The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 196

Swish-

Dark abyssal magic enveloped Caiman’s body, swirling around him.

Even though he faced the Hero differently than planned, he still had a chance.

‘Those foolish humans. They’re letting their guard down.’

He knew the rumors about the Hero of the Gaia Order well.

A disciple of the continent’s greatest swordsman and the wielder of the Holy Sword.

He had hunted countless demons, defeated Gideon Garcia, the Empire’s best swordsman who was also famous among demons, survived an encounter with Calliope, and made remarkable contributions to sealing Lucifer.

However, the fact that the Hero wielded the Holy Sword could be an opportunity for Caiman.

“We’ll have to fight to see who dies, Hero.”

The abyss of Alheim is deep and vast.

The abyssal sea, which has existed since ancient times, was the mouth of a monster that devoured demons.

However, a very few demons endure the abyssal sea and become one with its magic.

For those demons who survive the process of becoming one with magic, divine power is no longer a deadly poison.

For Caiman, who was reborn, divine power was not a terrifying force. It was just another form of magic.

If the Hero uses the Holy Sword, he will use divine power.

Then Caiman would have a chance.

Thud-

Caiman drew out his long claws and rushed at the Hero.

Caiman’s claws, shrouded in dark magic, contained the power to silence any being in a single blow.

“Yeah. That’s easier than running away.”

Rael stepped back, infusing magic into the Heavenly Iron Sword’s aura.

It was his first time using the Heavenly Iron Sword with the Skyrending Sword Technique, but it wasn’t too difficult.

The Flash [Rael’s sword] was a perfect fit for Rael, almost like the Holy Sword Saint.

Skyrending Sword Technique, Third Form, Trample the Sky.

The Heavenly Iron Sword’s aura, swirling around Rael’s Flash, roared.

A tremendous force that transcended space lacerated Caiman’s entire body.

Clang!

Caiman’s body, slashed by numerous sword auras, flew backward.

Fortunately, he avoided fatal injuries, but all of his proud claws were broken.

“Kuh …!”

Caiman suppressed a surge from within, his eyes gleaming.

A single blow made his head spin and his body scream.

He recognized that unidentified sword.

The Skyrending Sword Lord, the continent’s greatest swordsman, the sword that monster used.

The Hero was also using the same sword.

‘There’s still a chance.’

But he couldn’t give up so easily. He still had enough magic.

Caiman immediately focused his magic on his legs instead of his claws.

At the same time, he gathered all his strength and lunged at Rael.

He thought that after using such tremendous swordsmanship, Rael would never be able to react to such speed.

Caiman widened his eyes and reached out towards Rael’s heart.

“This bastard is really tough.”

“Wh, what …?!”

However, when Caiman made eye contact with Rael, he quickly realized that his assumption was wrong.

Misjudgment.

That monster is not susceptible to such tricks.

By the time he realized it, it was already too late to stop.

Crack!

As if intersecting with Caiman’s hand, the Flash’s blade pierced Caiman’s chest.

Beyond the sensation of cutting through steel, Rael felt a familiar sensation at his fingertips.

The unpleasant sensation of ending a living being’s life.

But Rael didn’t stop.

The opponent was not human but a demon, a monster among the abyssal demons.

Rael pushed even more divine power into the Flash.

Crackle- Crackle!

Rael slammed divine power into the tough demon’s chest.

Bang!

Naturally, the divine power that burst out pierced through the demon’s chest and out his back.

The exploding divine power created a large hole in Caiman’s chest.

At that moment.

A huge hand fell above Rael’s head.

“Ugh, you scared me. What kind of monster is this?”

Rael kicked off Caiman’s body, stepped back, and shook his head as if he was fed up.

He made eye contact with Caiman, who was still glaring at him despite having a hole in his chest.

The guy put his hand on his chest and guarded against Rael.

“Why, why… Khuh, why isn’t it healing …?”

Caiman stroked his chest as if he couldn’t understand.

Demons are a race born for battle.

It wouldn’t be strange for such injuries to heal immediately.

Of course, injuries caused by divine power are difficult for demons to heal, but he was a demon who had endured the abyssal sea.

There was no way he couldn’t withstand mere divine power.

“What did you do… What the hell did you do!”

Caiman charged at Rael, filled with anger.

There was still a huge hole in his chest, but it didn’t hinder his movement.

“That’s what I want to say. Shouldn’t you be dead if you have a hole in your chest?”

Clang!

Divine power dwelled in Rael’s Flash again.

He blocked Caiman’s claws that slashed in all directions, piercing through the gap.

It was true that there was a hole in Caiman’s chest, but that didn’t mean he had weakened.

The monster demon’s movements hadn’t slowed down at all, and it seemed to have become even stronger, fueled by anger.

Bang! Bang!

Caiman’s huge claws and Rael’s Flash collided.

The pitch-black magic enveloped the surroundings, putting pressure on the humans, but it was the huge demon who was being pushed back.

“Hero, you…! My magic has no effect at all! Unbelievable!”

Caiman couldn’t understand the situation he was in.

He had been spewing magic throughout the fight, and the Hero in front of him had been inhaling all of it.

Magic that is deadly to humans. Especially the darkest abyssal magic.

But why was that human wielding his sword as if nothing was wrong!

“It’s okay if you don’t understand. I was planning to finish it soon anyway.”

“You’re talking nonsense! Do you think you can kill me!”

“Yeah. I’ve seen enough of the abyssal magic. Now I can remember it for sure.”

“What is that …!”

At that moment, Caiman’s body stopped with a thud.

