The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 20

Dangerous Element

The day after meeting Tia.

Rahel was once again sitting blankly in front of the Special Guard’s garden.

His mind was filled with the conversation he had with Tia yesterday.

‘The Ghoul King’s rampage. And the Thousand Slaughter Sword Master and the Dragon…’

Why is the Ghoul King rampaging?

Why couldn’t the Thousand Slaughter Sword Master and the Dragon stop her?

These questions had been bothering Rahel since last night, but thinking about them now wouldn’t provide any answers.

‘My body is also a problem, huh.’

Tia took a lot of Rahel’s blood, saying she would do a thorough examination.

He didn’t know how long the examination would take, but Rahel had no idea what the results would be.

‘The hero of the era should be in the academy, not me…’

Tia made such a fuss that Rahel felt strange.

It was the kind of thought that any man might have: ‘What if I’m actually the main character of the world?’

Sigh.

Rahel shook his messy head and stood up.

He needed to shake off unproductive thoughts quickly.

“Gent.”

“What is it, Rahel?”

“Tia… that dragon, I keep thinking something’s strange about her, don’t you think?”

Backstabbing was the best way to get rid of negative thoughts.

Because gossiping about others is the most fun.

The target was Tia, who had complicated his head.

“You’re the only one in the world who would say that about Tia, the only dragon left on the continent.”

Gent casually responded to Rahel’s words and focused on cultivating the garden.

Nature and the world were alive in this small garden.

He needed to observe the beauty of this world more.

“No, listen to me! She tried to dissect me.”

“What would you be worth dissecting, Rahel?”

“… Frustrating, so frustrating. These Immortal Species Cartel bastards.”

He thought elves and giants were the end of it, but it seems dragons are also included in the Immortal Species Cartel.

Even when he appealed to his injustice, no one listened to Rahel.

“Mr. Rahel. Mr. Gent. Good morning.”

At that moment, Yuri, who came out of the Special Guard building, greeted them.

She was wearing a dress that medieval fantasy commoners would wear.

“Good morning, Yuri.”

“Good morning, Ms. Yuri.”

Rahel bowed his head.

He always had to maintain a good image with the next emperor, Yuri.

“Are you going out today?”

“Yes. I’m planning to take a walk around District 4.”

Yuri smiled as if she was in a good mood for her once-a-month outing.

‘A chance to start a conversation.’

He was already aiming to become close to the next emperor, Yuri, but he usually had no excuse to approach her.

Rahel spoke to her with the kindest face he could muster.

“Good timing. I’m going to District 4 later, would you like to go together?”

“… I’m sorry, Mr. Rahel. I have a prior engagement.”

“Ah. I understand. Have a good time.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Rahel. See you tomorrow.”

Yuri politely bowed her head, smiled, and walked out of the Special Guard building.

After her figure disappeared, Gent, who was cultivating the garden, came over and patted Rahel’s shoulder.

“You got rejected. It’s okay, Rahel. You have Reina.”

“Gent. Please stop with the nonsense. Why is Reina coming up?”

Why is this bastard making me out to be someone who got dumped?

He didn’t even plan to confess, but he felt like he had been rejected because of Gent.

“Why is Reina coming up? Weren’t you supposed to go out with Reina today?”

“Huh? … Oh, right.”

A promise he had been postponing because he kept having things to do.

He had to meet the loan sharks who lent money to Reina.

“Reina is happy that she’s getting so much help from you.”

“Tsk… Yeah. I have to take care of that bratty elf. Who else would?”

In any case, the ridiculously high interest rates are clearly illegal under imperial law.

Rahel, as the (former) captain of the Imperial Guard, must uphold the peace.

“I didn’t think you were the type to take on troublesome tasks, but it’s amazing. When you first came to the guard, I thought it would be impossible for you to get along with Reina.”

Gent said, looking at Rahel with a curious expression.

Reina, who hated humans being transferred to the Special Guard, was getting along so well with Rahel.

Her change was truly amazing.

“Really? Hey, Gent. How long has it been since you’ve known Reina?”

“It’s only been 5 years since Yuri saved her from being branded as a traitor by the elves and being chased… It hasn’t even been that long.”

He learned a new fact.

If Yuri saved her from being chased by the elves, doesn’t that mean Yuri and Gent know Reina’s situation?

“Then do you know why Reina betrayed the elves?”

Gent stared intently at Rahel, then put down his trowel and sat on a chair near the garden he was working on.

Sensing that important words were about to come out, Rahel stood next to him.

Gent slowly crossed his arms and opened his mouth.

“I don’t know anything.”

“… You’re really not helpful at all.”

Why did he set the mood if he was going to say that?

Rahel’s dissatisfied gaze pierced Gent, and Gent belatedly continued.

“I don’t know Reina’s situation, but I know why the elves think Reina is a traitor.”

“Oh, what’s the reason?”

Thwack-

Gent threw a ripe tomato at Rahel.

Rahel caught the tomato and brought it to his mouth.

“I heard she made a deal with a demon who was targeting the World Tree.”

