Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Palho

‘Survived.’

Tom expressed joy while shaking the numb hand.

Facing magic beasts and the demon race and surviving—. This was no different from a miracle.

Yet the surrounding reaction was subtle.

Damien was just lying and muttering he was hungry, and Gwen was sitting down blankly.

That expression was full of guilt. Exactly like the appearance of a soldier who committed murder for the first time.

Anyway it seemed because of using magic. Tom also knew Gwen’s repulsion regarding magic.

Tom clicked his tongue softly, and took care of Gwen whose condition was the worst first.

“Thanks to you I survived. If not for Senior Gwen, we would have all almost died to that monster.”

“······Did I do well?”

“Yes, isn’t it obvious. If not for Senior Gwen’s magic it was all the end.”

“But using magic—.”

The voice of Gwen who said so was firmly pressed. Anyway it seemed the weight of magic was different.

He could understand. In the North mages were the cursed filth of the demon race. There were quite a few mages who burned to death hanging on trees.

However—,

“Didn’t you guess earlier. The blacksmith and sword, the boy.”

“But if I am a mage, the children—.”

At Gwen’s small muttering Tom grasped the problem.

Gwen often talked about how cute and kind the orphans she took care of were. That Gwen was weak to money was also to feed and raise the orphans.

Gwen seemed to worry that if the rumor she was a mage spread, the children would be bullied. Anyway because they were orphans they would be more vulnerable—.

The solution to that was clear.

“If Senior Gwen becomes stronger it is fine.”

Gwen blinked her eyes.

The reason one is hit in the North was only one.

“It is because strength is insufficient that one is hit. Look at the captain. He is a mage, but because he is strong rather—.”

Tom swallowed the following words.

Whether the explanation reached Gwen opened her eyes wide.

Tom stood up from his seat. The member to take care of was not only Gwen.

“Hungry—.”

Damien was lying and wriggling.

Food was brought thickly, but it was unknown whether one could feed that hungry Damien.

In the midst of that the mole corpse behind entered the eyes. The mole corpse tasted terrible, but Damien did not distinguish taste.

‘It was good that I brought spices.’

“I··· I will also help!”

“No. Just staying there is helping. Thank you.”

Tom firmly refused Gwen’s help.

‘When will he come.’

Tom glanced at the inside Galahad entered taking the crow-wearing mage.

****

‘······Oh my.’

At the big shock the crow even forgot chanting the spell.

The guy became stronger than then.

Does that make sense?

If the guy was a black mage one could understand, but the guy was an Intelligence Bureau agent.

The guy really terribly disliked enhancing mana as a human. Yet he himself punched holes in the heads of human mages—.

Because of that wasn’t it that the crow found a way with mana stones not humans.

Yet to become stronger—.

What the guy unfolded was clearly······.

‘Wasn’t hellfire the magic of the destroyed Magic Tower?’

The hand trembled on its own. Unfairness rose. He abandoned everything and came, yet to chase all the way here in the end—.

At the same time the head spun quickly. How to survive from the guy. The answer was one.

‘The branch location of the Black Magic Society···. The situation of the demon race······.’

The crow desperately chose things the guy would like among the information he knew.

With this much wouldn’t he spare—.

Then, a familiar lemon scent wafted.

The crow desperately endured the scream that was about to burst.

The guy was looking down at the crow with indifferent eyes as always.

“I··· I have been waiting.”

The guy squinted his eyes. It was clear something was not to his liking.

Oh! This kind of mistake—.

The crow promptly flipped the cloak and shook off everything he had. From the pocket to the small mana stones inside—. He held them out without missing one.

“Ah, it was Palho.”

The answer was subtle, but the crow soaked in fear did not notice.

The crow promptly bowed his head.

“Long time no see! Brother!”

****

‘It was Palho.’

Galahad clicked his tongue softly.

“What is it?”

“It is an informant I used before.”

At Gilbert’s question Galahad clicked his tongue softly.

