Chapter 31 - Dear

'Our commander is rather cute.'

Carrot murmured inwardly, watching Adrianna stiffen awkwardly with her hand still extended. This was a side of her Carrot had never seen before. Who would have thought the perpetually expressionless Adrianna had it in her?

That aside...

'The man is insane.'

Carrot murmured again while watching the scene.

Adrianna's personal unit was as infamous as it was renowned, owing to Adrianna's own disposition. On the battlefield, she was truly a peerless hero, but off it, she was a woman who needed a surprising amount of looking after. She simply had no interest in anything other than Demons.

People joined her personal unit for Adrianna alone. Some of them were even more capable than other battalion commanders. Their excessive loyalty, combined with her unexpected need for looking after, had made them increasingly protective. Without the Grand Duke's orders, they would have torn even the crown prince apart.

And this man was playing a prank on Adrianna right in front of them. A childish prank, at that. There was no need to imagine how her personal unit would react. The sounds of swords being drawn and teeth grinding came from every direction. The tension swelled to bursting point, yet...

"Ah, I'm fine today."

Galahad was utterly at ease. He looked as though the atmosphere around him had no effect on him whatsoever.

"Ah—ah. Yes."

Adrianna's answer came out awkwardly.

"But your subordinates are glaring at me. Have I done something wrong?"

Galahad abruptly pointed behind her, and Adrianna turned. Those who had been grinding their teeth hastily bowed their heads, but they were a little too late. Her eyes hardened at the sight.

"Lord Galahad is a commander. I believe I told you to show him proper courtesy."

At Adrianna's rebuke, the lot who had been gnashing their teeth bowed their heads. Seeing Galahad's satisfied smile, Carrot let a faint smile fade.

'What a remarkable man.'

To be so relaxed in front of her personal unit... It had to be one of two things. Either he had an absurd amount of nerve, or he was completely mad. Somehow, the latter seemed more likely.

Still, this was Adrianna's personal unit. Even on her orders, they would not simply let this pass. Unlike before, however, they did not charge in blindly. They had heard that Hermun had lost to him, and that this Mage had slain a Demon.

It was Mad Mardian who broke the strange tension.

"Commander of the Special Operations Unit! I challenge you to a duel!"

Mardian, who lost all reason whenever Adrianna was involved, sprang forward with her long skewer in hand. For Mad Mardian, thinking to propose a duel instead of stabbing him first was a display of restraint in itself. Duels were an unquestioned right in the First Battalion, so Adrianna did not stop her.

'What will you do?'

Adrianna would not intervene. Yet refusing a duel carelessly would drag his honor through the mud. Carrot watched with curious anticipation, wondering how he would resolve the situation. This was the Mage who had burned an intermediate-ranking Demon and defeated Hermun in a single blow. There was also the prospect of seeing his abilities firsthand. The others seemed to share that anticipation.

Galahad's response, however, was not what Carrot had expected.

"My apologies. I already have a duel arranged."

Galahad refused firmly.

"You already have a duel arranged? What do you—"

"I have an appointment with Sir Vandal. Sorry."

Vandal was the youngest knight guarding the gate. He had arranged a duel with Vandal? Ridiculous, but it was a fairly plausible excuse.

"There is such a thing as waiting your turn. Ah, unless the First Battalion has no such custom?"

"Mardian, wait your turn."

"But...!"

"Mardian."

Mardian stepped back, looking ready to burst into tears. That was a sign she was truly furious.

Realizing that the emotion on Galahad's face was not fear but annoyance, Carrot was quietly impressed.

That aside...

'Vandal is fucked now.'

* * *

"What brings you here?"

Adrianna asked in a flat voice.

"To see you, of course. Why else?"

Her eyebrows rose slightly at Galahad's answer.

"Ah, do you have a moment? There's something I'd like to discuss."

"Yes. I have time."

"You can go get cleaned up first."

