The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 149

The Gaia Order is the largest religion in the Empire.

From the capital, the heart of the Empire, to the small villages on the outskirts, its influence touched every corner.

Consequently, numerous events were organized for believers. Among these, the most significant for commoners was the Holy Law Aptitude Test.

This test presented an opportunity for imperial citizens, who otherwise had limited chances to improve their social standing (unless they became knights), to become priests.

“Hey, Carlson, you know Nia and Harry are taking the Holy Law Aptitude Test this time, right?”

With the Holy Law Aptitude Test fast approaching, Rael sought out Carlson, the blonde man known as the hope of the Silver Cross Knights.

The Silver Cross Knights were responsible for administering the Holy Law Aptitude Test.

“Yes, of course, I know. It would be wonderful if those kids had a talent for Holy Law. With my brother and me here, their life in the Order would be very comfortable,” Carlson said with a benevolent smile.

He thought it would be genuinely enjoyable if the children joined the Order.

“Yeah, so just make sure they pass.”

“… Yes?”

Carlson blinked, surprised by Rael’s words.

“Just pass them, regardless of whether they have talent or not. They’re pitiful kids. Remember when the Desert Kingdom guys caused trouble in the Empire, and they were kidnapped instead of the other kids?”

“No, brother, I remember, but still, nepotism is a bit…” Carlson liked the children from the orphanage, but he also deeply valued the Silver Cross Knights.

He knew that children without talent would struggle within the Silver Cross Knights.

“Come on. Just naturally guide them to become a priest or a nun. They can manage that even without exceptional talent.”

“But still…”

“Carlson, why are you being so rebellious and disobedient lately? Have you forgotten what the Holy Sword feels like? Do you need a reminder?”

“I will pass them immediately.”

Carlson nodded instantly upon seeing Rael place his hand on the Holy Sword.

Being beaten by Rael, who had defeated the Empire’s strongest knight, was a fate worse than death.

“Good thinking, Carlson. When you’re unsure, think of Cardinal Fernando, the second-in-command of the Order. Remembering him helps you accept almost anything.”

“…It actually makes sense when you put it that way, brother.”

Thinking of Fernando wearing the golden necklace made Carlson feel as if a weight had been lifted from his heart.

The Order is a mess anyway.

One or two more people passing wouldn’t make much difference.

Several days later, the Gaia Order’s Holy Law Aptitude Test commenced.

Children from across the Empire gathered to take the test for Holy Law.

“The Holy Law Aptitude Test… brings back memories,” Rael said.

“Right. I also entered the Silver Cross Knights after taking the Holy Law Aptitude Test,” Carlson added, recalling his past as he helped with the test.

He had come this far by using the divine power he had learned from Rael, a transformation of 180 degrees thanks to Rael’s influence.

“There were so many who looked down on Sir Carlson because he was a commoner back then. Now they can’t even meet his eyes.”

“What can they do? The Order’s hero is a commoner.”

“Haha. But Sir Carlson, who are these children?” Sir Elios, a Holy Knight assisting Carlson with the Holy Law Aptitude Test, tilted his head.

He was referring to the two children whose names were on a list to be excluded after the test, regardless of their performance.

“…Just consider them talented.”

“Yes? Ah, perhaps they are connected to higher-ups…?” Elios quickly stopped himself.

Before becoming a Holy Knight, he was a noble, born and raised in a medieval fantasy setting.

The influence of high-ranking nobles could override most procedures.

Of course, these children were commoners, but some illegitimate children of nobles lived as commoners.

“…Well, something like that,” Carlson replied.

He didn’t know what Elios was misunderstanding, but the hero of the Gaia Order held a high enough rank.

“Wow! Really? Harry! The Holy Knight said I have a talent for Holy Law!”

“Nia, I heard the same thing!”

Carlson smiled as he watched the two celebrate their success.

Although it was nepotism… seeing the children from the orphanage happy made him feel good.

“Elios, what were the test results for those children?”

“Originally, they would have failed. However, they both have a trace amount of divine power.”

“Tsk. That’s a shame. But if they have a trace amount of divine power, we can call them to the main branch, right?”

Carlson’s eyes lit up.

If those two came to the main branch, Carlson planned to take care of them as much as he could.

