Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Village Feast

Thick footprints continued long between the snow path.

It was a very visible invitation.

‘There is one footprint.’

The company disappeared, yet only one footprint—.

Galahad crouched and examined in detail. There was a small curve in the footprint.

‘It is overlapping footprints.’

It was traces of several people walking in a line, with the same stride as if playing.

One could not accurately grasp with the overlapping marks, but at least it exceeded five people.

‘Did the company match steps with each other and walk in a line?’

What kind of threat does one have to make for the entire company to match steps and walk in a line.

He gauged that method, but it did not come to mind.

It was not a threat.

He deeply drank the cigarette. Lemon scent spread and woke the hazy mind.

‘Missing while matching even the stride in a straight line—.’

If not a threat the next possibility was magic.

Human magic basically added attributes. Otherwise the power did not come out.

It was not for nothing that an attribute-less mana arrow was classified as 1st Circle.

Dropping lightning to fry humans, or grilling with fire was easy but touching that mind was quite high in difficulty.

If one touched the opponent’s brain with high density mana without attributes, one could momentarily cause confusion. It was a persuasion method Galahad often used.

However, casting mental magic on the entire company was impossible.

This was rather than magic—.

‘Ah, it would be a demon race.’

The corners of Galahad’s mouth rose.

A demon race that intervenes in the mind—. Galahad took out the notebook from the inner pocket. The torch Damien held pushed away the darkness.

‘That is around here······. Ah, there is.’

[One captain issued an inexplicable charge order, and the axis of the front line collapsed.]

If there was a demon race that moved the mind, this part could be explained.

“It seems a demon race that touches the mind.”

Galahad said while putting the notebook back.

“Mind?”

At Damien’s blunt question he nodded.

“With threat two to three would be possible, but this kind of train play is impossible. It seems a demon race that touches the mind. Interesting.”

“I see.”

“Will it be okay?”

“No, I am hungry.”

“Good.”

Galahad laughed.

There were two methods to break mental type magic.

One of them was completely simplifying the mind. The mind was harder to touch the rougher and simpler it was. Because the simpler the foundation was thicker.

A person with many thoughts was easy to seduce with this and that words, but a guy whose only thought was hungry had no method other than giving rice.

The other one was—.

“From now do not fall away. If you fall I will suspect.”

“Yes, I am hungry.”

“Endure a little.”

Galahad nodded and positioned the cigarette more comfortably so that he could take it out anytime.

“Damien. If I give a signal, stab me with the sword a bit.”

“Yes.”

“It hurts dirty, but to a place that is not fatal.”

Damien who nodded without hesitation was truly reliable.

Galahad who finished the preparation walked following the footprints.

“What is your dream?”

“None.”

“A dream is a milestone. Without a dream it is easy to lose the way.”

“Do you have?”

“I do. Spending a peaceful old age. Leisurely reading magic books in the warm and clean central region.”

“I will eat meat to my fill even when old.”

“Isn’t that too simple.”

“I will also eat bread.”

“It became a bit more complicated. A good signal.”

Galahad continued the conversation with Damien. It was to maintain the mind.

Damien whose answers were short and one did not know where they would bounce was a quite good conversation partner. Of course, most of the answers were ‘I am hungry’ but—.

Walking for a long time a village surrounded by a wooden fence appeared.

The footprints continued to the village.

It was a village that felt distant from the world covered in white snow.

The torches above the wooden fence were illuminating the world like lighthouses.

The place arrived following the footprints being a village—.

‘Wasn’t it the company’s footprints?’

Whatever it was the invitation continued to the village.

“Seeing it noisy it seems they are holding a feast.”

“Is that so?”

At Damien’s answer he laughed softly and headed to the village.

Approaching the village the voices chattering loudly were heard. Children’s laughter sounds were laid like background music.

Until arriving in front there was no restraint. At that Galahad cleared his throat.

“Hey there!”

A little after shouting, a face came out above the wooden fence. It was a one-eyed middle-aged man armed like a soldier. The face was red as if he drank alcohol.

“Who are you?”

The middle-aged man standing above the wooden fence aimed a large crossbow at Galahad.

“I came from the 5th Battalion.”

“······5th Battalion?”

The middle-aged man counter-asked reluctantly.

“Is there a company that passed here?”

