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

30. Difficult Handshake

‘Hmm…’

Galahad, who opened the door of the 5th Battalion headquarters, squinted.

As soon as he entered the 5th Battalion headquarters building, there was a huge desk, and Mark, the captain of the 5th Battalion, was sitting there.

His adjutant, Rumian, had a face full of complaints.

‘Are you protesting that I asked you to vacate the 3rd floor?’

Galahad clicked his tongue and approached Mark.

“Why are you here?”

“Well, when I tried to move, this place was the most efficient. I can receive reports immediately, and it’s close to the main gate.”

Galahad squinted for a moment at Mark’s answer.

Since it was in front of the main gate, it was the shortest distance. Yes, it was true.

However.

‘Isn’t it strange for the captain to be right there when the main gate opens?’

Of course, it was rather good for Galahad, who used the 3rd floor. Because it meant that the captain was guarding the main gate.

“I see.”

“I heard about it. The 4th Company fell for the demons’ tricks, but thanks to Captain Galahad’s resourcefulness, they narrowly escaped and fought the demons.”

Galahad nodded at Mark’s indifferent voice.

“Yes, sir. I will report it as it is. I will express my gratitude first. If it weren’t for you, Captain Galahad, we wouldn’t have been able to recover even the bodies.”

“I consider it a favor to the alliance.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Mark nodded and handed over the papers.

“The appearance of monsters is common, but recently, the frequency of demon appearances has increased significantly. There is definitely something wrong on the front lines.”

Galahad nodded silently.

“His Grace the Grand Duke is here, but he hardly ever comes out anymore. Currently, each battalion is no different from a separate organization. Factional… .”

Mark cleared his throat for a moment. He seemed to have swallowed the curse that had come to his lips.

“Even if I suggest that I inspect the front lines, it will not be accepted. It would be best if His Grace the Grand Duke came out, but that will not happen. The next best thing is-.”

“Adrienne, I suppose.”

“Yes, that’s right. As the only successor to His Grace the Grand Duke and a hero of the front lines, the other captains will not be able to ignore her words.”

“Can’t you just ask Adrienne?”

Mark shook his head.

“Adrienne is a great hero, but she is not a leader.”

“Not a leader-.”

Galahad muttered softly.

“She respects all the captains. If I ask, she will refuse, saying that the command of the battalions belongs to each captain.”

“So you want me to persuade her?”

“Yes.”

Galahad burst out laughing at the firm answer.

“She doesn’t listen to you, so why would she listen to me?”

“Because you are her fiancé. And-.”

Mark swallowed the rest of his words. Mark hesitated for a moment before frowning as if he couldn’t help but say something unpleasant.

“I have a feeling that you will find a way to do it.”

“Find a way-.”

Galahad chuckled at the familiar slogan he had heard in a long time.

“Yes, ‘finding a way’ is my specialty. But there is a condition.”

“What condition?”

“Decorate the Special Forces Headquarters nicely.”

Mark nodded. Judging by the way his eyes moved quickly, he seemed to be calculating.

Galahad got up, putting a cigarette in his mouth.

“Do you know why I came to you, Captain Galahad, at the tournament?”

Galahad shook his head as he lit his cigarette.

“Originally, the captains are all tied to their assigned battalions. They cannot leave unless it is a special case. Like it or not, that’s where they are buried.”

Mark banged on the desk.

“But now there is an exception.”

Mark’s sharp eyes stared at Galahad.

Those were eyes that were fiercely longing for something.

“Have you finally decided to come down?”

Mark smiled slightly at Galahad’s question.

As Galahad disappeared, Lumian glared at Mark.

“Why are you catering to him so much?”

“Catering?”

“He’s just a Captain with only four members. Even if he’s an exception-“

Mark squinted at the foolish question.

“Do you really think that the soldiers who had fallen to the Mazoku rose up and fought alongside Galahad? The Mazoku aren’t that naive.”

“······Then?”

“According to the report, when the Company Commander, Gilbert, and his men arrived at the scene, the situation was already over. They said that Galahad had taken care of it alone. He alone took down the Mazoku and the forty or so soldiers who had been possessed by it.”

