WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Ceaseless

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◈ The Northern Grand Duke’s Mad Son-in-Law ◈

Chapter 13: Front Line

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‘A Demonkin entered the Intelligence Bureau...’

Galahad rolled the bitter sentence around in his mouth.

At first glance, it only meant a Demonkin had entered one of the northern safehouses, but...

‘There’s no way it’ll be that simple.’

Always assume the worst before you act. One of Galahad’s seniors had taught him that saying. Unfortunately, that senior had met a miserable end by failing to follow their own advice.

‘Since when has information from the north been compromised?’

The Demonkin might have done something to stir up the conflict between the Grand Duke and the Empire.

After all, the Intelligence Bureau produced the information the Empire received.

To track it down...

‘I’ll need to compare the Intelligence Bureau’s intelligence on the north with what’s actually happening here.’

If someone had tampered with things, they were bound to have left a trail.

Tap, tap. Galahad drummed his fingers out of habit.

“Why are you sitting in the driver’s seat? It’s cramped.”

“I can’t smoke inside.”

“Why not? You smoked just fine on the way here.”

“Damian’s here now.”

“Didn’t you smoke just fine in the tavern?”

“Is a tavern the same as an enclosed carriage?”

Gilbert frowned. His lips parted as if he wanted to say something, then shut again.

Clicking his tongue, Galahad flicked ash from his cigarette.

Just then, an icy gust brushed across his face.

“It’s fucking cold.”

This went beyond a cutting wind. It was more like a wind made of axes. Good thing he had found a coat before leaving. Otherwise, he would have spent all his mana just keeping warm.

“This is the north.”

Gilbert flicked the reins. The four horses snorted harshly, their hooves kicking up the thick snow beneath them.

Everything around them was white and black. The white was snow, while the black was the ground beneath it.

“The ground’s black?”

“It turns black when Demonkin blood touches it.”

“Hmm. Is it related to the mana contained in Demonkin blood?”

“What are you talking about? Speak Imperial.”

“You really are uneducated. A fine knight, though.”

Gilbert briefly turned his head away. Galahad sank back into his thoughts.

Demonkin and mana, and Adrianna’s ability to burn mana...

Both were maddeningly fascinating.

“...What are you planning to do?”

Gilbert’s question broke his train of thought.

“What do you mean?”

“There’ll be even more resistance once we reach the front line.”

“Opposition is the fate of a genius.”

Gilbert’s brow furrowed deeply. He seemed to think it was a joke. Galahad smiled bitterly.

Once they reached the front line, the first thing he needed to do was...

‘Study Adrianna.’

Compared to Adrianna’s importance, the Demonkin were nothing.

Adrianna was what mattered most right now.

After they had traveled for some time, an unexpected sight greeted Galahad.

“Didn’t you say we were heading to the front line?”

“Yes, that’s the front line. More precisely, it’s headquarters.”

“How does that look anything like a front line? Isn’t that a city?”

Countless houses stood packed tightly together. Towers rose here and there between them.

It was larger and more populous than even the Grand Duke’s castle. How could anyone call that the front line?

“Most of the troops are stationed at the front line, so people gathered around them. And as you can see...”

Gilbert turned the reins. The horses snorted again.

“It developed.”

It was far too large to dismiss with a simple, “Ta-da, it developed.”

“Isn’t it dangerous to live near the front line?”

“If that place falls, it won’t matter where you are in the north.”

Hmm. Galahad nodded. That was true. Still, could it really work like that in practice?

Then he spotted a group of soldiers. The man at the front wore an unusual coat. Its leather was thick, but it belonged to neither a wolf nor a bear.

“It’s a coat made from Monster hide.”

“A Monster?”

“Yes. Monsters are one kind of Demonkin. They take the form of beasts and have no intelligence, but their hides are thick enough to block even Demonkin attacks. That’s why they’re used for coats and armor on the front line.”

Armor made from Monster hide...

It was not a particularly welcome thought for a mage like Galahad.

A soldier approached. Upon seeing Gilbert, the soldier gave a loud salute. Respect was clear on the soldier’s face.

“And this person is...?”

The soldier turned toward Galahad.

“This is Galahad. He’s going to become Adrianna’s husband.”

The soldier’s expression changed in an instant. It looked as though Galahad had insulted the soldier’s parents. The soldier ran back and shouted something to the others. The atmosphere was not good.

“Why are you loosening your fingers?”

“I’ve learned that one lightning strike works better than a hundred words.”

“...Absolutely not.”

Just as Galahad’s fingers began to itch, the carriage was allowed through.

After entering the fortress, Galahad frowned.

It was noisy everywhere. Taverns stood all over the place, and men were fighting with their fists in front of them. People formed circles around them, tossing coins and placing bets. Elsewhere, someone shouted about a pickpocket and gave chase.

There didn’t seem to be any laws here.

Or perhaps they had killed the law.

Just then, a horse snorted harshly. Spittle flew from its mouth and splattered onto a man by the roadside.

“What bastard...!”

Gilbert casually kicked away the man who charged at him.

The man rolled across the half-melted snow. After getting up a moment later, he dusted off his clothes and went on his way.

