Chapter 36 - Cigarettes

Adrianna's eyes wavered wildly.

"You'll wear me out staring like that."

She opened her mouth to say something, then ducked her head sharply.

"... It's not like that."

For once, Adrianna stumbled over her words. Her face was full of injured innocence.

"Your cheeks are red."

"That's because I rushed here—"

"My, were you in such a hurry?"

"... Pardon?"

At her eyes going round again, Galahad chuckled and shook off his hand. Ash scattered everywhere.

'So much for that. She looked delicious.'

He had been looking forward to the blood of a high-ranking Demon, but Adrianna had reduced her to ash. She had burst in far more violently than he had expected, leaving him no time to stop her. The wall had barely broken before the Demon's head was flying through the air.

Could he have blocked that sword if it had been aimed at him? Clicking his tongue softly, he brushed the remaining ash from his hand.

It hadn't been an entirely fruitless encounter.

*'Mental abilities, hmm...'

Perhaps because of those abilities, the one she called "that exalted person" had been watching Galahad from within the Demon.

And in that final instant—

'They controlled her body directly. Even if all they did was speak.'

That part fascinated him.

It wasn't a phenomenon that could simply be explained away as mental abilities. He had sensed neither mana nor distance. He recalled Adrianna's explanation that upper-echelon Demons formed colonies. Was belonging to a colony what made it possible? It was difficult to explain.

He would have to catch a few more high-ranking Demons to find out.

"Are you all right?"

Galahad looked up to find Gilberton, his face drenched in sweat. The knights came in behind him. Every one of them looked a wreck.

'Now I'm interested in that one.'

The one they called that exalted person. Beyond being a lead on the Demon King, their abilities intrigued him.

The individual abilities of the Demons he had seen so far had felt close to the origins of magic. From crudely swinging great masses of mana about to mental abilities, there had always been some way to interpret them through magic.

But the bodily control he had witnessed at the end was something entirely new to Galahad. A deep curiosity stirred within him.

'They'll contact me again.'

They had already approached him twice. Judging by that final reaction, another approach was certain.

They would be a little more desperate now. That was why he had deliberately overturned the negotiations.

*'The Emperor, hmm...'

Galahad murmured the word, chewed over so often that it had lost all sweetness and left only a stale taste.

"Are you injured?"

Adrianna's question broke his reverie. Her gaze rested on his mangled hand.

"Just a scratch."

Just then, a demon-beast's roar shook the earth.

Galahad raised his head slightly. Something was wrong. Grotesque sounds rang out incessantly beyond the thick fog.

Clicking his tongue, he channeled mana into his hand. With a crisp crack, it returned to its proper shape.

It wasn't healed. The bones were still broken; he had merely realigned them. Healing would take a few more days.

"My, we seem rather popular. We'd better hurry."

"I'll take the lead."

Adrianna swept her sword in a wide arc. The wall collapsed at once. Faint, terrible screams erupted beyond it.

"We must prevent anything like that from happening again."

"I'll be fine."

"No."

The set of Adrianna's brows was uncompromising. "Your expressions seem to have grown a little more varied," Galahad murmured.

White aura blazed up once more. Wilder than before, it looked almost like wings.

Did Adrianna know that, to Galahad, her aura was more dangerous than a high-ranking Demon?

With a wry smile, he took a step back.

"What food do you like?" Adrianna asked, adjusting her grip on her sword.

'Conversation... A rather clever method.'

She seemed to be guarding against a repeat of what had happened. Whether it was what the Demons called authority or ordinary magic, neither worked on Adrianna. She apparently intended to keep a conversation going and monitor his condition through his voice.

Galahad chuckled and waved his left hand. Perhaps eager to prove its usefulness, the Egg of agony pumped out mana with vigor. The mana flared fiercely.

A violent wind swirled up, driving the smoke back. The hideous demon-beasts beyond it faltered for an instant.

So many had gathered already. Was this what the Demon Realm was like?

"Properly cooked meat and cheese that doesn't stink. What about you?" Galahad replied with a click of his tongue.

