WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Ceaseless

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

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

Chapter 76: Red Ginseng Candy

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‘Gray aura...’

Gilbert tightened his grip on his sword and frowned.

Damian stood before him, his sword pointed at Gilbert. It was not the crude sword he had used before, but a fine blade.

The color of the aura coating it drew Gilbert’s eye.

Aura came in many colors. Adrianna’s aura was white, while Gilbert’s was blue. The Princess’s was even pink.

There were too many colors to count.

Still, they all shared one trait.

They were bright.

Because conviction could not be dark...

Yet Damian’s aura was gray.

No matter how generously he looked at it, it was not bright. It was gloomy, like thick storm clouds on a rainy day.

The men in the Seventh Battalion who had received Demonkin power had once produced gray aura, but that had only been Demonkin power mixed into their aura.

It was an impurity, not quite worthy of being called aura.

But what Damian held now was unmistakably aura.

Aura was conviction. It was the comfort of those who refused to give up even in the mud.

For such aura to be dark...

“You must’ve had a rough life, kid.”

Gilbert smiled bitterly.

“Sir Gilbert, Gwen and I can’t help you. If it gets dangerous, ask the youngest for help.”

Galahad’s voice came from behind him. Gilbert glanced back and saw Galahad and Gwen moving around busily.

Telling him to ask that dim-witted youngest for help...

“He’s still just a kid. I can handle him alone.”

Gilbert replied, tightening his grip on his sword.

“Hmm, he may look like one, but there’s a wrinkled old man inside him. A filthy old man, greedy despite his age, who covets a boy’s body.”

“...What?”

Damian let out an aged roar, and Gilbert chuckled. Galahad certainly knew how to provoke someone.

“Hold him down tight. I’ll find a way.”

“Hold him down...”

Gilbert lowered his stance and aimed the tip of his sword at Damian.

“I’ll correct his manners first.”

Gilbert’s voice was firm. Blue aura flared up like flames.

“Fine. Ask the youngest for help if it becomes difficult.”

“There’s no need. I’m Sir Gilbert. Do you think I’d lose to Damian?”

“Is that so?”

“You uncivilized humans. Tch.”

Damian clicked his tongue and swung his sword. Gray aura carved a long line across the floor.

In an instant, Damian was in front of him, swinging his blade.

‘What the...’

Gilbert hurriedly drew back his sword. Gray and blue aura collided. The two starkly different auras tore viciously at each other, as if trying to devour one another.

A large chunk of blue aura was ripped away.

Gilbert’s eyes narrowed. Their swords crossed again, and more blue aura was torn away.

‘This...’

Biting his lip, Gilbert raised his aura again. Blue aura surged up and pushed back the gray aura.

It only lasted a moment.

Another chunk of blue aura vanished.

Gilbert swung his sword in a wide arc.

Boom!

A heavy impact rang out, and Damian was pushed far back. Unlike usual, Damian’s stance remained stable.

His swordsmanship was considerable. It was not practical combat swordsmanship, but textbook technique. It was the complete opposite of Damian’s usual style.

But his swordsmanship was not the problem.

That gray aura...

It was eating Gilbert’s aura.

“Delicious.”

Damian licked his lips. The gray aura flickering around his sword was larger than before.

‘My aura... got eaten?’

Gilbert looked down at his sword. The blue aura was slightly smaller than before, as if someone had bitten pieces out of it...

Aura that devoured aura...

It was like...

‘A monster that eats knights.’

Sweat gathered in Gilbert’s palm around his sword hilt. A chill ran down his back.

“Your aura is delicious, unlike your appearance.”

Damian muttered in a thick voice. Gray aura surged around him, as if it were smacking its lips.

It grew by eating aura. Gilbert’s brow furrowed deeply at something he had never imagined.

They had exchanged only a single move, yet Gilbert was already being pushed back. Damian’s aura had even grown larger.

‘Does he become stronger the more he clashes swords with a knight?’

They had exchanged only one blow, but Gilbert instinctively understood his opponent.

Why Damian had suddenly become like this and what that strange aura was, the situation was far too complicated.

Thinking about it made his head hurt.

Still, the commander said he would find a way.

And Gilbert was a knight.

So...

“Sir Gilbert.”

