The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 143

Even as negotiations concerning the war with the Demon race continued, the Empire, previously calm, was finally thrown into turmoil.

The news that Gideon Garcia, commander of the Carmen Knights, was to face a religious trial struck the Empire like a lightning bolt.

Thanks to the Night Raven news agency, the fact that Gideon had supposedly received revelations from the Saintess and the Hero, been branded a traitor, and was now set to undergo a sacred trial with the Hero himself, became known to every citizen of the Empire.

Some whispered of a power struggle between the Empire and the Order [Gaia Order, the religious organization Ra-El belongs to], while others predicted the whole thing would eventually fizzle out.

“I need to get stronger.”

Regardless of the Empire’s opinions, Ra-El had his own path to follow.

“But why come to me?”

The head of the Beastmen, and an absolute beauty, Bestia fidgeted with her furry fingers.

“Because I want to receive your teachings, Bestia.”

“I already taught you the Predator’s Sense [heightened senses and instincts unique to Beastmen].”

“You’re just lazing around in Tia’s lair anyway. Please help me a little more.”

Ra-El stared intently at Bestia.

Bestia, who he thought would only teach him the Predator’s Sense and leave, had somehow settled down in Tia’s lair.

“It’s not like I’m playing around because I want to. Tia won’t take me back.”

Bestia’s tail drooped.

As the head of the Beastmen, she longed to return to her people, but Tia was too engrossed in her research to bother taking her back.

“That’s a bit unfair, Bestia. I told you, you can just go back. Someone like you could reach the Beastmen’s territory in a week at the latest, right?”

“But when I came on your back, it only took a day! My time is precious.”

“Isn’t it just that you don’t want to go back to the Beastmen’s territory?”

“…”

Bestia turned her head away from Tia.

Compared to her days patrolling the Beastmen’s territory and teaching young warriors, Tia’s lair was definitely more relaxed.

“I’ll tell the Beastmen later that I was delayed because of my research, so help Ra-El a bit,” Tia said, her eyes glued to a magical tool.

“Hmph! Fine. Ra-El, I like you quite a bit, so I can invest some time in you. Follow me!”

And so, Ra-El began training with Bestia.

Even though Bestia acted annoyed, she quickly focused once the training began.

“Ra-El, you said you wanted to get stronger, right? I heard you’ve learned how to handle power, is that right?”

“Yes, that’s right. I’ve grasped the Domain [a manifestation of one’s inner power], but I want to train with you, Bestia, on how to control it.”

“Domain? You’d be better off learning that from the humans.”

The Beastmen don’t have anything like Domains.

Their path to strength lies solely in sharpening their keen senses and training their powerful bodies.

“It’s a difficult training to show to humans. I have a better reputation within the human race than you think.”

There are many strong people who could help Ra-El, such as Commander Rain, the Sword Dragon, or even Great Master Mucheon.

However, he couldn’t reveal the full power of the 회천 [Hoicheon, a technique using demonic energy] to them.

Ra-El was, after all, the official Hero of the Gaia Order.

“A difficult training to show…? Well, you’re the first human to learn the Predator’s Sense, so the possibilities are beyond imagination. Try anything.”

Bestia nodded at Ra-El’s words.

“Then, would you indulge me for a moment?”

Ra-El drew his Holy Sword.

In the end, he was asking for practical training.

“It’s my first time being handled like this by such a handsome man. Fine. Let’s take it easy.”

“…Celestial Killing Sword, Form 1: Entering the Sky.”

Ra-El narrowed his eyes and focused his senses.

He couldn’t be fooled by her playful words.

She was definitely a strange Beastman, but her skills were the real deal.

Thud-

At the sound of her foot pushing off the ground, Bestia disappeared from her spot.

The Beastmen’s overwhelming physical abilities created a speed that the human eye couldn’t follow.

‘Where is she?’

Ra-El chased after Bestia, who was moving so fast she left afterimages.

Sensing a chilling sensation behind him, Ra-El immediately turned.

Clang-!

The Holy Sword, emitting divine power, parried Bestia’s kick.

