The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 65

< Inquisitor >

“Hehe. Have a good trip, Lord Raelle.”

“Yes. I’ll leave District 4 in your capable hands.”

“Don’t you worry. Bishop Peter will spread the truth of the Order to the lambs.”

“Ah, yes.”

Raelle blinked, observing Bishop Peter, who had matured in a short period.

It seemed like only a month since he came to District 4, and the bright eyes he had at first were gone, replaced by eyes similar to those of Bishop Pelice.

‘At least Bishop Peter is squeezing money from the nobles… He’s better than Pelice.’

Besides, he treats me with such respect.

Raelle was satisfied enough with just that.

“Ah, when you go to the headquarters, be sure to visit Cardinal Bernardo.”

“Cardinal Bernardo? Why him?”

“I’ve spoken highly of you, Lord Raelle. Hehe.”

“…”

Raelle nodded, feeling something strange.

The smiling face was similar to Carlson’s when he was gambling.

It seemed like he would have to get Carlson to investigate Peter later.

“L, Lord Raelle. Are you sure it’ll be alright? A priest like me taking the Archbishop exam…”

“It’s fine. You’ll do well, so don’t worry.”

On the way to the Order’s headquarters.

Raelle smiled, watching Cecilia fidgeting.

It was absurd that the future Saintess was afraid of just the Archbishop exam.

“Brother, Brother.”

Tap tap.

Then, Carlson tapped Raelle’s shoulder.

“What?”

“Lord Raelle. Didn’t you say you two weren’t in a relationship?”

“I told you we’re not. You crazy bastard.”

I don’t know why this guy is so obsessed with relationships.

Is a Holy Knight that starved for a woman?

“No, but why doesn’t Priestess Cecilia call you Lord Raelle? Weren’t you sensitive to that? Shouldn’t she at least call you Raelle, dear brother?”

“…Just leave it alone, man.”

Raelle patted Carlson’s shoulder and shook his head.

I don’t know what a Holy Knight is doing, harassing the future Saintess.

‘It’s amazing, though. She always calls Carlson, Lord Carlson…’

Does that mean she feels that close to Raelle?

He felt good thinking that the golden lifeline he had with the future Saintess was strong.

“Lord Raelle. By the way, what do you think of my Divine Power Sword Qi? I reported it to the Order, but… I have no idea how great it is.”

“That? I hate to admit it… but it is amazing.”

The power used by Holy Knights is Divine Power.

Divine Power is an unidentified power bestowed by the Main God Gaia, and only those born with it can use it.

The reason why talent is important in Holy Law is that power varies depending on the amount of Divine Power.

“Holy Knights usually just use Divine Power to create a light Sword Qi [A technique where divine power is channeled into a sword to enhance its cutting power].”

“That’s right. There are Holy Knights who use mana to create Sword Force, but the previous Holy Knights have proven that focusing on one is stronger.”

“Yeah. But you did the crazy thing of using Divine Power and Sword Force together… Ha, I don’t understand. What’s so great about this bastard?”

“Haha, it’s the teaching of the Main God Gaia.”

Raelle looked up and down at Carlson, dumbfounded.

Carlson was just smiling, and seeing that face made him angry for some reason.

‘A pathetic world where you get enlightened while gambling.’

Raelle sighed.

To be honest, he was angry that a guy like him had talent… but the world is unfair.

A good and righteous swordsman like himself may be born with talent, but there are also guys like Carlson in the world.

‘The problem is why this guy didn’t appear in the original work…’

He can admit it now.

Carlson has the talent to shake the Order.

Even if he’s not at the level of the hero Lucas, he’s a guy who can definitely take on a supporting role below him.

Raelle’s help was there, but with that much talent, he would have pioneered a new path within 10 years even without Raelle.

He likes gambling, but he’s quite diligent… He should have stood out in the Silver Cross Knights and appeared in the original work.

But Carlson’s name was nowhere to be found in the original work.

Perhaps his teachings were really helpful?

Raelle moved his feet while thinking about that.

“Lord Carlson. Divine Power Sword Force, that’s really amazing.”

“Hehe, thank you, Priestess Cecilia.”

“Carlson. Is that the headquarters?”

“Ah, yes, Brother.”

The Order’s headquarters.

Raelle had seen it a few times during his time in the Guard.

Unlike other branches, the entrance was huge, and the towering spires and glittering crystals embedded in the ornate exterior made it hard to think of it as an Order.

“First, I’m going to go to the Silver Cross Knights and see the Commander. Would you like to come with me, Brother and Priestess?”

