The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 40

The Rain Knights

The sun was just beginning to set.

Rain walked through the streets of District 4, something he hadn’t done in a long time, carefully observing his surroundings.

He could feel the desperation etched into the lives of the people here, a stark contrast to the relative comfort of Districts 1 and 2.

“This location is still terrible. How can a liquor business ever thrive in a place like this?”

*Creak.*

Rain pushed open the worn wooden door and stepped inside.

The bar’s interior was surprisingly clean, but the stained tables and chairs hinted at its age.

Unsurprisingly, it was empty. The location was indeed unfavorable.

*Click.*

Rain locked the door behind him and walked further in.

Eric, the bar owner, who had been wiping glasses, finally looked up to see who had entered.

“A precious person who shouldn’t be caught dead in District 4 has arrived. What brings you here, Rain?”

Rain crunched on the dusty floor as he approached the dimly lit bar table.

He raised his right hand to his chest, offering a respectful salute.

“I greet the Grand Duke of the Empire.”

“Hmm. Rain, it’s still more than a month until the regular report, isn’t it?”

“I came as soon as I heard that you assigned a mission to the Rain Knights.”

Rain smiled, lowering his hand.

The Grand Duke and Rain were close friends, their bond forged over decades, but protocol demanded respect as a knight. Even in this rundown bar, the Grand Duke’s status remained unchanged.

“It wasn’t that significant. Your presence here will only attract unwanted attention, Rain.”

“I couldn’t possibly miss it when a loyal knight is summoned. Besides, I wanted to meet the person who has caught the Grand Duke’s eye. He made quite the impression.”

“You’ve met Rael, I see.”

“Yes. He has a good heart. You can tell by how he interacts with the people at the orphanage.”

“Indeed. Many people live better lives because of Rael.”

To truly understand a person, one must observe how they treat those closest to them. Rael’s relationship with the orphanage’s residents spoke volumes about his character.

As a person, Rael was commendable, and his friend Carlson seemed equally decent.

Rain had even planned drinks for that evening, hoping to get to know them better.

“But… I must admit, I’m still unsure why the Grand Duke is taking such an interest in him.”

There were many kind people in the Empire.

Rain struggled to understand why Rael was receiving special attention from the Grand Duke.

“Rael… We’ll discuss him later. First, I need to confirm something. Rain, where are you staying in District 4?”

“I’ve borrowed a guest room at the orphanage. Rael arranged it without any fuss.”

Rain answered the sudden question without hesitation.

“Did the bed seem comfortable?”

“It looked incredibly uncomfortable, but I can endure it for the sake of the mission.”

Eric smiled wryly at Rain’s response.

Surprisingly, the orphanage boasted some of the best facilities in District 4, thanks to Rael’s efforts to provide beds and other necessities, regardless of where he acquired them.

Yet, Rain still found the bed uncomfortable.

Rain’s perception, unbiased by class distinctions, highlighted the stark reality of the lower districts.

‘It also shows how high the invisible wall between nobles and commoners is.’

The nobles of the Empire remained largely indifferent to the well-being of the common folk.

For them, the Imperial Capital effectively ended at District 2.

They preferred to remain ignorant of the conditions in District 3 and below.

Most nobles considered it beneath them to concern themselves with the affairs of commoners.

‘The Empire desperately needs change.’

Eric, disillusioned by the Empire’s reality, had learned a great deal since arriving in District 4.

Many commoners had never even seen a proper bed.

Sleeping on cloths spread over wooden boxes or piles of straw was commonplace. Keeping livestock inside the house to prevent theft was considered normal, and indoor toilets were a luxury few could afford.

‘Ultimately, it is the commoners who sustain the country.’

The Empire offered little protection to its common citizens.

The Knights served as protectors of the nobles, while the Guards did not extend the same protection to the commoners.

Those living below District 4 lived in constant fear for their lives.

This was the grim reality of the Kamen Empire, the dominant power on the continent.

‘The Emperor of the Empire… must be someone who cares for them.’

