The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 173

“I heard that the next Emperor will be decided at this National Foundation Festival….”

*Pouring-*

The Heavenly Demon poured tea into the Emperor’s teacup in front of him.

Leopold von Grandia, the apex of the Carmen Empire, sat across from him.

He had come to the Pope’s prayer room on the first day of the National Foundation Festival.

“I know better than anyone that my health is failing, so shouldn’t I decide on a successor before it’s too late?”

“I have heard reports of your deteriorating health…” the Heavenly Demon replied.

“The blessings of the priests and bishops sent by the Gaia Order have been most helpful.”

“I’m glad they helped,” the Heavenly Demon said neutrally.

The Heavenly Demon subtly observed Leopold.

The Emperor, who had clearly been teetering on the brink of death, seemed to have regained some vitality.

‘Even sending priests every day didn’t restore his health completely. Is this perhaps a death flicker [a temporary surge of energy before death]?’ he mused.

The reason his health deteriorated in the first place was due to his dissolute life and advanced age.

Even the most fervent blessings of the priests could not fully rejuvenate the body of an aging man.

“You seem to have a comfortable expression, too,” Leopold remarked.

“…I have only touched Gaia [referring to the Gaia Order’s teachings and practices],” the Heavenly Demon responded.

“You have touched Gaia… that’s a very good thing. You will be able to go to heaven.”

The Emperor smiled faintly and brought the teacup to his lips.

Going to heaven.

It was a concept that seemed distant and unreal to him.

“Speaking of heaven… it’s a strange thing.”

The Emperor.

He was a person who rarely spoke of death.

It was unsettling to hear the word ‘heaven’ from his lips.

“Amadeus is not present. Doesn’t he usually stay by your side?” Leopold asked, looking around instead of directly answering the Pope’s question.

Inquisitor General Amadeus.

The Heavenly Demon hadn’t seen him once today.

“…He is handling internal affairs of the Order,” the Heavenly Demon explained.

Amadeus would be training the Inquisitors at this moment.

They had decided to no longer conceal their faces and would become a visible combat force representing the Gaia Order, alongside the Silver Cross Knights.

“Ah, is it the work related to the Holy Land? Since the Holy Land has been destroyed, you must be quite burdened.”

The Order’s Holy Land.

That place was the source of the Gaia Order’s power.

Now that it had been destroyed, it would take a long time for the Gaia Order to recover its strength.

“Shouldn’t we have sought Gideon’s help after all? I thought he would be released soon, but he is still locked up in prison.”

Gideon Garcia.

He was a knight who always prioritized the Empire.

Even though there had been a sacred trial [a trial by the gods to determine guilt or innocence], from the Emperor’s perspective, he felt more secure when Gideon was in charge of the Carmen Knights.

“He lost the sacred trial. He was not chosen by Gaia. Unless he joins the Gaia Order with the permission of the Hero, he cannot be released.”

“The Order’s Hero? Haven’t you subdued him yet?”

“…. It’s because I’m lacking in ability,” Pope Heavenly Demon said, bowing his head slightly.

Leopold didn’t yet comprehend the full extent of the situation.

The Gaia Order’s Hero.

Just how formidable he truly was.

“More than that, what brings you to the Order today? If you simply needed a priest, you could have requested one.”

As the Pope asked this question, a faint smile appeared on Leopold’s lips.

“The Demon King will soon run wild.”

“Demon King…?! Is that true? The Demon King is running wild?” Pope Heavenly Demon exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise.

The Demon King, that monstrous being, was about to break free. Could humans even predict such an event?

“Do I have any reason to lie? The Demon King’s rampage is an undeniable fact. Rather, it’s a miracle that he’s been contained until now. Even the breakwater [referring to the magical seal] that was there will soon be destroyed.”

The Heavenly Star that strengthens the Demon King’s seal.

That unique power would ultimately belong to the Emperor.

“After that monster is gone… I will create an Empire without any danger. The Emperor’s seat will be given to the one who accomplishes that.”

Of course, only one of the Emperor’s successors could truly handle the Demon King.

Emperor Leopold smiled bitterly.

*

As the National Foundation Festival commenced, the streets burst into vibrant life.

Raiel took some time off for the first time in a while to stroll through the festival streets with the children from the orphanage.

“There are so many festivals in the Empire. Teacher Sarah, come to think of it, wasn’t the Heavenly Festival also a festival to commemorate the first Emperor?” Raiel asked, looking around at the bustling scene.

