The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 171

The empire’s morning, the start of the National Foundation Day, was extremely chaotic.

In a medieval fantasy setting, where entertainment was scarce, festivals were a vital source of enjoyment.

Nobles flocked to District 2 for the festivities, while commoners in Districts 3 and 4 began their preparations.

“E, Elf. My head hurts. It feels like it’s going to split open…”

“The treatment for Mana poisoning is progressing well. The headache is likely due to the cold weather.”

“Aaaagh….”

However, one place remained unchanged amidst the National Foundation Day celebrations.

It was the Elven clinic, dispatched to the capital to treat Mana poisoning.

The only clinic on the continent capable of treating Mana poisoning was gaining recognition in other regions as well.

Recently, with the emergence of a Demon King in Arconia, many people reported Mana poisoning symptoms, and they all sought treatment in the empire’s capital.

Consequently, the elves were experiencing incredibly busy days.

“Reine, you’ve been working so hard. Here, have a cup of warm tea.”

“Thank you, Erenngor.”

Reine smiled as she accepted the tea from Erenngor.

The clinic was so overwhelmed that Reine, despite her own condition, had come to assist.

“Thank you for your tireless efforts. Because you see more patients than other elves, even with your discomfort, the others have time to rest.”

“It’s nothing, Erenngor. I’m used to not seeing. Treating Mana poisoning involves sensing the magic power within the body, and with my heightened senses, I should be working harder.”

Reine had discovered an unexpected talent in this role.

Unable to see, she navigated by perceiving the surrounding magic power, which enhanced her ability to treat Mana poisoning.

“Thank you, Reine. I’ve said this before, but… I believe the Elven race survived thanks to you sisters.”

“You don’t need to say that anymore. All the elves are doing their best.”

Reine smiled gently.

The Elves deeply valued their companions.

Their past actions towards the Reine sisters were a stain on the Elven race’s pride.

Consequently, they apologized to Reina and Reine whenever the opportunity arose.

“…No. We must never forget our mistakes. Only then can we avoid repeating them.”

Erenngor spoke firmly.

Reina and Reine, and Rael, the benefactor of the Elven race.

The Elven race must never betray these three, no matter the circumstances.

“Thank you, Erenngor. Now, go back and rest. There’s only one patient left, so I’ll finish up for today.”

“No, I’ll take care of it. I can’t let you suffer any more.”

“Erenngor, erase the dark circles under your eyes before you say that. Besides, you’ve been working longer than me. Do you think I don’t know that you always arrive earlier and leave later than the others? I’m an elf too, so let me care for my fellow elf.”

“…Okay, Reine. I’ll leave it to you.”

Erenngor smiled wryly.

Reine was right. She hadn’t had a proper rest in at least a month, so she could finally relax today.

“I’m sorry. Did you have to wait long?”

After Erenngor left the clinic, Reine approached the remaining patient.

It was a man who appeared to be in discomfort.

“It’s alright, Elf. I’ve been feeling pain around here and have had a severe headache since yesterday…”

“Where exactly is ‘here’? Could you point it out again?”

“Ah… around my thigh and chest.”

“Please wait a moment.”

Reine focused on the magic power of nature and examined the magical energy within the man’s body.

Indeed, there was a significant Mana poisoning presence.

“It must have been very painful. I’ll treat you soon.”

Reine carefully channeled magic power into the man’s body.

She had to proceed cautiously because the magical energy was deeply embedded.

“It’s amazing that you can do this despite your vision impairment… Thank you so much.”

“It’s my job.”

Reine smiled.

It was undoubtedly tiring, but…

For Rael, the benefactor of the Elven race, she would do anything.

“More than that, you’re amazing. Don’t you need assistance from other elves in your daily life?”

“I’m used to it, so it’s fine. I can’t see, but… I can perceive my surroundings using the magic power of nature.”

Reine continued the conversation while examining the man’s body.

Perhaps because he was the last patient, she felt relaxed.

“Still, aren’t there days when you feel inconvenienced? The wounds I sustained during the war still throb. Every time that happens, I regret not being more careful back then.”

“It would be a lie to say there are no inconveniences. But… I don’t regret it.”

Reine vividly remembered that day.

Just before Basolord’s magic of annihilation engulfed Reina, Reine had thrown herself in the way to protect her.

She still didn’t regret that decision.

“But sometimes… I think about it.”

Reine smiled wistfully.

Perhaps because she was reminded of the past after so long, her inner thoughts surfaced.

