WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Ceaseless
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Northern Grand Duke’s Mad Son-in-Law ◈
Chapter 56: Counterattack
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‘Dawn.’
Galahad murmured softly.
He had originally intended to win Helcarton over with mental interference.
It had worked even on Demonkin. There was no reason it would not work here.
But the situation had changed.
In a very favorable direction...
“Magic Stones? We have met our quota.”
Helcarton’s eyes sharpened slightly.
‘A quota. So they offer up a certain share.’
Galahad nodded lightly.
“You must have met your previous quota. But have you not botched things several times lately? Of course the quota must increase.”
Galahad openly clicked his tongue.
Helcarton’s expression twisted.
“We have spent our own supplies.”
Helcarton answered in a tightly restrained voice.
Galahad smiled at the appropriate resistance.
“I know. But is what you have entirely yours to keep? What about the north that has been diminished by your failures? You have quite some nerve.”
“That is...”
“Are you about to say it does not matter? You should watch your words.”
Helcarton’s face reddened. He bit his lip so hard that a dimple formed beside it. His eyes turned fierce.
The atmosphere grew hostile, but...
“Hmm. Your expression is strange. Do you have a complaint?”
For now, Galahad was Dawn.
Helcarton was the Dark Magic Society.
The balance of power between them was clear.
Helcarton’s lips twitched for a moment before he forced an awkward smile.
“No.”
“Right? Ah, I was worried for a moment. I thought you might be some shameless son of a bitch with no conscience despite turning the north into this mess.”
“Son of a... Ha. Hahaha.”
“Most people look better when they smile, but you become even more horrifying. Try not to smile.”
Galahad patted Helcarton on the shoulder.
“Tch. Do you think I would simply tell you to increase the quota?”
Helcarton’s eyes gleamed faintly.
“Is the Sanctuary not still open?”
“...But the Seventh Battalion is stationed there.”
“You need not worry about that.”
Helcarton’s expression grew complicated. Galahad silently watched him.
Mages had always been strange people. It was because of magic’s allure. Magic was more powerful than anything else.
They had gone beyond being mages and entered the Dark Magic Society.
Their desires could not be small.
Galahad leaned close and whispered into Helcarton’s ear.
“I am concerned that the Society Head may be unqualified.”
Helcarton’s eyes widened as if they would split apart.
“Un... qualified?”
“Is that not so? After repeated failures, someone must take responsibility. Would you not agree?”
Ambition glittered in Helcarton’s clouded eyes. Galahad smiled and brushed off his shoulder.
“What do you think?”
Helcarton fell silent at the question. Galahad waited without urging him.
Helcarton’s head lowered deeply, then rose again.
“I see. In truth, I was thinking of purging the Dark Magic Society.”
“...Purging?”
Helcarton looked Galahad up and down with questioning eyes, as if asking, ‘You came alone, did you not?’
Galahad smiled and snapped his fingers.
The potbellied man’s head, as he desperately writhed on the ground, swelled like a balloon.
The people nearby cried out and stepped back.
Pop!
The man’s swollen head burst. Red blood splattered across the faces of those around him.
It was thanks to the magic circle Galahad had inscribed beforehand, but these fools could not understand magic circles in the first place.
To them, it would simply look as if he had snapped his fingers and burst someone’s head.
“What the...!”
The mages pointed their staffs at Galahad.
Ignoring them, Galahad silently stared at Helcarton.
“I thought there would be no suitable person to replace the Society Head, but...”
One of Helcarton’s subordinates had just had his head burst.
Yet the emotion in Helcarton’s eyes was not fear or anger.
It was joy and longing.
“There was a suitable person after all.”
Trust gleamed in Helcarton’s eyes.
The ability to burst someone’s head with a snap of his fingers and interpret the Monster Tamer’s magic circle were only minor reasons.
The core of that trust was Helcarton’s desire.
Mental interference was even more effective in moments like this. It was the same principle as fire magic becoming stronger when there was oil.
“Is that not right?”
Galahad patted Helcarton’s shoulder and sent mana into him.
Helcarton’s eyes gleamed even more brightly.
The little reason he had left was swept away, but he did not even seem to notice.
His desire to become the Society Head had blinded him.
Silence lingered for a moment. Helcarton’s eyes moved busily.
When he finally spoke again, Galahad let out a quiet laugh.
“The Society Head is cautious. He is wary even of me, his confidant. There are also too many defensive measures. Going to the grand conference hall is extremely dangerous. And if he notices anything even slightly strange, he will surely flee alone. That is what he did in the capital as well...”
Helcarton spoke through gritted teeth.
“In the capital as well?”
“Yes. When a certain organization shook the Dark Magic Society, he fled alone. He must have prepared an escape route.”
Galahad knew well how skilled the Dark Magic Society was at running away.
If Helcarton was right, going after the Society Head was not a particularly good option.
“Even now, when the Society is in turmoil, he sent me instead of acting himself.”
‘There is some resentment there.’
Galahad clicked his tongue at Helcarton’s bitter tone.
“Then we will have to draw him out.”
“He will never come out.”
Helcarton spoke in a firm voice.
