The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 120

The Gaia Order, the state religion of the Empire.

The Pope’s prayer room, located on the top floor of the Order’s headquarters.

The room, adorned with elaborate Gothic architecture, was engraved with religious symbols throughout.

“Gaia-men. This is quite a problem.”

The Pope, Cheonma, sat among the angel sculptures facing the sky, wearing a simple smile.

He, who had been kneeling before the statue of the main god Gaia, slowly rose.

Recently, the once-strong Kamen Empire had been shaken.

‘The Kamen Knights disgraced themselves. This is not a good thing. Along with the prolonged competition for the throne, the imperial family’s dignity is gradually weakening.’

The honor of the Kamen Knights, the Empire’s strongest knight order, had fallen, and demonic beings were still rampaging throughout the Empire.

Even the Saintess, a sign of the Great War, had descended, so he could no longer just offer prayers.

‘What on earth is happening to the Empire….’

Cheonma lowered his head, looking at the statue of the main god Gaia.

To him, a religious figure, the honor of the knight order was not a problem, but the rampaging of demonic beings and the descent of the Saintess could be a major issue for the Gaia Order.

‘At this rate, the Demon King’s rampage may be hastened.’

Cheonma thought of the monster created by the Empire and the Order.

Originally, evil arises from chaos.

The rampage of the monster, artificially created by gathering human malice, was something even the Pope, Cheonma, could not predict.

‘There is a limit to confining her to prevent the Demon King from being taken by the demonic beings.’

Currently, things that Cheonma could not predict were happening on the continent.

As Pope, he needed to firmly control the internal affairs of the Order.

And that grand plan would begin with the Saintess.

‘The inevitable sacrifice perpetrated by the Order. That must not be revealed.’

No matter what, that must be prevented.

With that thought, Cheonma unfolded the Gaia Scripture, which contained the teachings of Gaia.

“Chapter 10, Verse 2. The believer shall not turn away from the lamb in need.”

Cheonma had never once violated Gaia’s teachings.

The same was true when he had to create the Demon King.

There were minor sacrifices, but everything went according to Gaia’s plan.

“Gaia-men. Please help the young lambs escape from ignorance….”

But the Empire’s lambs had not yet gained that much enlightenment.

If the existence of the Demon King became known, there would surely be much backlash.

Fortunately, there were shields in the lower districts of the Empire to prevent the Demon King from rampaging.

“Chapter 12, Verse 3. Let those who are less learned also witness the path of peace.”

The main god Gaia commanded to treat everyone equally.

Following that teaching, he would guide even the commoners to the path of peace.

Knock, knock.

At that moment, the prayer room door opened with a knock.

Thud. Thud.

The man with a huge battle-axe on his back made the sign of the cross as he looked at Cheonma.

“Your Holiness. I have come to report on the Saintess’s condition.”

Marco looked at the Pope.

His elderly face, full of gentle smiles, was lined with wrinkles, each one telling of a long life of experience and patience.

He exuded an atmosphere that made people feel comfortable just by being still.

“Marco. I have also heard the news that the Saintess fainted. Is that all you have to report?”

“…No. The Saintess’s condition was strange. Her hatred for the commoners has become much worse than before the thanksgiving prayer. I, Marco, suspect that the Saintess was brainwashed or cursed during that time.”

“I am the only one who has been in contact with the Saintess during the thanksgiving prayer… so you have come to me.”

“Yes. That is correct.”

Marco looked at the Pope and bowed his head slightly.

Even raising such a question could be an insult to the Pope.

The Pope, Cheonma, whom Marco knew, was the center of the current Gaia Order.

Cheonma, who had been involved in the Gaia Order since Marco was a child, was respected by all the Order’s clergy.

Marco did not want to suspect such a person.

“I see. So that’s what happened….”

Cheonma slowly nodded.

It seemed he had moved too hastily.

This must also be a trial given by the main god Gaia.

“Marco. You are mistaken.”

“If I have made any mistakes, please tell me at any time.”

“Look over here.”

“…!”

Whoosh-!

Marco’s eyes widened as he looked at the Pope’s fingertips.

After the divine power within him pulsed greatly, Marco left the prayer room as if nothing had happened.

“Marco, my poor child. Do not waver.”

The Pope gave him a kind smile.

*

A street densely packed with old wooden buildings between narrow stone paths.

The Empire’s capital was crowded with people today as well.

“Fresh fruits! Apples, tangerines, and pears too!”

“If you need a talisman, please come to me!”

Raelle was walking through them.

Two days had passed since he learned the truth about the Saintess.

Today was the day he would visit the Order and meet Commander Marco.

‘I don’t understand….’

Raelle was slowly recalling the original novel after a long time.

The novel he possessed was an academy story, and after that, the main content was the war with the demonic beings.

Not like the current Raelle, who was rolling around in the Empire.

So, it was not strange that there were many corrupt organizations within the Empire.

The Gaia Order?

It was foolish to expect faithfulness in a place where a clergyman like Bernardo had risen to the rank of cardinal.

