Chapter 59 - A Reply

'Oh dear.'

As the old man stopped breathing, the egg dropped off the staff. The enormous thing rolled toward Galahad, who watched it quietly.

'Dangerous.'

It was only a hunch, but Galahad trusted his instincts.

THUMP! THUMP!

The Egg of agony urged him to eat it at once.

Galahad quietly examined the egg. He scattered a little mana over it, only for the mana to vanish entirely.

He could not help admiring it. Even without its host, the egg still seemed to be a higher grade than the Egg of agony. His egg was no match for it, so simply consuming it would be dangerous.

The Egg of agony shook violently, as though insisting that this time really was different, that it could handle it.

Galahad was not about to trust the word of some cheap little thing. He quietly assessed the situation.

The old man had lost a great deal of blood, but that was not what had killed him.

'So it does have some basic regard for its host.'

Eating it might be dangerous, but it probably would not kill him. Still, given how cheap his own egg was, he needed to trim this one down a little.

Galahad set his knife to work. The egg was not hard. It sliced as easily as jelly, the severed pieces turning to ash and drifting away.

He did not consider it a waste. Too much was worse than too little, after all.

He cut away quite a lot, but what remained still felt dense, perhaps because the core was at its center. He speared it with his fork.

THUMP! THUMP!

The Egg of agony kept pounding as he slowly brought the fork to his mouth.

'Mm...'

Galahad let out a low groan. Something indescribable passed into him. It was neither mana nor life force. A sensation so intense it shook his mind washed over him.

The Egg of agony lunged at it in delight. Their collision sent a violent shock through his insides. It felt like an explosion within him.

Galahad pressed his lips tightly together. Blood trickled down the corner of his mouth.

BOOM! BOOM!

Galahad was accustomed to pain, but this was something new.

The Egg of agony hurled itself at the other egg and tore into it. The two tumbled about inside him. When its opponent opened its mouth wide, the Egg of agony dodged aside, and a piercing agony struck him.

'Can't you do this properly?'

At Galahad's rebuke, the Egg of agony hastily seized its opponent.

Struggling against something that had already lost its will... It really was the lowest grade.

'Good grief. My life is in the hands of a lowest-grade egg.'

Galahad clicked his tongue softly, and the egg shuddered hard.

The Egg of agony was being pushed back. He had put the other egg inside him for it to eat, yet it was getting bitten instead. It trembled violently, almost as though screaming.

It had charged in so confidently, and now it looked ready to lose. It could not even eat what he spoon-fed it.

'Unbelievable.'

The Egg of agony vibrated urgently, as if crying, Help! Help!

Clicking his tongue, Galahad opened his canteen. He put it to his lips, and something cold and revolting slid down his throat.

The beleaguered Egg of agony brightened. Its opponent showed no interest in the Demon blood, allowing it to absorb the blood itself. Emboldened, it began its counterattack.

The Egg of agony drove its opponent into a corner and tore at it. Whatever spilled out spread through the surrounding area.

"Mm..."

Galahad narrowed his eyes. The scattered fragments spread throughout his body, and his heart pounded violently.

The struggle continued for a long time. Only when Galahad's consciousness began to blur did the Egg of agony start eating its opponent. With each ravenous bite, the weight in his chest increased.

Then the Egg of agony began trembling violently. Unlike before, the shaking was abnormal, as though it could no longer contain itself.

'Get ahold of yourself.'

Alarmed by the ominous change, Galahad urgently called to it.

'I was joking. You're not a cheap egg. You're a perfectly decent egg.'

The Egg of agony did not answer. Galahad frowned.

Then the egg abruptly stopped.

In an instant, spots filled his vision. An oppressive silence swallowed him.

He tried to snap his fingers, but he had no fingers. As he began reciting a spell instead, he felt the gaze of an immense being.

The immense being asked who he was.

He answered.

Galahad.

* * *

A firm squeeze.

The heavy pressure brought Galahad back to his senses. The Egg of agony was diligently pressing on his heart.

'Oh dear.'