Lumian’s jaw dropped.

“···That’s ridiculous. Why would he lie and downplay his own achievements?”

Mark hesitated at Lumian’s question and then shook his head.

“You should go and decorate the Special Forces headquarters. Didn’t you get quite a lot of budget thanks to the recent Magic Stone price adjustment?”

“Are you going to spend all of it?”

“We need to make a good impression.”

Lumian nodded shakily at Mark’s resolute voice.

“Should I go down now? No, let’s wait a little longer.”

“If you’re going down, you should do it quickly. If you go late, there won’t be any soup left!”

Lumian, who had shouted back as if countering an attack, hurriedly waved his hand at the contemplating Mark.

“I was joking! I was joking!”

****

Thud-.

“Sir Gilbert, you seem to be enjoying yourself.”

“Ah, I wanted to buy something decent.”

Galahad clicked his tongue at Gilbert, who was holding the reins and grinning. His eyes darted roughly under the carriage.

“The 1st Battalion must have some fancier pubs.”

“I have a regular pub. But why would you go to the 1st Battalion?”

“I can’t stand it, I miss my fiancee terribly.”

“······.”

“You just made an expression of high treason.”

Gilbert chuckled. The carriage shook violently.

“Captain Mark wants Adrianna to send out a document regarding the front line inspection to each Battalion Commander.”

“A document to the other Commanders-. He won’t do it.”

“If he absolutely won’t, then we can just borrow his seal for a bit.”

“······Excuse me? That’s a joke, right?”

Gilbert narrowed his eyes as if trying to figure out Galahad. Galahad did not avoid his gaze.

“No, we can’t.”

“I’ll just use it for a bit and give it back.”

“That won’t be a problem, will it? She will definitely get angry.”

“Adrianna getting angry. I wonder about that.”

“She is really scary.”

“Have you seen it?”

Instead of answering, Gilbert flicked the reins. The horses neighed loudly. Their breaths billowed out.

“Anyway, it’s absolutely not possible.”

“Then I guess I’ll have to ask you to send a note to that poor fiance who was dragged to the North.”

“That’s········.”

Gilbert’s eyes narrowed and then widened.

“Aren’t you being too stingy?”

“Am I?”

“Yes, since the beginning of time, men have been like snap- and boom.”

“You don’t have a lover.”

“······You little punk with a loose tongue.”

Gilbert twisted the reins in vain.

“I’m popular.”

“Then why don’t you have a lover?”

“I don’t know when I’ll die.”

“Is there anyone who knows that? That’s just an excuse.”

Gilbert couldn’t answer. Galahad put a cigarette in his mouth without asking.

The closer they got to the 1st Legion, the colder it got. It felt like their nostrils were freezing every time they breathed. How do people live in a place like this? Galahad grumbled softly.

How long did they go like that?

“That’s it.”

Gilbert said, pointing ahead.

There was a legion fortress in the middle of Mindung Mountain. The 1st Legion fortress was not fancy, but it was sturdy and large. It looked like a fortress built solely for defense.

‘How do I break through that?’

Galahad habitually imagined how to break through the fortress.

The sight of supply wagons lined up in front of the fortress gate was unusual. Soldiers were carefully poking spears into the wagons. It seemed difficult to hide in a wagon.

Climbing the castle walls would also be difficult because there were sharp iron spikes embedded in various places on the castle walls. Soldiers were even standing guard on top of them. There were no gaps to be seen.

How about stealing a soldier’s uniform and ID badge to get in?

‘That will be difficult.’

The soldiers entering the fortress gate were also checked one by one.

It was a very difficult fortress.

Of course, that didn’t mean there was no way.

The soldiers facing Gilbert gave him a loud salute. It was a reaction as if they were looking at a celebrity.

“I’m Gilbert.”

Gilbert said with a face full of misfortune.

As soon as they arrived at the fortress gate, a young knight saluted.

“Sir Gilbert, long time no see.”

“Bandar. It’s been a while.”

“I heard the news.”

The knight’s gaze turned to Galahad.

“I am Galahad, the commander of the Special Forces.”

“Ah, Special Forces-!”

