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

31. My Dearest

‘Our leader is so cute.’

Carrot muttered quietly as he looked at Adrianna squeaking with her hand outstretched.

It was a sight he had never seen before.

It was surprising that Adrianna, who always had an expressionless face, had such a side to her.

Apart from that-.

‘He’s a crazy man.’

Carrot muttered quietly as he watched the situation.

Adrianna’s immediate unit was as notorious as its high reputation.

It was because of Adrianna’s disposition.

Adrianna was a truly outstanding hero on the battlefield, but off the battlefield, she was surprisingly flirtatious.

It was because Adrianna didn’t care at all that the Ma-people weren’t human.

Adrianna’s immediate unit was a place where only Adrianna was seen and heard. There were even those who were more outstanding than the leaders of other battalions.

Excessive loyalty and Adrianna’s surprisingly flirtatious nature combined to make her protection increasingly fierce.

If it weren’t for the Archduke’s orders, even the Crown Prince would have torn them apart.

To play a prank on Adrianna in front of such an immediate unit-. It was a childish prank that even children would play.

The reaction of the immediate unit could be imagined without even thinking about it. The sound of swords being drawn and teeth grinding could be heard from all sides.

The atmosphere was so tense that it felt like it was going to burst-.

“Ah, it’s okay today.”

Galahad, on the other hand, was rather relaxed. He was so calm that the atmosphere around him didn’t seem to affect him at all.

“Ah-. Ah. Yes.”

Adrianna answered as if she were squeaking.

“But your men are glaring at me. Did I do something wrong?”

Galahad pointed behind him without hesitation. Adrianna turned around at that.

Those who were gnashing their teeth were startled and lowered their heads, but it felt a bit late.

Adrianna’s eyes hardened at the sight of him.

“Sir Galahad is the Captain. I’m sure I told you to show some manners.”

At Adrianna’s rebuke, the ones gnashing their teeth just now lowered their heads.

Carrot faintly smiled at Galahad, who smiled in satisfaction.

‘What an amazing man.’

To be so relaxed in front of his direct subordinates.

It was one of two things.

He was either incredibly brave or completely insane. It felt like the latter.

However, they were his direct subordinates. They couldn’t just ignore Adrianna’s order.

Still, he didn’t charge forward recklessly unlike before. It was because of the story about Herman getting beaten up and the magician who caught the Dark Being.

The one who broke the strange tension was the Mad Martian.

“To the Captain of the Special Forces! I propose a duel!”

Martian, who would go crazy at anything related to Adrianna, rushed out with a long skewer.

It was already a display of patience for the Mad Martian to think of a duel instead of stabbing him with the skewer from the get-go.

Since a duel was a natural right in the 1st Battalion, Adrianna didn’t stop him either.

‘What is he going to do?’

Adrianna didn’t step forward either. However, his honor would be ruined if he were to reject the duel carelessly.

She watched with strange anticipation as to how he would resolve this situation.

He was the magician who burned the mid-level Dark Being and defeated Herman in one strike. She was also looking forward to seeing his skills.

It seemed like others had similar expectations.

However, Galahad’s response was beyond Carrot’s expectations.

“I’m sorry, but I already have a duel scheduled.”

Galahad flatly refused.

“A duel scheduled! What the-.”

“I have a duel scheduled with Bantal after ten days. Sorry.”

Bantal was the youngest knight guarding the city gate. To think he had a duel scheduled with Bantal. It was funny, but it was a plausible excuse.

“Shouldn’t we follow the order? Oh, or perhaps the 1st Battalion doesn’t have one?”

“Martian, follow the order.”

“But…!”

“Martian.”

Martian stepped back. He looked like he was about to cry. It was a sign that Martian was really angry.

Carrot was slightly impressed when she realized that the emotion that crossed Galahad’s face wasn’t fear but annoyance.

Apart from that.

‘Bantal is screwed now.’

****

“What brings you here?”

Adrianna asked with an indifferent voice.

“I came to see you. Why else would I come?”

Adrianna’s eyebrows slightly raised at Galahad’s response.

“Ah. Do you have time? I have something to say.”

Yes. That’s fine.”

“You may tidy up while I’m at it.”

