WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Ceaseless
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Northern Grand Duke’s Mad Son-in-Law ◈
Chapter 105: Giddyup
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‘I'm tingling all over.’
Galahad squeezed their eyes shut.
Drinking Demonkin blood was different from eating an egg directly.
Eating an egg felt like being given something living to devour. There was a chance of being devoured in return, so it was dangerous.
Drinking Demonkin blood, on the other hand, was like feeding it.
At the time of receiving the Grand Duke’s acknowledgment, Galahad had drunk the blood of a supreme-ranking Demonkin. That was why Galahad thought Galahad could handle the blood of a high-ranking Demonkin as well.
That had been a clear miscalculation.
High-ranking Demonkin were entirely different from supreme-ranking Demonkin.
It was not merely a difference of one rank. They were a different species.
The blood of a high-ranking Demonkin was more than Galahad could currently handle.
It was no different from giving a thousand kilograms to someone who could lift ten. Their muscles would not merely tear. They would be crushed.
Galahad would improve dramatically if Galahad recovered, but that assumed Galahad endured it.
Since it was meant to ignite the magic circle, Galahad could use it for an instant.
The problem came afterward.
Unable to handle the high-ranking Demonkin blood, Galahad’s mana circuits would be reduced to shreds. Terrible side effects were certain to follow.
To erase those side effects, Galahad would need to burn away every last trace after using it. Fortunately, Adrianna was there.
Still, burning the dense mana left in Galahad’s ruined mana circuits would be excruciating.
It was not something Galahad could endure through willpower alone.
Fortunately, the Egg of Pain was brimming with vigor after consuming high-ranking Demonkin blood.
Galahad had deliberately handed the Egg of Pain control. As expected, it eagerly emerged and took on the aftereffects Galahad should have suffered.
And then there was Adrianna, too...
It had been a clean plan.
And now...
‘Is she kneading me or something?’
Galahad clicked their tongue at Adrianna, who was pressing repeatedly against Galahad’s chest.
“...You did not give me instructions on how I should touch you. So I did it as though loosening your muscles.”
Adrianna hurriedly spoke, her face red enough to burst.
Galahad clicked their tongue and looked around.
Everywhere Galahad looked was full of fire. The heat was intense enough to burn Demonkin, but it was not quite Hellfire.
It was a suitably fierce infernal flame that burned without end.
‘Success.’
Galahad nodded in satisfaction.
“Are you all right...?”
Adrianna’s blue eyes stared into Galahad’s face.
All right? Galahad had consumed two containers of high-ranking Demonkin blood. On top of that, Galahad had burned away its remnants. There was no way Galahad could be all right.
The pain was terrible enough to draw groans from Galahad.
Still, the plan had succeeded, and Galahad had not died.
So...
“I’m fine.”
Galahad tensed. Galahad’s muscles did not merely scream. They howled. Even though Galahad had only stood up in place, Galahad’s body swayed.
‘Damn it.’
Still, Galahad could move.
That was enough.
Then...
“...What are you doing?”
Adrianna crouched before Galahad and knelt. Galahad frowned.
“Get on my back.”
Adrianna’s voice was firm.
“I can walk on my own.”
“You are overexerting yourself. Get on my back.”
Adrianna only turned her head to look at Galahad. Her straight blue eyes were unwavering.
Galahad hesitated briefly, then nodded.
“If you insist, I have no choice.”
“Yes.”
Even Galahad’s joke did not get through. Galahad clicked their tongue softly and climbed onto Adrianna’s back.
It was a truly unfamiliar feeling. The chill of her armor tickled Galahad. Adrianna covered Galahad with her coat.
“I’m going.”
Adrianna held out her sword. Aura flowed along the blade and scattered into the surroundings. The flames split to either side.
Hell itself parted before the pure-white aura. It was quite a magnificent sight.
Adrianna kicked off the ground. With a heavy sound, her figure shot forward.
It was speed beyond human limits. She truly was a Sword Master.
Riding on Adrianna’s back, Galahad felt strange.
Adrianna always stood at the front. Her back was broad and dependable. She was someone fully worthy of the title hero.