The knight let out a small sigh. It was a reaction as if he knew about the Special Forces. Galahad, taken aback by the unfamiliar response, asked instead.

“Do you know about the Special Forces?”

“Yes, I heard you captured dozens of mid-level demons and ground dogs. I heard you are a sorcerer who burns demons-“

The knight’s eyes were filled with fervor. Galahad nodded at his ardent gaze.

“The Special Forces’ reputation is spreading.”

“Oh, my senior, Carat, was there at the scene.”

“Is that so?”

“Next time I have the chance, I’d like to have a duel with you, even if it means risking my life.”

Galahad looked at Gilbert at the unexpected murder announcement.

“The First Battalion gets excited when they meet someone strong. It’s tradition.”

Galahad nodded.

“Well, thank you. I came to see Adrianna. Is she inside?”

“Lady Adrianna is outside the frontline.”

“Outside the frontline?”

Gilbert answered.

“Lady Adrianna crosses the frontline before sunrise and enters the demons’ territory. She returns around sunset. She does this to find a way to end the war by capturing even one more demon.”

Not just holding the frontline, but actually entering the demons’ territory to attack-

Even if she had an attribute that burned mana, it was still quite reckless.

“That’s impressive.”

The knight and Gilbert stared at Galahad with strange expressions.

“Why is that?”

“Lady Adrianna’s venture into the demons’ territory is greatly opposed even within the First Battalion. It’s incredibly dangerous-“

“Isn’t it dangerous here too?”

Gilbert closed his mouth at Galahad’s question. The knight made a strange expression.

“I am Crescent.”

“Yes, Sir Crescent. It’s a pleasure.”

“Then the duel-“

“Let’s do it when the weather is a bit warmer.”

Crescent followed a bit longer, asking for a specific schedule. Galahad flicked his hand dismissively.

The interior of the First Battalion base was similar to the outside. It was filled with crude buildings, and armed soldiers moved busily between them.

“She’ll be here soon.”

Galahad muttered, looking at the sun hanging over the castle wall.

Just then, the carriage door slammed open.

“Ugh! Why are you asking! Damian! I’m not meat!”

“Commander, it seems we should feed Damian something.”

Galahad chuckled at Tom’s urgent report.

“We need to drop them at the bar before Damian eats them. And fetch Adrianna.”

Gilberton turned the reins habitually.

****

The front line was quite a distance from the gate of the 1st Battalion base.

The security was so strict that they were stopped three more times for inspection on the way.

Galahad was purely amazed at the walls they faced.

The walls were larger than the ones he had seen when he first arrived in the north. He had to tilt his head back to see the top because they were so high.

“Other units are also in contact with the front lines, but why do they call this place the front line?”

“Because the attacks of the Dark Clan and monsters occur mainly here. For some reason, the Dark Clan bastards mainly target this gate. That’s why the gate is called the Dark Clan Pit.”

“I see.”

Then, the sound of a horn blared from the top of the wall.

“Here they come.”

Gilberton said curtly.

‘Adrianna.’

People who seemed to be knights stood around the gate with their swords drawn. The swords were full of blue aura.

The one who seemed to be the captain shouted loudly. The soldiers turned the huge ballista toward the gate. Some of them stepped forward with shields.

Tension was thick in the air.

Puuuu-. The horn blared again.

“Heave!”

The knight shouted.

A soldier whipped the back of the ox tied to the windlass. The ox moved with a long cry. The nearby iron bars went up with a grating noise.

Puuuu-. The horn blared again,

The ox cried, and the next windlass turned. The second iron bar went up.

Puuuu- another horn-. The third iron bar went up, and only then did the gate appear.

It was a black gate that looked sturdy just by looking at it.

It was obvious that it was made of iron. Galahad stuck out his tongue since they were using such an expensive thing in such a crude way-.

Boom, boom, the heavy sound of drums began. The soldiers moved busily to the rhythm.

Soon, the thick gate slowly opened.

‘The territory of the Dark Clan.’

Galahad concentrated, loosening his fingers.

The gate opened incredibly slowly. The iron made a strange noise as it scraped the floor.

