The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 54

The Scoundrel Swordmaster of the Imperial Guard – Episode 54

< Honorary Knight >

It was nap time for the children.

Bishop Peter watched the sleeping children with a look of disbelief, as if he couldn’t quite believe it.

‘To guarantee nap time for the children in an orphanage…’

He had seen children being sent out to beg, but this was the first time he had seen them being put down for naps.

Just what kind of place was this orphanage to be providing such welfare?

“Bishop Peter.”

“Ah, Sir Carlson. You were here. It was a good time sharing the holy law with the children. Ah, is that…! ?”

Peter’s eyes widened as he saw the insignia on Raelle’s chest.

It was the insignia of the Order’s Honorary Knight, which was said to have appeared only a few times in decades. [The Silver Cross Order is a religious organization, and the Honorary Knight title is a rare distinction.]

“Yes. This is Raelle, the brother I mentioned. He is an Honorary Knight of the Silver Cross Order.”

“Greetings, Bishop Peter.”

“May Gaia’s blessings be with you. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir Raelle.”

“…”

Raelle forcibly suppressed the twitching corners of his mouth.

What could he say?

‘The sound of the words ‘Sir Raelle’ is quite good.’

The people in District 4 mostly didn’t recognize the Honorary Knight insignia, and the long-lived species cartel of the Special Guard ignored Raelle.

At least Lane, who had some sense, still called him Raelle, so this was the first time he had heard the title ‘Sir Raelle.’

It was the first time in a long time that he had met someone who knew the importance of the Honorary Knight position.

“You must not be familiar with District 4 yet, but it seems that you are already spreading Gaia’s teachings, which is an example for all to follow.”

“Ah, Sir Raelle. Thank you so much. My face is burning to hear such words from an Honorary Knight of the Silver Cross Order.”

“Chapter 2, Section 10 of the Order’s teachings comes to mind: A believer should not turn away from a sheep in need.”

“To even memorize the Order’s teachings, you must be a truly devout person.”

Raelle smiled at Peter’s reaction.

This was a passage he had memorized to use on Cecilia, but since it was a good passage to say at any time, it was very effective whenever he met people from the Order.

“The bishop who has been here before was more interested in the secular world than in faith in Gaia, but I’m glad that Bishop Peter doesn’t seem to be like that.”

“I am not interested in material things like money. How can I spread the teachings of the Order more widely? That is the only thing I care about.”

Raelle nodded.

As expected, he smelled like something from the start.

He smelled like a pushover.

Raelle already had something he wanted to do now that the new bishop was here.

‘Get donations. I can really do well.’

When Pelles was in charge of the District 4 branch, Raelle had been impressed by the Order’s potential for revenue.

Pelles extorted donations as if he were breathing, but it turned out that the Order’s bishops could receive a portion of the donations as an allowance.

There was a reason why that bald guy went through so much trouble to extort donations.

“Bishop Peter, what are your impressions of coming to District 4?”

“Well, since most of the believers are commoners, the atmosphere is different from District 2.”

Peter, who had come to District 4 for the first time, realized the difference between commoners and nobles while meeting with believers.

First of all, the basic standard of living was different, and their ways of thinking and acting were also different.

Among them, the biggest problem was the different standard of living.

“Donations are also much smaller, right?”

“After all, the noble believers donate on a different scale.”

That’s why the branch above District 2 is managed by the Archbishop.

This is because there are many donations, so a lot goes to the Archbishop.

“Bishop Peter, I know a way to dramatically increase donations.”

“Donations, you say?”

“That’s right. If donations to the Order increase, the number of people suffering will decrease, and wouldn’t that be a way to practice Gaia’s teachings?”

“Ah, yes. If the believers’ donations increase, we will be able to help more believers in need.”

Peter nodded.

If he received more donations, he would be able to help the struggling believers in District 4.

That is also one of the things a bishop must do.

“But… there’s one thing that bothers me. I know that the bishop receives a portion of the donations received by the branch.”

Raelle narrowed his brow with a worried look.

Carlson, seeing his expression, immediately continued.

“Oh, Sir Raelle. What are you talking about? Are you saying that Bishop Peter is embezzling money?”

“I’ve never even met Bishop Peter before… and there was the incident with the previous bishop…”

“Sir Raelle! Didn’t Bishop Peter say he wasn’t interested in money? Bishop, isn’t that right?”

