The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 151

The Free City of Arconia is governed by a council.

As Arconia symbolizes friendship between humans and other races, the council members reflect this diversity.

While not entirely independent from the Empire, Arconia’s symbolic autonomy holds significant weight.

The Chairman of the Free City of Arconia was Elian, a man in his mid-60s with sharp, discerning eyes.

Dressed in a deep blue robe adorned with a gold brooch bearing the city’s crest, he sat in his office, lost in thought.

‘There’s no time left… Damn it, if I’d known this would happen, I never would have agreed to cooperate with the Demonic Cult.’

Elian bit his lip, the memory of the demon’s visit a few days prior still fresh in his mind.

The allure of Imperial gold coins had been the sole reason for allowing the Demonic Cult into Arconia.

However, the moment he accepted their offer, Elian found himself ensnared in a trap with no easy escape.

Demons, acting as protectors of the Demonic Cult, had begun to exert their influence.

To counter this, Elian was forced to seek support from the Gaia Order.

Knock-knock-

The sound of knocking broke his train of thought.

“Chairman, Archbishop Aldeb is here to see you.”

“Oh, quickly, send him in!”

Elian straightened up, eager to welcome Archbishop Aldeb.

“Greetings, Chairman. It’s been a while,” Aldeb said with a polite nod.

“Haha, Archbishop Aldeb, please, have a seat.”

“Thank you. What brings me here?”

Elian cautiously broached the subject. “Archbishop Aldeb… when can we expect to receive the Order’s power?”

The powerful force provided by the Gaia Order’s Arconia branch was something Elian desperately desired.

“You mean Gaia’s gift?” Aldeb inquired.

“Yes, that’s right. There’s growing discontent within the Arconia council. Those who haven’t received the gift may become hostile towards the Order. And, of course, I am also eager to receive Gaia’s gift.”

The Gaia Order’s ‘gift’ was akin to a miracle, granting recipients extraordinary strength with remarkable ease.

“Don’t worry. We received good news at the Arconia branch just a few days ago. The production of gifts will resume shortly,” Aldeb said with a benevolent smile.

“Ah, that’s a relief. Thank you, Archbishop,” Elian replied, his face brightening with hope.

With a stronger council, they might be able to drive out the Demonic Cult once more.

“Everything is Gaia’s blessing,” Archbishop Aldeb said, bowing slightly.

Soon, sacrifices for Gaia would be replenished in the holy site.

* * *

I wandered the streets of Arconia until dawn, finally managing to fall asleep. However, my rest was short-lived, as the sunlight streamed through the window, assaulting my face.

” …Ugh.”

Raiel groaned, reluctantly opening his eyes.

Why did the room provided to the Hero have to be so brightly lit? Even against my will, the sunlight forced me awake.

To make matters worse, a nightmare had plagued my sleep, leaving me feeling utterly drained.

Buzzing-

[You look like you had a nightmare. Is this world finally punishing you?]

“Why are you complaining so early in the morning? You crazy hunk of steel,” I retorted.

Tap-tap-

Raiel yawned and tapped the scabbard of the Holy Sword Saint.

[Have you forgotten that I am a sacred object of the Order? You’re being punished for abandoning me every night to go out and play.]

“…Is that so?”

Raiel stretched and climbed out of bed.

If leaving the sacred object behind resulted in nightmares, I considered the punishment rather mild.

[Humph. What kind of dream did you have? Were you finally abandoned by Gaia?]

“Something like that. I dreamt about a friend I haven’t seen in 10 years dying.”

[Yes? Yes? Um. Um… That doesn’t sound like Gaia’s punishment. Gaia doesn’t inflict such punishments.]

Raiel stared at the Holy Sword, which seemed to be trying to convince itself, before turning away.

He then recalled Jeremy’s face, a faint image from his memory.

Black hair, dark eyes, and a kind personality that could laugh off anything.

Last night, Raiel had dreamt of his death.

‘I thought he had found his calling when he became a priest.’

Where could he be?

Raiel pondered this, then shifted his thoughts to the events of the previous night.

He had scoured Arconia’s criminal organizations in search of information about the Demonic Cult.

