Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Handshake Difficulty

‘Hmm···.’

Galahad who opened the door of the 5th Battalion headquarters squinted his eyes.

As soon as entering the 5th Battalion headquarters building there was a huge desk, and 5th Battalion Captain Mark was sitting there.

Dissatisfaction was full on aide Lumian’s face.

‘Is it protesting saying to empty the 3rd floor?’

Galahad clicked his tongue and headed to Mark.

“Why are you here?”

“Looking to move, because here is the most efficient. One can receive reports right away, and close to the main gate.”

At Mark’s answer Galahad squinted his eyes for a moment.

Since in front of the main gate the shortest distance was correct. Yes, it was a correct statement.

However—.

‘Isn’t it strange that the captain is right as soon as the main gate opens?’

Of course, to Galahad who uses the 3rd floor it was rather a good thing. Because it was the story of the captain guarding the main gate.

“I see.”

“I heard the report. The 4th Company fell for the demon race’s trick, but thanks to Captain Galahad’s wit they barely woke up and fought the demon race.”

At Mark’s blunt voice Galahad nodded.

“I see. I will report as is. I will first say words of thanks. If not Captain Galahad, one would not even have been able to retrieve the corpses,”

“Say it is a reply to the alliance.”

“I will remember.”

Mark who nodded turned the paper.

“The appearance of magic beasts is a common thing, but recently the frequency of the demon race’s appearance has noticeably increased. It is clear an abnormality occurred on the front line.”

Galahad quietly nodded.

“His Grace the Grand Duke is there, but now he almost does not step forward—. Currently each battalion is no different from a separate organization. Faction···.”

Mark cleared his throat for a moment. It seemed he swallowed the curse that came to the tip of the mouth.

“Even if I present the opinion that one has to inspect the front line they will not listen. His Grace the Grand Duke stepping forward is the best, but there will be no such thing. Next is—.”

“Adrianne.”

“Yes, correct. If it is her words who is the only successor of His Grace the Grand Duke, and the hero of the front line, the other captains will not be able to ignore.”

“Can’t one just ask Adrianne?”

Mark shook his head.

“Adrianne is an excellent hero, but not a person who leads others.”

“Not a person who leads—.”

Galahad muttered softly.

“She respects all captains. If I request she will refuse saying the command authority of the battalion is with each captain.”

“So are you saying to persuade her?”

“Yes.”

At the firm answer Galahad burst into laughter.

“You do not even listen to my words, would you listen to my words?”

“Because you are the fiancé. And—.”

Mark swallowed the later words. Mark who hesitated for a moment said while furrowing his eyebrows as if saying unpleasant words.

“If it is that side it is the feeling one will somehow do it though.”

“Somehow—.”

Galahad laughed softly at the slogan heard after a long time.

“Yes, ‘somehow’ is my specialty. Instead there is a condition.”

“What condition?”

“Decorate the Special Mission Unit headquarters coolly.”

Mark nodded. Seeing the pupils moving busily, it seemed calculating.

Galahad put the cigarette in his mouth and stood up.

“Do you know why I went looking for Captain Galahad at the captains’ meeting?”

Galahad shook his head while lighting the cigarette.

“Originally captains are all bound to the battalion in charge. Except special cases one cannot escape. Whether good or bad there is the tomb.”

Mark tapped the desk with a thud—.

“Yet now an exception occurred.”

Mark’s clear eyes stared at Galahad.

It was eyes strongly desiring something.

“Now did the mind to enter under arise?”

At Galahad’s question Mark laughed softly.

When Galahad disappeared Lumian glared at Mark.

“Why match that much?”

“Match?”

“Even if a captain there are only four members. Exception— what—.”

At the stupid question Mark squinted his eyes.

“Do you really think the soldiers who fell for the demon race stood up and helped Galahad and fought? The demon race is not that naive.”

“······Then?”

“According to the report when the company captain arrived at the scene with Gilbert the situation had ended. It is the sound of Galahad catching alone—. The demon race and over forty soldiers bewitched by that demon race alone—.”

