Chapter 67

Chapter 67

Support

“Speak the truth!”

“Hi··· hiik······! Why are you doing that to me!”

At the knight’s roar Fren the assistant of White Magic Tower mage Bunch flinched in advance.

“Sir Gilbert, I will take charge.”

A blonde woman beautiful to a surprising degree stopped the knight. The knight called Gilbert stepped back.

“I am 1st Battalion Captain Adrianne.”

Fren nodded. The woman’s name he already knew.

If forgetting the parents’ names one would forget, how would one forget such a beauty’s name.

“There are a few things I want to ask regarding this match.”

“Yes! I will answer anything!”

Fren vigorously nodded.

“First does a draw exist in a mage duel?”

“Yes! Although a very extremely rare case, if two mages simultaneously experience mana exhaustion it is decided as a draw.”

“······What is mana exhaustion?”

“It is using mana without remainder! Regardless of magic there exists mana necessary for survival, using even that is called mana exhaustion!”

Fren answered without even an inch of hesitation. He felt good that one could exchange conversation with such a beauty.

“Does mana exhaustion occur often?”

“No! Mana exhaustion accompanies very terrible pain to the extent of being called the mage’s death penalty! Because the opinion that rather than experiencing mana exhaustion one would die is dominant everyone is careful so it almost does not occur!”

Adrianne stared at Fren for a moment.

It was the Grand Duke and the princess’s duel. If one manipulated that match, it was no different from simultaneously trampling the two’s honor.

A heavy crime.

Adrianne desperately swallowed breath and continued the question.

“Is there a possibility of intending a draw?”

“······Yes? What is that—. Ah, it was the North. You do not know about magic at all.”

Adrianne obediently nodded. Adrianne knew nothing about magic.

“A draw is about the degree of coming out once in a thousand. One can see as almost not coming out.”

At Fren asserting Adrianne felt a subtle feeling.

“Hmm, if assuming making a draw?”

“To make a draw, one has to accurately grasp the opponent’s mana right? Along with that one also has to know the mana amount entering each magic, and to unfold magic matching that one has to possess excellent mana sensitivity so.”

Fren let out a groan. Adrianne waited without urging.

“Of course, if the opponent is a very low-rank mage it might be possible, but Sir Bunch is an upper mage of the White Magic Tower.”

“Is it amazing?”

“Yes?! Are you serious? The White Magic Tower is the four great Magic Towers!”

At Fren’s counter Adrianne realized that she is severely ignorant about magic.

“Absolutely impossible.”

Fren said firmly.

“If scoring a draw like that, that would be a perfect defeat. Of course, there would be no such matter.”

Perfect defeat—.

Adrianne muttered softly.

“Even if that is possible, where is the crazy guy who would experience mana exhaustion unnecessarily? There is no mage who does not know the notoriety of mana exhaustion. That is pain worse than dying.”

Fren explained for a long time how terrible mana exhaustion is.

‘Certainly—.’

It was revealed that Galahad hung quite a lot of money on his own victory. Even his confidant Gilbert hung the entire fortune.

Along with that even the mage’s testimony—.

Adrianne pondered for a moment and wrote ‘no suspicion’ on the document.

“By the way fortunate. Because a draw.”

Fren said while exhaling breath noisily.

“Fortunate?”

“Yes, because one also saved His Grace the Grand Duke’s honor, and also saved the princess’s honor together. Isn’t it the best result matching the purpose of friendship exchange?”

‘Best—.’

Adrianne muttered that dry word.

As if someone intended, the result was the best.

Then, Fren was dragged for additional interrogation.

Gilbert who was beside swallowed dry saliva. Gilbert somehow felt uneasy about the words Fren said.

[Where is the crazy guy who would experience mana exhaustion unnecessarily—.]

The story of ‘crazy guy’—. Is there another word that matches Galahad that much.

Gilbert tapped the empty pocket with a tuk tuk.

