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

36. Yeoncho

Adrianna’s eyes shook violently.

“You will burn out at this rate.”

Adrianna, who was about to stutter something, bowed her head roughly.

“······Thats not it.”

Adrianna rarely hesitated in her speech. Her face was full of injustice.

“Hey, your face is red.”

“I came here in a hurry-.”

“Was it that urgent?”

“······Yes?”

Galahad smiled slightly at her wide eyes again and shook his hand. Ashes flew everywhere.

‘What a waste. It looked delicious.’

He had expected the blood of the high-ranking demon, but it had turned into ashes on Adrianna.

The intrusion had been rougher than Galahad had thought, so he hadn’t had time to stop it.

The wall seemed to break, and the demon’s head rose into the air.

If that sword had been aimed at Galahad, would he have been able to block it? Galahad clicked his tongue slightly and shook off the remaining ashes on his hand.

It wasn’t like he hadn’t gained anything.

‘Psychic-‘

Perhaps because it was psychic, that ‘He’ was watching Galahad from within the demon.

And at the last moment-.

‘He moved the body directly. It was only words, though.’

That part had sparked Galahad’s interest.

It wasn’t a phenomenon that could be simply explained as psychic. He hadn’t felt mana or distance.

Adrianna’s explanation that high-ranking demons formed a group came to mind. Was it possible because they were a group? It was hard to explain.

He thought he would have to catch a few more high-ranking demons to confirm it.

“Are you alright?”

He looked up and saw Gilbert. His face was drenched in sweat. Knights came in behind Gilbert. They were all in a mess.

‘I’ve become interested in that guy.’

The one they called ‘He’. Beyond the mere fact that he was the king of the demons, he was curious about his abilities.

The individual abilities of the demons he had seen so far felt like the source of magic.

From simply wielding mana as a mass to psychic- It was something that could be interpreted as magic.

But the physical control that ‘He’ had shown at the end was something Galahad had never seen before. A deep curiosity rose within him.

‘He’ll contact me again.’

‘He’ had already contacted Galahad twice. Judging from his last reaction, he would definitely approach him again.

He would be more impatient. That’s why he had overturned the board on purpose.

‘The emperor-.’

Galahad muttered a word that had become so bitter from chewing it over that it had lost its sweetness.

“Are you hurt?”

Adrianna’s question broke his reverie. Her gaze was fixed on Galahad’s crumpled hand.

“It’s just a scratch.”

At that moment, the cry of a demon shook the axis.

Galahad lifted his head slightly.

The atmosphere was unusual. Strange noises echoed through the thick fog.

Galahad clicked his tongue and poured mana into his hand. With a quick, light sound, his hand regained its form.

It was not healed. His bone was still broken, he had just regained its form. He needed a few more days to heal.

“It seems our popularity is quite high. We should hurry.”

“I will take the lead.”

Adrianne swung her sword.

The wall crumbled in an instant. A horrible scream echoed from beyond.

“We must prevent what happened earlier from happening again.”

“It will be fine.”

“No, it won’t.”

Adrianne’s eyebrows were firm. Her expression seemed a little more colorful. Galahad mumbled softly.

The white aura flared up again. The aura was rougher than before, like wings.

Did Adrianne know? For Galahad, that aura was more dangerous than a high-level demon.

Galahad took a step back with a bitter smile.

“What is your favorite food?”

Adrianne asked, adjusting her grip on the sword.

‘A conversation. It’s quite a smart method.’

It seemed she was preparing for the same situation as before. Whether it was the power or magic of the demon speaking, it did not work on Adrianne.

So Adrianne seemed to be planning on continuing the conversation and checking his condition with her voice.

Galahad chuckled and waved his left hand. Was he trying to assert his necessity? The Egg of Anguish vigorously poured out mana. The mana burned fiercely.

The wind blew violently, pushing away the surrounding smoke. The hideous demons outside the smoke stopped for a moment.

So many have already gathered. Is this the Demon Realm?

“Moderately cooked meat and cheese that doesn’t smell. What about you?”

Galahad replied with a click of his tongue.

Adrianne’s sword drew a long line. The two demons that had been charging turned to ash at the same time.

“I like sweet things.”