Adrianna's sword traced a long line. Two charging demon-beasts turned to ash at once.

"I like sweet things."

She advanced without stopping. White aura fluttered ceaselessly like wings.

Then a neat-looking man approached with a smile. At a gesture from him, deep gouges opened around Adrianna. She swung her sword without the slightest concern.

The Demon scattered as ash.

Demons and demon-beasts burst through the drifting remains. They looked threatening, but—

"Do you drink much?"

Adrianna kept swinging her sword as she spoke calmly. Ash burst into the air again. Her back was a truly reassuring sight.

"I don't drink. You?"

Wind whipped fiercely from Galahad's left hand. The smoke receded. A Demon lurking at its edge curled its lips upward. A cunning one.

"I can't hold my liquor."

The Demon fell to Adrianna's sword.

She glanced back. Galahad waved his left hand at her, and she faced forward again.

"What was life at the academy like?"

Adrianna's breathing was slightly labored.

A demon-beast leaped out from the side. Shouting, "Knight Gilberton!" Gilberton swung his sword. His aura brought the beast down, and the knight beside him cut off its head.

"Dull. I did nothing but study."

A demon-beast's attack struck Adrianna's armor, making her sway slightly. Unperturbed, she kept her sword moving. Another beast turned to ash.

The wind rose, pushing the smoke back.

"I heard you were the youngest ever to graduate at the top of your class. That's impressive."

An enormous tiger-like demon-beast opened its jaws wide. Adrianna advanced without pausing. As though it were only natural, the beast scattered into ash.

"I was the youngest to enter, so naturally I had to be the youngest to graduate. I hear you earned the title of Swordmaster at a young age yourself. You're quite famous as both the strongest and most beautiful knight."

"I'm not the strongest knight. There are people I have yet to face—"

"You don't deny being the most beautiful, then."

Adrianna's sword paused briefly, then resumed. Galahad tipped his canteen into his mouth. The Egg of agony diligently poured out mana. Its presence was growing stronger and stronger.

"Do you like cats?"

"Yes. Aren't they adorable?"

"Aren't they insolent? They don't even recognize their owners. I prefer dogs."

Gilberton gave a small cough as he beheaded a Demon. Galahad narrowed his eyes.

"Those scars earlier..."

"We're out."

The surrounding smoke had thinned. The attacks had stopped. The familiar black, rotting earth stretched before them.

"... Yes. We've left the Demon Realm."

Adrianna's forehead was covered in sweat. Her hair was a mess, and exhaustion showed in her eyes. She seemed to have overexerted herself.

Galahad surveyed their surroundings. They were a short distance from the Demon Realm's boundary. But the Realm itself lay deep within Demon territory, so they still had a long way to go before reaching the battalion.

All the knights looked ready to collapse. Gilberton was in relatively good shape, but even he was drenched in sweat. Adrianna, who had led the way, was actually the least worse for wear.

Clicking his tongue softly, Galahad sent out another gust. His head spun briefly from using so much magic. He gritted his teeth and endured it.

The dust receded, revealing the familiar, comfortable Demon territory. After the Demon Realm, where things had kept springing out at them, Demon territory felt almost homely.

"Let's catch our breath before moving on."

Everyone nodded at Galahad's suggestion. They had become surprisingly amenable.

He reached for his inner pocket, then grimaced. With his right hand smashed, retrieving the cigarettes from his left pocket was difficult.

"What's wrong?"

"Hmm. Would you get a cigarette out of my inner pocket?"

"... I'll try."

"It hardly calls for such a look of determination."

Determination written across her face, Adrianna moved her hand cautiously.

As it approached, the Egg of agony shook violently. It even hid farther back. What did it expect to accomplish with so little courage? Galahad clicked his tongue softly.

With a graver expression than when she fought Demons, Adrianna took out a cigarette.

To have an ability that required such care even when merely taking a cigarette from someone's pocket...

"You must have had a hard time."

Adrianna froze as she placed the cigarette between his lips. Her lips pursed, and she hastily averted her gaze.

