Chapter 51

Chapter 51

Hostage

The orange lamp hanging on the carriage barely pushed the heavy darkness the Northern night bestowed while shaking.

The sound of horse hooves stepping on the snow piled softly and the sound of wheels turning with difficulty, the sound of Gwen snoring blended quite well.

Galahad exhaled cigarette smoke deeply.

Lemon scent fully blew.

“Why move at night? It is dangerous.”

Gilbert asked while pulling the reins. It was not complaint but a simple question.

“Isn’t the night quiet and good.”

“...Yes?”

Galahad ignored Gilbert’s counter and tapped the cigarette.

‘There is a demon race aiming at Damien.’

Next was ‘Why?’

If there is a demon race aiming at Damien, why did the guy leave Damien as is.

Not taking along, not killing, and bothering to leave fine and go—.

And when Damien enters a new platoon and a certain period passes attacks again.

‘Why?’

Galahad muttered softly.

Intention always existed. To grasp the intention one had to analyze the result.

As a result Damien possessed excellent skill yet was rejected by the soldiers.

He was in the state of opening his mouth and receiving snow. If Galahad had not brought him, he would have starved to death or been beaten to death.

‘Did he want that?’

“If doing this and a magic beast appears what will you do.”

At Gilbert’s question the thoughts broke.

“If appears it is fortunate.”

“What is that sound?”

“It is Damien.”

“Yes, that kid.”

“Didn’t four platoons disappear to the demon race.”

“That was so?”

“If some demon race aimed at Damien?”

“Why does the demon race aim at that kid?”

“Why ask me that?”

At the sound of Galahad clicking his tongue Gilbert’s eyes became a little large and then small.

“Didn’t you say it does not matter? When first bringing.”

“That was so.”

“Yet why are you caring now?”

At the sharp question not matching Gilbert Galahad squinted his eyes.

It was correct words. Even if he ruined the platoon four times it particularly did not matter. Because nothing came out in the investigation.

What changed that thought was the ash color aura.

“Because it became more precious now so saying.”

“...You also say such words?”

At Gilbert’s eyes full of astonishment Galahad laughed.

“Well, if the demon race killed only Damien’s platoon and sent back again—.”

Gilbert blurred the end of the words for a moment. The already torn eyes became thinner.

“Vicious.”

“...Vicious?”

“Yes, isn’t it sent back to suffer more deliberately.”

“Suffering you say?”

“As you also saw then he could not go to the unit and just sat? That is because other platoons all refused. Saying ominous. Actually there was also violence.”

“I see.”

“Damn guys!”

Gilbert spat a rough curse and roughly held the reins.

It was a raw opinion, but certainly there was reason.

‘Was he thinking of killing Damien’s will?’

Actually when Galahad said about recruiting into the Special Mission Unit, Damien refused. Saying if intertwined with himself all die.

Then attacking with a period—.

‘Did he give time to form affection?’

When thinking a bit closer, the platoon being annihilated repeated four times.

No matter how high self-awareness a person has one would have no choice but to think it is one’s own fault. Especially if a boy in the growth period even more—.

‘Is that the cause of the ash color aura?’

Galahad tapped the cigarette.

If there is an existence with such intention—.

‘By now the body would have heated up a lot.’

He could guarantee. In Damien’s life there would have been no one as kind and warm as Gwen.

Gwen took care of Damien with utmost sincerity to the extent of giving even her own food to Damien. To the extent of wondering if not Gwen’s child.

On top of that there were also Tom and blunt Gilbert.

There was no time as suitable as now to give despair to the extent of collapsing Damien.

“Dare to the kid—. I will not leave the damn guys alone.”

Then, Gilbert bit his teeth with a grind—. Anger was full on that face. Truly a simple one.

Galahad clicked his tongue softly and habitually scattered mana.

Soon—.

“This, it seems angry at your words.”

“What is it?”

“It is the damn guys.”

Galahad stood from the seat. The knife wind roughly fluttered Galahad’s hair. Galahad pounded the carriage with a fist.