Thick smoke came in like an outstretched hand through the open gate. The pungent smell that came belatedly told him that it was ash.

Beyond the gate, everything was gray. It was full of ash, not snow. The ground, which could be seen through the ash, was black as if it had been burned.

‘Hell-.’

Galahad naturally thought of hell with the blackened, rotten land and the flying ash.

Instead of the damn snow in the north, ash was flying, but it was colder.

·········!

An unidentified scream erupted from afar. A terrible sound that was hard to describe shook the ground.

Then, the fog of ash scattered as if it had been pushed away. No, on closer inspection, the ash was disappearing.

What appeared through the disappearing smoke was Adrianna.

Crimson armor heavily stained with blood, and grotesque flesh and carapace embedded between the gaps – she looked like she had just been dragged out of hell.

A long path made of smoke extended behind her. The scenery visible through it was quite graphic.

Neatly severed demon and monster corpses littered the desolate ashen wasteland. So much blood had flowed that the ash had clumped together to form mounds.

The corpses, which were gruesome even just to look at, and the blood flowing between them –

‘What a waste.’

Galahad smacked his lips without realizing it.

Even as she walked through hell, Adrianna remained expressionless as usual.

Knights appeared behind Adrianna. Their appearances were a mess as if they had just returned from hell, but their momentum was quite sharp.

They weren’t ordinary knights.

“They are Lady Adrianna’s direct unit. Only the strongest knights from the 1st Battalion can join. You could say that they are the elite of the North.”

Gilbert explained in a low voice. Judging from his expression, it seemed that he originally belonged there.

“They are knights who are unusually loyal to Lady Adrianna. If you provoke them for no reason, you will get into trouble.”

Gilbert advised with a serious voice.

“I’m serious. They are dangerous men.”

Gilbert emphasized several times.

“Don’t worry. When have I ever caused trouble?”

Gilbert’s slitted eyes widened. Just as Gilbert was about to say something –

Adrianna stepped into the city gate. Cheers erupted from all sides. Everyone was chanting Adrianna’s name.

It was an extreme welcome that even the Emperor could not receive, but Adrianna’s face remained expressionless. A hint of fatigue showed through it.

At that moment, Adrianna looked at Galahad.

Adrianna’s eyes widened slightly. Galahad waved his hand lightly.

Adrianna’s stiff eyebrows raised slightly.

Adrianna approached Galahad. Her steps were strangely fast.

“Lady Adrianna?!”

The gazes of the knights following Adrianna sharpened. They were more than sharp, they were so intense that they made his skin tingle.

“Ah.”

Arriving in front of Galahad, Adrianna took off her blood-soaked gauntlet. Then, she carefully wiped her hand with a fancy handkerchief.

As Adrianna made a gesture as if to shake his hand, Galahad unconsciously extended his hand.

At that moment, a strong urge surged from within him.

His heart pounded violently. He felt a pain in his chest as if someone was squeezing it. The seed of agony urged Adrianna’s death. It was quite intense.

‘You idiot. Your current actions are actually hindering your vow. Do you really think you can kill Adrianna right now?’

Galahad cursed inwardly.

Even though Adrianna was vulnerable, there was no way he could kill her right now.

No matter how many times he tried, the only result was failure. This was the part Galahad was best at.

The seed of agony vibrated. Galahad calculated again. When failure was once again derived, the seed of agony quieted down.

‘It works.’

Of course, it was a temporary measure.

He planned to prepare a separate solution.

‘Still, holding her hand is a bit…’

Adrianna’s nature was important, but the means to increase his power immediately was the seed of agony.

Holding hands could also make the seed of pain disappear in vain.

It was better to be careful until he figured out the principle or came up with another way.

After finishing the calculation, Galahad withdrew his hand.

The problem was-.

“·········?”

Adrianna’s hand was not nervous.

Adrianna stared blankly at her hand hanging in the air.

As it was the first time she had ever experienced this, Adrianna couldn’t figure out what was going on.

Why was her hand hanging there alone?-.

“·········?”

Adrianna couldn’t understand.

Adrianna froze, her hand still outstretched as if malfunctioning.

“Oh my god.”

Gilbert covered his face with his hand.