The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 102

“It is always a good thing for young warriors to compete in martial arts and prove their path. Gaia, the Main God, will also bless them. Gaia-men…”

The round of 8 of the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament began, and Cardinal Angelo’s congratulatory speech commenced.

Seeing all the high-ranking nobles of the Empire and high-ranking clergy of the Order gathered, I could once again feel the significance of this Dragon-Phoenix Tournament.

“Gaia-men. Cardinal Angelo’s congratulatory speech is truly inspiring.”

“That’s right, Lord Carlson. I feel quite moved myself.”

“Haha, Lucas. You have a good head on your shoulders.”

“…”

Is that so?

Raël was yawning while listening to Angelo’s speech.

Having listened to sermons by elite pastors who graduated from universities in his previous life, the teachings of medieval fantasy religions didn’t resonate with him much.

There was a certain medieval charm, but it lacked logical consistency.

It fell short in persuading someone with a clear mind after completing higher education.

“Raël, brother? What do you think?”

“Right, it’s really inspiring. Gaia-men.”

Of course, it wasn’t that he was denying the Main God Gaia.

Because there was actually a power called divinity in this world.

“I am Damian of the First Imperial Prince of the Karmen Empire. I would like to express my gratitude to the dignitaries from each country who have graced this Dragon-Phoenix Tournament…”

Even in medieval fantasy, congratulatory speeches were long and boring.

After Cardinal Angelo, it was Damian von Grandia, the First Imperial Prince.

“As the threat of the demons is increasing, we must strive to strengthen the talents who will be responsible for the future of the continent. In that sense, before the round of 8 begins, there will be an event where the participants will fight against magical beasts captured by the Empire!”

“Oh, oh, oh! A fight against magical beasts!”

“Long live Prince Damian!”

At Damian’s words, the nobles and commoners began to cheer.

Raël turned his head at the sight.

“Carlson. A fight against magical beasts? I’ve never heard of that before. Is there usually something like that in the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament?”

Magical beasts are creatures that live beyond the Geumji Alheim [a dangerous, monster-infested region].

They are not intelligent creatures like demons, but they are ferocious monsters.

This meant they weren’t the kind of opponents you’d casually encounter, like taking a stroll in the neighborhood.

“Well, I’ve never heard of it either.”

“I’ve never heard of it either. I think the Imperial Family decided it.”

Carlson and Lucas seemed to have never heard of it either.

Raël frowned in disbelief.

“No, you’re holding an event where you fight magical beasts without even informing the participants? Does that make sense?”

“Raël, brother. What are you talking about? Didn’t Prince Damian just announce it?”

“To tell us in advance, not on the day of, is indeed Prince Damian’s style.”

“…”

Raël blinked as he watched Carlson and Lucas’s reactions.

Come to think of it, this was medieval fantasy.

It’s natural to do what the Imperial Family tells you to do.

“All the participants who made it to the round of 8 are great, but as the First Imperial Prince of the Karmen Empire, I have high expectations for Lord Belen. He is the pride of the Empire, having become the captain of the 1st squad of the Karmen Knights at a young age.”

Even while Raël was questioning the situation, Damian’s speech continued.

At Damian’s words, the audience’s attention turned to the Karmen Knights, and Belen, who was at the head, raised his hand to his chest and paid his respects.

“They’re pushing him hard.”

“That’s what I’m saying, brother.”

Raël and Carlson shook their heads.

“Pushing him? What does that mean?”

Lucas asked with innocent eyes.

Raël shook his head and clicked his tongue.

He felt it was his duty to teach the red-haired boy, who had not yet been tainted by the world, about the harsh realities of life.

“Why would he say such a thing while specifically mentioning the name Belen? It implies that catching magical beasts is advantageous to that guy. Maybe Belen will be tipped off in advance about which magical beast will appear?”

“Yes?! But the Karmen Knights are always famous for being fair and just.”

“Yeah. Those guys ruined my career… Tsk. Never mind.”

Fair and just, my ass.

Those guys are bending the rules to favor Belen, so how can they be a fair group?

“Catching magical beasts? Maybe it’s an intermediate magical beast?”

“Who knows! If it’s the Empire, it wouldn’t be difficult to capture a high-level magical beast.”

