Chapter 60
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: The Gift
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[The Gift]
“Where have you been, sir?”
Gilberton asked, his voice slightly excited. Steam was rising from his thick armor.
The sun was just beginning to rise, yet he was already training so diligently. He was truly an excellent knight.
“Just a night walk.”
“What kind of walk lasts all night?”
“My, you’re quite interested in me. I’m a man with a woman to marry. And even if I wasn't, men aren't my type.”
As Galahad spoke firmly, Gilberton tilted his head.
Leaving the dumbfounded Gilberton behind, he went inside.
The 5th Battalion Commander was sitting there as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Galahad sat across from him and gave a rough summary of the situation.
He vaguely explained that the Black Magic Society had transformed into a gathering of mana stone miners.
“Very well. In that case, I will deploy more troops to the mana stone quarry.”
For a northerner, Mark was quick on the uptake.
Just then, a rough shout came from outside. The door was thrown open, and Gilberton entered.
“Damn it!”
Mark's eyes widened at Gilberton's rough entrance. Gilberton gave Mark a quick bow, then turned back to Galahad.
“I like women!”
“A womanizer, I see.”
“······Pardon?”
“Commander Mark, Sir Gilberton here is quite fond of women, it seems.”
“Sir Gilberton, what about Lumian? She's been even more on edge lately.”
“Oh, excellent. We'll be joining our alliance by blood, Sir Gilberton.”
“Well… Lumian is a bit…”
“My, for an ugly fellow, you’re quite picky.”
At Gilberton's deeply creased face, Galahad chuckled and put a cigarette to his lips.
“I’m not ugly.”
“No, you’re definitely ugly. It’s a good thing you have a pleasant face, but you’re still ugly.”
“I agree.”
“By a majority vote, your ugliness has been notarized.”
“Huh? What’s notarized?”
Galahad flicked his cigarette, and Mark organized his documents. A moment later, Gilberton spoke urgently.
“No, I mean, isn't Lumian too sharp-tongued? And her freckles…”
Gilberton began to ramble on about why he disliked Lumian.
“Sir Gilberton.”
“There’s more. And her eyes are so fierce…”
“Sir Gilberton?”
“Why do you keep calling me? I’m not finished yet.”
Galahad clicked his tongue softly at Gilberton’s bold reply.
“If Commander Mark is sitting here, his adjutant, Lumian, is usually nearby.”
“Huh?”
Gilberton turned his head.
There stood Lumian, glaring even more fiercely than Gilberton had described. Gilberton’s face went pale.
“I don’t like Sir Gilberton either. He’s ugly.”
“Well, that's three out of four in agreement.”
Gilberton tried to make an excuse, but Lumian had already left.
At that, Gilberton clamped his mouth shut.
“Her reaction wasn't bad, was it?”
“You're right. Lumian didn't even curse at him.”
“My, Sir Gilberton, you’re quite the heartbreaker.”
As he and Mark exchanged words, poking fun at Gilberton—.
Gilberton carefully opened his mouth.
“······Really?”
“The knight’s path is your true calling.”
Mark nodded in agreement at Galahad’s words.
Around that time, a fragrant aroma wafted from somewhere. Galahad flicked his cigarette and rose from his seat.
Going upstairs, he saw Tom diligently stirring a cauldron. Beside him, Gwen was sweating profusely as she breathed fire.
“Ah, you’re here, sir. It’s almost ready.”
“Fiiiiiiire!”
“Gwen, once you cast the spell, you don't have to keep chanting.”
“It helps me concentrate better!”
Galahad nodded at Gwen’s reply.
The path of magic was different for every mage. There were tens of thousands of paths.
Galahad was certain his own method was the orthodox one, but he didn't bother to point it out.
Such stubbornness was proof that she was becoming a true mage.
A moment later, Tom took the finished stew pot off the fire and began ladling it into bowls.
“Dish out two more. We have some diligent folks downstairs.”
“Ah, I’ve already prepared them.”
Galahad ordered Gilberton to take the stew downstairs.
Gilberton, lightly touching his hair, made a strange face as he took the bowls and went down.
After finishing the portions, Tom set down the remaining pot. Damian immediately stuck his head into it.