“Company? A few soldiers passed. The state was a little strange so we did not accept!”

At that answer Galahad examined below. There were too many footprints. Among them there were also footprints that moved away.

‘Did I come wrong?’

Galahad’s eyes furrowed. He deeply drank the cigarette.

There were many footprints. There was also the possibility they leaked to another place. Is that higher possibility?

He raised his head and stared at the man above the wooden fence.

“I see, the day is late can we rest and go?”

“Hmm, wait. I will bring the village head.”

A short while later an old man came up above the wooden fence. It was an old man with a good impression.

“Who are you?”

“I am Special Mission Unit Captain Galahad.”

“Special Mission Unit? What is that?”

The old man asked while looking beside. They muttered among themselves, and everyone shook their heads.

“Beside?”

“It is my attendant.”

A small curse of a bad guy using a boy as an attendant was heard.

“One cannot send a guest. Open!”

Thanks to the old man with good character the wooden fence opened quickly.

Inside was noisy. Laughter sounds and instrument sounds were heard.

The old man was wearing a hat made of fox. The fox face settled on that crown part was quite cute.

“Nice to meet, I am village head Hedrick. Did you say Galahad?”

“It is Galahad. Nice to meet.”

Galahad first held out his hand. The old man looked at it and shook his head.

“We do not shake hands with unknown people.”

“Why?”

“There is a ghost story handed down. A demon race that bewitches people—.”

“Bewitches people?”

Galahad felt dense interest. At that the old man coughed and slightly avoided his gaze. The intention of showing the palm for nothing was transparent.

“This is today’s lodging and food cost.”

He flicked and handed one silver coin.

“This the generosity is big.”

“Because the child eats a bit much.”

“How much would a child eat even if eats.”

At the old man’s words Galahad laughed out loud. The old man squinted his eyes as if displeased.

“Will you continue the story of the demon race that bewitches people.”

“In this forest there is a demon race that bewitches people. It is a story handed down from very long ago. That demon race approaches so that the opponent does not notice, and bewitches and takes to the forest. You said looking for a company?”

“I did.”

“Probably that demon race took them.”

The orange light of the torch added shadows to the old man’s face. Shadows deeply formed on the wrinkled wrinkles.

‘Wrong leg.’

Galahad’s brows furrowed.

“Do you know where that demon race is?”

“You, you do not know how scary the demon race is.”

“Is it scary?”

At Galahad’s question the old man’s mouth stopped. Soon the old man who snickered shook his head.

“Of course it is scary. Would we know the location of the demon race? If we knew, we would have contacted the unit long ago.”

Galahad clicked his tongue softly. There was also the possibility the invitation continued to another place.

“But you, not knowing our village. You have not been here long?”

The old man twitched his mouth. It was a face dying to boast.

“Because the 5th Battalion Captain is from our village. Along with that quite a few people from our village entered the 4th Battalion as well. Thanks to that our village between the two battalions is peaceful.”

The old man’s words were quite valid. Galahad nodded. So that is how it is.

“It is a village that produced such outstanding youths— this. Not knowing our village. Tsk tsk.”

Galahad slightly confirmed behind. The one-eyed middle-aged man was touching the crossbow.

“Are you from the military?”

“There is no one in the North who is not from the military.”

It was a crude answer.

“You, you are lucky. Coming on a feast day.”

The old man laughed widely and pointed behind. It was the empty lot in the center of the village. Firewood was fully piled.

A person playing an instrument and women dancing beside that, even meats with steam rising—. It was a village feast.

“Today is my daughter’s birthday.”

A warm smile rose on the old man’s face. Soon the old man looked at Galahad and squinted his eyes.

“Be careful! Our daughter is a very beauty. If you unnecessarily pant there will be no broth.”

“Ah, do not worry. I have a fiancée.”

“Even so! To the extent people looking for our daughter come to the village and line up!”

At the continued old man’s warning Galahad laughed softly.

“I guarantee my fiancée is more beautiful, do not worry. Because something more beautiful than my fiancée is impossible.”

“······This is amazing love?”

“It is not love but an extreme fact.”

The old man made a reluctant expression and waved his hand.

“A youth with a very pretty wife, do not stay still and help a bit.”

At the old man’s scolding Galahad headed to the piled firewood.

One kid was struggling to light fire with a torch.

“Is it okay if I help?”

