WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Ceaseless

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

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

Chapter 59: Reply

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‘Damn.’

As the elder’s breathing stopped, the egg fell from the staff with a thud.

The enormous egg rolled toward Galahad.

Galahad stared at it.

‘Dangerous.’

It was only a gut feeling, but Galahad trusted his instincts.

Thump! Thump!

The Egg of Pain urged him to eat it at once.

Galahad examined the egg closely.

He sent a faint thread of mana toward it, but it vanished completely.

He couldn’t help but be impressed. Though it had lost its host, it still seemed to be of a higher grade than the Egg of Pain.

The Egg of Pain was no match for it, so consuming it outright would be dangerous.

The Egg of Pain trembled violently.

It seemed to insist that this time would be different, that it could handle it.

Galahad didn’t trust the words of a cheap egg.

He calmly assessed the situation.

The elder had lost a great deal of blood, but that wasn’t what had killed the elder.

‘It has a basic awareness of its host.’

Eating it might be dangerous, but it probably wouldn’t kill him.

Still, since his egg was such a cheap one, it needed a little trimming first.

Galahad moved his knife.

The egg wasn’t hard. It cut as easily as jelly. The severed pieces turned to ash and scattered away.

He didn’t think it was a waste.

Too much had always been worse than too little.

He cut away quite a lot, yet the center still felt dense, as though the core lay within it.

Galahad speared it with his fork.

Thump! Thump! The Egg of Pain kept beating.

Slowly, he brought it to his mouth.

‘Hmm.’

A low groan escaped Galahad.

Something indescribable passed into him.

It wasn’t mana or vitality. A violent sensation swept over him, enough to shake his mind.

The Egg of Pain sprang toward it in delight.

The moment the two collided, his insides churned. It felt as though something was exploding within him.

Galahad clenched his lips shut.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

Boom! Boom!

Galahad was used to pain, but this was a new kind of agony.

The Egg of Pain charged at it savagely and tore at it. The two rolled around inside him.

When it opened its mouth wide, the Egg of Pain barely dodged aside. Sharp pain stabbed through him.

‘Can’t you do this properly?’

At Galahad’s scolding, the Egg of Pain hurriedly grabbed it.

It was struggling against something that had lost its will.

It truly was the lowest grade.

‘Damn it, my life is in the hands of a lowest-grade egg.’

Galahad clicked his tongue softly, and the egg trembled fiercely.

The Egg of Pain was being pushed back. He had fed it something to eat, only for it to get bitten instead.

Brrr! The Egg of Pain shook violently, as if screaming.

It had rushed in so proudly, yet it was about to lose.

It couldn’t even swallow something spoon-fed to it.

‘Unbelievable.’

The Egg of Pain trembled urgently. It seemed to be crying for help.

Clicking his tongue, Galahad opened his canteen.

As he raised it to his lips, a cold, revolting sensation ran down his throat.

The Egg of Pain, which had been losing, brightened. Its opponent showed no interest in Demonkin blood, so the Egg of Pain absorbed it instead.

Emboldened, the Egg of Pain began its counterattack.

It drove the creature into a corner and tore it apart. The remnants that spilled from it spread around him.

“Hmm.”

Galahad frowned. The scattered remnants spread through him, and his heart pounded violently.

The struggle continued for a long time.

Only when Galahad’s consciousness began to blur did the Egg of Pain finally start devouring it.

Each time it ravenously tore away a piece, his chest grew heavier.

Then the Egg of Pain began to shake violently.

Unlike before, this trembling was abnormal.

As if it couldn’t contain itself.

‘Get a hold of yourself.’

Sensing something wrong, Galahad urgently called out to the Egg of Pain.

‘I was joking. You’re not a cheap egg. You’re a decent egg.’

The Egg of Pain didn’t answer.

Galahad frowned.

Then the Egg of Pain suddenly stopped.

His vision filled with spots.

A dreadful silence swallowed Galahad.

He tried to snap his fingers, but he had no fingers.

Just as he tried to cast a spell...

He felt the gaze of a massive presence.

The massive presence asked who he was.

Galahad answered that he was Galahad.

* * *

Press.

Galahad regained consciousness beneath a heavy pressure.

The Egg of Pain was diligently pressing against his heart.

‘Damn.’

Galahad coughed softly and shook his head.