Galahad clicked his tongue, and Damian lifted his head again.
“Use a spoon.”
“It’s a hassle.”
“Ahem.”
Damian began to eat from the pot with a spoon.
The stew, as always, was fantastic. Galahad was genuinely impressed.
Seeing Galahad's torn coat, Tom stood up, saying he would make a new one.
Tom, who ate and slept the least but worked the most, made Galahad nod in satisfaction.
“It says it’s hungry too.”
“Who says?”
“That thing—”
Gwen pointed at Galahad's chest.
“It’s speaking more fluently than before!”
“Is that so? What's it saying?”
“Um... What? It's a secret? It says it's a secret!”
Startled, Gwen covered her mouth, and Galahad narrowed his eyes.
“That's an order.”
“An… an order!”
“Disobeying an order means execution and a pay cut.”
“······A pay cut! I'll talk!”
Gwen’s expression hardened. With a serious face, she spoke in a low voice.
“Hoo hoo… Such power… I fear myself.”
Thump! Thump! Thump!
It was quite a grandiose statement for an egg that had just become low-grade.
Thump! Thump!
Perhaps because it had met Gwen, who could understand it, the thing was throbbing incessantly.
“We are invincible. Together—”
“That's enough. You can stop.”
“Ah! Yes! It says it's disappointed!”
“Tell it to be quiet.”
“Be quiet!”
Tom returned around the time the meal was ending. He was carrying a sleek, black coat.
Its quality and form were better than the last one. It seemed to be made from the hide of a giant monster the 7th Battalion had caught.
To think he had secured the hide amidst all that chaos—. Galahad was quietly impressed.
“Its heat resistance wasn't great, so I’ve lined the inside with a ground-pup’s hide.”
“Good.”
Galahad took off his tattered coat. Tom helped him into the new one like a tailor.
“It would be even better if you paid more attention to the collar and the cuffs.”
“Ah, is that so? Is there anywhere else that’s uncomfortable?”
Galahad pointed out the parts that needed fixing to the ever-inquisitive Tom, who jotted them down meticulously.
Gilberton, who returned late, drank down his stew as if inhaling it.
Once Gilberton had finished his meal, Galahad rose from his seat.
“Everyone, get ready. Next up is the 6th Battalion. We'll continue the inspection of the gaps in the front line, as ordered by His Grace the Grand Duke.”
“Yes! All ready!”
Tom answered energetically, as always.
“Didn’t you just get back, sir?”
Gilberton asked, looking at Galahad with a peculiar expression.
“I did.”
“Shouldn’t you get some sleep?”
“It's fine. I’ve never needed much sleep.”
Gilberton frowned at Galahad’s answer.
A moment of silence followed. Galahad thought about all the things he had to do.
From the Proksel family to the high-ranking demons, Dawn, and Adrianna—. The list was long.
Just then, Gilberton spoke.
“Commander, it’s like you’re always being chased by something.”
Gilberton said bluntly.
The familiar question brought various voices to mind.
[There is no Demon King.]
[Why are you in such a hurry?]
[It's a strange obsession.]
He'd heard it often.
No matter what Galahad said, no one understood about the Demon King.
Everyone denied the Demon King’s existence.
They foolishly chattered that such a thing didn't exist.
However. Just because everyone denied it didn't make the truth a lie.
Galahad was certain he was right.
“Being chased? I'm the one doing the chasing. What a foolish thing to say.”
Galahad clicked his tongue softly at Gilberton’s twitching face. His voice had come out sharper than he intended.
However, since they wouldn't understand anyway, he didn't bother to explain.
Just then, Tom came out.
“Let's move out.”
Galahad said, putting a cigarette to his lips.
Suddenly, the window shattered violently. Gilberton swiftly drew his sword.
What came in was a red falcon.
No, was it a monster?
“It's His Grace the Grand Duke's falcon.”
Even without Gilberton’s explanation, he would have known it belonged to the Grand Duke.
Who other than the Grand Duke would raise a falcon that was practically a monster?
The falcon tossed a piece of paper down and was gone in an instant.
Damian picked it up and handed it to Galahad.
“Thank you, Damian.”
Galahad quietly examined the paper.
“Hm.”
Galahad let out a small sound.
Just then—.
