The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 72

The last day of the Grand Duke’s return celebration.

As the nobles began to return to their estates, the Second Princess, Yuriel, visited the Grand Duke’s mansion once more.

“Your Highness Yuriel, thank you for visiting,” Rein greeted her courteously.

As a member of the Imperial Family was visiting the Grand Duke, Rein personally escorted her.

“Thank you, Commander Rein,” Yuriel replied, following Rein into the drawing room.

Inside, Grand Duke Eric Grace was already seated. He rose with a smile to greet Yuriel.

“You’ve arrived, Your Highness Yuriel.”

“Grand Duke, please, no excessive formalities,” Yuriel said lightly, taking a seat opposite him.

An array of delectable snacks adorned the table.

“I’ve noticed you’ve been meeting with nobles frequently these days. Are there any inconveniences?”

“No, I’m fine. My personal maid is quite clever.”

Isabelle was currently in the carriage, organizing Yuriel’s schedule. Thanks to her, Yuriel could move about comfortably.

“Your Highness’s… assistant also seems busier since the party ended.”

“Sir Rael is not my assistant. He merely assisted with the party temporarily.”

“Ah, is that so? I hear he’s been frequenting the Order [referring to the Order of Knights] lately. I’d like to say hello.”

“I’ll pass on the message.”

Yuriel had been focusing on increasing her influence over the past few days. With the Grand Duke as a reliable backer, she could pursue opportunities she hadn’t been able to before.

Rael must be finding things to do as well. Judging by the good news, he didn’t seem to be up to anything strange.

“Does Your Highness Yuriel have any plans for the future? Following this party, many other nobles will be hosting events they’ve been putting off.”

“I’ll need to be away for a few days due to a matter concerning my close aide. However, I will attend all important events,” Yuriel said with a faint smile. It was comforting to have someone who supported her.

‘I’d like to see Rael, too. I wonder if he’s at the Special Guard unit.’

Yuriel picked up a snack, thinking of Rael.

Knock, knock-

“I-It’s Kirue. Grand Duke!”

Just then, a hurried voice came from outside.

“Rein.”

“Yes, Commander,” Rein replied, opening the door to the drawing room. Outside stood Kirue, the adjutant of the Rein Knights, looking as if he’d rushed over.

“Kirue, what is it? I told you this was an important time with Her Highness Yuriel visiting.”

“I-It’s urgent news. A demonic invasion has occurred in Sector 2.”

“…What?! Demons? What kind of demons appeared!” Rein’s eyes widened at the word ‘demons.’ This wasn’t the first demonic invasion, but they were always a threat.

“Fifteen mid-tier demons and one high-tier demon have appeared.”

“A high-tier demon…? Couldn’t you stop such a thing from invading?” Unlike mid-tier demons, each high-tier demon was a formidable enemy requiring a dozen knights.

The presence they exuded was so great that, unlike mid-tier demons, they shouldn’t have been missed.

“…What are the Carmen Knights doing?”

Yuriel also frowned. She had too many bad memories of the Carmen Knights. They had ignored the report of demons appearing in Sector 4 and even tried to assassinate her.

‘Could it be… is it really you, Gideon?’ The man who believed the Empire needed a crisis. Was he allowing demons to invade the Empire?

Yuriel couldn’t help but suspect him even more.

“I’m not sure about the Carmen Knights’ movements either…”

“Kirue, what about the casualties?! Was the high-tier demon killed?”

“That’s…”

“What is it?”

“F-Five scions [members] of noble families who were working as Inquisitors have died. Fortunately, the high-tier demon was killed.”

“Five nobles… Tsk. It’s fortunate that the high-tier demon was killed with that level of damage despite the attack… Were the Carmen Knights the ones who suppressed the high-tier demon?”

Rein, who had been about to rush out, breathed a sigh of relief. The defense was a mess, but at least the response was quick.

“No, it wasn’t. That…”

“Kirue! Why are you being like this? Stop stuttering and report quickly!”

Kirue flinched at Rein’s rebuke and continued. He didn’t know whether to believe it or not, but it was information he had received from a reliable source.

“It wasn’t the Carmen Knights. Two knights and one cadet killed the high-tier demon.”

“…Two knights and one cadet killed a high-tier demon? Who are they?” Were there knights that strong?