“Ah, yes. I’ll say hello too.”

“Okay, lead the way, Carlson.”

While Carlson was talking to the priest guarding the headquarters.

Raelle looked around.

“…”

He felt a gaze from inside the Order looking this way.

When Raelle turned his head in that direction, he saw men looking at Carlson.

The mace and cross engraved on their chests indicated that they belonged to the Order.

“It smells like pig shit.”

Then, one of them opened his mouth.

“Heh, do you think those lowly guys even wash?”

“They should be ashamed of themselves before the Main God Gaia.”

They were smirking while looking this way.

No, to be exact, they were looking at Carlson.

“They said it’s okay to go in. Let’s go, Brother.”

“Carlson. Who are those guys? Do you know them?”

Raelle asked Carlson, who had finished talking to the priest.

Carlson smiled awkwardly and replied.

“Um… those people are Inquisitors [Members of the Order tasked with identifying and punishing heresy].”

“Inquisitors?”

“Yes. They are combat personnel who deal with heretics, similar to the Silver Cross Knights.”

“But why are they like that?”

“Haha, they’re probably doing it on purpose. To insult me.”

“…Doing it on purpose?”

“Well, recently the Inquisitors’ roles are being taken away by the Silver Cross Knights. Since the Inquisitors are all made up of nobles, they are jealous of the Silver Cross Knights. I was treated even worse because I was an orphan from the lower district.”

“Those bastards…”

Raelle frowned and took a step forward.

However, Carlson grabbed his shoulder and smiled.

“Hey, Brother. Calm down. There’s no need to fight with people from the same Order.”

“…Tsk.”

Raelle clicked his tongue after seeing Carlson’s face.

He didn’t want to cause trouble in the Order.

There was no need for him to step in when Carlson was holding back.

“Doesn’t Commander Marco just stand by and watch that kind of thing? He wasn’t that kind of person?”

“They don’t show that side when other people are around. Nobles are thorough.”

“Those pathetic bastards.”

Raelle brushed past the Inquisitors and scanned them.

‘These bastards look suspicious no matter how I look at them.’

When their eyes met Carlson’s.

Raelle felt a real killing intent for a moment.

They truly hated Carlson.

‘Wait a minute, the reason why Carlson didn’t appear in the original work…’

Surely not.

If that kind of thing happens, he won’t leave those bastards alone.

Raelle glared at them and went inside.

*

The first place he headed to after entering the Order’s headquarters was the Silver Cross Knights.

Raelle followed Carlson, admiring the majesty of the headquarters.

“How is it, Brother? I used to work in a place like this before coming to District 4.”

“Wow, amazing, Lord Carlson.”

“A building filled with the blood and sweat of commoners.”

“…What would people in the Order think if you said that, Brother?”

“I’m just kidding.”

Raelle pointed to a huge man wielding a battle axe in the Knights’ headquarters.

“Carlson, the Commander is over there.”

“Ah. Commander! It’s Carlson!”

The man who had been wielding the battle axe in the air finally turned his head.

Marco slung the battle axe on his back and looked at Raelle, who was approaching.

“May Gaia’s peace be with you, Raelle. How did you get stronger again?”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

The first thing he saw was Raelle.

He was noticeably stronger than when he was awarded the title of Honorary Knight.

He wondered what method he was using to change every time he saw him.

“It’s been a while, Priestess Cecilia. I was going to send people from the Order to your side, but everyone was so lazy that they didn’t move. I’m sorry.”

“Lord Marco. Ah, no. I’m grateful just for the thought.”

Marco exchanged light greetings with Cecilia and then looked at Carlson.

He was originally a talented guy, but he broke through the wall after going to District 4.

“And Carlson.”

“Yes, Commander.”

“First of all, congratulations on breaking through to a new realm. There will be a place to prove your skills in front of the Order’s key figures today.”

“I will do my best.”

“But before that, show me your skills first. I’ll check myself whether it’s an outstanding achievement worth proving.”

“I understand.”

Shwing-.

Carlson drew his sword with a serious expression.

Slowly, a bright light settled on his sword.

Whoosh-.

Soon, the Divine Power’s Sword Force was created.

It was shaking slightly because he had just awakened it yesterday, but the Sword Force soon settled quietly on the sword.

“Heo. Is that real…”

Marco widened his eyes, unlike his usual self.

It was impossible for him to use pure Divine Power without mana to create several layers of Sword Force like that.

He had achieved such a realm, so he was worthy of being the Order’s pride.

“Two hours later. Come to the Order’s Grand Hall.”

“I understand.”

