The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 107

It’s said that words without feet travel a thousand miles, and the news of the Yongbong Tournament’s exhibition match certainly proved that. It spread like wildfire throughout the Empire.

[Knight Rael of the 2nd Princess slays a high-ranking demon with a single strike!]

Initially, many dismissed the rumor as nonsense, but numerous nobles confirmed its veracity.

It wasn’t long before the truth became widely known.

“…Really? Sir Rael, the honorary knight of the Silver Cross Knights, is a disciple of the Thousand Slaughter Sword Lord? And he killed a high-ranking demon with one strike?”

“Yes! And the Empire’s Three Heroes all displayed incredible skill!”

“The Empire, no, the entire continent will be turned upside down!”

“Sir Belen of the Carmen Knights showed decent skill as well. It’s just a shame that Sir Rael was also present.”

Amidst the rise of these new stars in the Empire,

strange rumors began to circulate, mainly among knights and clerics.

“They fight while shouting the names of their sword techniques? What’s that all about?”

“I heard it from a Carmen Knight who witnessed it firsthand at the arena. Sir Rael shouted ‘Thousand Slaughter Sword,’ the signature technique of the Thousand Slaughter Sword Lord. Lucas shouted ‘Supreme Sword,’ which he created himself, while fighting.”

“Ah…! Now that I think about it, I’ve seen something similar during the Rain Knights’ training! Considering the close relationship between the Grand Duke and the 2nd Princess, could they have developed this technique together between the Rain Knights and the Three Heroes?”

Rumors, as they often do, grew more elaborate with each retelling.

The rumors about the Yongbong Tournament spread faster and more wildly than Rael had anticipated.

“Extra! Extra! Read all about it!”

A newspaper boy ran busily through the streets.

Such sensational events were rare, and he was determined to capitalize on the opportunity.

“Hey, give me one.”

These knights are easily pleased when you address them respectfully.

“Thank you, Sir Knight!”

“Sir Knight, you have excellent taste.”

Has my face become so well-known that even street urchins recognize me?

Rael tossed a copper coin to the newspaper boy and sat down on a nearby bench.

[Disciple of the Continent’s Greatest Swordsman, the Thousand Slaughter Sword Lord, Appears: The Story of Sir Rael, Honorary Knight of the Silver Cross Knights…]

[A Commoner Knight’s Delightful Uprising!]

[A New Discovery in Swordsmanship: Swordsmanship that Resonates with Voice…]

[2nd Princess Yuriel Remains Silent on Questions about Rael…]

[Rael: All This Is Thanks to the Grace of Her Highness 2nd Princess Yuriel.]

Rael flipped through the newspaper, watching his name become a sensation throughout the Empire.

“Why are there quotes in the newspaper that I never said? Are these guys crazy?”

Most of the articles focused on the Yongbong Tournament.

People naturally gravitate towards stories of the mighty falling or the struggles of the underdog.

Of course, nobles aren’t typically interested in commoners.

But what if that commoner defeats a noble who was their rival?

Then they instantly become your ally.

[A Disgrace for the Carmen Knights? Demian’s Speech Undermines the Authority of His Highness.]

[Results Worse Than the Empire’s Three Heroes: Disappointing Performance by Belen, Captain of the 1st Unit of the Carmen Knights.]

The Thousand-Year Empire Carmen boasts strong imperial authority, but that doesn’t mean the nobles are without their grievances regarding the imperial family.

Seizing upon any flaw like ravenous dogs is simply human nature.

‘With so many people around, he must be nearby.’

He should stop by the Yongbong Tournament festival street on the way.

This celebration was open not only to the participants of the Round of 8 but also to other nobles. He planned to meet Rain, the captain of the Rain Knights, who would likely be enjoying the festivities, and enter the party together.

‘But is that guy still putting on a show on the streets even on a day like this? He’s remarkably consistent.’

Rael first met Rain while he was performing on the street, so you could say he hasn’t lost his initial passion.

“Everyone’s missing something. They’re all missing something crucial.”

Come to think of it, strong people were often a little eccentric.

The Thousand Slaughter Sword Lord, Rain, Marco, and the Sword Dragon were all like that.

Rael resolved to maintain his sanity amidst such individuals.

“There he is.”

Walking a little further, he spotted Rain holding a sword in the middle of the street.

He was, as usual, surrounded by a crowd.

“Captain Rain! Is that rumor true?!”