Rein waited for Kirue’s next words.

“Sir Carlson of the Silver Cross Knights, Cadet Lucas of the Academy, and… Sir Rael.”

“…What?”

Rein frowned at the familiar names. He had become quite close to Carlson while visiting the orphanage, and he had gotten to know Lucas by inviting him to the party.

And what about Rael? He was Rein’s best friend and a future talent.

But… those three caught a high-tier demon?

“Kirue, I don’t doubt you, but… is that really reliable information?” Rein couldn’t help but doubt Kirue. It wasn’t that he doubted the strength of the three, but high-tier demons were on a different level.

Why couldn’t humans, who had an overwhelming population compared to demons, push back against Gehenna [the demon realm]? To cut down the monsters in Gehenna, one had to be able to use aura [a form of magical energy] at least.

And to hunt a mid-tier demon safely, at least two Graduate-level knights were needed. There was no need to mention high-tier demons. More than ten fully fledged Graduates were needed. That meant a small knight order was needed.

For those three to have dealt with such a monster, it was hard to believe even for Rein, who trusted Rael.

“Yes. The source of the information is Cardinal Vernando. He even said that Lucas and Sir Carlson were only pushed back by the demon, and Sir Rael was the one who cut down the high-tier demon with a single strike…”

“…?”

Rein didn’t understand what he had heard and asked again. “Kirue, did I hear correctly?”

“Yes, that’s right. Sir Rael beheaded it alone… Cardinal Vernando is strongly insisting on it.”

“Huh, unbelievable.”

Defeating a high-tier demon alone? To be honest, it was an easy task for Rein, who was at the beginning stages of Swordmaster [a master swordsman]. But to cut down a high-tier demon with a single strike? That was something even Rein himself would have difficulty with.

Breaking through that dense demonic energy wasn’t something one could do just because they wanted to. What Rael had done defied the common sense of swordsmanship.

“Cardinal Vernando… he likes donations, but he’s not someone who would lie. How strange,” Rein said, tilting his head. He would have to check the truth himself later.

*

A warm sunlight shone on his body. Rael lay in a hammock, gazing at the sky. A day had passed since the demons invaded the Imperial Capital, but it was peaceful on this hammock.

“Gent, you know about Feng Shui [an ancient Chinese practice], right?”

“Feng Shui?”

“Yeah. It’s said that the rise and fall of humans is determined by the land. I think this place has bad energy. Ever since I came to the Special Guard unit, only shitty things have been happening,” Rael sighed deeply.

The reason he had come to the Special Guard unit after a long time was simple. The Order’s headquarters was too noisy for him to relax.

“Rael.”

“What.”

“The Empire has been noisy with your name since yesterday.”

“…Don’t talk about it. It makes me sad.”

That giant had an unnecessarily fast rumor mill. He had tried to divert his attention with the Feng Shui story, but Gent didn’t care.

“Why are you sad? Aren’t you a skilled knight who avenged the high-tier demon who killed the Inquisitors? They even said you killed it with one sword? Thanks to you, Yuriel’s reputation is also rising.”

“I didn’t defeat it with one sword, damn it.”

It was a high-tier demon, but it was dying. Lucas and Carlson had left it half-dead. Rael was burdened by such rumors spreading. Expectations were bound to lead to disappointment. Why were these people expecting so much from him?

‘Cardinal Vernando… Ha.’

The source of the terrible rumors was, of course, Cardinal Vernando. Vernando, who had rushed to save the noble Inquisitors, quickly changed his goal as soon as he saw the Inquisitors’ bodies. He had started to promote Rael, whom he had bribed in advance.

He was still spreading the tale of the Silver Cross Knights’ honorary knight who had avenged the Inquisitors throughout the Imperial Capital.

‘What a cunning survival tactic.’ His build was like a bear, but his actions were like a fox. Thanks to that, Rael, who had become uncomfortable staying at the Order’s headquarters, had to go back to work at the Special Guard unit.

“Hmm. I’ve been observing the human world for a long time, but Rael, you’re a really hard human to understand. You pursue honor while hating it.”

“When did I ever pursue honor, you crazy giant?” Rael said, dumbfounded. His goal was always to slack off in the background. But what could he do when the situation made him like this?