But now that Galahad was on her back, she was smaller than Galahad had expected.
“You’re smaller than I thought.”
“Pardon? I did not hear you.”
“Never mind.”
Fire filled every direction, but it had no effect on Galahad. Galahad felt only a little warmth and chill.
“How long will the fire last?”
“It will likely go out once all the mana is gone. Since it used the dense mana of a high-ranking Demonkin, it will continue drawing in mana for a while...”
Galahad coughed harshly. Blood streamed from Galahad’s mouth.
“Are you all right?!”
“There is too much dust. To continue, it will keep drawing mana as it expands its domain. There are many Demonkin inside.”
Adrianna kicked off the ground. Her movements had become gentler than before. She seemed to be taking care with her steps.
“It will stop only after the surrounding Demonkin Territory has burned away.”
“You mean the Demonkin Territory will shrink instead?”
“That’s right. I turned their scheme against them.”
“To use the enemy’s scheme against them... You truly are remarkable.”
Her admiration was sincere. Galahad frowned.
“You only realized that now? I have always been remarkable.”
“Hmph!”
“Did you just laugh at me?”
“...I will increase my speed.”
The wind brushed over Galahad’s face.
To think a human could run at such speed. Galahad was genuinely impressed.
Rather than a human...
“You would make a fine horse.”
“...What?!”
Adrianna asked sharply.
“Giddyup!”
“...”
“It was a joke.”
“...”
“Are you sulking?”
Instead of answering, Adrianna kicked off the ground. Galahad clicked their tongue softly.
She was sulking.
* * *
The disturbance in the Sixth Battalion was gradually being brought under control. The Ruler had been dealt with, and the Sixth Battalion’s soldiers had regained their senses.
The North did not grieve for fallen comrades. Instead of tears, there was rage.
The soldiers howled like beasts as they tore apart the corpses of Demonkin and Monsters.
The battalion commanders gathered before the Ruler’s corpse. The atmosphere was deeply strange.
It could not have been otherwise. The mage they had dismissed as a byproduct of the Demonkin had killed a high-ranking Demonkin.
When Galahad had earned the Grand Duke’s acknowledgment, there had still been room to believe that it was merely because, as a mage, Galahad could drink Demonkin blood without issue.
But killing a high-ranking Demonkin this time was clear proof of skill.
The problem was that Galahad had not merely killed a high-ranking Demonkin.
For some reason, Galahad, smiling while gathering the high-ranking Demonkin’s blood, reminded them of the Grand Duke.
‘No, perhaps even more than His Grace...’
Mark, commander of the Fifth Battalion, murmured quietly.
It had been a very long time since the Grand Duke had mobilized every battalion commander.
The commanders sensed the seriousness of the situation and responded as swiftly as possible.
Yet when they arrived, the situation had been practically over.
Galahad had captured the Ruler, and the Demonkin and Monsters it had controlled had gathered around Galahad.
All they had done was subdue the surviving soldiers of the Sixth Battalion.
Then, after they arrived, Galahad had vanished underground with Adrianna.
In the end, the commanders could only wait.
They had made up their minds and rushed here. Compared to that, this strangely anticlimactic outcome left an awkward feeling.
“There are barely any casualties among the soldiers. There are many injured, but few dead. Most merely suffered leg injuries and cannot move.”
At the soldier’s report, the commanders’ expressions darkened further.
“...Galahad fought a high-ranking Demonkin while sparing the soldiers as well? Does that make any sense?”
The commander of the Eighth Battalion asked doubtfully. It was a natural question.
Even Mark found it hard to believe that Galahad had considered the soldiers’ circumstances while fighting a high-ranking Demonkin.
The strange atmosphere deepened. The commanders exchanged glances. None of them appeared to believe it.
“Shouldn’t we go down? Adrianna’s life is precious.”
The commander of the Third Battalion changed the subject.
Galahad had told them not to come, but they were battalion commanders. They had no reason to obey Galahad’s orders.
Mark stepped forward.
“Wouldn’t it be better to wait?”
The other commanders frowned at Mark’s intervention.
“You young ones have plenty of years ahead of you, yet you lack patience.”