A pure white light dwelled in Rael’s sword.

Skyrending Sword Technique, Fourth Form, Shatter the Sky.

The rapid sword that shatters the sky and pierces a thousand stars unfolded from Rael’s hand.

“Ugh …?”

His hand was tingling.

Rael realized the strength of the divine power he was pushing into the sword.

‘This is… much stronger than I thought.’

Divine power was sacred and powerful, but it was ferocious like a beast.

It was a force that could go out of control if not properly controlled.

But even knowing that, Rael didn’t stop Shatter the Sky.

A dangerous power meant an even stronger power.

Rael entrusted himself to the divine power and unfolded Shatter the Sky.

KWAHHHHHHHH!

Shatter the Sky, imbued with divine power, instantly devoured Caiman’s body, sweeping away everything around Caiman with a roar.

Naturally, the aftermath spread to the surroundings as well.

The atmosphere vibrated, creating a huge storm, and a pure white light filled the world.

After a moment, when the sacred flash subsided.

Everyone in this place stared at one point.

“How can this be …. ”

“H, how can such power …. ”

The nobles of Nagore widened their eyes and looked at where Caiman had been.

The demon, who had been rampaging like a mad dog, had disappeared as if turned to dust.

The only thing that made them aware that the demon had existed was the trace of magic engraved on the earth as he died.

The Desert Kingdom of Nagore did not revere power as much as the Kamen Empire, but that did not mean that they were ignorant enough not to recognize the Hero’s tremendous power.

They carefully turned their heads and looked at Rael.

“Gaia-men.”

“Hero …! Gaia-men …!”

Awe arose in the eyes of the Holy Knights.

Tears of emotion welled up at the fact that they were witnessing the divinity performed by the Hero of the Gaia Order with their own eyes.

“Get up. Carlson.”

“Ugh, thank you, brother.”

Regardless.

Rael helped Carlson up and walked towards the Silver Cross Knights.

The nobles all looked flustered.

It hadn’t even been 10 minutes since the Hero had received a revelation that there was a demon and had suddenly broken into the mansion.

They were not properly accepting the reality that a demon was hiding among them.

“…Are these guys sightseeing? Okay, we caught the demon. Disperse.”

“Rael, you should say something cooler right now.”

“Cool words are bullshit …. Hmm, wait a minute.”

Rael, who had been waving his hand as if he was annoyed, suddenly changed his mind.

He had just seen the true potential of divine power.

A dangerous and powerful force that could not even be compared to ordinary divine power.

Rael needed more of this power.

Then… wouldn’t it be right to make them ‘revere’ him a little more, even at times like this?

‘This isn’t my personality, but… tsk.’

Rael cleared his throat and looked at the Holy Knights and nobles again.

“Ahem. The demon that threatened you has been successfully eliminated. My power is a shield and sword for the continent. Even if a greater threat comes in the future, I will fight without fear. That is what I must do as the Hero of the Gaia Order.”

He felt like his face was turning red even as he spoke…

Unfortunately, Rael had no talent in this area.

“Gaia Order Hero Rael, long live!”

But as soon as Rael finished speaking, Carlson, who was standing next to him, raised his hand and shouted.

“Long live Rael!”

The Holy Knights followed Carlson’s lead.

“Hero!”

“Rael! Long live!”

Carlson was raising the corners of his mouth, but the Holy Knights were serious.

They were moved by the fact that they were praising the Hero in this place.

‘…I feel strange.’

It seems like I’m not suited for this kind of thing.

Rael turned around with that conviction.

*

After killing Caiman, Rael felt a sense of wonder knowing that his divine power had increased a little more.

It was a very strange feeling that the abstract concept of people’s faith was actually increasing his power.

“What the hell. What is that.”

And a few days later.

Rael stared blankly with his mouth open at the huge statue in the Imperial Capital.

It was a statue of a knight with a solemn expression, his left hand on his waist, and his right hand drawing his sword and pointing to the sky.

[Hero of the Gaia Order. Rael.]

And an familiar name was engraved below the statue.

“I heard it was His Holiness the Pope’s order. They are building statues of the Hero all over the Empire, and this is the first one. Thanks to you, Rael, I’m seeing a commoner’s statue being erected in my lifetime. …But Rael. Why the expression? You didn’t know, did you?”

Zenith, the leader of Beggards, looked at Rael with the expression of a mother seeing her son succeed.

“…”

And Rael blinked, forgetting to answer.

“Rael? Are you okay? Are you moved?”

“…Zenith. Are statues made in a week?”

Rael asked, dumbfounded.

“Of course. If it’s a statue of the Hero, it must be the most important thing, so the wizards of the Magic Tower must have been mobilized a lot. They must have used a lot of the donations they had collected.”

“So the donations were being used for statues …?”

Rael sighed.

It was only a few days ago that he was criticizing the Order for wasting donations, but he never thought they would be building his statue.

“That Pope bastard… No, should I be thankful …? Hmm ….”

Rael put his hand on his chest.

Was it just his imagination? It seemed like his divine power had increased a little.

Now that he knew the greatness of divine power, he might have to go thank the Heavenly Demon instead.

“Zenith. Is it okay to make something like this when the Emperor’s coronation is coming up?”

Rael said, suddenly thinking as he looked at the statue.

Is it okay to make a statue of someone else at a sensitive time when the Emperor is about to change?

“Hey. Who doesn’t know about the relationship between you and Princess Yuriel? It’ll be alright.”

“…Is that how it works?”

I don’t know anymore.

Let them do whatever they want with the statue.

Rael shook his head and turned around.