“No, just a moment-”

Having taken a step back, Adrianne suddenly flared up her aura.

An aurous light, near white in color, instantly flared up.

Galahad gulped at the sight of the white aura.

He instinctively sensed that he would be burned to ashes the moment he came into contact with it. It was the nightmare of those who possessed mana. A deep sense of rejection filled him.

Even the pain that had been urging him on until just now subsided. As if he had sensed the difference in levels, he shut his mouth tightly.

‘What would it feel like if I touched it? Would I burn to death?’

Galahad struggled to control his hand, which was unconsciously reaching out. That was the end, the moment he touched it. Still, just a little-.

Lost in thought, Galahad suddenly wondered.

‘Why is she suddenly flaring up her aura-.’

Adrianne’s long hair fluttered in the fiercely burning aura. At the same time, the blood and flesh that had been covering Adrianne instantly turned to ash and scattered.

‘No way-.’

He realized it the moment he saw Adrianne’s body, which had suddenly become fluffy.

That murderous aura had just been a light cleaning for Adrianne-.

‘She’s a monster.’

Galahad clicked his tongue softly.

“You may leave now.”

Adrianne, who was expressless as usual but looked strangely refreshed, said.

“How amazing you are, to use your aura to get rid of the remnants of the demons.”

“It’s just a regular cleaning.”

Galahad clicked his tongue softly at Adrianne’s answer.

Aura was the realm that those who wielded swords dreamed of. It was bound to be something extraordinary to use that aura to take a shower.

“That must be convenient.”

“It is convenient. The blood of the demons is so poisonous that it quickly damages armor, but using aura to maintain the armor prevents corrosion.”

Judging from her long answer, it seemed to be quite convenient.

No matter what, taking a shower with aura-.

‘I guess it would be a disaster if I showed any dislike.

Galahad, who had been touching his neck for no reason, suddenly complimented her.

“My, did I mention that you are beautiful?”

“Yes? I believe you did.”

Adrianne nodded her head. The word ‘beautiful’ seemed to be as natural as a greeting to Adrianne.

Galahad let out a small cough-like laugh.

“Is the North to your liking?”

This time, Adrianne asked the question.

“No, it’s too cold.”

As he grumbled softly, Adrianne looked Galahad up and down.

“You are bound to be cold when you dress so lightly.”

“That’s all the clothes I have.”

Adrianna took off her coat and handed it to him. It was an incredibly luxurious coat made of white fur.

“Would you like to wear this?”

“It’s fine. Aren’t you cold?”

“······Yes? Oh, yes. I understand.”

Adrianna put her coat back on with a strange expression.

‘She didn’t ask me twice.’

Galahad muttered softly.

****

“This is your castle-.”

There was an inner fortress that was not visible from the outside. When asked about its small size for an inner fortress, the answer came back that it was where Adrianna stayed.

“The demon tribe’s attacks are frequent.”

“I see.”

Adrianna led him to the headquarters building. The headquarters building was on a scale that could not be compared to the 5th Battalion.

Even the soldiers walking around had an extraordinary aura. Not a single one was unarmed. They were fully prepared for battle at any moment.

Sharp gazes were fixed on Galahad.

Some were impure, while others were ashy. Among them, there were rare, sparkling eyes. Like a crescent moon.

Adrianna’s office was spacious but contained few items. Only the bare necessities were present.

Adrianna straightened her back and sat up straight, staring at Galahad.

‘She’s beautiful.’

His heart pounded as he looked at her perfect face.

Perhaps it was because of the pain pill. Adrianna’s aura had quieted down, but now it seemed to be whispering again.

Adrianna’s aide, Lunabirn, placed steaming teacups in front of Galahad and Adrianna.

“Recently, there have been subversive forces spreading the remnants of the Zema War.”

“Remnants of the Zema War?”

Adrianna’s eyebrows raised slightly. It seemed to be the first time she had heard of it.

“Didn’t traces of a beast tamer appear last time?”

“Yes, we have formed a separate investigation team for that.”

“Good work. But recently, a psychic demon tribe has appeared near the 5th Battalion. A whole company has disappeared.”

“If it’s a psychic demon tribe that can handle an entire company, it’s a tricky demon tribe, even at the intermediate level.”

