The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 213

Swoosh-

Rael’s sword blazed with divine power.

A massive flame erupted.

Heavenly Execution Sword, Fifth Form: Heavenly Execution Divine Sword.

A sword where Rael’s divine power was fused with the Heavenly Execution Sword.

“…”

Maledrakas paused, his gaze fixed on Rael’s sword.

A flame so intensely hot and destructive, it threatened to incinerate everything.

Yet, within its heart dwelled holiness and warmth.

The flame, conjured by a human, momentarily inspired awe even in the Demon King.

“Ho, so this is divine power. It surpasses my expectations, Hero.”

He knew the Hero possessed divine power.

But its strength far exceeded Maledrakas’s estimations.

It was the combination of the Continent’s Greatest Swordsman’s skill and potent divine power that posed a threat to Maledrakas.

Only someone of this caliber could rise to become a hero of this era.

So, that’s how he shattered the Demon race’s grand plan and stood defiant before him.

In a way, it was inevitable.

Swoosh-

Therefore, Maledrakas felt a surge of joy.

The Hero, Rael, possessed unwavering conviction and formidable power.

The continent’s hope rested on his shoulders. He would become an equally profound despair when he was crushed.

And thanks to that, the reward for crushing the Hero would be exceedingly sweet.

Maledrakas’s body gradually leaned forward, anticipation gleaming in his eyes.

Seeing this, Rael raised Seomgwang [Heavenly Execution Sword] diagonally, preparing for the next clash.

Kwaaaang!

Sword and fist collided in the center of the audience chamber, a deafening explosion echoing through the castle.

Maledrakas poured demonic energy into his fist, attempting to push back the Heavenly Execution Divine Sword.

“…!”

Maledrakas’s eyes widened in surprise.

The power contained within the Hero’s sword was immense, far heavier than he anticipated. His own demonic authority was being pushed back, overwhelmed by the sheer force.

The Heavenly Execution Divine Sword was designed to cut through demonic energy, the ultimate form of the Heavenly Execution Sword.

Although Rael’s ego was imbued within, its fundamental nature remained unchanged.

The Heavenly Execution Sword was created to confront and vanquish demonic energy.

In a clash of similar power, Rael was destined to hold the advantage.

“Kugh!”

After a brief but intense power struggle, Rael’s Seomgwang forced Maledrakas’s fist back.

Immediately after, Rael raised Seomgwang diagonally, preparing to press his advantage.

Swoosh-

It was a purely instinctive movement, honed through countless battles.

Maledrakas felt an urgent need to evade that sword.

The judgment was swift and decisive.

Maledrakas retracted his fist and retreated, narrowly avoiding the blade’s path.

Paah!

At the same time, Maledrakas’s eyes snapped open, glowing with malevolent energy.

Each eye, possessing power greater than that of a high-ranking demon, unleashed a torrent of raw demonic energy.

회천, 폭 (Hoecheon, Explosion) [Heavenly Rotation, Explosion – a technique using rotating energy].

Kwaaaang!

The demonic energy struck 회천 (Hoecheon)’s magic, triggering a violent explosion that forced Rael to flinch and stumble backward.

Immediately after.

Kugugugung!

The massive Demon King’s castle trembled violently, groaning under the strain.

A thin, jagged line was etched into the wall of the Demon King’s castle, a testament to the immense power unleashed.

The wall, cracked along the line, began to crumble and collapse.

The small crack rapidly expanded, causing the ceiling of the Demon King’s castle to cave in, revealing the starlit night sky above.

“…”

Maledrakas quietly stared at Rael, a flicker of disbelief in his eyes.

The sword the Hero had just unleashed possessed power enough to threaten even his immortal life.

“Keup…”

Rael groaned, clutching his left arm, from which blood flowed freely.

Most of the demonic energy unleashed from those insane eyes had been deflected by 회천 (Hoecheon).

However, he couldn’t block it all, and some had managed to slip through his defenses.

‘Persistent bastard.’

He’s been targeting my left arm since the beginning of the fight.

Not only is he incredibly unlucky, but he’s also far sneakier than his imposing size would suggest.

