The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 39

Rein Knights

Harry, the oldest in the orphanage, gazed at the knight with wide, sparkling eyes.

The knights, who had unexpectedly arrived at the orphanage, greeted Sister Rayzel and began guarding the surrounding area.

Sister Rayzel was initially taken aback by their sudden appearance, but she quickly nodded when Raelle’s name was mentioned.

“Sir Knight, can you use Sword Qi [a type of energy manipulation used by swordsmen]?”

“Sword Qi? Of course.”

*Swish-*

Rein drew his sword and effortlessly created a wisp of Sword Qi for the little boy.

For him, being at the entry level of Sword Master, generating Sword Qi, not the more advanced Sword Aura, was child’s play.

“Wow… Then, if you and Raelle fought, who would win?”

Harry asked Rein, his face filled with curiosity.

He knew knights were strong, but in his eyes, Raelle was the strongest person he knew.

“Haha. I couldn’t say. I’ve never met him. By the way, what’s your name, little one?”

“Harry.”

“Is that so? Harry, it’s fine with me, but try not to say things like that in front of other knights.”

“Why? Raelle is super strong…”

“Hmm…”

Rein hesitated, looking into the boy’s bright, innocent eyes.

Having come from a fallen noble family, he had spent considerable time among commoners and was accustomed to their straightforwardness. However, he knew that some proud knights would take offense to such comparisons.

‘A Sword Master demonstrating Sword Qi for an orphanage kid…? Is there anyone as unpretentious as him?’

Meanwhile, Raelle, observing from the shadows, was inwardly impressed.

It was rare to encounter someone as powerful as Rein being so down-to-earth.

It had been a long time since he had seen such a genuinely kind knight in this medieval fantasy world.

‘If even the captain, not just a regular member, is like that… I think I can trust him.’

Putting aside the outcome of a hand-to-hand fight with Raelle, Rein, at the entry level of Sword Master, was undeniably one of the strongest individuals in the empire.

If such a person was guarding the orphanage, Raelle should be grateful.

‘But I still need to be certain.’

The very presence of the knights was suspicious, so he needed to investigate further.

Raelle sharpened his senses and stepped into the orphanage.

“Hmm?”

Rein, who had been playing with Harry, sensed a presence and turned his head.

A man he had never seen before was standing at the entrance.

“Who are you? This orphanage is off-limits to unauthorized personnel.”

“Raelle!”

Simultaneously with Rein’s words, Harry, who had been admiring the sword, rushed to Raelle and embraced him.

Raelle returned the hug warmly and entered the orphanage.

“Raelle? You were the one who requested security for this orphanage?”

“… Yes, that’s right.”

He hadn’t requested it from the Knights, but… Raelle decided to play along for now.

He had no idea why the Rein Knights were here, so he would observe their reactions.

“We’ll be seeing each other often, so I should get to know your face. Please take care of us.”

Rein smiled and scrutinized Raelle from head to toe.

He was dressed in commoners’ clothes, and his posture lacked the refinement of a noble.

‘He doesn’t seem wealthy enough to hire the Knights… Then he must have gained favor with His Highness the Grand Duke.’

Rein quickly formed his conclusion.

If he was a commoner who had impressed the Grand Duke, who lived in seclusion in the capital, Rein needed to cultivate a relationship with him.

He likely possessed something extraordinary.

“Yes, please take care of me as well.”

Raelle nodded and studied Rein.

After speaking with him directly, his doubts about Rein had almost vanished.

He seemed like a decent person, and Raelle’s heightened senses detected nothing amiss.

‘… I’m more worried about Eric.’

Thinking about it, several things seemed odd.

He had brought a branch of the World Tree, claiming to have a friend in the Magic Tower, and he had arranged for the Rein Knights when security was needed.

No matter how he looked at it, he didn’t seem like a regular at a bar in District 4.

‘I should stop by the bar later.’

Raelle thought as he led Harry inside the orphanage.

*

Hot.

Would it feel like this if you fell into lava?

No, with the inherent power of nature that elves possessed, they could withstand even lava.

The pain she was experiencing now was beyond comparison.

If she weren’t an elf with exceptional vitality, she might have already succumbed.

“Haa…”

*Thump- Thump-*

Her heartbeat raced, and her breathing became shallow and ragged.

It was the price she paid for forcibly opening the gate to the Spirit Realm by sacrificing her life force.

*Hack- Hack-*

“… It’s okay now. Vermeil III.”

Rayna gently stroked Vermeil III, who was panting beside her.

She felt a little better thanks to Vermeil III’s presence.

Instead of relaxing in her hammock as usual, she was lying in the shade of a tree.

She clutched five branches of the World Tree tightly, seeking to connect with nature as much as possible.

“Rayna, are you alright?”

“I told you I’m fine. It’s not the first time.”

