The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 153

It had been several days since Rael infiltrated the Tower of Harmony, but the attack on the Holy Land was still a major topic of discussion within the Order.

Even the Silver Cross Knights had failed to apprehend the culprit, and the exposure of the Holy Land’s location was a shocking development.

‘I should put the Holy Land on hold for now,’ Rael thought.

Sensing the heightened tension, Rael decided to take a step back.

Even for him, acting rashly in this situation would be unwise.

If he stirred things up unnecessarily, Archbishop Aldeb might bury the secrets of the Holy Land completely.

It would be better to react based on their actions.

‘I’ll wait for Aldeb to make his move… and take a look at Arconia in the meantime.’

With that thought, Rael headed toward the building where Beggars [a network of informants] resided.

Beggars’ hideout in the back alleys of Arconia was a luxurious upgrade compared to the slum he used to live in.

Creak-

Rael entered Beggars’ residence and made his way to Zenith’s room, observing the busy informants.

The informants simply bowed their heads slightly when they met Rael’s gaze, maintaining a low profile.

He had instructed them not to greet him while working, which made visiting Beggars much easier now.

“Chief, is the work progressing well?”

Rael asked, entering Zenith’s room and approaching him directly.

“I’m tracing the distribution of the pill you requested. However, it’s been laundered several times in Arconia’s black market, making the investigation difficult.”

“Tsk. Are you saying you can’t get information just because you’re living in a comfortable place? You need a hungry spirit.”

Why was the Beggars’ Union the largest information organization in the Murim [martial arts world]? Because they had a hungry spirit!

Rael clicked his tongue and sat down, picking up a teacup.

Zenith, watching him, responded in disbelief.

“…Rael, that’s true, but if you want to talk about a hungry spirit, why don’t you starve yourself for a while? Gaksital [Rael’s alias] during those lean days was more desperate than anyone else.”

Zenith shuddered, recalling Rael’s past.

Rael of Jireum had become relaxed, but Rael, who was cleaning up District 4, was like a wild beast.

If Rael regained that intensity, things would be twice as easy.

“That’s enough. Anyway, the Order will be quiet for a while, so I’m thinking of searching Arconia. I’ll investigate the Holy Land and the Demonic Cult separately from Beggars.”

“Are you going to act alone? I won’t stop you, but haven’t you already investigated all the criminal organizations in Arconia? As you know, it yielded almost no results.”

For the past few days, Rael and Clara had stirred up all the criminal organizations in Arconia.

They worked so diligently that Gaksital had become a notorious figure among criminals.

Rael was aware of this, which was why he was considering refraining from Gaksital activities for the time being.

“There’s still one place I haven’t investigated thoroughly.”

“Where are you referring to?”

“If you want to hide a tree, hide it in the forest. Similarly, if you want to hide a person, you have to hide them among people. It would be good to leave it to Clara, but I think it’ll be faster if I do it myself.”

“…?”

As Zenith tilted his head, seemingly confused, Rael continued.

“Tomorrow, I will visit the Arconia Assembly as a warrior of the Gaia Order.”

*

It had been almost a week since he arrived in Arconia, but Rael hadn’t engaged in any public activities.

He wasn’t particularly interested in politics or power, and he hadn’t had time to investigate because his primary focus was the Holy Land and the Demonic Cult.

‘I thought the Demonic Cult would be among the criminal organizations… but there’s nothing more foolish than clinging to a fruitless idea.’

Clara had mentioned that the Arconia Assembly was corrupt.

Since the divine power of the pill could be detected in four out of the seven councilors, it was safe to assume that more than half of them were villains.

‘Well, it would be difficult to find a nobleman who isn’t corrupt in a medieval fantasy setting.’

If Rael had been a nobleman born and raised in the Middle Ages, he would have likely become corrupt himself.

Because that’s all he would have learned while growing up.

That’s why Rael admired people like Yuri and Eric.

“Welcome, Warrior of Subjugation, Rael.”

“Gaia-men [members of the Gaia Order].”

Rael arrived at the banquet hall prepared by the Arconia Assembly.

It wasn’t specifically prepared for Rael, but it was a regular banquet.

When Rael expressed his intention to attend, he was immediately granted permission.

‘As expected, power is useful.’

Rael smiled and entered the banquet hall.

As he entered, many eyes immediately turned toward him.

“That’s the Warrior of Subjugation, Rael…”

“The divine power he emanates is incredible. And he’s said to possess great strength, so it would be wise to establish a connection.”

Whispers echoed throughout the banquet hall.

Rael could hear their voices, but he didn’t bother to acknowledge them.

‘Are those the seven councilors?’

Rael focused on the individuals at the center of the banquet hall.

As a city where humans and other races coexisted harmoniously, Arconia’s councilors were a diverse group of humans and other races.

‘Four humans and three other races.’

Rael concentrated on the divine power emanating from them.

As Clara had mentioned, a repulsive divine power was detectable from the four human councilors.

‘It’s definitely weak. And… it seems like they don’t know how to use it properly.’

With that thought, Rael observed a man approaching him.

The middle-aged man with sharp eyes wore a blue robe, and a gold brooch bearing the city’s crest was pinned to his chest.

He bowed slightly and greeted Rael.

“Welcome to Arconia, Warrior Rael of the Gaia Order. I am Elian, the chairman of the Arconia Assembly.”

“Nice to meet you. I am Rael.”

Rael made the sign of the cross and assessed Elian.

Judging by his untrained physique, he appeared to be a politician rather than a warrior.

Furthermore, Rael didn’t detect any divine power from the pill emanating from him.