“Hmm…”

Meanwhile, Maledrakas scrutinized the Hero.

The power of the divine energy emanating from that small body was strong enough to pose a threat even to him.

Unfortunately, it seemed he wouldn’t be able to perfectly execute his original plan.

“My mind has changed, Hero.”

“…What?”

“Since you have created such wondrous magic, I was planning to extract as much fear as possible by toying with you… Hero, you can no longer be called human.”

Rael’s level of power was astonishing, far beyond what Maledrakas had anticipated.

Maledrakas had thrust his fist, intending to tear off Rael’s left arm, but it only resulted in a minor injury.

Within the domain of demonic energy covering his body, Maledrakas couldn’t properly control his power.

Furthermore, the Hero possessed the stature and strength to match Maledrakas himself.

“I’ll end this a little sooner. I’ll make sure you can never resist.”

쿵 (Kung)- [Sound of a heavy impact].

At that moment, Maledrakas’s demonic energy surged, crushing the very space around them.

Rael gritted his teeth, deploying 회천 (Hoecheon) to defend himself.

Although Rael was clearly standing in the center of the audience chamber, the chamber felt impossibly small, as if the walls were closing in.

Maledrakas’s demonic energy completely devoured the surrounding space, becoming one with the environment.

The next moment, Maledrakas lunged at Rael with terrifying speed.

Rael swung his sword with animalistic senses, relying on instinct and training.

In times like these, the instincts of a predator and the protective power of 회천 (Hoecheon) played a crucial role.

His body moved before he could even consciously react.

Kwaaaang!

Seomgwang, imbued with divine power, collided with Maledrakas’s advancing form.

Maledrakas lowered his stance, using his massive bulk to brace against the impact, his eyes locked on Rael.

Rael blocked the fist with Seomgwang and opened his mouth, a defiant smirk playing on his lips.

“…Is the Demon King just going to throw punches like an idiot?”

Rael grimaced, attempting to provoke the Demon King.

He never imagined that the massive Demon King would suddenly charge in and resort to throwing punches.

“A fist is merely a means. The power of demonic energy can make anything a reality.”

쾅 (Kwang)! [Sound of a powerful strike].

Maledrakas’s fist transformed into a jet-black flame and surged towards Rael, threatening to engulf him in its inferno.

At the same time, Rael’s Seomgwang aimed for Maledrakas’s weak point and pierced through his defenses.

푸슉 (Pusyuk)- [Sound of something being pierced]. Blood spurted from Rael’s left arm, a crimson spray against the dark backdrop.

Rael retreated, his eyes narrowed as he glared at Maledrakas.

Clearly, the attack that went deeper was Rael’s, but a small wound was meaningless to the Demon King, a mere scratch on an immortal being.

Demonic energy writhed and pulsed, rapidly healing Maledrakas’s wound, closing the gap in his flesh as if it had never been there.

The entire Demon King’s castle was becoming a source of power for Maledrakas, amplifying his strength and resilience.

‘I can’t win a battle of attrition.’

The entire Demon King’s castle was saturated with demonic energy.

In other words, it was Maledrakas’s domain, a place where he held absolute power.

He had no intention of doing something as foolish as fighting a shark in the ocean as a human.

Rael needed to kill the shark as quickly as possible and escape the ocean before he was overwhelmed.

‘I saw hope.’

The Heavenly Execution Divine Sword could pierce through his defenses.

There was only one chance.

He had to sever the monster’s head with a single, decisive blow.

*

“Prepare the magic circle!”

Blue Magic Tower Lord Perma evoked magic power behind the lines of knights, his voice ringing with authority.

His job was to deploy interception magic circles to defend against the Demon race’s relentless army.

“Gaia-men! We can’t let the Hero fight alone!”

“Kill the Demon race bastards! In the name of Gaia!”

The Silver Cross Knights fought valiantly in front of the mages, forming a protective shield against the demonic onslaught.

Everyone risked their lives to break through the Demon race’s front line, pushing forward with unwavering determination.

Their goal was to retrieve the Rain Knights, who had bravely cleared the path for the Hero’s advance.

“Holy Domain Deployment!”