“Weren’t you pursuing honor? Then why did you catch the demons in Sector 4 and get the honorary knight title of the Silver Cross Knights?”

“No, that just happened by accident.”

“Wasn’t suppressing the fully fledged knight at the party full of nobles and catching the high-tier demon alone not for honor?”

“That’s all because of circumstances… Tsk.” Rael, who had lost the argument, turned his head. Silence was golden. There was no way a stupid giant could understand human intentions.

‘I just wanted to be a decent knight. I didn’t want this much…’

Was there really a problem with his survival skills? Rael sighed.

Huff- Haa-

At that moment, a pure white fox approached and sat on Rael’s stomach. It was Vermeil III.

“Yeah. You’ve been through a lot too. I think I’ve built my nest in the wrong place, too, Fox.”

Huff- Haa-

Not only had he fallen into this crazy world, but he was also getting a useless title called a hero.

‘Besides, the demons are increasingly targeting the Empire… Tsk. That giant eye definitely seemed like a strong bastard.’

The problem was that Rael was the only one who knew that fact. The demons’ invasion would only get stronger in the future, but the Empire wasn’t prepared yet.

‘There seems to be a traitor inside the Empire too. Wow, are these guys crazy? They need to collapse once to come to their senses.’

The plan to make Lucas a hero faster and make him stronger had also failed. Of course, there were still many opportunities left… but he couldn’t help but have a headache.

“Haa, Gent. Where’s Reina?” Rael looked for Reina, who was in charge of being ‘worse than me’. When he was in a bad mood, he had to nag at least a lacking elf.

“Reina went out of the capital with Yuriel.”

“…What? Yuriel is so busy, why is she going out now?” She was currently establishing herself as a member of the Imperial Family. Going out at this timing?

“Because she can finally keep the promise she made with Reina.”

“What promise?”

“Hmm… I guess I can tell you now,” Gent hesitated for a moment before continuing. “Do you know that the Elven forest is getting smaller and smaller?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never heard of it.” The Elves were about to be destroyed in the original story, and they weren’t even seen often in the first place.

“The Elves are being targeted by one of the nobles of Gehenna. Thanks to that, they are being chased out of their forest. But they can’t receive protection from the Order and the Empire, so they keep running away.”

“Is that so?”

“Well, so Reina is thinking of moving the entire Elven forest. She’s getting help from Yuriel for that.”

“…She’s really weird. The Elves hate Reina so much, why is she so nice to them?”

“It’s probably for the same reason as you, who hates honor but pursues it.”

“Don’t talk nonsense, Gent.” Rael stroked the fur of Vermeil III, who was lying on his stomach. He must have been lonely without Reina, which was why he came to him.

“So, are the Elves moving to another forest as a group?”

“I don’t know the exact details either. I just know that Reina was very happy.”

“…Where exactly is the forest located?”

“It’s an empty forest on the outskirts of the capital. If you’re worried, I can find out for you.”

“It’s okay. I’ll find out myself.” Rael got up from the hammock. He had to stop by the Order once anyway. He could ask Baggus or Tu Shen about Reina at the same time.

*

“Aaa-! Gaia-Men [followers of Gaia]!”

Cardinal Vernando was praying in front of the Order’s headquarters. It was a busy time because of the Saintess’s appointment ceremony, but he had to do what he had to do even at times like this.

“Aaa, our hero! Our hero who avenged the demons who brutally killed the Order’s brothers!”

“Sir Rael! Our hero!”

“The honorary knight who cut down the high-tier demon with one sword!”

The believers gathered in front of the headquarters shouted at Vernando’s words. They looked like fanatics. It was an amazing talent to turn believers into fanatics in an instant.

“Sir Carlson. Is this okay?”

“I don’t know either. Let’s just stay still,” Carlson and Lucas smiled bitterly and stood behind him. Some priests were also watching with expressions that seemed to ask what that was, but Vernando didn’t give in.

“Gaia-Men! I will pray for Sir Rael!” Vernando raised the corners of his mouth, thinking of Rael’s face. He was a friend who shared friendship with him. The money envelope he had given him was also a perfect judgment. This was also the guidance of the main god Gaia.

“Oh, oh! The hero is walking over there!” At that moment, a man walking from the other side was seen. As soon as Vernando saw him, he waved the Order’s symbol here and there.

