The Northern Grand Duke's Mad Son-in-Law - Chapter 47

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Ceaseless

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

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

Chapter 47: First

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‘I... I’m going to die...’

Hines blinked.

His eyes stung. Tears streamed down his face. He wanted to rub them, but doing so would only bring even worse pain.

His breath caught. Every time he breathed, it felt as though his insides were burning away. This place was hell. Yes, it was hell.

“Sit on one, stand on two.”

A terrifying voice rang out. It was Sir Gilbert. No, that bastard Gilbert.

“Does it make any sense for company commanders to be unable to endure the Demon Realm? One.”

‘Only yesterday, I became a company commander, you bastard.’ Hines muttered to himself as he sat down.

Just entering the Demon Realm caused terrible pain. He could barely breathe, and his eyes burned so badly that tears kept pouring out.

How was anyone supposed to fight Monsters in an environment like this? They were monsters. Monsters...

“Two.”

He tried to force strength into his legs to stand, but they would not move.

Hines staggered and collapsed sideways.

“Weakling.”

‘You’re the monster for enduring this.’ Hines moved his lips silently. Lying down did not change anything.

Tears still streamed from his eyes, and saliva dribbled from his mouth.

Just as he thought this might really be the end...

“Are you all right?”

A relaxed voice reached him. He turned his head and found Galahad there.

“Th... The One Recognized by the Grand Duke...”

“Yes, don’t speak.”

The One Recognized by the Grand Duke crouched before Hines. The foul ash receded.

‘As expected of the One Recognized by the Grand Duke!’

Even this disgusting ash retreated on its own!

“Is anything uncomfortable? For example, do your muscles feel heavy?”

At the first warm words of concern he had heard, tears welled up in Hines’s eyes.

“I’m fine!!”

“Good. You can do more. You still have mana left, so use a little more. That way, we can see how you react.”

Words he could not understand poured over him.

He did not understand them, but he knew that the One Recognized by the Grand Duke believed in him.

A hot power rose from within. Hines braced himself against the ground and stood.

“That’s more like it, hero. Put in a little more effort, Hines.”

“H... How do you know my name?”

“Can’t I remember the names of my samples?”

“Thank you! The One Recognized by the Grand Duke!”

Hines bit down hard on his lip and stood tall.

He could not betray the faith of the One Recognized by the Grand Duke.

“Run over there!”

At the call of the vicious Sir Gilbert, Hines forced strength into his legs.

* * *

“Sir Gilbert, isn’t the training too easy?”

Galahad shook out his hands as he spoke. Gilbert’s eyes widened.

“...Pardon? They’ve already been worked to the bone. Can’t you see that man foaming at the mouth?”

“That’s an act. I checked his mana, and he still has plenty to spare.”

“Really?”

When Galahad nodded, Gilbert’s face twisted.

“Everyone, get up!”

Gilbert’s furious roar rang out. Galahad stepped back slightly and watched.

The soldiers who had been holding on staggered to their feet under Gilbert’s kicks.

Galahad had not lied.

Gilbert’s training was excessively harsh, but it was not enough to kill them. They were simply being crushed by the extreme environment of the Demon Realm.

The way to overcome the Demon Realm was simple.

‘Experience it until they get used to it.’

They were men who had survived even the harsh north. If they were worked over in the Demon Realm, they would naturally adapt.

Training in the Demon Realm was certainly helpful. Their stamina and physical strength improved noticeably.

It was just difficult.

‘The hardship is temporary. The effects of training in the Demon Realm...’

Galahad organized the information he had just gained. Because the soldiers trained so diligently, he was gathering a satisfying amount of data.

Then an old man approached. It was Velogrime, commander of the Seventh Battalion.

‘He’s used to the Demon Realm.’

Velogrime’s calm demeanor was not that of someone who had only entered the Demon Realm once or twice.

“Thank you, truly. Without you, I cannot imagine what would have become of the Seventh Battalion. Those fools fell for the Demonkin’s temptations...”