Galahad clicked his tongue softly and flicked his fingers to light it. A rich lemon scent filled the air.

After a brief tremor of her eyes, Adrianna let out a quiet breath.

"Do you like lemons?"

"I loathe them. It's merely a habit."

Her eyebrows rose slightly.

'I'll have to keep them on both sides from now on,' Galahad murmured.

* * *

"Just what sort of man is he?"

Sipping from his canteen, Gilberton turned toward the question beside him.

Robert, a member of Adrianna's personal unit, gestured toward Galahad with an odd expression. Adrianna was placing a cigarette between Galahad's lips.

Adrianna, putting a cigarette in a man's mouth...

Had someone merely told him about it, he would have kicked them in the rear for lying.

But since the man was Galahad, he felt no particular urge to protest. The other knights seemed to feel much the same.

*'What sort of man, hmm...'

The men of the personal unit had asked that before they set out, too. The question was identical, but the tone was its exact opposite.

After a moment's thought, Gilberton answered.

"I don't know."

Robert scowled at his answer. Even Gilberton knew it sounded halfhearted, but he meant it.

The more he learned about the man, the less he understood him. Galahad was harder to fathom now than when they had first met.

Gilberton looked toward him. He was chatting as though nothing were wrong, despite his mangled right hand. His mental fortitude was extraordinary.

"I can't bear the thought of stumbling around in the dark again."

"He'll come with us tomorrow too, surely. He's Lady Adrianna's fiancé."

"Ahem. I suppose he will?"

Gilberton chuckled at the conversation beside him.

They had chosen the more moderate members, but these were still knights of the personal unit. Their hostility toward Galahad was only natural. They were moderate only in comparison with Mardian.

Yet a single outing with him had changed their minds completely.

The very men who had worried that Galahad would be a burden were now worried about going without him.

"We should recommend that the First Battalion hire a Mage too."

Gilberton snorted at someone's mutter.

'So that's why he keeps saying he's exceptional.'

He thought he understood why Galahad habitually insisted, "It's because I'm exceptional. Other Mages could never do this."

'Hmph. Fools.'

No Mage they brought in could do what Galahad did. A mocking smile touched Gilberton's lips.

"Sir Gilberton, you're making a very peculiar face."

"... When did you get here?"

"Just now. Let's head back."

Gilberton cleared his throat softly and nodded.

"I'll take the lead."

As always, Adrianna went first.

* * *

Tension hung thick around the First Battalion's main gate.

"I told you they should leave the imperial bastard behind! That fucker must have caused trouble!"

With Adrianna late returning from Demon territory, Mardian was beside herself.

They should never have brought along an imperial, let alone a Mage. A single stupid ally could be fatal on a battlefield, and they had taken him into Demon territory.

"Open the gate! I'm leaving right now!"

Mardian bellowed, her manner so menacing that she looked ready to flatten anyone who refused to move. The other knights, knowing her temper, swallowed hard.

"I cannot."

Erdal, the gatekeeper knight, shook his head firmly.

"The gate to Demon territory opens only at sunrise and sunset. Those are the rules."

His voice allowed no room for argument. Mardian drew her skewer.

Her nickname was "Mad" Mardian. There was no way he hadn't heard the rumors about her.

Yet even with her weapon drawn, Erdal remained composed.

"Will you take responsibility for this?"

She pointed the skewer at him as she spoke. The other knights looked much the same.

The atmosphere grew murderous, ready to explode at the slightest touch.

The personal unit lost all reason whenever Adrianna was involved. The sun was already touching the horizon, yet she still hadn't returned.

The knights around the gate backed away a step at a time. These were the personal unit they were dealing with. Stubbornness here could cost them their heads.

But Erdal was the gatekeeper knight.

"If a gatekeeper must take responsibility for guarding his gate, then I will."

"You—"

"Wait. Let me speak to him."

Lunabirn stepped forward. Mardian backed off a step, glaring.

"Lady Adrianna is late returning. You know how important she is. Would you please open the gate?"

"I cannot."