The current Imperial Family was corrupt.

The Emperor indulged in personal pleasures, and the Commander of the Knights, responsible for the Empire’s defense, seemed to desire a crisis.

No nation could thrive with only nobles at its core.

Eric, the Grand Duke of the Empire, believed that someone who genuinely cared for the commoners should ascend to the throne.

“Your Highness the Grand Duke? Are you alright?”

“Hmm, sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment.”

Eric shook off his reverie.

The idea of who should be the next Emperor solidified with each passing day in District 4.

Rael played a significant role in shaping this conviction.

“Let’s return to the subject of Rael. That young man is a beacon of hope for District 4. He’s a remarkable individual who cares for his people, despite squandering the talent of a genius who manifested his Sword Qi [a powerful energy used by swordsmen] at the age of 10.”

Eric recalled events from 15 years prior.

A genius had emerged in District 4, manifesting his Sword Qi at the young age of 10.

Rael, whom every Knight Order had sought to recruit, vanished without a trace.

“What? Are you saying that Rael was the genius who manifested his Sword Qi 15 years ago? But why is he in the Guard…?”

At the time, Rain was still a relatively new member of the Knight Order, but he had heard the rumors.

A swordsman manifesting Sword Qi at the age of 10 was an event that shook the Empire to its core.

“Well… I don’t know what happened to him… but he’s harbored a deep resentment towards nobles and Knight Orders ever since. I naturally assumed he would join a Knight Order.”

As an orphan, he might not have risen to a high rank, but joining a Knight Order would have guaranteed a stable life.

For an orphan from District 4, becoming a knight represented immense success.

However, instead of joining a Knight Order, Rael had taken responsibility for the orphanage and began working to improve District 4.

It was undeniable how much easier life had become for the commoners living in District 4 because of his efforts.

Eric held Rael in high regard.

It was never easy to dedicate one’s life to others, especially when possessing such extraordinary abilities.

“A genius who manifested his Sword Qi…”

Rain, hearing Eric’s words, recalled Rael’s face.

For a genius who had manifested Sword Qi at the age of 10, there was no discernible magical energy emanating from his body.

It was similar to… the enigmatic swordsman he had encountered at the Cheon Sang Tournament [a martial arts competition].

‘Could it be…? Wait, I’m certain Gaksital [a masked vigilante] was also a bounty hunter in District 4.’

Rain burst out laughing.

District 4 was home to two extraordinary individuals: a genius who manifested his Sword Qi at the age of 10 and a monster who could overpower Sword Masters.

…What were the odds that they were one and the same?

‘Am I about to have drinks with the person I’ve been searching for?’

Rain stared at Rael, his expression incredulous.

He had been standing right in front of the person he had been looking for without realizing it.

‘If I could only bring Rael to the Rain Knights…’

A new era would dawn for the Empire.

However, something still bothered Rain.

‘Is there a chance he’s an agent of the Imperial Family or the Order [a religious organization]?’

It wasn’t that he doubted the Grand Duke’s judgment.

However, it was a knight’s duty to minimize potential risks.

Even without antagonizing him, he needed to test Rael.

[Rael, don’t worry too much. The Commander is a good person once you get to know him.]

[I know he’s a good person, but why is he asking me to drink on our first meeting?]

*Knock knock knock.*

Just then, the person he had been waiting for arrived.

Rain greeted the two with a neutral expression.

*

Once again, Rain scrutinized Rael.

Rain was almost certain that Rael was Gaksital.

He simply lacked concrete evidence.

*Clang!*

And, at that moment, the evidence materialized.

His right hand, which had wielded the sword, throbbed with numbness.

The overwhelming power he had felt when their swords collided.

It was an inexplicable force that defied logic.

“Yes… This is the feeling. Rael.”

Rain smiled brightly, a look of satisfaction on his face.

The plan to get him drunk and extract the truth had failed, but the second plan had finally succeeded.

Like a true knight, he had found his answer through a clash of swords.

‘What kind of crazy person is this?’