However, details about the cult were scarce, and he had only managed to gather some information about the pills they were distributing.

‘The unidentified drug isn’t widely available on the streets… but those who use it seem to gain the same power.’

According to information gleaned using Ghent’s ‘Confession Tea’ [a truth serum], the pill was effective but expensive, limiting its use to more capable individuals.

‘I thought that disgusting divine power belonged to the Pope… but it seems anyone can wield it.’

When Raiel confirmed that Archbishop Aldeb, the head of the Arconia branch, possessed the same repulsive divine power, he initially suspected Aldeb had been brainwashed by the Pope.

But if the power stemmed from the pill, it wasn’t exclusive to the Pope.

‘It’s more likely that the Pope himself is taking the pill.’

Of course, the Pope’s divine power far exceeded what could be achieved through pills alone.

He likely obtained his power through other means.

‘In the end, I need to find the holy site.’

All the Order’s secrets seemed to converge on that one location.

Raiel strapped the Holy Sword to his waist and left his room.

“Hero, was your stay comfortable? How would you like your meal?”

Priests stood outside the accommodation, their faces adorned with smiles.

They claimed to be guarding the accommodation, but their presence felt more like surveillance, which I didn’t appreciate.

“I’ll take care of my own meal.”

“The clergy of the Arconia branch would be honored to share a meal with you, Hero. We would be grateful if you could spare some time.”

“I’ll make time tomorrow. I’m busy today.”

Raiel waved dismissively and turned to leave.

If he got involved with the priests now, he knew he wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything all day.

As he walked through the branch, he noticed the Silver Cross Knights moving about.

He also saw the children who had been assigned to the Arconia branch for the Holy Law aptitude test.

” …. Huh?”

Among the children, Raiel spotted a familiar face.

He found himself drawn towards them.

“Raiel hyung [older brother/friend]! Good morning,” Carlson greeted cheerfully, approaching him.

“Oh, yeah. But Carlson, am I seeing things?”

“What are you talking about?”

“…I saw Nia and Harry among the children.”

Raiel turned his head, his eyes soon meeting the sparkling gaze of a child.

“Raiel oppa [older brother/friend]!”

Nia, recognizing Raiel, broke away from the group and ran to hug him.

Behind her, Harry’s face also appeared.

“I wanted to see you, but you were here!”

“Hyung, I’m here too.”

“…Carlson, why are these kids here?”

Raiel frowned, taking Nia and Harry’s hands, and looked at Carlson.

Why were the children who should have landed in the Order with the Hero’s parachute in Arconia?

“Nia and Harry have been assigned to the Arconia branch.”

“…Why?”

“Well… their talents weren’t deemed sufficient for the main Order.”

Carlson lowered his voice as he spoke.

Nia and Harry’s talents wouldn’t have normally qualified them for entry into the Order.

However, thanks to Raiel’s influence, they had been accepted, but assigned to the Arconia branch.

“…”

Raiel narrowed his eyes.

A few months ago, he would have been overjoyed that the children had become priests, regardless of the branch.

But now, he felt a strange sense of unease.

“Carlson, where is the Saintess’s accommodation?”

“Isn’t it right above Raiel hyung’s? I believe she’s resting, as she was quite tired from the journey to Arconia.”

“I know it’s above me. Thanks. Take care of Nia and Harry.”

“Yes? Raiel hyung?”

Raiel handed Nia and Harry over to Carlson and immediately went to find Cecilia.

The Saintess’s accommodation on the second floor of the main Order was guarded by priests, just like Raiel’s.

“I’ve come to see the Saintess.”

“The Saintess is having a meal. She asked us not to disturb her when she’s in her room….”

“I’m fine, so please step aside.”

Knock-knock.

Raiel ignored the priest’s protests and knocked on the Saintess’s door.

“Saintess, it’s Raiel. May I come in?”

[Ah, yes! Come in!]

Raiel opened the door and entered the Saintess’s room.

He was immediately greeted by the sight of Gaia Order amulets and prayer items.

“R, Raiel-ssi [Mr./Ms.]! You’ve finally come,” Cecilia said, holding a spoon, seemingly interrupted in the middle of her meal, as the priest had mentioned.