He knew there were many festivals in the Empire, but paying closer attention made him curious about their origins.

“Yes, that’s right. Both the Heavenly Festival and the National Foundation Festival are festivals to commemorate the first Emperor. The Heavenly Festival is in summer, and the National Foundation Festival is in winter.”

“Ah… well, summer and winter are difficult seasons.”

Raiel, who had lived in this medieval fantasy world for over 20 years, could now understand the people’s sentiments.

There was no air conditioning in the summer, and no central heating in the winter.

Of course, there were similar magic tools, but they required magic stones, making them inaccessible to anyone other than high-ranking nobles.

These big festivals were a way of forgetting the hardships.

“Raiel oppa-! Buy me this!” Nia pleaded, pointing at a food stall.

“Nia, I told you, you’ll get fat if you eat too much,” Raiel chided gently.

For reference, the children he had taken to Arconia were now back in the capital.

The Order viewed them with suspicion, so he knew he would have to arrange other jobs for Nia and Harry later.

“Thank you for taking the time, Raiel. You have no idea how much the kids appreciate it,” Sarah said gratefully.

“It’s no trouble at all,” Raiel replied, smiling wryly.

He would love to play with them all day long, but Raiel had responsibilities, preventing him from enjoying the festival as freely as before.

Besides, the matter of the Emperor’s successor was also coming to a head at this National Foundation Festival, so there was much to be done.

“Huh? Who are they?” Harry asked, pointing ahead.

As he was walking down the street with the orphanage children, he noticed the children who were running ahead were talking to someone.

“…Elf? No, isn’t that Erenngor?” Raiel said, recognizing the figure.

Raiel smiled and approached Erenngor, who was gently stroking the children’s heads.

As he got closer, he saw Erenngor handing out candy to each of the children.

Raiel spoke up as he watched.

“Erenngor, what are you doing?”

“Ah! The benefactor of the clan, Raiel, is also here!” Erenngor exclaimed.

Raiel wondered if Erenngor was trying to curry favor, but his expression didn’t suggest that.

“Why are you buying candy for the kids? How do you even know them in the first place?” Raiel asked, curious.

“That’s… the Rain Knights told me to treat the orphanage children well because they are the benefactor’s family….”

“Really? Those people are also quick-witted,” Raiel remarked.

They might not be as capable as Raiel, but they were still aces in this medieval fantasy world.

Their social skills were impressive.

“Raiel-nim was also enjoying the National Foundation Festival. Our elven children also wanted to see Raiel-nim a lot,” Erenngor added.

“I’m going to meet Reina and Reine today, and if I have time after that, I’ll visit the elven forest,” Raiel replied.

“You mean Reine. If it’s her, she was at that fountain,” Erenngor corrected.

“Yes. That’s where I’m supposed to meet her.”

“…But Raiel-nim? May I ask you one thing? Is there a reason why you call me Erenngor and Reine Reine-ssi? Of course, I have no complaints about the benefactor’s title,” Erenngor asked hesitantly.

“I’m disappointed in you,” Raiel said flatly.

“Ugh, the benefactor is disappointed! Please tell me anything and I will correct it immediately!” Erenngor pleaded.

“It’s okay. Hey. You said you have no complaints,” Raiel said, shaking his head.

After witnessing Erenngor lose his composure as soon as he encountered Bestia, Raiel was also somewhat disappointed in the elves.

Raiel gave a brief greeting to the elves and turned to leave.

When he arrived at the fountain in the nearby District 2, he saw Reine chatting with Reina.

It was the same fountain where he had captured the high-ranking demons with Carlson.

“Raiel! Over here!” Reina called out, waving.

“Hello, Raiel-ssi,” Reine greeted him with a gentle smile.

“It’s been a while,” Raiel replied.

Raiel approached the two elves.

Reina was smiling brightly, and Reine was also smiling with her eyes closed.

“There were elves over there, did you meet them?” Reina asked.

“Yes. I decided to go later if I have time,” Raiel replied.

“Let’s go with me and my sister!” Reina suggested enthusiastically.

“I have to. What would I do if I went alone?” Raiel joked.

Raiel walked out into the street with the two elves.

Today, he was planning to stroll around and sample the street food instead of eating at a restaurant.

“Reine-ssi, I heard you’re busy treating the demonic soldiers. I’m sorry for imposing,” Raiel said.

