The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 122

The special guard’s training grounds shimmered under the intense heat of the sun.

Sword in hand, Raiel stared at the strikingly beautiful beast-woman before him.

She wiggled her furry fingers, examining them with childlike wonder.

“Oh, it’s fascinating every time. Absorbing my mana. Raiel, are you really human?”

“I am human.”

“Unless you have beast-kin blood, or are secretly Tia’s hidden child? If that’s the case, it would explain why Tia is helping you.”

“That’s not it.”

Raiel frowned, and Bestia also tilted her head, considering.

At Tia’s request, she was analyzing Raiel’s unique constitution.

A constitution that absorbed surrounding power was intriguing to her, so she readily agreed to investigate.

“Lady Bestia.”

“Hmm? Something on your mind?”

“What exactly is ‘sense’? Ever since I learned the Predator’s Sense, my own senses have felt… different.”

Raiel had always considered his senses to be exceptional.

More than just the five senses of a human.

Raiel also possessed a sixth sense, something that defied simple explanation.

‘My senses have definitely become sharper… but I can’t seem to understand them properly.’

However, recently he struggled to articulate these sensations.

For example, the strange energy he felt emanating from Commander Marco.

And the revulsion he experienced in the presence of the Pope’s divine power.

Raiel clearly felt these sensations, but he couldn’t quite define them.

Bestia tilted her head, listening to his explanation, and replied, “That’s odd. The Predator’s Sense should also enhance your cognitive abilities, allowing you to understand what you perceive, right? I’ve never heard of someone sensing something but not knowing what it is.”

“That’s why I’m asking.”

“Is your brain not keeping up with your body’s performance? Maybe you’re just not smart enough?”

“…”

Raiel ignored the ramblings of the eccentric beast-woman.

What would someone who probably hadn’t even finished primary school know about it?

“You two, stop chatting and focus on the experiment. If you keep this up, I’ll have to draw three liters of Raiel’s blood every day.”

At that moment, Tia, arms crossed, approached Bestia and Raiel.

There was still much to do in experimenting on Raiel’s body, and they were wasting time.

“But Tia, to properly understand Raiel’s power, we need to start with these seemingly trivial things.”

“What’s there to think about? Raiel hasn’t fully mastered the Predator’s Sense, has he? He still can’t properly control his power, can he?”

“Is that so? Come to think of it, the Predator’s Sense is a skill that gets stronger the more you learn.”

“But you can block the absorption of mana, can’t you? Isn’t that proof that you can control the Predator’s Sense?”

Raiel regulated the mana within his body, suppressing his power.

The flow of mana entering his body ceased.

“The limit of your power might be beyond that. The Predator’s Sense is a great power, but you shouldn’t become too reliant on it.”

“Tia is right. The Predator’s Sense is a beast-kin technique, after all. There might be other methods for you, a human.”

“…”

Raiel released Bestia’s hand and looked at his own.

The sharpened senses from learning the Predator’s Sense perceived all the surrounding information.

Even now, he felt a headache when he focused intently. What did he need to do to advance to the next stage?

‘Do I need to learn a domain?’

Raiel considered the concept of a domain.

The mark of a Sword Master and the pinnacle a swordsman could reach.

Creating a space where one perfectly controlled their power.

That was a domain.

“Lady Bestia, to move one step further from my current state… what should I do?”

“Even that’s more impressive than most beast-kin, I think. Hmm, the next stage… should we examine your inner self?”

“You don’t sound confident?”

“How would I know how humans get stronger? But if you were a beast-kin, I would give you this advice: Your goal is important to becoming stronger. Raiel, what is your goal?”

Bestia wagged her tail.

A hero of the era born among humans.

What was he aiming for with such talent?

“…To become stronger.”

Raiel’s contemplation didn’t last long.

His goal had always been the same.

“I need to become so strong that no one can touch me.”

He needed to become stronger to protect his home in this world.

* * *

As the splendid fervor of the Saintess Inauguration Ceremony filled the streets.

A man of enormous stature quietly observed the scene.

Exciting music echoed, and people’s cheerful singing filled the air.

Kent watched from a quiet corner of an alley.

‘Truly beautiful… How should I express this emotion?’

Kent smiled as he watched the parade march down the street.

