Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Galahad

“Hoo—.”

Galahad came to his senses at the throbbing headache.

It seemed the head would break as if someone struck with an axe. Exhaling breath as if coughing, a disgusting smell fully wafted.

The smell of rotting meat, the smell of filth, even the smell of half-burned ash—.

Galahad muttered a curse and put the cigarette in his mouth,

Tak, tak, flicking the finger about twice mana circulated. Lemon scent fully wafted.

[It smells of lemon? That is a curse? This fucker.]

At the rough curse he laughed as if coughing. The cigarette in the mouth fell with a tick—. The eyes melted heavily.

Damien picked it up and put it back in the mouth. Damien was meticulously bloody.

“Shall I kill?”

“It’s fine. Because there is a lot of work.”

“Yes,”

Damien who answered prettily crouched beside Galahad.

Galahad quietly puffed the cigarette.

Amusingly the remaining firewood pile was still sharing heat.

Long lines of corpses and ash piles beside that—. Terribly quiet.

‘This the body will not remain.’

Galahad furrowed his eyes at the pain felt from the whole body.

‘Even when rolling in the Intelligence Bureau it was not this degree—.’

Tsk, Galahad clicked his tongue softly and spat saliva. It was red and thin saliva.

“Ah, hungry—.”

At Damien’s blunt whining Galahad laughed bitterly.

“Didn’t you eat a lot earlier.”

“Because I moved that much.”

“That is also so.”

Galahad answered while examining Damien.

Damien was looking at the sky with his mouth open. Because it was a dark night snowflakes that looked like ash settled on the open mouth.

‘Mental interference did not work at all on Damien.’

Amanda’s mental interference was high stage. To the extent Galahad had to be prepared to burst the brain.

Yet it never worked on Damien even once.

It was not something one could avoid with simple thoughts.

“You, what is your identity?”

“Damien.”

“I see.”

Galahad laughed.

Damien blankly looked at Galahad. That cheek was chewing.

“Spit.”

Bread that was rotten beyond recognition fell from Damien’s mouth. When did he eat—.

“Eat this, it is jerky Tom grilled.”

Damien opened his mouth wide. The thrown jerky entered with a pop—.

“Tom seems the best.”

“Agreed.”

He nodded at Damien’s pure admiration.

“When we return let’s do a company dinner right away. Because Sir Gilbert said he would buy eat to your heart’s content.”

“Really hungry.”

Damien rarely blinked.

“This kind of Sir Gilbert is in big trouble.”

The two quietly watched the roughly blazing firewood pile.

Galahad ruminated Amanda’s words.

‘That person—.’

If it was an opponent to the extent the demon race used extreme honorific, it was clear it was a higher opponent.

Since Amanda said to save and bring. It was not simply trying to handle Galahad.

Because there was no leisure he regretted not being able to persuade Amanda.

‘Is it the Dawn side? Or just a demon race?’

A high-rank demon race aiming at himself—.

‘I should contact Palho separately.’

Even if not that it was clear that side would show movement.

Then, the pill of pain trembled—.

‘The pill of pain drank the blood of the demon race.’

The pill of pain vibrated as if struggling.

From the pill of pain that vibrated briefly something familiar came out.

‘······Mana?’

That was clearly mana. Dense concentration—.

Galahad doubted his own senses. The pill of pain that took and ate the blood of the demon race spitting out mana?

He hastily gauged that concentration.

‘Higher concentration than ordinary mana, but lower concentration than when just drinking the blood of the demon race.’

However, there was no pain of blood vessels burning like when drinking the blood of the demon race.

Drinking the blood of the demon race and spitting out mana. Exactly the feeling the pill of pain digested instead.

It seems it takes a bit more in between but—.

‘Amazing.’

Galahad burst into an exclamation and moved mana.

The mana obtained from the blood of the demon race was rough. To the extent if one let go of concentration for a moment one would be eaten.

In contrast the mana the pill of pain spat out moved obediently according to Galahad’s intention.

‘What is this—.’

Galahad forgot even the pain and concentrated on the unknown mana.

He moved mana and made a mana arrow. Because the concentration was dense a mana arrow was made without using much mana.

With this degree—.

Galahad gulped saliva.

He had used the blood of the demon race one-time by drinking, but he had never stored the mana that came out from the blood of the demon race.

