The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 200

Rael headed to the Special Guard’s lakeside for the first time in a while.

The sapphire lake, nestled in the earth, shone with its usual blue brilliance.

Rael glanced across the water before entering the cave tucked into the corner.

After navigating the long, artificial tunnel-like cave, he infused magic into one side of the wall. A door shimmered open, revealing what looked like a laboratory.

It was Tia’s Dragon Lair.

“Gaia Order’s Hero. What brings you here?”

Tia greeted Rael as he entered her Dragon Lair, which resembled a well-equipped laboratory. She seemed engrossed in some magical research.

“Please don’t call me that, Tia.”

“Why? They even erected a statue of you in the center of the Empire. I told you, you’d become a hero of the era. How does it feel to be a real hero now?”

“Nothing’s changed, but the burden has increased.”

Rael sighed and settled into a nearby seat.

*Whoosh*

Tia flicked her finger, and a teacup floated in front of Rael.

Rael brought the teacup to his lips without thinking, but quickly frowned and set it down.

Tia’s tea was still disgustingly bitter.

“Oh my. That’s strange.”

Tia, who had been watching Rael drink, rose from her seat and approached him.

She tilted her head, observing Rael’s body from different angles.

“…What are you doing?”

“I knew you were the most peculiar being among humans, but… something’s changed about you.”

Something had definitely shifted, but even Tia couldn’t quite pinpoint the difference.

However, Rael was undeniably different than before.

Tia narrowed her eyes, considering this fact.

“Ah… you must be talking about Divine Power.”

“Divine Power, you say?”

Tia placed her hand on Rael’s shoulder and closed her eyes.

Divine Power is a force born from faith.

Why are dragons called the mediators of the continent?

It’s because nearly everyone has faith in the strength of dragons.

Tia, as a dragon, possessed a deeper understanding of Divine Power than most.

“For a human to generate Divine Power, even a hero of the era… Rael, you truly are a unique being.”

“Is that so?”

“Rael, do you know that Divine Power is similar to the power of the Demon King?”

“The Demon King?”

Rael blinked.

Why was the Demon King being brought up now?

“Yes. Just as human faith becomes Divine Power, fear of the Demon King fuels his power. Divine Power may have been created to counter the Demon King.”

“It’s like a power that someone created. Is Divine Power really a power bestowed by a god?”

“Well, I don’t know much about the existence of gods. I’m not interested in things I can’t find the truth about, no matter how much I ponder.”

Tia picked up the teacup in front of her and smiled.

“So, if you’re not here to ask about Divine Power, why did you come?”

“I need your help.”

Rael looked at Tia and bowed his head slightly.

“Quite direct. What’s the matter?”

“I’m going to purify the Ghoul King.”

“Purify the Ghoul King? Is that even possible? Handling that immense power is nearly impossible.”

“Still, I can’t ignore it, knowing it’s a bomb that will explode someday.”

“Hmm. Alright. What do you want from me?”

“I can’t do anything while suppressing the Ghoul King’s power. I need your help during that time.”

Purifying the Ghoul King would undoubtedly be a massive undertaking.

Demons might even attack during the process.

“Why are you asking me for help, of all people?”

“Because you’re the strongest being I know, Tia.”

“What about asking the Thousand Slaughter Sword Master for help?”

“I don’t know where he went.”

The Thousand Slaughter Sword Master had vanished again after passing on the Sword of 逆天 [Sword of Defying Heaven] to Rael.

As a disciple with the worst teacher, it was frustrating.

“Well, I suppose that’s to be expected. The flame of life is fading.”

“What do you mean?”

“Thousand Slaughter Sword Master… That human is a monster who ended the war with the demons single-handedly. There’s no way his body wouldn’t be failing. He knows better than anyone that his life is running out. So… he’s planning to burn all his flames in the final moment.”

The last moment of life.

For a brighter 回光返照 [Huiguangfanzhao – a final burst of energy before death] than ever, the Thousand Slaughter Sword Master was conserving all his energy.

“…Tch.”

Rael clicked his tongue and shook his head.

He wanted to ask why he was doing such a thing, but he had known from the start that the Thousand Slaughter Sword Master was eccentric and attention-seeking.

Hearing that such a person was saving his strength for his last moment, he couldn’t say anything.

“So, will you help me?”

“You mean stop the demons from attacking? Sorry, but I can’t do that.”

“…Why? Didn’t you say you’d help because it’s dangerous if the Ghoul King is released? This is an extension of that.”

“Sorry, but the situation has changed. The situation where the Ghoul King’s power is building up and about to explode is completely different from the situation where the Gaia Order’s hero is purifying the Ghoul King. As long as you’re here, the world won’t be destroyed.”

“You’re so damn objective.”

Rael understood Tia’s words.

If he gave it his all now, even if the purification of the Ghoul King failed, not enough strong demonic energy would remain to destroy the world.

“Alright. If it doesn’t work, there’s nothing I can do.”

“You give up surprisingly quickly?”

“What can I do if it doesn’t work? And I didn’t expect much in the first place.”

He came to Tia to confirm the purification process.

Getting help in the process would be nice, but it couldn’t be helped if it didn’t work out.

“The outflow of demonic energy is bound to happen in the process of purifying the Ghoul King. The demons won’t stay still, will they?”

“Since war is inevitable anyway, that much can’t be helped.”

“…Do you have a definite purification method? I don’t want to see you go to your death either. You’re the only human I’ve liked in a long time.”

“It’s a secret.”

Rael chuckled.

It was as expected.