“… A demon? Are you talking about the Demon race?”

Just as the different races are divided into elves, giants, and dwarves, the Demon race is also divided into several races.

Demons are one of those branches.

“A few years ago, rumors spread that an elf was cooperating with a demon who was targeting the World Tree. Since then, Reina has been called a traitor by the elves. Of course, we can’t confirm the truth because Reina won’t open her mouth.”

“She doesn’t answer even if you ask her?”

“I didn’t bother asking. Whether she’s a traitor or not, the fact that she’s a comrade doesn’t change.”

“…”

After hearing that, he became incredibly concerned.

Clearly, Reina’s betrayal seemed to be closely related to the destruction of the elves that Rahel knew.

‘But… if she really made a deal with a demon, she wouldn’t have let the elves who attacked her go alive.’

The strange thing was that Reina, who betrayed the elves, still loved her own kind.

The fact that she let the elves who attacked Reina go was proof of that.

‘That bastard’s name was Kern.’

If Reina had really betrayed her clan, she would have killed Kern and his gang.

If she hadn’t betrayed them, she would have made an excuse, but she didn’t say a word.

‘She did betray them, but she still loves the elves… Is it a betrayal that can’t be revealed?’

He couldn’t get an answer even if he asked Reina directly, so there was no point in guessing from here.

Rahel shook his head as if he was dissatisfied.

“Tsk. What is she, some kind of Dark Knight? Hey, Gent.”

“Hmm?”

“You’re not hiding some huge secret too, are you? I’m telling you in advance, I really hate that kind of troublesome thing.”

Gent blinked at Rahel’s words, then raised the corners of his mouth and laughed heartily.

It was the first time he had seen such a big expression of emotion from Gent.

“Hahaha. Don’t worry, Rahel. I just love nature and the human world.”

Gent laughed and came over to Rahel, patting him on the shoulder.

“… You’re really suspicious as hell.”

Rahel sighed.

This bastard is definitely hiding something.

This wasn’t suspicion, it was certainty.

“Gent. Don’t say you’re sorry later when you get caught, tell me now…”

“Hehe. What are you all doing?!”

At that moment, an elf ran from the other side of the forest.

Reina was smiling today as if something good had happened.

“We were cultivating the garden, Reina. Rahel is looking forward to going to meet the loan sharks with you.”

“What nonsense are you talking about, Gent?”

“Oh, right! That was today! Let’s go right away! Yuri isn’t here, so she won’t know even if we go out!”

“… This organization is really messed up.”

Rahel stared blankly at the elf who was laughing excitedly.

An elf who betrayed the elves but still loves them.

What secret does Reina have… Rahel wanted to know.

*

The Imperial Capital is divided into a total of 5 districts.

District 1, where the imperial family and high-ranking nobles live.

District 2, where lower-ranking nobles and wealthy commoners live.

The lower Districts 3, 4, and 5 were where commoners lived.

The lower you went, the more poor people there were, and the difference in living standards was severe, but in fact, the nobles saw all of Districts 3, 4, and 5 as the same area for commoners.

The streets of District 4, covered in ivy.

Yuri passed through the alleys and came out onto a relatively wide road.

“The air is better in District 4 than in District 5, Isabel.”

“There are many commoners who live properly in District 4, but District 5 is mostly made up of the poor and beggars.”

“I know that. I’m saying the feeling is different.”

Yuri hid her face and continued her walk, looking around District 4.

Although she was only allowed to go out once a month, she was more happy now than when she was in the Imperial Palace.

All she could see in the Imperial Palace was the beautiful side of the Empire.

The reality of the Empire, which was not allowed for the princess, could only be seen by walking around herself.

“If you’re being fed and housed, why aren’t you working!”

For example, something like that.

“Ugh! Ah, it hurts! I’m sorry!”

Slap- Slap-

Yuri frowned as she watched the young slave being whipped.

The lowest-level workers who supported the Empire were mostly slaves.

Princess Yuriel had been taught that most of the Empire’s slaves were criminals.

But the reality Yuri saw was different.

‘Most of the Empire’s slaves are inherited by status. They are branded as slaves from birth just because their parents are slaves.’

But… what is the difference between a human born between slaves and a human born between nobles?

What did that child do wrong to be born a slave, and what did the noble’s child do right to live lavishly and use slaves?

Things she hadn’t seen when she was in the Imperial Palace began to appear only when she stood in the lowest place.

“Stop it.”

“What? Who are you to…!”

Thwack-

At that moment, Isabel, who was behind Yuri, drew her sword.

The owner, who was directly hit by Isabel’s cold gaze, was startled and trembled.

“G, get up. The weather is bad, let’s go inside. Ahem…”

He rolled up the whip he had used to lift the slave and went inside.

If he had acted up a little more, she would have cut off one of his arms, but he was a quick-witted commoner.

“…”

The slave glanced at the princess and Isabel and quietly went inside.

Yuri watched that scene for a while and started walking again.

“Yuriel-nim [formal title for Yuri].”

