Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Separate Room

“Fuck—.”

The 1st Battalion’s Carrot spat a rough curse and twisted the reins. The horse roughly kicked the ground, and snow was sprayed long.

Adrianne was advancing without hesitation at the front.

Always calm Adrianne moving so urgently—. The seriousness of the situation was clearly felt.

Other 1st Battalion members were also holding only the reins without particular words. In the silent snowy mountain only the sound of horse hooves continuously spread.

How far had they run like that—.

Adrianne stopped the horse as if sliding. Stopping so cleanly from that fast speed—. As expected a famous horse.

‘Arrival.’

Carrot drew the spear hung beside the horse. Other members also silently drew weapons. Expanding tension rose.

Then—.

“Damien, stop eating a bit.”

“It doesn’t taste good.”

“Then why do you keep eating.”

“Because I am hungry.”

Murmuring conversation was heard from somewhere.

At the peaceful conversation the 1st Battalion’s steps stopped with a thud.

‘They waited!’

Carrot cheered small inside. Yes, rather missing is better—.

However, the scenery visible beyond Adrianne was different from expected.

Those who lit a fire in the middle were sitting beside and murmuring. A person who seemed a soldier continuously grilled meat. Everyone was sitting beside it.

At the peaceful atmosphere to the extent the weapons held in the hands became colorless everyone stopped their movement.

“Ah, finally came.”

Then, the Special Mission Unit Captain stood up and waved his hand. A neat attire with nothing changed from before.

“Are you safe.”

“As you see.”

“Where is the demon race?”

At Adrianne’s question the Special Mission Unit Captain pointed to one side. At that Adrianne drew the sword and headed to the cave.

“Caught them all—. Not listening to the end of the words.”

The Special Mission Unit Captain said urgently, but Adrianne had already entered the cave.

Carrot also followed Adrianne and headed to the cave.

The cave was a mess. Flesh and blood were stuck all around, and the dirty gamey smell unique to magic beasts was full.

‘The moles were not a lie.’

Carrot suddenly discovered a strange trace on the corpse.

‘Fire? Is it magic—.’

There was no way the mole just burned in fire, so it would be a trace of magic. He thought mages were talkative braggarts but it was unexpected.

The cave was full of mole corpses. Even catching few it was at least ten.

At the end of the cave there was a huge corpse.

It was all flesh that burned cleanly and stuck, but Carrot could know it was at least a mid-rank demon race corpse.

‘Died burning in fire. Using magic on the demon race—?’

Magic was the filth of the demon race. How would filth harm its master.

“Caught the demon race with magic.”

At someone’s muttering everyone nodded. They were not stupid to the extent of denying even with evidence in front.

“Does it make sense?”

“The evidence is already in front.”

“Seeing there are many sword traces. This is Sir Gilbert’s sword.”

“The sword traces are all shallow. The direct cause is clearly the mage.”

It soon became noisy. That topic was as expected magic.

There was no one denying that the mage finished the demon race.

“The remaining members collect the mole corpses.”

At Adrianne’s order everyone nodded.

Carrot followed behind Adrianne and exited the cave.

They were still sitting around the fire and murmuring.

‘Amazing—.’

Carrot headed to Gilbert to investigate the circumstances.

“Hey, Gilbert. You did quite flashily. Sixteen moles and two mages, on top of that a mid-rank demon race—. Did you become stronger in the time I didn’t see?”

At Carrot’s words Gilbert made a bitter smile.

“I did not catch them. The captain caught them.”

He had somewhat noticed, but hearing directly was different again.

“The Special Mission Unit Captain?”

“Yes, I just dragged time.”

“He is a mage?”

“He was a very capable mage.”

“Fuck—. Really a mage caught the demon race?”

“Yes.”

Carrot suddenly recalled a story he had heard in passing.

It was a rumor he naturally thought was a lie. But seeing the current situation he had no choice but to ask.

“Then is the rumor that the Special Mission Unit Captain beat Hermun also true?”

“Yes, he won in one shot.”

“Fuck, really?”

At Gilbert’s nod the head became complicated.

“Well that bastard is a pervert bastard who goes around without even wearing a coat acting up—.”

Well not all mages would be weak—. Carrot nodded.

“He seems strong.”

“Yes, he is strong.”

At Gilbert’s serious answer Carrot squinted his eyes. That proud Gilbert saying so—. What on earth did he see.

‘Equal to Gilbert or above.’

Carrot then wrote. Contrary to the rough speech the writing was elegant. Carrot who roughly completed the report scratched his head.

“The Special Mission Unit composed of five caught at least one mid-rank demon race and sixteen moles, two mages. Even the demon race was caught by the mage who came from the empire—. Fuck, who would believe this.”

Carrot held out the report to Gilbert and advised.

“Rather turning it into your credit would be better. If a mage there are many bastards who light fire in their eyes and cut down.”

