Chapter 8
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Special Task Force
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‘Grand Duke Bekartan—.’
Information flooded Galahad’s mind.
At age five, he caught a wolf with his bare hands. At ten, he killed five mercenaries who ambushed him. At twelve, he defeated a knight in a sword fight, and at thirteen, he beat his own father and brothers to death.
The man was the very definition of a brute.
Furthermore, his hobbies included killing demons, quenching his thirst with their blood, and displaying their hides.
When Galahad first read about him, he thought it was an exaggeration, but seeing him in person, it felt like an understatement.
Galahad subtly moved his fingers. The ice crystals, sharp enough to pierce steel armor, met resistance and shattered with a crackle.
‘Skin thicker than iron?’
Galahad’s eyes widened.
Did he grow stronger by eating the mana-infused flesh and blood of demons? Does that mean mana can have a physical effect?
‘Is his skin imbued with mana?’
When Galahad gently channeled his mana into the skin, it was repelled. Galahad’s eyes widened further.
He increased the concentration and tried again, but it was repelled once more. Oh, for mana to be repelled! Galahad’s heart pounded.
At that moment, the Grand Duke’s sunken eyes met his, and Galahad withdrew his hand.
‘The daughter burns mana, and the father repels it. Could there be a more fascinating father-daughter duo?’
Galahad swallowed hard.
In contrast, the only emotion in the Grand Duke’s eyes was a flicker of interest.
“Last time it was the Crown Prince. This time, a magic-slinger.”
Magic-slinger. Galahad smiled bitterly at the crude term.
His mind raced. *They sent the Crown Prince.* Given that Galahad was sent next, it was clear that visit hadn't ended well.
In that case—.
“You dodged a real bullet, Your Grace. The Crown Prince is famous for being a womanizer. They don't call him the ‘horny dog’ for nothing.”
The words left a bad taste in his mouth, but it was an old tradition to curse the king in his absence.
“Hahaha! A horny dog! An apt description!”
The Grand Duke burst into laughter, the sound shaking the very space around them.
‘The Crown Prince came to the North—.’
It was a secret history even Galahad was unaware of.
The Crown Prince was a notorious lecher. It made sense that a man like him would travel this far upon hearing rumors of Adrianna.
“He claimed to love her the moment he saw her.”
For that playboy of a Crown Prince to be the first to speak of love—. If Galahad hadn't seen Adrianna for himself, he would never have believed it.
But now, he could see it happening.
What mage wouldn't fall in love with her ability to burn mana?
“Said he would kiss the back of her hand. Everyone tried to stop him, but he wouldn't listen—.”
The Grand Duke chuckled. His laugh was low and coarse, like the growl of a predator.
Galahad was quietly impressed. *A kiss on the hand.* What a clever method.
The Crown Prince had a decent talent for magic. Until Galahad broke his record, he held the title of the youngest graduate from the Academy.
If a man like that had taken Adrianna’s hand—. Galahad subtly shook his tingling palm.
“He screamed and cried, an absolute mess. It was hilarious watching him tremble and piss himself. He even called her a cursed witch.”
The Grand Duke laughed out loud, but Galahad felt a deep sense of irritation.
For a mage to give up over a little pain. It was pathetic. No wonder he was still trash despite the immense support of the Imperial family.
If even half of that support had gone to Galahad, he would have already changed the course of magical history.
“The Crown Prince is a fine horseman, it turns out.”
Galahad narrowed his eyes at the Grand Duke's amused words.
There was no way the Crown Prince would ride a horse instead of a carriage or a magic vehicle. For him to have ridden a horse back meant—.
‘He killed everyone except the Crown Prince.’
A true tyrant.
It was a clear act of defiance against the Empire, but the Crown Prince would have welcomed it. The Duke had killed all the witnesses to his pathetic display.
That was the kind of man the Crown Prince was.
“And you’re next.”
‘This was the Crown Prince’s doing.’
The Crown Prince did not like Galahad. The reason was simple: Galahad had shattered the record for the youngest graduate, which had been the Prince’s greatest pride.
