The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 66

< Stealing God >

“You are truly amazing, Sir Carlson.”

“Sir Carlson is the hope of the Silver Cross Knights!”

“Haha, thank you, everyone.”

After Carlson’s demonstration, he spent a pleasant time surrounded by the Order’s people.

The entire Order’s attention was focused on Carlson due to the new power of Holy Power Sword Energy.

Praise came from all directions, and some called him the future of the Silver Cross Knights.

“Carlson, let’s examine the Holy Power Sword Energy more closely. You will need to stay at headquarters for a while to teach the Silver Cross Knights this technique.”

“Understood, Commander!”

“Yes. Today, I am truly proud that you are a Silver Cross Knight.”

Carlson made the sign of the cross, listening to Marco’s words.

He was filled with emotion at finally being recognized by the Order.

After the priests’ and knights’ praises continued for a while, Raelle finally approached Carlson, who was left alone.

He was smiling faintly with his eyes closed.

“Yes, Brother Raelle. I am Carlson, the hope of the Silver Cross Knights.”

“…”

*What a load of crap.*

Raelle forcibly swallowed the curse.

He didn’t like how Carlson was puffing up his chest, but he decided not to bother him today since he had done a great job.

“That Inquisitor who had a demonstration match with you—was it Garhardt Elga?”

“Yes, you mean Garhardt.”

“Isn’t that the guy who was giving you a hard time earlier?”

“That’s right. He is one of the Inquisitors who particularly dislikes me.”

“But is it okay to embarrass him like this?”

Nobles don’t take embarrassment well, especially those kinds of guys. He must be seething.

“Hey, Brother. Garhardt is also a member of the Order. There is no way he would hold a grudge to that extent.”

“Are you absolutely not going to let it slide if something like this happens next time?”

“Of course, Brother. The position of Holy Knight is sacred.”

Raelle nodded.

He could now be sure why Carlson did not appear in the original work.

*‘The murderous intent was too blatant to ignore.’*

Nobles would hate a devout Holy Knight like Carlson.

Moreover, since he was from a commoner background, they would be even more angry and annoyed.

*‘Fucking medieval fantasy bastards.’*

It was obvious that they would do something behind the scenes.

The reason why Carlson does not appear in the original work was likely due to that.

*‘But he calls me ‘brother’ and treats me well, yet he’s not good at sucking up to others.’*

He is also a very strange Holy Knight.

He likes gambling, but he is surprisingly diligent in the Order’s work… He is definitely a strange guy.

“Don’t worry, Carlson. If anything happens, this brother will protect you.”

Of course, no matter how strange he is, Carlson is like family.

“Haha, Brother. I am Carlson, the future of the Silver Cross Knights. Don’t worry.”

“Yeah. It’s best if there’s nothing to worry about.”

Raelle smiled bitterly and looked at Carlson.

Unfortunately, the nobles will not leave a guy like him alone.

Raelle knew that very well, so he would never let Carlson die.

*

The next day, Priest Cecilia’s promotion ceremony to Archbishop was held.

It was an unprecedented event to be promoted to Archbishop from a lower priest at once, so the Order’s attention was bound to be drawn, but there were not as many people as expected because of Carlson’s Holy Power Sword Energy demonstration the day before.

“Haha, this is… Even though it’s a promotion ceremony, the prayer room is empty. It seems like everyone is busy because of me. I’m sorry, Priest Cecilia.”

“It’s okay, Sir Carlson. I actually prefer it when there are fewer people.”

Cecilia was finding it hard to calm her pounding heart.

She was just a lower priest, yet she was taking the Archbishop exam.

She still couldn’t believe it.

“But I heard the Cardinal is coming?”

“That’s right. Cardinal Fernando will be attending this promotion ceremony.”

“Cardinal Fernando?”

It was a familiar name.

It was the person Bishop Peter had mentioned.

“Yes, but there aren’t very good rumors about him…”

*Step. Step.*

At that moment, a man with a huge build approached Raelle and Carlson.

“Oh my! The young blood of the Empire and the Order are gathered here!”

It was Cardinal Fernando.

He led his heavy body and approached Raelle and Carlson, making the sign of the cross.

“Ah, Cardinal Fernando.”

“Sir Carlson, I was truly moved by your Holy Power Sword Energy yesterday.”

“Thank you, everyone.”

“I hope Priest Cecilia will also demonstrate her talent at today’s Archbishop promotion ceremony.”

“Thank you for the Cardinal’s blessing.”

“And… Sir Raelle, I have heard so much about you. Would you like to have a conversation with me over there for a moment?”

