The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 10

Traitor Elf

The elven warrior, Keln, scoffed as he looked at the human before him.

Elves, blessed by the forest from birth, possess exceptional magical detection abilities.

Identifying the magic of others was an elven specialty.

‘What a ridiculous bluff.’

No matter how strong the human before him was, he was still two levels below him.

Knowing this, Keln drew his sword without hesitation.

“Elves these days have no manners. Sigh. I preferred the elves who were getting beaten by Orcs.”

Raelle, who had been watching the elves, also placed his hand on his sword hilt.

As a pacifist, Raelle preferred to resolve everything through dialogue, but he was quick to give up when things went wrong.

He dealt with enemies the moment they were made.

That was Raelle’s way.

Swish-

The sharp blade revealed itself, and at the same time, a heavy force pressed down on the surroundings.

The elves, who had been smiling at the strong surge of magic, froze like stone.

“Th, this is···.”

Something was wrong.

Keln’s instincts as a warrior were screaming.

It was hard to believe, but the human before him had completely changed the moment he drew his sword.

“Ra, Raelle. Were you, were you hiding your magic?”

Reina, who was behind Raelle, also widened her eyes.

The elves here weren’t high elves, but they were all elven warriors who had undergone their coming-of-age ceremony.

Raelle was only around 20 years old.

To have the ability to manipulate magic to the point of deceiving elves at this age… Just how great was his talent?

Reina swallowed hard at the realization.

“Damn it···!”

Keln glared at Raelle and stirred up his magic.

‘I can’t run away now···.’

It wasn’t just about the pride of the elves. The problem was the human man before him.

He was leaning with a nonchalant posture, one leg propped up.

It was a stance that clearly ignored and looked down on his opponents, but… there was no opening in him.

The moment he turned his back, that sharp sword would slice his neck.

“Hey, pointy-ears. Scared?”

In the suddenly silent alleyway, Raelle, with a smile, spoke first.

Keln grimaced as he looked at Raelle.

“···You were hiding your strength.”

“Hide 30% of your power. It’s a martial arts proverb, human.”

“I’ve never heard such a thing···!”

Keln focused his attention on the man before him, tasting blood in his mouth.

It was a touch-and-go moment where a sword could fly at any second, but Keln still felt frustrated.

‘I can’t see the end of his magic?’

He knew that he was hiding his strength. But Keln still couldn’t read his true power.

That meant.

The strength of the human there was on a different level from Keln.

“How dare a human challenge the elves! And protect a traitor? Aren’t you afraid of the elves’ wrath!?”

“Can’t you even remember what you just said? If I kill all of you here, how would the elves know and come looking?”

Raelle looked at the elves with pitiful eyes.

No matter how he thought about it, the elves were definitely stupid.

“···Kugh! Treat the enemy as a high-level monster! Prepare the Blessing of the Forest immediately!”

“Yes!”

To think they would use the Blessing of the Forest in a place like this.

Keln felt the forest’s energy leaving his body and focused on the front.

At the same time, green magic rippled from the center of the elves.

“To dare protect a traitor of the elves! Die!”

The translucent green magic shot towards Raelle without warning.

It was so fast that no human could react.

‘Got him!’

Keln smirked and raised his sword.

“Ugh?!”

Raelle belatedly rolled to dodge, but the green magic had already grazed his body.

“This is the Blessing of the Forest! We’ve been preparing to raid the black market and retrieve the World Tree branch after capturing the traitorous bitch… I never thought we’d use it on a human.”

The Blessing of the Forest was like poison to non-elves.

Elves, loved by nature, were filled with vitality and increased communion with nature the moment they accepted the blessing.

However, if you weren’t an elf, the Blessing of the Forest became a curse.

Vines grew from the ground, binding the body, and the surrounding soil and water clung to the blessed being, hindering movement.

The overwhelming love of nature was something humans could never withstand.

“Prepare to attack! Soon the vines will sprout···!”

Just as the confident Keln took a step forward.

A flash of light sliced through the chest of the elf at the front.

“Cough···!”

Holan, the honorable warrior of the elves, collapsed to the ground.

Keln stared at the human before him, unable to hide his shock.

“You crazy bastards… who the hell throws a blessing at their opponent?”

Raelle brushed the dirt off his clothes and looked at the elves.

He thought the blessing was a buff that elves gave each other, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.

“Yo, you bastard! How can you be unharmed after receiving the magic of the forest?”

“Didn’t you know? I’m actually an elf.”

Raelle said, looking at the dumbfounded elves.

Keln widened his eyes at Raelle’s words, then shook his head.

“Impossible… No! That can’t be! You bastard! Are you mocking the elves!”

“Even for an elf, you’re not that stupid.”

Raelle chuckled and checked his condition.

He didn’t know what the Blessing of the Forest was, but there was nothing wrong with his body.

It was similar to the soul-eating sorcerer he had met before.

It was a strange feeling, as if this world didn’t recognize the existence of Raelle.

“Ra, Raelle. What are you? Are you really an elf···?”