“No need. How much to be teased—.”

At Gilbert’s firm answer Carrot smiled faintly.

“Yes, if a capable mage he will soon stand out. Now no matter how one obstructs. Can one cover the sky with a palm. Rather one can use it as justification later.”

“Are you saying the same words as our captain?”

“Comparing to a man, it is rude to a lady.”

“Are you a lady?”

“Gilbert, your speech has become quite stiff.”

Gilbert twitched his mouth. Carrot pondered whether to beat him once because that appearance was annoying and then endured.

Gilbert slightly turned his head.

There was the Special Mission Unit Captain talking with Adrianne.

If Adrianne was expressionless and one could not know the inside, the man was the feeling of covering with a leisurely smile.

‘Unexpectedly they suit well.’

Carrot added his opinion below.

****

“Is the body okay?”

At Adrianne’s indifferent question Galahad nodded.

“It is okay enough.”

“You could have waited for the support.”

“How can one do that to an opening customer.”

Adrianne very slightly furrowed her eyebrows. Looking closely it seemed she was pondering.

“······Ah, you compared the first mission to an opening. It was an excellent comparison.”

Adrianne answered seriously.

‘One should not joke with this woman.’

Galahad muttered softly.

“Then how did you discover the cave?”

“The mana concentration was particularly dense. Following that—.”

Taran. Galahad pointed to the cave behind.

“How did you know the mana concentration was dense?”

It was a question closer to consultation than interrogation.

“Because I am a mage. If a mage one can know.”

“Ah, because a mage—.”

“It seems a disappointed look.”

“Recently traces of the demon race related to mages are being discovered in places in the North. If one can know that, I thought one could respond more.”

“You should be able to know?”

“Ah, I am not a mage.”

Is it a joke? He wondered, but seeing Adrianne’s serious face it seemed not a joke.

“Don’t you have the nature of burning mana. The feeling would differ according to the concentration.”

“You mean feeling?”

“When burning mana, isn’t there that degree. Try grasping with that.”

Adrianne slightly furrowed her eyebrows. It seemed she was pondering.

Galahad also threw it theoretically.

The nature of burning mana was as natural as breathing to Adrianne. So it was no different from telling a person breathing to confirm the concentration of air.

There was no way one could utilize it right away.

It was just the degree of informing the utilization method.

“Ah, this. Hmm—.”

Then, Adrianne waved her hand.

“I think I know. I did not think there would be this kind of application method. You are amazing.”

Adrianne gave pure praise, but Galahad could not just laugh.

‘······Did she do it in one go?’

It was a statement made with the feeling of throwing a small clue. Yet to accomplish that in one go—.

‘As expected Adrianne.’

Galahad admired softly.

“It will be usable very usefully. Thank you.”

Adrianne deeply bowed her head and expressed thanks. It was a greeting where sincerity naturally came out.

‘···This will be quite big.’

It would not be able to detect as much as Galahad, but still with that acquisition power it was clear the skill would increase soon.

If one detects mana concentration, one would clearly be able to block the tricks of ordinary mages.

“I will repay later.”

“What do you want?”

“It is a joke.”

Adrianne’s eyebrows moved slightly. One should not joke. Galahad resolved again.

“Will you return right away?”

“Return?”

“Aren’t you going to the 1st Battalion with me?”

Adrianne asked in a voice close to conviction.

‘Ah, she thought I would follow her.’

It was a plausible inference. Perhaps from the time she left the headquarters Adrianne might have assumed that.

Because it was a fact that Galahad followed Adrianne because of the nature of burning mana.

Adrianne was the hero of the North. If beside her it would be much easier to establish credit and safe. Even if the foremost front thinking of Adrianne’s martial power it was clear it would rather be safer.

Sticking to her was a natural and rational choice.

However—.

‘The problem is that the Grand Duke will not acknowledge the credit piled beside Adrianne.’

Along with that there were many flies in the North. And even the Dawn guys—.

If one left them the Demon War could occur again.

The most important thing was blocking the destruction.

Adrianne or the Grand Duke were only the means.

Of course, researching her nature was the problem but—.

‘That one can drop by in the middle.’

Galahad who finished the calculation nodded while looking at Adrianne who stopped as if broken.

“You thought I would follow you. Sorry, but I have separate work to do.”

“Ah—.”

Adrianne let out a terminal cry like a scream. It was a small voice to the extent almost not heard. That cheek slightly reddened.

“There is no need to be shy. Even I would have thought so.”

“···That is not it, it is words given because if this kind of thing occurs again it is dangerous. Your life is heavy.”

“Do not worry. Even looking like this I fight quite well. Didn’t you see.”

Galahad slightly pointed to the cave. Adrianne shook her head and soon returned to the usual calm face.

“For a while some work occurred so.”

“Yes, understood. Because the operation of troops is taken by the captain of each unit.”

