WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Ceaseless
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Northern Grand Duke’s Mad Son-in-Law ◈
Chapter 96: Believe
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‘He’s useful.’
The Seventh Battalion commander, Velogrime, muttered as he watched Gilbert pant heavily.
Gilbert was a knight directly under Adrianna’s command. His exceptional swordsmanship went without saying.
More importantly, Gilbert possessed the quality a knight needed most.
“I’ve got the hang of it. Let’s go again.”
Gilbert was stubbornly, idiotically persistent. No matter how many times he was beaten down, he kept charging in. If anything, he seemed to enjoy it.
‘He has potential.’
Velogrime lightly swung his staff to block Gilbert. Staff and sword clashed several times.
“Your sword is too crude.”
“Yes.”
Somehow, it had turned into a lesson for Gilbert. He did not reject the instruction.
Then a commotion broke out off to one side. The watching soldiers parted, and Adrianna appeared in white armor.
“Lady Adrianna!”
Adrianna lightly acknowledged Gilbert’s salute.
“What brings you here, Lady Adrianna?”
At Gilbert’s question, Adrianna took a moment to compose herself.
“I have lost contact with Commander Galahad. Since the Ruler who targeted Galahad has not yet been captured, I judged that something may have happened.”
Adrianna’s answer came without hesitation. It was so meticulous that it seemed prepared in advance.
The problem was that she was speaking to Gilbert.
“Ah, you came because you were worried Commander Galahad hadn’t replied to you?”
“...!”
Adrianna stared blankly for a moment, then hurriedly shook her head.
“No. Commander Galahad usually replies very quickly, but this time he has been unusually slow, so there is a high chance that something has happened. The Ruler has also not been captured yet. As a commander, I have a duty to check for possible threats.”
Her response came remarkably fast, each word crisp and clear. It was certainly a convincing reason.
The problem was that she was speaking to Gilbert.
“Aha! So you rushed here because you were worried our commander hadn’t contacted you?”
“...I did not rush.”
As Gilbert opened his mouth to say something else, Velogrime stepped in with a quiet cough.
“Commander Galahad entered the Demon Realm Training Camp on his own. I do not know what he is doing inside, but he ordered that no one be allowed in.”
Velogrime struck the ground with his staff. Gilbert gripped his sword again.
“Sir Gilbert, why are you pointing your sword at Commander Velogrime?”
“Ah, Commander Velogrime is stopping me from going in. I was making an honorable decision as a knight.”
“Ah.”
Adrianna let out a quiet sigh at Gilbert’s answer.
“If Commander Galahad said so, he must have a reason.”
Adrianna then stepped in front of Velogrime.
“Let’s settle this the knights’ way!”
Gilbert immediately charged at Adrianna.
Then he started getting beaten up.
Of course, Adrianna’s sword remained as composed as ever. She had simply put a little more force into it than usual.
‘It’s already been five days. Did something really happen?’
* * *
Disassembling magic was an extremely difficult and delicate task.
One had to trace backward from the result of an equation, and the more layers of equations there were, the more the required time increased exponentially.
That was especially true of spatial magic, a form of primordial magic. It was a complex, repetitive task that required relentless focus and an enormous amount of time.
Disassembly alone was not enough.
Afterward, it had to be reassembled to suit Galahad. He needed to revise it into a form compatible with his current method of using magic.
Revision was harder than disassembly and took even longer.
Galahad did not have that kind of time to spare.
So he thought of the Four-legged Demonkin. Even if it killed him dozens of times, mental interference took only a short while.
In other words...
‘This is the perfect research environment.’
Galahad raised his head.
Equations and spell formulae filled every direction. The endless display of equations looked rather impressive, but Galahad was not pleased.
The conclusion he had reached was not particularly satisfying.
‘It’s impossible to use it offensively.’
Distorting space itself into an attack, like Fox Mask did, was difficult. The difference in mana concentration was simply too great.
Fox Mask could use spatial magic that way because they were a high-ranking Demonkin who had also used Mana Compression.
