The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 114

The vast forest in the south of the continent.

The edge of the forest where even beasts lose their way once they step inside.

Thud-!

A Beast-Human, darting between the trees, emerged from the forest and looked up at the sky.

She perked up the ears on her head and dilated her pupils.

The Beast-Human had a lithe yet muscular physique, a mix of human and tiger.

Her high, round forehead and rugged nose were like a tiger’s, while her small, pointed philtrum [the vertical groove between the base of the nose and the upper lip] and plump lips below were human-like.

“… Hmmm?”

The leader of the Beast-Human patrol, Bestia, glared at the sky.

She felt a magical power that stimulated her senses and came out of the forest.

If it were an uninvited guest to the forest, she would have crushed their head, but the visitor was a more welcome face than expected.

“Has it been exactly 100 years?”

Bestia felt the hot sunlight warming her face as she looked between the clouds.

She saw the only remaining Dragon on the continent, whose overwhelming presence alone tormented the senses of the Beast-Humans.

Bestia shuddered at the powerful magical energy approaching her.

Whoosh-

Soon, the massive Dragon revealed itself from beyond the clouds.

She descended rapidly and then polymorphed back into human form.

“What brings you here after 100 years?”

Bestia spoke in a blunt voice.

“Hello, Bestia. I came because I have something to ask.”

“…”

Bestia narrowed her eyes as she looked at the Dragon she hadn’t seen in a long time.

Beast-Humans were also considered long-lived, but 100 years was a very long time even by the standards of long-lived races.

However, Dragons had a concept of time that was on a completely different dimension from that of long-lived races.

“Why the face? You look happy to see me.”

“Happy? Please. Who says ‘I’ll come visit again soon’ and then shows up after 100 years?”

“Aww, I can see your tail wagging.”

“… It’s–”

Bestia’s tail, which had been wagging behind her as if to say hello, drooped to the ground.

Tia smiled as she looked at her small, cute tiger ears.

It was a charming appearance where dignity, bestiality, and the cuteness of a female coexisted.

“T-This isn’t because I’m happy to see you. It’s just that seeing an old friend after a long time…”

“That’s what being happy *is*. Now, let’s go inside. I’ve even prepared some tea for you.”

“…”

Bestia followed Tia, who naturally took the lead.

Under a rugged tree in the forest where the Beast-Humans lived.

Tia entered the cozy house where Bestia lived.

“Visiting after 100 years and going in without the homeowner’s permission?”

“Don’t be so obsessed with time, Bestia.”

“Haa, I heard that the Empire is researching the Demon King? I’ve heard it from other races.”

Bestia sighed and brought up the story about Tia.

It was a way of getting straight to the point.

“That’s true, but I didn’t come because of the Demon King. I came because I wanted you to teach me about the Beast-Human’s secret arts.”

Beast-Humans were the best at handling their innate strength and senses.

While possessing intelligence similar to humans, the Beast-Humans, who had beast-like combat power, had been developing their strength for generations.

The level was so high that even Tia, a Dragon, acknowledged them as experts.

“Hmm… It’s surprising that you want to learn that, Tia. Didn’t you say there’s no end to magic?”

“I’m not going to use it. There’s an amazing human in the Empire.”

“…A human? You’re not going to teach a human the power of the Beast-Humans, are you?”

Bestia frowned.

It was possible to teach Tia directly, but she couldn’t teach the Beast-Human’s secret arts to a human who was neither a Dragon nor a Beast-Human.

“Yeah. You know how he cured the epidemic that appeared in the Beast-Human tribe last time? I’m trying to get the reward now.”

“We’re still grateful for that, but… I can’t teach the senses of a predator to a human.”

“Bestia. Why are you like this again? Are you still looking down on the human race? You were so much cuter 100 years ago. I still vividly remember how you, who had just become the leader of the Beast-Humans, were as happy as a child.”

“…Don’t talk about that time! And it’s not that I’m looking down on the human race. There are countless Beast-Humans who can’t even handle the senses of a predator properly, so there’s no way a human can learn it. If something goes wrong, their life will be in danger.”

If Tia had flown all the way to the southern part of the continent to ask for a favor, that human must be quite precious to Tia.

Bestia was worried that her training might hurt that human.

“I know that much. I’ll vouch for that human’s talent, so let’s go quickly. I left the lair without saying anything.”

“How can a Dragon just leave their lair like that! And talent isn’t the problem. Their body won’t be able to handle it!”

