The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 132

The delegation from the Vanessa Kingdom entered Duke Eric’s mansion, guided by the Rein Knights.

Judging by their dignified manners, they all appeared to be high-ranking nobles or knights.

“Rein, this is Edmund, the representative of the delegation. He is the Second Sword of the Vanessa Kingdom.”

The Sword Dragon, who was at the forefront, greeted Rein as he approached.

“It’s been a while, Lord Rein.”

“Nice to see you, Edmund.”

Rein shook hands lightly with Edmund.

Edmund.

As the Second Sword of the Vanessa Kingdom, his skill was comparable to Rein’s, and they had met on several occasions.

“Your Highness Yuriel, I have come to pay my respects.”

“Thank you, Sword Dragon.”

“Greetings, Your Highness Yuriel. I am Edmund, the Second Sword of the Vanessa Kingdom.”

Yuriel smiled and exchanged greetings with the delegation from the Vanessa Kingdom.

With Rael becoming a hero of the Gaia Order [a prominent religious organization], the Second Princess Yuriel’s name also gained recognition, making the Vanessa Kingdom’s visit to greet her understandable.

“Rael! I’ve heard the rumors! They say you’re knocking down walls!”

“It’s been a while. You’re still full of energy.”

Rael greeted Kyle and extended his hand.

Kyle was as large as ever. His thick hand enveloped Rael’s.

“…”

Rael felt it.

That unpleasant power.

It was the magic of the demons.

‘Why is there demonic energy in Kyle’s body?’

Rael frowned.

It wasn’t just Kyle.

The delegation from the Vanessa Kingdom all possessed that demonic energy.

“I just had a meal, so I’m bursting with energy! Carlson! Lucas! You guys have gotten stronger too! You are indeed the warriors I recognize!”

“Mr. Kyle. It’s been a while.”

“Kyle, let go of Rael’s hand. He is now a hero.”

“Oh! That’s right! Rael, I heard you became a hero!”

Kyle grinned as he looked at the Empire’s Three Heroes, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time.

In the Vanessa Kingdom, he was still the best among his peers, but when he was in the Empire, he had friends to compete with, which made him happy.

Step. Step.

“So, this is Lord Rael, the hero of the Gaia Order.”

At that moment, a man from the Vanessa Kingdom’s delegation stepped forward.

It was Edmund, who seemed to be close to Rein and had been talking with him.

“Nice to meet you, Lord Rael. My name is Edmund, and I am the Second Sword of the Vanessa Kingdom.”

“Pleased to meet you, Lord Edmund. I am Rael.”

Rael bowed lightly to Edmund.

And, feeling the strong demonic energy emanating from him, he narrowed his brows involuntarily.

‘A demon…? No. He’s definitely human… How can he possess such demonic energy?’

Rael looked at Edmund with suspicion.

He possessed far stronger demonic energy than the others.

“Oh, so this is the Holy Sword Saint.”

Edmund admired the sword hanging from Rael’s waist.

He didn’t believe in the Gaia Order, but he knew about the Holy Sword [a legendary weapon of great power].

Buzz-

[Rael. Be careful. You feel it too, right?]

Of course, he felt it.

Rael pressed down on the handle of the Holy Sword.

“Yes. It is the sacred object of the Gaia Order.”

“It’s really something to actually see the hero and the Holy Sword in person. Although I don’t believe in Gaia, the legends of the Holy Sword and the hero are widely known, even outside the Gaia Order. That’s why we came all the way to the Empire.”

The Vanessa Kingdom was a country with diverse religious beliefs.

It wasn’t unusual for someone not to believe in the Gaia Order.

However, what was this unsettling feeling?

‘Vanessa Kingdom. And demonic energy…’

Rael naturally arrived at one conclusion.

‘…Are these bastards part of the Demonic Cult [a group that worships demons]?’

A religion that worships demons and believes in the Demonic race, the Demonic Cult.

Those who betray humanity by siding with the Demonic race.

They had revealed themselves.

*

The delegation from the Vanessa Kingdom had been in the Empire for over a week.

During that time, Rael tried to use Beggars [Rael’s intelligence network] to uncover their suspicious behavior, but there were no significant findings.

‘Well, that’s why they weren’t caught until the end.’

The Vanessa Kingdom’s betrayal was a significant plot point in the original story.

They were heretics who believed in the Demon King.

They had kept it so well hidden that no one had noticed until the moment of betrayal.

‘And the current Demonic Cult is probably the beginning of that.’

He had to uproot them now.

They would be a hindrance when fighting the Demonic race.

“The problem is how to catch the Demonic Cult…”

As Rael pondered, a man suddenly came to mind.

‘…The Jeongcheon Alliance Lord [leader of a martial arts alliance].’

There was a saying, “Use barbarians to control barbarians.”