"No need. Just a moment—"

Adrianna took a step back and suddenly summoned her aura. A brilliant, nearly white aura blazed up around her in an instant.

Galahad swallowed at the sight. He knew instinctively that the moment it touched him, he would burn to ash. It was a nightmare for anyone with mana. A profound revulsion welled up within him. Even the Egg of agony, which had been urging him on until moments ago, fell silent. It shut its mouth as though it had sensed the gulf between them.

'What would it feel like to touch it? Would everything burn?'

Galahad forced himself to stop the hand he had unconsciously begun extending. Touching that really would be the end of him. Still, just a little...

As he wrestled with the thought, a question suddenly occurred to him.

'Why summon her aura all of a sudden—'

The fiercely blazing aura sent Adrianna's long hair streaming. At the same time, the blood and scraps of flesh clinging to her turned to ash and scattered.

'Surely not—'

Seeing Adrianna instantly fresh and clean, he realized that the terrifying aura had been nothing more than a quick cleanup to her.

'What a monster.'

Galahad clicked his tongue softly.

"Shall we go?"

Adrianna spoke with her usual expressionless face, though she somehow looked refreshed.

"Brushing off Demon remains with aura. Impressive."

"It's just a little trick."

Galahad clicked his tongue at her answer. Aura was a realm every swordsman dreamed of reaching. Using it to take a shower could hardly be called trivial.

"That must be convenient."

"It is. Demon blood is so corrosive that it quickly damages armor, but maintaining armor with aura prevents corrosion."

Judging by the length of her answer, it must have been very convenient indeed. Still, showering with aura...

'I'd be in real trouble if I got on her bad side.'

Galahad rubbed his neck for no particular reason, then offered a compliment.

"Have I ever told you that you're beautiful?"

"Pardon? I believe you have."

Adrianna nodded. Being told she was beautiful seemed as commonplace as a greeting to her. Galahad gave a small, coughlike laugh.

"Are you finding life in the North tolerable?"

This time, Adrianna asked the question.

"No, it's far too cold."

At his mild grumbling, she looked him up and down.

"Naturally you're cold, dressed so lightly."

"These are the only clothes I have."

Adrianna took off her coat and held it out. Made of white fur, it was obviously an exceptionally luxurious garment.

"Would you like to wear this, at least?"

"No, that's all right. You'll be cold too."

"... Pardon? Ah, yes. Very well."

With a peculiar expression, Adrianna put her coat back on.

'She doesn't ask twice, does she?'

Galahad grumbled inwardly.

* * *

"So this is your castle..."

There was an inner keep that had been hidden from view. It seemed rather small for one, so he asked about it and was told it was where Adrianna stayed.

"Demon attacks are frequent here."

"I see."

Adrianna led him to the headquarters building. It dwarfed the Fifth Battalion's headquarters. Even the soldiers moving about had a different air to them. Not a single one was unarmed. They were fully prepared to fight at a moment's notice.

Sharp gazes fixed on Galahad. Some were hostile, others appraising. A very few even gleamed with excitement. Like Vandal's.

Adrianna's office was spacious but sparsely furnished. It contained precisely what was needed and nothing more. She sat ramrod straight, gazing at Galahad.

'Beautiful.'

Looking at that perfect face made his heart pound. It was probably the Egg of agony. It had fallen silent after her aura shower, but now it seemed to be starting to whisper again.

Adrianna's adjutant, Lunabirn, placed steaming cups of tea before them.

"Lately, a certain subversive group has been distributing remnants of the Imperial-Demon War."

"Remnants of the Imperial-Demon War?"

Adrianna's eyebrows rose slightly. This seemed to be news to her.

"We found traces of a demon-beast tamer last time, didn't we?"

"Yes. I've assembled a separate investigation team for that."

"Good. But recently, a Demon with mental abilities appeared near the Fifth Battalion. An entire company went missing."

"A Demon capable of controlling a whole company would be troublesome even among intermediate-ranking Demons."

Galahad nodded, pressing firmly against his chest.

