The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 52

The day Rael was awarded the title of Honorary Knight of the Silver Cross Order had arrived.

A new bishop was also assigned to the 4th District branch.

“May Gaia’s blessings be with you. I am Peter, and I will be the bishop of the 4th District branch from today onwards.”

“Nice to meet you, Bishop. Gaia-men.”

“Gaia-men.”

Peter exchanged greetings with the priests of the 4th District, wearing a pious smile.

Today was the day he would face the believers for the first time since being appointed as bishop.

‘I heard the previous bishop was greedy for money…’

Peter was different.

He intended to run the branch cleanly and with integrity for the sake of the main god, Gaia.

“Hmm. What should I do first for the believers in the 4th District?”

After greeting the lower-ranking priests, Peter sat in the bishop’s office and began to ponder.

It was his first time as a bishop, so he felt he needed some help.

Since it was his first branch assignment in his life, he wanted to do everything he could to make a good impression.

“Ah, I heard there’s a Silver Cross Knight in the 4th District…”

He had heard that there was a knight in the 4th District, driven by the sole desire to work where he grew up.

To abandon the privileges of a Silver Cross Knight working in the 1st District [the most prestigious district] and come to the 4th District, how faithful and devout must they be?

He couldn’t even imagine it.

That person was resting on one side of the branch.

Peter approached him, making the sign of the cross.

“Huh? Are you the new bishop?”

“May Gaia’s blessings be with you. I am Bishop Peter.”

“Ah, I’m Carlson. Silver Cross Order. You know?”

Carlson smiled and thumped his armor.

He pointed to the emblem of the Silver Cross Order.

“Ah, yes…”

Peter tilted his head.

He hadn’t met many Silver Cross Knights, but he was sure there was a special procedure involved…

Surely the Silver Cross Order wouldn’t break the rules, so it must not be required.

“The thing is, I’m not very familiar with the 4th District, so I was hoping to ask Sir Carlson for help.”

As a lower noble, Peter had devoted himself to the clergy since he was young, so he didn’t really know the life of the 4th District.

“Ahaha… I’m not really someone who deserves to be called Sir Carlson… but it’s nice to hear. I’m an expert on the 4th District. Ask me anything.”

Carlson puffed out his chest.

He had been feeling ignored by Rael lately and hadn’t been properly aware of his position, but hearing the bishop’s words, pride as a Silver Cross Knight surged within him.

He had finally found someone in need of his help.

“As a bishop, what kind of help should I give to the believers in the 4th District?”

“Hmm… help.”

Carlson seriously pondered Peter’s words.

What does a bishop of the clergy do for the believers?

‘…What do these guys even do?’

The more he thought about it, the less it seemed bishops did.

Carlson at least fought when the demons appeared, but the bishops didn’t even fight.

Attending weekly services.

Receiving donations.

Selling soul purification charms.

Occasionally giving blessings.

That was the extent of what a bishop did.

Among them, the only thing they did for the believers was to preach teachings and lead prayers during weekly services.

Carlson thought of something to do for the bishop, who was looking at him with sparkling eyes.

“If you have the means, how about volunteering? There’s an orphanage where I grew up, and it would be good to teach the children there the sacred law.”

“Ah, there was such a method.”

“That’s right. Gaia-men.”

Carlson smiled.

Since he didn’t seem to have anything else to do anyway, it would be good to use him as someone to play with the children at the orphanage.

“Come to think of it, Sir Carlson. I heard that an honorary knight was appointed before I came.”

“You mean Rael, brother.”

“Yes. What kind of person is he?”

“Ah… Rael, brother, is an amazing person. You should listen to what that brother says whenever possible.”

“Oh, I see. He must have been a very faithful believer.”

“Of course. He’s famous in the 4th District too. Rumor has it that he’s a guard captain who single-handedly caught demons.”

“A guard captain who caught demons…!”

Peter reverently made the sign of the cross, thinking of the honorary knight.

If Sir Carlson, a member of the Silver Cross Order, praised him so highly, he must be an amazing person.