There were likely other entanglements, but he had a strong feeling the Crown Prince played a major role in this.
*Dong-dong-dong-.* A loud bell rang from somewhere. The Grand Duke turned his head. His profile was like that of a lion. Old and ailing, but a lion whose fangs remained.
A beast that wouldn't hesitate to bite, even if its fangs shattered.
And they had pushed Galahad on such a man, telling him to marry his eldest daughter.
There was no way the Grand Duke would accept, and the Empire knew it.
The reason for such a move was obvious.
‘So they're starting to covet the North now, are they?’
In the war against the demons, the Empire had pushed them back, but the damage was catastrophic. The effort to recover was enough to shake the Empire to its core.
The Empire couldn't even think of dealing with the demons that had fled north.
The clever Emperor had granted the title of Grand Duke to the hero who had cut off the head of the great demon, entrusting the North to him.
Since the North was desolate anyway, the Emperor didn't even collect taxes from the Grand Duke. To the Emperor, the North was merely a breakwater against the demons.
Currently, the North was part of the Empire in name only; it was practically a duchy. The Empire had no interest in it.
But with recent advances in magic, the situation had changed.
The value of the North, which shared a front with the demons, had risen considerably. In fact, quite a few mana stone mines had been discovered there.
Of course, it was still a land with more drawbacks than advantages, but it was clear that interest in the North was growing.
Galahad was the pretext for taking the North.
Could the Grand Duke be unaware of this? Not a chance.
“What about you?”
The Grand Duke asked in a peculiar voice. The interest in his eyes was slowly fading.
Galahad sensed that if that small spark of interest died out, he would be finished too.
“I held her hand. It was very warm. We even interlocked our fingers.”
The spark grew a little brighter. The Grand Duke narrowed his eyes. On closer inspection, he seemed to be smiling.
He had to fan the flames.
“Give me your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
The Grand Duke laughed heartily.
The sound made his head ring, and a wave of dizziness washed over him. For a moment, his mana twisted. Was this man even human?
Galahad stared at the Grand Duke through narrowed eyes. He was closer to a demon than a human.
Even more so than that perverted lord—.
To a mage like Galahad, he was a natural enemy.
“You’re insane.”
It was a harsh curse, but the Grand Duke’s eyes were smiling.
“Still, you’re better than that moron.”
That went without saying.
“No matter what that fool does, he can’t even hold a candle to me.”
At Galahad’s words, the Grand Duke laughed even louder.
“You really are arrogant.”
“I’m often told I’m humble, actually.”
Galahad shut his mouth at the Grand Duke’s raised eyebrow.
“Hmm.”
The Grand Duke studied Galahad with his piercing blue eyes. It felt like a predator sizing up its prey.
“Well, I suppose it’s better than letting you rot in the dungeon, wasting food.”
Even as he said it, the only thing in the Grand Duke's eyes was that small flicker of interest.
“You won’t regret this.”
The Grand Duke laughed as if he had just heard a funny joke.
“I have never once regretted anything.”
A sudden silence fell. It was as if the room itself was holding its breath.
“Because I killed them all before I could.”
At such a manly solution, Galahad gave an awkward smile.
***
The Grand Duke presented two conditions. The first was to achieve a status worthy of being the partner of Adrianna, the hero of the North. The second was to win Adrianna’s love.
To climb to a position worthy of being Adrianna’s partner with no connections… no, as a mage, a status worse than having no connections at all—.
It was a near-impossible demand, but that wasn’t a major problem for Galahad.
Galahad actually found the latter condition more difficult.
He was willing to bet his entire fortune that if he failed at either, the Grand Duke would personally rip his head off.
The Duke’s permission seemed like a small amusement to him. A game where the outcome didn't matter in the slightest.
In the end, the fate of humanity rested on Galahad’s marriage.
‘A kept man who’s literally saving the world.’
Galahad clicked his tongue softly.
The stakes were now much higher, but nothing had really changed.
