Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Cigarette

Adrianne’s eyes shook roughly.

“Doing this will wear it out.”

Adrianne who was about to mumble something roughly lowered her head.

“······It is not that kind of thing.”

Adrianne stuttered rarely. Injustice was full on that face.

“You, the cheeks are red.”

“This is because I ran urgently—.”

“Were you this urgent?”

“······Yes?”

At the eyes that became round again Galahad laughed softly and shook his hand. Ash fully fluttered.

‘It burst. It looked delicious.’

Because it was an upper-rank demon race he expected that blood, yet it became ash as is to Adrianne.

Because it intruded more roughly than Galahad thought there was no moment to stop.

Just as the wall seemed to break the demon race’s head floated into the air.

If that sword had headed toward Galahad, would he have been able to block it. Galahad clicked his tongue softly and shook off the remaining ash on the hand.

It was not that there was nothing gained.

‘Mental type—.’

Whether because mental type the guy called ‘that person’ was looking at Galahad inside the demon race.

And the last moment—.

‘He directly moved the body. Though only words.’

From that part Galahad felt deep interest.

That was not a phenomenon one could simply explain as mental type. Neither mana nor distance was felt.

Adrianne’s explanation that high-rank demon race form groups came to mind. Is it possible because it is a group? It was hard to explain.

To confirm that it seemed one would know by catching a few more upper-rank demon race.

“Are you okay?”

Raising his head there was Gilbert. That face was covered in sweat. Knights entered behind Gilbert. All appearances were a mess.

‘Interest in the guy arose.’

The guy called that person. Beyond simply a lead about the demon race’s king that ability was curious.

Each ability of the demon races seen until now felt close to the origin of magic.

From swinging mana as a lump ignorantly to mental type—. That was a part that could be interpreted as magic somehow.

Yet the body domination the guy showed at the end was a kind Galahad saw for the first time. Dense curiosity rose.

‘He will contact again.’

The guy already contacted Galahad twice. Seeing the last guy’s reaction it was clear he would approach again.

He would become more impatient. That was why he deliberately overturned the board.

‘The emperor—.’

Galahad muttered a word that was only stuffy without sweetness from chewing so much.

“Are you injured?”

At Adrianne’s question the thoughts broke. The gaze was touching Galahad’s crumpled hand.

“It was scratched a little.”

Then, a magic beast’s cry shook the axis.

Galahad slightly raised his head.

The atmosphere was unusual. Beyond the densely spread fog bizarre sounds were continuously heard.

Galahad clicked his tongue and flowed mana into the hand. Creak, with a cheerful sound the hand matched the form.

It was not recovered. The bones were still broken and only the form was matched. To recover a few more days were needed.

“Our popularity seems quite a lot. We have to hurry.”

“I will stand at the lead.”

Adrianne largely swung the sword.

The wall collapsed at once. Beyond that a terrible scream burst softly.

“One has to prevent the same thing as earlier from happening by any chance.”

“It will be fine.”

“No.”

Adrianne’s eyebrows were firm. The expression seemed a bit more colorful. Galahad muttered softly.

White aura blazed again. Aura rougher than before was exactly like wings.

Does Adrianne know. That to Galahad that aura is more dangerous than an upper-rank demon race—.

Galahad laughed bitterly and stepped back one step.

“What is your favorite food.”

Adrianne asked while adjusting the sword.

‘Conversation—. A quite smart method.’

It seemed preparing for the same situation as before. Whether the authority the demon race speaks of or magic it did not work on Adrianne.

At that Adrianne seemed to think of confirming the state with the voice while continuing the conversation.

Galahad laughed and waved his left hand. Wanting to claim one’s necessity? The pill of pain vigorously scattered mana. Mana blazed roughly.

Wind swept roughly and pushed away the surrounding smoke. The terribly shaped magic beasts outside the smoke momentarily hesitated.

Already gathered a lot—. Is this the Magic Realm.

“Moderately cooked meat and cheese that does not smell. You?”

Galahad clicked his tongue and answered.

Adrianne’s sword drew a long line. Two magic beasts that were running changed into ash at the same time.

“I like sweet food.”