“I want to see my younger sister, Reina, smiling… just once, with my own eyes.”

If possible, with Rael, the clan’s benefactor.

She longed to see them living happily together.

That was Reine’s only wish.

“Is that so….”

“Yes…. Oh my, I’ve said too much. I’ll resume the treatment now.”

“Don’t worry, Elf. I can listen to that much.”

“Huh? What are you tal–?”

Thump-

At that moment, the magical energy flowing through the man’s body surged back into Reine’s body.

The sudden influx of magical energy caught Reine, who was focused on the magic power of nature, completely off guard.

“The contract has been concluded.”

The 4th Demon King, the Devil of the Contract, Lucifer, smiled grimly.

* * *

The Rain Knights training ground.

In the spacious training area, a familiar face was always present, along with one more person.

Rain, Sword Dragon, Jeongcheon Alliance Leader, Rael, and the Heavenly Killing Sword Lord.

The executives of the Soma Association had gathered to attend the emperor’s speech, the most significant event of the National Foundation Day.

And in this gathering of powerhouses, Rael was demonstrating his swordsmanship.

Clang-!

Rael’s sword clashed with the Heavenly Killing Sword Lord’s sword, forcing him to retreat.

Effortlessly dissipating the strong shock in his hand, Rael gathered magic power at his fingertips.

“Hoecheon, Explosion (爆) [Exploding Heaven].”

Simultaneously, the magic power of Hoecheon, positioned next to the Heavenly Killing Sword Lord, detonated.

Chwaaaak-!

Furthermore, through the opening created as the Heavenly Killing Sword Lord evaded the explosion, the sword energy of Dapcheon [Covering Heaven] surged in.

“Rael, good swordsmanship.”

The Heavenly Killing Sword Lord, facing Rael, smiled faintly, sensing that he was facing a wizard.

A combat style that didn’t solely rely on the Heavenly Killing Sword would be a valuable asset for Rael.

“However, it’s still not enough. To be reborn as a true swordsman, you must become one with the sword.”

Magic power coalesced within the Heavenly Killing Sword Lord’s sword.

It was the Shattering Heaven Sword, capable of piercing through a thousand stars.

Rael, sensing the imminent threat, immediately leaped back, but the Heavenly Killing Sword Lord’s sword was faster.

Kwaaaang-!

A deafening collision echoed through the training ground.

In the center, two swordsmen stood facing each other, their swords locked together.

“… How did you react?”

The Heavenly Killing Sword Lord blinked in surprise.

His sword had just been imbued with the Shattering Heaven Sword technique.

It was a speed that Rael, who hadn’t yet mastered the 4th form of the Heavenly Killing Sword, Shattering Heaven, should have been unable to react to.

“I have my ways, Teacher. It’s getting difficult, so let’s stop here.”

Rael sheathed the Holy Sword and stretched his neck.

He had only intended to spar briefly, but he had become deeply engaged and even used techniques he hadn’t fully mastered.

“Anyway, what do you think? Please share your impressions.”

Rael turned to face the spectators.

The three Sword Masters who had witnessed the brief sparring match with the Heavenly Killing Sword Lord wore bewildered expressions.

“That’s… strange. Rael, your domain wasn’t like that, was it?”

Rain was the most surprised of the three.

After all, Rain had provided the most assistance in developing Rael’s Hoecheon technique.

If it evolved into a completely different domain, he wouldn’t be able to claim his contribution.

“I knew it from the first time I saw him, but he truly possesses incredible talent.”

Sword Dragon also couldn’t conceal his admiration.

“A great guy is a great guy. I’m surprised every time I see him.”

“Even so, really… I don’t know what to say. I feel pathetic.”

Sword Dragon had heard the word ‘genius’ countless times.

He had wielded a sword since he could walk, and that was over fifty years ago.

He had established the Jeongryeok Palace after years of arduous effort.

But what about Rael?

“Rain, hasn’t it only been a few years since Rael properly picked up a sword?”

“To be exact, you’ll be even more surprised. It hasn’t even been a year since I met Rael, but… at that time, he was using sword energy without even knowing the basics of proper swordsmanship. I and the Rain Knights taught him the fundamentals.”

“The Soma Association is too fortunate to have such talent.”

There were so few Sword Masters on the continent that they could be counted on one’s fingers.

And now, such a prodigy had joined their ranks, a great boon for the Soma Association.