“When people are hungry, they follow whoever feeds them.”

“If people act on instinct, they are beasts, not people.”

That was true. Galahad nodded.

“I will keep my promise. I, Velogrime, will follow you second only to His Grace the Grand Duke.”

‘A promise?’

Galahad had made no such promise, so it was probably Eight’s doing. Eight had visited Velogrime first.

It was the first he had heard of it, but Galahad nodded. There was no reason to refuse someone who wanted to join him, especially not the Seventh Battalion.

“Very well.”

Velogrime laughed heartily at Galahad’s immediate informal tone. His wrinkled eyes gleamed.

“Looking at your eyes, it seems this is not just because of a promise.”

“Old eyes can see farther. The current of the north is flowing toward you. Very strongly...”

Velogrime pointed at Galahad with a wrinkled finger.

“Sir Gilbert knows that too.”

“Haha. Is that so?”

Galahad nodded and put a cigarette between his lips.

‘With the Seventh Battalion joining as well, I’ve gathered quite a few people.’

It was not exactly surprising. Galahad oversaw the Demon Realm Training Camp established within the Seventh Battalion, so naturally his influence there would be strong.

Velogrime must have known that.

That was why he had chosen to place himself under Galahad first.

‘A shrewd old man.’

Galahad clicked his tongue softly and snapped his fingers.

Familiar mana stirred, and fire lit at his fingertip.

A rich lemon scent spread through the air.

‘Hm.’

Something suddenly felt strange.

He had conjured the fire unconsciously, but the mana concentration was strange. Only then did Galahad notice that the Egg of Pain was throbbing violently.

Just moments ago, Gilbert’s shouts and the soldiers’ desperate screams had filled the air, but now everything was silent.

As though every sound had died.

The most likely explanation was...

‘A mental-type Demonkin.’

Galahad immediately circulated mana. The Egg of Pain throbbed violently, spewing out mana. The magic circle on his right arm glowed.

He raised mana toward his head to block the mental interference.

In that instant...

The scenery changed.

Galahad stood in a splendid garden. Birds chirped as they flew about, and lush trees swayed as though greeting him. It was a peaceful forest.

The cigarette in his mouth had vanished at some point.

‘I definitely wrapped mana around my head.’

It was high-density mana drawn through the magic circle and the Egg of Pain.

He thought he had learned how to deal with mental-type Demonkin after encountering them twice, yet it had collapsed so easily.

‘Was there a Demonkin left in the castle?’

There was a chance a Demonkin had been hiding in the inner castle.

Still, this mental interference was stronger than the upper-ranking Demonkin he had faced in the actual Demon Realm.

Which meant...

‘Did that One come personally?’

There was a high chance it was the high-ranking Demonkin called that One, who had controlled the upper-ranking Demonkin in the Demon Realm.

His heart began pounding violently through the silence. Gray gradually spread through his vision. It was the Egg of Pain. Galahad quickly searched for the canteen at his waist. It was gone.

The bushes ahead parted, and a woman emerged.

She had four legs like a deer’s. Yet they were not deer legs, but long, white legs belonging to a woman.

Rather than grotesque, the sight felt elegant and sacred.

The woman approached Galahad with light steps.

The Egg of Pain throbbed violently, as though growling. His heart felt ready to burst.

[Noisy.]

The woman’s voice was not heard, but seen. Galahad frowned at the strange sensation.

The Egg of Pain did not yield and throbbed even harder. Galahad wrapped the mana it gave off around his head. He intended to break the mental interference.

[Futile.]

At the woman’s next words, the mana vanished. Only the Egg of Pain continued throbbing furiously.

‘...The mana disappeared?’

A low groan escaped Galahad.

The woman, now directly before him, looked down at him.

Her eyes were split vertically, long and narrow like a snake’s.

Facing her made him realize how small his own existence was.

“You’re that One.”

The woman looked surprised for a moment at Galahad’s words.