“If it’s Lord Belen, who killed a high-ranking demon, he’ll be able to cut down a high-level magical beast in one strike, right?”

The First Prince Damian’s mention was quite effective.

Stories about Belen continued to circulate.

“Raël, brother. But have you ever met a magical beast?”

“Would I have seen a magical beast? I think Lucas would have met one instead of me?”

“Yes. I have met one. Last year, magical beasts rampaged at the Imperial Academy.”

“How does that academy even handle security?”

All sorts of things happen at the academy where the nobles of the Empire gather.

“I’ve only fought one once, but… you can’t easily kill magical beasts with sword energy or sword skill. They are surrounded by thick magical energy. They are simpler and more instinctive than demons, but their physical abilities themselves are superior to demons.”

“Hmm… is that so?”

Raël nodded.

It wasn’t much different from what he knew in the original work.

‘Magical beasts that don’t die easily with sword energy or sword skill… Well, it’ll be fun. Could it be a hint about Dapcheon [Raël’s unique sword technique]?’

Raël gripped his scabbard.

The Heavenly Slaughter Sword is a sword for fighting monsters beyond the Geumji Alheim.

It was no different for magical beasts.

*

After the congratulatory speech.

Applause erupted from the Karmen Knights’ seats.

“As expected, the captain is the pride of the 1st squad, no, the Karmen Knights!”

“Not just the Karmen Knights! He’s the pride of the Empire!”

“Thank you, everyone.”

Belen smiled and looked at the members.

The Karmen Knights and the people of the Empire who believed in him were the reason he lived.

“Is there anyone who can beat Captain Belen? No, it’s ridiculous for a knight who killed Basolord [a powerful demon] to compete with his peers in the first place!”

“Haha, even the prince acknowledged it. The Dragon-Phoenix Tournament is a piece of cake for the captain.”

Belen smiled and turned his head.

He couldn’t bring himself to agree with the knights’ words.

‘This is… a troublesome situation.’

Basolord.

Belen had never even seen the demon’s face.

However, Belen could not deny their words.

He couldn’t disobey the captain’s order to raise his public image before winning the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament.

‘As a member of the Karmen Knights who serve the Empire and the Imperial Family, it can’t be helped.’

Even if it went against the chivalry he believed in, it didn’t matter.

The Karmen Knights move for the Empire.

He must win the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament, raise the name of the Empire, and gain recognition from the Order.

“Are the Empire’s Three Heroes the only ones who can compete with Captain Belen?”

“Uh-huh. Three Heroes, my ass. Are you ignoring Captain Belen?”

“Lord Raël is said to be great, though. He beat Lord Loren.”

“Tsk. But he’s just a commoner, right? Captain Belen is a high-ranking noble.”

Belen turned his head at the knights’ words.

‘Raël…’

The gray-haired man rising from the audience seats was visible.

He was leaving the other Three Heroes and walking somewhere.

‘The captain told me. Be careful of that guy.’

Belen looked at him and closed his mouth with a stiff face.

How formidable would the man Gideon, the captain, warned him about, truly be?

He felt a sense of unease for no reason.

‘I will win this Dragon-Phoenix Tournament and prove my skills once again.’

However, he didn’t think he would lose.

If he proves his skills, he doesn’t have to rely on lies anymore.

Belen wanted to be recognized as a knight of the Karmen Knights more than anything else.

“You guys. It’s good to see you working hard. Hmm.”

Meanwhile, Raël nodded, thinking about the two guys who had left earlier.

Lucas and Carlson went to receive training from the Sword Dragon [a renowned swordsman].

Carlson seemed annoyed, but Raël forcibly pushed him on the back.

That guy also needs to become stronger to protect himself in this world.

‘I should stop by once every two days.’

The round of 8 finals will begin in a week.

Before that, there will be a magical beast hunting event, so there is time until then.

Step. Step.

Raël looked around and entered a quiet alleyway.

Then, feeling a familiar energy, he opened his mouth.

“Clara.”

“Yeah, Raël.”

“You heard the story, right? Can you collect information about magical beasts within two days?”

Raël hated the injustices of this world so much.

From the inherent discrimination between nobles and commoners to the biases perpetuated through academic connections, regional affiliations, and bloodlines.

He couldn’t stand any of it.

‘So I have to do what I can too.’