Because the characteristic was too severely rough. If one stored for nothing Galahad’s mana could rather be eaten.

‘But if this mana—.’

The pondering was short. He pushed the mana below the heart. It was contained without any resistance like when storing atmospheric mana.

“It works!”

Galahad shouted without knowing himself and stood up abruptly.

That this mana is stored means, one can pile up the blood of the demon race without using it one-time.

Of course, that efficiency would drop compared to directly drinking the blood of the demon race, but even considering that it was an amazing ability.

What is lacking is a problem solved by drinking more.

‘First, confirmation first.’

Galahad desperately maintained coolness.

Excitement was poison to a mage.

He had to confirm whether he could use the put mana.

Galahad looked up at the sky. Snow was still falling.

It is not good weather, but if the mana concentration is high—.

“I should call Sir Gilbert.”

The corners of Galahad’s mouth fully rose.

****

“Sir Gilbert.”

Tom called Gilbert who looked very uncomfortable in mood.

Gilbert had been in that state continuously since the captain took Damien and disappeared. It was clear he was worrying about the two.

“You do not have to worry. The captain will be fine.”

“Worry?”

At Gilbert’s pointed counter-question Tom was startled. If not worrying why is he sulking.

“Why did he take Damien not me?”

It seemed he did not like taking Damien not himself.

“It would have been unavoidable. Isn’t Sir Gilbert too famous. If Sir Gilbert went together, he would have thought the enemy would tremble in fear and flee.”

At Tom’s words Gilbert’s eyes slightly relaxed.

Gilbert cleared his throat and tapped the sword hilt. Tom softly felt relief.

Then, 7th Company Captain Henry approached while spinning the axe.

“It seems something is over there.”

In the place Company Captain Henry pointed snow was piled like a mountain.

It was a landslide due to heavy snow. It seemed he thought the disappeared 4th Company was stranded in the landslide.

Gilbert shook his head.

“No, this side. The captain found a clue.”

At that Company Captain Henry’s face became subtle.

“Are you believing the mage’s words? If one does not dig right away, the soldiers will freeze to death.”

Company Captain Henry’s claim was quite valid.

Coincidentally a landslide occurred on the company’s path, so suspecting that side was appropriate.

To overturn that one had to say that this side received a letter from the demon race, but then the situation became awkward.

Tom pondered how to resolve this situation.

Then—.

Thick lightning divided into hundreds of branches fell from the sky. Tom gaped his mouth at the lightning embroidering the sky.

Momentary silence settled at that lightning.

“First let’s go there and come. Would one die just being in the snow a bit?”

“Understood! Everyone move!”

With certain evidence the persuasion ended quickly.

****

‘It works.’

Galahad raised the corners of his mouth while looking at the tingling finger.

Mana was successfully stored. There was no problem in taking it out and using it.

Rather it was cleaner than the original mana.

Lower concentration than just drinking the blood of the demon race, but being able to store was important.

There were too many risk elements in using magic using the blood of the demon race. From the beginning it was one-time.

If one can store in this way, even if the concentration is low it does not become a big problem. Because one can drink more.

Of course, there is the minor condition that if one does not kill Adrianne the heart is eaten, but that there was a separate method to resolve.

To the extent one felt sincerely thankful to Corton.

‘Because it is a byproduct of a high-rank demon race—. If the byproduct’s ability is this degree, the high-rank demon race would be a completely different entity.’

The byproduct shows this degree of effect, one could not even get a sense of what the high-rank demon race would give. Saliva naturally gathered.

Galahad shook his head.

It was a situation of fighting and winning against Amanda with life on the line. Meeting the high-rank demon race that such Amanda used honorific now was not good.

Aching! Pain rose from around the heart. It was a rough urging to fulfill the oath quickly.

‘There is a minor side effect.’

Galahad licked his lips.

Then, one side became noisy.

Far away Gilbert and the members and the Northern guys were running.

Their momentum was quite ominous.

“Beat and kill the dirty demon race! Pull out that neck and drink the blood!”

The guy named Henry raised the axe high and shouted roughly. Behind that the Northern guys ran while shouting bizarre war cries. Snow bounced roughly with every step.

It was the momentum of even going to war.

‘Hmm. It already ended though.’

Galahad let out a groan sound.

At that lead was Gilbert. Whether assimilated to them Gilbert burst a bizarre war cry.