Velogrime, commander of the Seventh Battalion, stood beside Mark.
Then the air behind them grew hot. The surroundings brightened in an instant.
Everyone turned at once. The commanders’ eyes widened. Mark turned as well, and...
‘...?’
Mark’s mouth fell open.
Flames burst from underground as though the earth were spewing fire. This was not ordinary fire. It was hot enough to make the commanders take a step back.
Adrianna and Galahad had entered there. Yet such flames were burning from within...
“Water! Bring water! Quickly!”
Mark urgently gave the order. The stunned soldiers hurried to move.
“This is not ordinary fire.”
A man named First, who had been with Galahad, stepped forward.
“Not ordinary fire?”
“It is fire full of mana. It is not simple magic. This is...”
First extended a hand as he spoke with a serious expression. The instant it touched the flames, the gauntlet melted away. First’s eyes widened, and he quickly pulled back his hand.
“It is vicious fire.”
First hid his hand behind his back as he spoke.
It was a strange explanation, but everyone could tell that this was no ordinary fire.
The spreading heat stung enough that there was no mistaking it.
They wondered why he was stating the obvious.
Then the soldiers brought water and poured it over the flames, but instead of going out, the blaze only grew larger, as if enraged.
Everyone stood with their mouths open at the intense heat.
“Was there another high-ranking Demonkin?”
At someone’s murmur, everyone swallowed dryly.
The commanders tightened their grips on their weapons. Aura surged around them. They looked ready to cut through even fire to get inside.
Then...
“It is weakening!”
The wildly surging flames weakened. The fire gradually faded, then vanished entirely.
Just as the commanders were about to charge in...
Adrianna smashed through the opening and emerged roughly.
She looked terrible. Her face was drenched in sweat, and black ash stained her white armor. Someone was riding on her back.
It was Galahad, draped in Adrianna’s coat. Galahad did not look well. Veins bulged across Galahad’s face, and Galahad’s lips were purple.
Despite that pallor, Galahad’s faint smile remained.
“Gwen!”
Galahad shouted. A woman in a maid’s uniform rushed out.
“Yes! I’ll do it right away!”
Gwen pulled away the coat. Galahad’s bare upper body was fully revealed. It was different from what they had expected.
Galahad was a neat, handsome noble. Galahad gave the complete opposite impression of the rough, starving North. That had also contributed to Galahad’s rejection in the North.
Yet Galahad’s exposed upper body was covered in scars. In the North, scars were a source of pride. They were proof that one had survived.
Even so, none of them had scars that severe.
‘What on earth happened to Galahad...?’
Gwen tried to put a hand on Galahad’s back, but she was too short to reach it. Adrianna bent her knees.
“Thank you! Hup!”
After thanking her, Gwen diligently patted Galahad’s back. With every pat, Galahad’s complexion visibly improved.
Then flames surged from the opening again. They were larger and fiercer than before. They were enough to brighten the dark night.
“There is still a high-ranking Demonkin left.”
Grim determination appeared on the commanders’ faces. The soldiers tightened their grips on their weapons. They had found something to direct their anger toward.
Then Galahad shook their head.
“Ah, that is not a high-ranking Demonkin. It is magic.”
At Galahad’s calm explanation, the commanders’ expressions turned strange.
That massive pillar of flame was magic, not a high-ranking Demonkin? What did that...
“It is my magic. Isn’t it impressive? It will burn for a very long time.”
Galahad explained in a strangely proud voice.
The commanders’ eyes shifted back and forth. They looked at the massive pillar of fire rising behind Galahad, then at Galahad.
So that enormous pillar of flame, large enough to melt the Sixth Battalion...
“...You did that?”
Liam asked in a doubtful voice.
Galahad grinned broadly.
“That is right. It is not simple magic. It draws mana through the passage connected to the Demonkin Territory and burns it, so it is sustained magic rather than a single burst. It should last for several years.”
Galahad’s voice sounded oddly excited, much as it did when Galahad filled canteens with the Ruler’s blood.
“Now, is it not warm? In technical terms, it is the warmest spot on a heated floor.”
Galahad smiled while pointing at the raging pillar of fire.
