The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 63

< Night Raven >

Lucas, the hero of the Empire.

He is a hero of the Kamen Empire, a warrior of the Order, and the hope of the people.

As befits the name of a hero, he fights against the demons for the sake of humanity.

Lucas basically had a kind nature and liked other people. He was a born warrior with the courage to never give up in any situation.

In particular, he had a personality that never left people in difficult situations alone, so he was often dragged around by people throughout the original story.

‘He wasn’t a very interesting protagonist, but… I like having someone like him by my side.’

Like in the original story, Rael was planning to promote Lucas as a hero.

Supporting him as he tried to defeat the Demon King, and then hiding behind him and reaping the rewards, was Rael’s grand life plan.

“Sir Rael!”

However, where did things go wrong?

Lucas, who should have been a reliable hero, was looking at Rael with sparkling eyes.

“Oh… hello, Lucas.”

Rael greeted Lucas with a sullen expression.

Although Lucas was a lower-class noble, Rael was also an honorary knight, so he could speak comfortably.

“That duel just now was really amazing! It was a duel I couldn’t even imagine!”

“Really? I appreciate the compliment, but…”

It felt strange that Lucas, the hero of the Empire, was showing such a reaction.

“Lucas. Sir Rael is the one who invited you to the party.”

At that moment, Kirue patted Rael on the shoulder and smiled.

He wanted Lucas to admire him, so he was thinking of getting them to become friends.

‘Since they are about the same age, it would be nice if they became friends. It would be even better if he joined the Rein Knights…’

The Rein Knights, who had accepted Rael’s strong argument, had to ask for a lot of understanding from other knight orders in order to invite Lucas to the party.

Since the deed had already been done, all they could do was hope that Lucas was as great a swordsman as they thought.

“Ah, really? I’m touched.”

“Yes. I saw your talent. You will definitely become an excellent swordsman.”

“S, Sir Rael saw my talent?”

Lucas was also a swordsman who was recognized to some extent within the academy, but he truly understood after watching the duel.

Sir Rael was a much stronger swordsman than himself.

He felt very good to be recognized by such a person.

“Sir Rael? Just call me hyung [older brother or respected older male figure], Lucas.”

“R, really? I’m a little burdened, but… should I call you Rael hyung?”

“…No, don’t call me Rael hyung. It reminds me of a nasty guy. Just call me whatever you’re comfortable with.”

Rael shook his head, recalling the face of the Silver Cross Knight who laughed frivolously.

Thinking of that guy made his head hurt at the title of Rael hyung.

“Okay. Sir Rael!”

“More importantly, let’s talk about something important, Lucas.”

“Yes!”

Lucas looked at Rael with sparkling eyes.

Having just seen a high-level duel, his favorability towards Rael was quite high.

“…What are your political leanings?”

“Pardon?”

“The First Prince, the Second Prince, the First Princess, or the newly emerging rising star, the Second Princess, Her Highness Uriel. I’m asking which of the four you support.”

“…I’ve never thought about that. I don’t know the Imperial Family of the Empire very well.”

Rael nodded at Lucas’s reaction.

He values things like the peace of the continent and the stability of the people, and doesn’t care who becomes the emperor.

It’s truly a heroic stance.

“You know I’m not a weird person, right? First of all, let me tell you about the advantages of Her Highness Uriel…”

So, he had to persuade him now.

*

Gideon Garcia, Commander of the Kamen Knights.

He sat in the Kamen Knights waiting room with a frown on his face.

His head was filled with the swordplay he had just witnessed.

‘It’s definitely the sword of the Thousand Slaughter Sword Lord.’

The title of the Empire’s strongest knight was not just for show.

Gideon, a mature Sword Master, never forgets a sword he has seen once.

Although the form was a little different, it was definitely the sword of the Thousand Slaughter Sword Lord.

‘But that’s strange. Since the Thousand Slaughter Sword Lord went into seclusion, no one has mastered his sword. Why has it appeared now?’

That old man is not someone who would teach his sword to others.

He was a man who did not teach his sword to the Kamen Knights even though Gideon had asked him directly.

‘Besides, he’s the Second Princess’s exclusive knight… Could it be related to the death of the 3rd Division Commander, Gilbert?’

Gideon recalled the last day of the Heavenly Judgment.

The Kamen Knights’ 3rd Division, which had tried to assassinate the Imperial Family for the sake of the Empire’s unity, was annihilated for some reason.