Adrianne advanced without stopping. White aura continuously fluttered like wings.

Then, a cleanly shaped man approached while laughing. At the man’s gesture the surroundings of Adrianne were deeply dug. Adrianne swung the sword as if nothing.

The demon race fluttered into ash.

Between that magic beasts and demon races jumped out. It was a threatening appearance but—.

“Do you drink a bit?”

Adrianne spoke calmly and continued the sword. Ash burst again. It was truly a reliable back view.

“I do not drink. You?”

Wind fluttered roughly riding Galahad’s left hand.

Smoke was pushed back. A demon race at the boundary raised the corners of the mouth. It was a cunning guy.

“I cannot drink.”

The demon race collapsed to Adrianne’s sword.

Adrianne slightly turned behind. Galahad waved his left hand. Adrianne looked at the front again.

“How was Academy life?”

Adrianne’s breath was slightly rough.

A magic beast popped out from the side. Gilbert shouted ‘Knight— Gilbert!’ and swung the sword. The magic beast collapsed to that aura. The knight right beside struck the magic beast’s neck.

“It was not fun. Because I only studied.”

The magic beast’s attack pounded Adrianne’s armor. Adrianne’s body slightly shook.

Adrianne continued the sword as if nothing. One more magic beast changed into ash.

Wind arose. Smoke was pushed back.

“I heard you graduated as the youngest top. Amazing.”

A huge magic beast shaped like a tiger gaped its mouth—. Adrianne advanced without stopping. The magic beast scattered into ash as if natural.

“Since I entered as the youngest I have to graduate as the youngest. I heard you also obtained the Sword Master title at a young age. Famous as the most beautiful and strongest knight.”

“I am not the strongest knight. There are still those I have not competed with—.”

“You do not deny being the most beautiful.”

Adrianne’s sword slightly stopped and continued. Galahad put the water bottle into his mouth. The pill of pain diligently emitted mana. The presence of the pill of pain gradually grew larger.

“Do you like cats?”

“Yes, isn’t it cute?”

“Isn’t it arrogant. Does not even recognize the owner. I like dogs.”

Gilbert who cut the demon race’s neck coughed softly. Galahad squinted his eyes.

“The scar earlier·········.”

“We escaped.”

The surrounding smoke was thin. There was no more attack.

It was the usual blackly rotten land.

“······Yes, we escaped the Magic Realm.”

Sweat was full on Adrianne’s forehead. The hair was also a mess. Signs of being pushed were seen in the eyes. It seemed she overdid.

Galahad looked around. It was a place a little away from the boundary of the Magic Realm. However, because the Magic Realm itself was in a deep place it took a long time to return to the battalion.

The knights all had faces about to collapse soon. Gilbert’s state was relatively good, but Gilbert was also covered in sweat.

Adrianne who stood at the lead was rather the most intact.

Tsk— Galahad who clicked his tongue softly scattered wind again. Because he used too much magic the head spun with a ping— for a moment. He gritted his teeth and endured.

Dust was pushed back. It was the usual pleasant demon race’s territory.

Coming from the Magic Realm where things continuously popped out, the demon race’s territory somehow felt familiar.

“Let’s catch breath and go.”

At Galahad’s words everyone nodded. Unexpectedly they became obedient.

Galahad tried to put his hand in the inner pocket and squinted his eyes. Because the right hand was shattered it was hard to take out the cigarette in the left pocket.

“Why?”

“Hmm, will you take out the cigarette from the inner pocket a bit.”

“······I will challenge.”

“It is not a matter to the extent of making such a determined gaze.”

Adrianne who became a determined face carefully moved her hand.

When Adrianne’s hand approached, the pill of pain vibrated fiercely. Even hid behind. What will one do with this degree of aspiration—. Galahad clicked his tongue softly.

Adrianne took out the cigarette with a face more serious than when fighting the demon race.

To think even taking out a cigarette from a pocket requires such care for an ability—.

“It must have been hard.”

Adrianne’s face who was putting the cigarette in Galahad’s mouth hardened. Adrianne’s lips pursed. Adrianne urgently avoided the gaze.