Lumian gaped his mouth.

“···It is a leap. Why unnecessarily make a lie that reduces one’s own credit?”

At Lumian’s question Mark pondered and shook his head.

“You go decorate the Special Mission Unit headquarters. Thanks to the mana stone price adjustment this time the budget is quite a lot?”

“Use all that?”

“One has to look good.”

At Mark’s firm voice Lumian nodded reluctantly.

“Should I have entered under even now? No, let’s watch a bit more.”

“If entering one has to enter quickly. If late there is no broth!”

Lumian who shouted as if counterattacking hurriedly waved his hand at the pondering Mark.

“It is a joke! Joke!”

****

Rattle—.

“Sir Gilbert, you look enjoying.”

“Ah, I wanted to buy properly though.”

At Gilbert who held the reins and grinned Galahad clicked his tongue. Snow bounced roughly below the carriage.

“If the 1st Battalion there would be a more splendid tavern.”

“There is a regular tavern. But why are you going to the 1st Battalion?”

“Because I cannot endure wanting to see the fiancée.”

“······.”

“Just now that expression is insubordination.”

Gilbert laughed. The carriage shook roughly.

“Captain Mark wants Adrianne to send official documents regarding front line confirmation to each captain.”

“Official documents to other captains—. She will not do it.”

“If really not one can just borrow the seal for a moment.”

“······Yes? Jokes too.”

Gilbert narrowed his eyes as if trying to grasp Galahad. Galahad did not avoid that gaze.

“No.”

“I will use for a moment and give.”

“That is not the problem. She will clearly get angry.”

“Adrianne getting angry. Curious.”

“It is really scary.”

“Have you seen?”

Gilbert flicked the reins instead of answering. The horses neighed long. Steam blew long.

“Anyway absolutely no.”

“Then I have to ask to send some official documents for the poor fiancée dragged to the North.”

“That·········.”

Gilbert’s eyes narrowed and then became large.

“Isn’t it too stingy?”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, originally if a man one has to have doing confidently— and whoosh—.”

“You, you do not have a lover.”

“······A kid with a light mouth.”

Gilbert unnecessarily twisted the innocent reins.

“I am popular.”

“But why was there no lover.”

“One does not know when one will die.”

“Is there a person who knows that? It is an excuse.”

Gilbert could not answer. Galahad did not particularly ask and put the cigarette in his mouth.

The closer to the 1st Battalion the day became colder. To the extent every time one breathed the feeling the nostrils froze. How does one live in this kind of place—. Galahad grumbled softly.

How far did they go like that.

“There it is.”

Gilbert said while pointing in front.

In the middle of the bald mountain there was the 1st Battalion castle. The 1st Battalion’s castle was not flashy and solid and huge. Exactly like a castle made only for defense.

‘How would one pierce that.’

Galahad habitually imagined the method of piercing the castle.

The appearance of confirming the long lined supply carriages in front of the castle gate was unusual. Soldiers carefully stabbed spears into the carriages. Hiding in the carriage seemed hard.

Climbing the castle wall was also tricky, sharp iron was embedded in places on the castle wall. Even soldiers were standing guard on top of that. No gap was seen.

The method of stealing soldier attire and identity plate and entering—.

‘It would be difficult.’

Even the soldiers entering the castle gate were confirmed one by one.

It was a quite tricky castle.

Of course, that did not mean there was no method but—.

The soldiers facing Gilbert raised their voices and saluted. Exactly a reaction as if seeing a celebrity.

“I am Gilbert.”

Gilbert said with an unlucky face.

Arriving at the castle gate a young knight saluted.

“Sir Gilbert long time.”

“Half-moon. Long time.”

“I heard the news.”

The knight’s gaze headed to Galahad.

“I am Special Mission Unit Captain Galahad.”

“Ah, Special Mission Unit—!”

The knight sighed softly. Exactly a reaction as if knowing the Special Mission Unit. At the unfamiliar reaction Galahad rather asked back.

“Do you know the Special Mission Unit?”