“Even if you’re an elf, it’s best to take care of yourself. Here, this is porridge made with carrots from the north and potatoes from the south. The balance of yin and yang [a concept in Eastern philosophy referring to complementary opposites] allows for quick absorption into the body.”

“Thank you, Ghent.”

Rayna accepted the porridge from Ghent and forced herself to eat it.

If she didn’t eat something at times like this, her recovery would be even slower.

“… I really can’t get used to the harmony of yin and yang.”

Meanwhile, Raelle sat in the hammock, observing their interaction.

He knew this world was strange, but hearing a giant talk about the harmony of yin and yang was even more jarring than seeing chicken skewers sold at a festival.

Today was the second day of the Celestial Festival [a fictional festival in the story].

The protagonist was scheduled to appear on the fourth day, and the black mages’ rebellion would also occur then.

The situation at the Blue Magic Tower had resolved itself sooner than expected, and he had come to the Special Guard because he had two days to spare, only to find Rayna lying under a tree upon his arrival.

Relaxing in a hammock was her usual routine, but she looked worse than usual today.

“Ghent, has Rayna been like this often?”

Raelle approached Ghent, who had brought the porridge to Rayna.

Rayna was engrossed in eating the porridge and didn’t pay attention to them, so he asked Ghent quietly.

“Well, she’s like this about once a month. It seems she has her reasons.”

“Shouldn’t you ask her why she’s in so much pain?”

“Of course, I asked her the first few times. But she never told me.”

“Hmm…”

Well, Ghent wouldn’t have ignored her, given his personality.

It seemed to be related to Rayna’s secret.

“Don’t tell me elven women also have their monthly magic?”

“Raelle, don’t say that in front of Rayna. She might actually try to kill you.”

“No, this isn’t sexual harassment, it’s a Hood-style joke… Never mind.”

Raelle was aware that the physical structures of elves and humans were completely different.

He had just made a joke to lighten the mood because she appeared to be in considerable pain, but it seemed that long-lived species weren’t accustomed to slum-style humor.

Raelle, having grown up on the streets, understood this implicitly.

“Rayna, are you okay?”

Raelle approached the shade of the tree.

Rayna was lying listlessly, clutching the branches of the World Tree.

She seemed to have finished the porridge, though.

“… Yeah, I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine at all.”

Seeing the usually energetic elf so lethargic made him feel concerned.

Besides, he was more worried because it didn’t seem like she was simply ill.

‘It doesn’t seem like a cold… She feels lifeless.’

But it was highly unusual for an elf brimming with natural magic to feel lifeless.

*Hack- Hack-*

The fox beside her, Vermeil III, was also whimpering and licking Rayna.

‘I should get some herbs when I meet Eric later.’

Rayna was not only Raelle’s colleague but also one of the crucial connections he needed to maintain.

He had to ensure her well-being so that nothing went awry.

“If there’s anything you need, tell me anytime.”

Raelle patted Rayna on the back and returned to Ghent.

“Ghent, where’s Yuri today?”

“She said she’d be busy during the Celestial Festival. Rayna is also unwell, so I have to meet all the nobles myself, thanks to you.”

The beggars mentioned that the Second Princess was at the party venue in the south.

She was probably attending the party all day.

Yuri would have been there in the original story as well.

“I’d like to help, but I have a lot of commitments. Sorry.”

“It’s okay. There have been a lot of humans coming to this Celestial Festival since the first day, so I’ve already seen enough.”

“… That’s a relief.”

Raelle nodded, respecting Ghent’s unusual hobby.

Human observation was a fascinating pastime, no matter how many times he heard about it.

‘The only thing to worry about is the terror on the fourth day.’

But the protagonist and the Blue Magic Tower would be present, so Raelle would likely not have to intervene much.

… He hoped so.

*

“I happened to know someone in the Rein Knights. I was lucky.”

“I see.”

Raelle nodded at Eric’s bar.

He had inquired about the Rein Knights guarding the orphanage, and he received the predictable answer he had anticipated.

‘There’s nothing more to say if he puts it like that.’

He had suspected that Eric was once someone quite successful.

His connections were remarkable, and his manner of speaking was unlike that of a commoner from the Middle Ages.

‘But the Rein Knights and the Magic Tower are a bit much…’

Once he started suspecting, he recalled past events.

Now that he thought about it, the fact that Eric had obtained the herbs Raelle needed or the materials for the Gaksital [likely a reference to a masked hero or vigilante figure]…

“Raelle! What’s so important about that! Come and have another drink!”

At that moment, a cheerful voice from behind interrupted Raelle’s thoughts.

Turning his head, he saw Carlson with a flushed face.

He wore the symbol of the Gaia Order [a religious or philosophical organization] on his chest.