Galahad nodded, pressing his chest.

“We’ve found out that there’s a group behind that demon tribe spreading the remnants of the Zema War.”

Adrianna gracefully brought the teacup to her lips. No, she just brought it to her lips, but her unreal appearance made it seem graceful.

“They’re called the Dawn.”

Adrianna’s movements stopped slightly. Lunabirn’s lips, which had been smiling softly the whole time, became firm. The pain pill urged him on again.

“Is it a familiar name?”

This time, the answer was a little slower.

“Yes. It’s one of the groups that attacked me.”

Adrianna’s voice was still dry.

‘One of the groups huh.’

It meant that it wasn’t just the dawn that was after Adrianna.

“Hmm,” Galahad let out a small murmur.

“As the dawn sows the remnants of the Jema war, the wicked forces are gathering in the north.”

“Wicked forces-“

Adrianna muttered softly.

“In response to that, the demons are appearing here and there. But will the demons come up from below?”

Galahad had expected that it wouldn’t be easy with Adrianna’s still stern expressionless face.

“There’s definitely a hole in the front line. I need to check it.”

“You’re right. I’ll check the area that the 1st Battalion is in charge of again.”

“Shouldn’t you warn the other battalions as well?”

“It’s the rule to report to His Highness the Grand Duke, and then His Highness the Grand Duke gives the order.”

Her expression was stern. It was as Mark had expected. However, there was a strange feeling beneath that expressionless face.

‘She seems reluctant to get involved with the other captains.’

Adrianna seemed to avoid getting involved with the other captains, although he didn’t know the reason.

He could somehow manage if he pushed her, but his relationship with Adrianna could go wrong.

There was no need to do that.

He had one more plan.

“I see. I’d like to report to His Highness the Grand Duke, can you help me?”

“Yes, I’ll lend you my bird.”

“Thank you. Oh, and I’d like some paper and a pen too.”

“They’re over there.”

Adrianna pointed to the back, and Galahad got up and headed to the desk.

The paper had the seal of the 1st Battalion.

Galahad hesitated for a moment. It would be useless if he wrote it normally.

‘We’re not going to get any worse anyway-‘

Galahad nodded and swung his pen.

He rolled up the paper and stamped it with Adrianna’s seal.

Screech-. A white falcon flew in with a sharp whistle. It was almost the size of a child. The falcon turned its face to Adrianna.

Galahad handed the sealed letter to Lunabird.

“What did you write?”

“It’s a secret.”

Galahad raised the corners of his lips.

Adrianna put the letter in a bottle and tied it to the falcon’s leg. Then, as Adrianna whispered something, the falcon let out a long cry and disappeared out the window.

Adrianna quietly looked at the window where the cold wind was coming in. Galahad watched him and thought of his next destination.

“Oh, are you going into the demon’s territory again tomorrow?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I’ll go with you.”

Adrianna’s answer was slow, as if she was surprised.

“It’s dangerous.”

“It’s okay, I’m the lifeline.”

After a moment of contemplation, Adrianna nodded.

“Yes, I understand.”

“Then, is this our first date?”

Adrianna’s eyebrows rose slightly before furrowing minutely.

“The realm of the demons is not a place to speak of so lightly.”

Once again, Galahad realized that Adrianna was a woman who did not understand jokes.

Galahad clicked his tongue and stood up.

“Then, would you care to have dinner before you go?”

“Ah, it’s fine. I have a prior engagement.”

Galahad flatly refused and left the room without a second thought. Adrianna’s eyes widened in surprise.

“…?”

A moment ago, he had spoken as if he were expecting a date.

······He was a man who was hard to follow.

Adrianna fiddled with her cold teacup for a long while.

****

“Captain Galahad has apparently subjugated two dark sorcerers, one mid- to high-ranking demon, and sixteen earth hounds. It is predicted that if they had been left alone, there would have been great damage, similar to the time of the 7th Battalion .”

“Suspicious movements have been detected in the 4th Battalion. It seems they have joined hands with the dark sorcerers, as they have opened a mana quarry.”

“Mark, the captain of the 5th Battalion, has publicly declared an alliance with the Special Forces.”