Galahad coughed lightly and shook his head. He had lost consciousness the moment the Egg of agony began acting ominous.

'To think I passed out.'

He frowned. Something about it left him strangely uneasy.

Then he felt the Egg of agony looking at him. Its presence felt greater than before. It seemed to be putting on airs.

'You couldn't even eat that one thing without making this mess?'

At his rebuke, the Egg of agony gripped his heart firmly. It was stronger than before, enough that he truly felt as though his heart had been seized.

Of course, it was not squeezing in earnest. If Galahad died, it would be finished too. Even so, he needed to teach it some manners.

'I'll have to ask Adrianna to touch my chest.'

The startled Egg of agony quivered. It began pressing rhythmically on his heart, as if that massage had been its intention all along.

It was quite skilled. Its increased strength made the massage remarkably refreshing, too. He felt more energetic, as though the life force stored in the egg was taking effect.

Press, press.

The Egg of agony nodded hastily.

'I'll live a long life.'

Muttering the joke, Galahad put a cigarette between his lips.

Then the Egg of agony began shaking enthusiastically. It almost seemed to be dancing.

'Have you gained something?'

It gave two small shakes as though telling him to watch closely. Mana flowed out of it, in greater quantities than before. Roughly...

'About twice as good.'

In other words, drinking one canteen would produce two canteens' worth of mana. That was a considerable improvement in efficiency.

Even so, it still fell far short of what the old man had possessed.

The egg bit down. Galahad clicked his tongue at the ache in his heart.

'Stop biting me.'

He snapped his fingers to light the cigarette. A sweet lemon scent spread, clearing his heavy mind.

Galahad noticed a subtle sensation.

'I'm in the Demon Realm, but magic is easier than before.'

Although it fell somewhat short of the true Demon Realm, the mana concentration here was dense enough to warrant the name. Casting magic had been difficult before, yet now it came easily.

The difference in concentration might account for some of it, but not all.

'My constitution seems to have changed.'

He had become a little closer to mana.

Galahad snapped his fingers again. The ash all around him swept backward.

'It's definitely easier.'

He had only one guess as to why. When the Egg of agony dismantled the other egg, he had absorbed what scattered from it. That was most likely the cause.

The Egg of agony bobbed smugly. For the first time, he wanted to pat it.

'It's easier to move mana in the Demon Realm now.'

Looking at the mass of ash he had pushed away, Galahad smiled. He had been wondering how to respond to the upper-echelon Demon's invitation. It seemed he had found a way.

'I'll have to find more eggs.'

The Egg of agony nodded vigorously. Communicating with it seemed a little easier now.

"Finished?"

A deep voice came from beside him. First.

Galahad nodded lightly.

"Do you intend to run the Black Magic Society?"

First pointed at the Black Mages lined up behind them. Pumpkin bowed her head in greeting.

Galahad readily nodded. First was only asking as a formality anyway.

"Do you know a group called Dawn?"

This time, Galahad asked the question.

First showed not the slightest change. His breathing did not quicken; he did not even blink.

"That's classified."

"I'm still an agent myself, you know."

Instead of answering, First smiled. Further questions would get Galahad nowhere. Still, he had learned at least that the Intelligence Bureau was aware of Dawn.

"So, when are you two getting married?"

"What?! What are you talking about?!"

Pumpkin practically had a fit. Galahad chuckled.

"Pumpkin is rather shy. We'll be married before you."

"Oh, please, cut the bullshit... I'm heading back first!"

Soon, Pumpkin and First moved off. Galahad watched them for a moment, then tapped the ash from his cigarette.

"Number Eight."

"Yes."

Number Eight prostrated before him. Galahad studied the figure briefly before speaking.

"You've worked hard all this time. From now on, you're the Society's president."

Number Eight trembled.

"I won't waste words. Do a good job."

As Galahad spoke, he rummaged through the dead president's belongings. Number Eight bowed deeply.

It was heartfelt.

* * *

Helcarton came to with a splitting headache. His memories were hazy.

He had entered the sanctuary, and then...

