The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 175

Despite Raelle’s fierce opposition, Bagger’s branch was eventually established in District 2.

Disappointed by the lack of openness, Raelle entered a luxurious building that seemed fit for high-ranking nobles.

Zenith was waiting inside.

“Uncle Zenith, you said you had important information. What’s so urgent?”

“You came just in time, Raelle. You’ll definitely be surprised.”

Raelle sat across from Zenith as if it were a familiar routine.

She didn’t like the owner of Openness wearing a suit, but… she had half given up on stopping him from the moment he bought this building. Anyway, she could always scold Zenith later.

“Being surprised is good, but did you take care of what I asked?”

“The protection for the Elf? I’ve prepared a place for her where no one but me knows, so don’t worry.”

Reyne, who had made a contract with Lucifer.

Raelle provided her with a safe haven.

The opponent is a Demon King.

She didn’t think simply hiding in the Elven forest would be safe enough.

‘Of course, I can’t hide her for long… but it should be enough as a temporary measure.’

At least it would take them a few days to find Reyne.

“Good. So, what’s the surprising information?”

“It’s about the next Emperor.”

“…The next Emperor?”

Raelle’s eyes changed at Zenith’s words.

Although Lucifer’s appearance was unexpected, the most important thing at this Founding Festival was the selection of the next Emperor.

“The Imperial Palace and the Gaia Order are in frequent contact. Information is slowly being released.”

“Information is being released?”

“Yes. It seems likely that preventing a danger to the Empire will be the test.”

“The Empire’s danger? What is that?”

It’s not like they’re competing in knowledge or power.

The Empire’s danger. It was too abstract.

“The details haven’t been revealed yet, but… I’ve also heard stories about the Special Guard in District 5.”

“…Special Guard?”

Raelle narrowed her eyes.

Now that the test to choose the next Emperor is said to be the Empire’s danger.

The appearance of the Special Guard could only mean one thing.

“Yes. Perhaps it’s related to the Demon King you mentioned before.”

“Hmm… They certainly said they were working with the Gaia Order…”

Suddenly, the Demon King appears.

Raelle couldn’t understand this situation.

“But be careful. It was easier to get information than I thought. It might be a trap.”

“That’s unlikely. Maybe… it’s better to think they were desperate.”

Whatever else, the Special Guard is a place the Empire wants to hide.

They wouldn’t use the Special Guard as a trap.

“The Imperial Palace is desperate? Is there a reason? The Empire’s danger isn’t even set yet.”

“…”

Raelle felt the demonic energy of Lucifer within her.

That power, similar to the demonic energy within the Emperor, must be the power of a contract.

‘The Emperor, who possessed Lucifer’s demonic power, must have made a contract as well.’

Probably an enormous contract that can’t even be compared to Reyne’s.

Perhaps his remaining time is not that long.

*

Before telling the Second Princess, Yuri, about the Demon King, Raelle came to the Gaia Order.

Since the selection of the next Emperor was said to be a collaboration between the Imperial Palace and the Gaia Order, she intended to ask the Pope directly.

“So, are you sure the Demon King’s rampage is certain?”

Raelle sat in the Pope’s prayer room, arms crossed, across from Chun Ma.

Chun Ma brought tea, but she didn’t touch it.

“…It’s not certain, Hero. The Emperor did mention the Demon King’s rampage, but I didn’t hear about the method. But he certainly looked confident.”

“Don’t you know how to make the Demon King rampage? You’re the Pope.”

“If I knew such a method, I would also know how to kill the Demon King.”

“…Well, I guess so. Then, even if it’s not the Demon King, do you know anything about the Emperor selection process?”

“The Emperor said he would work with the Gaia Order, but we only follow a few of the Empire’s traditions and do not interfere in the Emperor’s selection.”

“So, in other words, you don’t know anything?”

“That’s right.”

Chun Ma lowered his head apologetically.

He wanted to help Raelle, but he couldn’t know the Emperor’s true intentions.

“…”

He’s really not helpful.

Raelle sighed.

“Then, was there anything unusual about the Emperor?”

“There was one thing. A person who clearly looked like he could die at any moment… looked strangely healthy. Oh, and someone who was obsessed with eternal life also seemed indifferent to death.”

“He became healthier….”

That must also be the power of the contract.

But that couldn’t be the end of it.

‘Even though the Emperor was obsessed with eternal life, there’s not enough information….’

No matter how much of a Raelle she is, she can’t reason without information.

“I understand. Please let me know if you get any information later.”

“Yes, Raelle. Ah, before you go, can I ask you to interpret Gaia’s words?”

“Then, goodbye.”

Raelle left without answering Chun Ma’s question.

Cecilia will answer the troublesome questions.

‘A way to make the Demon King rampage… Ah, I can ask Tia.’

If there’s no answer at all, it might be okay to ask Tia.

If even a dragon who has lived for thousands of years doesn’t know, I’ll really have to leave it to the heavens.

“Raelle, Brother! Over here! Over here!”

At that time, a familiar voice called out to Raelle, who was leaving the Order.

“Ah, Carlson.”

“Yes, Brother. Aren’t you being too much? If you visit the Order, you should come and say hello!”

