The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 1

Commander of the 3rd Imperial Guard, Rael

“I’ll go left. Rael, you take the right.”

“Yes, sir.”

Tadat-!

After confirming the Commander of the 1st Guard running to the left, I quietly muttered.

“Why does that moron keep calling the right side the left?”

I shielded my face from the scorching sunlight and entered the alley on the right.

‘It’s such a wonderful world where even an idiot like that can become a guard commander just by putting in the years.’

Thud. Thud.

The sunlight was still intense inside the alley. Unlike my previous life, this world had hardly any tall buildings to block the sun.

‘I could really use a cold beer right now.’

I leaned against the shady alley wall and sighed.

It wouldn’t hurt to take a short break on such a hot day.

“I don’t get it. Why do I have to go on regular patrols when I’m already a guard commander?”

Suddenly, my life before being reincarnated into this world comes to mind.

One day, I found myself possessing a character in a novel I was enjoying.

I never left malicious comments, and it wasn’t even a novel I was reading alone, so I don’t know why I was possessed.

What’s fortunate is that I was an avid reader of this novel, so I have a good grasp of the story…

‘Damn it. It’s an academy story, so knowing the plot doesn’t help.’

The academy that trains warriors of the Empire is exclusively for nobles.

As an orphan, I couldn’t even set foot near the academy.

That means I’m in a position where I can’t even make eye contact with the characters from the academy in the novel.

The only thing I know is that the Kamen Empire, the setting of the novel, will last for at least another thousand years.

‘Then it’s definitely a secure job.’

That’s why I volunteered for the civil service, the Imperial Guard.

Since I couldn’t go to the academy, this was the next best thing.

If I stick to an empire that will never fall, my safety will be guaranteed.

Of course, getting into the guard isn’t easy.

Once you’re in the guard, you’ll never get fired unless you cause a major incident.

That benefit was truly significant in a medieval fantasy setting, so most commoners, as well as children from less powerful noble families, coveted it.

The reason why I, an orphan, was able to get into such a prestigious place was because I worked hard to pretend to be a genius since I was a child.

As soon as I realized I was possessed as a newborn, I focused 24/7 on gaining magical power.

While other babies were crying about pooping and peeing, I was planning for the future.

‘Looking back, I’m glad I worked so hard back then.’

Unlike the people of this world who are exposed to magical power from birth, I lived for decades in a world without it.

Thanks to that, I was able to sense the unidentified force in the air of this world, magical power, faster than others.

Other guys start training their magical power at the age of 7 at the earliest, but I started training from the time I was a newborn.

Even if you’re a talentless guy, you can do something if you start 7 years earlier than others.

I trained my magical power from the moment I was born, and eventually, I drew out my sword energy right after I turned 10.

‘N, no way! It’s amazing enough to sense magical power at 10, but sword energy?!’

‘Genius. A talent sent from the heavens has appeared!’

After that, it was smooth sailing.

I knew my limits well anyway.

It took me 10 years to draw out sword energy with the consciousness of an adult man, but other geniuses draw out sword energy at 12 or 13.

I wasn’t a genius. I was just a mediocre person who worked harder than others when I was young.

‘But the guard is a free pass.’

I quickly volunteered for the guard before the real geniuses caught up with me.

After working my butt off and becoming the Commander of the 3rd Guard using my own tricks, there was nothing more to say.

There was no job as comfortable as being a public official with power.

If someone was causing trouble while drunk while strolling through the capital, I’d beat them up, and if someone was stealing, I’d twist their wrist.

It was too easy of a job compared to the decent position of guard commander.

“Shall we get moving?”

If the Commander of the 1st Guard caught me doing this, I’d get an earful.

Kuran is an idiot, but he has a great sense of loyalty to the Empire.

“Kyaaaaak-! Thief!”

Less than a minute after I started walking again, a piercing scream echoed through the alley.

Pickpocketing.

It’s a common occurrence in a fantasy world without CCTV [closed-circuit television].

Turning my head, I found a woman standing in place and screaming.

I also saw a menacing-looking man running towards me. Seeing the pink handbag in his hand, it seems like this guy is the thief.

‘She should have just run herself instead of screaming.’

Screaming while standing still isn’t going to solve the situation.

I thought as I made eye contact with the approaching guy.

“I’ll beat you if you run. I’m warning you.”

“Get out of my way if you don’t want to die! Keuhak!”

The man, who was punched in the solar plexus by my fist, fell to the ground in an unsightly manner and started coughing.

I squatted down in front of the writhing man and took out the silver badge from my pocket.

“Straighten your head and look at this.”

The man’s eyes widened only after seeing the silver badge.

‘As expected, the title is effective.’

The silver badge is the symbol of the Imperial Guard Commander.

Even a guy who pickpockets on the street can’t help but be surprised when he sees a guard commander.

The man looked back and forth between the silver badge and my face a few times, then said with a start.