“… Carlson, aren’t you in charge of District 2 tomorrow? Is it okay for you to be doing this?”

“It’s fine! I can fall asleep feeling good and get rid of my hangover with divine power in the morning. Hahaha.”

“How the hell did this guy become a paladin [a holy warrior]?”

Raelle was once again disappointed in the Order’s standards.

The Silver Cross Knights didn’t seem to conduct personality tests when selecting members.

If there was a proper selection process, there was no way a guy like this could become a paladin.

“Isn’t it bright and good, Raelle? Come and sit down.”

“… Captain, is it okay for you to be drinking in a place like this?”

Raelle looked at Rein, who was sitting at the bar, feeling a headache coming on.

In fact, Rein was more of a problem than Carlson.

Introducing Rein to Carlson, who had arrived after finishing work, was the beginning of all the trouble.

The two had gotten along surprisingly well, and when he came out after spending time with the orphanage kids, a drinking session for the three of them, including Raelle, was already in the works.

Surprisingly, people in this medieval world didn’t seem to ask for consent when making drinking plans.

“Come on, Raelle, sit next to Rein and have a drink… !”

“… Carlson, calling the Captain ‘hyungnim’ [an honorific term for older brother in Korean]. You crazy bastard…”

“It’s okay. Meeting the Silver Cross Knights fills my heart with faith.”

“May Gaia’s peace be with you. Gaia-men [likely a term for members of the Gaia Order]. Haha.”

“…”

What the hell are these guys?

Rein and Carlson were in cahoots, exchanging brotherly toasts, and Eric was wiping glasses, seemingly oblivious to their antics.

‘It’s hard to escape alone in this atmosphere.’

Raelle had no choice but to join the drinking session.

It wasn’t that he disliked alcohol… He just didn’t want to become like them if he joined in.

‘It wouldn’t be bad to get closer to the Rein Knights… Yeah, I can play along for a day.’

No, this isn’t playing, it’s business.

His father used to say that whenever he went to a bar in his past life.

“I understand. Captain. But I won’t back down once I start. Be prepared.”

“Good. I’ve never lost in drinking in the Knights either.”

“Raelle, I’ll show you that I’m the ace of the Silver Cross Knights this time!”

“Stop talking and fill your glass first.”

Raelle smiled as he raised his glass.

He had never lost in a drinking contest in his life.

How many hours had passed?

Eric had announced it was time to sleep and disappeared first, and the losers and winners were slowly being determined at the table.

“Hehe. Raelle. I see Gaia. Gaia-mwen… Gai, Gaia-meng…”

“How can a paladin not even say Gaia-men properly?”

Raelle shook his head, looking at Carlson, who had his face buried in the table.

He had acted so tough, but he was the first to fall.

He already had a headache thinking about taking this guy back to his lodgings.

“Raelle… You’re really strong when it comes to alcohol.”

Meanwhile, Rein, who was sitting across from Raelle, took a slow, deep breath and leaned back in his chair.

There were dozens of empty bottles piled up under the table.

‘What’s inside that young body…’

He had been watching closely to see if he was burning off the alcohol with magic, but he couldn’t detect any signs of it.

He was truly a born drunkard.

“I’m just a bit strong.”

Raelle was a well-known drinker even in District 4.

He had lived thinking it was normal until today, but now that he thought about it, the liver was also part of the body, so it might have absorbed some magic.

Just like muscles can be strong, the liver’s detoxification abilities might also be faster.

“I can’t do it. I lost. Ugh, it’s the first time I’ve lost to someone else in drinking.”

Rein shook his head and tried to dispel the alcohol’s effects.

At this rate, he might fall asleep like Carlson without even saying what he had planned.

“Raelle, shall we go outside for some air?”

Rein got up from his seat with a nonchalant smile.

“… That’s a strange line.”

Raelle followed Rein with a wary expression.

It sounded like he was trying to pick up a girl.

“People’s true nature comes out when they drink. I tend to be a little more honest, how about you, Raelle?”

“I’ve never drunk that much.”

Raelle replied casually and stepped out of the bar.

It was already dark outside because they had been drinking for so long, and the surroundings were dimly lit due to the lack of proper lighting, as was typical of District 4.

“Anyway, that was the first test… Since it failed, I’m going to move on to the second one.”

“What do you mean?”

*Swish-*

In a fleeting moment.

Raelle’s body reacted instinctively.

Raelle, drawing his sword in an instant, brought it down to meet the blade approaching from below.

*Clang-!*

Sparks flew from the collision of the swords, and the sharp sound of steel clashing echoed through the street.

“Captain, what is this… !”

Raelle looked at Rein, unable to conceal his bewilderment at what had just transpired.

And he met Rein’s clear, focused gaze.

“Yes… This was the feeling. Raelle.”

Rein stared at Raelle with a satisfied expression.