The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 7

The Harmony of Yin and Yang

I passed through District 5, the slum, and arrived in District 4, where the commoners lived.

District 4, protected by the Outer Guard, bustled with life. While District 5 also had Outer Guard patrols, District 4, being their base, enjoyed a higher level of security.

Still, compared to Districts 2 and 3, the buildings were more run-down. Some looked ancient and on the verge of collapse.

“Growing up in a place like this would warp anyone’s perspective.”

I was living proof. Fortunately, the orphanage in front of me wasn’t about to crumble, thanks to my constant repairs. I pushed open the creaking gate and stepped inside.

“Hyung-!” [Korean honorific for older brother, used by males]

“Oppa!” [Korean honorific for older brother, used by females]

I was a little late because of my meeting with the beggars, but the children were still awake, waiting for me.

“Alright, alright. One at a time.”

I handed out the snacks and treats I’d bought on the way, stuffing them into each child’s eager mouth. Today was snack day.

“Lael, you’re here?”

“Yes, Sister. I’m sorry I’m late. It’s past the children’s bedtime.”

“It’s alright. They’re young; a late night once in a while is fine.” The woman who smiled at me was Sister Layzel, a resident of the orphanage. She belonged to the Order but held a rank lower than a junior priest, limiting her ability to use blessings. Still, she and Teacher Sarah were like parents to me.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to come every day from now on. Moving to the Guard has made my route longer, and my duties have changed.”

“It’s okay. The children are old enough now. I’m actually worried because they’re becoming quite disobedient.”

“Just let me know. I’ll keep them in line. Oh, tomorrow’s payday, so I’ll bring some money.”

“Okay. Thank you, Lael. But are you sure you can manage? That’s quite a burden for you alone…”

“It’s fine. Who do you think I am? I’m the captain of the Imperial Guard. The Guard Captain.”

I pretended to be strong, but it was indeed a heavy burden. I was covering most of the orphanage’s expenses. In this era, orphanages were managed by the Order, which wielded power comparable to the Imperial Family.

Therefore, orphanages were in an awkward position regarding direct support. It could be interpreted as money donated to the Order being diverted to the orphanage.

‘Those bastards who claim to uphold doctrine are corrupt from the start.’

It was absurd logic, but if logic prevailed in this world, there wouldn’t be so many beggars. Anyway, the orphanage survived on the meager funds received from the Order each month. That money was nowhere near enough to support the children, so nuns and volunteers who cared for them usually donated money. I had a similar motivation.

“Oppa. Look at this. Beeh.”

A girl with a bright smile, Ver, made a funny face. I stroked her hair, giving her the reaction she wanted.

“Tsk tsk. I told you, ladies shouldn’t make such silly faces.”

“Hehe. Hehehe.”

Seeing Ver stick out her tongue and giggle made everything that had happened today feel like a distant dream. I glanced over and saw the beggars watching from behind the wall. The surveillance seemed to be working well.

‘It’s hard enough to protect my own home in this world.’

This place was the only sanctuary in this world. Therefore, I would never let it fall apart. It was my sole purpose in this dog-eat-dog world.

*

Going to work at the Special Guard had become routine. Greeting the Outer Guard was now easy.

“Have a good day.”

“Yes, sir. Um… Captain Lael.”

“Huh?”

I waved and was about to head inside when a guard called out to me. He looked at me with a curious expression.

“Are you alright? You look like the healthiest person I’ve ever seen.”

“Thanks for your concern. It’s not so bad here.”

I chuckled and patted the guard’s shoulder before entering. It was just a greeting, but it made me a little uneasy.

“Now even being healthy attracts attention.”

The Special Guard was a symbol of fear within the Guard. If I lived much longer, there would definitely be more stories.

‘I hate annoying things… But I can’t play dead.’

I couldn’t worry about it yet. Contrary to my fears, it might pass without incident. I spotted Reina searching for something in the distance and entered the Special Guard building.

“Good morning, Lael.”

“Nice to see you, Yuri!”