The excitement of the festival and the tranquility of the quiet back alley intersected, bringing him a sense of peace.

This was his hobby and the meaning of his life.

Kent was experiencing a sense of stability he had never felt in his homeland, surrounded by humans and nature.

Thud. Thud.

Sensing approaching footsteps, Kent turned his head.

What broke his peace was a giant with a familiar face.

“Great Warrior.”

“…Brok.”

Kent recognized the approaching member of his race.

It was Brok, a close friend and comrade who had fought alongside him on many battlefields.

“The Chieftain is waiting. With Ragnarok approaching, we can no longer tolerate your defiance.”

“I clearly said I wouldn’t go.”

“How long are you going to act so selfishly? From the moment you were born as a Great Warrior of the giants, your life belongs to the giants.”

Kent gave a bitter smile, seeing Brok’s hand inching towards his axe.

Like the foolish and instinct-driven giants, it meant that if they couldn’t communicate, they would resort to force.

“I don’t want to kill a comrade, Brok.”

“If I can bring the Great Warrior back with my life, I can sacrifice this one life for the race.”

“…”

Kent narrowed his eyes as he looked at Brok.

Brok continued, his voice laced with frustration.

“Giants are born stronger than other races. That is, they are a race chosen by God. What’s wrong with us dominating other races?”

“That’s why I can’t stand being with the giants, because I hate such foolish thoughts. Do you know who you’re joining hands with to say such things?”

“If you don’t like joining hands with the demons, don’t worry. After dominating the continent, we can just fight the demons for dominance, can’t we?”

“Such nonsense…”

Kent couldn’t comprehend the mindset of these foolish members of his race.

The war-crazed giants had allied with the demons to devour the continent.

Why should he raise his axe against the beautiful nature and the human race?

He couldn’t understand it at all.

“Great Warrior, I knew you were different from a young age. But this is the last warning. If you delay any longer, the Chieftain will intervene himself.”

Brok turned and walked away after delivering his ultimatum.

Kent blankly stared at his back before turning his head.

The humans on the street were still singing.

* * *

What is a domain?

Even Raiel, an elite among elites who had completed higher education in his original world, couldn’t grasp concepts he hadn’t been taught.

‘If I had gone to the academy, I would have learned all this. Tsk.’

Raiel had never received formal swordsmanship training, so while he understood the concepts of sword ki [internal energy] and sword force [external manifestation of ki], he struggled with abstract terms like ‘domain’.

That’s why Raiel, despite reaching the realm of Sword Master, sought out a swordsman with time to spare.

“What? A domain? Why are you asking about that… Well, if it’s a monster like you, you might have already reached that wall.”

“Stop calling people monsters and tell me about the domain.”

Raiel sighed as he looked at Commander Rein.

He had been racking his brain, wandering around the capital throughout the Saintess Inauguration Ceremony.

Rein was the only Sword Master who came to mind with immediate availability, so he sought him out, but it seemed he had chosen the wrong time.

‘I should have just kept looking for that old man, Cheonsal Sword Lord [Heavenly Killing Sword Lord], instead of coming to this person.’

Raiel was already regretting his decision.

“Raiel, when you look at me with that expression, even if I wanted to teach you, the thought vanishes completely. The commander of the Rein Knights is not someone you can easily meet. I even took time off from the knights’ training to meet you.”

“…Then what are the knights doing behind the commander?”

“So today, instead of training, it’s observation.”

Raiel shook his head, looking at the Rein Knights lined up behind Rein.

This person had unique quirks every time he saw him.

“Anyway! A domain… This is truly a realm that is difficult to explain in words. Ahem.”

Rein wore a faint smile.

He had recently grasped the feeling of a domain and eventually created one.

Raiel knew that, which was why he had come to him.

“To teach the winner of the Yongbong Tournament [Dragon Phoenix Tournament] the sword! As expected of the commander!”

“Long live the Rein Knights! Long live!”

When Rein cleared his throat, the knights behind him praised him like fanatics.

It seemed that was their most important task.

“Raiel, you don’t know anything about the domain?”

“Because I haven’t learned it. I only know that if the symbol of a graduate is sword force, the symbol of a Sword Master is a domain.”