Rael stared at the man who had been laughing and drinking with him moments before, now suddenly wielding a sword, his expression one of utter disbelief.

He was even more annoyed by the ‘I knew it!’ look on Rain’s face.

Why couldn’t these uncivilized people resolve things through conversation?

“…Commander. What are you doing?”

“Rael. What do you think is the reason I came all the way to District 4?”

“…”

Rael frowned at Rain’s serious demeanor.

He couldn’t possibly say something like, ‘You came to protect the orphanage as part of the Knight Order’s mission.’

In truth, many things seemed strange.

Even if the Rain Knights had come to District 4 to protect the orphanage, it didn’t make sense for the Commander, Rain, to come in person.

Rael waited patiently for Rain to continue.

“I met an interesting individual at the Cheon Sang Tournament. A bounty hunter from District 4. A man named Gaksital.”

“I see.”

“To be honest… I couldn’t be certain until now. Your appearance in the mask was too indistinct. So, I drew my sword.”

“…”

Rael glared at Rain, his face showing his displeasure.

Rain was looking at him with an excited expression, as if he had achieved something great.

He was a madman.

He had gotten involved with the wrong person.

‘Things have become complicated in a troublesome way.’

Tia’s magic on Gaksital had been effective.

He had been relieved that Rain hadn’t recognized him at the orphanage, but even a dragon couldn’t conceal the truth during a clash of swords against a Sword Master.

‘I can’t run… and fighting seems even harder.’

He had chased him all the way to District 4 for hitting him and running away at the Cheon Sang Tournament.

Wasn’t that a bit petty for a Knight Order Commander?

Rael reluctantly spoke.

“Commander Rain. I sincerely apologize for what happened back then. But I didn’t run away on purpose; I was simply too embarrassed to stay…”

“…?”

Rain looked puzzled by Rael’s sudden words.

He slowly lowered his sword and asked.

“Rael. Do you think I’m holding a grudge against you for that?”

“…Wasn’t that the case? I heard that if the knights caught me, I’d be dead.”

“I only told them to find you. I never said anything about that.”

“…”

Rael recalled the face of the person who had delivered those words.

Then, an elf appeared in his mind, smiling brightly and eating chicken skewers.

Reina, that damn elf, had lied again.

He had been scared for no reason.

“Rael. I won’t beat around the bush. I suspect you are a secret agent of the Imperial Family or the Order.”

Rain spoke, looking directly into Rael’s eyes.

In truth, Rain considered it unlikely.

He had been born and raised in District 4.

It was clear that he hadn’t received the education typically given to nobles, and there was also a record of him working as a guard.

‘But… it’s even stranger to find such a monster without any background.’

Rael’s abilities were so exceptional that it defied explanation without some kind of backing.

Besides, voicing the suspicion was the best way to get the truth out of him.

“The Order and the Imperial Family… They’re both groups I despise.”

“How much do you hate them?”

“…It’s embarrassing to say in front of the Commander. I’m from the streets, so I tend to have a foul mouth.”

“It’s alright, tell me. I don’t like the Imperial Family and the Order either.”

Rain was a knight.

He could brush off most insults.

“They’re bastards who deserve to die.”

“…?”

“The Order prays to a god named Gaia or something, takes money while praying to a god that doesn’t even exist, and completely ignores the teachings of saving the poor and neglects the needy.”

Just thinking about how he had emptied his salary to support the orphanage because of those bastards made him furious.

Even in a medieval fantasy setting, he couldn’t stand seeing newborn babies sleeping on thin cloths.

“Rael. Just a moment…”

“The god is omnipotent, but he can’t even properly stop the threat of the demons, and there are still people starving to death on the streets. And why are there so many money-hungry bastards? From the Pope to the Cardinals to the Archbishops, they all need to be replaced.”

“…”

Rain was convinced. Rael was definitely not a member of the Order.

They were raised in the Order from a young age and never questioned God.

No, they couldn’t even use divine power if they spoke such words.

“Well, should I curse the Emperor in the same way? I can even curse his parents.”

