The Northern Grand Duke’s Crazy Son-in-Law

12. Lightning

“······What in the world are you doing here?”

Gilbert asked with a weary expression at Galahad’s miserable appearance.

“I’ve had my share of adventures.”

“Adventures, you say. Have you received treatment?”

“I’m fine. Mages are sturdy. Something like this can be easily shaken off. It was a metaphor, a metaphor. Take your hand away.”

“I was trying to help.”

“Don’t lie through your teeth.”

Gilbert clicked his tongue and sat opposite him. Galahad pushed the cold stew towards him.

“The stew here is delicious. Try it.”

“I don’t eat breakfast.”

“Then I’ll give it to Damian.”

Damian promptly took the bowl. Gilbert clicked his tongue and looked around.

“Did you get attacked by Herman?”

“Who’s Herman?”

“A big, rude guy with an axe.”

“Then no.”

Thanks to drinking the demon’s blood, my physical condition wasn’t the worst.

The demon’s blood didn’t heal my wounds, but it stopped the bleeding. It felt similar to applying antiseptic to a wound. It was terribly painful, but it was effective.

The problem was that my mana was boiling. The thick mana I obtained from the demon’s blood kept rampaging inside me.

It felt like a rabid dog was let loose inside me. If I lost focus for even a moment, it felt like my mana would explode.

Galahad tried to somehow control the mana, but it wasn’t easy because his physical condition wasn’t good. He could only suppress it.

“What’s that?”

“Something good for my body.”

Galahad held the water bottle in his arms. Then, Gilbert squinted his eyes. He seemed suspicious.

At that moment, the tavern door opened noisily.

“Why did we have to meet at the tavern in the morning… What the heck! What happened to your face!”

Gwen ran up to Galahad and grabbed him. Her lack of personal space was a bit disconcerting.

“Why… Why are you like this? Who hit you?! Who was it! No matter how unlucky you are, who would beat someone up like this!”

“I won, so calm down. And what do you mean unlucky?”

“You don’t have to hide it because you’re a man! Everyone goes through hard times! I also get bullied by the other maids because I’m a clumsy oaf!”

“That’s not bullying. Isn’t that the truth?”

“Even if you’re unlucky, how could anyone do something so horrible!”

“You’ve said ‘unlucky’ twice now.”

She wasn’t making sense. Tears suddenly welled up in Gwen’s eyes as she examined his wounds.

“Sob- Just wait a moment. I’ll get a towel.”

She didn’t seem to believe him at all. Gwen disappeared inside.

Galahad wondered. Me, getting beat up? Do I look like that?

“Do I look like the type of person who gets beat up?”

“You do seem rather frail.”

“You guys are strangely thick-skinned. Back in the Midlands, I was quite the fighter.”

“Oh, is that so.”

Gwen then came out with a soaking wet cloth. Despite his protests, she insisted on wiping Galahad’s body.

“You don’t have to go this far.”

“My pay is ten times more, so I have to work ten times harder.”

“That’s true. Wipe harder then.”

“But who is this child?”

Gwen asked as she wiped away the cold sweat on his forehead.

“Oh, he’s your replacement, Damian.”

“······My replacement! Really? It was my dream to have a replacement!”

Gwen’s eyes sparkled as Damian nodded. She looked like she had received a gift.

“Are you an orphan too?”

“No. My mother is alive. She’s a prostitute.”

“Well, that’s a relief.”

Then Tom arrived.

“Is this my successor, too?”

“Private! Tom! Yes, sir!”

“Wow! Two successors! I finally have successors!”

Gwen’s shoulders rose high as she sat Tom and Damian on either side of her.

Galahad tried hard to ignore the noisy conversation beside him and focused on his mana. However, he still couldn’t get a hold of it.

‘I might as well use it all at once.’

It seemed like it would be better to just release all the bubbling mana. However, since he couldn’t control his strength, he had to leave the castle to do so.

He had to move quickly.

Time was not on Galahad’s side.

“I think it’s about time to go see the lady.”

Everyone nodded with firm expressions.

***

There were quite a few soldiers gathered in front of the inner castle gate.

They seemed to be curious about the special forces. Laughter erupted among the soldiers who were facing the special forces.

“Isn’t that a maid? Are they taking a maid to the front lines? They’re crazy.”

“That’s Damian, who gobbles up platoons. I heard he’s eaten ten platoons already.”

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“Is that the mage captain? He looks like he’s already been hit.”

Harsh words poured out from the surroundings.

Galahad lightly touched his hair. Sparks flew from his fingers. He was annoyed by the uncontrollable mana. He suppressed it with effort and looked at his team members.

It wouldn’t be good to start off feeling discouraged because of this.

“Hey, maid! Maid! You don’t look like a soldier! Because you’re a maid!”

Gwen, who liked being called a maid, and Damian, who didn’t care.

‘It doesn’t affect them at all.’

Tom’s face was hard, but that didn’t matter.

“Since everyone’s watching, I should show them some great magic.”