“I’m sorry, Isabel. I promised not to cause trouble, but I got involved again.”

“This much is fine… But Yuriel-nim didn’t help that child.”

“…”

“The slave’s owner may beat the slave even more severely because his pride was hurt, or he may starve him for the day. In exchange for Yuriel-nim’s momentary peace of mind, that child will be unhappy for the next few days.”

“I understand, Isabel. I’m sorry for being nosy.”

Yuri sighed and moved her feet.

She’s right.

Nothing can be changed with such trivial actions.

‘For the Empire… I have to do it.’

The 2nd Princess is evaluated as already being far from the battle for the throne, but Yuri did not give up.

She must become the emperor to change the Empire.

[This way! This way!]

[Shut up. Are you going to spread rumors that we’re going to beat them up?]!

At that time, a familiar voice broke Yuri’s thoughts.

When she turned her head, she saw Reina and Rahel.

“Oh my. It’s Reina-ssi [honorific] and Rahel-ssi [honorific].”

Yuri smiled with a happy face.

However, Isabel, who was behind her, narrowed her eyes and looked at Rahel.

“He asked Yuriel-nim to go out together at the Special Guard earlier. That man seems to be interested in the princess. We need to be careful.”

“That can’t be. Maybe he just wanted to get close?”

“No. He asked a woman out on a date and failed, so he immediately switched to another woman… He’s definitely a bad guy. It’s my feeling as a palace maid.”

“Isabel. Your feelings have never been right.”

Yuri chuckled.

Isabel’s feelings were famous for being bad even in the Imperial Palace.

“Captain Rahel! These apples are delicious today. Have one!”

“Thank you. But I’m okay today.”

“Rahel hyung-nim [term of endearment for older brother]! Long time no see! I got into the guard this time thanks to you, hyung-nim [term of endearment for older brother]!”

“Aren’t you Glins? That’s great. Visit the orphanage often. Berga misses you.”

Rahel walked down the street, greeting people passing by.

Reina, who was standing next to him, opened her mouth as she watched Rahel’s popularity.

“What is it, Rahel? Why is your reputation so good? Is this a group acting?”

“Is it acting? This is the real world.”

Yuri smiled contentedly as she watched the two walk side by side.

Just watching their date was fun.

“Look at that, Isabel. I told you he wasn’t interested in me, right?”

“I should have known from his face… He seems to be a playboy.”

Isabel was still negative, but Isabel’s feelings were originally bad.

After a while, Rahel and Reina stood in front of a bar.

Now they’re going to have a good time there.

‘It was a date after all. I hope you have a good time.’

In-house dating is not illegal in the Empire.

Yuri turned her body, wishing the two men and women happiness.

Kwaaaang-

And, she turned her head again at the loud noise that echoed belatedly.

“These bastards… Who told you to do usury like this! Do you think the imperial law is a joke?!”

Rahel, who kicked down the door of the bar and broke it, entered with a confident step.

‘Huh?’

Do you usually… break down the door of a bar and enter on a date?

Is he appealing to his manly side?

“What! Is it an attack?!”

“It’s, it’s that crazy guard captain again! Run away!”

“Huh? What did you just say? You bastard…”

“Aaaaaaack!”

“Those three guys running away over there. Aren’t you the bastards who attacked me at the inn last time? Didn’t I tell you I remember your faces?”

“Damn it! Run away right now!”

The Zaid Mercenary Corps fled in panic as if they had seen a monster.

However, Rahel was capturing the mercenaries one by one, hitting them in the head.

“Who said you could? Huh? Who said you could cause a ruckus in the Empire? What? If you borrow one gold coin, it becomes two gold coins in two months? These bastards who don’t even have a sense of business ethics…”

Rahel was single-handedly destroying one mercenary corps.

Yuri, who was blankly watching the scene, trembled.

“W, what is that…”

There shouldn’t be anything like that in the Special Guard’s work…?.

“Cheer up! Strength! Cheer up! Strength! You bad guys! Rahel! Get all my money back!”

At the entrance of the bar, Reina was jumping up and down, cheering for Rahel.

One of the mercenaries who barely escaped from Rahel’s arms glared at Reina and yelled.

“Re, Reina! How could you bring such a monster! Don’t you need a branch of the World Tree! I know that everyone except our mercenary corps has been rejected…!”

“Get out of here, you bald guy!”

“Kuaaack!”

In the meantime, she didn’t forget to hit the head of the mercenary who was trying to escape secretly from Rahel with her cane.

‘Even Reina-ssi…?’

Reina, who was always lying on the hammock, breaking the heads of mercenaries was a really new sight.

“To think you were living with such people… Especially that man is very barbaric. After all, people are beings that cannot be judged by information.”

The 2nd Princess’s exclusive maid, Isabel, took out paper and a pen from her arms as she watched the barbaric man.

As Yuriel’s maid, Isabel has a duty to monitor the people around the princess.

[Rahel. He is a dangerous element, so watch him closely. Absolutely no approaching the 2nd Princess!]!

Rahel moved one step away from the princess without even knowing it.