Rael said with a frown.

The current Emperor was an idiot.

The Kamen Empire would be reborn as a true millennial empire under the reign of the next Emperor, Yuri.

It was said that even the king was cursed when he wasn’t looking, so it was okay to curse a little now.

“What is parental abuse…?”

“I can curse the Emperor’s parents too. They’re just people who squandered the national treasury and died anyway.”

“…!”

Rain’s eyes widened.

The Imperial Family of the Empire was like the main god of the Gaia Order.

Cursing the Imperial Family, especially the Emperor’s parents.

If the Kamen Knights of the Imperial Family were standing here instead of Rain, it would have been a serious crime that would have resulted in the deaths of all of Rael’s acquaintances.

‘If he was a faithfully trained assassin… No, someone who grew up in District 4 couldn’t do that.’

Rain finally dispelled all remaining doubts.

“Rael. You are… not related to the Imperial Family or the Order.”

“Thank you for believing me.”

Rael’s expression was nonchalant after his outburst.

Rain stared at Rael with that expression, and then continued.

“But… I still can’t understand it. Why is a swordsman with such talent content with being a guard?”

Putting aside his personality… Rael’s skills were undeniable.

He could tell that he possessed great skill compared to his age just by crossing swords with him.

If Rain were Rael, he would never be satisfied with a place like the Guard.

“Well, because there’s a place I have to protect.”

Rael said casually.

He had never regretted his choice.

The orphanage was a place of peace for Rael, and it was the reason he had joined the Central Guard.

“…I see.”

Rain looked into Rael’s eyes.

They were firm, filled with self-assurance.

‘He gave up everything to protect the orphanage.’

Rain finally understood why the Grand Duke liked Rael.

His mindset aligned perfectly with the Grand Duke’s ideals.

‘The new wind of the Empire is already blowing.’

A man with the talent to shake the Empire had joined the Guard to protect the orphanage where he was raised.

It was a decision that even Rain, who admired people, couldn’t comprehend.

Everyone chased after honor.

The allure of honor was so strong that some prioritized it over money.

“…I can’t bring you to the Knight Order.”

If Rael’s talent was genuine and he met all the qualifications.

Rain would have tried to recruit him to the Rain Knights at any cost.

But… Rael was looking towards the same goal as the Grand Duke.

As a knight, he couldn’t treat someone who shared the same vision as his lord carelessly.

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“If you were on the thorny path ahead, it would definitely be a great help… It’s a real shame.”

“Is there something the Rain Knights are preparing for?”

Did the Rain Knights have something important planned?

It wasn’t mentioned in the original story, so Rael didn’t remember it clearly.

“Hmm… Well, I suppose it’s alright to tell you.”

Rael was a man favored by the Grand Duke.

He didn’t seem greedy, and he appeared to be discreet.

Since he had drawn his sword first as a knight, he could tell him as compensation for his mistake.

“The Rain Knights are planning to support the Second Princess’s claim to the throne. It’s a long shot, as she’s currently the lowest in the line of succession, but…”

To reform this empire, the wisest person must become the Emperor.

Second Princess Yuriel von Grandia.

The Grand Duke had chosen her, and Rain was simply following his lead.

“Ahem, it’s not a story to be proud of. Let it go in one ear.”

Rain coughed and blinked.

He felt a pang of regret after speaking.

Was it because the effects of the alcohol were wearing off, but some remained?

Or was it because he saw a young man who didn’t chase after honor and was reminded of his past?

The thought that he had spoken unnecessarily lingered in his mind.

‘It won’t matter much.’

Rael was a man without ambition.

Even if he was ambitious, this was something he shouldn’t get involved in.

No one in their right mind would deliberately involve themselves in a low-probability fight.

“…Commander Rain.”

At that moment, Rael, who had been silent, spoke.

“Huh?”

“Actually, I really admire the Rain Knights. Even if I don’t join the Knight Order, there might be ways I can help.”

“?”

Rain looked puzzled by Rael’s sudden words.