Bestia sighed as she looked at Tia.

This Dragon was the same as she was 100 years ago.

True to a race obsessed with ennui [boredom and dissatisfaction], once they were hooked on something, they would go crazy.

“Don’t worry about that. Just think of it as teaching a Dragon lightly.”

“What do you mean? Wait a minute… Tia, let go of me. I’m the leader of the Beast-Humans! I can’t just leave my position!”

Even the leader of the Beast-Humans couldn’t stop the Dragon’s stubbornness.

Besides, she had something to repay Tia, so there was no justification for refusing.

In the end, Bestia had to empty the Beast-Human forest and follow Tia.

*

The intense heat of the Dragon-Phoenix Competition had subsided.

The winner, Raiel, was busy going around to greet people.

“Ahahaha, Raiel. If you ever come to the Vanessa Kingdom, I will treat you with the utmost hospitality. The other three heroes as well.”

“Farewell! When we meet again, I will return as Kyle Belmos, the Ten Swords of the Vanessa Kingdom!”

“…Okay. Farewell, Kyle. Sword Dragon, please take care of yourself as well.”

The Sword Dragon and Kyle led their massive bodies and returned to the Vanessa Kingdom, but there were still many people for Raiel to greet.

“Hello, Raiel. I am Mu Baek, the Vice-Leader of the Righteous Sky Alliance.”

“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you, Vice-Leader Mu Baek.”

“Mu Baek is enough.”

“…Yes. Senior Mu Baek.”

Raiel endured a headache at the title of Senior and exchanged greetings with Mu Baek.

He heard that he was the highest-ranking person among the people who came from the Righteous Sky Alliance.

And he was the father of the bald guy he had defeated in the main competition.

“The Righteous Sky Alliance was able to save face because Raiel, who defeated our Mu Jin, won the Dragon-Phoenix Competition.”

“Thank you for your teachings, Senior Raiel!”

Mu Jin bowed his head next to Mu Baek.

The sunlight reflected on his bald head stabbed Raiel’s eyes.

“No problem. If I had known you were Senior Mu Baek’s son, I would have been a little more polite.”

“It’s okay. Ah, now that I think about it, I heard that the Namgoong family of the Righteous Sky Alliance received help from the Empire’s Three Heroes. It’s a pity that there was nothing our Righteous Sky Alliance could do to help, but…”

Raiel exchanged greetings with Mu Baek and also exchanged greetings with numerous nobles.

It wasn’t easy because he had to be polite every time, unlike usual.

“You’ve worked hard, Senior Raiel.”

“Brother. I was waiting for you.”

Just as he finished greeting the nobles, Lucas and Carlson approached.

“Ah, Lucas, you’ve worked hard too. Is your body okay?”

“Of course, I survived thanks to Senior Raiel not going all out.”

Lucas bowed his head to Raiel.

The sword that transcended space that he showed.

It was definitely an overwhelming power, but it was weaker than when he defeated the Cockatrice.

Raiel had adjusted his strength for Lucas’s sake.

“Why would I kill someone in a duel? That’s only natural.”

That was the same for Lucas.

If Lucas had rushed at Raiel with the intention of sacrificing one of his arms, it would have been a little more difficult.

“More than that, what’s with that bag?”

“It’s almost time for the graduation exam. I’m going around buying supplies needed for the exam.”

“Graduation exam? Ah, that’s right. I heard that the Academy is going to a deserted island?”

“That’s right.”

“…Okay. Be careful and don’t get too close to the girls. You might get stabbed.”

Raiel didn’t want Lucas to meet a futile end by dying in a catfight between women.

“Don’t worry. Even on the deserted island, I plan to focus on training to defeat Senior Raiel.”

“Take it easy, you crazy bastard. Take it easy.”

Lucas would gain an opportunity on the deserted island where he was going to take the graduation exam.

He would meet the soul of a dead Dragon and awaken magic.

He would probably become more of a monster when he returned.

“Then I’ll be going. I have to go buy smoked meat.”

After Lucas left.

Carlson, who had been staring at him intently, opened his mouth.

“Brother Raiel. Is that guy going to spend a week with women on a deserted island?”

“I guess so.”

“Damn it… I should have gone to the Academy too…”

“Stop talking nonsense. Hey, aren’t you going back to the Order?”

Now that the Dragon-Phoenix Competition was officially over and the nobles had returned, the Gaia Order would be busy from today.