"I discovered that the Demon was backed by an organization distributing remnants of the Imperial-Demon War."

Adrianna brought her teacup to her lips with elegant grace. No, she had simply lifted it to her lips; her unreal beauty must have made it look elegant.

"They're called Dawn."

Adrianna's movement paused slightly. The corners of Lunabirn's mouth, which had maintained a gentle smile throughout, stiffened. The Egg of agony urged him on again.

"A familiar name?"

This time, her answer came a little slowly.

"Yes. They're one of the organizations that have attacked me."

Her voice remained flat.

'One of the organizations...'

That meant Dawn was not the only group targeting Adrianna. Galahad gave a quiet, thoughtful hum.

"With Dawn distributing remnants of the Imperial-Demon War, subversive groups are gathering in the North."

"Subversive groups..."

Adrianna murmured softly.

"And as if in response, Demons are appearing all over the place. But surely they aren't coming up from the south?"

Her expression remained firmly impassive. Galahad could tell this would not be easy.

"There must be gaps in the front. It needs inspecting."

"You're right. I'll inspect the First Battalion's sector again."

"Shouldn't you warn the other battalions as well?"

"The proper procedure is to submit a report to His Highness the Grand Duke, who will then issue orders."

Her expression was adamant. Just as Mark had predicted. Yet there was something odd beneath that impassive face.

'She's reluctant to interfere with the other commanders.'

He did not know why, but she seemed to avoid involving herself in their affairs. He might manage something if he pushed, but that could damage his relationship with Adrianna. There was no need for that. He had another plan.

"I see. I'd like to submit a report to His Highness. Could you help me?"

"Yes. I'll lend you my hawk."

"Thank you. Ah, paper and a pen as well, please."

"Over here."

Adrianna pointed behind her. Galahad rose and went to the desk.

The paper bore the First Battalion's insignia. Galahad considered for a moment. An ordinary letter would accomplish nothing.

'It's not as though our relationship could get any worse...'

He nodded, dashed off the letter, then rolled it up and stamped it with Adrianna's seal.

A shrill whistle sounded, and a white hawk flew in. It was enormous, nearly the size of a child. The hawk rubbed its face against Adrianna.

Galahad handed the sealed letter to Lunabirn.

"What did you write?"

"It's a secret."

Galahad smiled. Adrianna placed the letter in a bottle and tied it to the hawk's leg. When she whispered something to it, the hawk gave a long cry and disappeared through the window.

Adrianna quietly watched the window through which the cold wind blew. Watching her, Galahad remembered his next objective.

"Ah, are you going into Demon territory tomorrow as well?"

"Yes, I am."

"I'll come with you."

Perhaps surprised, Adrianna was slow to answer.

"It's dangerous."

"That's all right. I'm hard to kill."

After a moment's thought, Adrianna nodded.

"Yes. Very well."

"Then will this be our first date?"

Her eyebrows rose slightly, then drew together by the smallest degree.

"Demon territory is not somewhere to speak of so lightly."

Galahad was reminded once again that Adrianna was a woman who could not take a joke. He clicked his tongue and rose.

"Then would you at least stay for a meal?"

"Ah, no, thank you. I have a prior engagement."

Adrianna's eyes widened as he declined without hesitation and left the room without a backward glance.

"...?"

Only moments ago, he had sounded as though he was looking forward to a date...

... He was a difficult man to keep up with.

For a long while, Adrianna ran her fingers over her cold teacup.

* * *

"Commander Galahad reportedly killed two Black Mages, one Demon ranked between intermediate and high, and sixteen mole crickets. Had they been left unchecked, we estimate the damage would have been extensive, much as it was with the Seventh Battalion."

"Suspicious activity has been detected in the Fourth Battalion. Judging by the opening of magic-stone deposits, they appear to have joined hands with Black Mages."

"Mark, commander of the Fifth Battalion, has publicly declared an alliance with the Special Operations Unit."