Because magic made the mind go astray, bizarre guys popped out from time to time.

To manage such impure organizations, having informants was basic. Galahad was very faithful to the basics.

Palho was Galahad’s Black Magic Society informant.

He was a guy who brought information well, but disappeared at some point.

‘He was in the North. No wonder I couldn’t find him.’

Did all the informants whose contact was cut flee to the North?

There was a quite high possibility. If they hid elsewhere, they would have been caught by the Intelligence Bureau long ago.

“···Do you extort money from informants?”

“It is evidence.”

Galahad examined the items Palho gave. Two top-grade mana stones and pocket money, and parchment and miscellaneous items.

‘He would think I chased all the way here.’

Thinking so, the guy trembling was somewhat understandable.

Thinking he chased all the way to a deep cave on the Northern front line how scary it would be.

The situation was coincidental, but there was no need to explain.

If one just left it it was clear he would not betray again.

Even though he fled to the end of the North he was caught.

Where would he flee.

Galahad who finished the calculation smiled softly.

“Palho, I worried knowing you were dead. But oh! You were alive.”

“Haha···! Ha! There was a story. An organization that looked at me suspiciously sent me to the North. Because a watcher was even attached I also could not help it.”

Palho prostrated flat. If there was no mask right now he would have the momentum to lick the shoes. Galahad stealthily moved his foot back.

“Well there is no way. Palho, you still had a head. Surely you wouldn’t have such a stupid thought that you could flee from me.”

“What kind of obvious sound is that! Aigo sorry for making you worry! Damn black mage guys!”

The crow continuously burst into anger. Galahad smiled while forcefully swallowing the risen blood. The inside was a mess, but leisure was a weapon.

“Yes, I believed in you. We were quite good.”

“···Yes! It is an honor!”

He stealthily pushed away Palho who tried to stick to the foot.

“Earlier seeing there was a magic circle that seemed to be of the magic beast trainer on the mole-type magic beast’s belly, do you know anything?”

“Ah, that! Of course I know! To speak of that, one first has to speak about the Dawn guys.”

Galahad belatedly recalled the fact that Palho talked a lot.

“Will you speak shortly. Give the details as a report.”

“Yes, to speak only the point Dawn who rapidly grew power spread it!”

“···Spread the magic circle of the magic beast trainer?”

It seemed they spread a degraded version not the original, but Palho seemed not to know.

“Yes, Dawn spread it to subordinate organizations.”

“Wait the Black Magic Society entered under Dawn?”

Galahad squinted his eyes.

Originally Dawn was not such a large organization. Yet to put the Black Magic Society under—.

No matter how Galahad stirred the Black Magic Society, it was not to the extent of entering under Dawn.

There was no reason for Palho to lie.

That Galahad did not know that fact was one of three.

Either Dawn was excellent to the extent of covering the Intelligence Bureau’s eyes. Or information did not come down only to Galahad—.

If Galahad had heard, he would have pulled it out to the root.

The Intelligence Bureau might be utilizing Dawn.

“Is there a magic beast trainer in Dawn?”

“That I do not know. However, Dawn is leaking the remnants of the Demon War. Not only the magic beast trainer.”

The Demon War was the name referring to the war the demon race waged with the empire in the past.

Galahad took out the leather notebook from his bosom and examined that content. If it was an organization spreading the remnants of the Demon War it was worth being written.

‘···None.’

There was also a possibility he did not remember. What he recorded was only thick information. However, Galahad somehow felt the situation was twisted.

‘Good news.’

It was a signal that the years he rolled were meaningful.

“Yes, what were you doing here?”

“I was digging mana stones. The plan was to feed mana stones to that demon race and cause a crack on the front line.”

“Feeding mana stones to the demon race?”

“When the demon race is hungry, they eat mana stones. The more they eat that the stronger they become, but they lose rationality that much.”

“Is it information that came out from Dawn?”

“Yes, correct!”