“…What is all this?”

Raiel surveyed the room.

It resembled Gui Wang’s prison in the Special Guard [referencing a previous event or location in the story].

“Raiel-ssi said that Arconia is dangerous… so I was preparing for an attack!”

Cecilia gripped the spoon tightly, appearing nervous.

As Raiel had suggested, she had locked herself in her room and done nothing else.

“…It’ll be fine inside the branch. But you did a good job. You must have been bored staying in your accommodation.”

Raiel had advised her to rest in her accommodation until he could ensure her safety in Arconia, but he hadn’t expected her to take it this far.

“No. I can see the entire branch from the window. I just saw Raiel-ssi interacting with the children?”

“I see.”

“Yes. It was really nice to see.”

Raiel nodded and approached Cecilia.

It was time for Cecilia to act for the sake of those children.

“Cecilia-nim [formal title]. Did Archbishop Aldeb mention the schedule for visiting the holy site?”

“Yes. The Archbishop said there’s no set schedule and that I can visit whenever I’m ready.”

“…That’s good. Let’s go now.”

Raiel nodded.

Ideally, he would thoroughly investigate the holy site through Clara or Baggus [likely other characters or methods], but seeing Nia and Harry here necessitated a quicker investigation.

“Now …?”

“Yes. Isn’t the Hero and Saintess’s time precious?”

“I haven’t finished my meal yet… Ah….”

Cecilia was pulled out of the room by Raiel.

The priests waiting outside widened their eyes at the sight of the Saintess and the Hero.

“Ah. Gaia-men …!”

Raiel ignored the priests who began to pray and walked through the Order’s hallway.

Cecilia looked at his back and pursed her lips.

‘Ah, I haven’t even washed my face properly yet….’

Cecilia followed Raiel, checking her clothes.

She had been in the middle of eating, so she had many concerns, but fortunately, Raiel didn’t seem to notice.

The two quickly made their way to Archbishop Aldeb’s prayer room.

Creak-

As the door to the prayer room opened, Aldeb was seen praying to Gaia.

Aldeb’s eyes widened as he saw Raiel and Cecilia, but he quickly composed himself with a benevolent smile.

“Hero, and Saintess. It’s truly an honor to have you both visit me at the same time. This is the greatest honor since I took over the Arconia branch.”

“Gaia-men. Archbishop, I have something to discuss.”

“Yes, please speak freely.”

“The reason the Saintess and I came to the Arconia branch is to visit the holy site. What is the schedule for visiting the holy site?”

Raiel immediately cut to the chase.

He wanted to know what they were planning within the Order’s holy site.

“As I told the Saintess, we are ready at any time. If you are willing, you can go tomorrow.”

“Am I allowed to accompany the Saintess?”

“Of course. You are more than qualified, Hero.”

Raiel stared at Aldeb, trying to read his expression.

He had been prepared for excuses, but permission was granted more easily than he had anticipated.

“Where is the Order’s holy site located?”

“Inside the Tower of Harmony.”

“…The Tower of Harmony? I can enter it?”

The Tower of Harmony, a symbol of peace rising in the center of the Free City of Arconia, was heavily guarded by priests and paladins.

Raiel recalled the priests and paladins who were guarding the area.

“Yes. The Tower of Harmony symbolizes peace between humans and other races. Within it, you can draw closer to Gaia.”

“…I see. Then I will visit the holy site with the Saintess tomorrow.”

“Understood. I will make the necessary preparations.”

Aldeb bowed slightly.

Raiel, watching him closely, slowly spoke.

“Come to think of it… I have a question, Archbishop.”

“Ask me anything.”

“The priest candidates arriving from the Empire… do they all become priests?”

Raiel asked, recalling the nightmare he had experienced the previous night.

“Since positions are limited, not everyone becomes a priest. Only the most outstanding among them can serve Gaia.”

“…Then what happens to those who don’t become priests?”

“Even if they don’t become priests, they remain within the Gaia Order.”

Aldeb smiled gently.

The old man’s face radiated unwavering faith in Gaia.

“Everyone will serve Gaia in their own way.”