“It would be difficult!”

The kid shot back boldly.

Galahad first watched. The kid pushed the torch larger than his own head into the firewood pile.

Whether the firewood was wet with snow the fire did not easily catch. Sweat beaded on the kid’s forehead.

The kid who groaned for a long time handed the torch to Galahad.

“Because it seems I want to try so I am giving!”

“Thank you, it looked really fun so I really wanted to do it.”

The kid laughed crisply.

Galahad put the torch into the firewood and flicked his finger. The fire of the torch became large in an instant.

“Waaaa—!”

The kid burst into an exclamation. Soon fire caught on the firewood. The fire that started small blazed roughly in an instant.

“How did you do it?!”

“It is a secret.”

“Eeeeee?! Mean!”

The kid fully furrowed his eyes.

“The world is originally cold. If you want to know the secret, you also have to hand one. It is right secret trade.”

“······Secret trade?”

The kid’s eyes sparkled. Both ‘secret’ and ‘trade’ were fatal words to the kid.

The kid who looked around for a moment opened his mouth.

“Our sister will soon marry!”

“Hmm, that is not a secret.”

“It is a secret! Because it will be a very cool wedding!”

Galahad muttered the kid’s words softly.

“Tell quickly.”

“It is magic.”

“Ma-gic—!”

The kid screamed as if tearing. At that the surroundings became quiet in an instant.

The middle-aged one-armed man who was bringing more firewood, the woman who was stirring a huge pot, the old man who was instructing as if preparing something—.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and were looking this way.

“Nice to meet, I am a mage.”

Galahad leisurely waved his hand.

“There was no word of mage!”

The old man ran panting and raised his voice.

“Didn’t you not ask.”

“Damn! Bringing in a mage!”

The old man burst into a fierce reaction. The middle-aged man’s crossbow aimed at Galahad again. Galahad raised both hands.

“Why such a fuss.”

“Isn’t he a minion of the demon race! The demon race will invade!”

He tried to calm but rather it was the opposite effect.

At the old man’s shout the atmosphere became ominous in an instant. The middle-aged man’s finger entered the trigger of the crossbow.

Then, a low voice was heard from one side.

“Everyone please calm. It is a good day.”

It was a voice sweet like candy and languid like a nap. At that turning his head, a woman in plain clothes approached.

It was an abnormally beautiful appearance.

Of course, not to the extent of Adrianne, but there was a subtle charm that drew the gaze. The moment one saw Galahad’s chest fluttered.

“Ah, yes. It is a good day! Amanda!”

That such a woman could come out from that old man, Galahad admired.

“When the feast ends leave right away. Because I will return the money.”

“Stingy.”

“It is a matter that side who hid the identity caused.”

Soon the feast started. Centering on the roughly blazing fire the village people stood around and chatted and sang.

Warm laughter burst. At that center was the woman named Amanda. Amanda smiled benevolently and talked with people and laughed.

One seemed to know why they even held a feast on the birthday.

Everything revolved centering on Amanda.

Damien was quietly looking up at Galahad.

Then, the man with only one eye played an instrument like a guitar. With the twanging sound the heat increased more and more.

Amanda raised both hands up and clapped and spun round and round. That dance skill was quite good.

Amanda’s dance stopped abruptly—. Amanda held out her hand to Galahad.

“I am poison to dance.”

Galahad firmly refused.

The corners of Amanda’s eyes slightly rose. People’s jeers poured. The story of being impotent spread.

Only after Amanda danced again did the commotion subside.

Amanda’s dance continued for a long time. It was hard to take eyes off the dance. Several times the feet almost went out on their own.

Soon when the village people entangled and danced, Amanda stealthily came out.

Amanda who met eyes with Galahad raised the red corners of her mouth.

Amanda approached bouncing as if dancing.

“I heard you are a mage.”

“A very excellent mage.”

“Oh my, can you show?”

Amanda’s eyes curved into half-moons. It was a fatal eye smile.

Amanda stealthily approached. Amanda’s subtle atmosphere strongly shook Galahad.

‘If popular it is tiring—.’

Galahad clicked his tongue softly and flicked his finger.

The spark that started from the index finger rode the middle finger and took form. Soon a lightning in the shape of a flower floated above Galahad’s palm.

“Wow really pretty—.”