The burst of mana and divine power swept through the surroundings.

“Good reaction? You’re not human after all!”

Bestia smiled and wagged her tail.

As a Beastman, she quite enjoyed this kind of battle.

“…I am human.”

Ra-El shook off the Beastman’s murderous aura and lunged forward.

He thrust his Holy Sword, taking advantage of the moment Bestia’s foot retreated.

“회천 [Hoicheon].”

The divine power mixed with mana from inside Ra-El’s body surrounded the Holy Sword.

Bestia stepped back, seeing the terrifying power contained in the Holy Sword.

Ra-El’s sword definitely possessed tremendous destructive power.

“Celestial Killing Sword, Form 3: Trampling the Sky.”

Ra-El didn’t miss the gap she had created by stepping back.

The sword energy that transcended space rushed towards her.

“It’s definitely an excellent sword, but… its weakness is clear. Your swordsmanship has a big opening once it’s dodged.”

Bestia lightly dodged 담천’s [Damcheon, Ra-El’s sword] sword energy and kicked at Ra-El.

The leg, filled with the Beastman’s murderous intent, quickly drove Ra-El into a corner.

“Damn it….”

Ra-El focused on defense, holding the Holy Sword.

The barrage of kicks was fast, and each one was heavy.

The divine power and mana that collided with Bestia’s attacks trembled.

“I told you, Ra-El. I can see the opening.”

The Celestial Killing Sword is a strong sword, capable of ending the lives of demons with each attack.

However, that also means there are gaps between attacks.

It might not matter against a low-level swordsman, but a master like Bestia could exploit those gaps.

“Especially in places like this!”

With conviction, Bestia thrust her hand toward Ra-El’s side.

His Holy Sword had just deflected her kick.

This was a flexible attack that only a Beastman could execute, a speed and blind spot that the human body could never react to.

“Kuh…!”

But at that moment…

Bestia’s body staggered.

Her sharp senses flickered, and her eyes trembled.

‘What suddenly…?!’

Bestia was flustered by the confusion of her senses, but she quickly regained her posture.

Thwack-

But before she knew it, Ra-El’s fist connected with Bestia’s chin.

“How is it?”

Ra-El smiled as he looked at Bestia, who had a dazed expression.

She looked like a cat that had been toyed with by its owner.

“…What was that just now?”

Bestia’s vertically slit pupils dilated.

It was a complete defeat.

The defeat didn’t matter. But the process was the problem.

Bestia was taken aback by the sudden attack, but she knew what that power was.

However, she couldn’t understand how a human could wield such power.

“It’s a trump card I prepared.”

“…Ra-El. Didn’t you say you were a Hero of the human race? Is it okay for a Hero to use this kind of power?”

“Gaia-nim [Gaia, the Goddess] also acknowledged it. That’s why I have the Holy Sword.”

Buzz-

[The Hero is using demonic energy freely! Gaia-nim! How can such a guy be a Hero?!]

Ra-El smiled at the Holy Sword’s words.

Using 회천 [Hoicheon], he had slammed the demonic energy sleeping within his body, along with mana, into her.

“Demonic energy… interesting.”

Bestia chuckled.

Her tail wagged as if she had seen something fascinating.

The power used by the demons beyond the Forbidden Alhheim, demonic energy.

She was able to resist it because she was of a different race, but what if it were a human?

“Indeed… fascinating. Ra-El, would you like to go to the Beastmen’s territory with me next time? Someone like you, even if you lack in looks, could live with beautiful Beastmen on both sides. Have you heard of the tigers on both hands [a Korean expression for enjoying the company of two beautiful women]?”

“…No, thank you. Let’s train some more.”

Ra-El shook his head.

No matter how he thought about it, his sense of beauty didn’t match the Beastmen’s.

*

Ra-El’s training continued even after Bestia left.

With only about a week left, there wasn’t even enough time to sleep.

“Ra-El. I heard the story. Our Elves will do our best, so don’t worry too much…!”

Throughout Ra-El’s focused training, Reina didn’t stop talking by his side.

“What nonsense are you talking about, Reina?”