“Y, you crazy guard commander…!”

“Who the hell gave you permission to call me that, you crazy bastard?”

Sometimes there are guys who call me that, but where did that nickname even come from?

I was dumbfounded and twisted the man’s wrist.

“Aaaagh! I’m sorry! Aaaagh! I have a wife and children, please spare my life…!”

“I memorized your face. If you ever call me that again, you’ll find out what happened to the guys who called me that.”

The man nods like crazy.

I was moved by my own generosity and released the strength in my hand.

‘I’m such a kind guard commander to give him a chance instead of punching him right away.’

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”

“Okay, now hand over the bag.”

I snatched the pink bag and put it on the floor.

I gestured to the woman who had approached at some point, and she cautiously came over and picked up the bag.

Then, she dusted off the bag and disappeared without even saying thank you.

‘What a rude bitch…’

I’ve memorized that woman’s face too.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry…”

Turning my head, the pickpocket was still trembling.

I chuckled and said.

“Just follow me. Even though you’re a petty criminal, I have to hand criminals over to the Central Guard.”

Criminals are processed by the Central Guard.

Pickpocketing is a petty crime, but if they’re frequently caught, they’ll receive a harsher punishment.

“I, I won’t do this again. I have a wife and children like rabbits at home. Please, just once…”

“Why would we have a guard if it ended with just saying sorry? How can you live with so little sense?”

“… Ah.”

Only then did the man put his hand in his pocket.

Then, he fumbled and took out some money and slipped it to me.

Just one copper coin.

I frowned after receiving the copper coin.

“Does this bastard think I’m an idiot?”

Just like there’s a toll on the highway, there’s a market price for bribes to the guard.

If you’re caught by the Central Guard, you can get released with one silver coin if you’re a petty criminal.

But one copper coin? Is he looking down on me because I’m a street guard?

“I took out the wrong one! I’m sorry…!”

When I glared at the man, he finally took out a silver coin.

“Okay. Let’s make it easy for each other. They say you have to hit a machine to make it listen, but you’re a person.”

“Um, I gave you the silver coin, so the copper coin…”

“Do you want to go to the Central Guard?”

“…”

The man had a dissatisfied expression, but eventually bowed his head and disappeared.

He wouldn’t want to be ripped off twice for a silver coin.

I pocketed the silver and copper coins and walked down the alley again.

Today, I protected the peace of the Imperial alley.

And the side income was a bonus.

‘It’s money that would go to the Central Guard anyway, so it’s better for me to take it.’

The Central Guard guys are the ones whose pockets are full even if they just sit still.

Taking this much is legal.

“Please, spare a coin… Oh, handsome knight. Please, give me a coin…”

There was a beggar at the end of the alley, so I threw him a copper coin.

Returning the money stolen from the thief to the weak, this is Hong Gil-dong [a Robin Hood-like Korean folk hero].

I, who practice wealth redistribution, was the pillar of the Imperial economy.

“Rael. You’ve worked hard.”

“You’ve worked hard, Commander Kuran.”

Commander of the 1st Guard, Kuran, was waiting outside the alley.

Kuran was a senior who had been good to me since I first came to the guard.

He’s a perfect person except for being a little slow.

“I heard that Chris, who was dragged to the Special Guard last time, never regained his sanity. They say he’s a complete wreck.”

We returned to the guard and chatted as usual while changing clothes.

When two guard commanders walk down the street, the commoners naturally avoid them.

At first, I felt like Moses, but now I’m used to it and don’t even care.

“You’re kidding? That bastard was severely extorted for money. Tsk tsk. It’s a pity.”

“It’s a pity. He was dragged to the Special Guard because he did something wrong.”

“That’s true. It’s not our business, we’re just ordinary citizens.”

Imperial Special Guard.

It’s where guards are demoted when they make a big mistake.

The work they do there is only rumored, but no one has ever lasted more than a week.

They say they become mentally wrecked and tremble just by asking what happened, so the Imperial Special Guard was a source of terror for the guards.

“You’re working hard. Kuran, Rael.”

Commander of the 4th Guard, Gaden, approached as I was returning to the guard and changing clothes.

This guy is also a good guy.

“Gaden, what’s the matter?”

“The Battalion Commander is looking for Rael.”

“He’s calling for me? What’s going on?”

He’s calling for me, not Kuran, who’s in charge of reporting.

Is something wrong?

“Well, I think you’ll know when you go.”

Gaden’s eyes looking at me were somehow unsettling.

It was like seeing a soldier going out for a night shift.

*

I didn’t fall into this world empty-handed when I was reincarnated.

So-called ‘isekai privilege’ [the protagonist being granted special abilities or advantages upon being transported to another world].

I had a privilege.

It’s a sharp sense.

‘… Actually, I don’t know if it’s a privilege or something I was born with.’

