The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 191

The Red Magic Tower, the second largest magic tower in the Empire.

In a magical tool workshop occupying an entire floor, a woman was sitting.

Weeeeeeeng-

Most magical tool workshops are inherently gloomy, but the one operated by Serena was different.

Serena worked with the most up-to-date magical tools in the Empire, thanks to the advancement of magical engineering, making her workshop more sophisticated than others.

Although the sophistication of the workshop made it seem less profound, her skills were no less than those of a master craftsman who had been making magical tools for decades, as Rael desired.

After all, magical tools are based on magic.

The skill of a magical tool craftsman is determined by talent.

Serena possessed the most brilliant talent in the Empire.

“Hum hum, hmm -.”

Serena hummed as she wiped the surface of a magical tool with a cloth.

As a craftsman who supplied magical tools to the Imperial Palace, she had plenty of work even in winter.

Knock knock-

Then, a light knock was heard from outside the door, and the door opened.

“This is a workshop… Oh? Yuri?”

In fact, Serena’s workshop was made to look like a warehouse from the outside.

Thanks to this, people looking for Serena didn’t find the workshop, but sometimes servants would open the door without warning, like now.

“Sister. You were here.”

“Long time no see. Yuri, what’s the matter with the cowardly princess who luckily survived?”

Cowardly princess.

That’s what the nobles called Serena.

Unlike the 2nd Princess Yuriel, who steadily worked even without the nobles’ recognition,

she had completely given up on the position of Empress.

“I came to ask about your intentions.”

Yuri gave Serena a bitter smile.

Serena, who had been in hiding for a long time, had the same smile as before.

“My intentions?”

“Sister, I will become the Empress.”

Yuri declared to her last remaining blood relative that she would become the Empress.

“Yes. Be the Empress. There’s no one else who can do it anyway. Did you come all the way here to say that?”

“…No. Sister, let’s go back to the Imperial Palace together.”

“Not that again. You can’t rule the Empire being so kind, Your Majesty.”

Serena waved her hand with a bitter smile.

Her returning to the Imperial Palace now would only stir up trouble.

Yuri’s forces were already engulfing the Empire, and there was no need for another Imperial family member to show their face.

“Sister….”

“Still, surviving was the goal, so it’s a relief. I survived because I had this ability.”

At first, people’s gazes were uncomfortable, but now she had long forgotten such feelings.

Even the Imperial family members in the Imperial Palace had died, so her judgment was even more correct.

“This ability? That’s not something the Empire’s best magical tool crafter should say.”

“Anyway. What’s not possible is not possible.”

For Yuri’s future, Serena could not return to the Imperial Palace.

To quell the nobles’ dissatisfaction, Yuri had to prove her abilities alone.

“I know what you’re worried about, Sister. But I can already handle the nobles perfectly. If there’s anyone who expresses dissatisfaction with you….”

Yuri turned her head to look at the wall.

Magical swords made by Serena were displayed on the wall.

“Yuri?”

Yuri picked up one of them.

Swish-

Immediately after, a strong sword aura rose from the magical sword.

Serena’s eyes widened at the sword aura.

That was no ordinary sword aura. It was a dense sword aura that only a fully mature Graduate-level [a high-ranking swordsman] could produce.

“Anyone, I won’t let them get away with it.”

“Yuri. You don’t mean….”

“Yes. I overcame it.”

The curse that had tormented her her whole life, the Heavenly Execution Star [a rare and deadly curse].

Serena was one of the people who knew the truth.

Yuriel smiled and took off her top to show her back.

“…It’s true. There’s nothing there.”

Serena smiled as she looked at Yuri’s clean skin.

And carefully stroked Yuri’s back.

“You worked hard, Yuriel.”

“……Yes. Sister.”

The only person in the Imperial Palace who was on her side was Serena.

The reason why the youngest Yuriel was able to participate in the succession war was also because Serena gave up the succession war and made the other princes ignore Yuriel.

“I’m really grateful for your feelings, Yuri. But, I can’t go.”

“Sister. Why….”

“The end of a princess who failed to become Empress is obvious. A political marriage with a high-ranking noble. That’s the way to repay what I received from the Empire.”

The only reason a princess who failed in the succession war could survive.

Is because women can be used for political marriages.

Serena had been accepting that future for a long time.

She didn’t want to escape the predetermined future anyway.

She just wanted to enjoy her life until then.

“Still, it’s a relief. I have a talent in this area, so I didn’t have to have a political marriage as soon as I came of age.”

“Your magical tools are recognized even on the continent. If I wanted to, I could make you live the life you want.”

“Don’t worry. I can give up these toy-like things anytime.”

“Sister….”

Yuri bit her lip regretfully.

Serena truly loved magical tools. But at the same time, she had a more Imperial spirit than anyone else.

She knew what she had to do for the Empire and Yuriel.

“More than that, put your clothes on quickly. It’s cold in winter.”