“…You just stay back there.”

He pushed Reina, who had wide eyes, behind him and raised his sword again.

As long as the elves’ trump card didn’t work, there was nothing to fear.

The sharp senses from actual combat surged from his toes to his entire body.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve swung a sword seriously.’

Raelle liked this feeling of his senses swelling up before a battle.

“Damn it! Take care of Holan! I’ll stop that human!”

One of the elves stepped forward.

Zhiing-

The magic riding on the sword formed a sword aura.

Raelle immediately kicked off the ground and clashed swords with the nearest elf.

Clang-!

“Kugh···!”

It was the same clash of sword auras, but it was the elf who was pushed back.

The sword, unable to withstand the recoil, flew out of his hand, and the elf, whose posture had collapsed, barely maintained his balance with his right foot.

Of course, Raelle didn’t miss the elf’s faltering stance.

Seizing the opportunity, Raelle stepped forward with his left foot and charged at the elf.

“Aaaaaaagh!”

Raelle’s sword pierced the elf’s stomach like the teeth of a beast.

Immediately after, the swords of the elves, including Keln, rushed towards Raelle, but he quickly rolled on the ground and retreated.

‘Now two left.’

Swish-

He shook the blood off his sword onto the ground and immediately rushed at the guy behind him.

“Die! Human!”

Raelle brought his sword down from above on the sword that was stabbing at him.

‘You fool!’

The elf who stabbed his sword smiled and tightened his grip.

He was the one who moved his sword first.

Before their swords touched, his sword would pierce the human’s heart first.

Crack-

However, a moment later, the elf widened his eyes.

Because his sword, which had met Raelle’s sword, was stuck in the ground.

“Wa, wait···!”

The elf, unable to let go of his sword immediately at the unbelievable phenomenon, lost consciousness as he looked at the sword in front of him.

“What kind of speed is that···!”

Keln widened his eyes at the unbelievably fast sword.

Clearly, his fellow elf’s sword had moved first, but Raelle’s sword had followed that speed.

“H, how can he ignore the Blessing of the Forest while stepping on the ground!”

“This bastard is a Darion!”

“Charge at him all at once! He’s just one man!”

Raelle retreated as he saw the weapons approaching from all directions.

But with Reina a few steps behind him, he couldn’t escape into the alley.

Raelle put strength into the hand holding his sword and jumped into the midst of the elves.

Kwang-!

He pierced through the magic of Keln, who was charging first.

Keln, who clashed swords with Raelle, swallowed without realizing it.

‘I didn’t know such a human existed···?’

He felt a similar pressure to when he sparred with a high elf who had lived for over 500 years.

If he was already a famous human, there was no way Keln, who had been active in the empire for over ten years, wouldn’t know.

“Damn it. Damn it···! Kill him!”

Keln forced himself to endure the pain in his hand and charged.

However, his sword lacked confidence compared to before.

Raelle, sensing the elves’ loss of confidence, smiled and swung his sword.

“You pathetic bastards. You should have attacked together from the start.”

Of course, that wouldn’t have changed the result.

*

“No way···.”

Reina was worried about Raelle for a moment.

Before 10 minutes had passed, all the elves were lying on the ground.

The honorable warriors of the elves had been defeated by a single human.

‘The Blessing of the Forest… didn’t work.’

Reina was also an elf.

She knew very well what happened when other races received the Blessing of the Forest.

But, strangely enough, nature didn’t react to Raelle.

“Ah···!”

Reina’s worries didn’t last long.

Because Raelle was about to cut off the neck of the fallen Keln.

“Kugh. Don’t be fooled by that traitorous whore who sold her body to the devil. Human… if you apologize to the elves now, we’ll forgive you with just one arm···.”

“You’re talking nonsense. It’s annoying because these different races live so long.”

Raelle, panting, brought his sword to the neck of the fallen Keln.

Most other races had strong vitality. They didn’t die unless their necks were cut directly.

He hated meaningless killings, but since things had already gone this far, it was better to eliminate any future threats.

However, just before Raelle’s sword dug into Keln’s neck.

A soft hand grabbed Raelle’s arm.

“What are you doing?”

“······.”

Turning his head slightly, he saw the crown of Reina’s head, her hand trembling.

She couldn’t bring herself to make eye contact with Raelle and kept her head down.

“Th, that bitch… kill him···.”

Keln said, bleeding and seemingly humiliated.

“···Raelle. You don’t need to stain your hands with the blood of such trash. Let’s stop.”

“You bitch! Just because you keep saving your fellow elves doesn’t mean your betrayal will be forgiven! If you’re thinking such foolish thoughts···!”

Thud-

Raelle slammed the hilt of his sword into the face of Keln, who was interrupting the conversation.

Keln made a gurgling sound and fainted.

“Reina.”

“···.”

“These guys were hiding in your house and ambushed you. And you still want to save them?”

Raelle couldn’t understand Reina’s thoughts.

If it were him, he would never let these bastards live.