Adrianne continued forward without stopping. The white aura fluttered like wings.

At that moment, a sharp-looking man approached with a smile. At the man’s gesture, the ground around Adrianne dug deeply. Adrianne swung her sword without concern.

The demon turned to ash.

In the meantime, demons and monsters rushed out. They looked threatening, but-.

“Do you drink alcohol?”

Adrianne calmly continued her swordsmanship. Ash burst again. Her back was truly reliable.

“I do not drink. What about you?”

The wind blew violently along Galahad’s left hand.

The smoke was pushed back. The demon at the border raised the corners of its mouth. He was a sly one.

“I can’t drink.”

The demon collapsed under Adrianne’s sword.

Adrianne glanced back. Galahad waved his left hand. Adrianne looked forward again.

“How was academy life?”

Adriadna’s breath was slightly ragged.

A monster popped out from the side. Gilbert swung his sword while shouting, “Knight- Gilbert!” The monster crumbled to dust because of his aura. The knight right next to him cut the monster’s neck.

“It wasn’t fun. All I did was study.”

The monster’s attack struck Adriadna’s armor. Adriadna’s body shook slightly.

Adriadna continued to swing her sword as if nothing happened. Another monster turned to ashes.

The wind blew. The smoke was pushed back.

“I heard you graduated top of your class at the youngest age. That’s amazing.”

A huge monster that looked like a tiger opened its mouth wide. Adriadna continued to advance without stopping. The monster turned to ashes as if it were obvious.

“Since I entered at the youngest age, I had to graduate at the youngest age. I heard you also received the title of Sword Master at a young age. You’re quite famous as the most beautiful yet strongest knight.”

“I’m not the strongest knight. There are still those I haven’t competed with-“

“You don’t deny that you’re the most beautiful.”

Adriadna’s sword stopped for a moment and then continued. Galahad poured the water pouch into his mouth. The Orb of Agony diligently emitted mana. The Orb of Agony’s presence grew larger and larger.

“Do you like cats?”

“Yes, aren’t they cute?”

“Aren’t you cheeky? You don’t even recognize your master. I like dogs.”

Gilbert, who had cut the demon’s neck, coughed slightly. Galahad frowned.

“That ugly thing from before·······”

“I got rid of it.”

The smoke around them became faint. There were no more attacks.

It was the usual black, rotten land.

“······Yes, I escaped the Demon Realm.”

Sweat covered Adriadna’s forehead. Her hair was also a mess. There was a look of exhaustion in her eyes. She seemed to have pushed herself too hard.

Galahad looked around. They were a little far from the border of the Demon Realm. However, because the Demon Realm itself was deep, it would take a while to return to the camp.

All of the knights looked like they were about to collapse. Gilbert was in the best condition, but even Gilbert was drenched in sweat.

Adriadna, who was in the lead, was surprisingly the most intact.

Galahad, who clicked his tongue slightly, blew the wind again. Because he had used too much magic, his head spun for a moment. He clenched his teeth and endured it.

The dust was pushed back. It was the usual pleasant demon territory.

Because they had been in the Demon Realm where something kept popping out, the demon territory felt somewhat cozy.

“Let’s take a break.”

Everyone nodded at Galahad’s words. They were surprisingly obedient.

Galahad tried to put his hand in his inner pocket and frowned. Because his right hand was ruined, it was hard to take out the cigarette in his left pocket.

“Why are you doing that?”

“Hmm, can you take out the cigarette in my inner pocket?”

“······I’ll try.”

“It’s not something you need to make such a determined face for.”

Adriadna, who had a determined face, carefully moved her hand.

As Adriadna’s hand approached, the Orb of Agony vibrated violently. It even hid behind him. What was she going to do with that much ambition?- Galahad clicked his tongue slightly.

Adriadna took out the cigarette with a more serious face than when she was fighting the demons.

To think that she needed to be that careful to take out a cigarette from a pocket-.

“You must have had a hard time.”

Adrienne’s face hardened as she lit a cigarette in Galahad’s mouth. Adrienne’s lips pursed. Adrienne quickly averted her gaze.

Galahad clicked his tongue and flicked his fingers to light it.

The scent of lemon wafted deeply.