Peter shook his head at the words of the two Silver Cross Order members, who were like figures of great importance.

“I have no intention of doing that at all! I am only here for the development of the Order. Well, if you’re really worried, you can take the increased allowance due to Sir Raelle. I’m really only thinking about the development of the Order.”

The previous bishop was kicked out for being too greedy for money and failing to discover talented people.

Since they met such a bishop, it was natural for them to be suspicious.

Peter tried to prove his faith.

“I can believe it if it’s that much, Bishop Peter.”

“I believed it from the beginning.”

Raelle and Carlson immediately nodded.

“…?”

Peter tilted his head at their sudden change of attitude.

However, he soon let out a sigh of relief at the thought of being recognized by the two Silver Cross Order members.

*

What is a soul purification charm? [A religious artifact believed to cleanse the soul.]

It is like an indulgence sold by the Order. [Indulgences were historically sold by the Church to reduce punishment for sins.]

Usually, if you donate more than a certain amount, you will receive a soul purification charm along with a donation badge.

‘They said you only need one soul purification charm… so I need to pay attention to the donation badge.’

Raelle was focused on the donation badge.

Clearly, this badge had unlimited potential to extort money.

“I have a business that I really wanted to do now that the new bishop is here, no, it’s about the donation badge.”

“Ah, yes. Sir Raelle.”

Peter sat in the branch and focused on Raelle’s words.

As a novice bishop, he firmly believed in the title of Honorary Knight.

So, he was planning to cooperate with Raelle for now.

“First of all, shouldn’t we give different designs depending on the donation amount?”

“We cannot change the design set by the headquarters at will. It is also stated in Gaia’s teachings.”

The main god Gaia always spoke of equality.

Whether you are a commoner or a noble, you will receive the same badge if you donate.

The reason why the designs of all the Order’s branches are the same is also for that purpose.

“…Bullshit. I’ll cut off my hand if Gaia said that.”

“Yes? What did you say? Sir Raelle?”

“It’s nothing. Then, let’s go with the Order’s way.”

Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. [A reference to Sun Tzu’s *Art of War*.]

Raelle knows the Order’s ways, which he hates, very well.

“Let’s increase the size of the donation badge.”

The Order’s bastards in District 2 were also increasing the size of their branches, so why not the badge?

Raelle immediately instructed the priests who made the badges to increase the size.

He was planning to gradually increase the size from the moment the donation exceeded 10 gold coins, and even specially produce the largest one so that it could be attached to a carriage.

“S, Sir Raelle. Is this really okay?”

“Of course it is. I’m an Honorary Knight.”

Raelle, an expert in medieval fantasy, was confident.

This will definitely be a solid source of income.

“As expected, Sir Raelle. You always exceed my expectations.”

Carlson, who was next to Raelle, clapped in admiration.

“Carlson. You think it will work out well too, right?”

“Well, …once Commander Marco comes, please tell him that it has nothing to do with me.”

“Crazy bastard.”

Raelle shook his head.

There’s no way a guy who gambles with dice would know how to make money.

‘Finally escaping the low-paying guard life.’

Raelle clenched his fist.

He had no doubt that his badge would shake the empire.

*

Three days passed like that.

Not a single one of Raelle’s confident, extra-large donation badges was sold.

No, the existence of the large badge was not even known in the first place.

‘…Could it be that they can’t keep up with my aesthetic sense, which is roughly a thousand years ahead?’

He was sure he would be sitting on a pile of money, but things didn’t go as Raelle expected.

Should he use Begguss to promote it?

‘I need to target rich people… was it a mistake to do it at the District 4 branch?’

Raelle sighed and walked through District 4.

Well, the only ones who actually lost money were the Order’s priests, so he didn’t care much.

However, it was a shame that the expected source of money had disappeared.

“By the way, what’s going on that we’re drinking without Carlson?”

Raelle stopped worrying and looked to the side.

Lane with his handsome face was standing next to him.

“I wanted to talk about the party I’m preparing. Carlson is a member of the Silver Cross Order, so he can’t participate in such parties.”

“Ah… that’s true.”