Earlier, Galahad had gathered high-ranking Demonkin blood. Now Galahad had lit such a fire beneath the Sixth Battalion and was asking whether it was warm?
‘The commanders will avoid Galahad for an entirely different reason.’
Mark looked over the commanders with a doubtful expression.
They tried to remain expressionless, but every one of them avoided Galahad’s gaze.
As though they could not let their eyes meet Galahad’s.
“I am fine now. Put me down.”
“No. You need rest.”
“No...”
“Stay still.”
Galahad clicked their tongue softly at Adrianna’s firm response.
* * *
Fox Mask hummed to herself. She had been in a very good mood lately. Interesting things kept happening.
‘Galahad...’
As though using infernal flames were not enough, Galahad had even copied Fox Mask’s authority.
Only ten days had passed. In ten days, Galahad had rewritten Void Magic to suit Galahad’s own tastes.
‘Could Galahad be more of a genius than the First Mage?’
Fox Mask hummed.
‘That Twilight brat has them completely obsessed. What will happen if I tell them about this?’
Happy imaginings continued.
“You seem to be in a good mood.”
A dry voice broke her thoughts. It belonged to an expressionless man.
“Even after losing the Ruler.”
“Oh my, are you reprimanding me? I finished what I was assigned. Surely you are not worried that it might fail?”
It was an obvious provocation, but the man’s response was indifferent.
“My plan cannot fail. That is why that person put you with me. Even if you cause trouble, my plan remains perfect.”
The man’s answer was stale and dull. He always said the same thing.
Still, it was true. The man’s plans were perfect.
Fox Mask had acted as she pleased because the man was there.
His plans had never failed until now. They did not call him Perfection for nothing.
Still...
“You should not let your guard down.”
This involved Galahad.
“My plan is perfect. Even the Ruler opening the door on its own is within my calculations.”
The man answered calmly, as though merely stating a fact.
‘Hmph, how boring.’
This was why she had not wanted to work with this man.
“The insignificant northerners cannot stop it.”
“But our opponent is not a northerner.”
“It does not matter. Even if the Twilight brat comes.”
No matter how many times she pressed him, the man’s answer remained indifferent.
Fox Mask gave a long yawn. She had wanted Galahad to cause trouble, but that was impossible.
The man’s plans were perfect.
‘The future is another matter, though.’
Fox Mask smiled.
Galahad wielded infernal flames and had learned Void Magic.
There was a chance Galahad could learn the remaining two as well. Of course, it would probably be impossible, but if somehow...
‘What if Galahad completes all four?’
What if she showed that Galahad to the First Mage?
The lethal thrill made Fox Mask tremble slightly.
The orb before her lit up. It was an orb that relayed the situation.
Green meant success, and red meant failure.
The outcome was obvious, so Fox Mask did not even look at it.
She had mentioned Galahad, but she was not truly expecting anything.
This was a plan Perfection had prepared for a long time. There was no way it could fail.
A grind of teeth sounded.
Fox Mask raised her head.
The skin around the man’s mouth had split. It was the first crack she had seen in the expressionless man.
‘Why?’
The orb was red.
Red meant failure.
It was the first time the man’s plan had failed.
“How dare someone...”
The man rose abruptly from his seat. The man who had never once grown excited showed a fierce reaction for the first time.
Then letters appeared on the orb.
They read...
“Galahad.”
The man murmured the name repeatedly, as though committing it to memory.
Come to think of it, it was strange. Galahad was a hot name in the North. Galahad’s name should have reached Dawn long ago.
Yet it had only surfaced now. Had someone been blocking it?
No, that could not be.
To block it, someone at the very highest level of Dawn would have needed to be involved. Galahad was still too insignificant for someone like that to care.
In any case, this was the first time Galahad’s name had made its way into Dawn.
“Galahad.”
The man continued repeating the name.
He would not be able to forgive Galahad for shattering his perfection.
“My plan is perfect...”
Fox Mask giggled as she imitated the man’s voice.
Footnotes:
아랫목 refers to the warmest area of a traditionally heated Korean floor. Galahad jokingly calls the massive blaze one.
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