The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 15

The Loner

A few days later.

The day I was supposed to meet Eric arrived.

Fortunately, Bennett didn’t come back to the orphanage for a few days.

Raël spent time at the Special Guard before preparing to go out.

‘I really didn’t want to get involved in the original story as much as possible.’

If I hadn’t beaten up the Count’s son, I wouldn’t have had this annoying problem.

It feels like my efforts to avoid getting involved in the original story as much as possible are going down the drain.

“Tsk. Still, let’s do what we have to do.”

Raël grabbed his sword and picked up a tomato, bringing it to his mouth.

The sun in this medieval fantasy was disgustingly hot, but at least I wouldn’t have to worry about vitamin deficiencies.

“Ahem, let’s sing a song. Ahem, the morning in the forest-”

Haaah- haaah-

Next to Raël, Reina, holding Vermeil III, was lying in a hammock, humming.

She is a great elf with the ability to lie in a hammock all day.

“Raël. I’ve made some good wine, wouldn’t you like a glass?”

Just then, Ghent approached with a bottle of wine.

‘I thought this guy loved nature, but does he actually love alcohol?’

I like alcohol too, but I have something important to do today.

Eric said he finally got a branch of the World Tree.

“I’m busy today.”

“That’s too bad. Then Reina? The wine is of good quality, would you like a glass?”

Reina got out of the hammock and put Vermeil III on the ground.

Ghent blinked at her.

“Reina. Do you have a friend to meet?”

“You stupid Ghent! Ack!”

Reina kicked Ghent in the shin, then immediately grabbed her foot and made a face.

The giant’s body was so hard that Reina hurt herself instead.

“…Are those two idiots or morons?”

“Raël! What did you just say!”

“It’s nothing.”

Raël avoided Reina’s blazing eyes.

I felt like I was going to get kicked in the shin if I stayed still, so I said something.

“Have you been running around like crazy for the past few days to get a branch of the World Tree or something?”

“Ah. Ah… Um. Not really…”

As soon as Reina heard Raël’s words, she drooped her shoulders with a sullen expression.

Seeing that, I felt sorry for her and felt sympathy.

‘She’d make a fortune begging.’

In a world where beggars are treated well, that’s a talent.

“Everyone’s gathered here again today.”

While I was playing with the two Changsengs [likely a playful nickname for Reina and Ghent, referencing their long lifespans], Yuri walked out of the Special Guard building.

She was wearing loose cloth clothes that commoners would wear.

Of course, the dignity that comes from the blood of the imperial family was still there, no matter what she wore.

“Yuri. Would you like a drink? The wine is really good…”

“I’m fine too. I have work to do today.”

“Um. That’s too bad…”

Ghent, who was also rejected by Yuri, drooped his shoulders as if he was sulking.

When Reina drooped her shoulders, I felt sorry for her, but when that big guy drooped his shoulders, I felt more intimidated than sorry.

“Let’s have a drink together later, Ghent.”

“Okay. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

Raël patted Ghent’s shoulder, who seemed to be sulking, gave him a Korean-style greeting [likely a bow or a friendly gesture], and left the Special Guard.

I’ll have a drink with him someday. Whatever.

*

Eric’s bar was quiet again today.

There was a man sipping alcohol in the corner, but he was probably looking for a job.

I glared at the man and naturally sat down at the counter seat where I could see Eric.

“It’s a good night, Uncle. It looks like you have a customer today, which is surprising.”

“…Nights are always good. Have a drink and go.”

“I have to go to the orphanage today, so I don’t have time. What about the item?”

“Fortunately, the item arrived safely from the Magic Tower.”

Eric took out a branch from under the counter.

He handled it as carefully as if he were handling a sacred object.

“There are light measures in place to prevent magic from spreading, but you’ll have to reinforce it with your magic later. You haven’t forgotten how to use sword energy, have you?”

“Of course. Wow, is this a branch of the World Tree?”

I carefully received the fresh branch with both hands.

I felt a strange feeling of clarity just by holding it in my hand.

“Yes. It’s an item from the Magic Tower, so you have to handle it carefully. Don’t drop it on the ground, it’s expensive.”

“Thank you. How should I pay? With Imperial gold coins as usual?”

“I heard rumors that you were demoted to the Special Guard? It seems like you were also fired from the guard captain, why didn’t you say anything?”

“…It’s not something to be proud of, why would I go around telling people? Why are you rubbing salt in my wounds?”

Damn it.

If the rumor got to Eric, it would spread to the guard soon.

My life as a guard captain is over now.

“I’ll give you the branch of the World Tree as a gift. What’s the payment between us? Use it for the children at the orphanage.”

“Uncle, are you an angel?”

I was moved by Eric’s kind heart.

There’s still a conscience left in this dirty world.

“Haha. Kid. You’re saying kind words today.”

“…Maybe this branch doesn’t cost that much? Are you trying to make a big deal out of small change?”

“You have to be thorough with financial relationships, especially with those close to you. I’ll have to get paid accurately.”