“···Yes. I have to save them. Please. Raelle.”

“But if I let these guys live now, it might get annoying for me. I might end up on bad terms with the entire elven race.”

“I can get the World Tree branch tomorrow. If I regain my power, the elves won’t be able to threaten me. You won’t have anything to worry about.”

Raelle stared intently at Reina, who was making a sudden request.

Instead of her usual dim appearance, she was looking at Raelle with eyes full of determination.

‘What should I do···.’

Raelle looked at the elves and pondered.

In fact, it didn’t matter much if he was on bad terms with the elven race.

Most elves lived together in the World Tree Forest.

In reality, Raelle had met so few elves during his years as a captain of the guard that he could count them on one hand.

Still, it wasn’t like he didn’t meet them at all, so there was some discomfort in his mind….

‘No matter how I think about it, having a close relationship with the next emperor’s aide seems more important.’

Besides, Raelle knew the future of the elven race.

The elves in the original story would soon be destroyed for unknown reasons.

However, the traitor of the elves, Reina, still appeared in the novel.

Then the answer to whose side he should take was obvious.

Raelle took the strength out of his arm and slowly raised his sword.

“I usually never do such annoying things… Okay. That’s about it.”

“Ra, Raelle···!

Reina felt relieved at the unexpected answer and raised her head.

And Raelle got up from his seat and brushed the dust off his body.

“You guys, come here.”

Turning around, Raelle beckoned to the guards who were standing blankly, having heard the elves’ screams.

They were the guards from District 2 who had come after hearing the elves’ screams.

Fortunately, he knew their faces.

“Ra, Captain Raelle. What’s going on here···?”

I’m not a captain anymore.

It seemed like they didn’t know yet.

Raelle didn’t bother to point it out and ordered.

“Bring the guards around these bastards and move them.”

“Their injuries are severe, should we send them to the temple?”

“···No. They won’t die anyway, so just throw them outside the city gates. They’re criminals, so don’t worry about any future troubles.”

“Yes, sir!”

The guards called the surrounding guards and dragged the elves away.

After the area became quiet, Raelle quietly looked at Reina.

She was biting her lip and clenching her fists, wondering what she was thinking.

“···Thank you. Raelle. You can go back first. I’m sorry for getting you involved in my business.”

Reina opened her mouth, feeling the awkward flow of air.

Her good mood plummeted to the ground at the fact that her relationship with a kind colleague she had finally met had been ruined.

“What are you talking about. Now that the work is done, I have to go in. You said you’d grill meat.”

Reina gave a faint smile at Raelle’s words, as if it was nothing.

‘Raelle is such a kind human after all.’

He was being considerate of her.

He was leading the situation instead of Reina in this kind of atmosphere.

However, Reina couldn’t accept that kindness.

She had already chosen the path of betraying her clan. She couldn’t cause any more harm to Raelle by getting involved with her.

“I’m really grateful that I saved my life thanks to you. But… it won’t do you any good to get involved with a dirty elf like me any further. I’ll prevent any harm from coming to you as promised… so please go back today.”

Raelle’s eyes narrowed.

He was starting to look at dirty things more and more.

It’s okay.

She was used to this kind of gaze now.

Reina bowed her head, feeling sorry for Raelle.

“Reina. Stop talking nonsense and go in and grill some meat.”

“Huh?”

And, hearing his words, she raised her head again.

“You promised to give me a free meal! What do I care if you sell your body to the devil? Why aren’t you letting your guest in? Don’t tell me you’re planning to just make me work and not pay me? Were you that kind of elf after all?”

Raelle was honestly not very sympathetic to Reina’s situation.

It was natural for public officials to go to brothels in this world.

Then there were also people who worked in brothels, right?

He had lived in a medieval fantasy for over 20 years.

He didn’t discriminate against people, or rather, elves, for such things.

What was important was the free meal.

He had come all the way here to eat a free meal, and he couldn’t go back empty-handed.

“···.”

Reina opened her mouth with a blank expression after hearing Raelle’s words.

Raelle, belatedly remembering something to ask, continued to speak.

“Ah, but still, when you go to work after making a deal with the devil, it would be nice if you washed up more cleanly when you come to work. It’s not like you usually smell weird… but you never know what might happen in the future···.”

“I’m not selling! I’m not selling my body! You crazy bastard! What kind of rude bastard is this!”

Raelle stepped back, blocking the fist flying towards his face.

He waved his hands around, seemingly flustered by Reina, who had suddenly started to act up.

“Why are you hitting me! You said you were a dirty bitch yourself!”

“Don’t you know pride? Pride? I’m not saying that part of me is dirty!”

“Does pride feed you? What’s the difference between that and that part?”

“That’s···! Yo, you dirty bastard! What are you making me say!”

Reina raised her trembling hand and swung her fist at Raelle.

It was a complex anger filled with various emotions.

“Is there such a psycho elf!”

Raelle blinked, blocking Reina’s fist.

Consideration was a difficult thing in a primitive medieval fantasy.