“What rumor are you referring to?”

“The rumor that you become stronger when you shout the name of your technique while wielding a sword! I heard that two of the Empire’s Three Heroes are using such a technique!”

As Rael approached Rain, a knight holding a sword posed the question.

Rael chuckled as he observed the knight.

‘He doesn’t look like a commoner… Is he out of his mind?’

For someone who appeared to be a noble based on his attire to ask such a foolish question…

Rael shook his head at the questionable common sense prevalent in this medieval fantasy world.

“Yes?! Is that true?”

“Yes. Kirue, isn’t that right? I believe I’ve mentioned it before.”

Rain was well-aware of the rumors circulating throughout the Empire.

He recognized this as an opportunity to bask in the attention he craved.

“Yes? Ah, ah…! That’s right. Captain Rain has been doing that for 20 years. Sir Rael may have been influenced by it.”

Kirue nodded unconsciously at Rain’s words.

He had claimed to have been doing it since his academy days… so it must be true.

“It’s been a while since I’ve unveiled Rain Swordsmanship Chapter 1!”

Swish-! Swish-!

The crowd’s eyes widened with each movement of Rain’s sword.

It was swordsmanship that had reached the pinnacle of flamboyance, perfect for showmanship.

“…”

Deep wrinkles formed on Rael’s forehead as he watched the spectacle.

“I’ll create my own swordsmanship too!”

“What’s a good name? Should I call it Sword Saint Chapter 1?!”

The sounds emanating from the crowd gave Rael a headache.

His hatred for the ignorance of this medieval fantasy world resurfaced after a long dormancy.

“…You’re all crazy. Just utterly crazy.”

Rael shook his head at Captain Rain’s embarrassing display and turned away.

He, an intellectual with a higher education, could not bring himself to participate in such foolishness. It seemed better to attend the party alone.

*

The party hall was even larger and more opulent than when only the Round of 8 participants had gathered.

The hall, adorned with beautiful sculptures, was brightly illuminated by hundreds of lights.

“Rael, participant of the Round of 8.”

“Welcome, Sir Rael. His Highness the 1st Prince will personally offer congratulations to the Round of 8 participants, so you may proceed to the 2nd floor if you wish.”

“Yes, yes.”

As he confirmed his name at the entrance and entered the party hall, countless eyes turned towards him.

Only the music of the court musicians playing instruments in the center of the hall filled the silence.

It seemed everyone was waiting to see who would approach the newly emerged star of the Empire first.

‘This is so awkward.’

Is this the life of a celebrity?

It was attention that didn’t come easily to someone from the streets.

“Sir Rael.”

Then, a blonde woman in a gorgeous dress approached Rael.

“Your Highness Yuriel.”

Rael formally greeted her, using her official title.

“I’ve been waiting. Ah, I’ll be talking with my knight for a moment. I’m sorry, but please enjoy the party for a while.”

Yuriel smiled at the nobles she had been speaking with and headed to the 2nd floor of the party hall.

There was a private room for the imperial family and high-ranking nobles on the 2nd floor, and Yuriel entered it with Rael.

“Hoo. I feel a little more comfortable now.”

Yuriel sighed as soon as she entered the room and swept her hair back.

It was always tiring to maintain proper etiquette in front of the nobles.

“Yuriel, you look very tired.”

“It’s all thanks to Rael. Thanks to your great performance at the Yongbong Tournament, many nobles are eager to speak with me.”

Yuriel said with a smile.

She was tired, but everything was enjoyable.

Life was much better now than in the past when she wasn’t even treated like royalty by the nobles.

“Thank you again, Sir Rael.”

“Yes. Isabel. You’ve worked hard too. But Yuriel… What are these guys?”

Crunch. Crunch.

Nom nom.

“Nice to meet you, Rael.”

“Hello! The meat here is really delicious!”

Rael blinked as he looked at the two individuals of different races devouring the food at the party.

It was Ghent and Reina.

Why are these guys here?

“It’s time to reveal them as my close aides. The conflict with Namaha doesn’t seem to be a problem anymore… And thanks to the elves treating the demonic soldiers, the perception of different races is at its best.”

“Indeed, the timing is good.”

Rael smiled as he thought about the future.

A life of ease was finally within reach.

“This place is prepared for Rael. I’ll go meet the other nobles… Rest for a while and come out to the party hall. There’s also a balcony where you can look down on the party hall, so feel free to look around if you’re curious.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

He was already feeling suffocated by the gazes of the nobles.