Galahad subsequently unfolded magics. Pretty magic was as easy as eating cold porridge for Galahad.

How much magic did he turn like that—.

Galahad felt a subtle déjà vu.

The village was excessively peaceful, but not to the extent of being suspicious. Actually that basis was also quite valid.

Because the village was between the 4th Battalion and the 5th Battalion.

Yet something was lacking.

Galahad thought carefully.

“Our village has a tradition.”

Amanda who approached right beside at some point whispered. It seemed the ears would melt.

[In the North adultery is death penalty.]

It seemed Gilbert’s nagging was heard. Unfortunately Gilbert was not here.

“Tradition? What kind of tradition.”

“On the day of becoming an adult one chooses a partner and spends one night.”

Amanda’s red lips drew a nice arc. Exactly the color of eating a handful of wild strawberries.

From behind people’s laughter was heard. The instrument became faster and faster.

Thump thump thump thump—.

“Truly a fiery tradition.”

Galahad touched his stuffy throat.

What is lacking—.

Thump thump thump thump—.

Amanda slightly shook her shoulders. It was a dance as if flowers shaking in the wind.

Amanda’s red lips slowly opened.

“Today is my birthday.”

The whisper was sweet as if the ears would melt.

Excited breath and faint scent—.

It was a temptation one could not refuse.

‘This is embarrassing to show to Damien.’

Thump thump thump thump—.

“Ah, I see.”

Only then what was lacking came to mind.

Damien was blankly looking up at Galahad.

“Please.”

Damien stabbed Galahad’s shoulder blade with the sword without hesitation.

As if waiting, there was not a bit of hesitation.

Ah—.

A hot severe pain was felt from the shoulder. The mind woke up as if the tightly blocked blood circulated.

Only then did mana circulate. To think he forgot the existence of mana itself—. Amazing.

Galahad admired and closed and opened his eyes.

The field of vision changed as if flickering.

A huge firewood was blazing. The scenery illuminated by the faintly blazing flames was different from before.

People whose upper parts were open as if someone bit the head one bite each were staring at Galahad with red eyes.

Their terrible shadows wavered in the blazing flames.

‘I found the disappeared company.’

Unfortunately the company’s survival seemed hard.

“How did you know?”

Amanda asked while narrowing her eyes.

Dense interest was seen in those eyes.

Certainly it was a plausible village setting.

Being on the boundary of two units, being entangled with each origin—. It was a setting with no corner to suspect.

It could not be helped. Because it was a setting the bewitched Galahad made.

There was one thing lacking there.

“Damien did not say he was hungry.”

“Stabbed with a knife because he did not say he was hungry? If wrong?”

“If not one can fill. There is one more shoulder. You, petty.”

"...Petty?"

Galahad answered while putting a finger to the hole pierced in the shoulder. It was a wound with no problem if only the surface was blocked.

Flames rose from the finger. A browned smell wafted. Galahad clicked his tongue softly.

“Clean skill. Well done, Damien.”

Damien nodded.

“Hmm, interesting.”

The red corners of Amanda’s mouth rose.

Blood droplets were formed at the end of the corners of the mouth.

“I also had quite fun. This degree of mental interference—. Amazing. Why did you leave the skull open? Is that easier?”

Amanda laughed out loud. Exactly a laughter sound like a bat.

“Interesting! As expected that person is worth finding.”

“That person?”

“If I say in advance it is not fun.”

“That is also so.”

“You, are you human?”

Galahad exhaled deeply instead of answering.

“That one will know if one opens.”

Amanda spun her finger round—.

Soldiers with open heads approached. Anger and resentment were full in the eyes. The blood that flowed from the head flowed along the eye area and looked exactly like blood tears.

That footstep sound was heavy.

“Damn demon race guys! Daring to kill our mother!”

“I will kill! Even if my life ends!”

To them Galahad seemed to look like a demon race.

“Ruining our sister’s wedding!!”

An unusually small soldier shouted pointedly.

The deep-seated anger overflowed dripping.

The skin was stinging at the sharp hostility.

It was a little unfair, but it did not particularly matter.

This kind of treatment was familiar.

“Here, Damien. It is work time.”

Galahad put the cigarette in his mouth and raised the corners of his mouth.

“Yes, brother.”

Damien burped and drew the sword.

It was a face full of excitement.