‘I’m sure there will be a chance to meet him someday…!’

*

The next day.

Rael went to work at the Special Guard two days after receiving his title.

He couldn’t go to work the day after because he had to visit the clergy and take care of errands, so he was planning to put in extra hours today.

“Captain Rael. Good morning.”

“Yeah, long time no see. Ahem.”

Rael greeted the outer guards, sticking out his chest.

The honorary knight insignia of the Silver Cross Order sparkled on his chest.

“Have a good day!”

“…Hmm.”

Rael felt a sense of disappointment as he walked inside the Special Guard.

It seemed that ordinary guards didn’t recognize the honorary knight’s insignia.

‘Is this what they mean by saying people should live in Seoul [a Korean saying referring to the concentration of opportunities and recognition in the capital city]?’

What good is getting the title of honorary knight if nobody recognizes it?

Being in the 4th District, I can’t even show it off.

“Hey! Why are you so late!”

As soon as he entered the Special Guard, a shrill voice struck his ears.

It was Reina, who had been lying down as if she were about to die just a few days ago.

She walked briskly towards Rael as soon as she saw him.

“Reina, it looks like you’ve gotten better?”

“Yeah! But why didn’t you come yesterday?”

“I didn’t come because I had things to do. See this? Honorary Knight of the Silver Cross Order. A brand new insignia I received yesterday.”

“Honorary Knight? What’s that?”

“…”

Well, even humans don’t know, so there’s no way an elf would know.

Rael turned his head and looked at the giant squatting in the garden.

“Gent. Don’t you know either?”

“I’ve heard of it. But for you to become an honorary knight, it couldn’t have been that great.”

“You crazy bastards…”

Rael sighed.

The Changsengjong cartel [a playful term for the group, implying they are like a close-knit organization] was ostracizing him, a human, again today.

“Rael, don’t say weird things and give me your hand.”

“Why my hand?”

Reina took Rael’s hand and closed her eyes.

This hand contained the power of nature that reduced magical energy.

“Huh, why don’t I feel anything?”

However, today Rael’s hand didn’t seem to have any effect.

Reina felt strange and pressed his hand tightly.

“…I think I held his hand to my chest back then. Close to my heart.”

“Rael.”

“No, I’m just saying.”

Rael hid behind Reina, looking at Gent holding a trowel.

Elves have strong vitality, so they won’t die even if they get hit by that.

“It’s strange. I felt so comfortable when I held your hand back then… Rael. Did you eat a thousand-year ginseng or something?”

“That damn thousand-year ginseng… I don’t even know what that is.”

“Did you grow up in the forest when you were young?”

“No.”

“Then, do you have an elf among your parents?”

“…Are you doing a background check?”

“Are you calling me a pushover?”

“Ah, damn it…”

Rael, who met Reina’s sparkling eyes, felt a headache and lay down on the hammock.

Why are there only people with communication problems around him?

Did he commit a sin in his past life?

“I definitely felt so comfortable when I held your hand. It was like being in the World Tree Forest.”

Reina recalled the memory of that time.

She didn’t remember it properly because she was feeling severe pain at the time, but the magical energy definitely decreased when she held Rael’s hand.

The only place Reina had such an experience was the World Tree Forest.

“I don’t know. You went to Tia, didn’t you? Didn’t Tia say anything?”

“She said I should stop by sometime because she needs to draw your blood to investigate the details.”

“…”

Rael turned his head.

I shouldn’t go near the lake for a while.

“Rael. Come to think of it, the Thousand Slayer Sword Master stopped by when you weren’t here yesterday. He said he had something to tell you because he had to leave the Empire for a while.”

At that moment, Gent, who had put down the trowel, opened his mouth.

“Oh, what did that old man say?”

“Well, he left some short teachings.”

Gent closed his eyes and recalled the moment.

The Thousand Slayer Sword Master’s teachings ignited Gent’s warrior spirit with just a brief listen.