I greeted Yuri with a cheerful smile. It was strange to exchange morning greetings with the future emperor. Of course, the Special Guard was somewhat unstable, but the future emperor was still the future emperor. Becoming close to her would definitely be beneficial.

“What’s this? Chess?”

“Yes. Do you know how to play, Lael?”

She sat in front of what looked like a chessboard, moving both the white and black pieces herself.

“Were you playing alone?”

“Yes… The others don’t like to think too much. Would you like to join me, Lael?”

Seeing her avoid my gaze as if embarrassed made me want to help, but I was terrible at chess. I knew the basic rules, but that was it.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to learn a thing or two.”

When it came to strategy games, I couldn’t be left out. I was a hardcore gamer who had played StarCraft for over 10 years, a game that embodied the spirit of our people. I confidently sat across from her. And 10 minutes later…

“Checkmate.”

“…”

I stared blankly at the chessboard and blinked. Only Yuri’s pieces remained. It was a complete annihilation.

“You’re weak. You’re similar to Reina, who has never played chess before.”

“Damn it…”

StarCraft doesn’t translate to chess. I learned something new today.

‘Wait, aren’t all protagonists in novels good at chess?’

Why did the heavens create me! And create Yuri! If StarCraft existed in the Middle Ages instead of chess, I would have been the best in the Empire.

“Don’t be too discouraged. I’ve been learning chess since I was a child. Oh, speaking of which, today is the day Lael receives his salary. I’ll give it to you right away.”

“Thank you.”

I accepted the pouch Yuri handed me with a grim expression.

“Huh?”

Something was off. The pouch felt thin and light. I opened it and checked the contents.

“Yuri.”

“Yes?”

“Why is my salary like this? I thought it was supposed to be 20 Imperial gold coins…”

“Hmm. I don’t handle the salaries. I believe Lael was demoted from Captain to a regular guard when he transferred to the Special Guard. Didn’t you see the official document?”

“Ah.”

This was ridiculous. I had just cut off the beggar bastards’ money supply yesterday.

*

Chop- Chop chop-

I was depressed about the salary cut, but I still had to work. I returned to the Demon King’s prison. Originally, I was scheduled to guard the Demon King about once every four days, but Gent had an emergency, so I filled in. For the record, Reina followed me all the way, as if suspecting me, and only left after confirming I went inside. She must be a crazy elf.

‘Are these Imperial bastards going to hire a talent like me with such a measly salary?’

I sighed and shook off my disappointment. I had forgotten that I was demoted to the Special Guard for assaulting a noble. In a way, the salary cut was justified. Well, if I needed money, I could always visit the beggars later. This wasn’t a martial arts world, so I had no pride when it came to those beggars. I just met them when they asked and gave them work when they needed it.

Chop- Chop-

Clang- Clang-

The sound of gnawing and the unpleasant metallic clang interrupted my thoughts. The gloomy energy of the underground was still present, but it was much better than the first time. I looked at the Demon King in her cell.

“Not a bad taste.”

“… I’m glad you like it.”

She devoured the sweet tomato I’d brought with relish, and I watched her chew with a wary eye. The tomato juice dripping from her mouth in the dim light made me uneasy, like seeing blood.

“You’re the first human to actually bring me something sweet when I asked for it.”

“It wasn’t a difficult task.”

After all, Gent managed the garden. I just secretly picked a few tomatoes. The Demon King looked at me with amusement.

“Human. Aren’t you afraid to talk to me?”

“I’m just… a little nervous.”

To be honest, the oppressive killing intent weakened each time I spoke to her. The conversations were helping me adapt. Maybe the Demon King also needed someone to talk to.

Chop- Chop chop-

While I pondered, the Demon King focused on the tomato, oblivious to my thoughts. If it weren’t for the horns on her head, she would have looked about the same age as the children at the orphanage. Still, I was glad she seemed to enjoy the tomato.

“But don’t you offer food here?”

“Have you ever heard of a ghost eating rice?”

“In my hometown, we sometimes did. We set out food for the dead.”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

“Yes. Sometimes we opened the windows so the dead could enter the house easily.”