Galahad could not wield spatial magic the way Fox Mask did.
It might be possible if he drank high-ranking Demonkin blood, but there were too many variables. Besides, he had not come here for such a temporary effect.
If he was going to put in that much effort, Hellfire would be more efficient.
So Galahad considered another use.
‘There’s no need to attack directly.’
For example...
‘What if I use it to support another spell?’
Galahad could cast two spells at once. What if he used spatial magic to move another spell?
‘Interesting.’
Galahad tapped the ash from his cigarette with satisfaction.
Then his eyes met those of the Four-legged Demonkin.
“Ah, this really is the last time.”
Its eyes, like both snakes and gemstones, narrowed.
[No. It ends now.]
Unlike before, its voice was firm. Galahad clicked his tongue.
“No, didn’t you say it was infinite first? You clearly said, ‘It is infinite...’ and now this.”
The Four-legged Demonkin’s face twisted harshly. It looked thoroughly fed up.
[You have gone beyond the limit of mental strain a human can endure. You cannot withstand any more.]
It was a reasonable point. Even if it was mental interference, the mind would naturally wear down.
Still...
“It’s fine. This isn’t my first time.”
The Four-legged Demonkin’s face twisted again.
[This is truly the last time.]
The Four-legged Demonkin took a step back.
* * *
‘He’s an absurdly persistent man.’
Velogrime sincerely admired Gilbert as he watched him lying unconscious after being struck down by Adrianna’s sword.
Gilbert had not even been able to defeat Velogrime. There was no way he could be Adrianna’s match. Yet Gilbert had not given up. He kept challenging Adrianna.
‘He really is an excellent knight.’
Velogrime turned his gaze. Behind them stood the tightly shut castle gate.
‘He’s been inside for seven days already.’
Galahad still had not emerged. There was a good chance something had happened.
Then Gilbert collapsed forward. A soldier named Tom attended to him with practiced ease.
Adrianna approached Velogrime. As always, her face was expressionless.
She used to smile a little when she was young...
Velogrime gave a bitter smile.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes. Moderate exercise is essential.”
Velogrime chuckled at Adrianna describing Gilbert as moderate exercise.
Adrianna looked at the entrance to the Demon Realm Training Camp with her usual indifferent eyes. Whenever she was not crossing swords with Gilbert, she had been staring at the gate.
“Would you like to go inside?”
Velogrime asked casually. Adrianna immediately shook her head.
“It’s all right. If he said he would do this, he must have a reason.”
Adrianna’s answer was calm. Velogrime watched her face for a moment. Her childhood face faintly surfaced, then disappeared beneath her familiar expressionlessness.
“He’s better than those crude northern men.”
“What?”
“He can be unpleasant at times, but isn’t he gentlemanly and handsome?”
“Ah... The front lines are where I belong.”
Adrianna’s expression froze in an instant. Her answer was firm.
Velogrime smiled bitterly. Perhaps he had become too meddlesome with age.
“My lady.”
It was a form of address he had not used in a long time. Adrianna looked at Velogrime, somewhat surprised.
“He’s a good man.”
“Yes, I know.”
Contrary to her answer, the corners of Adrianna’s eyes lowered. She turned away, her expression as indifferent as always.
“...That’s the problem.”
It was a calm answer. The brief glimpse of Adrianna beneath that broken composure was thick with self-loathing.
Self-loathing. It was the emotion least suited to someone with perfect looks and the greatest honor in the North.
Still, Velogrime understood.
‘A child born while burning her mother.’
It was because of Adrianna’s nature. It was not her fault, but Adrianna could not accept that fact.
Velogrime turned away with a bitter smile.
Then a thought suddenly came to him.
If it were Galahad...
‘Wouldn’t he meticulously lay out his reasoning and make his case?’
Whatever else was true, that man had a gift for talking.
* * *
“This really, really is the last time.”
[Leave.]
“Really.”
The Four-legged Demonkin did not even listen to Galahad and waved its hand.