They would have to proceed with the Saintess Inauguration Ceremony and the Warrior Selection Ceremony.

“I have to go soon. Brother, you should come visit the Order sometime.”

“Carlson. I know you’re going to be busy from today, so don’t be ridiculous.”

“…No, Brother. You’re an honorary knight of the Silver Cross Knights, aren’t you? You have to fulfill your duties as a knight. Besides, you’re the winner of the Dragon-Phoenix Competition.”

“An honorary knight is a position where you can only take rights without obligations, Carlson.”

Carlson clicked his tongue as if he was disappointed.

Brother Raiel was sometimes smart.

‘Hmm?’

At that moment, something flashed through Carlson’s head.

“Ah! Now that I think about it, the Saintess’s prayer will end tomorrow. You have to come see the Saintess. Don’t you think so?”

The Gaia Order offered prayers of gratitude to the main god Gaia whenever the position of a clergyman changed.

The prayer period became longer as the position became higher, and Cecilia Saintess’s prayer would end tomorrow.

“Hmm… If it’s the Saintess, I should go see her at least once.”

Raiel nodded.

He didn’t know about other people, but it was the Saintess.

He originally had a close relationship with Cecilia Priest, so he needed to go and show off his friendship once again.

“You promised! You have to come tomorrow and help prepare for the Knights’ event! Yes?!”

Carlson said those words and left.

And Raiel, who had finished greeting people, turned around with a sullen expression.

“Who said they would help prepare for the event? What a strange guy.”

Raiel led his tired body and walked through the capital.

Even though the Dragon-Phoenix Competition was over, the atmosphere of the capital was still excited.

In particular, it was quite amazing that there were more people who recognized him.

‘Now I have to go meet that Beast-Human… Was her name Bastia?’

Raiel recalled the Beast-Human he had met yesterday through Tia’s introduction.

The Beast-Human, who was said to be an incredibly beautiful woman, was just a tiger human in Raiel’s eyes.

He should have hit Gent’s head, but he immediately went into surveillance duty for the Demon King.

‘Tsk.’

Raiel, who was walking down the street, stopped in a random place.

The energy of the Beast-Human he had met yesterday stimulated his senses.

“…Don’t hide and come out.”

Raiel sighed and turned his head.

Tiger ears were sticking out in the alley he was about to enter.

“Indeed, you have a good sense as Tia said?”

Bestia came out of the alley and smiled.

Golden mottled fur could be seen on her arms.

“Training starts today. Is that okay?”

Beast-Human.

To put it simply, they were just intelligent beasts.

They weren’t as foolish and barbaric as the Giants, but they were a different race that possessed wildness along with intelligence.

“I’m okay, but, um. Senior Bastia? Is it okay to walk around like this?”

“It’s not Bastia, it’s Bestia. And what’s wrong with it? There are many Elves in the capital, aren’t there?”

“…That’s true, but.”

*I* don’t know.

Raiel thought he had understood most of medieval fantasy, but he still couldn’t understand the Beast-Humans.

“I heard that there’s a forest where the Elves live. Let’s go there.”

“What about the Special Guard?”

“There’s too much unpleasant energy there. Can’t you feel it?”

“…It’s a little difficult to explain, but I’m okay.”

His senses were sharp, but should he say that he filtered out what to filter out and only accepted what to accept?

Of course, this was Raiel’s secret, so there was no need to explain it.

“Hmm.”

Bestia looked at Raiel’s body from side to side.

She had felt it when she first met him yesterday, but she couldn’t find anything special about Raiel.

[The training will start tomorrow. This place is not good for Beast-Human sensory training.]

[We’ve seen each other’s faces, so do as you please. I’ll be in the lair, so call me if you need me.]

Bestia recalled the conversation she had with Tia yesterday.

[Tia, do you really have to teach a human?]

[He’s not just a human. He’s a hero of the era. And Raiel is the only one who can communicate with the Demon King. He’s a unique being that can’t be explained by simple talent.]

[I don’t really know what you mean, but I’ll try my best if it’s your request. But if it doesn’t work, I’ll give up right away.]

The secret arts of the clan passed down from the Beast-Humans.

In order to awaken the senses of a predator, one must be born with outstanding strength and senses.

‘His talent doesn’t seem bad… But is it really okay?’

Bestia thought that Raiel would not be able to awaken the Beast-Human’s secret arts.