It was the first time Gilberton had seen Galahad’s face without a smile.
It was truly a chilling sight.
****
‘Why demon blood…?’
Adrianna’s adjutant, Lunavirn, frowned as she looked at the pile of canteens.
The stench of demon blood was incomparably worse than that of human blood.
It was a little better when sealed in a canteen, but she still couldn’t understand why they were collecting it.
It was Adrianna’s order.
‘A request from Galahad, the commander of the Special Task Force—.’
Lunavirn clicked her tongue at the rumor that he drank demon blood.
Mages were an incomprehensible lot.
At first, she had thought he was just someone who would disappear quickly.
But he didn't disappear; instead, he achieved great things.
Even within the 1st Battalion, good things were being said about him.
He could no longer be ignored.
On top of that—,
‘Lady Adrianna has brightened up, strangely.’
Lunavirn glanced at Adrianna, who was checking the number of canteens.
Her face was as indifferent as ever, but Lunavirn, who had served Adrianna for a long time, could see the change.
Before, Adrianna had been focused solely on the demons, paying no mind to anything else.
For Adrianna to show even the slightest interest in something else was a huge change.
Change was not always for the better.
Lunavirn thought of Galahad.
He was a man who was clearly a nobleman. The handsome man, whose actions were always filled with confidence and ease, looked as though he had a great deal of experience.
Adrianna was the hero of the North, but in matters of romance, she was a blank slate. Due to her mana-burning nature, she was not only a stranger to romance but also clumsy in her relationships with others.
The innocent Adrianna could be taken in by him.
Of course, that was unlikely to happen, but—.
Just then, a white falcon flew in and landed on Adrianna’s shoulder. Adrianna carefully unfolded the paper tied to the falcon’s leg.
Adrianna read the letter with an indifferent expression. Lunavirn watched her quietly.
For some reason, it was taking her quite a while to read.
After staring at the paper for a long time, Adrianna looked at Lunavirn.
Usually, when Adrianna looked at her, her expression would soften, even if just a little. It was Lunavirn’s greatest pride.
But now, Adrianna’s face was utterly serious.
Something big must have happened—.
Had the front line held by the 2nd Battalion collapsed? Or were the Imperial bastards pushing forward? Various worries flashed through Lunavirn’s mind.
Then, Adrianna spoke.
“Am I cute?”
Adrianna’s serious question made Lunavirn’s thoughts grind to a halt.
Adrianna, asking if she was cute with such a serious face—.
The Empire invading seemed like a more realistic story.
Moreover—.
Adrianna, asking so seriously, did seem a little cute.
However, she would never dare to say so.
“Not at all. Lady Adrianna, you are noble, magnificent, and beautiful.”
“It must have been a joke, then. Hmph.”
Adrianna’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
Just then, a huge red bird flew in. It was closer to a monster than a bird in size. It was the Grand Duke’s falcon.
The red bird landed on Adrianna’s other shoulder. The two falcons cried out at each other.
Adrianna unfolded the thick paper on the red falcon’s leg.
Adrianna’s face grew even harder than before.
“What is it?”
“The Imperial Princess has requested a friendly exchange duel. His Grace the Grand Duke has accepted.”
…A friendly exchange?
Long ago, duels were used to foster friendship, but it was now an obsolete tradition.
Ties with the Empire had been severed long ago.
To bring up such an obsolete tradition now, all of a sudden—.
“His Grace the Grand Duke has nominated me, the 2nd Battalion Commander, and the Special Task Force Commander. We will depart at once.”
The participants in this duel were rather strange.
Adrianna and the 2nd Battalion Commander were understandable.
They were two of the North's most skilled individuals.
But—.
‘…Why the Special Task Force Commander?’
“We will go to the 7th Battalion first. We are to rendezvous with Commander Galahad.”
“Why the Special Task Force Commander… Ah, is it an order from His Grace?”
Adrianna did not answer.
‘The Princess? Why the Princess, all of a sudden—.’
It was too random a name to appear.
****
Princess Lucienne was a brilliant woman.
In a situation where even survival was impossible, Lucienne not only survived but also rose in the line of succession.
Her knight, Devan, knew that the reason she survived wasn't simply because she was brilliant.