The Demon King listened to my story with interest. It wasn’t particularly fascinating, but she listened so intently that I felt compelled to speak clearly. The Demon King, engrossed in the story of the memorial service, suddenly clapped her hands and spoke.

“Come to think of it, I was going to ask you this. Human, what’s your name?”

“Lael.”

“Lael… Okay. Lael. I hate being addressed formally by humans.”

“…?”

I fell silent at the Demon King’s sudden statement. She appeared to be a young girl. But it was clear that a monster resided within that body. Wouldn’t it be strange to suddenly speak informally to her? Wouldn’t she suddenly kill me if I did?

“By the way, what I hate the most is repeating myself.”

“I see.”

The words escaped me instinctively, a product of my reckless upbringing in the orphanage. But the Demon King didn’t seem to mind and continued.

“Next time, bring something like chocolate. Fruits don’t taste like humans.”

“Oh, … Okay. I will.”

*

“You talked to the Demon King?”

“Yeah.”

I finished guarding the Demon King and was squatting in the garden when Gent, who had finished his urgent business, approached me. He bought me a gift as thanks: a vegan sandwich, food for nature lovers. It didn’t look very appetizing, so I saved it for Reina, the elf.

“That’s impossible. You not only approached the Demon King, but you also talked to her?”

“It’s true. She told me not to use honorifics, so I decided to speak informally. You’re going in next time, so I won’t see you for about a week, but I’ll buy her chocolate next time.”

“……”

Gent stared at me, tilting his head, then frowning. He grabbed my wrist and checked my pulse.

“It’s definitely normal…”

Gent, muttering to himself, started digging in the back garden.

“Here, Lael. Eat this.”

“Oh. What is this?”

Gent handed me a carrot. But instead of orange, it was a red carrot, like lava. I had never seen such a carrot before.

“This is a red carrot from the north. It cools your head. It seems like you’re having a mental breakdown. I thought you’d be okay, but it seems my calculations were wrong. Fortunately, it doesn’t seem serious…”

“Stop talking nonsense, Gent. I’m normal.”

Even as I said that, I brought the carrot to my mouth. Because of my beggar past, I never refused free food. It was said to be a northern carrot, but it was cool and delicious, unlike its appearance.

“The red carrot is useless… Then I’ll make porridge with northern carrots and southern potatoes.”

“No. I’m okay, I tell you?”

“It’s a porridge where coldness and warmth coexist. It will be quickly absorbed into the body with the harmony of yin and yang.”

“Hey!”

Gent ran off without listening to my reply.

‘He’s talking about the harmony of yin and yang. I’m perfectly normal.’ That tall bastard never listens.

“Isn’t a giant obsessed with the harmony of yin and yang a bit much?”

Of course, no one agreed with me. If that were the case, I’d have to point out the name Demon King first. How could ‘Demon King’ (鬼王) be in a medieval fantasy setting? If that were the case, there should be a beggar’s gang.

“There’s nowhere to vent my frustration with the world.”

I looked at the garden and turned away. I was going to ask Gent about the Thousand Slaughter Sword Lord and the Dragon today, but I got caught up in a stupid conversation and forgot.

‘I want to know more about those two.’

If the Thousand Slaughter Sword Lord and the Dragon were preventing the Demon King’s rampage, as I suspected, they might have information about her. Or they might possess valuable information not found in the novel.

“Tsk. I’ll ask next time.”

My strength was my ability to ignore unsolvable problems. I stretched and yawned. Now that I was done with work and had nothing to do, should I lie in the hammock like Reina?

Clatter- Clatter-

At that moment, the sword hanging at my waist caught my eye. I hadn’t practiced swordsmanship since joining the Special Guard.

“I need to start training again soon.”

There were things humans had to do, even if they didn’t want to. To survive in this dirty and despicable world, you had to take care of yourself.

‘Still, I have to move my body sometimes to maintain the status quo.’ I didn’t want to get stronger, but I couldn’t afford to get weaker.

I suppressed my annoyance and rose from the hammock.

Clunk-

I slowly reached for the scabbard. Mana flowed from my fingertips throughout my body. My senses sharpened instantly.