Adrienne, who had been closing her eyes for a moment, exhaled softly.

“Do you like lemon?”

“I hate it. It’s just a habit.”

Adrienne’s eyebrows rose slightly.

‘I guess I should put it on both sides from now on.’

Galahad muttered softly.

****

“What kind of person is he?”

Gilbert, who was gulping down water, turned his head at the question he heard from the side.

Robert of his immediate superior unit pointed to Galahad with a strange expression. Adrienne was putting a cigarette in Galahad’s mouth.

Adrienne, who put a cigarette in the man’s mouth.

If I had heard it by any chance, I would have kicked his butt and told him not to lie.

However, since the other party was Galahad, he didn’t really feel like saying anything. The other knights reacted similarly.

‘What kind of person is he?’

It was a question that the guys in his immediate superior unit had asked before they left. It was the same question, but the tone was completely opposite.

Gilbert hesitated for a moment before answering.

“I don’t know.”

Robert frowned at Gilbert’s answer. Even though he thought it was an insincere answer, Gilbert was sincere.

The more he got to know him, the more he didn’t know. It was more difficult now than when he first saw him.

Gilbert looked at Galahad. His right hand was tattered, but he was talking as if nothing was wrong. It wasn’t ordinary mental strength.

“It’s daunting to think of wandering around in the dark again.”

“You will go with us tomorrow, right? You are Lady Adrienne’s fiancé.”

“Ahem, is that so?”

Gilbert chuckled at the conversation he heard from the side.

Even though they pretended to be moderate, they were knights of the immediate superior unit. It was natural for them to resent Galahad. It was just that they were moderate compared to Mardian.

They had only been out together once. But it changed their perception.

Those who were worried that Galahad would be a burden were now worried about when Galahad would not go with them.

“I should suggest that the 1st Battalion also hire a wizard.”

Gilbert snickered at someone’s murmur.

‘That’s why he always said he was great.’

He seemed to know why Galahad always said, “I’m great, but other wizards can never do this.”

‘Well, idiots.’

No matter what wizard you bring, they won’t be able to do it like Galahad. Gilbert smirked.

“Sir Gilbert, you have a very strange expression on your face right now.”

“······When did you come?”

“I just came. Let’s go back now.”

Ahem-. Gilbert coughed slightly and nodded.

“I’ll take the lead.”

As always, Adrianna took the lead.

****

A tense atmosphere filled the surroundings of the main gate of the 1st Battalion.

“That’s why I told you to exclude the Imperial bastard! It’s obvious that he’s the one causing trouble!”

Mardian was fuming as Adrianna’s return from the Demon Realm was delayed.

It wasn’t enough to have the Imperial bastard, a sorcerer at that.

A single idiot ally on the battlefield could be fatal, but he even went to the Demon Realm-.

“Open the gate! We’re leaving now!”

Mardian bellowed. He looked so fierce that he seemed ready to flip out if they didn’t budge.

The other knights, who knew Mardian’s temper, gulped.

“Impossible.”

Gatekeeper knight Erdal shook his head resolutely.

“The gate to the Demon Realm only opens at sunrise and sunset. That is the rule.”

There was not even a hint of leeway in Erdal’s voice. Mardian pulled out his skewer.

He was nicknamed ‘Mad’ Mardian. It was impossible not to have heard the rumors about Mardian.

Even though such a Mardian had drawn his weapon, Erdal remained calm.

“Can you take responsibility?”

Mardian asked, holding out his skewer. The atmosphere of the other knights was similar.

The atmosphere grew fierce. It felt like it would explode if they even touched it slightly-.

They were a direct unit that would go blind if it involved Adrianna.

The sun was setting, but Adrianna had yet to return.

The knights around the gate took a step back. It was because their opponent was a direct unit.

If they were to die here for no reason, their necks could fly off.

However, Erdal was a gatekeeper knight.

“If a gatekeeper must take responsibility for guarding the gate, then so be it.”

“This-.”

“Let me talk to him for a moment.”

Lunabirn stepped forward. Mardian glared and took a step back.

“Lady Adrianna’s return has been delayed. You must know how important Lady Adrianna is. Could you please open the gate?”

“Impossible.”