Marco patted Carlson’s shoulder and turned his body.

He had to move quickly to gather the people of the Order right away.

“Priestess Cecilia. How is it?”

After Marco disappeared, Carlson puffed out his chest and boasted to Cecilia.

“You’re really amazing, Lord Carlson.”

“Haha, if you work hard, Priestess, you can become like me someday.”

“…”

Raelle chuckled as he watched Carlson boasting about his achievements to the future Saintess.

He vowed to make fun of this incident later.

*

Two hours later.

Raelle stood in front of the Order’s Grand Hall.

“Lord Raelle. There are so many people.”

“Indeed.”

As Cecilia said, the Order’s Grand Hall was filled with people.

First, the Silver Cross Knights and Inquisitors were lined up, and behind them, numerous priests and archbishops filled the seats.

It was even a solemn occasion with two cardinals gathered.

That’s how great the realm Carlson had achieved was.

Raelle was an Honorary Knight, so he naturally joined the ranks of the Silver Cross Knights.

“From now on, Carlson of the Silver Cross Knights will demonstrate the Divine Power Sword Force. The opponent will be from the Silver Cross Knights…”

“I will do it, Lord Marco.”

Step. Step.

Then, one person walked out from the Inquisitors’ side.

It was the guy who had been sneering at Carlson earlier.

“I am Garharte Elga, an Inquisitor. I think that dueling with me rather than dueling with the same Silver Cross Knights is an opportunity to properly demonstrate.”

“Hmm, good. Garharte, stand in front of Carlson. You are stronger than Carlson, so be sure to control your strength.”

“I understand, Lord Marco.”

He smiled lightly and raised his mace.

Soon after, Divine Power settled on the mace Garharte raised.

He looked quite strong even to Raelle.

“Please take care of me.”

Shwing-!

Carlson also drew his sword.

Soon, the Divine Power that was stacked on his sword emitted a tremendous light.

The priests and archbishops were impressed by the strong light, and the knights were impressed by the mystery contained within it.

“Hoo.”

Carlson, who had taken a breath, looked at Garharte and swung his sword.

Clang-!

The collision of sword and mace.

Surprisingly, it was the mace that was pushed back.

“Ugh, Keuk…!”

Garharte retreated without realizing it.

His mace could withstand the Sword Force of a graduate, but Carlson’s sword was different from a simple Sword Force.

‘A knight from a commoner background…!’

Garharte strongly infused Divine Power into his mace.

There was no way a mere commoner could embarrass him.

“You bastard!”

“Stop! The demonstration ends here.”

However, the demonstration of the power that Carlson had already achieved was over.

Marco stepped forward and grabbed Garharte’s mace.

“L, Lord Marco…!”

“The demonstration is over. Return to your seat. Garharte.”

“…Tsk!”

Garharte retrieved his Divine Power and returned to his seat.

He couldn’t afford to make an enemy of that monster because of one commoner knight.

‘Carlson… A commoner is climbing higher and higher.’

Instead, Garharte’s inferiority complex grew even bigger.

He looked at Carlson and twisted his lips.

“Amazing, Carlson.”

Marco looked at Carlson with a smile.

The realm he had achieved was noble and beautiful.

“Thank you. It’s all the blessing of the Main God Gaia.”

“Take this opportunity to talk about the teachings that Gaia has given you.”

Carlson hesitated for a moment at Marco’s words, but soon opened his mouth.

“…Rage.”

“Rage?”

“Until I reached this realm, I felt a lot of rage. Sometimes it was rage at this world, and sometimes it was rage at myself. All of that became fuel and allowed me to pioneer a new realm.”

The Silver Cross Knights drew the sign of the cross as if they were moved by Carlson’s words.

Some of them nodded, gaining enlightenment.

They were still lacking.

“Rage… Is it rage at the evils of this world?”

“He’s from a commoner background, so it could be rage at the empire’s unfairness.”

The archbishops were the same.

They all prayed to the Main God Gaia.

Some of them even shed tears.

“Gaia’s blessing has come down. Gaia-men [Followers of Gaia].”

“Gaia-men!”

Divine Power flowed out from the Silver Cross Knights and priests.

Cecilia also felt the incoming wave of Divine Power and began to pray.

“Lord Raelle. I’m so touched. Gaia-men…”

“…Gaia-men.”

Raelle closed his eyes in the hall filled with Divine Power.

‘This is really fucked up.’

Do they know that this rage came from dice gambling?

Raelle sighed at the sad phenomenon that a group that gains enlightenment from dice gambling is the empire’s state religion.