The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 129

“Ahhh! The Hero has appeared! Gaia-men [Amen]!”

“Gaia-men!”

A wave of emotion rippled through the cardinals and archbishops.

As clerics of the Gaia Order, they couldn’t help but be moved by the clear emergence of a Hero.

“The appointment ceremony is not yet concluded. Everyone, please maintain decorum.”

At that moment, Pope Chun Ma’s solemn voice, imbued with divine power, echoed throughout the grand hall.

The Hero appointment ceremony was still in progress.

At the Pope’s command, the clerics quietly refocused on the ritual.

‘Two individuals who withstood the Holy Sword’s blessing…?’

Chun Ma observed Raelle and Lucas with intrigued eyes.

He had quelled the clerics’ excitement, but he himself was equally astonished.

Ordinarily, the Holy Sword was a weapon that only one Hero of each era could wield.

The divine power contained within the Holy Sword was so immense and destructive that even the Pope couldn’t handle it safely.

However, Raelle and Lucas remained standing even after receiving the Holy Sword’s blessing.

‘Only Lucas was chosen by the Holy Sword. Then Raelle is….’

Was she simply enduring the Holy Sword’s blessing?

Chun Ma scrutinized Raelle’s reaction, discerning the flow of the blessing.

” …!”

Soon after, Chun Ma, who had been concentrating on the divine power surrounding Raelle, widened his eyes in surprise.

Raelle wasn’t merely standing and enduring the Holy Sword’s blessing.

‘She’s… accepting the divine power.’

The one chosen by the Holy Sword, and the one accepting its blessing.

Chun Ma observed the two distinct Hero candidates before turning his head.

“Saintess, please step forward.”

Traditionally, the Hero and the Saintess were inseparable.

The Saintess’s blessing also served as a test of the candidates’ qualifications as a Hero.

“Gaia-men.”

Saintess Cecilia, who had been standing behind Chun Ma, advanced.

She regarded Raelle and Lucas with a curious expression.

‘Two people chosen by the Holy Sword….’

Although the light of the Holy Sword shone upon Lucas, Raelle was not overwhelmed by it either.

That in itself signified the Holy Sword’s acknowledgment.

“The path before you is glorious but arduous. But do not fear. The supreme Gaia is with you.”

As Cecilia offered her prayer, an aura of blessing emanated from her.

The holy and sacred power permeated the grand hall, and soon began to envelop Raelle and Lucas.

“This is the Saintess’s blessing….”

Lucas closed his eyes, feeling the overflowing power.

The blessing saturated his body, and magic surged within him.

Whoosh-!

A colossal dragon materialized behind Lucas.

The magic he had learned from the soul of the deceased dragon manifested from Lucas.

The body, perfectly attuned to the Saintess’s blessing, couldn’t contain its power and revealed itself.

“…”

And Raelle blinked at the blessing that reached her and dissipated.

‘So this is what it feels like.’

While Lucas was putting on a Heroic display beside her, Raelle nodded, watching the blessing shatter upon contact with her body.

With her Predator’s Sense, Raelle could comprehend why her body couldn’t accept the blessing.

Cecilia’s blessing, upon touching Raelle’s body, immediately lost its form and transformed into divine power.

Raelle absorbed a portion of the divine power that constituted the blessing, causing the blessing’s structure to collapse.

Whoaaa-

As the blessing shattered, a pure white light cascaded around Raelle.

The formless divine power falling resembled a rain of light.

“What is that…?”

“…It’s like the rain of light that Gaia is said to have bestowed.”

The cardinals and archbishops widened their eyes as they gazed at Raelle.

Just as Lucas had embodied the legend of Gaia when he received the Holy Sword’s blessing, Raelle was doing the same.

‘The one to draw the Holy Sword Saint [another name for the Holy Sword] is…’

Chun Ma narrowed his eyes as he looked at Raelle and Lucas.

Lucas accepting the blessing, and Raelle absorbing the divine power.

The answer was already apparent.

“Blessing is the transmission of God’s teachings through the words of a priest. Therefore, one cannot bless someone who is purer and more faithful than the priest himself.”

Saintess Cecilia clasped her hands together with a benevolent expression.

Her appearance was that of a Saintess beyond reproach.

“Therefore, the Order’s Hero is one who possesses a purer soul than anyone else.”

In reality, a high-ranking priest cannot receive the blessing of a lower-ranking priest unless he is unaware of it.

This is because the level of divine power they possess is different.

‘The Hero… I can’t do it? Tch.’

Raelle clicked her tongue inwardly upon hearing Cecilia’s words.

She couldn’t compete with Lucas when it came to purity of soul.

He was a human who possessed the qualities of a Hero, mentioned several times even in the original work.

The original work also stated that only one person would be chosen by the Holy Sword.

No matter what, could such a significant plot point not be changed?

“Raelle.”

” …?”

Raelle raised her head at Cecilia’s voice calling her name.

Cecilia was smiling at Raelle.

“This is the final test from the Lord God Gaia. Try drawing the Holy Sword Saint.”

