The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 31

Celestial Rite

The appearance of demons in the capital of the Karmen Empire was a serious matter that couldn’t be ignored.

Reports of demons were coming in from District 2, where many nobles resided, as well as Districts 3 and 4.

This indicated a significant breakdown in the empire’s security.

To compound the problem, the empire’s response was proving inadequate.

In District 2, the mages of the Blue Magic Tower were the first to act, while in Districts 3 and 4, the clergy, led by the Silver Cross Knights, took the lead in suppressing the demons.

The clergy and the Magic Tower, seizing the opportunity, began to formally protest to the imperial family, a situation that reflected poorly on the empire.

“Isabelle, what happened?”

Second Princess Yuri was inside the Special Guard building, questioning Isabelle.

She struggled to understand how the empire had reached such a disgraceful state.

As soon as Yuri received Rael’s report about the appearance of demons, she immediately informed the imperial family.

Ideally, the empire should have detected and dealt with the demons in District 3 before the clergy intervened.

“That is…”

Isabelle, uncharacteristically hesitant, trailed off and lowered her head.

With an apologetic expression, she continued, “I’m sorry. I tried my best to convey the seriousness of the situation, but… my concerns were completely dismissed.”

Isabelle had reported the appearance of demons, but the imperial family had ignored her warnings.

Yuri frowned as she looked at Isabelle.

It wasn’t Isabelle’s fault.

The problem lay with the imperial family, which had disregarded the Second Princess’s report.

“…Where did the communication break down?”

“Although it’s not entirely certain… I believe Gideon Garcia, the commander of the Karmen Knights, is responsible.”

The Karmen Knights, representing the imperial family, had ignored the report of demons appearing.

Yuri leaned back on the sofa, questioning this fact.

‘Gideon Garcia… what on earth is he trying to do?’

The commander of the Karmen Knights, Gideon Garcia, was known as a man devoted to serving the empire.

He advocated for war with the demons in the forbidden Alheim [a dangerous, demon-infested region] to strengthen the empire, but he wouldn’t intentionally take actions that would harm it.

‘Could it be… is he really contemplating starting a war between the empire and the demons?’

Yuri resolved to keep a close watch on Gideon Garcia.

Loyalty to the empire didn’t necessarily equate to being beneficial to the empire’s best interests.

“Isabelle, will that man be participating in the Celestial Rite next week?”

“Yes. This year, the imperial family and high-ranking nobles have decided to participate to demonstrate the empire’s strength.”

“…Okay. Keep a close eye on Gideon Garcia, then.”

What if she had been the First Prince?

Would the report have been ignored then, and would the imperial family have been spared this disgrace?

Yuri sighed at the thought.

‘I need power.’

She needed even greater power.

Power to control the empire, and ultimately, her own destiny…

*

The Special Guard building had an open roof, allowing sunlight to stream in.

Rael was enjoying a rare moment of leisure in the guard.

Looking at the sky, he noticed an unusually large number of birds.

“Why are so many birds flying?”

Rael watched the birds moving in a V formation with a curious expression.

“Those birds are species that migrate their habitats according to the season. It’s one of nature’s many wonders.”

“…Gent. I appreciate the information, but could you please refrain from discussing the wonders of nature? I’m starting to get tired of hearing about it.”

Gent was, once again, engrossed in nature.

It seemed he had an even greater affinity for nature than Reina did.

“Understood. But Rael, you’ve become quite the topic of conversation among humans.”

“What are you talking about? Why is he famous?”

Reina, who had been playing with Vermeil III [likely a pet or familiar], joined the conversation after hearing Gent’s words.

Seeing the formation of the Long-lived Species Cartel [a humorous term for their group], Rael focused on watching the birds, tuning them out.

It didn’t seem like any productive conversation would come from those two.

“I’ve heard rumors that you’ve been defeating demons that appeared in the capital. I haven’t heard the specifics of how strong the demons were, though…”

“What? It was nothing. They were just low-ranking demons, anyway.”

“Well, it seems that the strength of demons varies greatly from individual to individual. Rael, what kind of demon did you catch?”

Hearing his name, Rael slightly opened his eyes and looked at Gent.

Where did this giant pick up such rumors?

“I caught a mid-level demon, but it was really nothing, so don’t worry about it.”

“Oh. A mid-level demon? You managed to avoid being poisoned by mana?”

Reina, quickly approaching, began to scan Rael’s body.

Rael’s body, resisting mana and eerie energy, was still an amazing sight, no matter how many times she witnessed it.

“I told you, I’m a genius. But Gent, you’re surprisingly well-informed about rumors? I didn’t know you were interested in that kind of thing?”

Rael asked, looking at Gent.

It felt strange that the usually quiet guy was acting this way.

“I enjoy observing the flow of the human world as much as I enjoy nature.”

“I didn’t get that impression, but that’s amazing.”

He spends all day sitting and looking at the garden, yet he’s quick to catch up on rumors.

I wonder if he’s somehow managing his time twice as efficiently.

“I don’t actively seek out rumors. I simply enjoy observing humans. I’m planning to wander around and observe humans at the upcoming Celestial Rite as well.”