“This isn’t the Central Region. The perception of magic is like the filth of the demon.”

“If their awareness isn’t good, then we have to improve it.”

Galahad clicked his tongue at Gilbert’s dissuasion. He wanted to release his mana.

“How dare some bastard covet Lady Adrianna?!”

At that moment, a soft voice came from the front. The sound of that voice was so pleasant that it pierced his ears.

The surprised soldiers hurriedly parted ways. A man of enormous size approached through the gap.

The man seemed to be impervious to the cold, as he was barely covering his vitals with a fur coat.

His massive, muscular body was covered in scars. He was holding a huge ax that was almost as tall as an average person, and strangely, even the handle was made of iron.

The man’s eyes were filled with murderous intent as he looked at Galahad. The intensity was enough to make his skin tingle.

“Let me guess. You’re the Herman they were talking about?”

Gilbert nodded with a trembling face.

“Yes, Herman. He’s a figure in the 1st Battalion, and he’s excessively loyal to Lady Adrianna. Once, he even cut out the tongue of a man who harassed Lady Adrianna.”

Cutting out a tongue—how horrible.

“But why isn’t that guy looking at me?”

“Am I supposed to know?”

“Oh, is it because I’m getting married? A jealous wretch.”

“You’re speaking too loudly.”

“Inooouuum!”

The man called Herman slammed his axe into the ground. Kuung! There was a loud sound as if a bomb had exploded.

“He’s very strong.”

“Is this the time to be impressed?”

“You have to acknowledge others first to be acknowledged yourself.”

Galahad coughed slightly. He was trying to stay calm, but he was getting a little annoyed.

“This is no time for jokes. Herman is a recognized expert in the 1st Battalion.”

Kwaang! Herman slammed his axe on the ground again. Several soldiers fell over, unable to keep their balance. It was ridiculous strength. Did that guy eat the sinews of a demon?

“Gilbertton! Get out of the way! Are you protecting that Imperial bastard!”

“It’s His Highness, the Grand Duke’s orders.”

“It doesn’t matter! Get out of the way, I’ll take responsibility!”

Gilbertton looked back at Galahad. Gilbertton’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Are you hesitating right now?”

“Uh, no.”

“That’s good, perfect timing. I was just getting hungry.”

“It’s dangerous.”

At Gilbertton’s earnest dissuasion, Galahad scratched his cheek.

Dangerous? Me? Against that naked savage?

Galahad couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

“I’ve been wondering, why do these guys ignore the wizards here?”

He was genuinely curious.

It was natural for the demons to ignore wizards. The affinity was so tilted that it was like a natural enemy.

But even the thugs in the tavern here ignored the wizards. He could understand hating wizards, but he couldn’t understand ignoring them at all.

It was something unimaginable in the Central Region.

“Well, aren’t wizards weak in combat?”

“What kind of wizards have you ever seen? Well, if you’re a wizard who crawls all the way to the North, I guess that’s the level you’d see.”

“·········.”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Ahem.”

“I didn’t crawl here, I was dragged here.”

“Yes, I know. But didn’t you have a hard time even against that lord?”

“That’s because he was a demon. Demons don’t interact well with magic.”

Bang! Bang! Bang! Herman kept banging the ground with his axe, as if to show off his strength. The soldiers cheered and jeered in response.

“I guess it can’t be helped. I’ll have to take the lead in improving the perception of wizards. I’ll show those ignorant bastards the horror of wizards.”

“Will you be okay?”

“I’m the leader. Don’t you know that the leader is always the strongest?”

“···Your physical condition is a mess, isn’t it?”

It was true. Although the bleeding had stopped, he had lost a lot of blood, felt dizzy, and his mana was running wild. However-

“Even with just one finger, I can defeat a naked savage wielding an iron ax.”

Galahad, who stepped forward, slowly observed the savage.

He was not wearing furs or leather armor.

‘I don’t know what kind of audacity he has.’

Galahad flicked his finger slightly. Sparks flew violently.

His mana was not under control. It kept running wild because he had drunk the blood of a demon.

‘I can’t control my strength like this.’

Galahad nodded, staring at the savage who was pounding his chest.

He intended to let loose for once.

‘The snow has stopped.’

Galahad looked up at the sky.

The snow had stopped, but the sky was filled with long, dark clouds.

The piercing gazes and slightly cowering members-

‘I’ll have to make it flashy.’

Galahad flicked his fingers.

Thanks to the savage who was waiting kindly, he recited a spell for the first time in a long time.

***

“S··· Shouldn’t we stop him? He’s not in good condition!”

“Isn’t that Herman? The one who won a power duel against a demon······.”

Gilbert frowned at the worries pouring in from behind.

It was true. Herman was not an easy opponent.

The fact that he was a 1st Grade alone was proof of his ability in the North.

On the other hand, Galahad had a hard time even with the half-beast Lord.

Moreover, Galahad’s physical condition was terrible. He had wounds all over his body from who knows what he had been doing in the middle of the night, and his back was covered with burn marks.