[You hold your head high.]

Galahad’s mind fell endlessly.

When he opened his eyes, he stood atop a towering mountain. Dark clouds filled the sky in every direction. Their growls were deeply unsettling.

The unease quickly became reality. Violent lightning bolts struck Galahad without restraint.

‘It stings.’

Galahad grumbled quietly.

The scene changed again. This time, it was an active volcano spewing lava. The lava bubbled as though smacking its lips.

Galahad was thrown directly into the heart of the raging volcano.

‘It’s hot.’

Galahad muttered as he sank into the lava.

He was back before the woman.

The woman had grown larger than before. Her legs were now twice Galahad’s height.

The greenery around them was even more vibrant. Galahad looked down at his hands. They were unharmed. The Egg of Pain throbbed violently, as though telling him to come to his senses.

Galahad focused on it. The Egg of Pain seemed unaffected.

Was it because they were both high-ranking Demonkin?

“Interesting. Are you going to do more?”

Galahad looked at the woman as he spoke.

The woman raised the corners of her mouth. Only then did Galahad realize his hands were trembling, and he clicked his tongue.

The woman was likely the high-ranking Demonkin called that One, beyond the upper-ranking Demonkin he had encountered in the Demon Realm.

Otherwise, mental interference of this level made no sense.

Pain could be felt even when he knew it was not real. Galahad found it deeply interesting.

“I didn’t expect you to come looking for me yourself.”

[Myself?]

The woman raised the corners of her mouth.

The meaning was clear.

“You didn’t even come yourself, yet your mental interference is this powerful... Truly impressive.”

Galahad voiced his admiration.

‘Did she plant something inside me? Are the Demon Realms connected?’

Both were possible. Then Galahad suddenly found himself unable to speak.

No matter how he moved his mouth, no sound came out. ‘Oh, how interesting.’ Galahad put a finger into his mouth. His tongue could move, but...

[You are an amusing child.]

The woman’s voice struck his mind. It rang as clearly as lightning crashing all around him.

‘The feeling is mutual.’

The woman’s long finger pointed at Galahad. That finger was a tree branch.

Galahad’s mind was dragged away again.

This time, he was inside rotting soil. Countless insects gnawed at him from every direction.

The horror was vivid. Just as a worm with dozens of teeth tried to eat his eyes...

He was back in the grass.

Galahad coughed harshly and staggered. He retched, trying to vomit the insects inside him. Colorful flowers poured from his mouth.

‘Oh, how interesting.’

The woman had grown even larger than before. Now, she was as large as an average castle.

[Do you still find this amusing?]

Galahad raised the corners of his mouth and swept back his disheveled hair.

‘Very much...’

This time, he was drowning.

Being unable to breathe was a terrible sensation.

Galahad focused on his heartbeat.

Thump. Thump.

His heartbeat sounded faint, as though it came from a great distance. Still, it was violent.

‘There it is.’

Galahad plunged his hand into his chest. His hand went in surprisingly easily.

The water vanished, and he was back in the forest. The woman stood before him at the size she had been when he first saw her.

The Egg of Pain was writhing. His heart pounded so quickly it felt as though it would burst. Galahad lightly shook his hand.

[Impressive.]

The woman expressed pure admiration.

“You showed me three times. I would have been a fool not to notice something strange.”

Galahad clicked his tongue as he answered. Contrary to his words, he was not in very good condition.

A clue was important to breaking mental interference.

Last time, it had been Damian not saying he was hungry.

This time, it was the Egg of Pain. He could break free by focusing on its violent throbbing.

‘It was still quite difficult.’

Galahad shook out his hand and examined his surroundings. It was still a lush forest.

But...

The birdsong had vanished.

The illusion was less detailed than before. It was proof that the woman was expending strength as well.

“Are you planning to waste more strength? I don’t mind.”

The woman lowered a finger. The corners of her mouth rose.

[Amusing.]