“Celestial Rite? …Ah, is it that time already?”

Rael nodded at the familiar name.

The Karmen Empire’s Celestial Rite.

A festival held every year around this time, primarily in Districts 2 and 3.

It’s a festival to commemorate the empire’s first emperor, but… frankly, I wasn’t very interested.

Originally, festivals are often held in poorer neighborhoods to uplift the people.

I guess it’s just a way to manage public sentiment among the commoners.

Rael had often patrolled as the captain of the guard, so it was a memorable festival for him.

‘Come to think of it, if it’s this year’s Celestial Rite… is that when that guy finally becomes active?’

The Celestial Rite is where the original protagonist first becomes active outside the academy.

It was around the time of graduation, so this year was definitely the year.

‘It’s strange that the protagonist is only now making moves, but…’

The world itself was strange in the first place.

Is the poor security of the academy, which only the children of nobles attend, an inevitable trope of academy stories?

With incidents happening every day, he must have been busy just dealing with the internal affairs of the academy.

“Oh, a festival! Rael, let’s go see it together!”

“…Reina. Why would I go play with you? And aren’t you being hunted by elves? Is it safe for you to wander around?”

“It’s okay. I’ve completely absorbed the power of the World Tree branch you gave me.”

“I’m not going. Go play with Gent or that fox.”

Rael closed his eyes, leaning back in the hammock.

He had decided to live as things go, but there was no reason to attend the Celestial Rite knowing that an incident was likely to occur.

‘Ah, but I have to keep the kids at the orphanage from going. …Wait a minute. Then shouldn’t I keep all the people I know from going?’

If someone I know dies at the Celestial Rite, I won’t be able to sleep well…

Once I started worrying about it, there was no end.

Just as Rael was seriously contemplating, Gent spoke up.

“I heard that the imperial family is attending this Celestial Rite.”

“Huh? Why are the heavy-assed royals coming down?”

“Since the demons have invaded, they probably want to demonstrate the strength of the imperial family. As a result, this Celestial Rite will be the most splendid festival yet.”

“The imperial family…”

Rael began to think at the mention of the imperial family.

There aren’t many opportunities to actually see the imperial family, and if the imperial family attends, all the other important nobles will likely be there as well.

It might be helpful to see the faces of the characters from the original story.

“Rael, let’s go together. I don’t know my way around Districts 2 and 3.”

Reina grabbed Rael’s hammock and started shaking it back and forth.

The crazy elf was now staging a physical protest.

“Okay. Let’s go together, Reina. Leave the hammock alone, I said I’ll go.”

Rael nodded.

If the imperial family is attending, it’s worth visiting the Celestial Rite.

I should also tell people I know to run away, just in case.

“Oh, really?!”

“Yeah. But you have to follow me quietly.”

Rael looked at the Special Security Forces building, thinking of Yuri inside.

‘I’ll get to see Yuri’s real self.’

At the Celestial Rite [a grand religious ceremony], I’ll see Princess Yuriel, not just Yuri.

I’m also looking forward to seeing the next emperor as a member of the imperial family.

* * *

The top floor of the Blue Magic Tower.

In Perma’s room, two men’s voices were heard.

“Invading the capital during a truce is practically a declaration of war, isn’t it?”

Perma’s trusted secretary, Chiron, said, seemingly angry.

He felt disgusted by the demons who had suddenly invaded the empire.

“We only made a truce with the Demon King’s army. If remnants not belonging to the Demon King’s army are running rampant, there’s nothing we can say.”

Perma analyzed the situation objectively.

Unless we’re going to start the Great War again, there’s nothing humans can do to demons the moment they cut off their tails [cease to be affiliated with the Demon King].

“That’s just sophistry! It’s an obvious lie! Besides, isn’t it Alheim’s fault for not managing them properly?”

“Humans are also prohibited from entering Alheim [the demon realm], but demon hunters are still prevalent. If you’re going to nitpick, it’s the same on their side.”

Demonic byproducts, filled with mana, are irreplaceable items for sorcerers.

Moreover, there are unique products only found in Alheim, so many people make a living from such things.

“That’s true, but… isn’t invading the capital a different story?”

“They also have a lot to complain about. The Gaia Order [a religious order dedicated to hunting demons] exists in the empire.”

To become an Inquisitor of the Gaia Order, one must enter the forbidden Alheim alone and hunt demons.

As long as the Gaia Order is the state religion of the empire, the conflict between demons and humans cannot end.

“Damn it…”

“Chiron. The problem isn’t ‘why’ the demons invaded District 2, but ‘how’ they invaded District 2. I can’t understand it no matter how much I think about it.”

District 2 of the capital is where even lower nobles live.

Therefore, the Carmen Knights, the representative knight order of the Imperial Family, are thoroughly guarding it.

‘It’s ridiculous for mid-level demons to invade the empire.’

The Carmen Knights are the best knight order in the empire, mostly composed of early Graduates and accomplished Graduates [individuals who have completed a rigorous training program], making them the strongest military group on the continent.

Any ordinary demon would turn to dust as soon as they set foot in the capital.