However, as it was Tia’s request, she was going to do her best as much as she could and leave.

“Senior Bestia, did you come all the way here because of Senior Tia’s request?”

“Yes. I had a request to teach you the Beast-Human’s skills.”

“That strange Dragon must be giving you a lot of trouble.”

Was Bestia also forcibly dragged here by Tia?

Thinking about that made him feel sorry for no reason.

“I wouldn’t have come if I had known you were a man. All the men just look at my body lewdly. But you seem to have pretty good self-control.”

Raiel, whose sorry thoughts disappeared in an instant, gritted his teeth as he looked at Bestia.

The tiger Beast-Human with princess syndrome was shaking her head in front of him as if men were annoying.

What did he do wrong to deserve this?

‘Gent, that crazy bastard.’

Next time he went to the Special Guard, he would have a life-or-death battle this time.

Raiel clenched his fist as he looked at Bestia’s back in thin leather clothes.

Even the swaying tail behind her was not a charm point for Raiel at all.

“This way.”

“Indeed, it’s a place full of the power of nature.”

After walking for a while, they arrived at the Elves’ forest.

Erengor, surprised by the news of the benefactor’s visit, was outside the forest.

“Welcome, Senior Raiel.”

“Oh, Erengor, it’s been a while. I’m going to do some training in the forest. This is Senior Bestia, the leader of the Beast-Humans… Do you happen to know her?”

Erengor had not yet received permission for Bestia’s entry, but if he said no this time, he was going to sell Reina again like Uncle Eric did.

“T-T-This person is…? Senior Raiel. How did you bring such a person here?”

Erengor stopped breathing and opened his mouth wide.

His thoughts stopped for a moment at the dazzling beauty of the Beast-Human in front of him.

A perfect face and delicate curves like a sculpture. And even a beautiful figure.

“Erengor. You must be the leader of the Elves of this generation. I’m Bestia, the leader of the Beast-Humans. I heard that something bad happened to the Elves. But I ask for your understanding between races that receive the grace of the forest.”

“Y-Yes…! Yes! Please come in as much as you want. I, Erengor, will guide you myself…!”

Erengor swallowed hard as he looked at the swaying tail.

The sound of his heart beating was even audible to Raiel.

“This is easy. Raiel? Let’s go in.”

“…From now on, I shouldn’t treat other races as people.”

Raiel was disappointed in the leader of the Elves.

“Huh? What did you say?”

“It’s nothing.”

Raiel shut his mouth and followed Bestia into the forest.

“Around here should be good. It’s an open space perfect for training.”

Bestia stood in a wide open space in the Elves’ forest.

And looked at Raiel’s face.

“What kind of training are we doing from now on?”

Raiel hadn’t heard anything.

Yesterday, Bestia left as soon as she saw Raiel’s face, saying that this place gave her a headache, and Tia returned to the lair, saying that she had brought his teacher, so he should learn on his own.

“Raiel. Do you know about the Beast-Humans?”

It was Bestia who opened her mouth first.

“Yes. I know that they are a race born with much greater strength and senses than humans.”

“You know well. But ordinary Beast-Humans don’t even use 50% of their strength and senses. That’s because they don’t know how to handle their strength and senses perfectly.”

Raiel nodded as he listened to her words.

He had heard the rumor that humans cannot utilize 100% of their brains.

Maybe it was something similar to that?

“The way to handle one’s strength and senses. That is the sense of a predator. Beast-Humans must learn that in order to fully control their strength and senses. From now on, you will learn something called the sense of a predator.”

“Ah. Then, what should I do from now on…! ?”

Swish-

At that moment, Raiel instinctively raised his sword.

Just now, he felt a subtle murderous intent from Bestia in front of him.

“Interesting. You have a much better sense than I thought.”

Bestia smiled at Raiel.

Indeed, Tia hadn’t recommended him for nothing.

He noticed the murderous intent in an instant, which ordinary humans, or even knights who had trained to some extent, would not have noticed at all.

“…”

Raiel narrowed his eyes as he looked at Bestia.

Every time he received her murderous intent, various parts of his body reacted.

This was a new experience he had never had before.

“I received Tia’s request, so I’ll properly teach you how to handle your strength. Be careful, you might die.”

Bestia’s pupils dilated.

His personality doesn’t waver even when he sees her appearance, and he’s a human with an unidentified power that Tia acknowledged.

And his body reacts immediately to her murderous intent.

She became a little more interested in Raiel.