He simply tightened his grip on his sword.

* * *

‘Interesting.’

Galahad muttered as he watched Damian cross swords with Gilbert.

Gilbert was an excellent knight.

He was stubborn because he was foolish, and because he was stubborn, his conviction was stronger than anyone else’s.

No one’s aura was sturdier than Gilbert’s.

Yet Damian’s aura was tearing apart and devouring Gilbert’s aura.

‘Aura that eats aura...’

The two auras collided again.

The blue aura shrank by only about a handful, but Galahad noticed it had become slightly smaller than before.

The gray aura, on the other hand, grew by exactly what it had eaten.

Aura that devoured other aura and grew by that amount...

‘A knight’s natural enemy.’

Knights were the Demonkin’s greatest enemies.

If it was the natural enemy of knights...

‘Should I get rid of him?’

Galahad’s eyes narrowed.

Leaving Damian as he was carried too much risk. If Damian fell into the Demonkin’s hands, he would grow into a terrible disaster.

Tap, tap.

Galahad snapped his fingers.

He did not want to, but Galahad was not foolish enough to avoid necessary work simply because he did not feel like doing it.

When making a decision, he had to set emotion aside. Only then could he make the right choice.

He coldly weighed the risks against the possibilities.

But...

[Didn’t I tell you it was dangerous to be with me?]

Galahad frowned.

[You get too attached.]

He clicked his tongue softly.

He could not give up on Damian. High risk meant high value.

Galahad was not so timid that he would abandon something in advance out of fear.

“We’ll use House Proxel’s authority. Since we’re using it through the Egg of Pain, I should be able to send him my power.”

“...What?! You’re giving Damian power?!”

Gwen asked in disbelief, and Galahad nodded.

“Wh-what if I can’t?”

“Then I’m sorry, Damian.”

Gwen’s eyes widened. Unlike usual, she did not cry. She only bit down hard on her lip. Her face was angry.

“I’ll do it.”

“Good. I’m counting on you.”

Galahad lowered his stance slightly and focused on the Egg of Pain.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

The Egg of Pain throbbed violently. It seemed to urge him not to overexert himself, but to devour Damian cleanly and deal with him. It stirred up excitement and shook his mind intensely.

‘You’re really overstepping your bounds.’

At his low murmur, the Egg of Pain abruptly stopped.

He could feel its gaze. The corners of Galahad’s mouth curled up. A weight settled in his heart, as though it were threatening to burst it.

Galahad chuckled.

‘Don’t give me that bullshit.’

He waved his right hand. A magic circle shone brightly. The Egg of Pain squirmed as Galahad brought his right wrist to his heart.

As it drew closer, the Egg of Pain shook violently. Ignoring it, Galahad circulated even more mana.

Vitality poured out from the Egg of Pain. The Egg of Pain urgently gripped his heart, but...

‘Wouldn’t that violate the contract?’

The Egg of Pain abruptly stopped.

The contract’s condition was to kill Adrianna if Corton wanted it.

Corton dreamed of becoming the Society Head of the Dark Magic Society, and he was diligently mining minerals for that purpose.

Even if Adrianna died now, the credit would clearly go to someone else. Corton was exceptionally greedy for credit.

Corton would certainly want it after becoming Society Head.

Galahad had calculated it precisely, and he trusted that calculation.

In other words...

If the Egg of Pain burst Galahad’s heart here, it would be a clear violation of the contract.

‘You’ve become more useful, but you were made for contracts. Can you really do something that violates one?’

Thump.

The Egg of Pain trembled slightly.

‘Playing along is only for when I have time. I don’t have time to entertain you now, so shut up and listen before I tear you out...’

Galahad’s finger pointed precisely to the left side of his chest.

The Egg of Pain instinctively understood. This madman might truly bore a hole through his own chest...

The Egg of Pain fell quiet.

‘So why not behave yourself?’

Galahad clicked his tongue softly.

Thump...

“It says... it was joking?”

“Tell it I hate unfunny jokes. What matters now is House Proxel’s authority. Can you do it?”

“Yes, I think I understand.”

“Oh, well done, Gwen.”

“But it’s dangerous. This is...”

Gwen’s lips moved without sound. All sorts of emotions swirled in her eyes. She was a kind child.