Adrianne nodded prettily. Then Adrianne took something out from her bosom. It was a small egg with a rough surface.

“It is a hawk egg that bestows a curse. If one breaks that egg I can go wherever you are. If by any chance dangerous, if you break that I will go.”

“A fierce name. But if one breaks the egg one can come anywhere?”

“Yes, the mother chases the one who broke the egg until death.”

“Amazing. How does it work?”

“······You must break it only when absolutely necessary. There is only one.”

“Hey, surely one wouldn’t break the egg because curious about the principle.”

Galahad laughed while stealthily hiding the finger that was pressing the egg behind.

“I will go. Because I left the border area for a long time—.”

“Ah, one has to hold the hand and go.”

“···The condition seems not good though.”

“It’s fine. I waited only for holding hands with you, if you just go it is disappointing.”

Adrianne’s eyebrows rose slightly.

Because of overdosing the demon race’s blood the inside was a mess.

There was something like residue from the demon race’s blood remaining inside. Rather burning that would clearly be good for recovery.

On top of that there was something curious. What would the feeling of the demon race’s blood residue burning be. How would it work—. It was terribly curious.

“Understood.”

Adrianne who hesitated for a moment clasped hands.

Even though it was the third time the unaccustomed pain fully rose.

Burning and tearing and burning again. Still because it was now the third time he did not scream ugly.

The residue that had been inside began burning. The moment that mana fragmented, Galahad received a subtle feeling.

‘The higher the concentration the faster it burns.’

That meant the stronger the opponent demon race the bigger Adrianne’s power became.

How fraudulent an ability this was. One had to catch it unconditionally.

Then, Adrianne pulled her hand away. Galahad had at some point lost his center and collapsed.

Adrianne who held out a hand to catch stepped back.

Galahad raised his head and looked at Adrianne and raised the corners of his mouth.

“See. The condition is better than last time? I fell but, I did not faint.”

Adrianne exhaled a small breath.

“You, did you smile just now?”

Adrianne instead of answering slightly bowed her head and stepped back.

“Then stay well.”

With that as the end Adrianne took the 1st Battalion and disappeared.

It seemed the speed was faster than last time.

“Are you okay?”

“Better than it looks.”

“Shall I help you up?”

“Enough, I can get up alone.”

Galahad clicked his tongue and raised his body.

‘Clean.’

Galahad muttered while clenching and opening his hand.

This time rather the condition became better by holding hands with Adrianne.

Of course, the mana all burning was the same, but because the side effect from the demon race’s blood disappeared it was rather good.

‘If one overdoses the demon race’s blood one can go to Adrianne. Then can one drink a lot?’

Various curiosities rose. Adrianne was always thrilling.

Then, Gilbert coughed softly. It was a face of having something to say.

“What?”

“Why didn’t you go to the 1st Battalion? Because you showed ability if you went to the 1st Battalion you could have piled credit easily.”

Gilbert asked in a subtle voice.

It was a correct statement. If one followed her one could pile credit quite easily and settle.

However, Galahad’s goal was not Adrianne.

Blocking the terrible ending was Galahad’s goal. The Grand Duke or Adrianne were only the means.

And anyway against the demon race one could not produce efficiency as much as Adrianne. Sticking beside Adrianne was inefficient.

There was no need to go to someone else’s battlefield.

Galahad’s battlefield was separate.

“The right path is mostly a hard and painful path.”

Galahad tapped the parchment held in his hand.

It was the information received from Palho. Quite a lot of information was contained in the parchment. On top of that information of impure forces that entered the North was also written.

If one caught them one by one, one would be able to reveal Dawn.

This parchment was Galahad’s battlefield.

‘Is this outer support.’

Galahad joked softly and brushed off the snow stuck on the clothes.

“So what do you plan to do?”

Gilbert asked while looking behind. Somehow he did not know why, but Gwen with a serious face as if resolved and Damien patting his belly, even Tom organizing the luggage—.

It seemed asking the direction of the Special Mission Unit.

“Hasn’t the North been noisy recently.”

“······Yes, from a few years ago bizarre guys began gathering in the North. I do not know what there is to eat in this barren land that they gather so.”

At Gilbert’s answer mixed with irritation Galahad slightly avoided his gaze.

“We will catch those guys.”

A sentence written on one side of the parchment entered the eyes.

[Establishing a Black Magic Society branch in the 5th Battalion, suffering difficulties due to opposition from that side’s force. However, it is expected not to take that long.]

The whisper of the 5th Battalion Captain he faced at the headquarters ‘I am interested in magic so please visit’ came to mind.

It was clear there was something there.

‘If the 5th Battalion it is between each battalion so—. It would be good to establish a headquarters.’

A place to return was important.

“We will go to the 5th Battalion. Everyone prepare.”

Galahad said while putting a cigarette in his mouth.

“Preparation finished!”

Tom answered vigorously.

Tom who had considerable sense.