“Hey. What are you guys doing?”

Rael turned his gaze to the individuals of different races in the room as he looked around the 1st floor.

“Can’t you see? We’re eating.”

“…I can see that, but why are you suddenly showing yourselves? You’ve been hiding until now.”

“It’s about time. There’s a rumor that the Emperor will die soon. Yuriel needs to quickly seize the position of the next Emperor before that!”

“The Emperor is dying? Ah… I guess so.”

Rael recalled the Emperor who was supposed to appear at the Yongbong Tournament.

When that old monster dies, the value of Rael’s investment will finally pay off.

“Well, the human race gets weaker as they get older, so the Emperor will die soon anyway. Then Yuriel’s era will come soon.”

“Watch your mouth, you stupid elf.”

“I’m not stupid. Reina said I have a strong sense of survival.”

“Then you’re an elf with a strong sense of survival, good at spirit magic, good at saving money, kind, but stupid.”

“Wow, wow, wow… That’s absurd.”

Reina pointed a fork at Rael, expressing her dissatisfaction.

This bad human was attacking her personally.

“Reina. It’s not all about having a pretty face in this world. You have to put thought into every word you say. Okay? If you act like that next to Yuriel, we’ll all be humiliated.”

Rael shook his head as he looked at Reina.

“What are you talking about?”

“Hehe. You have a good eye for a human. Good. Let’s stop with the strange stories. Rael, eat some meat too. The chef here is good at grilling meat.”

“…It’s good.”

Rael reluctantly picked up the meat that Reina handed him.

Her change in attitude was absurd, but the meat was definitely good.

“Ghent. Why have you been silent since earlier? Isn’t a human party your favorite thing?”

Rael asked as he looked at Ghent, who was quietly chewing on vegetables.

“Rael. I have been cooling my body by eating northern carrots until just now. Now I can speak properly.”

Ghent had a serious expression on his face.

He had been eating northern carrots to relieve the stuffiness in his head until now.

“…He’s out of his mind too.”

“Rael. This is a big problem.”

“What, man? The big problem is that I have to be here for two more hours.”

He was annoyed that he had to invest his afternoon for such a party.

“The Demon King seems to be going berserk.”

“…What the hell are you talking about?”

Rael frowned at Ghent’s words.

Unlike Reina, Ghent didn’t seem like he would joke about something like that.

“Listen carefully. Strange things have been happening every time I’ve been monitoring the Demon King recently…”

Rael focused on Ghent’s words and listened to his story.

“You crazy giant. What do you think people’s words are?”

“Of course, I wouldn’t believe it. Neither Reina nor Yuriel have ever heard a voice from the Demon King. You’re too weird.”

“That’s right. The Demon King never said anything. Rather, I felt a headache when I tried to look at his face.”

“…Really?”

Rael narrowed his eyes at their words.

If the Demon King went berserk, it would be a big problem.

The nurseries in the 5th and 4th districts, where Beggars [Likely refers to a group or organization Rael is associated with] was, would be in danger right away.

Not only that, but the attacks of the demons would intensify throughout the Empire.

“What is Tia doing?”

“She’s still holed up in the lair.”

“Hmm… Well, it’ll be okay for a while. She said she was researching the Demon King’s seal, so she’ll keep an eye on it. If there’s a real problem, she’ll come out.”

The reason Tia was holed up in the Dragon Lair was to research the Demon King’s seal.

Even if the seal weakened in the meantime, there’s no way she wouldn’t notice.

“I think so too… But we need to identify the problems in advance.”

“Still, thanks for telling me. Giants are better than elves.”

“Hey, Rael. What does that mean! Spit out the meat I gave you!”

Rael pushed away Reina, who was clinging to him, and looked down at the 1st floor outside the terrace again.

Numerous nobles were greeting each other, and Yuriel was among them.

‘This is buying low. This is investing.’

The time to become the Emperor’s close aide was not far off.

Rael turned his head with a satisfied face.

Even if the other nobles didn’t, he thought he could spend time comfortably with those guys.

“Hmm?”

Then, someone approached the three of them.

Rael frowned as he saw the Carmen Knights’ emblem engraved on his chest.

“Why is that bastard over there?”

Belen, the captain of the 1st unit of the Carmen Knights.

He was approaching Lucas and Carlson.