He had lost consciousness the moment the Egg of Pain started acting up.

‘To think I lost consciousness.’

Galahad frowned.

It left an unpleasant feeling behind.

Then he felt the Egg of Pain’s gaze. The sensation was stronger than before.

The Egg of Pain seemed to be showing off.

‘You caused all this because you couldn’t eat one thing?’

At Galahad’s scolding, the Egg of Pain squeezed his heart.

Its strength was greater than before. It felt as if his heart had truly been grasped.

Of course, it wasn’t squeezing in earnest.

If Galahad died, it would be finished too.

Still, it needed to be disciplined.

‘I should ask Adrianna to touch my chest.’

Startled, the Egg of Pain trembled. As if it had planned to massage him from the start, it pressed against his heart over and over.

It was rather skilled. Combined with its increased strength, it felt quite refreshing.

He felt more energetic. It seemed the vitality stored within the Egg of Pain was taking effect.

Press, press.

The Egg of Pain nodded urgently.

‘Looks like I’ll live a long life.’

Muttering the joke, Galahad put a cigarette in his mouth.

Then the Egg of Pain shook eagerly. It almost looked like it was dancing.

‘Did something increase?’

The Egg of Pain gave two small shakes, as if telling him to look closely.

Mana flowed from the Egg of Pain, and there was more of it than before.

Roughly...

‘It’s become twice as good.’

If the Egg of Pain drank one canteen, it would produce enough mana for two.

It was a considerable increase in efficiency.

Even so, it was still far inferior to what the elder had possessed.

Chomp. Galahad clicked his tongue at the ache in his heart.

‘Stop biting me.’

He snapped his fingers and lit the cigarette.

A sweet lemon scent spread through the air, waking his heavy mind.

Galahad sensed a subtle change.

‘This is the Demon Realm, but magic is easier than before.’

It was somewhat lacking compared to the true Demon Realm, but the mana concentration here was high enough to call it the Demon Realm.

Using magic had originally been difficult, but now spells came easily.

There was likely a difference in mana concentration, but that wasn’t all.

‘It feels like my constitution has changed.’

He had become a little closer to mana.

Galahad snapped his fingers again.

The surrounding ash was swept far back.

‘It’s definitely easier.’

Only one possibility came to mind. When the Egg of Pain had dismantled that creature, the remnants had scattered through him. That was likely the cause.

The Egg of Pain swayed smugly.

For the first time, Galahad wanted to stroke it.

‘It’s easier to control mana in the Demon Realm now.’

Looking at the ash he had swept away, Galahad smiled.

He had been wondering how to answer the high-ranking Demonkin’s invitation, but it seemed he had found a way.

‘I should find more eggs.’

The Egg of Pain nodded vigorously. It felt as though communicating with it had become a little easier.

“Is it over?”

A deep voice came from beside him. It was First.

Galahad nodded lightly.

“Are you planning to run the Dark Magic Society?”

First asked, pointing at the dark mages lined up behind them. Pumpkin bowed her head.

Galahad nodded readily. First was only asking as a formality anyway.

“Do you know those people called Dawn?”

This time, Galahad asked.

First showed no reaction. His breathing didn’t change, nor did he blink.

“That’s classified.”

“I’m still an agent too.”

Instead of answering, First smiled faintly. There was no point asking further.

Still, Galahad had learned that the Intelligence Bureau was aware of Dawn.

“So, when are you two getting married?”

“What?! What are you talking about?!”

Pumpkin shrieked, and Galahad chuckled.

“Pumpkin is a little shy. We’ll get married before you do.”

“Oh, please, enough of this bullshit... I’ll head in first!”

Soon, Pumpkin and First walked away.

Galahad watched First for a moment, then flicked ash from his cigarette.

“Eight.”

“Yes.”

Eight prostrated himself before Galahad.

Galahad looked at him for a moment before speaking.

“You’ve worked hard. From now on, you’re the Society Head.”

Eight’s body trembled.

“I won’t say much. Do well.”

As Galahad spoke and rummaged through the Society Head’s corpse, Eight lowered his head deeply.

It was sincere.

* * *

Helcarton regained consciousness with a splitting headache.

His memories were hazy.

He had definitely entered the Sanctuary and...

‘That monstrous knight!’

A knight like a monster, wielding magic, had attacked him. That was Helcarton’s last memory.