“It is said that one of the companies in the 5th Battalion has been lost due to a spiritual demon. Captain Galahad has dealt with it.”

The Grand Duke was known to be uninterested in political affairs, but that was not the case.

The Grand Duke was not an ignorant beast, but a skilled hunter. He was so skilled that he could even act the part of a beast.

Everything that happened in the North reached the Grand Duke’s ears.

“Hmm.”

The Grand Duke let out a soft grunt. Theodore, who had been giving his report, stopped speaking and bowed his head.

‘Galahad-.’

It was the name that had come up most frequently in recent reports.

A subject of ridicule sent by the Empire, a filthy sorcerer, Adrianna’s fiancé-. He was a man with truly varied epithets.

The Empire must have expected the Grand Duke to kill him.

Instead, the Grand Duke had given him a newly established Special Forces unit.

He had given him a chance. To display his abilities and survive, or to die a worthless death.

The North was a place where danger lurked at every turn. It was a harsh place for a man fresh from the Empire to survive, especially with a unit of only four sorcerers.

In some ways, it was a fate worse than being thrown in an underground dungeon.

Contrary to his vassals’ expectations that he would soon be dead, Galahad did not die.

No, he had even distinguished himself.

It was not that he had not faced any danger. The demons that Galahad had faced were more dangerous than they had anticipated.

It was simply that he had overcome them all and survived.

“How amusing.”

The Grand Duke spoke softly, his voice filled with amusement.

“He is not an ordinary man, is he?”

The Grand Duke spoke softly, and Theodore’s mind raced.

If only the empire hadn’t sent Galahad as a mere sacrifice to find an excuse.

‘As if.’

Theodore shook his head slightly.

“I have to acknowledge his contribution. What should I give him?”

The Grand Duke’s mumble was mixed with laughter.

Defending against the demons that appeared twice in the Northern Region was a great contribution.

Theodore was also curious about what reward the Grand Duke would give.

Just then, a huge hawk flew in through the window. The Grand Duke’s face lit up when he saw the white, giant hawk.

There was only one hawk that flew directly into the Grand Duke’s room. It belonged to Adrianna, the Grand Duke’s only blood-related child.

The Grand Duke’s face, which had been crumpled ever since Adrianna left without even looking at him during her last visit, bloomed brightly for the first time in a long time.

The Grand Duke’s heavy lips curved up. The Grand Duke carefully untied the bottle tied to the hawk’s leg.

The Grand Duke’s face hardened as he read the unfolded paper.

His deep eyes moved very slowly. He read the letter several times.

And then-.

“Hehehe.”

He let out a soft laugh. Theodore’s hair stood on end from his muffled laughter.

‘He received a letter from Adrianna, but why on earth-.’

Theodore pressed his head against the ground.

The Grand Duke flicked his finger slightly. The slightly folded paper flew like an arrow and landed in front of Theodore. He stabbed the paper into a stone-. It was an absurd amount of strength.

“Read it.”

Theodore unfolded the letter at the Grand Duke’s command.

The handwriting was as gorgeous as if it were alive and breathing. This kind of font existed-. It was an amazing font that made him sigh in admiration just by looking at it.

Theodore, who had been momentarily stunned, hurriedly read on.

The letter was short.

[To my dear and respected father-in-law. This is Galahad, the Special Forces Captain. I borrowed Adrianna’s hawk because I don’t have one. I am sorry to inform you, but it seems like there is a hole in the front line. At first, I wondered if this was the Northern Region or the demons’ territory. Haha. I heard that the Northern Region’s walls were high and sturdy, but rumors are rumors. Still, I will do my best since this is my in-law’s land. I am reporting that I have arrived at the 1st Battalion. Galahad, the Special Forces Captain.]

‘···Is he crazy?’

Theodore dropped the letter.

Even the emperor wouldn’t treat the Grand Duke like that, so what the-. Does he want to die? Even if he was crazy, this wasn’t normal.

“The demons’ territory.”

At the Grand Duke’s muffled voice, Theodore hurriedly bowed his head.

“Send messengers to each captain. I will send another messenger after the sun rises seven times.”

“Then, if the hole is found-.”

“I will pull out their necks and fill the hole with their necks.”

The vassals just bowed.