He knows a lot. Strangely—.

“What is Dawn’s goal?”

“It would be a second Demon War. The plan was to shake the inside and collapse the front line. Because the guys think that only when the castle wall collapses the true world opens.”

Then, Gilbert laughed out loud. It was clear mockery. Palho’s head turned.

“You would have died if not for the person in charge. Arrogant knight.”

“Ah, collapsing the castle wall is too funny so.”

Contrary to the laughter Gilbert’s face was coldly hardened.

“You haven’t seen beyond the wall.”

At Gilbert’s question Palho did not answer.

“Anyway brother. What I also know is—.”

No, it seemed he did not care.

Galahad sent Gilbert out and had a time of persuasion with Palho for a moment.

Palho who became much milder obediently spat out all the information he had.

Rather he took out even things not asked first.

“Yes, because you are quite smart there is no need to speak long.”

“···Yes! Of course! Go back and periodically send information! Especially centered on Dawn!”

Palho’s eyes shook between the mask.

‘The illusion of chasing to the end of the North played a role.’

With this much it was clear he would not flee again.

Caught even at the end of the North, where would one flee.

Palho was clever and had many tricks, but he was not a stupid guy.

“Do you know how big the damage is? Palho, if not for you, I would not have treated so softly. How much is the mana stone damage. With this degree it is to the extent of buying one castle.”

“······Mana stone damage? Did you use mana stones?”

Palho tilted his head stupidly. Galahad stealthily pointed to the side. Mana stone residue that lost light was fallen.

It was the remnant of the mana stones fed to the demon race.

“······.”

Between the mask the crow’s red pupils narrowed and then widened. Son of a bitch—. A small curse was heard.

“Haha. That’s right! I originally gathered them to give! The stupid demon race guy ate them all! Oh! Fuck! Son of a bitch! Demon race!”

“Right? You almost misunderstood. Thinking you broke the promise and embezzled. You are my property, so everything you obtain is mine.”

“I··· remember. Haha!”

“Right? Because it is you I will specially not receive this interest.”

Whether he received emotion tears flowed from the red pupils. Galahad patted the shoulder.

“Ah, this is the last time sparing.”

At the small whisper Palho deeply bowed his head.

“And wear the mask properly.”

Palho nodded and adjusted the mask.

Not showing the face—. It was one of the conditions he placed while sparing the guy.

When he waved his hand, Palho disappeared into the darkness.

Only then did Galahad burst the breath he had been suppressing. Black blood flowed long from the corner of the mouth.

‘Drinking a lot of the demon race’s blood is not good for health.’

He muttered while wiping the blood at the corner of the mouth. The inside was a mess. The mana pathway was all twisted.

The muscles pressed by mana screamed. Galahad leaned his back on the wall and put a cigarette in his mouth.

‘One grain left.’

It seemed not the body but the soul would break. Galahad clicked his tongue and sat as if sliding.

‘I should sleep a little.’

The heavy eyelids came down uncontrollably.

How much time had passed. Galahad opened his eyes while coughing fiercely.

Gilbert wearing greatly crumpled armor was sitting.

“You, the appearance is a mess.”

“It does not seem a time to point at me though.”

“That is also so.”

Galahad laughed softly. It was the feeling of sleeping quite long after a long time. The mana recovered a little, but still one grain.

He shook the cigarette that fell on the floor and put it in his mouth. He shook his finger, but fire did not occur. Galahad irritably shook his finger. A small fire blazed.

“What on earth is the identity?”

Beyond the firelight Gilbert with a quite serious face was visible. Tension was full on that face.

‘Identity···.’

Galahad muttered that funny word for a moment.

“It is an abandoned hunting dog. Fortunate not to be eaten—.”

Lemon scent wafted deeply. The blurry mind then slowly rose. He forcibly rotated the mana. It was painful as if burning in places, but he did not stop.

“Is there even a person who can eat that side?”

“You, what on earth do you think of me.”