“Hmm, you seem to think of a domain as just the next stage after sword force… A domain is not simply a realm of swordsmanship.”

“Is that so?”

Raiel looked at Rein with expectant eyes as the explanation finally began.

If Raiel became the youngest Sword Master, he was planning to prominently feature ‘Raiel’s Teacher’ on his resume.

“Raiel, I heard you experienced Sword Dragon’s domain, is that right?”

“…Yes. I experienced it.”

“To experience his domain, it must have been a memorable experience. The memory must be vivid, right?”

“…”

Raiel shuddered, recalling Sword Dragon’s domain, the Jeongryeok Palace [a place filled with sexual energy].

In fact, it wasn’t a good memory, and it felt very… tainted.

That awful experience of the Jeongryeok filling his body was still a trauma for Raiel.

“As you know from experiencing it, the domain of someone who has honed their sword for decades is not just simple swordsmanship. A domain is about fully utilizing one’s power and, at the same time, compensating for any weaknesses. That’s what a Sword Master is.”

“Fully utilizing one’s power and compensating for weaknesses… Thank you, Commander. As expected of a Sword Master.”

Raiel nodded and focused on Rein’s words.

Commander Rein would offer valuable insights if praised a little.

“The essence of a sword built up over a lifetime. Raiel, you must first know what is contained within your sword. Raiel, what is your goal you want to achieve with the sword?”

Goal.

It was a word he had heard a lot today.

“To become stronger. Enough to protect what I want to protect.”

Raiel didn’t have something like the ‘essence of a sword’.

What he desired was only one thing.

Overwhelming strength.

“Then, think about what you need to achieve that. That will soon become your domain.”

“…I see. Commander, thank you. It was a great help.”

Raiel bowed his head.

As expected, a Sword Master was a Sword Master.

Just listening to the explanation for a moment was incredibly helpful.

“Ahem. Is there anything else you want?”

“Yes?”

What was he saying after offering such valuable advice?

Raiel blinked, looking at Rein.

“If you, Raiel, politely ask, I might specially show you a glimpse of my domain. I’m only saying this because it’s you, Raiel.”

“Really? To see Commander Rein’s domain, I’d be honored.”

Normally, a Sword Master’s domain was not easily revealed.

Because the less known the domain, the more effective it became as a hidden weapon.

“There aren’t many swordsmen who have survived after witnessing my domain, so you can consider yourself lucky, Raiel.”

“…”

Was it really that dangerous?

Raiel thought so, but he didn’t bother to voice his doubts.

“Commander! Didn’t you show it to all the Rein Knights as soon as you conceived the domain? We’re still watching it now.”

At that moment, Kirie, the adjutant of the Rein Knights, raised his hand.

“Kirie, I will prohibit you from observing if you continue to make useless comments.”

“I’m sorry!”

Rein glared at Kirie before picking up his sword again and striking a pose.

The mana that originated from his sword began to permeate the area.

The domain was unfolding.

“Rein-style ultimate, Illusionary Sword Dance (幻影劍舞) [a sword dance that creates illusions].”

Whoosh-!

Raiel instinctively raised his hand to shield his face.

A huge surge of mana exploded from behind Rein, and a light flashed in his eyes.

“.. Wow.”

Raiel looked at the enormous figure that appeared behind Rein.

A faint illusion materialized behind Rein, becoming clearer each time Rein swung his sword.

“This is my domain. Illusionary Sword Dance.”

Rein smiled proudly.

The illusion increased in size with each swing, and the illusion’s sword also became as sharp as the real thing.

“…”

Raiel stared intently at the illusion.

The illusion behind him resembled Rein, but it looked much more handsome than his original face.

‘Did he just create it to show off his face…?’

The Jeongryeok Palace that overcomes the Dongjagong [practice of absorbing sexual energy from young boys].

And the Illusionary Sword Dance that can attract attention instantly.

Both were far from the domain Raiel had envisioned.

“Commander Rein! You’re so cool! Amazing!”

“Rein! Rein!”

“Hehe. Watch carefully, Raiel. This is a domain.”

“…Yes. Thank you.”

Raiel gave a bitter smile, listening to the cheers of the Rein Knights.

For some reason, he felt that the Sword Master’s domain was becoming even more elusive.