“…Me?”

Not Lucas, but me?

Raelle looked around with a dubious expression.

Praying archbishops and cardinals. And Lucas nodding as if to encourage her.

And the Saintess with a benevolent smile, and the Pope who kept his thoughts to himself.

Everyone was waiting for her to act.

Raelle looked at the sword in front of her.

” … ”

A splendid white sword.

A sword that subtly exuded its presence even amidst the divine power and light filling the grand hall.

Holy Sword Saint.

The clerics clasped their hands and prayed at the sight of the sword.

At that sight, Raelle looked at Cecilia.

“…Saintess. What if I can’t draw it?”

“Don’t worry. If Raelle cannot draw it, then Lucas will draw it next. Since both of you have been chosen by the Holy Sword, one of you will surely be able to draw the Holy Sword.”

At the Saintess’s words, all eyes in the grand hall turned to Raelle.

Raelle felt a sense of pressure for no reason and placed her hand on the Holy Sword.

And she instinctively realized.

She could draw this sword.

“Oh. Oooo! The Holy Sword Saint is …! ”

Whoooooong-!

As Raelle put strength into her hand, the Holy Sword slowly revealed its form.

A pure white blade emitting radiance, and divine power filling her entire body.

Raelle stared at the Holy Sword in her hand.

“D, drew it …! The true Hero was Sir Raelle!”

“Sir Raelle! Sir Raelle, recommended by Cardinal Bernardo, has drawn the Holy Sword …! ”

Bernardo trembled his massive body and prayed as if moved.

The biggest investment in his life was ultimately a great success.

“Gaia-men. At this moment, the Hero of the Gaia Order has been born.”

Pope Chun Ma also lowered his head.

The hero of the era who can wield the Holy Sword is always only one person.

The moment Raelle drew the Holy Sword, Lucas ceased to be the Hero.

Moreover, he could see it in his eyes.

Raelle’s appearance of also accepting the Holy Sword’s divine power.

Raelle, he was the true Hero of this era.

“Sir Raelle. Congratulations.”

Cecilia also smiled and looked at Raelle.

“Haa, it’s a shame. Congratulations, Sir Raelle.”

Lucas also smiled regretfully.

It was a fair and square test, so there were no regrets, but it was a bitter thing to not even be able to hold the Holy Sword.

“…”

At that moment when everyone was moved.

Raelle could not focus on their reactions.

The Holy Sword held in her hand began to vibrate.

[Damn it! Who the hell is this guy?! Bring that red-haired guy here!]

” … Huh?”

Why is this bastard talking?

Raelle tilted her head, looking at the Holy Sword.

*

After the Hero appointment ceremony ended.

Lucas and Carlson approached Raelle, who had a dubious expression.

“Raelle, Brother! I, I really can’t believe it. You, who was a total thug, is the Hero!”

“Carlson. You always poke me when I’m in a good mood, don’t you?”

“I’m so touched! Sob!”

Carlson hugged Raelle, crying his eyes out.

Raelle and he were friends and family who grew up in the same orphanage.

It was inevitable that he would be moved that such a person had become the Order’s Hero.

“Sir Raelle. Congratulations.”

“Thanks, Lucas.”

“I wanted to become the Hero too… but deep down, I knew that Sir Raelle was more suited to be the Hero. The Holy Sword knew that fact too, so it went to Sir Raelle.”

“Well, I appreciate you thinking that way. Lucas, you definitely had the qualities of a Hero too.”

Whoong-

Raelle nodded and grabbed the scabbard.

The symbol of the Hero, the Holy Sword Saint, was hanging at his waist.

“Sir Raelle. The Holy Sword has been shaking since earlier.”

Lucas looked at Raelle’s Holy Sword with sparkling eyes.

A sword that trembled as if it were alive, even though he hadn’t touched it.

Was it truly an Ego Sword [A sword with its own will and personality]?

” …. That’s what it seems like. Haa.”

Raelle sighed.

He could still hear the nagging voice in his ears.

[Return me to the true Hero’s arms! You bad bastard!]

The Holy Sword Saint was, in vulgar terms, going crazy.

It seemed that Lucas was the one destined to be the Hero in this world.

From the Holy Sword’s point of view, Raelle was an uninvited guest.

“Customer. Simple change of mind refunds are not possible.”

However, what was already decided was decided.

Raelle had no intention of returning the Holy Sword.

“Excuse me? Sir Raelle. What did you say?”

“It’s nothing. Lucas.”

Still, I should let him hold the Holy Sword at least once later.

It was Raelle’s respect for the original protagonist.

“Raelle… Congratulations.”

Cecilia also smiled and came over to hold Raelle’s hand.

She shook Raelle’s hand up and down as if she was really happy.

She had known Raelle’s faith since she was in District 4.

For such a person to become the Order’s Hero, this was truly an opportunity for the Gaia Order to soar.

“Thank you. Saintess.”

“I thought Raelle could become the Hero. I’m so glad.”

Raelle smiled at her reaction.