For the First Prince to openly favor one person and provide information in advance as the leader of a successful knight order.

He couldn’t tolerate such unfairness!

“Don’t worry. I’ll bring it all by tomorrow.”

Raël smiled as he looked at the confident Clara.

*

The Belmos Duchy is a high-ranking noble family in the Vanessa Kingdom.

In particular, the head of the family, Sword Dragon, was recognized as the best swordsman in the Vanessa Kingdom.

“Carlson! Your head is empty!”

The best swordsman of the Vanessa Kingdom, Sword Dragon, struck Carlson’s head with a thick wooden sword.

“Aaaagh! Don’t hit me!”

Taang-!

Carlson rolled around, blocking the sword rushing towards his head.

He looked at the Sword Dragon with tears in his eyes.

Why was he being subjected to such torment?

He followed him because he said it was a guidance sparring, but this is not guidance, it’s just assault!

“I’m a clergyman! A clergyman! A clergyman of the Gaia Order!”

“Carlson! If you say strange things, I’ll deal with you!”

“No, this crazy family… !”

Carlson bit his lip as he blocked Kyle’s sword.

The Belmos swordsmen were also terribly strong.

He missed Captain Marco’s training today more than ever.

“Your reaction speed is slow. Lucas, don’t put elegance into your sword movements!”

Meanwhile, Lucas and Sword Dragon’s guidance sparring continued.

Sword Dragon, who came to see his grandson’s participation in the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament, found a pretty interesting guy in the Karmen Empire.

Kkaang-!

Lucas was pushed back by Sword Dragon’s sword and sat down.

Lucas looked down at his hand and swallowed.

He felt a tingling pain just from blocking the sword.

‘Too strong… I can’t see the end.’

Sword Dragon was one of the strongest swordsmen he had ever met.

The sword of someone who has reached the level of a mature Sword Master had so much to teach even in a short sparring session.

“Once again, I ask for your help.”

“I can see your legs are staggering, but you’re going to try again?”

“I can still do it… !”

Lucas held his sword and burned with determination.

He knew his body well.

He wouldn’t fall with just this much.

“It’s amazing. If you have that much skill, you already have no rivals among your peers, so why are you working so hard?”

Sword Dragon watched Lucas with interest.

He truly deserved to be called a heaven-sent talent.

There are almost no masters who have reached the level of a mature graduate at that age anywhere on the continent.

It was a high level of achievement even compared to Sword Dragon’s own past.

But that child’s eyes still yearned for a higher place.

“…I have to become stronger. I want to become stronger than anyone else and make this world peaceful.”

There is too much evil in the world.

Lucas wanted to subdue all such evil.

From the moment he realized his talent, he thought it was his mission.

“Gee, you have such an old man’s expression.”

Sword Dragon looked at Lucas’s upright and righteous eyes with interest.

He truly had the eyes of a hero.

He was just curious how such a young man could have such a deep sense of purpose.

“And…”

Lucas raised his head and smiled brightly.

“Hmm?”

“There’s someone I want to surpass, too.”

Lucas was a genius.

He wasn’t the type to brag or show off the fact that he was excellent, but he didn’t deny the fact that he was excellent.

That’s why he thought he had to eliminate the evil of this world even more.

[You’re Lucas, right?]

But one day.

A man appeared in front of him.

Lucas learned a lot from watching that man.

[Be quiet, and if you’re not going to run away, watch and learn.]

When a high-ranking demon appeared before his eyes, Lucas felt a high wall as he looked at his back.

He was too lacking to eliminate the evil of this world.

His back stimulated Lucas’s pride as a swordsman.

‘Someday… I will surpass you. Lord Raël.’

Lucas recalled the gray-haired man with a cheerful smile.

The man, who seemed bad but was kind, and seemed good but had a complex personality, became a positive stimulus and goal for Lucas.

“Lucas. Now you’re making a face like a kid.”

Sword Dragon raised the corners of his lips.

Yes. This is youth.

There was nothing more enjoyable than seeing outstanding young warriors competing with each other.

It was as if something was boiling in his body as well.

“Once again, I will go. Sword Dragon.”

Lucas raised his sword.

Lucas, the hero of the Karmen Empire, the hero of the Order, and the hope of the continent, was burning with competitiveness towards only one man.