'That monstrous knight!'

A monster wielding magic had attacked. That was his last memory.

Helcarton hastily looked around. Sacred ash filled the space. He seemed to be in the sanctuary still.

He let out a soft sigh at its overwhelming atmosphere. Was this how a fish would feel entering water after spending its entire life on land?

He could only gape in a daze. He did not even need to move his mana.

Sighs rose around him. The other Black Mages seemed to be waking one by one.

"Everyone, get up."

A relaxed voice rang out. Helcarton turned to find that same man—the man from Dawn.

He looked a mess. Long gashes marked his waist and shoulder, and his hair was thoroughly disheveled. Yet his characteristic ease remained unchanged.

"Now, you all know who this is."

The man held something up and shook it as casually as if displaying an object.

In his hand was the shriveled president, utterly devoid of life.

Silence fell.

Who was the president? The master of the Black Magic Society, the man who had ruled over them with absolute authority. And this man had reduced him to that.

"As you can see, the president is dead. We need to choose a new one."

Helcarton's mind snapped into focus.

'At last, I'll be president—'

He hastily schooled his expression.

"I believe the Black Magic Society reached this state because it stagnated. Its president never changed, and in the end, that stagnant water rotted."

He was right. The Black Magic Society had never once changed presidents.

"I intend to prevent that. Shouldn't the presidency go not simply to the strongest, but to someone who can further develop the Black Magic Society?"

A fervent chorus of agreement rose. It was excessive, but none of them noticed.

"Show your loyalty to the Black Magic Society! Prove it through your sweat! Then any one of you can become president!"

The man spoke quickly, his voice carrying a powerful force. Enthralled, they responded with wild enthusiasm.

How could they not? Anyone could become president. Did that not mean everyone had a chance?

"Ah, but we can't leave the position vacant, so I've selected an interim president. Come forward."

The man pointed to Helcarton, who rushed out at once. The Black Mages' envious gazes bored into him, burning hot.

"I've also chosen someone to assist you. Let's call the position vice president."

Someone wearing a crow mask stepped forward.

The office of vice president had never existed, but this was no time to fret over trifles. Helcarton was now president of a Black Magic Society with a sanctuary of its own. He could not help smiling.

"I hold you all in the highest regard. Driven from the central regions by a certain organization, yet still refusing to surrender your passion! How many hardships have you endured? You overcame them and finally opened a sanctuary. You are pioneers!"

Several covered their mouths, overcome with emotion. The hardships they had endured seemed to flash before their eyes.

"As I said earlier, the presidency will now be performance-based. Each quarter, the member with the best results will become president."

Everyone let out an exclamation. A door of opportunity stood open. Their eyes shone.

All except one person's.

Helcarton spoke urgently.

"What do you mean?! Changing presidents every quarter? The presidency isn't some trivial position!"

"Didn't you nod when I spoke of stagnant water just now? Ah, have you changed your mind now that you're president?"

Helcarton's face reddened at the blatant accusation. Still, he could not back down.

Just as he was about to argue—

SKREEEEE!

A bizarre noise rang out. Helcarton turned, his face twitching.

An enormous, hideous demon-beast was charging toward them. It was an intermediate-ranking demon-beast, a scorpionfish.

An intermediate-ranking demon-beast in the sanctuary!

They were better than Demons, but demon-beasts were still a Mage's natural enemy.

Everyone screamed and was about to flee when the man spoke.

"Good grief, I told them to keep it securely tied up. That must be Gwen."

Clicking his tongue, he snapped his fingers. A tiny spark leaped between them.

With each snap, the spark grew larger and more intricate. Helcarton gasped in shock. Such mana control was absurd.

In a moment, the lightning took the shape of a blossom and flew toward the demon-beast. It had all happened in an instant.

Yet Helcarton frowned at the lightning streaking toward it.

'Using magic against a demon-beast. What a fool.'

Magic did not work on demon-beasts. That was the most basic common knowledge. Even if the man had defeated the president...

Then—

...!!