Bang bang!

“Everyone wake up! A guest came!”

The carriage door opened and Tom came out.

“A magic beast again!”

Whether still not awake Tom’s eyes were a bit dumb. There was also a saliva mark at that mouth area. In the hand he was holding a crossbow.

“This time—.”

Galahad narrowed his eyes and flicked his finger.

Bright fire rose upward like fireworks. The fire that rose high burst in the air with a small sound.

The dense darkness retreated at the bright light.

Then what was seen was.

“It is the demon race. Wearing clothes very coolly.”

Pale guys dressed like nobles.

It was something to be surprised at the light, but the guys’ faces were indifferent. As if no emotion.

“This—!”

Gilbert roughly pulled the reins. The horses snorted and twisted their bodies. The snow below bounced fiercely.

The carriage that momentarily staggered stopped precariously. Amazing skill.

“Knight— Gilbert—!”

Clang! Gilbert drew the sword. Blue aura emitted without sparing. The darkness retreated as if fleeing. Gilbert’s distorted face was reflected in the blue light.

The demon races who saw that squinted their eyes. Like nobles facing an ignorant one.

Demon races imitating nobles—.

“This is interesting.”

Galahad muttered while putting the cigarette in his mouth.

“The demon races are eight! Is it the time to say interesting!”

“Demon races imitating nobles, aren’t you interested?”

Reluctance fully rose on Gilbert’s face.

At that Galahad clicked his tongue softly.

The demon races wearing even suits and waiting antique, how can one not be interested?

“The demon races are eight. Even low-rank is dangerous.”

“Sir Gilbert, you have a habit of saying obvious things as if something amazing.”

Galahad pointed at Gilbert while looking around the demon races.

It was not the Black Magic Society guys. The current Black Magic Society would not have the leeway to touch Galahad.

The possibility of coincidentally meeting such well-dressed demon races in a place not the Magic Realm was low. It was clear the guys approached with intention.

It could be aiming at Galahad. Because he traveled noisily after coming to the North.

However, the guys did not attack right away.

If aiming at Galahad, attacking the carriage would have better efficiency.

The reason for revealing appearance without ambushing—.

‘It would be because of Damien.’

Anyway the guys seemed to cherish Damien quite a bit.

‘It was correct that the demon race is involved.’

Tok tok, Galahad tapped the cigarette while organizing thoughts.

Then, the carriage door tried to open. At that Galahad forcibly closed the door.

“Ack!”

Some colliding sound and Gwen’s short scream was heard.

“Aak! The head collided!”

“I see, is Damien okay?”

“Yes? Ah, he is deeply asleep.”

“I see, do not come out yet.”

Galahad pushed the door again.

Thud, the door tightly closed.

“What is that doing?”

At Gilbert’s question turning his head, a demon race stepping forward alone while spinning the sword was seen.

A long and pointed sword and neat uniform, the appearance of a typical central knight.

“The etiquette of a capital knight learned clumsily.”

“Do capital guys draw the sword that flashily?”

“In the capital that is cool.”

“Truly a useless cool.”

“Originally for those who have it useless and annoying things are regarded as high-class. Oh, Sir Gilbert, that demon race seems to want to mix swords with you?”

At the guy’s sword pointing at himself Gilbert fully furrowed his eyes.

“Punish the demon race daring to imitate a knight!”

Dare a demon race imitating a knight. Anger surged.

At Galahad’s urging Gilbert got off the carriage. The snow piled softly wet the boots.

The demon race was really standing in the center like a knight and waiting for Gilbert.

At that disgusting appearance Gilbert spat saliva with a ptoo and adjusted the sword.

“I am Bell Antoa of the Proxel family.”

“Damn—.”

At the demon race introducing himself while taking a posture Gilbert fully furrowed his eyes.

“This side is Sir Gilbert of the Galahad family!”

“Why am I of the Galahad family!”

Gilbert who shouted loudly adjusted the sword.