“That might be difficult… Since the Inquisition members died in the attack by the demons, they are reluctant to bring even the children of nobles into the Order if they don’t have talent.”

The deaths of the Order’s Holy Knights or priests were a significant loss.

There weren’t enough positions even for talented individuals, so they couldn’t be brought to the main branch with that level of talent.

Elios continued, looking at the test results of the two.

“They will probably be sent to Arconia.”

*

The training grounds of the Rein Knights.

Rael was using divine power outside of battle for the first time in a while.

“Ugh, ugh…”

“Now, stay still.”

“Rael! I’m going to die! I’m going to die…!”

“You said you had a headache, right? I’ll make it better, so stay still.”

Rael patted the back of the large man who was twitching.

It was Kyle Belmos. He was removing the demonic energy from his body.

It seemed like something had happened to him involving the Vanessa Kingdom delegation, and Rael’s attack on the delegation had disrupted their plan.

“Okay, it’s over, so get up now.”

Tap- Tap-

Rael patted Kyle’s back.

The Sword Dragon, who was watching the scene, approached and asked anxiously, “Rael, is our grandson, who I wouldn’t trade for the world, okay?”

“I’ve checked him thoroughly, so he should be fine.”

“Grandfather-! It hurts too much!”

“You’re a man, stop whining. I’ve given you a blessing, so you’ll be fine now.”

“Blessings can only be given by priests, right? Rael, you’re a Holy Knight… Hmm?”

Kyle jumped in place a few times, as if amazed.

His body had felt as heavy as a ton for the past few weeks, but that sensation had completely disappeared.

“A, amazing. Is this the hero of the Gaia Order?!”

“Yeah. Hey, treat me well from now on. I’m going now.”

“You said you were going to Arconia? Have a good trip! Rael!”

“Thank you. Rael. Take care.”

Rael lightly greeted them and came out of the training grounds.

Lucas and Carlson were waiting outside.

They were the group that would join the Order leaving for Arconia this morning.

“Have you arrived, Sir Rael?”

“Yeah. I had something to take care of before leaving. Let’s go.”

“Brother Rael, but are we really the only ones going?”

“Then who else would go?”

Rael blinked at Carlson’s words.

“Aren’t there people stronger than us? There’s the Sword Dragon and Great Hero Mucheon, and if you ask Commander Rein, he’ll gladly help.”

“Tsk. Those people can’t go.”

Rael quickly shook his head.

“You guys train with those people every day, so you don’t realize it, but the Sword Dragon is the representative of the Vanessa Kingdom, and Great Hero Mucheon is the representative of the Jeongcheon Alliance. If those two suddenly move, the news will definitely spread, not to mention Commander Rein.”

“Aren’t you the hero of the Gaia Order, brother?”

“You little punk. I’m on an official schedule.”

This schedule was only to replenish the priests in the Arconia branch and visit the Order’s holy sites.

If the Sword Dragon or Great Hero Mucheon moved, there was a high possibility that the Demonic Cult would react.

‘I was thinking of taking Great Hero Mucheon… but it seems like it would attract attention after all.’

Great Hero Mucheon, who was obsessed with the Demonic Cult, was definitely strong, but it seemed like he wouldn’t be able to hide his identity.

It was better to go with a small number of people.

He thought about getting help from Reina or Yuri, but they had to monitor the Demon King.

“Brother, come to think of it, do you remember that guy? Jeremy, I mean.”

While walking towards the Order, Carlson brought up a name he hadn’t heard in a long time.

“Jeremy? Ah. Isn’t he the guy who went to the Order with you?”

“Yes. I became a Holy Knight, and that friend became a priest. He happens to be in Arconia, so I think I’ll be able to see his face this time.”

“Sir Rael and Sir Carlson really cherish the people from the orphanage.”

“Of course. Those people are my family.”

Carlson wore a faint smile.

The reason why he, who had been reckless, was able to grow up like this was all thanks to his family.

So he couldn’t help but look forward to seeing Jeremy after a long time.

“…”

Rael, who was listening to Lucas and Carlson’s conversation, quietly closed his mouth.

‘Jeremy… I hope I can see him.’

It was a name in a corner of his memory, but he remembered that he was a kind and pure guy.