There was no way a dragon full of curiosity wouldn’t ask about the purification method.

“A secret? …Did you eat something wrong?”

“Just kidding. I can tell you, but please make me one promise.”

“A promise?”

“Yes. You said when you first met me that dragons like new and interesting things.”

Ennui [boredom; dissatisfaction].

That is the greatest enemy of dragons who live long lives.

Rael did not forget that fact.

“If the way I purify the Ghoul King is interesting to you, please help me fight the Demon King in the upcoming war.”

“…Interesting. You’re suggesting a deal to a dragon? But I’m a dragon who has lived for thousands of years. Can you really satisfy me?”

“If you’re a dragon who came all the way here because you were curious about the Ghoul King, there’s enough to pique your interest.”

Tia smiled faintly at Rael’s words.

Indeed, she liked this human quite a bit.

*

“Sir Rael, preparations are complete. The Allied Forces and the Silver Cross Knights have completely surrounded the Special Guard.”

“Has everyone been evacuated?”

“Yes. The Carmen Knights have evacuated all the civilians in the area. With the help of the Beggars’ Guild, we have also provided a place to stay temporarily.”

“Good job, Lucas.”

Rael nodded, looking at the Allied Forces surrounding the Special Guard.

With this much preparation, they would be able to respond quickly even if demons appeared.

“Rael, are you sure about this? What are you trying to do…”

At that moment, Carlson approached with an uneasy expression.

Carlson, standing in front of the Special Guard’s gate, felt a slight headache from the magic emanating from within.

“No, I’m not.”

“…Yes?”

“I explained it, didn’t I? I’m going to release the seal of a monster called the Ghoul King. And I’m going to purify it with the Saintess. Demons who sense the magic may appear in the process.”

“R-Really?!”

“Yes. That’s why I called you guys. Pay attention to the outside of the capital, beyond the walls of District 5.”

District 5 surrounds the upper districts.

The Special Guard is in the corner of it.

If you go just outside of here, you can see the plains surrounding the capital.

Rael was wary of demons appearing there.

“Cecilia, are you ready?”

“Yes, Rael.”

Cecilia also stood behind Rael with a nervous expression.

“As I said, I will use Divine Power to release the Ghoul King’s seal.”

“Ah, that strong divine power I saw before.”

“Yes. And I plan to purify the Ghoul King with this power. That’s when I need the Saintess’s help.”

A monster made of human malice.

The Ghoul King Yacha.

Cecilia also came here to purify that monster.

“Rael, what should I do?”

“You are far superior to me in sacred arts. When I weaken the Ghoul King, you must help with the purification.”

“…Yes. I will try my best.”

Cecilia nodded.

She knew everything that had happened in the 교단’s [Korean: religious order’s] sanctuary, so she was understandably afraid of the Ghoul King.

But even greater than that was her faith in Rael.

The hero couldn’t be wrong in what he was doing.

“Gent, Reina, remember what I told you? When the Ghoul King’s power weakens, take the Saintess and come to the Ghoul King’s prison.”

“I know, Rael.”

“I remember, but… is it really necessary to proceed so urgently?”

Reina said with a worried expression.

She wanted to bring all the elves, but Rael opposed it.

“Don’t worry, Reina.”

“It’s not worry… Ugh. I don’t know. Just don’t die!”

“Sorry, but I don’t want to die either.”

“That’s why! Just don’t die!”

Rael listened to Reina’s worries and walked towards the place where the Ghoul King was sealed.

[Isn’t it strange? The Ghoul King wasn’t this strong from the beginning.]

[What do you mean?]

Rael recalled the conversation he had with Tia a few days ago.

[You said that the weaker the Ghoul King’s seal, the weaker the magic, right? If the Ghoul King is the subject of magic and 鬼氣 [Gwiki – ghostly energy], it should be the opposite.]

[Yes. That’s why I found out that the Ghoul King is an artificial being.]

[Yes. What binds the magic and 鬼氣 to the Ghoul King is not the Ghoul King’s own power, but the seal. So, we’re going to break this seal itself.]

*Step- Step-*

He walked down the stairs, breathing in the cold air.

It was the path to the Ghoul King’s prison, which he had visited several times.

[Break the seal…? No. It’s too dangerous. If the Ghoul King goes berserk, that power will spread in all directions, but if you break the seal, all the aftermath will go to you.]

[I know.]

[Knowing isn’t enough. How are you going to withstand it?]

[Isn’t it obvious? I have to cut it down.]

Rael remembered the sword he had shown Tia.

[You… you’re really interesting.]

The dragon, who had lived for thousands of years, smiled as she looked at Rael’s sword.

*Creak-*

Rael carefully opened the door to the prison.

Inside the prison, the Ghoul King, whose body was bound by dozens of chains, could be seen.

She opened her mouth as soon as she saw Rael.

“Rael, have you come?”

“Yes.”

“You didn’t bring anything sweet today.”

“…I don’t think it’s necessary anymore.”

“Rael, stop. You’re going to die. You’re going to die.”

The Ghoul King stared intently at Rael.

She also knew.

The magic and 鬼氣 spread throughout the Special Guard whispered to her.

She instinctively realized what was going to happen.

The Rael in front of her was thinking of releasing her seal.

As an ordinary human, he would never be able to withstand it.

“Don’t worry.”

*Swish-*

Rael drew the 섬광 [Seomgwang – Flash/Gleam].

There was a way to get the Holy Sword Saint from Lucas, but he didn’t bother.

Divine Power and the Sword of 逆天 could be unleashed even without Saint.

“Because no one will die.”