The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 109

The day after the celebration party for the participants of the Round of 8.

Raël stared down at the floor, a sword in his hand.

Before him lay a nobleman who had thrown his sword aside.

“I… I lost.”

“Good work.”

Raël sheathed his sword after hearing the declaration of defeat and turned away.

His opponent in the Round of 8 was a nobleman from Samuel County.

He exchanged blows with Raël only a couple of times before collapsing backward with a thud!

‘Samuel County… I think I’ve heard that name somewhere.’

Since it doesn’t stick in my memory, it probably isn’t an important name.

Raël tilted his head and walked out of the arena.

“Th, this damn it… What? A sword that’s only strong against magical beasts? I’ll get my hands on whoever said that….”

“Tsk, tsk.”

Raël shook his head at the muttering he heard from behind.

What that guy is saying is just nonsense that’s been circulating in the Empire.

It was a rumor that spread after Raël killed a high-ranking magical beast in one strike during the event match.

‘I’m actually curious about who these guys are.’

The Thousand Slaughter Sword is indeed strong against the demonic race, but it’s definitely not a weak sword against humans. …Can something like that even exist?

Anyway, the fact that such foolish words are spreading probably means that the Thousand Slaughter Sword was that amazing.

“Raël, hyungnim [older brother/friend]! Great job!”

“Congratulations on advancing to the Round of 4, Raël-kyung [formal title, similar to ‘sir’],”

As Raël exited the arena and returned to the audience seats, Carlson and Lucas approached.

“Thanks. Congratulations to you guys too.”

“Haha, with this, the Empire’s Three Heroes have all advanced to the Round of 4. Where else would you see such a feat?”

Before Raël’s match, Carlson and Lucas had also advanced to the Round of 4.

Both of them had overwhelming matches, though not quite as much as Raël.

“Carlson. Didn’t I tell you not to talk about that Three Heroes thing?”

“Raël, hyungnim. At first, I was wondering what this was all about, but after hearing it, isn’t it 괜찮습니까 [gwaenchanseumnikka – Korean for ‘okay’?]”

“…괜찮긴 개뿔 [gwaenchanhgin gaeppul – Korean slang for ‘okay my ass’].”

In fact, Raël was somewhat adapting to that title.

However, as an intellectual, he had his pride, so he didn’t show it outwardly.

“The next match is the last one before yours. I’m hoping Kyle-ssi [Mr./Ms.] wins, but….”

“We’ll see. We’ll find out when we see it ourselves. Let’s go see what Belen is relying on to act so cocky.”

The next match was between Kyle and Belen.

The winner of that match would face Raël in the Round of 4.

Raël walked through the nobles towards the Rein Knights.

Unlike the event match, there were seats available, so he could watch from the audience.

“Commander.”

“Hm? Ah, Raël. Congratulations on advancing to the Round of 4.”

“It’s only natural. I mean.”

“It’s a given for you. By the way, I was going to see you at the Round of 8 celebration party, but where were you? You were supposed to go with me, but you went to the party alone.”

“…Ah, sorry. I forgot.”

Raël recalled Rein spreading nonsense among the Empire’s citizens.

He couldn’t bring himself to say that he was too embarrassed by your behavior to go with you.

“That’s too bad. The Rein Knights also wanted to see you. They kept complaining to me because you weren’t there. They didn’t believe me even when I told them you were a disciple of the Thousand Slaughter Sword Master. It would have been nice if you had told me in advance.”

“I had my reasons too. The Thousand Slaughter Sword Master doesn’t show himself often, you see.”

Raël sat next to Commander Rein and started a conversation.

Carlson and Lucas also greeted the Rein Knights and took their seats.

The Dragon Phoenix Tournament has a short preparation time, so the match will start soon.

“So, you were here. The Empire’s Three Heroes, the little brats.”

Just then, a thick hand landed on Raël’s shoulder.

Raël could tell who it was just by the voice.

“Hm? Aren’t you Sword Dragon-nim [esteemed title]? What brings you here?”

“It’s my grandson’s match, so I have to watch.”

Sword Dragon sat next to Raël and looked at the arena.

Kyle and Belen were standing face to face in the arena.

“What do you think, Sword Dragon-nim?”

“Hmm… I don’t know. Either way, the next opponent is a monster, so I don’t expect him to win. But I hope he makes it to the Round of 4.”