Engulfed in lightning, the demon-beast unleashed a dreadful scream. It was so agonized that it sent chills through everyone who heard it.

Charred black, the creature collapsed.

THUD.

Its immense bulk made the impact resound heavily.

A weighty silence settled. Then the man turned his gaze toward Helcarton. His eyes held no emotion, only a trace of fatigue.

"Hm? What were you saying?"

Helcarton answered the flat question immediately.

"I'd like to know the details of the performance criteria!"

"Ah, just what I'd expect from our interim president. Such enthusiasm."

Helcarton nodded vigorously.

"Well, performance will be assessed in various areas, but the largest component will be the quantity of mana stones acquired. As you know, mana stones are the sanctuary's primary fuel."

The Black Mages cheered at his explanation. Even the lowliest Mage could mine mana stones. To think that mining enough of them could make someone president—what a revolutionary pledge!

"I'll open the sanctuary to those who work diligently. But we need mana stones to maintain it, don't we? We must expand the sanctuary! We need more mana stones!"

As his calm explanation continued, the cheers grew louder.

Helcarton, by contrast, frowned. If whoever mined the most mana stones became president, did that not mean that even after becoming president, he would have to do nothing but mine mana stones?

"Our interim president doesn't look pleased."

"Not at all!"

Helcarton forced a desperate smile in response.

Just then, one man took off running with frantic determination.

"I'm going to be the next president!"

It was Corton.

His dash set the others running too. Helcarton had no choice but to join them.

* * *

Theodore studied the Grand Duke. As always, he sat motionless.

The reports began with the person seated farthest inside.

"We have a report that a pack of demon-beasts attacked the Sixth Battalion, costing them three watchtowers."

"A report states that a Demon appeared in the Third Battalion's territory and an entire village was lost."

As usual, it was one disheartening report after another.

Then came a different report.

"The Fifth Battalion has remitted additional taxes. Commander Mark reports that this is thanks to Galahad, commander of the Special Operations Unit."

More money, rather than less.

Theodore let out a quiet sound of admiration at the name Galahad.

It was a name that had been coming up often lately. Whenever Galahad was mentioned, the outcome was good. None of the advisers said so outright, but it was their favorite name.

"The First Battalion reports that it located and eliminated an intermediate-ranking Demon hiding in its border region. Commander Adrianna credits the mana detection method Commander Galahad taught her."

Galahad again.

The Grand Duke's brow creased slightly. The next report followed.

"The Black Magic Society attacked the Seventh Battalion, but the attack was repelled."

The Seventh Battalion was where the Demon Realm had opened. If that site had fallen, the entire battalion could have become an enemy stronghold. Preventing that was a major achievement.

However...

"The report states that Commander Galahad repelled them."

Galahad again.

The Fifth Battalion, then the First, and now the Seventh. Theodore frowned at the successive reports. Even in the North, there were not usually so many incidents.

'It's almost as though he's manufacturing achievements...'

Surely not. Theodore shook his head.

In the silence, everyone watched the Grand Duke's reaction.

"A useful fellow."

The Grand Duke spoke quietly.

Then a booming voice sounded outside.

"A messenger!"

'Another one.'

The Grand Duke's expression remained indifferent.

Theodore stepped forward as the messenger approached.

"From Her Highness the Imperial Princess?"

"Yes, that is correct."

"Leave it over there."

"This is an imperial message..."

Where Theodore pointed lay a bundle of letters bearing the imperial crest. The messenger's face twitched at the sight.

'What on earth do they say?'

"... It is still an imperial message!"

The messenger raised his voice urgently.

Raising his voice before His Highness the Grand Duke!

'He's utterly mad.'

Then the Grand Duke rose. Theodore hastily bowed his head. The messenger had already prostrated himself.

For a moment, a silence so heavy it was difficult to breathe filled the room.

At last, the Grand Duke spoke.

"Send a reply."

Theodore hurriedly spread out a sheet of paper. He dipped his pen deep into the ink and bowed his head.

After a brief silence, the Grand Duke's lips curled into a savage smile.

"Tell her I accept the duel."