Erdal was a man suited to guarding a gate: steadfast, and stubbornly obtuse. If he opened it merely because every knight was grinding their teeth at him, he wouldn't be a gatekeeper.

"Ah, I'm here as well. The deputy commander."

A blond man emerged from among the knights. He was handsome, with an honest-looking face: Felix, deputy commander of the First Battalion. Mardian ordinarily detested him, but now she pointed at him and shouted.

"Only His Highness the Grand Duke and Commander Adrianna have authority to open the gate."

"In the commander's absence, that authority passes to the deputy commander."

"Authority over the gate is an exception."

Felix's brow furrowed at Erdal's unhesitating answer.

Trouble looked ready to erupt at any moment. Everyone vented their anger at Erdal, calling him a fool, but he paid them no mind.

A gatekeeper simply guarded the gate.

Then—

BWOOOOOO!

A long horn blast rang out.

It was the signal that Adrianna had returned.

"Open it!"

Erdal gave the order without hesitation. The soldiers began cracking their whips. The portcullis rose with a violent rattle.

"You're quite impertinent, aren't you?"

Felix's quiet voice dripped with sarcasm. Erdal ignored him.

The portcullises rose one after another, revealing a thick gate. Erdal inserted a heavy key into its seam and turned it. As the gate rattled, the other soldiers took hold and pulled.

With a ponderous rumble, it slowly opened.

Unlike usual, however, no smoke drifted through the gap. Erdal's thick brows drew together.

Then Adrianna appeared in the opening, looking utterly disheveled.

Her long hair, usually so smooth, was badly tangled, and scratches covered her armor. It was a far cry from her usual appearance.

"Lady Adrianna!"

Erdal gave a hand signal.

BOOM! BOOM!

Drums rang out. Soldiers and knights raised their hands in salute.

Then—

"Quite the welcome."

The voice was soft, yet carried with striking clarity.

It belonged to the man called Galahad: the Mage from the Empire, Adrianna's fiancé, and commander of the Special Operations Unit.

Galahad looked even worse than Adrianna. Dust-covered clothes torn in several places, a mangled hand—he looked as though he'd been dragged through the dirt outside.

Yet his face was perfectly at ease.

"Imperial bastard! This was your fault, wasn't it?!"

Wild-eyed, Mardian charged at him. The knights behind her radiated hostility as well.

Then—

"Stop, Mardian."

The personal unit knights who had accompanied the expedition blocked her path. They were clearly protecting the man.

"... What are you doing?"

The personal unit was standing in her way. Bewilderment crossed Mardian's face.

Instead of answering, the knights adjusted their grips on their swords. They looked ready to fight then and there.

"Mardian."

Adrianna called her name quietly.

At that icy voice, Mardian froze.

"This is your final warning."

Mardian couldn't believe her ears.

A final warning?

What did that even...

Her eyes trembled violently. She couldn't understand what was happening.

Then her eyes met the man's. Looking at Mardian, he raised one corner of his mouth.

"Hmm, Adrianna."

She wanted to rage at his insolence in addressing Adrianna so casually, but that final warning held her in check.

At his call, Adrianna carefully slipped a hand inside his coat.

Then, as Adrianna placed a cigarette between his lips, Mardian forgot even her anger and stared blankly.

Doing such a thing in front of the entire First Battalion...

It was so far beyond comprehension that she couldn't even register her shock.

Into that heavy silence—

"Quiet at last."

Galahad lit his cigarette with satisfaction.

* * *

Heavy silence lay over a dark temple.

An elderly man sat motionless, looking down. Below him, figures with black hoods pulled low stood in long rows. There were so many that their ranks stretched out of sight.

It was truly a majestic sight befitting a temple.

The old man slowly parted his tightly closed lips. A voice like a scream emerged between them.

"Someone is muddying the waters in the North."

There was no answer. Everyone merely bowed their heads lower.

Such was the supremacy of the old man's position.

"A man called Galahad. Dispose of him."

The old man wasted no words.

With a long, low sound of assent, everyone prostrated themselves.

Then—

"Hic!"

A figure in the corner gave a violent shudder.

It was the one wearing a crow mask.