“Welcome to the northern front line.”

Gilbert smiled as he wiped the blood from his boots.

* * *

Galahad and Gilbert settled Gwen, Damian, and Tom in Gilbert’s home before heading to headquarters.

There were more soldiers and carriages around headquarters than usual. Carriages from every battalion were present as well.

It was proof that the commanders of each battalion had gathered.

“It looks like they’re holding a grand council.”

“A grand council?”

“A meeting of the commanders. It’s not the regular meeting period, so something must have happened.”

“I’m late, then.”

Gilbert snorted at Galahad’s joke.

Galahad was stopped at the entrance.

“Unauthorized personnel cannot enter.”

A soldier in a shaggy fur coat spoke while glancing at Galahad. The excuse was that they had no information on him.

There was no way headquarters had not yet received the report. It was obvious obstruction.

They were being childish.

Gilbert frowned.

Still, it was fairly effective obstruction.

The problem was that their opponent was Galahad.

As expected, Galahad showed no sign of backing down. If he stepped in, things were sure to grow bigger. So Gilbert acted first.

“This is Galahad, commander of the Special Operations Unit. Will you take responsibility if he cannot attend the meeting like this?”

“No one named Galahad was on the guest list. I have never even heard of such a person.”

The soldier’s answer was entirely reasonable.

After hesitating for a moment, Gilbert discreetly gripped the hilt of his sword. Galahad stopped him.

“That’s enough. You’re an excellent knight. Just use your sword. I’ll use my head.”

Galahad stepped forward.

“You don’t know me? When you heard my name, didn’t you frown?”

The soldier pressed their lips shut and avoided his gaze.

“Hmm. Did you receive orders from above? Orders not to let someone called Galahad through?”

“That never happened.”

“You have no talent for lying.”

Galahad flicked ash from his cigarette. The fallen ash lightly melted the thick snow.

“Come here!”

Galahad shouted loudly and held out something. It was a document bearing the Grand Duke’s seal. His fingers cleverly covered the part that read, Notice of Draft Appointment.

Startled by the loud cry, soldiers rushed over in a panic. Their faces went pale.

“There is an important meeting in progress! Lower your voice!”

“Here is a document from His Grace the Grand Duke. Get on your knees and listen.”

Galahad proudly held out the document. The soldiers’ faces twitched at the Grand Duke’s seal.

“Please wait a moment. We’ll report this to our superiors.”

A soldier who appeared to be their senior stepped forward. From the look on their face, it was obvious they only intended to pretend to report it.

“Is there someone inside who outranks His Grace the Grand Duke?”

“...What?”

“Since you are stopping someone who received a direct order from His Grace, there must be someone of greater rank inside! Is His Majesty the Emperor here? This is no time for this!”

At the mention of the Emperor, the soldier flinched and shook their head.

“N-No! He isn’t!”

“I see. Then what exactly gives you the nerve to stop someone acting on His Grace’s orders?”

Galahad spoke quietly. His voice was always relaxed and calm, but there was an odd force behind it.

The soldiers exchanged hurried looks. When Galahad took a step forward, they moved aside.

As if it were only natural, Galahad confidently walked between them.

“Wasn’t that the Special Operations Unit Notice of Draft Appointment?”

“That’s what I told them. They moved aside on their own.”

“Ah, I see.”

It was a shameless excuse, but Gilbert nodded.

“Do you know where the meeting room is?”

“It’s over there.”

As Gilbert led the way, he suddenly realized the corners of his mouth had risen.

Gilbert hurriedly lowered them.

* * *

“Recently, a large number of Monsters came down near the city wall. Four watchtowers under the Fourth Battalion’s jurisdiction were occupied. Normally, Monsters quickly return to their territories, but this time they occupied the area around the watchtowers and did not move.”

“...I have received word that Galahad has arrived.”

Mark, commander of the Fifth Battalion, nodded at Lumian’s report.

The other commanders had received reports as well. Only Adrianna, the person most directly involved, remained quiet.

Her subordinates must have stopped him. The First Battalion’s excessive loyalty toward Adrianna was well known.

Adrianna had never cared about trivial matters to begin with. The only thing that interested her was the Demonkin.

“Then why hasn’t he come to the meeting room?”

“The soldiers stopped him.”

“Stopped him? What does that...”

At that moment, Mark noticed the Sixth Battalion commander wearing a mocking smile.

‘That idiot again...’

Disgust welled up at such foolish behavior. Their target was someone sent by the imperial family. Had they lost their minds, trying to stop him?

Mark irritably scratched his cheek. As he started to rise, his adjutant Lumian grabbed him.

“Where are you going?”

“I need to bring him here. He’s someone sent by the imperial family, and he’s going to become Adrianna’s Consort.”

“You already have poor relationships with the other commanders. Are you planning to make enemies of them completely?”

Mark frowned at Lumian’s rebuke.

“So you’re telling me to stand by while they turn away someone sent by the imperial family at the door?”

Mark pushed Lumian’s hand aside and stood. Every commander’s gaze turned toward him.

Mark snorted and headed for the door. The moment he grabbed the handle, the meeting room door flew open.