“Gwen.”

“It’s really dangerous. It feels like a connection is forming...”

“Danger is my specialty.”

Galahad said as he loosened his shirt sleeve.

“Now, let’s do it.”

The corners of Galahad’s mouth rose.

Gwen’s face became far more serious.

Then Gwen drove her finger in deeply.

Poke.

Galahad’s vision flickered.

* * *

Swoooosh...

The harsh sound of rain battered his ears. A musty smell of wet wood and soil filled the air. He was in a shabby house.

Galahad lowered his head slightly. The ceiling was so low that he nearly hit his head.

Loud laughter came from inside. A man and woman’s cheerful laughter shook the house. Galahad frowned and looked around.

Grrrumble!

Something was curled up in the corner. It was so skinny that it looked like a corpse at first glance.

Out of habit, Galahad looked for a cigarette, but he had none. Clicking his tongue, he sat down beside the boy.

When he looked up, he saw a poorly made ceiling. It had been built so carelessly that water constantly dripped through the gaps.

Drip. Drip.

The boy watched the droplets. Galahad watched with him.

The droplet grew larger, then fell.

At that moment, the moaning ended. The door opened, and stuffy heat spilled out.

A bald man with flushed cheeks came out, adjusting his clothes at the waist. When he noticed the boy, he clicked his tongue and threw something at him, as though feeding a dog.

It was bread half-covered in mold. The boy hurriedly grabbed it and stuffed it into his mouth.

Not long after the bald man left, a curly-haired man entered. He had a rather stylish beard.

The bearded man did not even glance at the boy as he headed inside.

“She seems popular.”

“Prices were lowered recently. Another prostitute showed up, so customers decreased.”

“Is that so? She has quite a head for business.”

The boy nodded. Then he coughed violently. He hurried over to where water was dripping and opened his mouth wide to catch it.

Boom!

A deafening noise came from somewhere, shaking the entire house.

Galahad clicked his tongue and stood up. The damp ceiling brushed the top of his head. The boy stared at him.

“Get up. We need to leave.”

“Why?”

The boy’s question was sincere. He did not seem to know why he should leave this place.

Galahad had not exactly had a pleasant childhood either, so he had nothing to say.

Besides, he was not the type to appeal to someone with emotional words.

Galahad searched his pockets again. At last, he found it.

A cigarette with a faint lemon scent rested in his hand.

Galahad put it between his lips. Tap, tap. It would not light easily because of the rainwater dripping from the ceiling. He finally managed to light it after a moment.

Taking a deep drag, he looked down at the boy.

The boy had curled up even tighter than before.

Galahad clicked his tongue.

“It’s an order.”

The boy’s eyes widened. Perhaps the fresh scent made his mouth water, because he swallowed hard.

“Ah, your will doesn’t matter.”

Galahad snapped his fingers. Nothing happened.

That ruins the effect.

Grumbling, Galahad threw a punch. His fist sank into the rain-soaked ceiling. Fragments scattered as the hole widened.

Swoooosh!

The rain grew louder. Lukewarm rain poured in.

“No!”

The boy spoke urgently. Galahad raised the corners of his mouth.

“Sorry, but it’s too late.”

He punched the ceiling again, widening the hole.

Galahad grabbed the broken ceiling and tore it down. The shabby ceiling collapsed entirely.

Heavy rain repeatedly struck Galahad.

“Isn’t it refreshing?”

At Galahad’s question, the boy narrowed his eyes. Looking closer, he was smiling.

Well-dressed people filled the area around them.

They were looking around as though searching for something.

“Ah. Over here.”

Galahad waved.

The moment they spotted him, they charged over with murderous expressions.

“Well, I’ve been found.”

“You destroyed the roof yourself, Brother.”

An absurd expression crossed the boy’s face.

“That’s my specialty.”

Galahad searched his pocket. It should be around here...

Ah, there it was.

What Galahad pulled out was a candy.

A very red one...

“It’ll give you strength if you eat it.”

He tossed the candy, and the boy eagerly caught and ate it.

“Ugh...”

The boy’s face instantly twisted in misery.

“Things that are good for you are bitter.”

Galahad snickered.

Countless footsteps sounded behind him.