Now what remained was only one sword.

Still fine.

Because the Special Mission Unit’s salary is high. If earning again it is fine.

“Where is Captain Galahad?”

At Adrianne’s question Gilbert’s thoughts broke.

“The princess took him.”

“I see.”

Suddenly a question rose.

Galahad was hung on this duel.

If the princess wins she takes Galahad, if losing she pays the price and steps back it was a bet.

Yet if it became a draw—.

“What happens to our captain?”

At Gilbert’s question silence settled for a moment.

“It depends on Captain Galahad.”

At Adrianne’s answer Gilbert somehow became anxious.

Galahad was an unknown man. It seemed he might suddenly disappear following the princess.

“······If Captain Galahad goes, what happens to the Special Mission Unit?”

“It would disappear. Because the unit he made.”

“Ah······ No.”

Gilbert muttered low.

“Don’t you have to go quickly?”

“Where.”

“While the fiance is with an outside woman— no, the princess, don’t you have to go?”

“Hmm—.”

“If crossing, it is the North’s power loss.”

“Power loss—. There is reason.”

Adrianne’s stubbornness was considerable. At such Adrianne crossing easier than thought Gilbert tilted his head.

However, it was not the time for this.

“Three times··· no, let’s go to the captain.”

****

[Keu··· keueeek!]

The boy blankly looked at the servant dying while spitting blood.

What was contained in the bowl that fell from the hand of the servant spitting blood was the boy’s morning.

It was the story that the target of that poison was the boy.

Somehow the servant struggled not to eat—.

The boy wiped the blood on his face and recalled where it went wrong.

It seemed reading a book stimulated their vigilance.

Because an awl piercing the pocket was the law of being hammered.

To them the boy was a damn competitor, a beggar coveting the bowl.

Yet one could not leave the house either.

Now five years old.

To think of having to worry that poison is in the meal at five years old—.

Truly a stingy world.

The boy wiped the blood on his cheek again and called a new servant.

There were many servants.

Like the boy’s siblings were many.

Then, the door opened and some kid entered.

It was a black-haired girl younger than the boy, and that face was one whose future was quite expected.

Yet that face was somehow familiar.

The name······.

The girl urgently ran. At the distance that reduced in an instant the boy took a defensive posture. It was a habit for surviving.

The girl suddenly pressed the boy’s chest with a kkuk kkuk—.

Exactly as if saying get up—.

‘You···.’

Only then Galahad realized the girl’s identity.

It was a cheap egg.

Why Adrianne’s appearance···. Why is the hair black···.

Then, someone’s touch was felt.

Opening his eyes the princess was seen.

How close the distance was to the extent the hot breath tickled the skin.

“It is damp. Go to the side and cry.”

“You woke up. Fortunate.”

Damn. Galahad muttered softly and examined the body first.

There was tingling pain as if needles were stuck in the blood vessels. Along with that the emptiness felt from inside was hard to even call.

‘Mana exhaustion is after a long time.’

It was mana exhaustion one experienced quite a lot when learning magic in a makeshift way.

This pain was new every time. To the extent comparable to holding Adrianne’s hand.

However, the state was better than thought.

Originally if catching mana exhaustion one could not use mana for a week. That notoriety was not high for nothing.

Yet now the pain was also less than before, and mana was faintly felt.

Kkuuk— kkuuk—. The pill of pain diligently revealed its own existence. It seemed the pill of pain did something.

‘There was something unpleasant.’

Galahad squinted his eyes and pushed the princess’s face with his hand. How strong the strength was it did not budge.

When frowning the princess slightly was pushed.

“There was no need to go that far.”

“This was the best. Because someone caused an accident.”

Galahad stood while squinting his eyes at the loosened clothes.

“Sleep and go. Soft.”

“Fine.”

“I won’t touch.”

“Really reliable.”

Galahad pointed at the fully loosened shirt.