Divine power radiated from beneath the feet of Silver Cross Knight Commander Marco, a beacon of hope in the midst of despair.

It was Marco’s domain, a sacred space designed to fight against the encroaching darkness of the Demon race.

“Marco! There are too many demons! We need support!”

Amadeus, who led the Inquisitors, urgently requested support, but Marco shook his head grimly.

“We don’t have the leeway! We have to hold the line here!”

파아악 (Paah)! [Sound of something being cleaved].

A massive battle-axe cleaved a demon’s head in two, sending its lifeless body crashing to the ground.

But even with its head split open, the demon, who should have returned to the embrace of the goddess, continued to charge at Marco, driven by an unholy power.

This horrifying situation was happening to all the allied forces, a testament to the demons’ relentless tenacity.

If it weren’t for Carlson’s divine power sword aura, they wouldn’t have been able to maintain the battle situation, led by the unwavering paladins.

“Your Majesty! This place is too dangerous! Please retreat to the rear!”

“It’s alright, Commander Marco. I will fight alongside you.”

Yuri, fighting alongside the Silver Cross Knights, bit her lip in frustration and swung her sword with deadly precision.

Each time her blade moved, the demons’ limbs were torn off, and their hearts were pierced, leaving a trail of carnage in her wake.

‘This is too late.’

Yuri stared at the massive screen hovering above her head, a grim reminder of the situation’s urgency.

It had been created over the past month as a means to enhance the divine power that Rael possessed, a symbol of hope and preparation.

But now, the screen was showing the Demon King’s castle, not the plains where the battle raged.

The figure of the Hero, Rael, confronting the Demon King Maledrakas alone, was clearly visible, a stark image of isolation and danger.

Even if she didn’t fully understand the implications, it was clear that something significant had happened to Rael, something that had changed the course of the war.

‘I shouldn’t have fallen back… I absolutely shouldn’t have.’

Yuri bit her lip harder, a wave of regret washing over her.

She couldn’t accompany the Soma Guild because she was the Emperor, bound by duty and responsibility.

Yuri regretted that decision more than ever, wishing she could be by Rael’s side.

“Magic is ready!”

At that moment, a massive surge of magic power flowed out from the mages, a torrent of energy unleashed upon the battlefield.

콰과과과광 (Kwagwagwagwang)! [Sound of a massive explosion].

The fireballs created from the interception magic circle began to incinerate the Demon race’s army, turning them to ash in a fiery inferno.

However, the demons appeared endlessly, no matter how many were killed, their numbers seemingly inexhaustible.

Even the Abyss Demons that emerged from the sea endured the mages’ magic and continued to advance, their bodies charred but their resolve unbroken.

“Block them! Show the power of the Beast race! And you guys go too!”

Bestia wagged her tail and unleashed her claws, tearing through the demons with savage ferocity.

Each time her hand moved, a powerful force that seemed to cut through the very fabric of space was felt, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

“Yes! Lady Bestia!”

Genul Kidsslipper, the former chief of the Giant race, followed Bestia with a massive axe, his footsteps shaking the ground.

True to the Giant race’s nature of following the strong, they cleanly acknowledged their defeat and pledged their loyalty to Bestia.

“Uwooooo!”

“Someone stop these crazy giants!”

The Beast race complained, but the Giants didn’t stop their rampage, their massive forms crushing the demons’ heads and mangling their corpses so they couldn’t regenerate.

The Beast race was equally brutal, chewing and tearing apart the corpses of the undead demons, preventing them from rising again.

“We must protect our benefactor! In the name of the World Tree!”

“Our family, Reina, is there too!”

“Let’s protect our family!”

The Elves also joined the battle, emitting spirits that bolstered their allies and weakened their foes.

The power of the World Tree was particularly effective against the Demon race, making the Elves a major asset to the allied forces.

“Damn it! Why am I in a place like this!”

촤악 (Chwaak)- 촤악 (Chwaak)- [Sound of slashing].

Zenith teared up and fought a life-or-death battle with the demon in front of her, her movements desperate and frantic.

The opponent was a mere low-ranking demon who couldn’t change the tide of this war, but Zenith had to risk her life nonetheless.