“No, I have to work hard if it’s Raiel-ssi’s request. I’m quite talented, too,” Reine replied modestly.

“Is that so….” Raiel said, nodding, and looked around.

And, he finally spotted the person he was looking for.

*Tap- tap tap-*

When Raiel tapped the floor, one of the lying beggars slowly got up.

The beggar, who made eye contact with Raiel, carefully hid behind the alley.

“Raiel, what are you doing?” Reina asked, tilting her head.

“No, there’s a place that sells delicious chicken skewers at this National Foundation Festival. I was thinking about where it is,” Raiel replied, feigning ignorance.

“Really? Tell me too!” Reina exclaimed, her eyes lighting up.

“Reina, don’t make too much noise. Thank you for always taking care of Reina, Raiel-ssi,” Reine said gently, trying to keep her sister in check.

“Sister, I’m the one who takes care of you? Raiel, say something too. My sister doesn’t believe me,” Reina protested.

“…Well. More than that, don’t you want to eat chicken skewers? Even nobles go there, so if you’re late, there won’t be any soup left,” Raiel said, looking around.

This seemed like a suitable location.

“I’ll go! I’ll go! Where is it?” Reina asked eagerly.

“I’ve told the people I know, so go and get the chicken skewers. We’ll be waiting at the fountain,” Raiel instructed.

“Huh? Can’t you go? I’ll sit at the fountain with my sister! That’s my specialty!” Reina declared proudly, puffing out her chest.

Raiel shook his head.

“Then I’ll go, so will you buy the chicken skewers?” Reina asked, her eyes sparkling.

“I’ll be back!” Reina exclaimed, turning around as soon as Raiel finished speaking.

Raiel sighed as he watched Reina disappear in an instant.

“…You have to hear where it is before you go,” he muttered to himself.

“Hehe. Reina is like me, so she has some silly parts. Thanks to Raiel-ssi, it seems like she’s been doing less of that lately,” Reine said with a smile.

“Hmm…. Yes. Well. Shall we go to the fountain first?” Raiel asked.

Raiel grabbed Reine’s wrist and walked ahead.

Reine, who was following him without thinking, suddenly felt something was amiss.

“Huh? Raiel-ssi. This way doesn’t seem to be the way we came,” she pointed out.

“No. This is the closest way,” Raiel insisted.

“Ah… I see,” Reine said, accepting his explanation.

Raiel moved silently.

Only after arriving at the empty lot where the Beggars controlled people’s movements in the alley did Raiel release Reine’s wrist.

“R, Raiel-ssi? Where is this place? It seems far from the fountain…,” Reine asked, tilting her head in confusion.

“Now, I have to do some work, Reine-ssi,” Raiel said, his expression hardening.

“Work what…?! ”

“Returning Heaven, Press(壓) [a technique to compress and control magical energy],” Raiel intoned.

Before Reine could finish speaking, Raiel’s magic power enveloped her body.

Returning Heaven, Press.

It was a technique to compress the magic power of Returning Heaven into a confined space.

“Ugh, ugh…?! ” Reine gasped.

Tight strands of magic power surrounded Reine, preventing her from unleashing her own magic power of nature.

Reine’s body trembled under the immense pressure she had never experienced before.

“Now… let’s see what’s wrong before Reina comes back,” Raiel muttered.

Raiel placed his hand on Reine’s forehead.

He had sensed a strange power within her since he first met her.

*Flutter- tremble-*

Reine twisted her body as if in protest, but Raiel remained steadfast.

“It doesn’t seem like possession… what is this magic energy?” Raiel murmured, narrowing his eyes after confirming the magic energy dwelling inside Reine’s body.

The magic energy that dwelled in the Emperor.

It was a similar type of magic energy.

*Crack- crack-*

At that moment, Reine’s resistance began to intensify.

Raiel briefly released the pressure of Returning Heaven and said, “Reine-ssi, you must be flustered, but please wait a moment. Right now, in Reine-ssi’s body….”

“How did you know?” Reine interrupted, her voice different.

“…Who are you?” Raiel asked, his eyes narrowing further.

Reine’s large eyes.

Her green eyes, which he had never seen before, scanned Raiel up and down.

“The contract has not yet been concluded, but… good. I’ll take it first,” she declared.

At that moment.

“…Magic energy?” Raiel whispered, sensing a shift in the atmosphere.

*Thud-!*

A dark abyss that seemed to crush the very space of the empty lot enveloped Raiel’s body. The darkness was all-consuming.