WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Ceaseless
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Northern Grand Duke’s Mad Son-in-Law ◈
Chapter 17: Terrible Bastard
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“So, you’re not from the north?”
“Yes. I’m from a city in the eastern part of the central region. I learned from a mage.”
“I knew you had no foundation in magic. Go on.”
“Yes, I learned magic...”
“Sorry, but let’s skip to why you came here. Your life story isn’t to my taste.”
“Yes. I served as a noble’s personal mage at a castle in the northern part of the central region. Then, one day, masked men came to see me.”
“Masks?”
“Yes. They wore masks that looked like crows.”
“Crow Mask...” Galahad murmured quietly. He knew them. They had once been his work.
“Dark Magic Society?”
“Yes, you know of them. They asked if I wanted Magic Stones.”
“They changed their methods. So you came north?”
“Yes.”
“Right. They ordered you to bring a Mole Monster and dig through the ground? There’s a mage called Karl and another person whose identity you don’t know inside? Twelve mole crickets?”
“Yes, I’ve told you everything. So please...”
“Hmm. Start from the beginning.”
“I already did! This is the fourth time, damn it!”
“Now, now. It seems you still need more persuasion. You’re remarkably stubborn for someone who looks like you.”
“Aaargh! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’ll tell you again!”
“Good. Could you speak a little faster this time?”
* * *
‘Dark Magic Society...’
Galahad placed a Mana Cigarette between his lips and muttered quietly.
There was no such thing as dark magic. Magic was simply magic. It had been given that name because their methods differed from those of ordinary mages.
Dark mages praised the Demonkin as the origin of magic, then devoured humans in the Demonkin’s manner. They were also anarchists who denied the Empire.
The Intelligence Bureau paid special attention to them, but also used them often.
For example, if a noble secretly siphoned off taxes, the Bureau could quietly dispose of them and blame it on dark mages to spread fear.
Galahad had planned to wipe them all out because their existence did nothing to stop the Demon King, but he had never managed to catch the organization’s core.
So this was where they had been hiding.
‘In the north.’
Galahad tapped ash from his cigarette. Gray ash fell to the ground.
‘Did a Monster Tamer join the Dark Magic Society? Or did they find a Monster Tamer’s relic?’
It was a rather important question.
To answer it, they first had to catch the bastards digging that tunnel.
‘One mage stronger than this one, one unidentified person, and twelve mole crickets. There could be more.’
That was the information Bern had provided. Galahad had checked it several times, so there was no chance it was a lie.
Still, Bern did not appear to hold a particularly high position. There could be forces Bern knew nothing about.
Karl, Bern’s senior, was not a concern.
Even if he was stronger than Bern, he was still a mage. He was no match for Galahad. The only mage who could make Galahad feel threatened was holed up in the Twilight Magic Tower.
The twelve mole crickets could be dealt with if he put the unit to work.
‘The unidentified one is the problem.’
That was a significant variable.
The safest choice would be to wait for Adrianna, but...
They had already taken one of them out. The others might catch on and flee.
The magic circle carved into the Monster’s stomach...
He could not let a single person connected to it escape.
Ever since arriving in the north... no, ever since leaving the Intelligence Bureau, not a single day had passed quietly.
‘Good.’
Galahad tapped ash from his cigarette as he calculated and checked things over. Just as he was going through them again, footsteps sounded behind him.
Heavy, steady strides. Gilbert.
Perhaps the magic circle carved into the Monster was a sore point for him. His steps were twice as fast as usual.
“How did it go?”
Gilbert’s sword was soaked in blood. He must have come in such a hurry that even Gilbert, who cleaned his sword so thoroughly, had not shaken it off.
Damian, Tom, and Gwen appeared behind him in turn. All of them were a mess. Damian, in particular, was covered in red.
“That took longer than expected.”
“...The opponents were Monsters. The First Battalion mostly fights Demonkin. Ordinary soldiers or knights carrying heavy weapons usually deal with Monsters.”