Damn it. Space collapsed layer by layer. The equations Galahad had written down scattered away.
“Didn’t you say it was infinite first? How is this infinite?”
[Leave!]
For the first time, the Four-legged Demonkin raised its voice sharply.
His vision flickered.
[Kill the Emperor.]
It added the words like a final request.
‘How petty.’
Galahad frowned as his vision gradually returned.
His mind crashed back into place all at once. Galahad slowly closed his eyes and calmly accepted the gap in his consciousness.
It was true that prolonged exposure to mental interference made mental collapse likely. So Galahad focused entirely on magic. He deliberately pushed every other thought aside.
He focused only on calculating and disassembling magic. Magic was fascinating and fun, so concentrating was not particularly difficult.
‘Still, I feel a little dizzy.’
Galahad slowly moved his body. Every part of him creaked. More time seemed to have passed than he had expected.
His condition was not good, but he could still move. A mage’s body was sturdy thanks to mana. As long as he circulated mana, he would be fine.
He pulled out a canteen and raised it to his lips. As he sipped Demonkin blood, the Egg of Pain repeatedly throbbed. Mana flowed through him in abundance.
Once he circulated his mana, the heaviness left his body. Galahad put a cigarette in his mouth and looked around.
The ash was thinner than before he entered. It seemed the Four-legged Demonkin had drained this part of the Demon Realm.
‘It needs to be replenished.’
He snapped his fingers and lit the cigarette. The scent of lemon stirred his mind.
Hunger rose within him, and his body cried out in pain, but Galahad focused on what he had learned inside.
He had accomplished what he set out to do. He had theoretically established both the revision of spatial magic and its use.
‘Stiff.’
Galahad muttered softly as he brushed back his disheveled hair. He dusted the ash from his clothes and straightened his collar.
‘Has it been around three days?’
He could not accurately judge how much time had passed.
He continued circulating mana. Then he heard noisy voices in the distance, coming from the gate.
‘I told them to wait. They’re impatient.’
Galahad adjusted his clothes and headed toward the gate. He was finished with his business here anyway.
As he drew closer, he could hear the conversation.
“Lady Adrianna came because she’s worried too, didn’t she? Step aside!”
‘Adrianna came here?’
Galahad frowned. Why was Adrianna, who should have been guarding the reception area with the First Battalion, here...?
“It has already been ten days. Ten days!”
Gilbert’s shout made Galahad realize more time had passed than expected.
It was rather strange. No matter how well a mage’s body recovered, he had been isolated for ten days, yet his body was still functioning.
The reason was obvious.
‘Because this is the Demon Realm...’
There was a reason he felt as though he had returned home whenever he entered the Demon Realm.
Then...
“I thought you were trying to run away.”
A familiar voice came from behind him. It carried a faint trace of laughter. Fox Mask tilted their head.
“I was wondering how to call you over, but you appeared on your own.”
Galahad smiled faintly.
“Bluffing, are we? Did you think I wouldn’t find you if you hid here? Or were you planning to summon the Forgotten One again to stop me?”
Fox Mask spoke in an irritated voice. It seemed they thought Galahad had hidden himself in the Demon Realm Training Camp.
There was no need to explain the full circumstances.
Still...
‘I need to draw their interest.’
Fun was Fox Mask’s favorite word. They had retreated because Galahad’s Hellfire had sparked their interest.
If the way to handle the Four-legged Demonkin was the Emperor, then the way to handle Fox Mask was interest.
The method for provoking Fox Mask’s interest was simple.
Galahad let out a deep breath and slowly gathered mana.
“Trying to pull something? This isn’t fun.”
Fox Mask grumbled softly, but showed no other reaction. If anything, they seemed willing to wait.
Galahad calmly organized the equations.
He had never used it in practice, but the theory was complete. Galahad was certain he would succeed.
‘Stiff.’
Galahad moved mana at an unhurried pace, as if savoring exquisite food.
The theory was perfect, but putting it into practice was another kind of pleasure.