At the voice full of astonishment Galahad laughed as if coughing.

“A mage who kills the demon race with magic—. I have not heard.”

“Didn’t I say. I am a pioneer constitution.”

Then, noisy laughter was heard from outside.

Galahad put strength in the loosened legs and stood up. He refused the hand Gilbert unconsciously held out.

“I dislike someone touching my body. Especially men.”

“······I am not particularly doing it because I like it though.”

Galahad giggled and moved the heavy feet.

A golden brown smell fully wafted. Large meats were piled full.

Tom was diligently grilling meat in front of a huge fire, and Damien and Gwen were beside it. It was a campfire atmosphere.

“Oh, Captain you came. I will prepare right away.”

Tom said while wiping the sweat on his forehead. The pan held in that hand spun noisily. It was the form of a first-class chef.

“This is not a company dinner.”

“···I know.”

Gilbert answered pointedly and laid the coat that became rags on the floor.

Galahad did not refuse and sat on it.

Seeing Gilbert’s crumpled face, it seemed it was not laid for Galahad.

Then, Tom held out an iron bowl containing golden brown grilled meat.

“Ah, thank you. Hold this a bit.”

Galahad held out the cigarette he was smoking to Gilbert and picked up the bowl. The meat fully wafted a gamey smell. Fucking taste. Galahad clicked his tongue softly while chewing firmly.

‘How many informants disappeared—.’

Galahad counted the number for a moment. Among them most somehow seemed to be in the North.

‘Roughly about eight.’

On top of that the information obtained from Palho—.

The work to do was gradually increasing.

It was the feeling of being busier than when he was in the Intelligence Bureau.

Then suddenly Adrianne came to mind.

“So when on earth is the support coming?”

“Probably it will arrive soon.”

“Slow.”

Galahad grumbled softly.

****

“Move quickly. Everyone abandon the carriages.”

At Adrianne’s order Hartna opened her eyes wide.

Always calm Adrianne speaking so urgently, it was clear something happened.

Hartna held the reins and stealthily stuck beside the senior Carrot.

“What is the matter?”

“Something came out from Gilbert’s side, and that trace is similar to what the 7th Battalion suffered.”

“Ah, the recent 7th Battalion demon race raid?”

“Yes, but that came out from Gilbert’s side. It’s fucked. On top of that there is that guy. The empire guy. If the guy dies it gives justification to the empire—. Ah, really twisted.”

At Carrot’s rough curse Hartna exhaled a small breath.

Regarding the empire the North was largely divided into three branches.

The hardliners of ‘fucking empire guys can’t endure anymore let’s sweep them.’

The moderates of ‘let’s endure. Still how can humans fight among themselves leaving the demon race.’

The ultra-hardliners of ‘let’s sweep both the demon race and the empire’—.

Like this it was divided into three.

Originally the moderates were the most, but after the Adrianne and crown prince incident the hardliners had grown.

If the empire pressed using the guy’s death as a pretext, it was clear the hardliners would gain power.

Of course, the conclusion would be made by the Grand Duke, but the Grand Duke was one who drank blood not one who avoided it.

“He was a more important person than expected?”

“Then what the fuck did you think.”

No, why cursing at me—. Hartna firmly endured.

“But isn’t the situation ended? If stronger than the demon race that raided the 7th Battalion and twelve moles··· even if Gilbert···.”

“Yes, he would already be dead. Isn’t it going to at least collect the corpse.”

At the scolding Hartna held the reins. Looking around everyone was hurriedly packing luggage.

There was an urgent reaction, but no one seemed to doubt the annihilation of that side.

“If they endure it is fortunate—. From the first mission a mid-rank demon race the special attack unit has bad luck attached.”

Hartna slightly moved her mouth. It was a look of wanting to say something.

“Again what bastard speak.”

“That······ it is not special attack unit but Special Mission Unit···.”

“Aigo— fuck! Really!”

Hartna hurriedly pulled the reins.