Fernando greeted Raelle with a pleasant face.

Following him to a place where there were no people, Fernando finally turned around.

“May blessings be upon you. I am very happy to meet Sir Raelle, who is shaking the Empire these days. Hehe.”

“The honor is mine.”

Raelle returned the pleasantries, but tilted his head while looking at Fernando.

*Why is this pig-like Cardinal suddenly acting so friendly?*

It was strange that a Cardinal would approach him like this just because he had heard a few words from Peter.

“I heard from Peter that you are a very devout follower of the Order.”

“Ah, yes. That’s right.”

Fernando smiled, making the sign of the cross.

“I also heard that you came up with the idea of the mark sold—no, given—in District 4, and that you have a close relationship with Her Highness Uriel, who is supported by the Grand Duke.”

“That’s true. Even though you are a member of the Order, Cardinal, you are quick to grasp the flow of the Empire.”

Raelle was finally able to understand Fernando.

He was one of the high-ranking clerics in each Order who valued money and power.

*‘He’s trying to get on the Second Princess’s line.’*

As the Empire’s succession competition has recently reignited, he is trying to get on this side as well.

Originally, it was right to distance himself from such trash clerics.

Raelle carefully took a step back.

He was thinking of making an excuse about Carlson and leaving.

“Hehe, I’m just interested in a devout follower of the Order. Ah, this is a small gift from me.”

*Swish-*

Raelle looked at the Order’s certificate he took out of his arms.

“This is…?”

“Peter said that Sir Raelle needs money in many ways. If you present this certificate at the branch in District 2, you will be able to receive a portion of the donation.”

“Cardinal…”

Raelle sighed as he looked at the certificate.

*‘Oh, did I misjudge?’*

Seeing that reaction, Fernando immediately tried to put the certificate back into his arms.

He thought he could win him over with money after hearing Bishop Peter’s words, but he seemed to be a knight who valued honor more than he thought.

“Hehe, let’s pretend you didn’t see this…”

*Tak-*

At that moment, Raelle’s hand grabbed Fernando’s wrist.

He smiled and put the certificate from Fernando’s hand into his arms.

“If there is anything I, Raelle, can help with, please call me anytime.”

“Ah… Thank you. May Gaia’s blessings be with you on your way. I look forward to working with you in the future. Hehe.”

Fernando smiled belatedly.

*As expected, his eyes were not wrong.*

*

‘What a righteous Cardinal.’*

Raelle parted ways with Fernando and felt the warmth of the certificate in his arms.

It was the heart that the Cardinal had given him, so he was planning to use it appropriately later.

“Brother, are you okay?”

“Huh? Why?”

“Cardinal Fernando… There were rumors that he values money.”

Carlson looked at Raelle, who had returned after talking with Fernando, with worried eyes.

However, Raelle shook his head at his words.

“Come on, it’s just a rumor. What a great person he is. I’ll introduce you to him later, so make sure to make a good impression.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. It’s good to only believe what you see and experience. Got it?”

“Ah, understood, Brother.”

Carlson nodded.

As expected, Brother Raelle was always a good brother who gave him teachings.

“[I would like to express my gratitude to the followers of the Order gathered in this place. From now on, we will begin the promotion ceremony of Priest Cecilia to Archbishop, personally recommended by Marco, Commander of the Silver Cross Knights.]”

After a while, Priest Fernando went up to the platform and began the promotion ceremony.

“Sir Raelle, do you think I can do well…?”

Cecilia, who had been praying quietly, finally looked for Raelle as if she was anxious.

“Don’t worry, you’ll do well.”

Raelle quietly smiled at her.

He was looking forward to the sight of the Order being turned upside down in a little while.

“Haha, it’s okay, Priest Cecilia. I know your faith well even if you fail this time.”

Carlson thumped his chest.

He also knew well about Priest Cecilia’s devotion.

Even if a bad result came out this time, he, the hope of the Silver Cross Knights, was thinking of recommending her again for the Bishop promotion ceremony.

*‘Even the Commander makes mistakes sometimes. Maybe Archbishop was too high of a goal from the start.’*

Carlson nodded.

He was already worrying about how to comfort Cecilia, who had failed the Archbishop promotion ceremony.

*If he, the hope of the Silver Cross Knights, comforted her…*

*Whoaaaaa-.*

At that moment, the prayer room where the promotion ceremony was being held was filled with Holy Power.

“Ah, aaaaa! Gaia [the main god]!”

Fernando, who was sitting on the chair on the platform, raised his heavy body.

The wave of Holy Power that was erupting before his eyes made his faith burn.