“…A monster, you say.”

“If he’s a guy who can kill a high-ranking magical beast in one strike, then it’s not an exaggeration to call him a monster.”

Sword Dragon chuckled and looked at Raël.

The entire Empire is already paying attention to Raël. If he can’t win anyway, it would be more honorable to lose to the most outstanding Raël.

“That’s right. Raël, hyungnim, is like a monster.”

“Carlson. Do you want to die?”

“Hyungnim, the match is starting. The match!”

Carlson raised his hand and pointed to the arena.

As he said, Kyle and Belen were facing each other and bowing.

“Tsk.”

These days, kids just aren’t up to par.

Raël flicked Carlson’s head before staring intently at Belen.

“Hmm.”

Meanwhile, Kyle stood in the arena, looking at the man before him.

Belen, the 1st Squad Commander of the Karmen Knights.

His name was known even in the Vanessa Kingdom.

“It’s good to see you again. Let me formally introduce myself. I am Kyle Belmos, one of the Twenty-Four Swords of the Vanessa Kingdom. Nice to meet you!”

“I am Belen, the 1st Squad Commander of the Karmen Knights.”

Belen smiled politely, showing the proper etiquette of a knight.

He appeared to be the perfect knight on the outside, but there was no hint of tension in him.

It was as if he had absolute confidence that he would not lose this match.

‘Composure, huh… Good. A strong opponent only makes me stronger.’

Kyle stared intently at Belen across from him.

He likes outstanding warriors.

As long as they have the skill like Raël, he doesn’t care if they ignore him.

“Belen, you seem to dislike Raël. What’s the reason?”

However, he couldn’t understand why Belen hated Raël so much.

The Raël he knew was a bit of a jerk, but he wasn’t a bad guy.

“…What I told you then is all there is to it regarding Raël-kyung. I have nothing more to say.”

“If you don’t want to talk about it, I won’t pry. Let’s have a good match.”

Kyle raised his greatsword.

Seeing this, Belen drew his sword and opened his mouth.

“Yes. Ah, I apologize in advance to Kyle-nim [formal title].”

“Apologize?”

Sword ki [sword aura/energy] began to form on Belen’s sword.

It was a dark blue sword ki that Kyle had never seen before.

“I received orders that I can reveal my strength from the Round of 8, so I will end this as quickly as possible. Please don’t think I’m being rude.”

Sreung-

Seeing the sword ki blooming from Belen’s sword, Kyle immediately shot towards him.

‘Dangerous!’

It was Kyle’s warrior instinct.

He felt that he couldn’t let it go on.

Taang-!

The greatsword that Kyle swung collided with Belen’s sword.

It was an attack filled with all his strength, but Belen was not shaken at all by Kyle’s charge.

“Keuk!”

Kyle stepped back and widened his eyes.

Clearly, the opponent had swung his sword lightly, but his greatsword was deflected.

Kyle bit his lip at the pain he felt in his arm and glared straight ahead.

” ..! ”

Hwaaaaaak-!

And, at the same time, Kyle’s eyes were filled with blue sword ki.

“Tsk. You have to concentrate on the front until the end.”

Raël frowned as he watched the arena.

The duel was overwhelming.

Kyle was defeated without putting up a proper resistance against Belen.

“That guy…”

Sword Dragon, who was in the audience, was also looking at Belen with a curious expression.

He knew that Belen was quite capable, but he didn’t think there was a big difference between him and his grandson.

However, the skill that Belen is showing now is several levels above what he showed when fighting magical beasts.

“Did he have a hidden card? No, he wasn’t hiding his sword, but the swordsmanship he had learned. That’s why I didn’t recognize it.”

“Well, he was cocky enough.”

Raël’s gaze followed Belen as he disappeared from the arena.

*

Tak- Tak-

After the Round of 4 was confirmed.

Belen, standing in front of the Knights Commander’s office, straightened his attire.

The Commander only called him when there was something important, so it was clear that this was also something important.

“This is Belen, the 1st Squad Commander. I heard you summoned me.”

“Come in.”

“Yes.”

Belen carefully opened the door and entered the Commander’s office.

The Commander’s room, devoid of any luxury items, was one of the attitudes that a knight should emulate.