“Knight— Gilbert!”

Gilbert raised the sword high. The brilliant aura emitted from the sword wavering was quite flashy.

Was he originally that kind of guy? Galahad clicked his tongue softly.

Their war cries reached the climax as they entered the village.

“Dirty demon race guys! You hid in fear!”

Those who put Gilbert at the lead charged as is to the square.

Soon only after arriving at the square did it become quiet.

Gilbert who discovered Galahad ran quickly.

“···Where is the demon race?”

“It is there.”

Galahad pointed at the clumped ash pile.

Gilbert squinted his eyes.

“What happened?”

“Can’t you tell by looking.”

At Galahad’s answer Gilbert examined the square.

Terrible corpses scattered here and there and ash piles—.

Anyone could see it was a finished situation.

Gilbert who cleared his throat softly put the sword in the scabbard. It was a quite awkward face.

“You worked hard. Are you okay?”

“Do I look okay?”

“Seeing all limbs attached it is okay.”

Galahad laughed.

“Will you drink? It is the best for pain.”

Gilbert held out the water bottle. The smell wafting was quite something.

He wondered where he used that much salary, it seemed he used it drinking good alcohol.

“Enough.”

“Yes, what.”

Gilbert slightly brought the water bottle to his own mouth.

“What did you do to drink.”

“I ran diligently though.”

“Damiaaan—!”

A small scream burst. Gwen was hugging the bloody Damien and crying. It seemed she did not know he was sleeping.

“This is mugwort herb extract, if you apply it will help recovery.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Tom who handed the pounded herb to Galahad headed to Damien.

When he took out the jerky, Damien who had his eyes closed as if dead stood up abruptly. The crying Gwen’s eyes became round.

Then, the guy named Henry approached.

The guy’s face was fully distorted like a demon. The Northern guys behind were also similar faces.

It was a face of wanting to beat someone to death right away.

Gilbert blocked Henry.

“······What happened.”

Henry asked in a pressed voice. The hand holding the axe trembled.

Evidence was obviously spread all around. He would not be stupid to the extent of not grasping even seeing that.

The missing company became the demon race’s subordinate, and rather attacked the one who came to rescue. Is there a more terrible dishonor than this.

The guy named Henry would have noticed.

Galahad shook the cigarette and answered.

“They were hit by the demon race. I undid the demon race’s trick with magic, and we fought bravely together.”

“······I see.”

Henry answered in a pressed-like voice and nodded.

It was a foolish lie with no one deceived.

“I will carve the favor in the bones.”

‘Carve in the bones—.’

It was a bloody expression like a Northern guy.

“Thanks to that they will be remembered as honorable warriors. Their families will receive even a few coins.”

“You make obvious words quite plausible?”

At Galahad’s point Gilbert furrowed his eyebrows.

Then, the Northern guys chattered noisily and laughed while gathering the corpses. There was no gloomy atmosphere at all.

A few guys brought surrounding trees. It was natural as if a matter of course.

A larger firewood pile than earlier was made. It was noisy as if a festival.

Huge flames blazed. Everyone put water bottles in their mouths and danced and talked about their martial feats.

It was a festival worse than earlier.

Then, Henry approached again.

“Let’s dance.”

“Enough, I hate dance.”

A dance request from a man full of fur—. When he refused while hating Henry laughed as if stabbed in the belly with a knife.

Dense alcohol smell fully wafted. The guy’s focus was clear.

“If you want I will even offer my wife.”

“No need. I am already an engaged body.”

“Ah! You were!”

The guy laughed again as if a hole was pierced in the belly. It was a laughter sound that matched the rough appearance.

“If you call I will run anytime.”

Henry said while pointing behind. The guys whose faces were red with alcohol rising shouted meaningless shouts.

“But did you marry?”

“Not yet.”

“I see.”

Henry who laughed while cackling returned to the firewood pile.

Galahad just puffed the cigarette.

The Northern guys did not cry. Rather they chattered noisily and laughed and danced.

In that warm atmosphere there was one person crying. It was Gwen.

“Why are you crying?”

Galahad asked sincerely. A person whose face one does not even know died, why crying was incomprehensible.

“A··· person died.”

At Gwen’s answer Galahad let out a groan sound softly.

I see, a plausible reason.

However, tears had no great meaning.

“If I was stronger, they could have lived too.”

“······Yes?”