“This party will be held on a large scale to announce the return of His Highness the Grand Duke. It would be nice to contact the Second Princess beforehand, but… the recent atmosphere is ominous, so it’s not easy. It would have been difficult to hold the party if it weren’t for the name of His Highness the Grand Duke.”

“Hmm….”

He had heard that the imperial family was being careful due to the recent increase in demon invasions.

However, he could meet the Second Princess Yuri as much as he wanted if he could.

‘Should I just leave it alone for now?’

It was a secret that she was currently in the Special Guard, so Raelle didn’t bother to say it.

He could ask Yuri for her opinion later.

“And sometimes men need days like this. Seeing you reminds me of my younger days. I’ve prepared a fun gift for you, so look forward to it.”

Lane smiled contentedly and patted Raelle on the back.

“…”

Raelle, who felt a chill down his spine for some reason, checked his scabbard with his right hand.

The Order strongly prohibits homosexuality, so nothing strange will happen, but… this world is so crazy that it’s never a bad idea to be careful.

Clang-

Lane and Raelle headed to Eric’s bar.

It was the place where he, Carlson, and he had a good time last time.

‘I got stabbed with a knife as soon as the drinking party was over, but… it was a good time after all.’

Raelle greeted Eric as he entered the bar.

“Eric, how have you been?”

“Raelle, it’s been a while.”

“Yes. But why are you sitting there?”

Eric was not behind the bar as usual, but was sitting where the customers sit.

“Raelle, sit down first. Lane, you too.”

“Yes. …Huh? What did you say? Lane?”

Raelle was startled and turned to Lane.

Has that crazy old man gone senile? This isn’t 21st century Korea, it’s a world with a class system, so Lane is calling the commander of the Lane Knights by his first name?

“Sit down quickly, Raelle.”

But what was even stranger was Lane’s reaction.

He was looking at himself as if nothing was wrong.

“…What is this situation?”

“Raelle, I’m thinking of introducing you to His Highness the Grand Duke.”

At the same time as that, Lane raised his right hand and made the gesture of placing it to his chest. [A formal salute.]

Raelle’s eyes widened at the sight of his sincerity.

“I greet the Grand Duke of the Empire.”

Lane was saluting Eric.

“Ah, bullshit. Don’t lie.”

Raelle blurted out words he didn’t even realize.

Because it was a situation he couldn’t understand.

“Raelle. You are in front of His Highness the Grand Duke. Watch your mouth.”

“No….”

Raelle couldn’t believe Lane’s words and turned his head.

Eric, who always had a kind smile, was sitting in a chair.

‘…Is that really Eric?’

It was definitely the same face as usual, but the aura emanating from him was completely different from that of an ordinary bar owner.

It wasn’t about strong magic or pressure.

It is a natural charisma that comes from blood and confidence.

‘It feels similar to the imperial family.’

Raelle’s senses don’t lie.

The Eric he knew was fake, and this was the real one.

“…Is it real? Eric?”

“I had no intention of deceiving you. It was also a coincidence that I got to know you, who had settled in District 4. Now that we’re involved like this, I thought I should reveal the truth.”

“Wow, I knew something was strange….”

Yes.

Actually, I thought it was strange.

Would a bar owner in District 4 casually hand out branches of the World Tree? [A rare and valuable item.]

Things that I had roughly overlooked because the world was so absurd came to mind one by one.

Eric had done too much for a bar owner in District 4.

“Raelle. Pay your respects to His Highness the Grand Duke.”

“It’s okay. Lane. Don’t be picky.”

“I understand. Your Highness.”

Lane then lowered his hand, which he had raised to his chest.

He smiled and looked at Raelle.

“How is it, Raelle? My gift is quite fun, right?”

“…Yes. It’s really fun. Commander.”

Raelle accepted reality.

Eric was the Grand Duke of the Empire who had retired to treat his illness, which was hard to imagine, but he couldn’t deny Lane’s words.

“Raelle. I’m sorry that I unintentionally deceived you. You can ask me anything you want.”

“…”

Raelle stared at Eric.

There were so many things he wanted to ask him, but only one thing came to mind right now.

“Eric, no. Your Highness. You know a lot of nobles, right?”

“There are hardly any nobles I don’t know, but… what does that question mean?”

Eric made eye contact with Raelle.

His embarrassed expression came into view.

“…Then, can you promote this a little?”

Raelle rummaged through and took out an extra-large Order badge.