“If you’ve matched the sky, ascend to the sky. And if you reach the realm of Ipcheon [a high level of swordsmanship], be sure to speak the word Ipcheon.”

“…Gent. What do you think after hearing that? No matter how much I think about it, I can’t understand that nonsense.”

Rael couldn’t get used to the Thousand Slayer Sword Master’s abstract words, no matter how many times he heard them.

He thought Gent would at least sympathize with this.

“A warrior’s enlightenment is inherently ambiguous. Rael. If you train a little more, you’ll be able to understand the Thousand Slayer Sword Master’s words.”

“Haa…”

Rael simply closed his eyes.

He realized it was his mistake to try to communicate with these guys.

*

Almost a week had passed since Rael and Reina began their sword training in the orphanage’s backyard.

In the meantime, the Reina Knights had become quite friendly with Rael, and since Reina didn’t bother hiding the fact that she was teaching Rael swordsmanship, the knights would often watch their sparring sessions.

Today was no different.

The swords of the two swordsmen rapidly crossed in the orphanage’s backyard.

“Right. Rael. The party you mentioned has been scheduled for a month from now. His Highness the Grand Duke will also be returning then.”

“Why does a party take a whole month to prepare?”

Clang-!

The two continued their conversation casually, even as they exchanged blows.

It wasn’t difficult for Reina, who was at the entry level of Sword Master, and it was also possible for Rael, whose physical abilities were beyond Reina’s.

“Of course. We need to inform people about the party and there’s a lot to prepare.”

True, it’s not like they have smartphones in this era.

It would take time to inform all the nobles and make preparations.

“A month is cutting it close.”

“Cutting it close?”

“I want to learn Sword Qi [a powerful energy technique] by then…!”

Kkaang-!

A loud noise erupted from the collision of Sword Qi and magical energy.

The vibrations created by the clash of strong magical power reverberated to the ground where the knights were standing.

‘Am I being pushed back?’

Reina, impressed by the pressure she felt, thrust her sword again.

It was a strike that penetrated the short interval between attacks, but Rael’s senses didn’t miss such an opening.

“Oh…!”

Reina infused her sword with magical power.

Since Rael’s strength was particularly strong today, she intended to test him a little more.

‘If it’s this much, it’s no different from Sword Aura… Can he withstand this too?’

Reina swung her sword towards Rael’s side.

“Rael, you said you wanted to learn Sword Qi, right? Can you block this too!”

Tadak-

Rael, sensing the force, immediately twisted his body and retreated.

There was no need to directly clash weapons against such ridiculously strong magical power.

‘…Deflecting it inward and breaking through.’

Tadak-

Rael’s eyes instantly found an opening, and his body demonstrated a level of performance matching Rael’s senses.

Kaang-!

Rael’s body, having deflected the Sword Qi, staggered.

Reina’s sword, which had momentarily grazed him, chased after Rael until the end, but ultimately didn’t reach him.

‘Definitely, Captain Reina is a great help.’

Rael felt himself growing in real-time as he exchanged blows with Reina.

She was passing on the know-how she had gained from numerous practical battles to Rael, body to body.

It was different from the Thousand Slayer Sword Master’s abstract teachings.

‘To think there’s such an absurd guy…’

Meanwhile, the Reina Knights were watching Rael with dumbfounded smiles.

Only those with talent among those who have learned the sword for decades enter the Knights. Among them, the one who rises to the position of Knight Commander can be seen as a genius among geniuses who is one step ahead of others.

So, what on earth is that guy who hasn’t even properly learned the sword?

How is he exchanging blows with the Knight Commander?

‘Can I win if I fight seriously…?’

Overwhelming talent that shatters the confidence of the knights who were satisfied and proud of their Graduate status.

The Reina Knights felt a chill as they watched Rael sticking close to Reina.

“Haa, you’ve worked hard.”

After a while, the short sparring session ended.

Rael stretched with a lightened body.

“…Seriously, you guys. If you’re going to make those faces, don’t even bother watching the sparring.”