‘There.’
Galahad snapped the fingers of both hands at once toward Fox Mask. An Ice Spike formed before him.
“Magic again?”
Sharp irritation entered Fox Mask’s voice. Had they waited all this time for this? Fox Mask clicked their tongue and focused.
The Ice Spike vanished.
Fox Mask tilted their head.
‘The Ice Spike was just there...’
Then they felt a chill from the left. Fox Mask turned and doubted their eyes.
The vanished Ice Spike had pierced through their earlobe.
It had not broken through Fox Mask’s authority.
Still, the result fully stirred Fox Mask’s interest.
‘That’s my authority.’
The suddenly appearing Ice Spike was Fox Mask’s authority. No, it was magic. Magic born from Fox Mask’s authority.
‘Was it the First Mage?’
No, the First Mage had clearly failed. They were not called a failure for nothing.
Since Galahad had been here all this time, it meant he had turned the Void authority into magic on his own.
‘And that he created Hellfire himself...’
Fox Mask’s head whipped around.
Galahad wore a faint smile.
“You... what are you?”
Fox Mask’s true voice emerged. It was a sweet, fox-like voice.
At that shocked question, Galahad said,
“I am Galahad, commander of the Special Operations Unit.”
He leisurely tapped the ash from his cigarette.
“How about it? Are you interested now?”
At his relaxed question, Fox Mask laughed with a sharp “Keh!”
Interested? He did not seem to understand what he had done yet. What he had accomplished was beyond simple interest.
This was...
“You are adorable.”
Fox Mask’s lips curled up. Galahad’s lips rose as if he had expected that response.
Fox Mask nodded.
“I will deal with the Ruler.”
The Ruler was an important piece, but not as important as that bizarre man.
‘I can put up with some scolding.’
Galahad was more interesting than all that trouble combined.
Then Galahad frowned.
“What do you mean by that?”
His voice had become strangely sharp. He reacted as though he had been insulted.
His intense reaction made Fox Mask strangely anxious.
Just as Fox Mask was about to explain, wondering if they had misunderstood...
Galahad pointed his cigarette at Fox Mask.
Then, as a warning,
“The Ruler is mine.”
His voice was low.
The high-ranking Demonkin Ruler was his? It was a statement thrilling enough to make Fox Mask dizzy with interest. Fox Mask could not hold back and laughed again with a “Keh!”
“You really are adorable.”
“Sorry, but I have a fiancée. I won’t accept your feelings.”
Fox Mask laughed once more at his firm rejection. Being rejected by a man...
It was the first time in Fox Mask’s life.
“Even like this?”
Fox Mask asked as they removed their mask.
Confidence filled their voice.
“You are beautiful.”
Galahad readily nodded.
Still...
“You are uglier than Adrianna.”
Fox Mask’s lovely forehead creased deeply.
* * *
“We have to go in!”
“That’s right, we need to check now. Too much time has passed.”
“Brother! Brother!”
Requests poured in from every direction. Even Velogrime, commander of the Seventh Battalion, joined them.
It was only natural. This was the tenth day since Galahad had gone inside.
Normally, they would have entered already.
Still...
[She did not trust me.]
...He truly was a man who was difficult to trust.
“Commander Galahad ordered that no one be allowed inside. There must be a reason.”
Adrianna said firmly as she adjusted her grip on her sword.
Everyone took a step back.
Then...
Creeeak. The castle gate opened with a loud groan. Everyone turned toward it.
‘He has finally come out.’
Adrianna nearly snapped her head around. She tensed her neck and turned slowly.
As expected, Galahad stood beyond the open gate.
Yet Galahad looked considerably more haggard than usual. Deep shadows lay beneath his eyes, and his cheeks had grown hollow.
The problem was...
Beside Galahad...
“Oh my, everyone is staring. It’s a little embarrassing to show my bare face.”
There was a beauty wearing colorful makeup.
[She did not trust me.]
‘...!’
Adrianna’s brows trembled more violently than ever before.
Footnotes:
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