It sounded as though they were stronger against humans. That was understandable. Swords were too short to fight those Monsters effectively.
“A plausible excuse.”
That could not have been the only problem.
Damian and Gilbert had completely different dispositions. Damian was a born predator, while Gilbert was an honest knight. Then there were Gwen and Tom, who had been left behind like sacks of barley.
‘We’ll have to get them working together on the way.’
The fastest way to build coordination was through real combat.
“So, how did it go?” Gilbert asked again.
“They’re digging with mole crickets. There’s a mage and an unidentified person behind them. There may be more.”
“A tunnel?”
Galahad nodded, and Gilbert’s expression grew grave.
“Has this happened before?”
“Monsters usually break through or climb over the castle walls. Still, tunnels like this are found on occasion. That is why Monsters and Demonkin never stop appearing within the walls.”
“There’s another possibility. It could be a Magic Stone Mine.”
“...A Magic Stone Mine?”
“Magic Stones are popular in the capital.”
Gilbert frowned.
“Either way, shouldn’t we catch the one who carved magic circles into Demonkin? We need to block that sinister tunnel too.”
“We must catch them.”
“It would be nice to call for support, but they’re likely to flee by then. We caught one mage and four mole crickets. They’ll notice soon enough.”
“That won’t do!”
‘That was a fierce reaction.’
Gilbert was not a man who showed emotion easily. Yet emotion had surfaced on his face.
Emotion was a crack. A weakness.
And a reason to act.
‘It seems the magic circles carved into Monsters hold greater meaning for northern knights.’
Galahad narrowed his eyes, then smiled.
He had never intended to let them go. This was credit for his first mission, a lead to the rat-like Dark Magic Society, and a clue about the Monster Tamer.
He had been prepared to go in alone.
He was confident enough.
“Come now, we have to save the north from danger, don’t we? Is everyone ready to become heroes?”
Gwen looked ready to cry, Tom looked ready to vomit, and Gilbert looked as though he had been stabbed with a sword.
Gilbert put his fingers in his mouth and whistled. A bird’s cry rang out, followed by the descent of a large hawk. It was a magnificent hawk with a white head.
The hawk flew down and settled on Gilbert’s shoulder. Gwen drooped after asking if she could touch it and being refused.
‘A Messenger Hawk. How northern.’
Gilbert opened the tube tied to the hawk’s leg and pulled out a piece of paper. He wrote something on it, put it back inside, and the hawk flew away again.
“I’ve sent word to Lady Adrianna.”
“Well done. Let’s move at once.”
Galahad brushed the snow from his shoulders and took the lead.
Then Gilbert asked quietly, “What happened to that man earlier?”
Instead of answering, Galahad waved his staff.
Gilbert did not ask further.
* * *
When they arrived at the place the man had described, a massive cave greeted them.
The mana concentration in the area was quite high.
‘Did they dig through the rock? Monsters really are Monsters.’
Galahad marveled at the enormous hole. Then he sensed something at the entrance.
“Wait. Stop.”
Gilbert, who had been leading the way, came to an abrupt halt. Galahad narrowed his eyes and scattered mana throughout the area.
“There’s an alarm spell set up. They’re thorough.”
“Please dispel it quickly.”
“You make it sound too easy. If alarm spells could be dismantled that easily, would they be alarm spells? They’d be welcome spells.”
“Can’t you dismantle it?”
“No, I already did.”
“Then why...?”
“If you start expecting too much because of me, other mages might feel wronged. I’m preventing that.”
“You’re joking even now?”
“I’m serious.”
Galahad examined the magic circle hidden off to one side. A rough stone was embedded in its center.
“A Magic Stone.”
“This is a Magic Stone? It just looks like a rock...”
“Look closely. It gives off a faint glow.”
Galahad carefully removed the Magic Stone. Magic Stones were valued by the amount of light they held, and this was of the lowest grade.