If I thought I fell empty-handed, I might die of resentment, so it’s more comfortable to just think of it as a privilege.

That sense that allowed me to skip the cafeteria and go straight to snacks whenever the orphanage food was bad was telling me.

‘Going in here is going to suck.’

I’ve never felt this even in a life-threatening situation.

I was wondering what to do because this was the first time I felt this way, but the door to the Battalion Commander’s office burst open.

“What are you doing not coming in?”

“… I was tidying myself up a bit. I just returned from patrol.”

I raised my hand and took a salute.

The Battalion Commander came out to greet me because I was hesitating outside the door.

Now I can’t back out.

“What tidying up? You’re a guy who doesn’t even shave his beard usually. Come inside.”

I swallowed hard and went inside.

The Battalion Commander, who was frowning with a serious expression, opened his mouth after a while.

“Rael. You know I trust you, right?”

“Yes. I was able to become a guard commander thanks to the Battalion Commander.”

The Battalion Commander nodded and continued.

“Then tell me honestly. Didn’t you beat up a man at a bar a few days ago?”

“… Yes. I beat up a guy who was causing trouble.”

“That person is the son of Count Samuel.”

What the fuck.

My vision blurred at the Battalion Commander’s words.

I can’t believe that the pig who was causing trouble at the bar was a noble, but more importantly, I hit a noble.

‘Assaulting a noble?’

The nobles of the Empire are protected by Imperial law.

Even if I’m a guard commander, a commoner hitting a noble is an illegal act that could cost me my head.

“Fortunately… the Count was merciful. He said that his son was almost abandoned, and it’s not something to be proud of that the Count’s son was causing trouble at a bar and got beaten by a guard, so let’s handle it as quietly as possible.”

The Battalion Commander said that and pushed a piece of paper towards me.

“It’s a blessing you saved your life, Rael.”

——————————

[Order for Department Transfer]

3rd Guard Commander Rael is transferred to the Imperial Special Guard.

——————————

The worst unit where Imperial Guards are demoted when they commit a mistake.

Imperial Special Guard.

I was demoted to that place.

*

The news of Rael’s transfer, who was a celebrity in the Central Guard, spread through the guard in an instant.

1st Guard Commander Kuran lit a cigarette in the corner of the training ground.

Next to him was Jayden of the 1st Guard with a bitter expression.

“Commander Kuran. Have you heard the news about the 3rd Guard Commander? They say he’s being transferred to the Special Guard?”

“Yeah. He fucked up the Count’s son. It’s a blessing he didn’t lose his head.”

“Even if you’re a guard commander, you’re no match for a noble. The youngest guard commander in the Empire was kicked out in an instant just because he was an orphan.”

Rael was an object of envy for the commoner guards.

He was a legendary figure who rose to the position of guard commander by proving his pure ability without connections or seniority.

He was also a likable person who treated those around him well.

“The youngest guard commander is nothing special. Don’t you know the rumors about Rael? He’s a rare genius who awakened sword energy at the age of 10.”

“Yes? Was Rael that good? … But why is he in the guard instead of the Knights?”

Jayden’s eyes widened.

He awakened his sword energy at the age of 20.

They said that the genius of the century in the academy awakened his sword energy at the age of 13, but 10 years old is unimaginable.

“He said something like this. It’s similar to how there are guys who are fast runners because they liked to exercise when they were young, but it’s nonsense.”

Rael’s sword was outstanding even in the guard.

Kuran, who was a mid-level Sword Expert, was also strong within the guard, but he couldn’t receive the sword that Rael, who was 10 years younger, lightly wielded.

“I knew there was something good about him. He visits the orphanage almost every day, so he has the \”yoyu\” [余裕 – Japanese for余裕, meaning composure or余裕] because he’s strong.”

“He’s donating part of his salary to the orphanage where he grew up. He’s a kinder guy than he looks.”

“Wow, really? He looks like he’s only interested in women, but he lives a surprisingly kind life. Come to think of it, he used to buy me drinks every time I ran into him on the street. He’s especially kind to guards from commoner backgrounds.”

“Yeah. You should also pray that Rael doesn’t become a cripple.”

Smoke came out of Kuran’s mouth.

Seeing that, Jayden carefully asked.

“Um… but what does the Special Guard do? I’ve only heard of it, but I don’t know what they do. Haven’t you heard anything while working as a guard, Commander Kuran?”

“Well. Rumor has it… there are monsters.”

Unlike the guard who protects the Empire, the Special Guard protects something special.

However, since no one has returned, all Kuran could do was pray for his safety.

“Monsters…? Then, isn’t that a big problem?”

“It would be if another guy was dragged there.”

Kuran shook off the cigarette and threw it on the floor.

‘Strangely, I’m not worried.’

Kuran’s senses, which had worked in the guard for a long time, were telling him.

Rael.

He had a baseless thought that that guy would somehow manage.