Helcarton hurriedly looked around. The space was filled with sacred ash. It seemed they were still within the Sanctuary.

Overwhelmed by the Sanctuary’s atmosphere, Helcarton sighed softly.

Was this how a fish that had spent its whole life out of water would feel upon entering it?

Helcarton could only gape blankly. There was no need to move mana.

Sighs sounded around him. The other dark mages seemed to be waking up one by one as well.

“Everyone, get up.”

Then a relaxed voice rang out. When he turned his head, that man was there.

The man from Dawn.

He was in poor condition. Long cuts ran across his waist and shoulders, and his hair was a complete mess.

Yet his usual composure remained unchanged.

“Now, you all know who this is.”

The man waved something as if displaying an object.

In his hand was the emaciated Society Head. Not a trace of life remained.

Silence fell at once.

Who was the Society Head? The Society Head was the master of the Dark Magic Society and an absolute ruler to them.

And this man had reduced the Society Head to that state.

“As you can see, the Society Head is dead. We need to choose a new one.”

At those words, Helcarton’s mind snapped awake.

‘At last, I’ll become the Society Head...’

Helcarton hurriedly composed his expression.

“The reason the Dark Magic Society ended up like this is because the water stagnated. The Society Head never changed, so everything stagnated and rotted.”

He was right.

The Dark Magic Society had never once changed Society Heads.

“I intend to prevent that. Rather than having the strongest person become Society Head, shouldn’t it be someone who can develop the Dark Magic Society further?”

Loud agreement erupted.

It was excessive, but no one noticed.

“Show your loyalty to the Dark Magic Society! Prove it through your sweat! Then anyone can become the Society Head!”

The man spoke rapidly, and his voice carried great power.

Those captivated by him responded loudly.

They had no choice.

Anyone could become Society Head.

Didn’t that mean everyone had been given an opportunity?

“Ah, but we can’t leave the Society Head’s position vacant, so I’ve chosen an interim Society Head. Come forward.”

The man pointed at Helcarton.

Helcarton rushed forward at once. The admiring gazes of the dark mages focused on him. Their eyes burned.

“I’ve also chosen someone to assist you. Let’s call that position Vice Society Head.”

Someone wearing a Crow Mask stepped forward.

There had never been a position called Vice Society Head before, but now was no time to worry about such minor details.

He had become the Society Head of the Dark Magic Society, which had secured a Sanctuary.

A smile naturally spread across his face.

“I hold you all in very high regard. You were driven from the central region by a certain organization, yet you didn’t give up. That passion of yours. How many hardships have you endured? You opened the Sanctuary despite all those hardships. You are pioneers!”

Several people covered their mouths, overcome with emotion.

Their past hardships seemed to flash through their minds.

“As I said earlier, the Society Head position will now be performance-based. Every quarter, the Society member with the best results will become the Society Head.”

Everyone let out audible gasps.

The door of opportunity was open.

Their eyes sparkled, all except one person.

Helcarton spoke urgently.

“What do you mean by that? Changing the Society Head every quarter... The Society Head isn’t such a trivial position.”

“Didn’t you nod when I just spoke about stagnant water? Ah, now that you’ve become Society Head, have you changed your mind?”

Helcarton’s face reddened at the man’s blunt accusation.

Still, he couldn’t back down.

Just as he tried to argue...

Kreeeeek!

A strange cry rang out. Helcarton turned, and his face twitched.

A huge, hideous Monster was charging toward them.

It was Ssobaengi, a mid-ranking Monster.

A mid-ranking Monster in the Sanctuary.

Monsters were better than Demonkin, but they were still a mage’s natural enemy.

Everyone screamed and tried to flee when...

“Damn it, I told Gwen to tie it up properly.”

Clicking his tongue, the man snapped his fingers.

A small spark darted between his fingers.

Helcarton stared in shock as the spark grew more intricate and larger with each movement.

It was unbelievable mana control.

The lightning quickly took the shape of a flower and flew toward the Monster.

It had taken only an instant.

Yet Helcarton frowned at the lightning shooting toward the Monster.

‘Using magic on a Monster. Idiot.’

Magic didn’t work on Monsters. It was common knowledge.

Even if he had captured the Society Head...

Then...

...!!

The Monster, engulfed in lightning, let out a dreadful scream.

It was so agonized that everyone who heard it shuddered.