“Oh, you survived.”
Gilberton, who was waiting in front of the mansion, exclaimed in genuine surprise. He was an annoying bastard, that one.
“You think I’d die during my first meeting with my father-in-law?”
“Well, what did you talk about?”
Galahad put a cigarette to his lips as he answered.
“What else would I talk about with my father-in-law? Marriage, of course. He’s being a bit stingy with the dowry, though.”
“……Dowry? Did His Grace the Grand Duke really approve of the marriage?”
“That’s just a matter of time.”
Galahad answered vaguely, organizing his complex thoughts.
The weight on his shoulders was heavy, but nothing had changed.
“You, what’s your unit? Stable boy? Guard?”
“……Stable boy? I’m part of the 1st Battalion, comprised of the North’s finest elites.”
Gilberton laughed in disbelief.
“I knew that already. Gilberton of the 1st Battalion. A master of the sword, are you?”
A question surfaced in Gilberton’s eyes. He looked somewhat uneasy. *Sharp one, aren't you.* Galahad grinned.
“Why are you asking all of a sudden?”
“Ah, you’ve just been specially recruited into the Special Task Force. No need to thank me. What are friends for?”
“……Special Task Force? Did such a thing exist?”
“I just established it. Neat, isn't it? The Special Missions Unit, or Special Task Force for short.”
“What kind of special missions……”
“Shh, it’s a secret. Anyway, as of today, you’re a member of the Special Task Force.”
“I refuse. Why would I go to the Special Task Force?”
“You’re not going, you’ve already been transferred. You still don’t get it. The Grand Duke transferred you himself. You could call it part of the dowry. It was around here somewhere……”
Galahad pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. It was a document stamped with the Grand Duke’s crest. At the top, written in large letters, was ‘Conscription Order.’ The subject was Gilberton.
Gilberton snatched it and scanned it from top to bottom, as if trying to find a flaw, but unfortunately for him, it was real.
Galahad grinned at Gilberton’s crumpled face.
“……It’s real?”
For the first time, Gilberton’s words were short. A complex expression washed over his face.
“I only speak the truth.”
“No, why would His Grace the Grand Duke do this to me……”
“Think of it as a dowry. And because we go way back, I’ll specially appoint you as the Vice-Captain. No need for thanks between us.”
Gilberton’s eyes darted around for a moment. He glanced back and forth between the document and Galahad before squeezing his eyes shut and opening them again.
“This is not a dream.”
“Damn it. But Vice-Captain? Are there even any other members?”
“We’ll have to recruit them starting now.”
“For fuck’s sake.”
“Your cursing is quite honest.”
By the time Galahad finished his cigarette, Gilberton had regained his composure. He was a calmer man than he looked.
“So, do you have anyone in mind?”
“Of course. I have one for sure, and you’ll look into the other three.”
“You mean you only have one person?”
“Think positively. It means we already have one.”
Gilberton’s brow furrowed at Galahad’s response. Galahad grinned.
“I’m thinking of taking about five people. You can make a list of the other three. Focus on ability. Personality doesn’t matter. I believe people are inherently bad.”
Gilberton opened his mouth to say something, then checked the document in his hand again. Veins popped on his hand.
“That’s a document bearing the seal of the great Grand Duke. If you tear it, it’s a death sentence.”
Gilberton nodded limply.
“He said to pick from the reserve forces.”
“……Why that condition? Did you ask for Lady Adrianna or something?”
“He said that was a no-go.”
Gilberton pressed his temples firmly.
“Anyway, I’m counting on you, Vice-Captain.”
As Galahad laughed heartily and clapped him on the shoulder, Gilberton gritted his teeth.
As he thought of capable individuals, a question suddenly occurred to Gilberton.
Galahad had been imprisoned ever since he arrived in the North.
For him to have someone in mind already—.
Who on earth could it be?
***
“Alright, Gwen. As of today, you are a member of the Special Task Force. You’ve made it big! Congratulations!”
“……What?”