Galahad smiled.
“There is no such thing as never.”
Helcarton frowned, unable to understand.
“Ah, do you have a way to communicate with the Society Head?”
“Yes.”
Helcarton took out a round object. It was a small stone enclosed in something like a jewel box.
It looked rather crude at a glance, but Galahad knew its value.
No, he could not help but know.
“A Communication Orb.”
To see one here...
Galahad let out a quiet sigh.
A Communication Orb was an extremely valuable magical device. It could not help but be valuable because of the materials required to make it.
The fact that Helcarton possessed one meant...
‘They have money.’
Then again, even Corton had given Galahad Magic Stones and gold coins.
The Dark Magic Society would be no different.
More importantly, they ran the Magic Stone Mine business.
The north lacked many things, but what it lacked most was money.
The ignorant fools in the north disregarded magic, so they did not know the value of Magic Stones. Still, Magic Stone Mines were the north’s greatest asset.
If they could properly operate and distribute Magic Stones, the north’s finances would certainly improve by several levels.
The Dark Magic Society would make excellent workers to build the north’s financial foundation.
‘And they will do it for free...’
Smacking his lips, Galahad touched the Communication Orb.
“The method of using it...”
“Ah, I know.”
Helcarton frowned at Galahad’s answer.
Communication Orbs were so expensive, and so difficult to use, that few people used them. Their methods of operation also differed from orb to orb.
How could Galahad claim to know how to use one?
Then the Communication Orb in Galahad’s hand began vibrating lightly. The vibrations even followed a steady rhythm.
Even Helcarton found Communication Orbs difficult to use.
Yet Galahad used one so freely...
‘He truly is from Dawn.’
Helcarton’s trust rose a little further.
* * *
In the dim cavern known as the grand conference hall, the Society Head sat silently.
His thoughts were as tangled as the wrinkles around his nose.
It was because of the recent string of failures.
‘Idiots...’
They could not even handle such an easy task properly. Curses naturally rose to his lips.
None of them pleased him.
There was not a single useful one among them.
But there was an even greater problem.
‘They told us to lie low for a while.’
It was an order from Dawn.
‘...How dare they!’
The wrinkles on the old man’s face deepened further.
The Dark Magic Society had once flourished in the capital.
People he had not even known existed in those days were now giving orders...
‘Because of those bastards from that organization!’
The old man coughed violently. Blood splattered from his mouth.
Because of those people, who had tormented the Dark Magic Society so relentlessly, everything had collapsed. They had been forced to leave their glorious days behind and flee to the barren north.
Still, perhaps the heavens had not abandoned him. After discovering Magic Stone Mines in the north, the Society had begun to rise again.
Then a man from Dawn appeared.
The Society Head had founded the Dark Magic Society.
He worshiped ascension and had never refused anything if it would make him stronger.
That was why he had confidence in his strength.
Until he met that man from Dawn.
[Is this all you have?]
The man had been a monster.
No...
A Demonkin.
The difference in power had been overwhelming, beyond anything the Society Head had ever experienced.
Dawn’s one-sided orders wounded his pride enough to make him spit blood, but...
‘There is no helping it.’
The Society Head’s already heavy neck felt even heavier.
Then the closest of the Communication Orbs before him flashed.
It belonged to Helcarton, the most useful among his confidants.
Helcarton had been sent to the Monster Tamer’s magic circle.
In the north, where Monsters roamed like wild beasts, the Monster Tamer’s magic circle held great value.
He did not want to give it up, but...
‘I should tell him to return.’
He could not disobey Dawn’s orders when his situation was already so poor.
Then the Communication Orb began vibrating with a tapping sound. The mage seated beside it translated the vibrations.
“Hic!”
After deciphering it for a while, the mage let out a harsh hiccup. The mage’s face had gone pale while writing down the message, as if terrified.
It was an unusual reaction. The Society Head frowned.
“What is it?”
“Th-that is... I definitely wrote it correctly...”
The Society Head narrowed his eyes and struck the ground with his staff.
Bloody tears ran from the stammering mage’s eyes. The mage collapsed without even letting out a scream.
Another mage, some distance away, trembled as the mage moved into the collapsed mage’s place and sat down. After reading the paper containing the message, the mage froze.
“Bring it here.”
The Society Head clicked his tongue, and the mage jolted before respectfully handing over the paper.
‘What could it say...?’
The Society Head muttered as he read it, then froze.
The contents were far beyond anything he had expected.
[I am Helcarton. There is no longer any need for an old and sick Society Head. From today onward, I, the young blood, am the Society Head. To prove it, I will reclaim the Sanctuary.]
The Society Head read the paper over and over.
‘What is this...?’
Then the Communication Orb vibrated again.
Apparently, sending it once had not been enough.
The Society Head waved his hand.
The Communication Orb flew lightly into his hand.
He carefully analyzed its vibrations.
A moment later...
The Communication Orb shattered.
It was an expensive item, but the Society Head had no mind to spare for regretting it.
The next message had been even worse.
“That bastard must want to die.”
This was not simply a matter of anger.