“I was delighted to hear that the Warrior and the Saintess of the Gaia Order were visiting Arconia, but I’m unsure of how to assist you during your visit.”

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

Elian smiled brightly.

The Warrior of the Gaia Order was an important figure with a high rank within the organization.

While the Gaia Order wasn’t the only religion in Arconia, given the presence of numerous other races, its influence couldn’t be ignored.

Moreover, the Warrior of Subjugation himself was considered one of the four strongest individuals on the continent, necessitating a personal greeting.

“Haha, Warrior, if you encounter any inconveniences during your stay in Arconia, please don’t hesitate to inform me.”

Elian inquired cautiously.

He surmised that there must be a reason why Rael, who had maintained a low profile, had decided to attend the banquet.

“I’m looking for ways to assist Arconia. Of course, my primary skill lies in hunting demons.”

Rael replied with a smile.

He couldn’t mention the Demonic Cult in a formal setting, nor could he discuss the Holy Land.

So, what was the most straightforward course of action?

Dealing with demons.

It was a fitting role for the Warrior of Subjugation.

“Ah… I see. You are indeed a warrior.”

Elian breathed a sigh of relief.

He had only heard rumors about the Warrior of the Order and this was their first meeting, so he had been concerned that Rael might make unreasonable demands. However, he seemed to be a respectable warrior, as rumored.

“Yes, I’ve heard that Arconia is a strategic point between Alheim in the north and the Empire and the Kingdom, making it a frequent target for demon attacks.”

Arconia’s geographical location was not ideal.

Situated between the Empire and the Vanessa Kingdom, and not far from Alheim, the city had been plagued by demon and monster attacks since ancient times.

“That’s correct. However, the Warrior need not worry. The threat posed by demons and monsters has significantly decreased recently.”

“…Why?”

“The attacks by demons and monsters have decreased rapidly. Upon investigation, we discovered numerous corpses of monsters in the northern plains of Arconia.”

“Did the demons and monsters engage in infighting?”

It was rare, but demons and monsters were inherently belligerent, so it was a possibility.

“No. After analyzing the sword wounds on the deceased monsters and demons, we detected no demonic energy. Instead, we sensed a very pure and powerful magical energy.”

“…Pure and powerful magical energy?”

Rael narrowed his eyes.

That meant humans or other races were hunting demons.

“Yes, the magical energy is exceptionally pure, and the sword wounds are clean. I even suspect that the attacker might have cleaved through their bodies with a single strike… Haha, slaying a high-ranking demon with a single sword is impossible unless it’s the Warrior of Subjugation.”

Elian chuckled.

“…”

However, Rael’s eyes narrowed upon hearing his words.

A sword that could cut down demons with a single blow.

Rael knew only one person besides himself who wielded such a sword.

*

The plains north of the free city of Arconia.

The corpses of demons and monsters were so numerous that the area resembled Alheim at first glance.

It was the work of a single swordsman.

Step. Step.

“Damn it, show yourself! For a human like you to exist…! Wait, no way!”

The high-ranking demon Beris trembled on the ground.

He had brought more demons and monsters after hearing reports that the reinforcements heading to Arconia had been annihilated.

Ten high-ranking demons, dozens of high-ranking monsters, and hundreds of mid-ranking demons.

It was a force capable of overwhelming the regular army of the free city of Arconia, but a single swordsman had decimated Alheim’s elite soldiers.

As far as he knew,

There was only one monster among humans.

The Continental First Swordsman who had single-handedly stopped the war. The Heavenly Killing Sword Lord.

“Don’t come near me! S, stop!”

Beris struggled to escape, but his lower body had already vanished below his waist, and that monster was too fast to outrun with just his hands.

“Are you the last one? There will be more next time.”

The swordsman raised his sword with an expressionless face.

The sword energy, seemingly ablaze, surged and engulfed the world.

“Lord Kali will not abandon you…!”

Crack-

Before the demon could finish speaking, the swordsman’s sword pierced his neck.

Even for the Heavenly Killing Sword, it was best to ensure the demon’s demise by severing its neck.

“The demon attacks are becoming more frequent.”

The Heavenly Killing Sword Lord surveyed the surroundings with a displeased expression.

The free city of Arconia.

It had always been a frequent target for demon attacks, but the frequency had strangely increased recently.

‘There’s definitely something amiss.’

The demons constantly arriving from Alheim seemed to be supporting someone rather than attacking Arconia.

In other words, a powerful demon had infiltrated Arconia.

‘Should I investigate myself?’

The Heavenly Killing Sword Lord pondered and withdrew his sword from Beris’s neck.

Gathering information wasn’t his forte, but he could make some educated guesses.

“Kuooh…!”

At that moment, the high-ranking monster, believed to have been killed by the Heavenly Killing Sword, lunged at him with its regenerated legs.

The Heavenly Killing Sword Lord glanced at the massive monster filling his vision and raised his sword again, looking annoyed.

“You were still alive.”

It was a surprise attack aimed at exploiting an opening, but it posed no real threat to him.

But then.

“Heavenly Killing Sword Third Form. Answer to Heaven.”

Whoosh-

Before the Heavenly Killing Sword Lord could even draw his sword, the huge monster’s body was sliced in half.

The Heavenly Killing Sword Lord narrowed his eyes, sensing a familiar magical power.

Step. Step.

A man was walking from behind the bisected monster.

The Heavenly Killing Sword Lord’s eyes widened as he recognized the man’s face.

“Mentor-wannabe, you were here.”

Rael sighed as he looked at his mentor after a long time. [Mentor-wannabe is a term of endearment, implying Rael sees this person as a mentor figure.]