Damien nodded.

Gwen made a flustered expression and then cried bigger.

“It is not the captain’s fault! The demon race is bad!”

“Hmm, what sound is it. Of course it is not my fault.”

Galahad said while forcibly peeling off the clinging Gwen.

Gwen’s face became blank for a moment. The Galahad reflected in those pupils was expressionless.

“It is saying the matter that occurs if power is insufficient. The one lying there could have been Damien.”

Damien nodded again. Gwen’s crying stopped abruptly—. It was an expression as if a fist was stuck in the face.

The soldiers chattered noisily and danced.

Galahad smoked the cigarette and watched that. Gilbert continued to sip the water bottle, and Tom soothed Gwen.

“When we return we will have a company dinner. Of course, you are buying.”

“Yes, what.”

Gilbert nodded reluctantly.

Then, Damien held his own belly and said.

“Too hungry.”

For the first time fear rose on Gilbert’s face.

****

‘Hoo—.’

James let out a low breath.

Today was James’s first department assignment day.

‘Operations Department!’

Assigned to a cool place from the name. Even the agent name was ‘Galahad’ that James admired.

Now everything seemed to go well.

James who opened the door immediately deeply bowed his head.

“From today working in the Operations Department Ja··· no, Galahad!”

“Oh, you are that newcomer.”

A soft voice greeted James. At that raising his head there was a woman with a kind face.

“I am Henett. Your senior.”

“Ah! Nice to meet! Galahad!”

“Full of spirit? It’s fine. The Operations Department has a lot of work, but the atmosphere is good. As long as one does not cause a big problem it is fine.”

At the soft explanation of the woman who introduced herself as Henett James nodded vigorously.

Behind that people sitting at desks were seen. In a dark space relying only on mana lamps they were reading or writing something.

They did not even give interest this way. No, it seemed they did not even have the leisure to raise their heads.

James gulped saliva.

“Everyone is busy doing their own work. Here, first come this way. Let’s greet the Operations Department Head.”

“Yes! Understood!”

Sharp gazes stuck. Hollow eyes poked James.

“Shh, raising the voice here is taboo.”

“Yes— understood—.”

“Well done, you will adapt well. I see people well.”

At the soft smile James laughed hehe—.

Meeting such a good senior, it was certain the Intelligence Bureau life would go well.

Henett guided James to the innermost. It was a door with windows all tightly wrapped.

“The Operations Department Head is a sensitive person, but a person called the core of the Operations Department. If only work processing is clean he does not even touch. That ability goes without saying.”

Respect was full in Henett’s voice.

It was clear the Operations Department Head was an amazing person.

“Knock on the door and say the agent name. That you are a newcomer.”

“Yes—.”

James checked his attire and loosened his neck.

‘Here, Intelligence Bureau life starts. James—.’

James who muttered knocked on the door vigorously.

Thud thud!

“Who is it.”

A languid voice was heard from inside. Henett whispered small ‘say the agent name—’.

At that James shouted vigorously.

“Galahad! Newcomer—.”

Putting Galahad in the mouth, James unnecessarily lowered his voice without knowing himself.

Still the moment he thought he did quite well—.

“Galahad?! There is no way Galahad is here! Do not lie!”

A sharp scream burst from beyond the closed door. The man roughly denied Galahad’s name.

“Fuck! Why me! Bastard! Retirement! How hard I worked! Fuck!”

Soon he shouted full of anger. Bang! The sound of something hitting the door and breaking was heard.

“Galahad! I also tried to help! I was even preparing a special team! Really! I··· I will match as much as possible! I will help!”

Suddenly the voice became soft. Exactly a voice like a merchant proposing a deal.

“Aaa! Galahad! You know I really worked hard—. Please, retirement here.”

Now he was full of sobbing. It was a voice of tears dripping.

It was clear something was wrong.

“That··· something is strange···.”

James who turned his head doubted his eyes. Henett was fleeing far away.

Then, the inside became quiet.

“Yes, Galahad. Since you came, retirement cannot be avoided. Being retired by you is an honor.”

The voice that was sobbing until just now was calm.

The door slowly opened.

It was a man with hollow under the eyes. The splendid uniform and the medals on the left chest emphasized the man’s greatness.

At that James intuited.

“What are you? Where is Galahad?”

That the Intelligence Bureau life was fucked— from the start.