If the Society Head caused trouble here, he would be disobeying Dawn’s orders. It was a matter of survival.
For the first time in a long while, the Society Head rose from his seat.
Everyone looked up at him in surprise.
“We are going to the Sanctuary.”
The Society Head readjusted his grip on his staff.
Set into the Society Head’s staff was not a Magic Stone, but a massive dark-red egg.
* * *
‘...?’
Eight tilted his head.
Eight believed his comprehension was better than most people’s.
He was especially good at reading situations.
It was why Eight had survived Galahad when the branch members died.
Eight read situations well and made quick judgments.
At least, that had been true...
‘...Why?’
Eight could not follow the situation at all right now.
Galahad was observing the Seventh Battalion from outside alongside the Dark Magic Society. They had even made thorough preparations, as if they were about to attack at any moment.
‘?’
Eight tilted his head in the other direction.
Galahad had definitely protected the Seventh Battalion. He had even built up influence within it.
Yet now Galahad stood with the Dark Magic Society and prepared to attack the Seventh Battalion.
And he was doing so...
“They are only newly appointed company commanders. There is no need to look at the others. The only problem is the Seventh Battalion Commander.”
With utmost sincerity.
He was even identifying the Seventh Battalion’s forces for the dark mages.
‘...Why?’
Eight tilted his head again.
“Damn it! Hold still! You are distracting!”
Corton suddenly shouted irritably.
Eight frowned at the surly voice.
Eight hated idiots.
Eight also hated greedy people.
Corton was an idiot, and he was greedy.
It was only natural for Eight to hate him.
Eight wanted to drive an Ice Spike straight into Corton’s face, but desperately restrained himself.
Eight was not foolish enough to ruin things over mere emotion.
“But listen.”
Corton casually spoke to Eight. When Eight ignored him, Corton raised his voice.
“But! Lis! Ten!”
For a moment, Eight was so angry that a spell rose to his lips.
After barely holding it back and turning around, Eight saw Corton’s tense face. The hand gripping his staff trembled.
“What?”
Corton glanced around cautiously.
Then he quietly asked, “Is Galahad really from Dawn?”
“Argh!”
Eight could not hold back any longer and struck Corton on the head.
Not using magic was the last of Eight’s patience.
“Argh!”
* * *
Galahad turned at Corton’s scream and clicked his tongue.
Eight and Corton were tangled together, throwing punches.
‘They get along better than I expected.’
Then again, they were similar in some ways.
Both had been blinded by desire.
‘That must be a mage trait.’
Galahad chuckled and surveyed the situation.
The Dark Magic Society members were preparing in their own ways. Some chanted spells, while others readjusted their staffs. Their faces were full of determination.
Beyond them, far in the distance, stood the Seventh Battalion.
They had not fully erased the traces of the previous raid, leaving the place shabby and riddled with holes.
It looked unstable at a glance, but someone was inside.
To lure in the Society Head, he needed to put on a convincing performance.
Of course, that did not mean he could lose his valuable miners.
Both sides needed the right amount of acting and caution.
That required discussing a detailed plan, but...
Galahad had not bothered to send a letter explaining it.
First was standing atop the distant wall, beaming brightly in Galahad’s direction.
‘He is thrilled.’
Galahad clicked his tongue.
Then a familiar white hawk flew over. Its feathers gleamed as if oiled, and its eyes were deep. It was handsome enough to make someone say so despite being a hawk.
‘Adrianna?’
The hawk naturally landed on Galahad’s shoulder.
Galahad stroked the bird as it rubbed its head against him, then untied the letter around its leg.
[I am Adrianna, Commander of the First Battalion. There have been no particular issues in the First Battalion. I am curious about the progress of the Demon Realm Training Camp entrusted to Special Operations Unit Commander Galahad, whom I trust. Of course, the Demon Realm Training Camp is a place the Grand Duke entrusted to Special Operations Unit Commander Galahad. As Commander of the First Battalion, I have no authority to interfere. It is not that I do not trust you. I am sending this letter in case you need help. Adrianna, Commander of the First Battalion.]
Her handwriting was clean yet splendid, which suited Adrianna perfectly.
“Ah, could someone give me paper and a pen?”
“Yes!”
Galahad borrowed a pen from a passing dark mage.
The dark mage’s eyes lit up as the mage handed over paper and a pen.
“This is red, isn’t it?”
“That’s because it’s blood...”
“Do you not have ink?”
At Galahad’s questioning, the dark mages hurriedly moved.
Before long, they brought him proper ink.
Galahad deeply dipped the pen in ink and scrawled across the paper.
[I am protecting the Seventh Battalion wonderfully, so do not worry at all. You and my father-in-law both know how capable I am. It is a day when I miss your warm hands. Your dependable fiancé. P.S. Your handwriting is quite cute.]
Galahad wrote the letter without stopping his pen even once, then tied it to the hawk’s leg.
The hawk flew over the dark mages and disappeared.
“Now, prepare yourselves! Tonight, the Sanctuary will be ours!”
The dark mages answered Galahad’s shout in booming voices.
Galahad smiled in satisfaction.
Footnotes:
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