“I only opened to use the potion.”

At the word ‘potion’ that came out from the princess’s mouth Galahad squinted his eyes.

Potion was a very high-class medicine the Church makes. If applying the effect was good to the extent of not even leaving a scar, but that value was considerable.

“Potion has no effect on mana exhaustion though.”

“I know.”

“Then why did you use the potion.”

“Good for the skin.”

At the princess’s confident answer Galahad squinted his eyes.

What is more expensive than jewels was potion. To think of using such potion saying good for the skin it was not for nothing imperial family.

Galahad organized the situation while pressing the temple.

The princess lost in the match with Adrianne.

However, because that opponent is Adrianne who is the youngest Sword Master and it was a disqualification loss from taking out aura it would clearly be considered.

Even knights well-versed in duels sometimes made the mistake of taking out aura. In the capital if a loss from aura they even rematch to the extent. That degree was a flaw one could cover.

Since the overall match was also decided as a draw, there was also room to see as a certain achievement.

“Since I did neatly in my own way, even if you return you will be safe.”

Galahad who checked the calculation said while looking at the princess.

The princess’s eyes drew a pleasant arc.

“Are you not thinking of going together?”

“There is work to do in the North.”

“Is it because of that bitch?”

“Not a bitch but Adrianne.”

The princess laughed softly.

Galahad quietly stared at the princess. The princess licked her own red lips.

“Hmm, shall I marry the Grand Duke. Looking it seemed there is no wife. Isn’t it good? Because the situation of interest in the North is also increasing.”

At the princess’s question mixed with laughter Galahad calculated again.

Certainly marriage with the Grand Duke was not bad. No, rather good.

Galahad’s movement would also become much more comfortable—.

However, there was a problem.

“The Grand Duke will refuse.”

In the Grand Duke’s lifetime there was only one woman.

Even if the North lost the former glory, the Grand Duke was the Grand Duke. Those who tried to line up to the Grand Duke were not one or two.

There was also the Intelligence Bureau included.

Unfortunately the Grand Duke never crossed even once.

“Regrettable.”

“The prince of the Bartun Kingdom is the best.”

“Yes, instead there is a condition.”

“I refuse.”

“Didn’t you not listen?”

“Isn’t it the mistress story again.”

The princess shook her head. Galahad squinted his eyes and put the cigarette in his mouth.

Lemon scent deeply spread. The princess furrowed her eyebrows.

A moment later, the princess carefully opened her mouth unlike matching.

“Once a month, no—. Even once a quarter come to the capital and show your face. Because really suffocating.”

The princess’s voice trembled a little.

It was a serious confession of the woman who was always confident.

Although to others it would be a truly desperate request but—.

Galahad fully furrowed his face.

He tried to endure somehow, but now it was the limit.

“Don’t bullshit within measure.”

At the rough curse the corners of the princess’s eyes lowered.

“When was it that you pushed me out saying you would live and now pretending pure and sublime.”

“I never pushed out. I only tried to save you.”

At the princess’s answer Galahad squinted his eyes.

“Saying you tried to save you handed to the Imperial Guard with treason?”

Galahad undid the shirt he was locking. Between that bumpy and dense scars clearly appeared.

Among them one third was the Imperial Guard’s signature.

“Thanks to that didn’t you survive.”

At the princess’s answer Galahad laughed softly.

“Only I survived.”

“Yes, you survived. That is the important thing.”

At those shameless words Galahad squinted his eyes. He almost flicked his finger.

Intelligence Bureau agents usually moved in twos.

According to the importance of the mission and the agent’s nature the number of personnel changes, the imperial family mission was a top-grade mission.

A total of six moved.

It was the team Galahad first organized.

It was the last team.

“That was an action done for you.”

“I said if doing honorific one more time I would tear the mouth.”

“Ah—.”

The princess opened her mouth with a jjeok. At that Galahad could barely regain coolness.