‘I didn’t open it that hard.’

Then his eyes met those of the person standing on the other side.

It was a young man with neatly swept-back hair and an open, refreshing appearance. His eyes were far too deep for his age, giving him an unusual air. He looked both young and middle-aged.

Behind him stood soldiers whose faces had gone pale.

That refinement, so out of place in the north, made Mark realize the man was Galahad.

“Thank you for opening the door. Would you mind stepping aside for a moment?”

At the man’s polite request, Mark moved aside with a bewildered expression.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Galahad, commander of the Special Operations Unit. Sorry I’m late. The road was blocked on the way here.”

The man who entered through the open door introduced himself with confidence.

Sharp pressure filled the room. The commanders’ expressions twisted.

“A grand council is in progress.”

The Sixth Battalion commander spoke in a voice full of malice.

“I know. Didn’t I say I was sorry for being late? Don’t be so harsh.”

Galahad’s voice was full of ease. His condescending tone came naturally.

“Sit down.”

Just as the atmosphere began to turn tense, Adrianna spoke in a flat voice.

“It’s been a while, wife.”

Galahad naturally sat beside Adrianna. Adrianna only gave a slight nod.

“...Contrary to our concerns, the Monsters returned to their territories. Two watchtowers were destroyed in the process and can no longer be used. It is a rather strange occurrence, so we need a detailed investigation.”

The Fourth Battalion commander continued the report.

Galahad raised his right hand high. Everyone’s attention turned toward him again.

“I arrived late and missed it. Could you explain it again?”

The answer came from elsewhere.

“More Monsters than usual crossed the city wall. They didn’t return to their territories right away, either.”

Adrianna explained calmly. The meeting room fell silent in an instant.

Anger rose on the face of the person standing behind Adrianna. Their hand rested on the hilt of their sword.

“It’s strange that they stayed before returning. Isn’t it possible they set something up around the watchtowers?”

“Monsters have no intelligence, so that is unlikely. Still, it’s worth checking.”

It was a plausible suggestion, and the other commanders nodded.

“The Fourth Battalion has no spare personnel while restoring the watchtowers. We would need support to verify that.”

The Fourth Battalion commander spoke with a frown. Monsters were treated much like predators or wild animals. It was an indirect way of saying there was no time to investigate them.

“Don’t the other battalions lack the manpower as well?”

The Sixth Battalion commander spoke in an irritating voice, staring at Galahad.

Telling someone who had just arrived at the front line to investigate Monsters...

It was blatant provocation. The other commanders clicked their tongues quietly.

Perhaps unaware of the intention behind it, Galahad nodded. He even seemed pleased.

“Then the Special Operations Unit will handle it. But we still haven’t grasped our duties, so I would appreciate it if someone could assist us...”

Just as Mark was about to raise his hand...

“I’ll go with you. It’s on my way back.”

Adrianna spoke in her flat voice.

The previously noisy meeting room became so quiet that breathing could be heard.

* * *

Flash!

‘N-No...’

Lightning flashed through Gwen’s mind again, and she squeezed her eyes shut.

The broom in her hand fell over, knocking into the bucket of water.

Water spilled across the floor and turned it into a mess in an instant, but Gwen did not even notice.

Her mind was focused on one thing.

[Divine Retribution.]

The spell Galahad had shown her would not leave her thoughts.

She saw it even with her eyes closed, and it kept coming back to her in her sleep.

On the way here, she had not even been able to offer Damian and Tom, her juniors, words of encouragement or a funny joke.

‘No. Magic is cursed. It’s the curse that drove my life to this point...’

Magic had followed her throughout her life and tormented her. If Gwen used magic, even the children she cherished would surely be put in danger.

She could never use it.

For the sake of those lovely children who relied on her.

But why...

‘Why do I keep seeing it?!’

Her heart even pounded every time she thought of it. It beat so fast that she worried it might burst.

She desperately tried to turn away from it, but the more she did, the more it returned to her mind.

If this was going to happen anyway...

‘Should I just use it and get it over with?’

Gwen shook her head after that sweet thought.

She had to endure it.

At least for the sake of her children...

She could endure it.

* * *

Tom went upstairs to call Gwen and froze in place.

Tom had only called Gwen his senior half as a joke. Galahad called her senior in jest too, and she was not even a soldier to begin with. She was just an ordinary maid.

Still, her heart was so kind it was almost foolish, and she took good care of him while calling him her junior. So he followed her without complaint.

That Gwen was sweeping while wreathed in lightning.

It was definitely the magic Galahad had used.

She was covered in that while cleaning? Why? Was she a mage?

Regardless of his confusion, Tom’s posture corrected itself.

“Ah, Junior Tom! I’ll clean upstairs! Go downstairs and rest!”

“...Yes! I’ll obey your orders!”

Tom quickly prostrated himself.

As Tom descended the stairs, he squeezed his eyes shut.

‘She said she was a maid...’

A little killer, a mage maid, Knight Gilbert, and even the commander who was most suspicious of all...

Tom seriously wondered whether he was supposed to be here.

Unfortunately, Tom had no choice.

Footnotes:

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