Whoong-

The Holy Sword also trembled as if it was happy.

[You fraud! I never chose you!]

Raelle lightly ignored the Holy Sword’s words.

There was something more important than the Holy Sword right now.

‘Why is that person acting like that?’

Raelle looked at Pope Chun Ma standing in the center of the grand hall.

He was smiling at her with benevolent eyes.

Excitement. Greed. Excitement. Enthusiasm. Thrill….

Various emotions could be felt in Chun Ma’s eyes.

For some reason, it was a smile that sent shivers down her spine.

*

The day after Raelle became the official Hero of the Gaia Order.

He was standing in the grand hall of the Order’s headquarters again today.

“Pray? Why should I?”

“The bishops and priests of the Gaia Order. And all the nuns and priests have gathered.”

Carlson looked at the priests in the grand hall.

They had come all the way to the main temple to attend the new Hero’s prayer.

“…So, I’m asking why I have to pray. I became the Hero, not a cardinal.”

“Raelle, Brother. The Hero is the representative of the Gaia Order and the hope of the people. As the Hero, you must instill hope in the priests.”

“But I’ve never prayed before?”

“Excuse me? Raelle, Brother. Prayer is just saying what comes from the heart. It’s not difficult at all. Just express your respect for Gaia.”

“No, I’m saying that’s not easy.”

Raelle sighed, looking at the priests gathered in the grand hall.

‘I need to have respect for Gaia to pray or not.’

Yesterday was a gathering of only the Order’s high-ranking personnel, but today was a gathering of all the priests who made up the Order.

Raelle had to continue praying as the Hero in this place.

“Carlson. Surely I don’t have to do this every time from now on? Praying or worshiping.”

“The Hero is basically a paladin [A champion of a holy cause]… so I don’t think that will happen? This will probably be the first and last time.”

It was a relief that today was the last time, but she couldn’t help but dislike it.

“Come on, Brother. Hurry up and go up.”

“Hey, hey. Don’t push me ….”

Raelle was pushed onto the platform by Carlson.

She felt burdened by the situation where all the priests in the Order were looking at her.

‘If I had known this would happen, I should have read the Gaia Sutra [Religious text of the Gaia Order].’

What was fortunate was that Raelle knew only one prayer.

Raelle looked around and began to pray.

“Gaia-men. I would like to express my gratitude to the priests gathered here. Today, I would like to pray not as the Hero Raelle, but as one believer.”

Raelle said some appropriate greetings, then clasped her hands and closed her eyes.

“…I am an orphan. It was the Lord God Gaia who led me, who grew up in an orphanage. That’s why I always thought of Gaia as my father and prayed.”

Praying to the Lord God Gaia.

Raelle, who couldn’t think of anything to say no matter how hard she tried, recalled the memory of going to summer Bible school as a child.

She followed because they said they would give chicken if she came to church, but she was caught for 2 nights and 3 days and memorized the Lord’s Prayer.

Raelle recalled the prayer buried in her memory.

“Our Gaia in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come….”

While Raelle’s prayer continued, the priests lowered their heads and clasped their hands.

Some people sniffled at his touching prayer, and some nodded as if moved.

In particular, the part where Raelle, who was an orphan, prayed thinking of Gaia as her father was enough material to stimulate the tear glands of the clergy.

“For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. …Gaia-men.”

Clap clap clap-

When Raelle’s prayer ended, the priests stood up from their seats and began to applaud.

His prayer was not incredibly sophisticated or luxurious.

However, it was made up of easy words that anyone could understand, and it was a masterpiece that made people aware of God’s greatness without excessive praise.

It was a prayer worthy of a Hero who had risen from a commoner to this position.

“For that person to be the Hero of the Gaia Order. That is the greatest blessing for the Gaia Order!”

“That’s right. Gaia-men …! ”

The cardinals and some archbishops who participated in the ceremony also joined in the applause as if moved.

Carlson and the Silver Cross Knights were the same.

They applauded enthusiastically while wearing armor.

‘Why is the reaction so good?’

As expected, it was summer Bible school.

Raelle slowly turned her body and came down.

Whoong

[To offer such a prayer without any faith! This is blasphemy!]

“…That’s why quick-witted bastards are.”

Raelle gripped the Holy Sword, which was chattering, and came down from the platform.

And at that moment.

She made eye contact with Pope Chun Ma, who was looking at God.

He was fixing his gaze on Raelle and applauding.

“Sir Raelle. That was a truly touching prayer. The Lord God Gaia led you and eventually you became the Hero.”

“Thank you. Your Holiness.”

Raelle made the sign of the cross.

Numerous priests were looking this way.

“It seems that Gaia’s teachings have already reached Sir Raelle’s heart. I have no regrets even if I die now.”

“…Ah, yes. Thank you.”

Raelle bowed her head and turned her body.

The Pope’s condition had been strange since yesterday, so she should avoid him at times like this.

“The Lord God Gaia’s choice is never wrong …. Gaia-men.”

Chun Ma, looking at Raelle’s back, was smiling as if relieved.