“…Yes. Sister.”

“Yuri?”

Serena stared at Yuri.

She smiled brightly but didn’t put on her clothes.

At that moment.

[…Is it here? Still, if it’s the Red Magic Tower, it’s the second largest in the Empire, so why is the guidance so unfriendly?]

Perhaps because there were so many magical tools and magic circles inside the magic tower, Rael found it difficult to read the surrounding situation unless he deployed 회천 [Hoicheon, a technique to sense the surroundings].

Rael opened the door of what looked like a warehouse.

Since one of these warehouse-like places was said to be a magical tool workshop, he had no choice but to search them one by one.

“…Huh?”

And as soon as Rael saw Yuri with her back exposed, he closed the door again.

“What is it…?”

Did I see it wrong?

No, that couldn’t be.

That was definitely Yuriel’s back that I saw back then.

“Yuri. You… I told you to be careful! I knew it. That person just now was Sir Rael… the hero of the Gaia Order, right? It’s a relief it was a familiar face. What if it had been another knight or mage!”

Serena sighed and looked at Yuri.

“Hmm, sorry. Sister.”

Yuri smiled faintly.

Awakening the Heavenly Execution Star, Yuri had reached the verge of Sword Master [the highest rank of swordsman].

In other words, even her senses were at that level.

She could tell who was coming outside the workshop, where the magic tower’s magic circles were blocked.

Knock knock-

After a while, Rael knocked on the door of the workshop.

“…Excuse me. May I come in?”

“Yes. Come in.”

As soon as Rael entered the workshop, he bowed his head.

“I’m sorry, Miss Yuri. I should have knocked… I didn’t expect a warehouse-like place to be a magical tool workshop.”

“My workshop isn’t well known to others. But seeing that the Hero-nim [term of respect] came all the way here, I guess there’s no use worrying about that.”

Serena smiled and welcomed the hero.

“Hello. Nice to meet you. Serena-nim [term of respect].”

Rael bowed lightly to Serena.

The same blonde hair as Yuri, with a slightly more mature face.

Even though she was wearing comfortable clothes for work, she had an Imperial aura.

Without even asking her name, he could tell that she was Serena.

‘I think I heard her called the Cowardly Princess… but she doesn’t feel that way as much as I thought.’

Rather, she was more mature than Yuriel, to the point where he would believe it if she said she was participating in the succession war right now.

‘The hero of the Gaia Order, Rael. And Yuri…? ‘

Serena looked at Rael and then at Yuri.

And, she saw the look in Yuri’s eyes.

It was the look of a happy woman that she had never seen before.

“Hoo. So that’s what it was.”

Serena shook her head.

No wonder she thought Yuri was a little different than before.

She was no longer the cute little child that Serena remembered.

‘Maybe showing her back was on purpose…? ‘

No way.

She didn’t think her younger sister would be that shameless.

“Haa, okay. Yuri. Take the Hero-nim and leave. I have to make magical tools now.”

“Sister. What I said…”

“I understand. I’ll definitely think about it. Okay?”

“Okay. Thank you, Sister. Let’s go. Rael-ssi [term of endearment].”

Yuri let out a sigh of relief and held out her hand to Rael.

And Rael, stared at the two of them and opened his mouth.

“…Uh, I came to see Serena-nim for business.”

“Yes? Weren’t you here to pick me up?”

“Why would I pick up Miss Yuri?”

“…….?”

Yuri looked at Rael with a lost expression.

And, her face slowly began to turn red.

Thinking about it, the idea that Rael would pick her up was strange in itself.

She hadn’t told Rael that she was coming to the Red Magic Tower.

“Ahem! Um! Ummm! Th, that’s right.”

Yuri sighed and covered her eyes.

To make such a foolish mistake, she wanted to hide in a mouse hole right away.

“Pfft, hahaha… What’s wrong with you two? Why are you so funny?”

Serena covered her forehead and chuckled.

It was amazing to see such an expression on her younger sister’s face.

Yuriel was always surrounded by tremendous pressure and had an obsession with being recognized.

Fortunately, it seems that at least she is comfortable now.

“Okay. Hero-nim. You have business with the magical tool craftsman Serena, right? What’s the request?”

“A magic sword. Ah, I heard that if I mention Bacchus and the God of War, you’ll do a good job.”

“Bacchus and the God of War? Those two are regulars, but… if you’re the hero of the Gaia Order, I should do a good job even without a referral. You’re also my younger sister’s knight. The request is a magic sword, right? Did you hear my name from Bacchus?”

“Yes. Ah, I’ve commissioned Serena-nim before.”

Rael turned his body slightly and showed the Gaksital mask [a mask that hides the face] hanging on his waist.

Serena smiled as if she was happy to see the Gaksital mask.

“Huh? Oh my, you were the one who asked me to make this? Could it be that Bacchus is the Hero-nim’s information guild?”