Gwen, who had been cleaning, widened her eyes as if they would tear. The broom in her hand swayed aimlessly.
*Slow on the uptake.* Galahad clicked his tongue and continued.
“From today, you are a soldier in the Special Task Force. We’re heading to the front lines, so pack your things quickly. The demons are calling for us!”
He explained kindly, but Gwen just blinked her round eyes, seemingly unable to understand.
Galahad sipped the bitter tea Gwen had made for him and waited. After two sips, Gwen finally shrieked.
“Why am I a soldier! I’m a maid! A maid who cleans and does laundry!”
“You’re terrible at cleaning and laundry, aren’t you? The dust is still there even after you mop. You break three plates a day; I’m surprised you haven’t been fired. Do you have some powerful connections?”
“……I only broke two yesterday!”
“A great leap forward. Congratulations. Anyway, you’re a soldier now. Hurry up and pack.”
“No! I’m a maid! A maid! Not a soldier!”
At Gwen’s vehement refusal, Galahad realized he had forgotten to mention something important.
“The salary for the Special Task Force is ten times what you make now. And that’s just the base pay. It goes up if you perform well. Didn’t you say you were short on money to take care of the orphans?”
“……Ten times!!”
Gwen’s drool dripped as she counted on her fingers.
“……Then I can bring Dent over, and Bianca can get married! We can all sleep in a bed together! I’ll do it!”
“Good, a wise choice. Now, go pack your things.”
Gwen, who had been radiating excitement, crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes.
“……I won’t learn magic! I can’t sell my soul!”
“I have my pride, you know. I’ll only teach you magic if you get on your knees and beg me. Do you have any idea how expensive my lessons are?”
“……Expensive?”
Gwen’s round eyes darted back and forth. She seemed fixated on the word ‘expensive.’ *How can a person be so materialistic?* Galahad clicked his tongue.
“……Anyway! I absolutely refuse to learn magic!”
“Fine, fine. Your position will be my secretary. You’ll be doing the same work as now.”
“……Really?”
“Of course. Have you been deceived your whole life?”
“Why me? I’m terrible at my job, right? You’re always scolding me!”
“So you knew.”
“Of course! Even the head maid has given up on me!”
Galahad clicked his tongue at her brazen confession.
“If you don’t want to, then don’t. I’ll just find someone else. Anyone I grab off the street would do a better job than you.”
“N-No! Just give me the order! I’ll do anything!”
Gwen dropped to her knees and grabbed Galahad’s pant leg. The movement was so natural it was clear this wasn't the first or second time she had clung to someone like this.
Clinging to his leg and blinking her eyes, she looked just like a puppy begging for a treat.
‘Hook, line, and sinker.’
He planned to take Gwen with him and show her the wonders of magic. She would gradually be steeped in its greatness until, by the end, she would be begging him to teach her. Galahad was certain of it.
All he needed to do was keep Gwen by his side.
“Alright, hurry up and pack.”
“Wh-what about you, Sir Galahad?”
Galahad shook the bag he had brought with him. He hadn't unpacked a single thing. It was an occupational hazard.
Seeing this, Gwen nodded and ran around busily. Galahad sipped his tea again.
‘She’s terrible at making tea, too.’
All you had to do was put leaves in and pour hot water, but making it taste bad was a talent in itself.
By the time he finished his tea, Gwen shouted.
“I’m all packed!”
Galahad let out a groan when he saw her.
Gwen was holding a mop in one hand and a broom in the other, like weapons.
Going to the demon front with a broom and a mop—. Galahad clicked his tongue and waved his hand.
“You’re short, so hold the broom a little higher. That way you can stab the demons in the neck.”
“………Whaaat?!”
Gwen let out a long scream, tears streaming down her face as she raised the broom higher.
“One! Two! One!”
“O-one! Twoo!”
Gilberton, who had returned after compiling the list, saw Galahad brandishing a broom with a maid, and promptly closed the door again.
“Damn it.”
Gilberton’s low curse scattered in the biting wind.