It would be right to stop him if he thought rationally, but what could he do if Galahad stepped forward?

“Kukukuku! The Empire bastard is scared!”

A rough laugh escaped Herman’s mouth. He seemed excited at the thought of cutting his throat right away.

“”Loser! Loser!”””

Cheers poured in from the surroundings. Everyone had no doubt that Herman would cut Galahad’s throat.

‘This is not good.’

The special forces had already become a laughingstock from the beginning. If the captain were to be defeated here, their reputation would surely hit rock bottom.

Reputation was quite important on the front lines. If Galahad were to be defeated, the special forces could be ruined from the start.

Galahad stood still as if he could not hear the pouring boos and concerns.

His face was slightly crumpled, unlike usual. His usual leisureliness was nowhere to be seen. A sharp irritation hung in the air.

“I, Herman of the 1st Grade! I challenge the Empire bastard who dares to sully the name of Lady Adriana to a duel!”

‘A duel, huh? He’s using his head.’

Gilbert frowned. He wondered why he had waited quietly for Galahad and Gilbert’s conversation, but it seemed he was aiming for this.

In the North, duels were sacred. Anyone could apply, and no disadvantage could be given for the result.

“Duel-! Duel!”

Cheers erupted from all sides. They urged him to quickly snap the neck of the cursed, filthy wizard. Intense murderous intent poured out from all directions.

At that moment, Galahad raised his right hand. The noisy jeering gradually subsided.

Galahad had a peculiar power that made people focus on him.

“May I ask a question?”

“······What question could a man about to die have! Just obediently stick out your neck!”

“So, you’ll let me. Then, I’ll ask. Are you a demon?”

Gilbert’s mouth hung open.

To be asked if he was a demon in the North – this was an insult more terrible than insulting one’s parents or wife.

At that unimaginable question, even the soldiers who had been jeering softly became quiet.

“How dare you utter such a terrible word-!”

Even Gwen, who had been worried, was startled and fumbled.

Thud, thud-. Herman’s muscles quivered, creating a terrible sound. Oh, this is bad, Gilbert grabbed the hilt of his sword.

If things went badly, he intended to stop him, even by barging in. His honor would hit rock bottom, but Adrianna’s orders came first.

“Judging from your reaction, I guess not. You’re not a demon, you haven’t tanned your skin, you’re not an Orc-. Just what on earth gave you the guts to attack?”

“······Nooooom!!”

Herman lowered his stance. His thick legs were pulled taut, making a popping sound. The ground shook slightly.

That thick murderous intent spread to the surroundings. It was enough to make the soldiers’ complexions turn pale.

Herman stamped on the ground. Bang! With a loud noise, the ground that Herman was standing on caved in, and Herman’s figure shot out.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t control my strength right now. Try to endure it.”

Galahad flicked his fingers. It was a very small movement, but it had the power to focus one’s gaze.

A small spark flew from Galahad’s fingers. The spark, which had been a single line, flicked between his fingers and then rapidly increased in size.

It wasn’t delicate. Galahad seemed to be having difficulty handling it, and he grimaced. The spark, which had been gradually spreading, grew even larger and soon wrapped around Galahad’s entire arm.

It looked as if it was devouring Galahad. Black lines were haphazardly etched into Galahad’s skin.

Galahad’s mouth opened. Sparks flew out between them.

“Heavenly punishment.”

Galahad’s soft mumble was clearly audible. The sparks that had been enveloping Galahad flicked upwards and disappeared in an instant.

Thud!

In the blink of an eye, Herman’s axe, which had suddenly approached right in front of him, was raised high. The muscles in the arm holding the axe were bulging thickly. A roar erupted from Herman’s mouth.

“I’ll snap your neck and soak your body in its blood!”

Herman swung the axe down towards Galahad. It seemed like a foregone conclusion that Galahad would be cleaved in two.

At that moment, the sky vibrated slightly. The dark clouds that had been filling the sky parted. A huge spark flew out between them.

It was lightning. The lightning that had torn the sky open rapidly expanded its area.

It took an instant for the lightning to reach the ground.

For a moment, everything came into sharp focus. Herman laughing as he swung his axe, Galahad with an annoyed expression in front of him, and even the shocked soldiers-.

The lightning flowed along Herman’s axe. Herman’s figure was hidden by a white halo.

It truly looked as if the heavens had delivered punishment.

Kwa-ruru-rung!

The sound was heard belatedly.

The lightning was instantaneous, but it felt terribly long.

Did I scare you?

“·······It’s just because you’re my idol-. My apologies.”

My idol, he would laugh if he heard that. Jamit’s lips curled up slightly.

“Is there something I did wrong…”

The rookie asked carefully, looking as if he would cry at any moment.

Jamit smiled leisurely and shook his head.

“No, the car is hot. I didn’t realize. Now, let’s create your agent name. It was James, right? James’ agent name is-.”

The rookie gulped. He looked just like a puppy in front of a bone.

Jamit said with a mischievous smile.

“Galahad.”

Really, it’s a name that doesn’t suit a rookie at all.