Galahad spread both arms and...

“Well, I’m in danger. Save me, Damian.”

He said it shamelessly.

“Yes, Brother.”

Damian giggled.

* * *

‘Pathetic.’

Gilbert narrowed his eyes and knocked aside Damian’s sword.

Damian’s blade came in diagonally.

To put it kindly, it was orthodox swordsmanship. Judging by the style, it was clearly refined swordsmanship. The sort nobles learned.

But it was far too orthodox.

That made it obvious.

It was no match for Gilbert, who had honed his sword on the front lines.

The problem was Damian’s aura.

It had grown as it tore apart and devoured Gilbert’s aura, and now it was nearly the size of a greatsword.

In contrast, the aura surrounding Gilbert’s blade had been cut in half.

He had endured through swordsmanship alone, but...

Even that was becoming increasingly difficult.

“Are you done yet?!”

Gilbert shouted through gritted teeth. His sword felt heavy. One palm had torn open, spraying blood everywhere.

“Th-the commander’s asleep!”

Gwen’s shrill voice came from behind him.

‘He’s asleep at a time like this... What the...’

It was absurd, but Galahad said he would find a way. He would certainly find one.

Gilbert’s role was to endure until then.

The problem was...

“I’m starting to get bored.”

The gap between them kept widening.

Now, even blocking a single strike made his legs go weak.

Gilbert narrowed his eyes and stared at Damian. Damian’s aura was no longer contained by his sword and surged around it.

Meanwhile, Gilbert’s aura could barely maintain its shape.

[If it gets difficult, ask the youngest for help.]

Gilbert glanced to the side. The youngest, Noad, waited with a sword in hand.

‘You should’ve come to help sooner. What a frustrating fool.’

Gilbert grumbled to himself.

But Noad was the dim-witted youngest. Noad’s help would not change anything at this level.

“Run. I’ll handle this.”

Gilbert spoke firmly as he looked at Noad.

This was an opponent Gilbert himself could not defeat. Adding that dim-witted youngest would not change a thing.

Clatter.

The youngest shook her helmet as though trying to say something.

Then Damian aimed his sword at Gilbert. Gray aura surged like a gaping maw.

Gilbert raised his sword to meet it.

The massive gray aura rushed toward Gilbert. It looked like a wave because it had grown so large.

Gilbert clicked his tongue softly and tightened his grip. A burning pain surged from his torn palm.

His aura was nearly invisible now.

Then thick armor stepped in front of him.

It was the youngest. That back felt strangely familiar.

Very strangely...

“I told you to run! You idiot...!”

Gilbert erupted in anger.

Then the youngest drew her sword.

The light surrounding that sword...

Was pure white.

Aura was conviction.

There was only one person with justice pure enough to make it white.

‘...The youngest is Lady Adrianna?’

For the first time, Gilbert dropped his sword.

* * *

“So, maintaining the city...”

Fox Mask looked up when the person in front suddenly rose.

A mad bastard who wore a crown despite being a Demonkin...

The Ruler’s head was turned somewhere else.

‘Damn bastard.’

Fox Mask muttered a quiet curse.

Someone had clearly caught the Ruler’s attention.

Fox Mask felt the mana concentration plummet after using the authority.

There was only one person reckless enough to do something like that.

‘Adrianna? Why is that bitch here?’

If so, it explained why the Ruler had suddenly stood up.

Adrianna had clearly drawn the Ruler’s attention.

‘Not yet.’

Fox Mask bit down on the lower lip.

If Adrianna and the Ruler clashed here, the scales would surely tip even further.

Rather than let that happen...

‘Should I deal with the Ruler? Ah, that’d be such a pain.’

Fox Mask groaned softly.

Still, contact between the Ruler and Adrianna had to be prevented somehow.

Fox Mask flexed both hands.

Then...

“Belhardenia, you’ve finally come.”

The Ruler smiled deeply.

‘Belhardenia? That’s the First Mage’s name.’

The First Mage could not have come here. Belhardenia was unable to move.

‘Then who is the Ruler looking at?’

The fox mask tilted to one side.

In any case, it did not seem to be Adrianna.

Fox Mask felt a small sense of relief.

Overtime was the last thing Fox Mask wanted.

Footnotes:

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