“I enjoyed myself too. Ah. I finally found it.”

Galahad put a cigarette between his lips.

It lit. The scent of lemon spread.

The greenery around him blurred slightly.

The woman looked back and took a step away.

[Come to the Demon Realm. Alone.]

The woman whispered quietly.

“Why would I go alone to such a dangerous place?”

Rather than answering, the woman raised the corners of her mouth.

As though she knew he would come.

The forest vanished, and blue eyes stared at Galahad.

“Are you all right?”

Adrianna asked in an indifferent voice.

Galahad, reflected in Adrianna’s blue eyes, was smiling.

Very deeply.

This place was far from the Demon Realm.

Mental interference of this degree across that distance...

This was...

‘I have no choice but to go.’

Unfortunately, the woman’s prediction was right.

She had thoroughly piqued Galahad’s interest.

* * *

“It’s here.”

At First’s excited voice, Pumpkin let out a low sigh.

They had come all the way from the capital to the north, yet he was moving immediately without even unpacking at the safehouse.

“Can’t we rest first? It’s not like he’s going to run away.”

“You don’t understand. That man is probably thinking of ways to get ahead of me even now. How can I rest?”

First’s answer was firm. His obsession was truly damn insane.

Pumpkin forced down her rising irritation. Getting angry at First would only hurt her.

“Pumpkin, I’m counting on you.”

At First’s serious voice, Pumpkin barely held back the curse about to burst out.

“Are you really planning to do that?”

“Didn’t you promise earlier?”

“That was because you got on your knees and begged...”

“I’m serious.”

“Ha... Fuck. Fine.”

The two headed toward the Seventh Battalion. As they drew closer, a strange smell reached them.

Someone inside kept shouting. It was not just one or two people. Pumpkin frowned at the strangely heated atmosphere.

“Doesn’t something seem strange?”

First seemed to notice it as well and nodded.

Pumpkin stepped forward to deal with the soldier at the checkpoint. They carried appointment papers bearing the Grand Duke’s seal. They had been assigned to the Special Operations Unit.

Forging something of this level was nothing to them.

The soldier suddenly shouted. Pumpkin nearly drew her sword in surprise.

“Special Operations Unit!! The unit of the One Recognized by the Grand Duke!!”

“The One Recognized by the Grand Duke!!”

Shouts erupted from all around them. They chanted, “The One Recognized by the Grand Duke!”

Pumpkin looked at First amid the strange atmosphere. His expression was equally odd.

“Galahad...”

“You mean the One Recognized by the Grand Duke!”

Another shout burst forth. Everyone cried out, “The One Recognized by the Grand Duke!” The fervor grew even stronger.

‘...What is wrong with this place?’

What on earth had he done here for people to react like that just from hearing his name...?

First’s body began trembling violently. Pumpkin hurriedly stepped in.

“Yes, where is the One Recognized by the Grand Duke?”

“This way!”

A soldier with bloodshot eyes led them roughly.

“The One Recognized by the Grand Duke!” rang out all around them.

What the hell did he do here?

First let out a hot breath. Energy rippled around him. He was clearly extremely excited.

“I wonder what expression he’ll make when he sees me, his rival of the century and the archenemy of his soul. He fled to the north to avoid me, but he can’t escape.”

First rambled strangely in an excited voice.

‘Here he goes again.’

Then Galahad appeared in the distance.

First’s expression changed when he spotted Galahad. The heat vanished in an instant.

He wore his usual bright smile.

First would get excited on his own, but whenever he actually faced Galahad, he would put on that act.

As though he did not care about Galahad. He acted cool. It was truly pitiful acting.

Then First held out his arm. Pumpkin’s irritation boiled over. First whispered, “Please...”

Pumpkin bit her lip and linked arms with First. Since she would not marry him, he had asked her to at least act like an affectionate couple.

Then Galahad looked their way.

“Oh, Galahad. Fancy seeing you here.”

First greeted him lightly, as though they had met by complete chance.