The blackened Monster collapsed where it stood.

Thud.

Its huge body struck the ground with a heavy thud.

A heavy silence settled over the area.

Then the man looked at Helcarton.

There was no emotion in his eyes. Only a hint of fatigue.

“Hmm, what were you saying?”

At that flat question, Helcarton immediately replied.

“I’d like to know the details of the performance system!”

“Ah, as expected of the interim Society Head. Your enthusiasm is remarkable.”

Helcarton nodded vigorously.

“Ah, achievements will be evaluated in various areas, but the largest portion will be the amount of Magic Stones acquired. As you all know, Magic Stones are the Sanctuary’s main fuel.”

The dark mages cheered at the man’s explanation.

Even a low-ranking mage could mine Magic Stones.

And now, mining many Magic Stones could make them Society Head. What a revolutionary promise.

“I will open the Sanctuary to those who work diligently. But Magic Stones are needed to maintain the Sanctuary, aren’t they? We need to expand the Sanctuary! We need more Magic Stones!”

As the man’s calm explanation continued, the cheers grew louder.

In contrast, Helcarton frowned.

If the person who mined the most Magic Stones became Society Head, didn’t that mean they would have to keep mining Magic Stones even after becoming Society Head?

“The interim Society Head doesn’t look pleased.”

“Not at all!”

At the man’s question, Helcarton forced a smile.

Then someone began running desperately on their own.

“The next Society Head will be me!”

It was Corton.

Others began to run after him.

Helcarton had no choice but to run as well.

* * *

Theodore observed the Grand Duke.

As always, the Grand Duke sat silently.

The person seated furthest inside began the reports.

“Reports have come in that the Sixth Battalion was attacked by a group of Monsters and lost three watchtowers.”

“Reports have come in that Demonkin appeared in the Third Battalion’s territory, and one village has vanished.”

It was the usual string of frustrating reports.

Then...

“The Fifth Battalion has raised taxes further. Commander Mark of the Fifth Battalion reported that it was thanks to Commander Galahad of the Special Operations Unit.”

Rather than lowering taxes, he had raised them further.

At the name Galahad, Theodore quietly marveled.

It was a name that had been appearing frequently lately.

Whenever Galahad was mentioned, the results were always good.

Though they never said so directly, it was the name the staff liked most.

“Reports have come in that a mid-ranking Demonkin hiding in the First Battalion’s border region was found and eliminated. Commander Adrianna reported that it was thanks to the mana detection method taught by Commander Galahad.”

Galahad again.

The Grand Duke’s brow furrowed slightly.

The next report followed.

“The Dark Magic Society attacked the Seventh Battalion, but it was repelled.”

The Seventh Battalion was where the Demon Realm had opened. If the place where the Demon Realm had opened had been taken, the Seventh Battalion itself could have become an enemy den.

Repelling them was a major achievement.

But...

“Commander Galahad repelled them.”

Galahad again.

The Fifth Battalion, the First Battalion, and now the Seventh Battalion. Theodore frowned at the string of reports.

Even in the north, there weren’t usually that many incidents.

‘It’s not as if he’s deliberately engineering achievements...’

That couldn’t be it. Theodore shook his head.

In the silence, everyone watched the Grand Duke’s reaction.

“He’s useful.”

The Grand Duke spoke quietly.

Then a booming voice sounded from outside.

“Messenger!”

‘Another one.’

The Grand Duke’s expression remained indifferent.

Theodore stepped forward to intercept the messenger approaching the Grand Duke.

“Is it from the Princess?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Leave it over there.”

“This is a message from the imperial family...”

Where Theodore pointed lay a stack of letters bearing the imperial family’s crest. The messenger’s face twitched upon seeing them.

‘What on earth do they say...’

“...Even so, this is a message from the imperial family!”

The messenger raised their voice urgently.

Raising their voice before His Grace the Grand Duke.

‘They’ve completely lost their mind.’

Then the Grand Duke stood.

Theodore hurriedly lowered his head.

The messenger was already prostrating themself.

A suffocating silence lingered for a moment.

Then the Grand Duke spoke.

“Send a reply.”

Theodore hurriedly unfolded a sheet of paper.

He dipped his pen deeply in ink and lowered his head.

After a brief silence...

The Grand Duke’s lips curled into a fierce smile.

“Tell them I accept the duel.”

Footnotes:

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