“Gideon is said to be strong… Before the sacred trial opens, our Elves will throw ourselves at him and cut off one of his arms!”

Reina clenched her fists tightly.

Her eyes were burning with determination.

“…Please don’t do that. Everyone in the Empire knows that the Elves think of me as their benefactor.”

Ra-El sighed.

The Elves’ spirit was appreciated, but everyone knew about the relationship between the Elves and Ra-El.

They had a connection during the treatment of the 마병 [Mabyeong, demonic soldiers], and in the first place, they were constantly singing songs about him being their benefactor, so there was no way they wouldn’t know.

“Th-then what should we do? We’re ready.”

Reina blinked in confusion.

Last night, she had made a determined resolution with the Elves to save Ra-El, but Ra-El had rejected them.

“Just bring the Elves to cheer me on that day. That will be more helpful.”

Since becoming a Hero, the power of 관심 [Gwansim, public attention/interest] that maintains 답천 [Damcheon] is overflowing, but if the Elves come to help, it will be even more helpful.

That is the way to help Ra-El.

“But Gideon is strong. I heard he’s next to the Celestial Killing Sword Lord among humans. What if you die, Ra-El…?”

Reina drooped her shoulders.

Ra-El was not just a simple human to her.

He was the Elves’ benefactor, their only friend, and an existence that could not be exchanged for anything.

“Don’t worry. I don’t fight losing battles.”

Ra-El smiled.

Even though she seemed to be doing strange things, her heart seemed sincere, so he was grateful.

The Elves have a purer side than they appear.

“If you change your mind, tell me anytime. The Elves can hide you with the power of the World Tree, you know?”

“I really appreciate the thought.”

Ra-El chuckled and turned his head.

Still, it wasn’t boring to have her around while training until night.

Step. Step.

At that moment, a large Giant lumbered over from the other side.

Gent, who had finished his duty of guarding the 귀왕 [Guiwang, Demon King] and returned to the Special Guard, widened his eyes as he saw Ra-El and Reina.

“Ra-El? What’s going on this late at night?”

“There’s no place to train. Gent. How was guarding the 귀왕 [Guiwang]?”

The Special Guard is the best place to handle and absorb demonic energy.

Ra-El greeted Gent as he approached.

“Hmm. I had quite a long conversation today. She has a similar way of thinking to humans.”

Gent, who initially thought he was going crazy after hearing the 귀왕’s [Guiwang’s] words, was now able to talk to her.

Gent picked up a nearby kettle and poured a cup of tea.

Then, he handed the cup to Ra-El.

“It’s tea made from plums that Reina poured natural power into. It’s good for recovering stamina.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve had your tea. Thanks.”

Ra-El didn’t refuse the tea that Gent offered.

As he drank the plum tea, a comfortable sensation spread from his head.

“Kuh. I was tired anyway. Thanks.”

“I heard about the sacred trial. Ra-El, you must be confident to have accepted the duel. Training is good, but don’t overdo it.”

Gent smiled as he looked at Ra-El.

The most important thing is health.

“Hoo, Gent, as a Hero of the Gaia Order, I have a duty to eliminate the evils remaining in the Empire. Do you know that?”

“Did you ever care about such a duty?”

Gent tilted his head.

Ra-El wasn’t a bad guy, but he was quite far from eliminating evils.

“Yeah. The upcoming sacred trial is also part of that. There’s so much trash in the Empire.”

Just like when he cleaned up the underworld of the 4th District for the orphanage.

Ra-El was planning to clean up the Empire for the sake of the orphanage and his comrades.

That’s why he had something to ask Gent.

“Gent. Didn’t I tell you before?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m someone who hates troublesome things. So don’t hide secrets.”

“…Certainly, you did.”

“Yeah. But why are you, who knows everything, acting like this?”

Ra-El downed the plum tea in one gulp.

“Reina. Take it.”

“Huh?”

After handing the empty cup to Reina, who was next to him, Ra-El approached Gent and stared intently at him.

“Just what the hell are the Giants doing, Gent?”

“…”

Gent’s cold eyes met Ra-El’s.