“Belen.”

“Yes. Commander.”

Belen bowed his head as he looked at Gideon.

Recently, there had been a look of unease on the Commander’s face.

To be exact, it was from when the Thousand Slaughter Sword Master had revealed himself.

“Congratulations on reaching the Round of 4. The prestige of the Karmen Knights will rise even higher.”

“No. I am well aware that this is not enough.”

Belen bowed his head as if he was reflecting.

Right now, the people of the Empire are chanting the names of the Three Heroes, not the Karmen Knights.

As the 1st Squad Commander of the Karmen Knights, who should be at the forefront, it was a shameful and embarrassing thing.

“Belen. I saw talent in you. Among the countless swordsmen in the Empire, your talent shines brightly.”

” … ”

“But there are countless stars in the night sky. This irrational world sometimes gives birth to monsters. In order to defeat such monsters, you must not be picky about the means and methods.”

Belen immediately knew who Gideon was talking about.

It was Raël, his next opponent.

“The Karmen Knights… are the most outstanding knights in the Empire. They must be. Because of that symbolism, the Imperial Family is firmly maintained, and the Empire is united as one.”

Gideon clenched his fist.

The one who was once an outstanding emperor is now indulging in pleasure.

Now was his chance.

While the Emperor is lost in the vain hope of eternal life and not paying attention to the Empire, he, as the Commander of the Karmen Knights, must unite the Empire.

“Yes. I know.”

Belen nodded his head.

“Belen. For the Karmen Knights, can you risk your life?”

Gideon looked at Belen with a serious expression.

A hot flame rose from his eyes.

“…Please entrust me with anything.”

Gideon nodded his head as if satisfied with Belen’s answer.

With many enemies outside these days, the Empire was slowly uniting thanks to his efforts.

But impurities had crept into the Empire that was becoming one.

The discordant existence must be quickly eliminated.

“Take it.”

Gideon handed Belen a vial.

Belen instinctively examined the vial, as it was an item he had never seen in the Knights before.

“What is this…? ”

“It is the Poison of the Four Dragons. Use it in the Round of 4.”

“…Commander.”

Belen looked at Gideon with a stiff face.

‘This… this is not chivalry.’

The Poison of the Four Dragons.

It is a poison created by insects that feed on the corpses of dead dragons, and it is a terrifying thing that burrows into the human soul and devours intelligence.

To use it in the Round of 4 means to use poison in a fair duel.

“Don’t ask anything. Belen. I trust you. If not now, I don’t know when we can kill that monster.”

The Thousand Slaughter Sword Master.

He is someone who suddenly appears and then disappears without a trace.

As long as he is there, Gideon cannot move directly.

‘Thousand Slaughter Sword Master… you continue to interfere with me even after the Great War. But it won’t work this time.’

The Dragon Phoenix Tournament stage is different.

Accidents can happen during a duel.

“Commander. Even if it’s something else, this is….”

“Belen.”

Gideon’s cold voice cut off Belen’s words.

“You are a raw gem that I personally raised. It was I, not anyone else, who saw your talent and brought you to the Karmen Knights. Have I ever been wrong in listening to me?”

“That is….”

“There is nothing more to say. Take it.”

“…”

Belen closed his mouth and looked at the vial.

Then, he slowly opened his mouth.

“Commander. I was proud to be a member of the Karmen Knights, and I have always trusted and followed you. However, Commander. The Karmen Sword that you taught us has protected the Empire for a thousand years without such things! And in order to continue that history and protect the Empire, shouldn’t the Karmen Sword be dignified…!”

Belen had lived his life satisfied that he was a Karmen Knight.

Because he believed that the path he was taking was right, he was able to tell the Empire’s Three Heroes to distance themselves from Raël.

But, that the method would be such a mean trick.

Belen couldn’t understand it at all.

Gideon frowned as he looked at Belen.

Murderous intent flickered in his eyes, and anger surged.

However, Gideon soon let out a deep sigh and relaxed his expression.

“Commander… please say something–!”

“It’s an imperial order.”

Tak.

Gideon, cutting off Belen’s words, picked up the vial and handed it to Belen once again.

“It’s an imperial order, Belen. Can’t you obey it?”