"The Fifth Battalion reportedly lost a company to a Demon with mental abilities. Commander Galahad dealt with it."

The Grand Duke was known for taking no interest in political affairs, but the truth was different. He was not a mindless beast but a seasoned hunter. It was precisely because he was so seasoned that he merely played the beast. Everything that happened in the North reached his ears.

"Hmm..."

The Grand Duke gave a low, thoughtful hum. Theodore stopped his report and bowed his head.

'Galahad...'

It was the name that had appeared most often in recent reports. An insult sent by the Empire, a filthy Mage, Adrianna's fiancé... The man bore a remarkable variety of labels.

The Empire must have expected the Grand Duke to kill him. Instead, he had established the Special Operations Unit and entrusted it to the man. He had given him a chance: prove his worth and survive, or die a miserable death.

Danger lurked at every step in the North. It was a harsh place for someone fresh from the Empire, a Mage at that, to survive with a unit of only four. In a way, it was worse than locking him in a dungeon.

Contrary to his vassals' predictions that he would soon die, Galahad had not died. No, he had distinguished himself instead. It was not as though he had avoided danger. The Demons he had encountered were more dangerous than they had anticipated. He had simply overcome them all and survived.

"Interesting."

The Grand Duke spoke quietly, his voice full of amusement.

"So he's no ordinary man."

At those low words, Theodore's mind raced. What if the Empire had not sent Galahad merely as a sacrifice to provide a pretext...?

'Impossible.'

Theodore gave a slight shake of his head.

"His achievements deserve recognition. What should I grant him?"

Amusement colored the Grand Duke's murmur. Stopping Demons that had appeared inside the North twice was a considerable achievement. Theodore, too, wondered what reward the Grand Duke would bestow.

Just then, a huge hawk flew in through the window. A smile appeared on the Grand Duke's face at the sight of the enormous white bird. Only one hawk flew directly into his room: the one belonging to Adrianna, his only blood relative.

His face had remained sour ever since Adrianna had left without even seeing him during her last visit. Now, for the first time in a long while, it brightened. The corners of his normally stern mouth lifted high as he carefully untied the bottle from the hawk's leg.

The Grand Duke unfolded the letter, read it, and froze. His deep-set eyes moved very slowly. He read the letter several times.

Then...

"Heh heh."

He let out a low laugh. Something in that tightly restrained laughter made Theodore's hair stand on end.

'He's received a letter from Adrianna, so why in the world—'

Theodore pressed his head low to the floor.

The Grand Duke flicked a finger. The slightly folded paper flew like an arrow and embedded itself in front of Theodore. Driving paper into stone... Such strength defied belief.

"Read it."

At the Grand Duke's command, Theodore unfolded the letter. The handwriting was so ornate it seemed alive. To think such penmanship existed. The mere sight inspired admiration. Briefly entranced, Theodore hurried to read on.

The letter was short.

[To my dear and respected father-in-law. This is Galahad, commander of the Special Operations Unit. As I have no hawk of my own, I borrowed Adrianna's. I humbly beg leave to report that there appear to be gaps in the front. At first, I wasn't sure whether this was the North or the Demons' backyard. Ha ha. I heard the Northern Wall was tall and sturdy, but well, rumors are always like that, aren't they? Still, this is my in-laws' land, so I'll do my best. I hereby report my arrival at the First Battalion. Respectfully yours, Galahad, commander of the Special Operations Unit.]

'... Is he insane?'

Theodore dropped the letter. Even the Emperor would not dare treat the Grand Duke like this. What was he thinking? Did he want to die? This was no ordinary madness.

"The Demons' backyard, is it?"

At the Grand Duke's tightly controlled voice, Theodore hastily lowered his head to the floor.

"Send a messenger to each commander. Tell them that after the sun has risen seven times, I will send messengers again."

"And if any gaps are found then..."

"I will tear their heads off and plug those gaps with their spinal cords."

The vassals could only bow.