“I’m just kidding. Just kidding, Uncle. The world made me this way.”

I poked at him just in case, but Eric was an angel.

I suspected such a person; it’s all because I’ve met too many trashy people.

“Are you selling the branch of the World Tree to an elf? You can contact that sucker, right?”

“…I’m not selling it to him. Have you heard of someone named Bennett? I’m thinking of selling it to him.”

“Bennett… Bennett? Wait a minute.”

Eric rummaged under the bar and nodded.

Then he handed over a piece of paper.

“Is this the guy you’re talking about? There’s a bounty on him? It says he embezzled money from the academy and ran away.”

“Yes. That’s him… How did a guy with a bounty on his head get into the cult?”

“It seems like the academy wanted to keep it as secret as possible, so they only leaked it to some of the information guilds. Besides, even if it’s a cult, they don’t investigate all the lower-level members.”

“Well, what do those guys do right anyway.”

From my point of view, who is using all of my salary for the orphanage because of the money-crazed cult, I can’t see those religious people in a good light.

“Anyway… Bennett, you said? I’ll connect you.”

“I’d appreciate it if you did. But I feel sorry for you to receive the branch of the World Tree for free and ask you to do such chores.”

“Don’t worry. Thanks to you cleaning up District 4, our bar is always quiet, so it’s good.”

“…”

Is he trying to say that the business isn’t doing well because of me?

I watched Eric’s expression for a while, but fortunately, he didn’t seem angry.

“The deal will be tomorrow night, right? I have to contact the information guild, so go to the orphanage.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

I bowed my head.

Things have become easier thanks to Eric and the beggars, but if there’s one thing I regret, it’s that I don’t have a Gaksital mask [a reference to a Korean superhero who wears a mask].

You always have to be careful at night in this scary world.

Especially on days like today when you’re going to trade on the black market.

“Uncle. While you’re at it… If you have a mask lying around, please give me one.”

Fortunately, Eric’s bar has everything.

*

After Raël returned.

The man sitting in the corner of Eric’s bar got up.

Clang-

As he got up from his seat, the door of the bar was locked, and Eric put down the cloth he was using to wipe the glasses.

“Is that the friend you were talking about, Raël? He certainly has a good impression.”

“…I told you to get out before night, but your personality of not listening to people hasn’t changed.”

“To be treated like this even after giving away the branch of the World Tree for free. You’re the only one who would refuse a visit from the Blue Magic Tower Master, Eric.”

The owner of the Blue Magic Tower, the most powerful of the Imperial Magic Towers.

The Blue Magic Tower Master, Perma, smiled and sat at the bar.

He came all the way to see his old friend’s daily life, but the treatment was not good.

“Hmph. Didn’t I tell you that my daily life is the same as always? To give away a branch of the World Tree for free just to see how a middle-aged man lives. You have no talent for trading. It seems like you got the name of Magic Tower Master by playing ttakji [a Korean game similar to Pogs].”

“I thought it was a joke that Eric, who has so much money, was running a bar… I didn’t know it was serious. Don’t the people living in District 4 feel anything strange? There’s a handyman in this shabby bar.”

“…How about you say that I haven’t been tainted by the world.”

“Hmm, yes. The people in District 4 haven’t been tainted by the world, and you’re still not fun. But… it wasn’t a wasted trip.”

Perma turned his head and stared at the closed door.

He couldn’t forget the look in the eyes of the swordsman who had just left.

‘He noticed me with his senses alone, without using magic.’

Even a graduate-level mage could never notice his barrier as a high-level magician.

So that little brat is a Sword Master?

“Eric. How old is that guy who just left?”

“I think he’s 25 now.”

“…Heh.”

A Sword Master at 25.

I’d rather think there was something wrong with my magic than believe that.

‘Could he be a hybrid of the Dragon race? Damn it, I should have looked at the magic pattern more carefully…!’

If Eric hadn’t been glaring at him, he would have approached Raël and grabbed his hand to read his magic…!

Eric opened his mouth as he saw the Blue Magic Tower Master’s burning eyes.

“Perma. You’re not interested in Raël, are you?”

“Eric! So you knew about his talent!”

“…Tsk.”

This is annoying.

In fact, I was worried from the moment Raël entered the bar and noticed Perma.

I hoped he wouldn’t hear Raël’s words, but there’s no way that monster would miss something like that.

“There must be something special about him. Whether it’s his senses or his magic! How is a guy like that stuck in the guard? If I had found him 10 years earlier, I would have kidnapped him to the Magic Tower…!”

“You still like collecting disciples.”

“Outstanding humans are always welcome!”

“Haa.”

Eric scratched the back of his head and sighed.

He got caught by the most annoying guy.

“Don’t touch Raël. There are more than a few people in this area who live thanks to that kid.”

“Are you going to threaten me? One word from me and your life of escape will be over.”

“…”

“I’m just kidding. Don’t look at me with such scary eyes. I don’t want to be hostile to the giants of the Empire either.”

But… I wanted to meet that little brat again.