To defeat the Demonic Cult, Rael decided to seek out the Jeongcheon Alliance Lord.

“Master Mucheon. A junior in the Murim world [martial arts world] has something to say.”

“Disciple. Such words cannot be spoken in a place like this. Let’s go to the inn.”

The Jeongcheon Alliance Lord, who had lost his mind after reading an ancient book called Mount Hua… something.

He, who had been focusing on training in the training grounds of the mansion, immediately left the mansion at Rael’s words.

Mucheon had been claiming to be Rael’s teacher since Rael had awakened his domain, which Rael considered unfair.

It was true that he had gained enlightenment immediately after Rael explained the dantian [energy center], but the dantian was of no help in creating the Mana Circuit.

“Master Mucheon. I am grateful for your teachings, but my teacher is Lord Cheonsal.”

“I have also learned from Lord Cheonsal. So, he is the Grand Master.”

“…Is that so? As far as I know, the relationship between master and disciple is not such a concept.”

Wasn’t the Grand Master the master of the master?

They were both masters, so why was he called the Grand Master?

“Ahem. Rael. Do you doubt a senior in Murim?”

“No… Sigh.”

Rael shook his head.

He seemed to lack understanding because he had only read one martial arts novel, but he just pushed through with his experience, so there was nothing Rael could say.

Mucheon, who had suggested going to an inn, entered a restaurant in District 2 and immediately addressed the employee.

“Waiter! Bring me some noodles and bamboo leaf wine!”

“Pardon? What did you say?”

“…Bring me your recommended food and alcohol.”

“Ah…! I understand!”

After giving additional explanations to the flustered waiter, the waiter quickly left the table.

Mucheon shook his head as he watched the scene.

“Hmm, the inns in the Empire can’t understand what I’m saying. The inns in the cities guarded by the Jeongcheon Alliance understand right away.”

“…Poor people.”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

“It’s nothing.”

How much had the people of the Jeongcheon Alliance suffered from the Jeongcheon Alliance Lord to understand nonsense like noodles and bamboo leaf wine?

Rael sent his condolences to the unfortunate people of the Jeongcheon Alliance.

“Yes. What did you want to say? I will expel Gideon from the Soma Association, so don’t worry too much.”

“Ah… Thank you.”

Rael hadn’t intended to discuss Gideon, but he would be grateful if Mucheon expelled him anyway.

Because it would politically weaken Gideon, even if only slightly.

“Gideon. He was a talented guy, too. It’s strange. There’s a lot of talk about the Empire these days.”

“What kind of talk is coming out?”

“The Empire’s defenses. It seems to be better again these days, but there was a lot of concern about it at one time.”

Mucheon drank the bottle of alcohol that the waiter had brought.

It looked like strong whiskey at first glance, but he drank it without issue, suggesting that the bamboo leaf wine comment was indeed nonsense.

“Hoo, Rael. Don’t you think it’s strange? Gideon is the commander of the Carmen Knights and is known as the strongest knight in the Empire. Consider the internal energy [martial arts power] he possesses. There’s no way a demon could invade the Empire’s capital.”

“…That’s true.”

Rael nodded at Mucheon’s words.

The domain of Gideon, which he had sensed firsthand, was quite powerful.

“That’s why there were rumors that the Empire was weakened. Since there’s no way he would have let the demons invade, there were rumors that the Carmen Knights were weakened.”

But the truth was different.

Gideon, whom Mucheon had met again, was actually very strong.

In other words, there was another reason.

“But the Carmen Knights have not weakened at all. So, what is the reason why the demons invaded?”

“Isn’t it obvious? The Carmen Knights didn’t do their job…”

“…Or they turned a blind eye even though they knew.”

“That’s right. You’re smart as always.”

Rael recalled Gideon’s face as he watched Mucheon drink his alcohol.

Even the Grand Duke and Rein were suspicious of him.

Even if it was only once or twice, if more than three people suspected him, he could now consider it a strong possibility.

‘Gideon Garcia…’

Rael considered that maybe the Demonic Cult that invaded the Empire was also part of his plan.

“Master Mucheon. I am chasing the Demonic Cult.”

Rael finally brought up the main point.

“…What? The Demonic Cult? Has the brutal Demonic Cult finally appeared?!”

Mucheon put down his drink on the table and glared.

The worst massacre group that would shake the history of Gangho [martial arts world], the Demonic Cult,

Mucheon had founded the Jeongcheon Alliance to catch those guys.

“Yes. Will you chase the Demonic Cult with your junior?”

“Of course! Let’s start right away! Do you have a plan?”

Mucheon jumped up from his seat.

“I have an information guild that I run.”

Beggars, which Rael had transformed into an information guild.

‘No, the Beggars’ Sect.’

Mucheon would probably be quite satisfied.

*

An abandoned building in District 5 of the Imperial Capital.