“If we win this war, we’ll also gain honor. It’s time to get out of being beggars!”

The demons touched by Clara’s hand staggered and fell, their bodies wracked with pain and weakness.

The curse of the God of Combat was a power that also worked on the Demon race, turning their strength against them.

“Isn’t the God of Combat not a beggar in the first place!”

“Zenith! Shut up and fight!”

“Kugh!”

As the leader of Beggars, she had to endure this humiliation, swallowing her pride for the sake of her comrades.

Zenith gritted her teeth and swung her sword, her determination fueled by desperation.

However, despite everyone’s struggles, the number of demons hardly decreased, their endless ranks a daunting sight.

“These leech-like things…”

Tia, who was directing magic among the Magic Tower Lords, looked at the demons with annoyed eyes, her frustration growing with each passing moment.

The allied forces’ damage was gradually increasing due to the demons that kept appearing no matter how many were killed, their relentless attacks chipping away at their defenses.

[Burn.]

Magic power was contained in Tia’s voice, imbuing it with irresistible force.

Dragon’s Lingering sound [A powerful magic spell].

The unavoidable command was imbued in the demons, forcing them to obey.

The demons touched by the Lingering sound writhed in agony and burst into flames, their bodies consumed by magical fire.

There were more demons burning from the Lingering sound than demons burned by the interception magic circle, a testament to the spell’s devastating power.

But even so, their feet did not stop, their relentless advance continuing despite the pain and destruction.

“Oh, ooh… Dragon…”

A voice of admiration was heard from behind, marveling at the overwhelming level of magic power Tia possessed.

However, Tia was not satisfied, her brow furrowed in concern.

‘They keep coming back to life.’

The trash that would have died just by touching the Lingering sound had a tenacious vitality on par with high-ranking demons, a disturbing sign of the enemy’s power.

The fact that ordinary demons were ignoring the Dragon’s Lingering sound meant that the power they possessed was of a high caliber, far beyond what she had anticipated.

A power greater than the magic of a dragon who had lived for thousands of years.

That was Maledrakas’s demonic energy, a force that defied all expectations.

‘It’s divine power.’

Demon King Maledrakas.

That bastard was a monster who wielded divine power, a terrifying combination that made him an unparalleled threat.

They were slowly pushing back the front line, centered on Tia, the mages, and the knights, but this was also a victory that they didn’t know when it would end, a desperate struggle against overwhelming odds.

The reason this fight was established was because the demons were rushing in like crazy, their relentless attacks focused on a single point.

If they had scattered in all directions and tried to devastate the continent, even Tia would not have been able to stop them all, their numbers too vast and their reach too wide.

‘In the end, is hope only on that side?’

Tia looked at the high place of the Demon King’s castle, her gaze drawn to the source of the conflict.

The Hero confronting the Demon King was emitting divine power, a beacon of hope in the encroaching darkness.

‘The battle situation is stable thanks to the humans who broke through that gap.’

Tia cast magic and looked at the knights who had set up camp in front of the Demon King’s castle, their faces grim but their resolve unwavering.

They were desperately guarding the entrance to the Demon King’s castle even now, holding the line against the demonic hordes.

It was to prevent the demons from going to the Hero’s party, ensuring that Rael had a chance to defeat Maledrakas.

‘I can’t wait for the allied forces to reach there. I have to go myself.’

Tia was asked by Rael to protect the allied forces, a promise she intended to keep.

She had to push herself quite a bit to save them, but she couldn’t just leave them alone, abandoning them to their fate.

She liked Rael quite a bit, so she didn’t want to abandon those who had risked their lives for him, their sacrifices too great to ignore.

콰아아아아아아앙 (Kwaaaaaaaaaang)! [Sound of an earth-shattering explosion].

“Huh?”

However, at the moment Tia was about to release Polymorph and fly away, a surge of magic power stopped her in her tracks.

A massive magic power soared from among the demons, shaking the very foundations of the battlefield.

“.That power is?”

At the same time, the bodies of the demons in front of the Demon King’s castle exploded in a shower of gore and demonic energy, a horrifying spectacle that heralded a new and terrifying threat.