“Commander… an imperial order. How could His Majesty issue an imperial order for such a thing…! ”

“The Karmen Knights do not question. They simply follow orders. If you can’t do it, I will. I will personally smear poison on my sword and stab Raël’s vitals in the dark.”

” … ”

“I’m sorry. It seems it was still a heavy task for you. Let’s pretend we didn’t hear this story.”

Seeing Gideon turn around, Belen unknowingly reached out his hand.

“I’m sorry. For the sake of the Empire… I will obey the imperial order.”

Belen lowered his head deeply.

“You’ve thought well. Belen.”

Gideon patted Belen’s shoulder and nodded his head.

Belen, who had lowered his head, could not see the cold look in Gideon’s eyes as he looked at him.

*

The day after the Round of 8.

Raël stood in the Dragon Phoenix Tournament arena, yawning.

“Carlson. Is Kyle okay?”

“He seems to be bedridden from the shock of not advancing to the Round of 4.”

“Tsk, tsk. To be bedridden over something like that.”

“It seems he wanted to see His Majesty the Emperor of the Karmen Empire up close. Even for high-ranking nobles, there are few opportunities to have an audience with His Majesty this closely.”

The reason why Carlson and Raël were standing in the arena now was also because of that.

It was a time for talented swordsmen who had advanced to the Round of 4 to receive words of encouragement from the Emperor of the Karmen Empire.

“I don’t understand that. He’s just an old man. Carlson. I sometimes feel that this world is so 답답하다 [dapdapada – Korean for ‘frustrating’].”

“Raël, hyungnim. There are knights all around, so please speak quietly. I’m 답답하다 [dapdapada] with hyungnim every day.”

Carlson sighed.

Raël is probably the only person in the Karmen Empire who treats the Emperor like that.

“…Alright. What would you know.”

A paladin from a medieval fantasy wouldn’t know about the irrationality of the monarchy.

Raël gave up on persuading him any further.

“But Carlson, the Emperor is coming out, but isn’t the Pope coming out?”

“…Raël, hyungnim. Do you think the Pope is your neighborhood hyung [older brother/friend]? His Holiness the Pope is very busy.”

“What is he doing right now?”

“Didn’t I tell you? He’s praying for the Saintess.”

“Ah, I think I heard that. You mean Cecilia Sajenim [Miss/Madam]?”

“It’s not Cecilia Sajenim, it’s the Saintess. The church hasn’t announced it yet, but Cecilia-nim is already recognized as a Saintess within the church. Raël, hyungnim, you’re an honorary knight of the Silver Cross Knights, so you should know this.”

“You should have told me in advance. You 인마 [inma – Korean for ‘you jerk’].”

While Raël and Carlson were having a friendly conversation.

Lucas, who had been listening from the side, straightened his back and said.

“Raël-kyung, Carlson-kyung. His Majesty the Emperor is coming.”

” … ”

Raël closed his mouth and looked straight ahead.

Raël, who was full of dissatisfaction with the monarchy, couldn’t show such a thing even in front of the Emperor.

[His Majesty the Emperor is entering. Everyone, show respect.]

At the knight’s words, everyone in the audience stood up.

Raël looked at the old Emperor walking in wearing a splendid cloak.

‘He’s gotten much older than before.’

He had seen him at a festival while he was living as a guard, but even though it hadn’t been many years, he looked much older than then.

“I hope you have a good duel. Belen-kyung.”

“Thank you!”

Raël felt a strange feeling as he looked at the Emperor approaching from over there.

It was a feeling that was somehow familiar yet unpleasant, crawling up from his stomach.

“Carlson-kyung. Seeing the future of the Silver Cross Knights in person….”

The closer the Emperor got to this side, the greater the unpleasant sensation became.

Even if he wanted to deny it, Raël’s sharp senses caught the disgusting power around him.

” … ”

Raël bit the inside of his lip as he looked at the Emperor.

Otherwise, he felt like his expression would crumple without him even realizing it.

Soon, the Emperor stood before Raël.

“Raël-kyung. Your name has even reached the Imperial Family. I ask for a good match.”

“…Yes. Your Majesty. Thank you.”

Raël knelt on one knee and lowered his head to show respect.

And, with an expression crumpled so that no one could see, he let out a sigh.

‘What a fucked up world.’

A terrible demonic energy was felt from the Emperor of the Thousand-Year Empire, Karmen.