‘Galahad—.’
If Lucienne was the most beautiful woman Devan had ever seen, then Galahad was the most capable man.
He was competent. So much so that no other explanation was needed.
In the imperial palace where people died silently every day, he had masterfully protected Lucienne, who had been hanging on by a thread.
As if that wasn't enough, he had even raised her in the line of succession.
Devan had thought anything was possible with him.
Until that day—.
Galahad had vanished without a word, just as he had first appeared.
The next story he heard was his ‘marriage to the Northern Grand Duke’s daughter.’
Neither Devan nor the Princess believed it.
He was not a man who had the leisure to marry someone.
This was Galahad, who had even refused the Princess’s seductions. Devan was convinced the man was impotent.
In any case, such a rumor had suddenly appeared.
At first, they naturally assumed it was a mission.
But the rumor persisted.
The Princess created a pretext to meet with Galahad.
However, her fiancé, a prince from the Kingdom Union, had recently died, and rumors of poisoning were circulating.
Leaving the imperial palace in such a situation was extremely difficult and potentially fatal.
So the Princess came up with a brilliant excuse.
A friendly exchange duel with the Grand Duke.
Good heavens—.
Devan shut his eyes tightly.
A friendly relationship with the Grand Duke would certainly be a great help.
The problem was that the method was a duel.
The Princess had proposed a three-bout match. There were bound to be winners and losers.
The Princess’s position was already precarious. If she were to lose the duel, she would be giving her enemies something to tear her down with.
Even victory was a problem. The Grand Duke's animosity toward the Empire was famous.
He would surely not let them leave alive after a victory.
It was a proposal that would bring a fatal outcome, win or lose.
There was only one reason the Princess had made such a move.
‘She must have trusted Galahad.’
The Princess believed that Galahad had gone to the North for her sake.
Devan thought differently, but he was a knight, not an advisor.
Just then, the curtain was drawn back. The Princess emerged.
Her large, blood-red eyes were like jewels carved by a master craftsman, and her long hair, which flowed past her waist, looked softer than the finest silk.
The rumor that she had survived in the palace because she was the most beautiful flower was not for nothing.
“Are the preparations complete?”
She asked, the corners of her red lips lifting.
It was a smile like a brilliant flower in full bloom.
Her demeanor, her smile, her actions—there was no flaw in any of it.
However, Devan knew.
The most beautiful rose has the sharpest thorns—.
“Yes, as you predicted, Sir Paul Verian has accepted the proposal. However, the Master of the Twilight Magic Tower has declined, citing that his research is not yet complete.”
“Is that so?”
Gulp—. Devan swallowed dryly.
“Instead, Bunci, a high-ranking mage from the White Magic Tower, has expressed his intent to participate. He is Galahad’s senior from the Academy and boasted that since Galahad learned from him, he is confident of victory.”
“I see. Well, it’s Galahad, after all—.”
Lucienne rolled the name ‘Galahad’ in her mouth.
As if savoring a piece of candy—.
A moment later, as if she just remembered, Lucienne asked.
“Sir Devan.”
“Yes.”
“How do I look?”
Lucienne asked with a radiant smile.
The Princess’s question—. It was a famous story in the imperial palace.
Unless one was blind, they would naturally answer that she was beautiful.
However, as always, there were madmen.
There were three who had answered no to her question.
All three were dead.
Of course, there was one more who had said no. He was still alive and well, but that was a secret story.
“You are the most beautiful in the world.”
Devan’s answer was sincere.
There could be no one more beautiful than her.
The Princess smiled brightly.
For a moment, he had the illusion of smelling a floral fragrance.
“That’s a relief. I was worried since I didn't sleep well.”
At her whisper, Devan could only bow his head.
“Oh, is the gift packed away safely?”
At the sudden shift to polite speech, Devan nodded.
“Yes.”
“Open it for me.”
Devan carefully opened the box.
Inside the small box was a cleanly wiped finger.
It was the finger of the prince the Kingdom Union was searching for.
A large ring was on the finger.
“He'll like it, won't he?”
At the Princess's question, Devan had no choice but to nod.
The Princess smiled, truly radiant.
Unlike before, it was a pure, unfeigned smile.
[The Gift] End