Carlson approached Raelle, looking disappointed.

Raelle smiled wryly at the sight.

“…I want to too. Man. Aren’t you going out on the streets for this Founding Festival?”

“I’m not at that level anymore, Brother. Hehehe.”

Carlson smiled and raised his thumb.

In fact, Carlson’s career isn’t that long, but he was the ace of the Silver Cross Knights, so he didn’t have time to go on patrol.

“Commander Marco, you should assign Carlson patrol duties for the sake of the Silver Cross Knights.”

“Carlson is the best at handling Divine Power Sword Energy, so it can’t be helped. We need Carlson during training.”

“That’s right, Hero. I also learn from Sir Carlson’s swordsmanship.”

Amadeus was standing next to Commander Marco.

Looking at the divine power gathered in his fist, it seemed like the two of them had been sparring.

“You were growling at each other when I saw you last time, but you two seem to be getting along well.”

“We grew up together since we were young. Like you and Carlson.”

“Haha. That’s right, Brother. You and I are inseparable.”

“…I feel strangely unpleasant.”

Raelle smiled faintly.

Many paladins were sparring in the training ground.

It was fortunate that the Gaia Order seemed to have normalized quite a bit.

“Raelle, will you train with us?”

“No. I have something to do. I’ll definitely come next time.”

Raelle greeted them lightly and went outside.

Looking around the streets, she was able to quickly find the guys she was looking for.

Tap- Tap- Tap tap-

When Raelle sent a signal, one of the nearby beggars slipped closer.

“Tell Second Princess Yuriel that I want her to come to the Special Guard when she has time.”

“I understand.”

Swish-

Raelle nodded as she watched the beggar disappear like a cockroach.

Still, since they work so hard, it seemed like she could provide them with good accommodation.

“First… shall I go meet Tia?”

Come to think of it, she hadn’t visited the Dragon Lair much since Bestia disappeared.

Raelle moved her steps towards the Special Guard.

*

District 1 of the Imperial Capital.

Damp demonic energy filled the building where high-ranking nobles lived.

“As expected, the Empire is an interesting place. Don’t you think so?”

A man was sitting at the center of the demonic energy.

The horns on his head and the splendid wings were his trademarks.

Lucifer, one of the Four Demon Kings.

The Devil of Contracts smiled and looked at the succubus standing next to him.

“I really like the capital of the Empire too. It’s where handsome and pretty humans gather.”

The succubus stared blankly into the air, drooping like a doll.

It was a slave succubus used by Calliope, and he was using the slave’s body to inject demonic energy and use it as a contact.

“More than that, Lucifer. Is it true that you contacted the Hero?”

The Hero of the Gaia Order.

Human Raelle.

After receiving attention from the strongest Demon King, Maledrak, his name was becoming quite famous even in Alheim [the demon realm].

It was only natural for Lucifer to be interested in him.

“Don’t worry. I’m already preparing a contract.”

“…. Already? How did you do it?”

Calliope asked in surprise.

Lucifer’s contract is definitely strong, but it has surprisingly difficult conditions.

He has to inject his demonic energy directly, and the person must express their agreement.

“Like a human hero, he seems to like doing good deeds. I made a contract with the elf in the clinic he runs. It’s a simple contract to heal the elf’s wounds if I inject demonic energy into the Hero’s body.”

“It won’t be easy to inject demonic energy into the Hero’s body, but will a contract be made just by healing wounds?”

“It wasn’t just a simple wound, it was inflicted by Basolord. It was a contract to heal the festering eyes caused by the magic of annihilation, the natural enemy of the Elves, so the conditions were right on this side too.”

“If that’s the case, isn’t your price quite high? Are you okay? What if that elf does something stupid?”

“Don’t worry. The demonic energy that fails in the contract will return to me anyway. Even if the demonic energy doesn’t dwell in the Hero’s body, I have nothing to lose.”

Lucifer’s contract is absolute.

The transaction between the contractor and Lucifer will never be broken unless there is mutual consent.

Of course, Lucifer never terminated a contract that was favorable to him.

Swish-

At that moment.

Quite a lot of demonic energy was leaving Lucifer’s body.

“It seems like it’s time.”

Lucifer smiled bitterly.

Certainly, he was a human worthy of Maledrak’s attention.

The Hero of the Gaia Order took most of Lucifer’s demonic energy.

Taking this much demonic energy, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was a dragon, not a human.

‘But taking a lot of demonic energy means the contract has been established.’

There’s no way an ordinary human can resist the demonic energy of a Demon King.

Lucifer will dominate his mind as a price for the contract.

“Lucifer. Is that more important than finding the Demon King? Wouldn’t it be better to focus on the contract with the Emperor?”

“There’s no need to weigh the importance of things. It’ll only take a moment. I’ve already put demonic energy into his body. He’ll go crazy soon without even having time to maintain his sanity.”

The contract ends the moment demonic energy is injected.

Soon, his demonic energy will return and announce that he has dominated the Hero.

“…”

An hour later.

Lucifer frowned.

Strangely, the demonic energy didn’t return.

“…. Hey, when is it going to be done?”

“…Wait.”

Lucifer crossed his arms and closed his eyes.

Waiting for the demonic energy that didn’t return.