Reina smiled as she looked at the knights with stiff faces.

Just by being in the Reina Knights, they are some of the best in the Empire.

And those guys are not only surprised by Rael’s talent, but also in awe.

“Rael, by the way, your sword seems different?”

Reina spoke to Rael, who was loosening up his body.

Originally, Rael fought like a beast, pushing his opponent with his outstanding senses and physical abilities.

But today was different.

Not only was Rael’s sword more refined than usual, but the mysteries contained within it were so profound that even Reina was impressed.

Moreover, it was as if he had picked up a Mana Cultivation Technique [a method to enhance magical power] somewhere, and his ability to handle magical power had also improved.

“The level has definitely increased… and the Sword Qi has become stronger.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah. Did you pick up the Thousand Slayer Sword Master’s swordsmanship, which is said to be hidden somewhere in the Empire?”

“…”

Rael looked down at his sword at Reina’s words.

The only reason he could have gotten stronger in such a short period was the Thousand Slayer Sword Master’s Thousand Slayer Sword.

‘I have no idea what the Thousand Slayer Sword is, but it’s definitely making me stronger.’

He didn’t know what the Thousand Slayer Sword was, but he was getting stronger.

He didn’t know whether to be happy or not.

“Captain Reina. Could you tell me a little more about what you felt when you saw my sword? Like, do you feel the sky or something?”

Rael asked Reina about the Thousand Slayer Sword.

He thought that Reina, who had experienced his sword, would be able to give him a more detailed explanation.

“Hmm, I don’t know about the sky, but…”

Reina recalled his sword.

It was a strange sword that was light yet heavy, fast yet slow.

This is not a sword for ordinary people.

It’s a sword for talented people, like Rael, who seem to be the only ones who can use it.

“The phrase ‘second to none’ comes to mind.”

“…What?”

“Second to none. Except for the goddess Gaia, everyone is beneath you… It’s truly an overbearing swordsmanship.”

“……”

Rael shuddered and clenched his fist tightly.

He thought she would be different, but even Reina had betrayed him.

He couldn’t understand why everyone was talking such nonsense about a sword that just cuts powerfully.

“You’re so cool, Captain.”

“As expected of Captain Reina. The brain that topped the academy hasn’t gone anywhere.”

Clap clap clap-

The Reina Knights who were watching the sparring began to applaud.

Reina’s lips curled up to the sky at the outpouring of attention.

“Hahaha, you guys. Not that story again. It’s already been decades… Naiveun, compared to then, your skills are also…”

The Reina Knights began to laugh and praise each other.

The flow of the conversation was natural, as if they had done it more than once or twice.

Rael stared at the scene, dumbfounded, and turned his head.

‘They’re all completely crazy.’

Sreung-

Rael took out his sword and infused it with magical power out of frustration.

The same Sword Qi as usual was created, but he still couldn’t feel anything.

He was definitely getting stronger, but he couldn’t feel it himself.

It was dogshit, the worst kind of dogshit.

“…What the hell is Ipcheon? What does it mean to match the sky?”

Rael muttered without much thought.

The Thousand Slayer Sword 1st Form, taught by the Thousand Slayer Sword Master. Ipcheon.

He still couldn’t fully understand the swordsmanship.

“Uh…?”

Thump-

At that moment, Rael’s whole body began to react.

Feeling his heart pounding, Rael instinctively opened his mouth.

“… Thousand Slayer Sword 1st Form. Ipcheon (入天) [Entering the Sky].”

At the same time as Rael’s words, magical power surged from deep within his chest.

Accepting the form of the Thousand Slayer Sword that was digging into his head, Rael looked down at his sword.

Only then did he begin to understand the Thousand Slayer Sword Master’s movements one by one.

“Rael…? What is that power?”

Reina and the Reina Knights also turned their heads at the sudden, alien energy that was rising.

Feeling the gazes around him, Rael felt a sense of emptiness and gripped his sword.

“Damn it, did I really have to say it out loud?”

This damn world is going wrong no matter how you look at it.