Galahad removed the spell and stepped inside.
Galahad estimated the width of the cave. At this size...
“At most, three mole crickets at a time. It’s the perfect size.”
“What’s perfect about it?”
Galahad simply smiled.
“Gilbert and Damian, take the front. I’ll cover the rear. Tom, carry your shield.”
“...What about me?!”
Galahad quietly looked Gwen over. For the magic transfer to work efficiently, Gwen needed to cling to it first.
She needed to crave magic as though grasping a devil’s hand out of a dreadful sense of helplessness. She was not there yet.
That did not mean she was completely useless.
He dug out the Magic Stone set in the staff he had brought. The upper end was large enough to be a suitable size. He stared at the magic circle carved into the staff for a moment, then scratched out several parts.
Then he held it out to Gwen.
“Hold the end here.”
“...What?”
Gwen tilted her head for a moment before grabbing the end of the staff.
“Ow! What is this? It feels weird!”
“It always does.”
By modifying the magic circle that drew mana from a Magic Stone, he could put Gwen, the sack of barley, to excellent use.
‘A large, walking Magic Stone that refills itself automatically. Its only drawback is that it’s a little noisy.’
Galahad looked at Gwen with satisfied eyes.
There was an unidentified person farther inside, so he intended to conserve Demonkin blood as much as possible.
“Adultery is punishable by death in the north.”
“Stop saying pointless things and focus.”
Gilbert clicked his tongue and stepped forward.
“Now, this is your first mission and your first training session.”
* * *
‘Why am I even here...?’
Tom swallowed hard.
They were up against mole crickets. Mole crickets!
One mole cricket could bring down a platoon. Two could wipe one out. They burst from the ground and dragged people away, which was why they were also called earth ghosts.
And they were walking into a place with twelve of them.
Damian and Gilbert were with them, but even they had struggled against three mole crickets earlier.
Unlike them, Tom was an ordinary soldier.
“It seems they’ve noticed us! Everyone, get ready!”
At that moment, the cave shook with a loud rumble.
Mole crickets came racing toward them from the distance. He had not realized it while they were underground, but seeing them run in the open made their intimidating presence all too clear.
“Damian, you’re a born beast. Go deep in. Think only of yourself.”
“Yes, brother.”
Damian and Galahad sounded remarkably relaxed.
“Sir Gilbert, you need not worry about what’s behind you.”
Gilbert only furrowed his brow. Blue energy surged around the hand gripping his sword.
“Tom, when I call you, rush out and block with your shield. Think of it as throwing your body at them.”
Throw himself at them while holding a shield...
Tom swallowed the question rising to his lips.
Then the cave filled with mole crickets. Their distinctive sharp teeth trembled.
“Everyone, focus. Damian!”
Damian shot forward. His movements were astonishing every time.
Gilbert would have to stop three mole crickets by himself. The situation was worse than before.
How were they supposed to handle this...?
“Flame Dance.”
“...Krrgh!”
Something enormous flew past from behind.
It was a stream of fire large enough to fill the cave.
How could a person cast magic like that...?
Tom’s mouth fell open in awe.
“Screeeech!”
The burning mole crickets thrashed about. The dark cave became bright in an instant.
The mole crickets’ horrific forms were laid bare. Fluid ran through the gaps in their melting shells...
It was the sort of sight he feared seeing in his dreams.
Damian slipped beneath the flames and vanished. He looked as though he had thrown himself into the fire.
Blue light burst from Gilbert’s sword. It casually carved apart a mole cricket’s head. The mole cricket beside it tried to crush Gilbert.
Gilbert stepped back and calmly cut sideways with his sword. Unlike before, he was not charging forward blindly.
Crack!
Aura easily severed its leg. A scream burst from the mole cricket’s mouth. Gilbert’s sword moved smoothly while the mole cricket continued forward.
Gilbert’s sword was sharp, but it was small compared to a mole cricket.