Galahad narrowed his eyes while looking at Gilbert and the demon race aiming the sword.

‘Like a noble. Are there nobles even in the demon race?’

It was an interesting fact.

‘Well there is also the demon race’s king, so there would be nobles.’

Then, the demon race raised the sword diagonally and bowed his head.

Amusingly the guy was imitating the etiquette of a capital knight quite well.

At that Gilbert suddenly swung the sword full of aura.

‘As expected ignorant.”

Galahad admired softly.

The opponent demon race slightly furrowed his face and received the sword.

Gilbert’s sword and the demon race’s sword collided.

One could not know accurately, but the opponent was a low-rank demon race.

Galahad expected Gilbert would win at once.

But—.

Galahad’s expectation was wrong after a long time.

The demon race received Gilbert’s aura with the sword.

If receiving aura with a sword without aura it should be cut, but the demon race endured.

‘It does not seem a famous sword to the extent of receiving aura—.’

Then, wavering was seen around the demon race’s sword.

‘It is authority.’

Even confirming that the question remained.

The opponent was a low-rank demon race. No matter how authority there was no way a low-rank demon race would receive Gilbert’s aura that easily.

The contest continued. Galahad observed the guy and the demon races behind.

When the swords collided—.

The eyebrow of the demon race behind furrowed.

‘Oh, I see.’

Galahad admired softly and waved his hand.

The mana scattered widely like a net swept between the demon races and the demon race holding the sword.

Dense concentration mana was flowing between the demon races.

Exactly as if connected by an invisible thread—.

‘Is it gathering power?’

If receiving the power of other demon races, it explained that that low-rank demon race can face Gilbert.

Disguising as a fair one-on-one duel, and unfolding backroom work.

‘Really like a noble.’

Galahad raised the corners of his mouth.

Only then it was understood that eight demon races appeared.

The guys seemed to have investigated the Special Mission Unit in their own way. That would be a strategy to face Gilbert.

Anyway if handling Gilbert, the rest are a mage and Tom so one can handle the calculation.

‘Still arrogant.’

Galahad clicked his tongue softly.

Then, Gilbert’s sword bounced backward. Gilbert’s face was fully distorted.

Gilbert seemed not understanding the situation of his own sword being pushed rather.

However, there was one thing the guys missed.

The sword was not simply all aura.

Like now—.

Gilbert’s sword flowed riding the opponent’s sword as if sliding. At that the opponent’s center momentarily shook.

It was a very momentary gap, but Gilbert did not miss it.

The demon race’s face floated into the air. Gilbert exhaled rough breath and retrieved the sword.

‘Amazing swordsmanship.’

Galahad purely admired.

As expected Gilbert was an excellent knight.

The demon races’ gazes followed the head of the floating demon race. Soon the demon race’s head rolled on the floor. The white snow was dyed red.

Gilbert adjusted the sword and guarded against the demon races.

Clap clap! The demon races clapped lightly.

Their plan was blocked, yet that kind of leisurely attitude.

Galahad habitually scattered mana.

At that returned result Galahad’s face stiffened.

‘It was not arrogance.’

Galahad clicked his tongue with a tsk—.

****

“Sir Gilbert.”

Gilbert returned to Galahad without loosening the guard.

‘Clearly it was low-rank, yet how this kind of power—.’

Gilbert clenched and opened the tingling hand.

The opponent was clearly a low-rank demon race. Yet the sword was heavy. If the guy’s swordsmanship was a bit sharper, Gilbert almost would have been pushed.

Gilbert who returned to Galahad suddenly felt something strange.

Originally Galahad who would have teased saying ‘Sir Gilbert, would it do to struggle against only a low-rank demon race?’ was quiet.

Gilbert who turned his gaze to Galahad squinted his eyes.

Always leisurely Galahad, yet now the expression was fully stiffened.

That Galahad being tense, Gilbert’s fur stood up.

“What is it?”

Gilbert asked while adjusting the sword.

Then, a tall demon race stepped forward among the demon races. It was a demon race in the appearance of a middle-aged man who even grew a mustache.