After Rael became the captain of the guard, he had arranged jobs for many people, but he didn’t bother to take care of people who had entered the Order like Carlson or Jeremy.

He thought they would be able to take care of themselves anyway.

‘Tsk. We haven’t even arrived in Arconia yet. It’ll be fine.’

Rael forcibly suppressed the rising anxiety and spoke to Carlson.

“Carlson,”

“Yes, brother.”

“I’m going to be busy as soon as I arrive in Arconia, so I’m going to entrust you with an important task.”

“… Yes? To me?”

“Yeah. You investigate the Order’s holy sites in the Arconia branch. Find out who told you to enter. Investigate, and report even the smallest things about the holy sites. Got it? And Jeremy too… If you find him, be sure to tell me.”

“Ah… I understand.”

Carlson nodded.

For some reason, Brother Rael’s atmosphere seemed sharp today.

*

“This is Arconia…”

“It’s really different from the Empire.”

The moment they set foot in the free city of Arconia, the city, full of vitality and diversity, overwhelmed the Holy Knights.

‘It’s definitely amazing. It’s completely different from the Empire.’

The streets were crowded with various races and humans.

The city, where humans, lizardmen, dwarves, harpies, and others all lived in harmony, was quite amazing even for Rael.

“Carlson, I’ll go to the branch later, so take care of my story. Don’t forget what I asked you to do.”

“I understand, Brother Rael.”

Rael lightly greeted Carlson and left the group of Holy Knights.

And behind him, a large Holy Knight followed.

“This should be enough.”

An alley with almost no people.

Rael turned around and looked at the Holy Knight following him.

He was taking off the mask that covered his face and breathing roughly.

“Ghent, you can’t show your face yet. We don’t know where the giants are.”

“It’s okay now. I don’t feel any presence. Haa. What are you planning to do now, Rael?” Ghent said, catching his breath.

He didn’t know how stuffy it was to be hiding among the Holy Knights while coming to Arconia.

“I need to join up with Beggars [a network of informants].”

“How do you know where they are to join up with them?”

“They’ll come if we just wait a little bit.”

Rael had raised Beggars’ beggars himself.

There was no way they would miss the Gaia Order’s visit.

Tap- Taptap-

“They’re already here.”

Rael sent a signal and followed the beggar who disappeared right away.

And he arrived at a building, not a beggar’s den.

“Let’s go in, Ghent.”

“Hmm. Beggars is amazing after all. To find a hideout in this short period of time.”

Rael opened the door without hesitation.

A familiar face could be seen inside the building.

“Chief, the beggars are living the good life.”

“…Did you want me to make a beggar’s den in a free city?” Zenith sighed at Rael’s face, which he hadn’t seen in a long time.

The happy time without Rael was now over.

“I mean you did a good job. So, did you do a good job with the information investigation?”

“I’ve finished the overall investigation of Arconia, but I couldn’t find anything about the Demonic Cult at all. The beggars couldn’t find any traces of the Demonic Cult.”

“You guys are really useless.”

“…”

Zenith looked at Rael with a wronged expression.

He had gathered beggars who were capable in their own way, but what could he do if they couldn’t do it because they didn’t have the ability?

“Then what about Clara?”

Clara the God of Throwing.

Beggars’ beggars are amateurs, but she is a pro.

She might have found something different from Beggars.

“The God of Throwing has infiltrated the Arconia Council. She said she would bring good information soon.”

“Still better than those who can’t do anything.”

“…”

Rael turned his head away from Zenith, who was making a crying face.

“Well, it’s okay. From now on, I can run with my own feet. You’ve done a perfect job investigating the Dark Society, right, even if you don’t know the Demonic Cult?”

“I’ve finished that much.”

“Rael, what are you planning to do?”

Ghent looked at Rael.

As he said, he had arrived in Arconia for now, but unlike the Empire, he had almost no information about Arconia.

“What do you mean what am I going to do? I have to run with my own feet.”

“Are you going to investigate yourself? That’s going to be dangerous.”

There are many interest groups in the free city of Arconia.

Even Rael could be in danger now that he was a newcomer.

“Don’t worry. I’ll never get caught.”

Rael put his hand on his waist.

It was time for his Gaksital [a masked vigilante persona] to see blood for the first time in a while.