“We officially protested to the empire, but we still haven’t received a response. It means the empire also feels there’s a problem.”

Someone who perfectly knew the gaps in the knight order betrayed them.

Perma considered that possibility to be the most likely.

It’s the most realistic and logical deduction.

“…We can’t completely trust the empire for the time being.”

“Yes. It’s best not to trust the empire until the next emperor is decided. By the way, Chiron, didn’t you say that the information guild we talked about last time sent information?”

A strange security guard he found while going to meet Eric.

Perma had requested the information guild to investigate him.

“His name was… Baggus, right? A place with a nice ring to it.”

“Yes. I read it once before delivering it to the Magic Tower Lord, and… the quality of the information seems quite good.”

Chiron placed the documents he received from Baggus on the table.

“Hmm…?”

Perma was inwardly surprised as he looked at the documents.

The information about the Special Security Forces and Rael was written in great detail.

The Special Security Forces as seen by civilians and outer security forces.

And detailed personal information about a person named Rael.

Unlike other information guilds, it felt like vivid on-site reporting.

“…Chiron. This is the first time I’ve received such detailed information from an information guild.”

“I thought so too.”

“And, what’s this about the important part being 18cm? Did they measure it themselves?”

Perma read through the information provided by Baggus.

After reading the information that Rael had caught demons with a paladin, Perma put down the documents and slowly turned his head.

He looked at Chiron and said,

“…Chiron. Isn’t the information too detailed?”

“I think so too.”

“Could this be…?”

“Yes. I think you have the same idea as me.”

The two’s eyes met.

In the quiet silence, Perma nodded.

“They must be incredibly capable, but just haven’t been known because they haven’t been active for long.”

“That’s right. I think we were lucky to have discovered them before the Imperial Family! In my opinion, we should request information from Baggus for the Blue Magic Tower from now on.”

Perma and Chiron were impressed by Baggus’s incredible information gathering skills.

It was information filled with on-site reporting that couldn’t be obtained from other information guilds.

It was as if they had asked the beggars on the street.

“Is the trust in this place called Baggus certain?”

“Yes. As a result of a personal investigation, it is a newly established information guild with no connections.”

“Good. Then let’s gradually entrust them with the things that the Blue Magic Tower was independently investigating.”

“Understood. Ah, should I also have them investigate the empire’s response when demons invaded the capital?”

“I don’t think they’ll be able to find out that part… but it’s okay to send it anyway.”

Baggus is an information organization that operates on the outskirts.

He didn’t expect them to know what happened in the center of the capital at all.

* * *

Rael, who came out of the Special Security Forces, met Carlson at a bar in District 4.

He couldn’t go directly to the orphanage, so he had to meet Carlson separately.

“Ha. Rael, brother. Is it because it’s been a while? It’s not easy to win money with dice. Even Gaia [the goddess of this world] pointed out today as the day, but why…?”

“…How are you a paladin while saying such things out loud?”

Rael clicked his tongue, looking at the paladin who had lost money in dice gambling.

He wondered how this idiot became a paladin.

“That’s not important. Brother! My money is gone.”

“Instead of thinking negatively about losing money, think positively that you alone filled the pockets of others.”

“Oh, brother. You’re smart? That’s also in the name of Gaia…”

Rael shook his head, watching Carlson start praying.

He was disappointed that his only paladin connection was this kind of guy.

“Carlson. You’re still a Silver Cross Knight, right? Did you hear any strange stories when you were in District 1?”

“Yes? Suddenly? What kind of story are you talking about?”

“Anything is fine. Didn’t you overhear anything?”

The Silver Cross Knights often appear in the original story.

It could be helpful if he overheard anything.

“Hmm… I’ve heard a lot, but there’s no story that Rael, brother, would like… Ah, that’s right. There was also a story like that. The Imperial Knights did some sudden group training.”

“Group training?”

“Yes. It’s a top-secret training, so even the knights in District 1 are hush-hush about it, but I was lucky enough to hear it while passing by the Knight Commander’s office. Hehe.”

Carlson lowered his voice, worried that people around him might hear.

“What’s the content of the top-secret training? Is it something like rebellion education against the empire?”

Rael also lowered his voice to match.

Top-secret training. It felt like something important was about to come out.

“Huh? I don’t know the details.”

“…You have a talent for being ambiguously helpful, Carlson.”

Rael shook his head in disbelief.

He didn’t know what was so important about simply doing top-secret training… but should he at least pass it on to Baggus?

Rael thought so and refilled his glass with alcohol.

“Carlson. I don’t care if you gamble and lose money, but are you properly cracking down around the orphanage?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve prepared 10 battle axes and greatswords each so that we can respond immediately if something happens. I thought there might be a lot of dangerous guys in this area.”

“…At that point, you seem like the most dangerous bastard in this area?”

“Huh? Is that so?”

Rael chuckled and raised his glass.

Seeing that, Carlson also smiled and cheered.

‘I think it’s strange that I’m hanging out with this kind of guy.’

He had such thoughts for a moment, but Rael tried to ignore them and drank his alcohol.