‘But… it’s strange that the Saintess is like that, even if it’s not the Pope or Cardinal Angelo.’

He didn’t care if the Pope or the cardinal were strange.

In the original novel, Lucas was chosen as the hero and had a deep relationship with the Gaia Order, but the Pope did not appear often in the process.

Besides, it was a cliché that the Pope turned out to be a bad guy.

‘Cheonma, even the name is ominously ominous.’

Raelle nodded.

The problem was not that.

‘Saintess Cecilia. If she had been brainwashed, it would not have appeared in the original.’

The Saintess was different.

In the original story, Saintess Cecilia was at the forefront of subjugating the demonic beings with Lucas.

She loved everyone like Lucas and thought that every life was precious.

In other words, Cecilia was different from the original.

There was only one reason why this world was different from the original.

‘Is it the butterfly effect?’

Raelle clicked his tongue.

In fact, this world was already different from the original.

Due to Raelle’s existence, the Demon King’s seal weakened, and demonic beings began to invade the Empire, and the Kamen Knights were plotting strange schemes instead of being loyal to the imperial family.

The Second Princess Yuri, the next emperor, was increasing her power much faster than in the original, and Cecilia became a Saintess much faster than in the original.

‘I don’t even know where the problem is anymore.’

Raelle clicked his tongue and moved his steps.

How he would move from now on would be determined by Commander Marco’s condition today.

“Raelle, Brother!”

Raelle raised his hand as he saw Carlson waving his hand in front of the Order’s headquarters.

“Commander Marco is waiting. Let’s go, Brother.”

“Thank you. …Carlson, what do you think? Was there anything strange?”

Raelle asked Carlson carefully.

He was living with Commander Marco, so he would have noticed quickly if his condition was strange.

“If it’s the Commander, there’s nothing different from usual. I think he’s probably okay.”

“Is that so?”

Raelle tilted his head and moved his steps.

It was good news that Commander Marco was okay, but then who was the culprit who brainwashed the Saintess?

Whoong-!

As he entered the Silver Cross Knights’ training ground, he heard the sound of a huge battle-axe cutting through the air.

Raelle walked towards Commander Marco, who was concentrating on training.

“Commander Marco. It’s Raelle.”

“Raelle. You’ve come.”

“Yes. …Do you perhaps remember the promise from two days ago?”

Raelle asked Marco carefully.

At the same time, he did not forget to sharpen his senses.

“I went to see His Holiness the Pope directly as I told you. But… there was nothing wrong with my body. I still love the Order, and I love the people of the Empire.”

“Really? Doesn’t hatred for the commoners rise from the depths of your heart?”

“I have no such feelings at all, so don’t worry.”

“Try saying, ‘Commoner bastards are not worth living.'”

“Raelle, why should I say such a thing?”

“…Hmm. Is it really not?”

Raelle looked at Marco and tilted his head.

“That’s a relief. Commander Marco!”

Carlson approached Marco as if he was moved.

Silver Cross Knight Commander Marco was like a teacher to him.

Carlson did not want to see Marco become strange.

“Carlson. You have too many unnecessary worries. Maintain the dignity of the Silver Cross Knights.”

“Yes! I understand!”

Carlson smiled and made the sign of the cross.

Marco also smiled as he looked at him.

“…”

At that moment, Raelle frowned.

Raelle stood one step behind and looked at Marco and Carlson.

Then, he swallowed his complicated feelings and quietly clicked his tongue.

*

A few days later.

The Order officially announced the existence of the Saintess and announced that they would hold a Saintess Inauguration Ceremony.

Before the heat of the Dragon Ascension Competition had cooled down, a new event was held, and the commoners rejoiced and came out into the streets.

This was because the Order used to provide food when holding large-scale events.

“Haa, I’d rather fight the demonic beings. I almost died because of the Saintess Inauguration Ceremony preparations. Is the Gaia Order also a part of the inevitable aristocratic society? Gaia-men….”

“Carlson. If a holy knight says such a thing, he’ll go to hell.”

Raelle smiled as he looked at the exhausted Carlson.

He seemed to be properly angry at the Order’s formalities after suffering so much in the Order for the past week.

Of course, Raelle, who had briefly watched from the side, agreed with Carlson’s words.

“Raelle, Brother. Is there any news about Lucas? It seems like it’s about time for him to come.”

“I heard that contact was lost because a demonic beast was rampaging on a deserted island. The students will probably have to survive on their own for about a week.”

“Yes?! Isn’t that a big deal?”

“Don’t worry too much. He’ll definitely come back alive and well.”

The deserted island test was an indispensable event in the academy story.

Lucas would be having a good time with the heroines on the deserted island where contact was lost, so it was not something Raelle needed to worry about.

“If you say so, Brother, but… Ah! Commander Marco was looking for Raelle, Brother, earlier. Since you’re also a member of the Silver Cross Knights, he said it would be nice to march together at the Saintess Inauguration Ceremony. Of course, he said it’s okay to refuse if you want to.”

“…I’ll think about it later.”