“Sir Rael! This way!”

“Haa…” Of course, Rael’s expression as he walked was terrible. Rael approached the entrance and spoke to Vernando.

“Cardinal. Let’s go inside and talk instead of doing this here.”

“If you say so, I understand,” Vernando hid his disappointment and entered the headquarters. As Rael followed him, Carlson and Lucas naturally followed in.

“Hey, you bastards. I told you to say that you guys caught it. Why did you make people like that?” Rael said, looking at the two who were following him. He didn’t need the credit, so he told them to divide it as much as possible, but looking at the situation, most of the credit had gone to Rael.

“S-Sorry. Cardinal’s opinion was too stubborn…”

“Haa, Carlson. You should follow my words even if Lucas doesn’t, right?”

“Brother. I am a paladin belonging to the Order. And Cardinal Vernando is the second-in-command of the Order.”

“…Ha.” Why was such a person the second-in-command of the Order? Such a crazy group. Rael shook his head and entered the drawing room.

“Cardinal. Let’s have a conversation.”

“Aaa, Sir Rael. I understand. My close friend.”

“…” Rael, who was sitting in the drawing room, smacked his lips while looking at Vernando, who was smiling brightly. It was as if he was asking for praise.

“Ahem. Cardinal. First, send the people outside home and stop the festive atmosphere.”

“Oh, what are you saying? You. Aren’t we friends? If a friend has achieved something, it is my duty to congratulate him.”

“…Why are you and I friends, Cardinal?”

“Huh? Did you forget? Ah, aaa… That’s what it was. It’s not enough. Don’t worry. I’ll poke you more when you become a hero. Take this for now.” Vernando rummaged through his arms and took out a symbol. What he respected next to the main god Gaia was money. If there was something that could not be solved with money in the world, he had to check if there was not enough money.

“…What is this?”

“It’s a symbol that can receive donations from the Order’s headquarters. It’s not a large amount, but you can get about 1%.”

“No, is it okay to give out things like this?”

“Aren’t you going to take it?”

“…” Rael put the symbol in his pocket for now. He had to keep it in case he could use it someday.

‘I didn’t know why he was calling me a friend… it was because of the donation I received back then.’ Damn it. He was blinded by a few bucks and caught the eye of a crazy raccoon. Rael sighed and made a sign of the cross.

“Anyway, I know your heart well, Cardinal. Yes. But… I think it’s too much. In fact, Sir Carlson and Cadet Lucas helped a lot.”

“Haha. Sir Rael. I know your heart to take care of your juniors as a faithful honorary knight of the Silver Cross Knights, but I, Vernando, saw it clearly. Sir Rael’s sword cutting off the demon’s head!”

“…”

This person doesn’t understand. There is a lesson I have learned from my life so far. The nobles of medieval fantasy do not bend their opinions. They think that their pride will be hurt if they change their minds, so even if they know they are wrong, they never fix it. It’s just a waste of time to talk more here, and we’ll only blush each other’s faces.

‘There’s no point in saying it because they won’t listen anyway.’ It’s better to accept it with a good feeling and build a relationship. Even if it’s someone like this, if he’s a cardinal, he’ll have some power.

“I understand. But please tell them that Lucas and Carlson also helped. If those two hadn’t bought time, there would have been other victims. I have no face to see those friends if I take all the credit.”

“Haha, that’s easy. I, Vernando, will diligently tell the story of the three heroes, so don’t worry..”

Sigh. Rael was relieved to some extent only then. And, he asked about the word he was worried about.

“…Come to think of it, are you going to pick a hero soon?”

“Now that the Saintess has come out, we have to pick a hero. Gaia-Men.”

“Ah, is that so? That’s good. I happen to know a good friend for the role of hero.”

Lucas. If he could handle the Holy Sword, this kind of thing wouldn’t have happened.

“Hahaha! Don’t worry. I’ll put Sir Rael’s name on it no matter what.”

“…Who put my name on it at will.”

“Huh?”

“It’s nothing. I’ll be on my way now.” Rael closed his eyes, feeling a throbbing headache. It was just a waste of time to talk more.

‘I can resign from the hero position.’ I won’t take responsibility for anything from now on. Rael got up from his seat, determined to do so.