“This we seem to have become quite famous more than thought.”

“Yes? What is that sound?”

“Tom, will you give Damien a bit?”

Galahad said while knocking the carriage. At that meaning unknown order Gilbert squinted his eyes.

“What on earth is it?”

“Surrounded.”

“Seven remaining.”

Then, the tree beside roughly shook. Between that guys in luxurious attire came out.

Clothes and weapons were each different. There was also one who revealed flesh brightly. Their common characteristic was one.

That there are forks and knives at the waist.

Are those guys all demon races too? Gilbert tightly bit his lips.

“It is not the demon race. Tsk, these guys were also here.”

“......Do you know them?”

“Very disgusting guys who call themselves gourmets.”

Gourmet, at that unpleasant nuance Gilbert squinted his eyes.

The guys Galahad called gourmets were each holding a well-managed weapon. Gilbert instinctively felt that the guys were not easy.

It was a perfect surround with all sides blocked.

The number increased, but the silence remained.

The guys did not say any words. They just loosened their bodies and adjusted the weapons.

Even eight demon races was a sufficiently hard situation. Yet even those guys joining.

Gilbert’s lips dried tightly.

“Everyone is taciturn. Ah, one side is thinking of cleaning except Damien, the gourmets originally do not speak with meat. Hmm, I see.”

Galahad who muttered alone brushed the front hair back. The usual leisure was seen again.

Gilbert who saw that felt relieved and at the same time became more anxious.

“Come, a good plan came to mind.”

Galahad suddenly climbed onto the carriage.

Gazes from all sides stuck on Galahad.

Galahad leisurely sent a greeting as if enjoying those gazes.

“I am Special Mission Unit Captain Galahad, nice to meet—. This everyone is taciturn.”

Even though there was no returning answer, Galahad continued the words as if nothing.

“I seem to have become quite famous, to the extent that demon races clumsily following nobles and disgusting gourmets gather.”

At Galahad rather provoking Gilbert cold sweat flowed.

Still there was no answer. The mustache demon race stepped forward. The guy had sharper momentum than other demon races. Sweat rose on Gilbert’s hand.

Even if no reaction to that degree one would lose spirit, yet Galahad rather raised his voice.

“Come, you who imitate nobles seem to have been scared of the Special Mission Unit. To the extent of requesting a trade with those disgusting gourmets. The trade content would be one can eat all except Damien— degree. Correct? Oh, thank you. That side gourmet nodded.”

The pointed man hurriedly shook his head twice.

Then, Galahad tapped the carriage with his foot.

Tom took Damien out of the carriage. Galahad gestured while looking at that.

‘.....Why Damien?’

Tom held out Damien to Galahad for now.

“Tom, thank you.”

Galahad grabbed Damien’s collar and lifted. It was a rough hand as if organizing an object.

“Ah, will you lend the sword a bit? Thank you.”

At the polite request Tom blankly handed the sword.

“Good.”

Galahad who held Damien in one hand, and the sword in the opposite hand nodded satisfied.

At that Gilbert and Tom opened their eyes round.

Then, whether the body loosening ended the guys called gourmets started approaching.

The mustache demon race drew the sword. A colder aura than before rose. To the extent Gilbert’s fur stood up—.

At the clear crisis Gilbert gulped dry saliva and glanced at Galahad.

If Galahad.

Then, Galahad lifted Damien with a flash.

How that kind of power came out from that thin body, to the extent of being amazing.

Galahad shook Damien all around as if boasting.

Damien whose collar was grabbed shook precariously dangling.

At the unexpected action the steps of the approaching guys stopped.

Galahad aimed the sword at Damien’s neck—.

“Come, if you move a hole will form in this pitiful boy’s neck.”

Fully raised the corners of his mouth.

There—.

“Ah... no! Our child please! I will do anything! Please save Damien! No!! Rather... rather me—! Only our child!”

When the startled Gwen cried and clung—.

Astonishment lingered on the demon race’s face.