“The Saintess Inauguration Ceremony is tomorrow? I’ll just take it as a refusal. You really have a hard time refusing, Brother.”

Raelle gave a bitter smile.

In fact, the refusal of the march was not the problem.

‘I can’t bear to see Commander Marco’s face.’

A few days ago, Raelle felt that Marco’s condition was strange.

But he couldn’t say anything to Carlson and Marco.

He felt a strange sensation from Commander Marco, but Raelle couldn’t properly explain what it was.

‘Is it because of the predator’s sense? I feel like my senses have become sharper… but I can’t explain it properly. I’ll have to ask Bestia later.’

Raelle thought of the tiger beastkin who was playing and eating in Tia’s nest.

He was planning to visit one more time after the Saintess Inauguration Ceremony.

“Wow. Sir Carlson. Sir Raelle. You were in a place like this. I don’t know how hard it was to find you. Hehe.”

At that time. A well-built clergyman approached Raelle and Carlson.

Between the holy robes that wrapped around his huge body, there were gold bracelets and gold necklaces that were too luxurious for a clergyman to wear.

‘This person is normal. I don’t feel the same strange sensation as Commander Marco.’

Raelle shook his head as he looked at Cardinal Bernardo.

The Order was a hopeless group, trusting the most untrustworthy person.

“Sir Raelle. Your story is heard in my ears every day. It’s a really good thing that there are more people who believe my story after proving your skills with the victory of the Dragon Ascension Competition!”

“You’re too kind. I’ve already heard a lot from the people around me, so you don’t have to talk about me at the prayer meeting anymore.”

“Ahem. Anyway, after the Saintess Inauguration Ceremony, the procedure for selecting the hero will proceed soon. You’ll be fine, but… if you ever need my help, Bernardo, come to the Cardinal’s office. Shouldn’t we give and receive help between us? I need your help too.”

Tap. Tap.

Bernardo patted Raelle’s shoulder and gave a kind smile.

What kind of help would he give and receive if he went to his room?

He was curious, but he didn’t want to go.

“I have so much to say when I see the young future of the Order, but I have to give way now. His Holiness the Pope is looking for you.”

Bernardo continued, looking pleased.

“…His Holiness the Pope is looking for me?”

“Raelle, you are the honorary knight of the Silver Cross Knights who has come out in decades, and you are the most famous knight in the Empire. It’s not strange that His Holiness the Pope wants to see your face. Come on, let’s go.”

“Right now?”

“It doesn’t seem like you have anything particularly busy, do you have a prior engagement?”

Bernardo asked back as if there was a problem.

Raelle stared at him and nodded.

The request for the Pope to see the honorary knight of the Silver Cross Knights was extremely reasonable, so there was no justification for refusing.

“Carlson, I’ll go see His Holiness the Pope for a while.”

“Yes, Brother. I’ll be waiting on the Silver Cross Knights side.”

Raelle exchanged a brief greeting with Carlson and followed Bernardo.

Every time he walked, the gazes of those around him gathered, but Bernardo ignored the gazes as if he was used to it.

“You’re lucky. His Holiness the Pope is only interested in the teachings of the main god Gaia, but he’s interested in you first.”

Bernardo continued to talk to himself without Raelle’s answer.

He was feeling joy in the success of the next hero he had invested in.

“You, you wouldn’t be thinking of breaking faith with me just because you caught the eye of His Holiness the Pope, would you? Hahaha, I was just joking. Just tell His Holiness the Pope that you’re close to Bernardo….”

“Cardinal. Don’t worry and let’s go.”

“Hehe, if you need any donations, let me know. I’ll take care of it anytime.”

Bernardo moved his heavy body, jingling his gold necklace.

Raelle, who was watching the scene, carefully opened his mouth.

“Cardinal Bernardo.”

“What’s wrong? Are you nervous? Don’t worry too much. Your friend, Bernardo, is here.”

“What kind of person is His Holiness the Pope?”

“His Holiness the Pope? Hmm, he’s really a person who lives by the teachings of Gaia. I received his teachings when I was very young, so he’s been living that kind of life for decades. Really, he’s a great person.”

Bernardo made the sign of the cross as he thought of the Pope.

Still, every time Bernardo meets the Pope, Cheonma, his body is filled with divine power.

“Is there anything I shouldn’t do when I encounter His Holiness the Pope? I’m also nervous as a believer to meet His Holiness the Pope.”

“Ah, I fully understand that feeling. Hmm. Something you shouldn’t do….”

After thinking for a while, Bernardo nodded and said.

“Ah, yes! Never lie in front of His Holiness the Pope.”

“A lie?”

“The divine power that His Holiness the Pope possesses is so vast that it’s overwhelming. Even if you combine all the divine power of the cardinals, it won’t reach him. So, it’s impossible to deceive him, who is favored by Gaia. Well, a knight like you wouldn’t do that.”

Bernardo hummed and walked.

The Pope’s prayer room was in sight.

“…Yes. I understand.”

Raelle, who was pondering his words, slowly followed him.