Galahad clicked his tongue softly and shook his finger to light the fire.

Lemon scent deeply wafted.

Adrianne who trembled her eyes for a moment spat a small breath.

“Do you like lemon.”

“I hate it. It is only a habit.”

Adrianne’s eyebrows slightly rose.

‘From next time I have to put them on both sides.’

Galahad muttered softly.

****

“What kind of person is he on earth?”

Gilbert who was sipping the water bottle turned his head at the question heard from the side.

Robert of the direct unit pointed at Galahad with a subtle expression. Adrianne was putting the cigarette in Galahad’s mouth.

Adrianne putting a cigarette in a man’s mouth—.

If one had heard by any chance, it was a scene one would have kicked the butt saying do not lie.

However, because the opponent was Galahad there was no particular heart to say something. Other knights also had similar reactions.

‘What kind of person—.’

It was a question the direct unit guys did even before departing. It was the same question, but the tone was the opposite.

Gilbert pondered for a moment and answered.

“I do not know.”

At Gilbert’s answer Robert furrowed his brow. It was an insincere answer even thinking himself, but Gilbert was sincere.

The more one knew the more unknowable a man. Rather now was harder than when first seen.

Gilbert looked at Galahad. Even with the right hand ragged he was talking as if nothing. It was not ordinary mental strength.

“Thinking of going around darkly again is far.”

“He will go together tomorrow too. Because he is Lady Adrianne’s fiancé.”

“Cough, that is so?”

At the conversation heard from the side Gilbert laughed softly.

Even composed with moderate ones they were direct unit knights. Antipathy toward Galahad was natural. Only moderate compared to Mardian.

They only came out together once. Yet they changed their recognition.

Those who worried Galahad would become luggage were now worrying the time Galahad does not go together.

“I have to suggest that even the 1st Battalion should employ a mage.”

At someone’s muttering Gilbert snickered.

‘This is why he always said he was excellent.’

He felt he knew why Galahad habitually said ‘I am excellent, other mages can absolutely not do this.’

‘Hmm, stupid guys.’

No matter what mage one brought they would not be able to do like Galahad. Gilbert held mockery.

“Sir Gilbert, you are making a quite strange expression now.”

“······When did you come.”

“I just came. Let’s return slowly.”

Cough—. Gilbert nodded while coughing softly.

“I will stand at the lead.”

As always Adrianne took the lead.

****

A sharp atmosphere was full around the main gate of the 1st Battalion.

“I said one has to go excluding the empire guy! It is clear a problem arose because of that bastard!”

As Adrianne’s return who headed to the demon race’s territory delayed, Mardian was rampaging.

It was not putting in the empire guy who was a mage.

How fatal one stupid ally is on the battlefield, even heading to the demon race’s territory—.

“Open the gate! I will depart right now!”

Mardian shouted. The momentum was fierce as if she would overturn right away if one did not step aside.

Other knights who knew Mardian’s temper gulped saliva.

“Impossible.”

Gatekeeper knight Erdal firmly shook his head.

“The demon race’s territory opens only when the sun rises and when the sun sets. That is the rule.”

There was not even a small leeway in Erdal’s voice. Mardian took out her skewer.

The nickname was ‘Crazy’ Mardian. There was no way one did not hear the rumor about Mardian.

Even with such Mardian drawing a weapon Erdal was calm.

“Can you take responsibility?”

Mardian asked while thrusting the skewer. The atmosphere of other knights was similar.

The atmosphere became fierce. As if it would burst if even slightly touched—.

It was the direct unit whose eyes turned if it was a matter related to Adrianne.

The sun was hanging at the edge, yet Adrianne still had not returned.

The knights around the gate stepped back one by one. Because the opponent was the direct unit.

If one stubbornly stood here for nothing the neck could fly.

However, Erdal was a gatekeeper knight.

“If a gatekeeper has to take responsibility for guarding the gate I will.”

“This—.”

“Wait a moment I will talk.”

Lunavern stepped forward. Mardian put strength in the eyes and stepped back one step.

“Lady Adrianne’s return is delaying. You would know how important Lady Adrianne is. Will you open the gate a bit?”

“Impossible.”

