureau had all flocked to the North.
"It's almost as if someone intentionally pushed them into the North."
At Gilberton's muttering, Galahad coughed lightly.
"Pushed them—. That can't be. They probably didn't know."
"What else could it be if not pushed? Whoever the bastard is...."
"Ahem, Sir Gilberton, the other party must have had their reasons."
"Pardon?"
"My, the sun is already up. Everyone, into the carriage! It's time to return to base! I hear the 5th Battalion Commander built it quite splendidly!"
As Galahad hurried into the carriage, Gilberton felt a strange sense of unease.
It was a nagging feeling that was hard to explain.
Even for Galahad—.
'Nah, it can't be.'
Gilberton shook his head and took the reins.
The little kid, Damian, sat next to him. Damian looked up at Gilberton and said.
"I'm sorry."
"Why are you sorry?"
"Pardon?"
"I said, why are you sorry."
"Ah. Thank you."
"No, why were you sorry?"
At Gilberton's dumb question, Damian's lips twitched, and then he let out a small laugh.
"No, what are you sorry for?"
At Gilberton's urging, Damian laughed again.
Gilberton's face scrunched up completely.
****
Adrianna stared at the paper in front of her.
A long message was written on it.
[This is Adrianna. I have arrived safely at the 1st Battalion. There were no particular issues here. I am curious about the progress of the Miasmic Realm training facility, which was entrusted to the Special Task Force Commander, Galahad.]
After staring for a long while, Adrianna shook her head and crumpled the paper.
Crumpled balls of paper were scattered all around her.
"Hoo—."
Taking a shallow breath, Adrianna took out a fresh, crisp sheet of paper.
She then carefully moved her pen.
[This is 1st Battalion Commander Adrianna. There were no particular issues at the 1st Battalion. I am curious about the progress of the Miasmic Realm training facility, which was entrusted to the Special Task Force Commander, Galahad.]
Adrianna reread the letter and nodded.
"Ah—."
Letting out a small sigh, Adrianna added an explanation to the end of the letter.
[Of course, the Miasmic Realm training facility was entrusted to Special Task Force Commander Galahad by His Grace, the Grand Duke. As the 1st Battalion Commander, I have no authority to interfere. This letter is not sent out of distrust, but rather in case you require any assistance. 1st Battalion Commander Adrianna—.]
Adrianna stared at the paper for a long time.
After reviewing it several times, she nodded.
It was an excellent letter.
She tied the letter to a hawk.
The hawk flew far away through the wide-open window.
For a long while, Adrianna watched the dazzling sight of the hawk flying freely in the vast sky.
Just then, something clattered in the cold wind.
It was a crude set of armor and a helmet.
It was in such a state that no one would find it odd if it were thrown away immediately.
Adrianna stared at it for a moment, then.
She carefully placed it in a wooden box in the corner.
Of course, she would have no use for it again, but.
For some reason, she didn't want to throw it away.
[The Special Task Force's youngest, Noad.]
Adrianna coughed lightly.
It was because of the chilly wind.