“Now! Tom!”
Tom rushed out.
The ground split open, and a mole cricket’s leg shot up. A heavy impact struck Tom’s shield, sending him rolling backward.
He desperately steadied himself and got up just in time to see Gilbert cut down the mole cricket.
He was fighting three mole crickets, yet he moved more smoothly than before.
Only one thing had changed.
“Good! Sir Gilbert, did you see that? Tom can block one attack too!”
Galahad had joined them.
Galahad’s magic was threatening, but that was not the reason for their current situation.
What mattered was how Galahad assigned them.
He had sent Damian deeper in to keep him from getting tangled up with Gilbert, then actively used Tom to give Gilbert room to maneuver.
Only then did Tom realize that Gilbert had been held back because of them.
“Tom, are you all right?”
“Yes! I’m all right!”
At Gilbert’s heavy voice, Tom spat out the blood in his mouth and raised his shield.
Beyond Gilbert, he saw the horrific burned mole crickets.
Their enraged cries filled the cave. His legs trembled under the pressure, and sweat ran down his back.
Was this hell?
Why am I here? I’m only an ordinary soldier...
“I’ll send out light now and then. Never turn around.”
That flat command made the situation seem trivial.
He could not even attack. All he could do was get hit once and roll backward, but being able to do even that was something.
“Light!”
Bright light poured out from behind with Galahad’s calm voice.
Tom tightened the straps of his shield.
* * *
‘What is this...?’
Karl chewed on his lip.
The plan had been perfect. They had drawn the north’s attention elsewhere and acquired Mole Monsters.
They found an area between watchtowers without patrols, then chose it as their site.
So why...?
“The mole crickets are being pushed back. Hmm, is this a failure? I didn’t expect this.”
At the monotone voice beside him, Karl dropped to his knees.
“No! I can finish this! Just give me one chance...”
The other person slowly stepped on the hand Karl was clinging with. It hurt, but Karl endured desperately. He knew he would die if he let go.
The figure wore a Crow Mask, which concealed his face.
“Do you know who that person at the front is? It’s Sir Gilbert. He has inflicted quite a bit of damage on our side. There’s a large bounty on him too. We couldn’t deal with him because he stayed close to Adrianna, but... you’re lucky. If it had not been Gilbert, I would have had no reason to step in.”
The Crow Mask spoke in an androgynous voice. Karl did not understand what the Crow Mask meant, but he nodded anyway.
“How many Magic Stones are left?”
Karl hurriedly pulled out all the Magic Stones he had saved and offered them.
If they failed, he would not get to keep them anyway. There was no reason to hold back now.
“...Should we wake them?”
At Karl’s question, the Crow Mask lowered his gaze.
“You want to call them? Do you want to die?”
“B-but...”
“What a frightened child. Don’t worry. With this many Magic Stones in my hands, do you think Gilbert matters?”
The Crow Mask smiled sinisterly.
“But there’s someone besides Gilbert...”
“Someone else? Ah, those scraps in the back. They must be Gilbert’s soldiers. What is there to see...?”
The Crow Mask suddenly stopped.
The Crow Mask craned his neck as though looking at something in the distance.
After remaining that way for a moment, he turned his head to the side.
Crack.
A bizarre sound rang out.
“What are you doing?”
“...Pardon?”
“Go wake them now!”
Karl sprang to his feet at the Crow Mask’s shout.
The Crow Mask had made such a damn fuss about not waking them, so why the sudden change...?
“You followed me all the way here? You terrible bastard!”
The Crow Mask shouted in a trembling voice.
The Crow Mask’s gaze was fixed on a neat-looking man.
“Wake them now! Wake them! Just open the cave! What are you doing, you useless bastard?! Do you want to die?! That... that terrible bastard! You came all the way here after all!”
Karl ran off in a panic at the Crow Mask’s shouts.
Who in the world was that man...?
Footnotes:
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