Erdal was a man befitting of a gatekeeper. He was honest and also foolish. If all the knights were to look at Erdal and grit their teeth and open the gate, then he wouldn’t be a gatekeeper.

“Oh, I’m here too. I’m the battalion commander.”

At that moment, a blonde-haired man emerged from between the knights.

He was a handsome man with an honest face. He was Felix, the battalion commander of the 1st Battalion. Although Mardian usually hated Felix terribly, he now pointed at Felix and shouted.

“Only His Highness the Grand Duke and Captain Adrianna have the authority to open the gate.”

“In the captain’s absence, the battalion commander receives the authority.”

“The authority over the gate is an exception.”

Felix frowned at Erdal’s unwavering answer.

The air was thick with tension, ready to burst at any moment.

Everyone was glaring at Erdal, fuming over his insolence, but Erdal didn’t care.

The gatekeeper stood his ground, guarding the gate.

Just then—

BWaaM!

The sound of a horn echoed through the air.

It was the signal that Adrianna had returned.

“Open it!”

Erdal barked the order without hesitation. The soldiers began to whip the chains. The heavy portcullis began to rise with a clatter.

“You’re quite the arrogant one, aren’t you?”

Felix muttered under his breath, but Erdal ignored him.

The portcullis continued to rise, revealing the thick wooden gate.

Erdal took a large key and jammed it into the keyhole, turning it. The gate creaked as other soldiers grabbed hold and pulled.

With a heavy thud, the gate slowly swung open.

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But unlike usual, no smoke poured out from the opening.

Erdal’s thick eyebrows drew together.

That was when Adrianna appeared in the doorway, but her appearance was a mess.

Her usually flowing, long hair was tangled and knotted, and her armor was dented and scratched in various places. Her appearance was a far cry from her usual, pristine self.

“Lady Adrianna!”

Erdal signaled.

BOOM! The sound of drums filled the air. Soldiers and knights alike saluted.

Just then—

“My, what a grand welcome.”

The voice was smooth yet carried a hint of mockery.

It was the Empire’s sorcerer, Adrianna’s fiancé, and the commander of the Special Forces, a man named Galahad.

Galahad’s appearance was even more disheveled than Adrianna’s.

His clothes were dusty and torn in places, his hands grimy—he looked like he’d been rolling around in the dirt.

Yet his face held an air of amusement.

“Damn Empire scum! This is all your fault!!”

Mardian, his eyes blazing, charged forward recklessly. The knights behind him radiated a sharp aura.

Just then—

“Hold, Mardian.”

The knights from his immediate unit, who had gone out with him, held Mardian back, forming a protective wall around the man.

“W-what are you doing?”

Mardian’s face twisted in confusion as his own unit held him back.

The knights, instead of answering, gripped their swords tighter. They were ready to fight at a moment’s notice.

“Mardian.”

Adrianna called out to Mardian calmly.

At the sound of Adrianna’s cold voice, Mardian froze.

“This is your last warning.”

Mardian doubted his ears.

Final warning-.

What is that···.

Mardian’s eyes shook violently.

He didn’t understand what the situation was right now.

At that moment, his eyes met the man’s.

The man looked at Mardian and raised one side of his lips.

“Well, Adriadna.”

He wanted to get angry at the man for daring to call Adriadna so presumptuously, but the final warning held Mardian back.

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

Then, when Adriadna put a cigarette in the man’s mouth, he forgot to be angry and just stared blankly.

They were doing such things in front of the entire 1st Corps-.

He was too shocked to even be astonished.

In that heavy silence-.

“Now, be quiet.”

Galahad lit the cigarette with satisfaction.

****

A heavy silence fell over the dark temple.

A wizened old man sat still and looked down.

Below him, people wearing black hoods lined up in a long line.

There were so many of them that he couldn’t see the end.

It was a sight truly befitting a temple.

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

“There is someone who muddies the waters of the North.”

There was no answer. All they did was bow their heads deeper.

The old man’s position was that high.

“A man named Galahad. Take care of it.”

The old man didn’t speak at length.

Everyone bowed deeply and prostrated themselves.

Then-.

“Hiccup!”

A man in the corner shook his body violently.

He was wearing a crow mask.