“Similar.”

“This mask is one of the masterpieces that I put a lot of effort into making. Definitely… Huh? That’s strange. Why are there magic spells that I don’t know….”

Serena tilted her head as she looked at the Gaksital mask.

She didn’t know the greatness of Tia’s magic because she wasn’t as knowledgeable about magic as the Blue Magic Tower Master.

Rael immediately turned his body and coughed.

“Ahem. Anyway, I want to make a magic sword. Is it possible?”

“There’s nothing difficult if you pay me properly. I’ll make the Hero-nim’s item first.”

“Thank you. What kind of payment would you prefer?”

“Payment? Of course….”

It’s money.

Serena had never received payment other than Imperial gold coins.

In the first place, this work was close to her hobby.

However, Serena turned her head slightly.

Next to her was her cute younger sister, still with a dazed expression.

“Yuri. I have a good idea. It’s a way for me to return to the Imperial Palace.”

“O, Sister. Really?”

Yuri looked at Serena with a delighted expression.

“Yes. Still, I have to fulfill my duty as a member of the Imperial family, right?”

“But, then you can’t live in the Imperial Palace.”

“No, I can just marry a religious person.”

The corners of Serena’s lips slowly rose.

“A religious person?”

“Yes. For example, the Hero-nim here?”

Serena smiled and approached Rael.

And carefully hugged one of his arms.

“Eek….”

Yuri was startled and shook her hand.

Serena’s body in comfortable clothes was perfectly in her field of vision as it was close to Rael.

“If you’re the hero of the Gaia Order, you’re a religious person, right? Besides, the blood of the hero and the blood of the Imperial family, the story is good, right?”

Serena looked up at Rael with a devilish smile.

“…What are you doing, Princess Serena.”

Rael looked at Serena with a bitter smile.

“What’s wrong, Hero-nim. Don’t you like me? I’ve never thought that my appearance was lacking anywhere.”

“I’m a Sword Master. I know what this person’s intention is in hugging my arm.”

“Really? Sword Masters are so annoying. Still, isn’t she cute?”

Rael looked at where Serena’s finger was pointing.

There was Yuri, who was in a state of emptiness with her mouth open.

She was standing there as if her soul had left her body, looking at the air.

“Why is Miss Yuri acting like that….”

“You’re not really asking because you don’t know, are you? No matter how much of a hero of the Gaia Order you are, I can’t give my younger sister to you if you’re impotent.”

“What nonsense… Haa.”

Rael was about to scold Serena like he did to Reina, but he held back.

No matter what, he couldn’t insult the Imperial family.

“Okay, okay. Stop joking around. Miss Yuri, don’t accept the jokes either. If you keep accepting those things, you’ll develop bad habits.”

“Ah, yes! Yes! That’s right. My sister’s jokes are too much. Hehe.”

Yuri nodded her head at Rael’s words and came to her senses.

“You’re both too much. Really.”

“…That’s enough, will you make the magic sword?”

“Of course I have to make it. What kind of sword do you want exactly?”

“I want it to be able to transmit magic well without breaking, light and flexible, but also well-balanced, and the sharpness of the blade shouldn’t die.”

“You want a sharp, light sword that has good magic conductivity and durability, and is well-balanced? It’s not difficult for the Hero’s request.”

Serena quickly understood Rael’s request.

Magic swords were also one of her specialties.

She was going to make a proper sword for Yuri’s knight and future boyfriend.

“It should also have good divine power affinity. I hope it can restore small scratches on its own, and I hope it can absorb some of the impact on my arm.”

“…Is that not the end?”

Serena took out a memo pad and began to write down Rael’s request.

But Rael’s words didn’t stop.

“If possible, I hope it’s made of a material that’s strong against demons, and I hope blood flows down well even if it gets on it. Ah, I hope the cutting sound is also small, and I hope it maintains its performance even in extreme temperature changes.”

“…Hero-nim. Are you asking me to make a holy sword? I’m sorry, but that’s impossible.”

“Is that so? Then please make it as you can.”

Rael nodded his head as if he was disappointed.

He said everything that came to his mind, but he didn’t think it would be possible.

“Hero-nim. Then you should have said that from the beginning.”

“You never know. I heard you’re the best magical tool maker, so I just said everything that came to my mind.”

“Hoo… That sounds like a provocation.”

Serena turned her head.

She saw the magic swords she had made hanging on the wall.

If she combined all of their characteristics, a great sword would definitely come out.

“Okay. Yuriel. Take your boyfriend and leave. I have to make magical tools from now on.”

“Yes? I, I’m not her boyfriend… No, not yet….”

“…Miss Yuri. Let’s go.”

“Ah, yes! Rael-ssi.”

Yuri walked out quickly.

For some reason, her back looked light.

“Why does my head feel like it’s going to hurt? Tsk.”

Rael sighed deeply and followed her.