Perma got up from his seat, recalling the name and face of the guy named Raël.

*

Darkness enveloped the city, and a deep night came.

The lights of the streets were brightly illuminating the heart of the city, but in the darkness beyond the alleys, there were people who were just opening their eyes.

The outskirts of District 4.

Raël walked through the alley, relying on the faint moonlight.

Tonight was the day to trade the branch of the World Tree.

“Cough, kehuk. Did he really give me something that was lying around?”

Raël coughed lightly while wearing a mask.

The inside of the mask smelled dusty.

It seems like the warehouse manager at Eric’s place is also slacking off like the Beggars.

‘Still, I can cover my face properly.’

The mask made of black cloth covered everything except the eyes and nose.

With this, it wouldn’t be strange to play the role of a criminal in a detective cartoon.

“Why do they want to meet in a place like this.”

The place where Raël is now is the entrance to an abandoned factory in District 4.

After the factory site that produced magic tools was attacked by demons, the aftermath remained, and it is known as a cursed place.

In fact, there were rumors within the guard that a homeless man who lived inside was found with his whole body rotten.

‘I don’t feel anything in particular… Was this also a lie?’

There’s nothing to believe in this world.

Raël looked around and entered the abandoned factory.

The moonlight between the windows illuminated the rusty machines and old facilities.

“The atmosphere is really gloomy.”

Raël reduced his breathing and hid his presence.

There’s no one to trust in this world.

If there’s a trap, I have to get out immediately.

Step- Step-

Not long after, I felt someone approaching this way.

Raël glared and looked around him, but he didn’t feel anyone else’s presence.

It seems like he came alone as promised.

He wouldn’t have suspected it because it was a deal arranged by the information guild.

‘Bennett.’

Whether the cheerful face I saw at the orphanage was acting, he had a dissatisfied expression.

As he approached, Raël revealed himself.

Bennett naturally walked towards Raël.

“Where’s the item?”

He glanced at Raël, who was wearing a mask, and opened his mouth.

“Here.”

Raël showed the branch of the World Tree in his arms and put it back.

At the same time, Bennett’s brow furrowed.

“Do you know what kind of item that is and just bring it like that!”

“I’ve packaged it well with my magic, so don’t worry about it and just make the deal? Don’t try to rip me off for no reason.”

“Tsk…”

These guys are proud of not being educated, so they just shout and try to get a discount.

If they can rip someone off, great, if not, whatever.

Bennett handed over the payment with a dissatisfied expression.

“I’ll check the money, so wait.”

Raël took the money bag and thought.

‘Okay, what should I do now.’

It would be good to cut off his head right now, but I have to do the job properly.

That’s the lesson of this dirty world.

‘I’ll just let him go now… and follow him. If there are any enemies left, the orphanage could be in danger.’

According to the original story, there’s a high possibility that he’s alone, but it’s better to deal with it all at once in case something happens.

Raël checked the money and rummaged through his arms.

It was a gesture to take out the branch of the World Tree so that Bennett wouldn’t suspect him.

“Um?”

But at that moment.

Crash-!

The window of the abandoned factory shattered with a sharp sound.

Through the shadows of the glass shards sparkling with the moonlight, a figure appeared.

The attacker, who had covered his face with a mask and hood, raised his magic towards Bennett without saying a word.

“Who are you… Keuk!”

A pure white magic sphere rushed towards Bennett.

Bennett barely dodged and shouted at Raël.

“Damn it! Are you his accomplice?!”

“I don’t know anything.”

Raël had already taken a few steps back.

Raël was also flustered by the sudden attack.

“Then quickly hand over the branch of the World Tree!”

“Huh? No way. I can’t give you the item until I check if the payment is accurate.”

“Keuk…! Then wait in the back!”

Bennett turned his back on Raël and faced the masked guy.

Anyway, the guy named Raël wasn’t strong, so he wasn’t a target of vigilance.

He knew there was a bounty on his head.

The attack wasn’t surprising.

“You bastard! I’ll make you regret it!”

Woo-woo-woo-

Unpleasant magic popped out from Bennett’s fingertips.

The nightmare-like curse that was constantly moving around him swirled.

‘Is it an internal strife?’

Raël looked at the unidentified attacker facing Bennett.

His sharp eyes scanned the attacker from head to toe.

‘Judging by the light footsteps compared to his physique, he’s a different race… I can feel freshness from the magic. Is he an elf?’

If he’s an elf, it doesn’t seem like an internal strife.

He might have come to catch the guy who was trading the branch of the World Tree.

‘No, then he should have targeted me.’

Raël was the one who had the branch of the World Tree now.

If she was an elf aiming for the branch of the World Tree, she should have attacked him.

Besides, it was strange that there was only one attacker.

Elves, who have a strong sense of camaraderie, don’t move alone in this situation.

Unless there’s a special reason, they form a group with their own kind…

‘Huh?’

Raël frowned as he looked at the elf.

He knows an elf who has no choice but to move alone.

Only then… did the attacker’s familiar physique come into view.