“As expected of the winner of the Yongbong Contest [Dragon Phoenix Contest]. As a Taoist of Hwasan [Mount Hua Sect], tears are blurring my vision…. Disciple, you are the next best person on the continent.”

Clap clap clap-

The Jeongcheon Alliance Leader clapped and wiped away his tears.

The old Taoist of Hwasan was deeply moved by his disciple’s progress.

“The Demonic Cult has also been subjugated, and I have witnessed the next best person on the continent, so I have no regrets in life. Gaia-men [Amen].”

“…”

The Jeongcheon Alliance Leader, Mucheon, nodded in satisfaction.

He felt gratified by the subjugation of the Demonic Cult, and seeing Rael’s achievements made him feel like he was ascending to heaven.

“…Don’t say strange things, Alliance Leader. Now that the Demonic Cult is gone from the continent, what will you do? Is the Jeongcheon Alliance disbanding?”

“The Jeongcheon Alliance’s mission is complete now that peace has returned to the Murim world [martial arts world] through the subjugation of the Demonic Cult. However, I cannot abandon the children I have raised. The Jeongcheon Alliance will embark on a different path.”

Rael nodded politely.

To be honest, he wasn’t particularly interested.

If they wanted to make a living, they would find a way.

“Rael, you should also be more mindful of your actions from now on. Of course, I have no complaints about the warrior of the Gaia Order, but you are also an executive of the Soma Association now.”

“…Why am I an executive of the Soma Association?”

Rael laughed in disbelief.

“To be appointed as an executive at the age of 25, especially as a Sword Master, is the youngest record ever. Rael, you should be a little more enthusiastic about it!”

“No, I’m not going to be an executive of the Soma Association. Why are you arbitrarily making me an executive when I didn’t even join the association in the first place?”

“Hahaha! Amazing! Amazing! It’s a record that will never be broken! The Soma Association, which also boasts a warrior from the Gaia Order, is now dominating the Murim world!”

“…Yes. Do as you please.”

Rael sighed.

He would just let the Soma Association do whatever they wanted.

He could forgive them for using his name as long as they didn’t bother him.

Because he had learned a great deal from them.

“It’s almost time to leave for the National Foundation Day. Hey, maknae [youngest member]. Come here and get ready.”

“Yes! Rain-nim!”

“…Commander, why is he here?”

Rael looked at the maknae running towards Rain.

It was Belen of the Kamen Knights.

Why was that bastard here?

“He’s the acting commander of the Kamen Knights, filling Gideon’s vacancy. Wouldn’t he be discouraged if such a talented individual didn’t belong to the Soma Association?”

“Hmm, he’ll likely face significant discrimination in the aristocratic society of the Kamen Empire. I’d rather die.”

Sword Dragon nodded in agreement.

It was a natural reaction.

“Well, it seems like he’ll be able to glimpse the Sword Master’s realm soon, so I brought him in as the maknae a little early. Think of him as the maknae and treat him comfortably.”

“…”

Were these people all crazy?

Or did the Soma Association truly wield such authority?

‘Just considering that the Soma Association was invited to the National Foundation Day, it seems they do have authority….’

Rael still found it hard to believe that the latter was true.

“Then, everyone, let’s go and enjoy the National Foundation Day. I’ve reserved the best seats.”

Rain said with a smile.

The emperor’s speech, marking the beginning of the National Foundation Day, was about to commence.

“Yes, yes. Let’s go, Commander.”

“Come to think of it, Rael, shouldn’t you be with the Order?”

“….The Order can join later.”

Rael shook his head, thinking about the Order.

In truth, the Pope and Cardinals made him quite uncomfortable.

He had postponed their conflict until the war with the demons was over, so they had started pestering him to share the teachings of Gaia.

Of course, Rael could silence them all with a single word, but… he wanted to maintain his dignity as a warrior of the Gaia Order.

“There are so many people.”

The square in District 1, where the speech marking the beginning of the National Foundation Day was to be held, was packed.

Rael sat in the seat provided to the Soma Association.

A tense atmosphere permeated the air.

After all, the most important topic at this National Foundation Day was the matter of the next emperor.

If any significant announcement was to be made, it would be now.

[The sky of the thousand-year empire, Kamen, appears.]

Step. Step.

At that moment, Rael raised his head towards the sky.

He gazed at the end of the balcony, connected to the towering imperial palace overlooking the square.

Leopold von Grandia.

The suspiciously enigmatic emperor of the empire had arrived.