According to the report of the 1st Division Commander, Belen, a man was suspected… but there was no evidence, so he could not be caught.

“…Was he called Gaksital? I heard he wasn’t a very impressive guy.”

Gideon narrowed his eyes.

The Duke who suddenly came out to support the Second Princess.

And the sword of the Thousand Slaughter Sword Lord held by the Second Princess’s exclusive knight.

The man named Gaksital who may have dealt with the Kamen Knights who attacked the Second Princess.

He thought there would be a connection between them.

‘Will they be a crisis for the Empire? Or an opportunity?’

What Gideon Garcia wanted was the unity of the Empire.

The Empire had to unite in order to prepare for the upcoming war with the demons.

“…Come to think of it, where was the Thousand Slaughter Sword Lord in seclusion?”

At that time, the Empire’s evils that Gideon had forgotten came to his mind.

*

The Duke’s return party grew larger as the night deepened.

Uriel was still talking to the nobles and focusing on the party.

‘The nobles who support Damian Oppa [older brother] prioritize legitimacy. I have to target the nobles who support Simon Oppa.’

Uriel spent her time focusing on the conversation.

After talking to all the important nobles, Uriel came out to the balcony to get some fresh air.

“Hoo…”

It took concentration to talk to the nobles.

She had to maintain the act that she had something great that the Duke would be interested in.

It wasn’t her favorite thing to do, but it was an investment for the future.

‘How many nobles in there care about the Empire?’

Uriel sighed and felt the cold night air.

Her head, which had been swept away by the people, cooled down.

“You’ve worked hard, Your Highness Uriel.”

“Thank you, Isabel.”

Just in time, Isabel brought a glass of cool grape juice.

Uriel brought the glass to her mouth and smiled faintly.

“This party will be a big turning point.”

“Yes. …It’s all thanks to Sir Rael.”

She was getting so much from this party thanks to Rael.

She only felt grateful to Rael.

“That’s right. That man… At first, I thought he was just a strange person.”

Isabel recalled her first impression of Rael.

She just thought he was a crazy man, but she never thought he would be such an outstanding person.

“Your Highness Uriel. You were here. Isabel is here too?”

“Ah, Sir Rael. You came just in time. Would you like a drink?”

Speak of the devil.

Isabel handed a glass of grape juice to Rael as he approached.

“I’m fine with drinks. More than that, I want you to take care of something urgent.”

“Urgent business?”

“Yes. I want you to remove my name from the Special Guard.”

“Pardon? …Ah. I see.”

Isabel immediately understood Rael’s words and nodded her head.

Even if Uriel didn’t know, Rael would be getting a lot of attention from now on.

“I’ve attracted more attention than I thought. The Information Guild will start investigating me soon, and it could be annoying if the Special Guard is discovered. Will it take a long time?”

The existence of the Ghost King or the Thousand Slaughter Sword Lord there would not be good to be known.

Rael wanted to hide them as much as possible.

“It’s possible, but it will take quite a while.”

“No. I can take care of it right away.”

It was Uriel who answered Rael’s words.

She handed the glass to Isabel and continued.

“I’ve been preparing since Rael saved my life from the Kamen Knights. I omitted Rael from the reporting system.”

As soon as Uriel realized that Rael was important, she removed Rael from the reporting system.

The interest in the Special Guard was not as great as its importance, so she was planning to report it again naturally if nothing happened.

“When did you do that…?”

Isabel was impressed by Uriel’s preparedness.

It was something she hadn’t even thought of.

“Really? Then can we handle it quickly?”

“Yes. You can revise the report to say that Rael never came to the Special Guard in the first place. However, since it’s an urgent matter, you’ll have to go directly to the Imperial Palace.”

It was obvious that the Information Guild would move soon.

However, Uriel, who had lived in the 4th and 5th districts, knew the difference between the upper and lower districts well.

The Information Guilds that operate in the upper districts have little information about the lower districts.

Before they could move, Uriel could move first.

*

The first day of the Duke’s return party ended.

These kinds of events usually involve drinking and revelry for several days, but the Imperial Family only participates for one day, even if the party is long.

It was a tradition for the safety of the Imperial Family, who are the future of the Empire.

“Rael, thank you so much today.”

Uriel, who came out of the party hall, smiled and greeted Rael.

Thanks to Rael, she would be busy for a while, but it was a time to work hard with pleasure.