Erdal was a man befitting a gatekeeper. Stubborn and also dull. If one opened the gate because all knights ground their teeth looking at Erdal, that was not a gatekeeper.

“Ah, I am also here. I am the vice-captain.”

Then, a blonde-haired man came out between the knights.

It was an honestly shaped handsome man. It was 1st Battalion vice-captain Felix. Originally Mardian who terribly hated Felix, but now she pointed at Felix and shouted.

“The authority to open the gate is only with His Grace the Grand Duke and Captain Adrianne.”

“In the absence of the captain the vice-captain receives the authority.”

“The authority regarding the gate is an exception.”

At Erdal’s unblocked answer Felix furrowed his brow.

It was an atmosphere as if a problem would burst right away.

Everyone expressed anger saying Erdal was stupid, but Erdal did not mind.

A gatekeeper only guards the gate.

Then—.

Puuuuuuu—!

The horn sound rang long.

It was the signal that Adrianne returned.

“Open!”

Erdal issued the order without hesitation. Soldiers started whipping. The iron bars rose roughly.

“You, quite arrogant.”

Felix teased low. Erdal did not care.

The iron bars rose consecutively and the thick gate was seen.

Erdal put a thick key into that seam and turned. When the gate rattled other soldiers grabbed and pulled.

With a heavy sound the gate slowly opened.

Yet unlike usual smoke did not enter between that.

Erdal’s thick eyebrows deepened.

Then, Adrianne was seen between the gate. Yet that appearance was a mess.

The long hair that always stretched prettily was fully tangled, and the armor was full of scratches here and there. Unlike usual it was a messy appearance.

“Lady Adrianne!”

Erdal sent a hand signal.

Thud thud! The drum sound rang out. Soldiers and knights raised salutes.

Then—.

“This the welcome ceremony is grand.”

It was a gentle but ear-piercing voice.

The empire mage, Adrianne’s fiancé, Special Mission Unit Captain, the man named Galahad.

Galahad’s appearance was more of a mess than Adrianne.

Dusty and clothes torn here and there, even a ragged hand—. It was an appearance of rolling a lot outside.

Yet leisure was full on that face.

“Empire guy! It must be because of you!!”

Mardian with overturned eyes ran roughly. The knights behind also emitted sharp momentum.

Then—.

“Stop. Mardian.”

The direct unit knights who went out together blocked Mardian. It was the appearance of guarding the man.

“···What are you doing now?”

The direct unit blocking—. Confusion rose on Mardian’s face.

The knights adjusted their swords instead of answering. It was momentum that would not hesitate to fight right away.

“Mardian.”

Adrianne quietly called Mardian.

At Adrianne’s cold voice Mardian froze as is.

“This is the last warning.”

Mardian doubted her own ears.

Last warning—.

What is that···.

Mardian’s eyes trembled roughly.

She could not understand what situation this was now.

Then, eyes met with the man.

The man looked at Mardian and raised one corner of the mouth.

“Hmm, Adrianne.”

He wanted to get angry at the appearance of daringly calling Adrianne arrogantly, but the last warning bound Mardian.

At the man’s call Adrianne carefully put her hand into the man’s coat.

Subsequently when Adrianne put the cigarette in the man’s mouth he forgot even getting angry and blankly stared.

Doing such a thing in front of all the 1st Battalion—.

Too far to even be astonished.

In that heavy silence—.

“Now it is quiet.”

Galahad satisfiedly lit the fire on the cigarette.

****

A dark temple where silence heavily settled.

An elderly man quietly sat and looked down below.

Below that those who pressed black hoods were lined long.

The number was so many the end was not seen.

Truly a majesty befitting a temple.

The elderly man slowly opened his heavy mouth. A voice like a scream flowed between the wrinkled lips.

“There is a guy muddying the North’s water.”

There was no answer. Everyone only bowed their heads deeper.

The elderly man’s position was that lofty.

“It is a guy named Galahad. Handle him.”

The elderly man did not speak long.

Everyone said eub— long and lay flat.

Then—.

“Hiccup!”

A guy in the corner largely shook his body.

It was a guy wearing a crow mask.