“Yes, I heard you caught a mid-rank demon race and dozens of moles. A mage who burns the demon race—.”

Heat was full in the knight’s eyes. At that hot gaze Galahad nodded.

“The Special Mission Unit’s fame is gradually spreading.”

“Ah, my senior Carrot was at the scene.”

“Is that so?”

“If there is a chance next time, I really want to have a duel risking life.”

At the sudden murder notice Galahad looked at Gilbert.

“The 1st Battalion does that when meeting a strong person. It is tradition.”

Galahad nodded.

“Hmm, thank you. I came to meet Adrianne, is she inside?”

“Lady Adrianne is outside the front line.”

“Outside the front line?”

The answer came from Gilbert.

“Lady Adrianne crosses the front line before the sun rises and goes to the demon race’s territory. She returns around when the sun sets. To catch even one more demon race and find a way to end the war.”

Not maintaining the front line but rather entering the demon race’s territory and attacking—.

Even if having the attribute of burning mana it was a quite reckless act.

“Excellent.”

The knight and Gilbert were staring at Galahad with subtle expressions.

“Why?”

“Lady Adrianne going to the demon race’s territory has considerable opposition even in the 1st Battalion. That it is very dangerous—.”

“Is it not dangerous if here?”

At Galahad’s question Gilbert closed his mouth. The knight made a subtle expression.

“I am Half-moon.”

“Yes, Sir Half-moon. Nice to meet.”

“Then the duel—.”

“Let’s do it when the day is a bit warm.”

Half-moon followed a bit more and asked for a specific schedule. Galahad slightly waved his hand.

The inside of the 1st Battalion base was similar to the outside. Crude buildings were dense, and armed soldiers were busily moving between them.

“She will come soon.”

Galahad muttered while looking at the sun hanging on the castle wall.

Then, the carriage door opened with a thud! sound.

“Ack! Why ask! Damien! I am not meat!”

“Captain, it seems one has to feed Damien something.”

At Tom’s urgent report Galahad laughed.

“Before Damien tears and eats, one has to drop them at the tavern. And go out to greet Adrianne.”

Gilbert familiarly turned the reins.

****

The front line had to go quite a bit more after coming out the main gate of the 1st Battalion base.

The boundary was so strict that during going one was checked three more times.

Facing the castle wall Galahad purely admired.

A wall larger than the wall seen when first coming to the North was erected. The height was so distant that one had to raise the head to see above.

“Other units also touch the front line, what is the reason calling here the foremost front line?”

“Because the raids of the demon race and magic beasts mainly occur. I do not know the reason, but the demon race guys mainly aim at this side’s castle gate. So the castle gate name is the demon pit.”

“I see.”

Then, a horn sound was heard long from above the castle wall.

“She is coming.”

Gilbert said briefly.

‘Adrianne.’

People who seemed knights stood around the castle gate holding swords. Blue aura fully settled on the swords.

A person who seemed a company captain shouted loudly. Soldiers turned huge crossbows toward the castle gate. A few stepped forward holding shields.

Tension wafted densely.

Puuuu—. The horn rang again.

“Raise!”

The knight shouted.

The soldier hit the cow’s back bound to the pulley with a whip. The cow cried long and moved. With the sound of iron scraping the nearby iron bars rose.

Puuu—. Horn sound again,

The cow cried, and the next pulley turned. The second iron bars rose.

Puuu— horn again—. Only after the third iron bars rose, the castle gate was seen.

It was a black castle gate that felt solidity just by looking.

It was clearly mithril. Using that expensive thing in such an ignorant way—. Galahad stuck out his tongue.

Thud thud, heavy drum sounds started. Soldiers moved busily to that large rhythm.

Soon the thick castle gate slowly opened.

‘The demon race’s territory.’

Galahad loosened his fingers and concentrated.

The castle gate opened so slowly that the inside would burst. Iron scraped the floor and burst bizarre sounds.

Dense smoke entered through the open castle gate gap as if extending hands. The acrid smell that wafted belatedly let one know that was ash.