On the surface, it looked like a place where it would be difficult for people to live, but in fact, this place was the base of Beggars, the best information guild in the Empire.

“…Hmm.”

Beggars’ leader Zenith blinked as she looked at the two men in front of her.

“This is the Beggars’ Sect I created.”

One was Rael, who had visited a few days ago.

Beggars was so busy that they couldn’t even breathe because he had entrusted them with the investigation of the Vanessa Kingdom delegation.

Beggars, who already had a lot to take care of because he had become a hero of the Gaia Order, was literally in a state of overload.

“A group of beggars actually exists…! Then you must be the Beggars’ Sect Leader!”

“……”

Beggars’ leader Zenith widened her eyes as she looked at the man next to Rael.

‘This person… Isn’t he the Jeongcheon Alliance Lord Mucheon?’

The Jeongcheon Alliance.

A place where those who gathered to follow the path of righteousness eventually formed a village, then a city, and became an alliance.

Compared to the Vanessa Kingdom or the Desert Kingdom Nagor, the territory and population were small, but it was a significant entity recognized as a country.

The Jeongcheon Alliance Lord was the leader who guided them.

In other words, he held a position similar to the king of a country.

‘Why the hell is such a person doing this?’

Zenith bowed her head with a sullen expression.

“…Greetings. Master Mucheon. My name is Zenith, and I am the leader of Beggars.”

“Nice to meet you! Beggars’ Sect Leader!”

“…”

Zenith glanced at Rael.

Rael was looking at Zenith with eyes that seemed to say the world was finally righting itself.

‘You son of a bitch…’

This crazy bastard.

Why was he harassing her whenever he had the chance?

Was it not enough to be alone, so he brought another crazy bastard to undermine Beggars.

‘The organization that I have built up all my life…’

Zenith made a tearful face.

She couldn’t yell at the Jeongcheon Alliance Lord, let alone Rael, whom she had known since she was a child.

“Ahem, call me whatever you’re comfortable with.”

“Okay. Beggars’ Sect Leader. I heard that the competition with Haomun is fierce, but it seems that you have settled down well.”

“…Yes.”

She didn’t know what he was talking about.

Zenith simply nodded.

“Zenith, this is Master Jeongcheon, as you know. He is the one who will help me chase the Demonic Cult.”

“You must be talking about the Vanessa Kingdom? As you said, I am collecting all the information coming from the Vanessa Kingdom delegation, but… there are no particular results.”

Zenith gestured towards the documents on the table.

She tried to handle Rael’s requests before anything else.

Even before those two suddenly broke in, Zenith was processing information from the Vanessa Kingdom.

“Hmph…”

Rael narrowed his eyes as he roughly scanned the data.

Certainly, as Zenith said, there was no particularly significant information to be found.

They followed their scheduled routines at scheduled times and did not reveal any suspicious activities.

“What is this?”

Rael noticed colorful pictures visible among the documents.

Unlike other materials, there were pictures drawn on them.

“It’s something that the delegation cherished quite a bit. Master Tusin secretly infiltrated the delegation’s accommodation and brought it.”

“Oh….”

At those words, Rael picked up a picture.

And, he immediately frowned.

“…No, what the hell is this?”

Rael frowned as he looked at the picture.

The paper depicted a naked giantess making a suggestive gesture.

“It’s a Chunhwa [erotic painting]. In the Vanessa Kingdom, these kinds of pictures are more popular than ordinary Chunhwa. Oh, there’s a beastman here too.”

The beastman’s Chunhwa that Zenith handed over made him even angrier.

It felt like he was seeing Bestia’s naked body.

“You giant bastards.”

Even Hoo-ye had such a perversion.

How far could these possible bugs go?

Rael hated the giants once again.

“…Hmm?”

At that moment, Rael, who was staring at the beastman’s Chunhwa, blinked for a moment.

‘What is it?’

He didn’t feel it at first, but as he stared at the Chunhwa, he sensed something.

When he focused on the picture again, he was finally able to discern the demonic energy subtly engraved between the pictures.

The demonic energy exquisitely engraved on the picture formed letters.

“…Long live, long live, long long live (萬歲萬歲萬萬歲) [a traditional Chinese expression of loyalty and reverence to the emperor]?”

“Rael. What are you talking about?”

“Zenith, can’t you see this? Master Mucheon. Please take a look here.”

Rael held out the Chunhwa with demonic energy engraved on it to Zenith and Mucheon.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Disciple. What are you talking about?”

Zenith and Mucheon stared at the picture, but they didn’t notice anything.

“…”

Seeing their reactions, Rael nodded.

‘It’s demonic energy.’

The beastman’s Chunhwa contained such weak demonic energy that even a Sword Master could not detect it.

The Vanessa Kingdom was communicating with the Demonic Cult in a way that would never be caught.