“W-What’s going on?! T-This is…!”

“G-Gaia!”

The followers who belatedly entered the prayer room all knelt down and offered prayers to the main god Gaia.

Cecilia, who was continuing to pray in the center of the prayer room and emitting Holy Power, was like the reincarnation of a saintess descending from the Order.

“Gaia.”

Raelle smiled at the people’s reactions.

It was quite a strange feeling to see the birth of a new saintess in person.

*‘So that’s what they mean by a golden lifeline.’*

What Carlson showed yesterday was also great, but the Order is basically not a combat group.

The priests, bishops, and even the Cardinal were captivated by Cecilia’s Holy Power.

“Huh? Priest Cecilia?”

The only one who could not join the wave of emotion was Carlson, the hope of the Silver Cross Knights.

*

“Brother, isn’t this too much? I’m saying I created a new realm…”

“Cheer up, Carlson.”

“How…! How can she take away all the attention that was focused on me in just one day! Isn’t Priest Cecilia being too much!”

“Don’t call her Priest Cecilia, call her Saintess.”

Cecilia has not yet been appointed as the Saintess of the Order, but the followers who have already seen the sight were calling her the Saintess.

“Kuhhhhh!”

Carlson wiped away the rising tears.

Carlson, who was called the future of the Order, had all his attention taken away by Cecilia in just one day.

“I’m going now, because of the Silver Cross Knights’ training…”

Carlson was noticeably sulking.

Raelle also knew that the realm he had created was great, so he offered a few words of comfort.

“Still, you’re the teacher in the Silver Cross Knights. Don’t let your shoulders droop and go teach them properly. The Saintess is only temporary, but the swordsmanship you created will continue to be passed down in the Silver Cross Knights.”

“That’s right, Brother Raelle. I’ll work hard!”

Carlson, who gained strength from Raelle’s comfort, ran to the Silver Cross Knights.

Raelle, who was watching his back, nodded with a satisfied face.

In fact, the existence of the Saintess will remain more in history than swordsmanship… but if he is happy, that’s all that matters.

*‘The problem is the Inquisitors.’*

Raelle came out of the Order’s headquarters.

Cecilia was busy meeting with the Cardinal and the Pope, and Carlson had gone to training, so he didn’t know anyone.

He walked through District 1 for the first time in a while and pondered.

*‘Should I talk to Commander Marco about the Inquisitors? He would take some action.’*

Raelle pondered for a moment, then shook his head.

*‘No, that will never solve it.’*

After all, the Inquisitors are all nobles.

The Order is also a group belonging to the Empire, so they cannot get rid of all the nobles.

There is a high possibility that they will only give a simple warning without taking special measures.

Then the checks on Carlson will become more secretive and vile.

*‘It’s better for me to handle it directly.’*

How should I handle it so that there are no noises?

Raelle, who did not know the internal affairs of the Order well, had a lot to think about.

*Tap tap.*

At that moment, someone tapped Raelle on the shoulder.

“Excuse me…”

“?”

When he turned his head, he saw a woman he had never seen before.

She confidently raised the corners of her mouth and narrowed the distance with Raelle.

“Ooh, hello?”

“…”

Raelle blinked as he looked at the woman who was maintaining a distance that seemed like she would touch him.

*Who is this crazy woman?*

“Can’t come to your senses? Hehe, come on, follow me slowly.”

The Stealing God smiled.

*As expected, this man was easy too.*

Just getting a little closer and the Stealing God’s curse would mess with his mind.

That was the talent she had.

“Um, yes. Good work.”

Raelle carefully took her arm away and turned his body.

And quickly left.

*‘Is she a gold digger? No, judging from the way she talks, she’s just a crazy woman. Why is there someone like that in District 1?’*

He couldn’t treat her carelessly in case she was a noble’s child.

From long experience, it is best to leave when something like this happens.

*‘She might be someone who is hurting.’*

Not everyone has a strong mental strength like Raelle.

It is not uncommon for problems to arise in the head due to congenital or acquired reasons.

As you live, you get hurt in your heart, and you do strange things to cover up those wounds.

Maybe that woman is like that too.

“Hey! Wait a minute! Hey! You bastard!”

*It’s the first time I’ve actually seen someone like that, but I know how to deal with them.*

Don’t mix words.

Perhaps embracing them is a better way, but those kinds of people can be greatly hurt by a sharp word.

If you don’t have the confidence to embrace them, you shouldn’t approach them from the beginning.

“Wait! Let’s just have a conversation!”

Raelle increased his walking speed to avoid the woman chasing from behind.