A crazy woman. Even if arguing with words there was nothing to gain.

Then, the princess who returned to expressionless added the words.

“The king of the demon race does not exist. Everyone says so, now stop the stubbornness and—.”

Galahad could not endure and flicked his finger.

A pointed ice awl pointed at the princess’s throat.

A drop of blood flowed from the princess’s white and thin neck.

The princess sighed softly.

The corners of Galahad’s mouth twisted.

“The king of the demon race exists. Although you stupid guys do not know.”

Galahad suppressed the excitement and twisted his finger.

The ice awl long drew on the wall. The thick cloth was cut and fluttered.

“Really ox stubbornness.”

The princess tidied her own neck.

Red blood was drawn like a flower on that finger.

Galahad deeply drank the cigarette.

Fresh lemon scent suppressed the mind.

If twisting that neck, the Imperial Guard would come looking for Galahad.

The Imperial Guard was still an opponent one could not face.

Along with that the princess was a necessary card.

If calculating gain and loss, keeping alive was a clear benefit.

‘One has to be cool—.’

One could not ruin the matter with emotion.

Galahad tapped the cigarette and stepped back one step.

“Next I will go to the capital. To show my face as you wished.”

The princess nodded with a regrettable face.

How broken a woman one could not even get a sense.

“Yes, that is enough.”

Then, someone knocked on the door.

Knock knock.

“It is Adrianne. I came to confirm Captain Galahad.”

Galahad clicked his tongue and brushed the disheveled front hair.

When organizing the clothes and opening the door, heavily armed Adrianne was there.

Adrianne opened her eyes round.

“Are you okay?”

“Same as seen. Fine.”

“Ah—.”

Adrianne’s pupils shook a little. The Galahad reflected in those pupils looked a bit tired.

“Fine—. How much hand went.”

Then, a sweet voice was heard from behind.

It was the princess leaning obliquely on the bed.

‘Bad hobby.’

It was a number with obvious intention.

However, the opponent was Adrianne.

“Certainly—. I heard mana exhaustion is dangerous. I will support.”

“Although not to the extent of supporting.”

“Fine. I will support.”

Adrianne approached with a seongkeum with a serious face. Adrianne carefully supported Galahad with the hand wearing the gauntlet.

The distance rapidly became close. The cool touch of the armor tickled Galahad.

Although Adrianne’s intention would be support, because of the height difference it was an appearance no different from being embraced in the arms.

The princess’s eyes drew a pleasant arc.

Adrianne looking at such a princess—.

“Thank you for taking care of our Captain Galahad.”

Bowed her head with a bob.

“···Our?”

The princess flowed a small laugh.

Adrianne supported Galahad and went out.

When closing the door, a pointed laughter sound was heard from inside.

“It seems there is something good.”

At Adrianne’s muttering Galahad clicked his tongue softly.

“You, quite feeding well.”

“······Yes? What is feeding.”

Galahad shook his head.

“No, stop touching a bit. Like this it will wear out.”

“Yes? It is support.”

“This, already a little worn.”

“Worn what is that······.”

Flustered Adrianne released the support.

Galahad laughed with a keul keul and organized the clothes.

“Ah, His Grace the Grand Duke said to bring Captain Galahad. Probably regarding the match to ask—.”

“Dizzy. Is it the side effect of mana exhaustion.”

“Yes? Just now you said fine—.”

“This losing consciousness, it seems I will collapse. Support is needed.”

Galahad slightly approached.

Until just now saying fine—.

Really a man one could not grasp.

Along with that—.

“······Isn’t this not support but arm linking?”

“It depends on thinking. Support or arm linking dividing the weight is the same. I am a bit more comfortable with this.”

Somehow plausible and confident logic.

“Dislike?”

At the calm question Adrianne shook her head.

“No. Fine.”

“Then done.”

Adrianne paid attention to her own steps for the first time.

Somehow the steps seemed strange.