Beyond the castle gate was all gray. Not snow but ash was fully fluttering. The land glimpsed between the ash was black as if burned.

‘Hell—.’

Blackly rotten land and fluttering ash—. Galahad naturally recalled hell.

Instead of the North’s annoying snow ash fluttered, but rather it was cooler.

·········!

An unknown scream burst from afar. A terrible sound hard to explain shook the ground.

Then, the fog made of ash scattered as if pushed. No, looking closely the ash was disappearing as is.

What appeared between the disappeared smoke was Adrianne.

Armor fully painted with dark red blood and bizarre flesh pieces and shells embedded between them—. It was an appearance as if just salvaged from hell.

Behind her a path made of smoke continued long. The scenery seen between that was quite naked.

On the desolate ash pile cleanly cut corpses of the demon race and magic beasts were full. The flowed blood was to the extent of clumping the ash and making ash piles.

Corpses that did not look easy even just looking and the blood flowing between them—.

‘Wasteful.’

Galahad licked his lips without knowing himself.

Even walking hell Adrianne was expressionless as usual.

Knights appeared behind Adrianne. The appearances were a mess as if went to hell and came, but that momentum was quite sharp.

They were not ordinary knights.

“It is Lady Adrianne’s direct unit. Only the strongest among the 1st Battalion can enter. One can see as the elite of the North.”

Gilbert explained in a sunken voice. Seeing that expression it seemed he originally belonged there.

“They are guys with unusual loyalty to Lady Adrianne. If one unnecessarily scratches a problem will occur.”

Gilbert advised in a serious voice.

“I am sincere. They are dangerous guys.”

Gilbert emphasized several times.

“Unnecessary worry. When did I cause a problem that you say so?”

Gilbert’s torn eyes became large. The moment Gilbert tried to say something—.

Adrianne entered the castle gate. Fierce cheers poured from all sides. Everyone chanted Adrianne’s name.

It was extreme hospitality even the emperor could not receive, but Adrianne’s face was still expressionless. Fatigue was glimpsed between that.

Then, Adrianne stared at Galahad.

Adrianne’s eyes became a little large. Galahad slightly waved his hand.

The hardened Adrianne’s eyebrows slightly rose.

Adrianne approached Galahad. That step was subtly fast.

“Lady Adrianne?!”

The gazes of the knights following Adrianne sharpened. Beyond sharp to the extent the skin stung.

“Ah.”

Adrianne who arrived in front of Galahad took off the gauntlet with blood stuck thickly. And carefully wiped her own hand with a bright handkerchief.

At the appearance of Adrianne as if preparing a handshake Galahad unconsciously held out his hand.

Then, a strong impulse rose from inside.

The heart beat roughly. Pain was felt from the chest as if someone held. The pill of pain urged Adrianne’s death. It was quite stinging.

‘Stupid guy. Your current action is rather hindering the oath. Do you think you can kill Adrianne now?’

Galahad muttered a curse inwardly.

Even if Adrianne was defenseless there was no way one could kill right now.

No matter how many times repeated only the result of failure came out. This was the part Galahad did best.

The pill of pain vibrated. Galahad calculated again. When failure was derived again the pill of pain became quiet.

‘It works.’

Of course, it was a temporary measure.

He planned to prepare a solution separately.

‘Still holding hands is a little so.’

Adrianne’s nature was also important, but the means to increase military force right now was the pill of pain.

If one held hands the pill of pain could disappear for nothing.

Until finding out the principle, or thinking of another method it was good to be careful.

Galahad who finished the calculation retrieved his hand.

The problem was—.

“·········?”

The point that he could not pay attention to Adrianne’s hand.

Adrianne quietly looked at her own hand placed alone in the air.

Because it was a situation experienced for the first time in life, Adrianne could not grasp what situation it was.

Why her own hand was placed alone—.

“·········?”

Adrianne could not understand.

Adrianne froze in the state of holding out her hand as if broken.

“Oh my.”

Gilbert covered his face with his hand.