The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 75

Elves live in the World Tree Forest, sustained by the pure energy of nature.

However, the very purity of that natural power makes it vulnerable to contamination and corruption.

Then there was Bartholomew, the Count of Alheim.

It was inevitable that the elves would draw his attention, given his mastery of annihilation magic.

“Count Bartholomew of Alheim launched a surprise attack on the World Tree Forest, home to the elves.”

“Count Bartholomew…”

Raelle recognized the name from the original story.

His magic was lethally corrosive to living beings on contact, making him an incredibly dangerous opponent.

Even the protagonist would have struggled against him without the Holy Sword.

“He sought the power of the elves, especially their spirit magic.”

“Spirit magic?”

“Yes. His own magic grew stronger by consuming pure spirits.”

“Hmm…”

No wonder he was so ridiculously powerful for a count in the original story.

He must have absorbed a tremendous amount of power by destroying elves.

“But what does Bartholomew have to do with Reina’s betrayal of the elves?”

“…Reina possessed an extraordinary talent for spirit magic.”

“Reina?”

“Yes. Reina is the only elf capable of independently opening a gateway to the Astral Plane of spirits. Bartholomew knew this and targeted her.”

Bartholomew led countless demons to the World Tree Forest.

They sought to capture Reina, but the elves refused to abandon one of their own.

Even if it meant the annihilation of their entire race, they were prepared to fight to the end for her sake.

“Eventually, a devastating war erupted, resulting in countless elven deaths. My parents perished in that war. My eyes… were damaged by Bartholomew’s magic back then.”

The elves were unable to withstand Bartholomew’s magic of annihilation.

That magic, which withered everything in its vicinity, was the natural enemy of the nature-manipulating elves.

[M, Mom! Dad! S, Sister. My eyes…!]

[…It’s okay, Reina. We’ll never let you go.]

[N, No! Stop! Everyone, please stop! Don’t die anymore!]

Despite the odds, the elves refused to surrender.

They risked the fate of their entire race to protect a single elf.

“After the war, which inflicted immense damage on the elves, Reina suddenly vanished. She didn’t reappear until a month later. At that time, Reina’s body was saturated with the magic of annihilation. She appeared almost… like his subordinate.”

Reine bit her lip, reliving that day.

The elves were shocked to see Reina, now tainted by the magic of annihilation, but they cautiously approached her.

[Reina! You’re safe…! But what’s wrong with your body…?]

[I… I’ve decided to join forces with Bartholomew. He has granted me great power. Now you no longer have to fight for me. No more demons will come.]

[W, What are you saying, Reina! Has your mind been corrupted? Take her to the World Tree immediately! And prepare for war!]

[Stop talking nonsense!]

[Reina…?]

[How can weak elves defeat demons! I refuse to live weakly like you any longer!]

[Re, Reina! Don’t you realize how many elves Bartholomew has killed! What do you think the elves sacrificed for you!?]

As Reina unleashed the magic of annihilation, the elves retreated back to the World Tree Forest.

Only Reine, unable to accept the reality, dared to approach Reina.

[Reina… H, How could you do this!]

[Sister… S, Sister… *sob*.]

[Re, Reina? Reina!]

As soon as the other elves were gone, Reina vomited blood and collapsed.

It was a side effect of an elf wielding the magic of annihilation.

“Reina was enduring it, deceiving the elves while forcibly using the magic of annihilation that was consuming her body. She believed that by sacrificing herself, the elves could survive.”

“So, she was branded a traitor and driven away by the elves.”

“Yes. From that day forward, Reina became an outcast. Elves, born under the same World Tree, possess an immense love for their own kind. That’s why they can never understand Reina. Perhaps she’s the most mature of us all.”

“…”

After hearing Reine’s story, Raelle closed his eyes, a wave of emotion washing over him.

He felt suffocated by the weight of the situation.

“I heard the elves are relocating near the Empire. What if we seek assistance from the Empire?”

“Demons and humans are currently in a truce. We can’t expect official support from the Empire.”

Raelle belatedly recalled the truce.

Yuri is spearheading the relocation of the elves.

Simply relocating the elves is one thing, but the Empire engaging in warfare with demons on their behalf is an entirely different matter.

Such a move would likely face immense opposition, even from nobles who support Yuri.

“…Tch.”

Raelle clicked his tongue in frustration.

He felt like he finally understood why the elves were annihilated in the original story.

Bartholomew probably wasn’t satisfied with just Reina and targeted other elves as well.

“Raelle.”

“Yes, Reine.”

“Please… Can you help Reina?”

“…”

“That child is trying to shoulder too much alone. She needs someone’s help. There’s nothing I can do.”

“Haa.”

Raelle suddenly remembered something.

He had already triggered numerous butterfly effects and altered the course of events, but saving the entire elven race seemed like an insurmountable task.

Moreover, saving the elves would necessitate killing Bartholomew, the Count of Alheim.

What repercussions would that action have on the world?

‘…What a fucking dilemma.’

Raelle shook his head.

The mere thought of it made him feel nauseous.

Was he truly becoming an idiot after living in this messed-up world?

“If I can…”

“Huh? Sister. Raelle. What are you doing?”

Just then, Reina, who had stepped out for a moment, returned to the room.

Seeing Reine and Raelle in an awkward atmosphere, she sat down with a cheerful smile.

“Raelle, you. You were hitting on my sister. Predictable.”

“…Yeah. She’s so beautiful that I engaged her in a little chat.”

“Hehe. Of course. My sister is one of the most beautiful elves. Ah, including me, of course.”

Raelle didn’t respond and turned away.

He feared his expression would betray his true thoughts if he looked at Reina now.

“Anyway, I’ve had dinner, so I’ll be going now. I have things to do. Reina, you should spend some time alone with Reine.”

Raelle decided to leave.

He didn’t foresee anything positive coming from staying any longer.

“Goodbye! See you later, Raelle!”

“Okay. It was a really enjoyable time, Raelle.”

After Raelle departed,

Reina sat beside Reine and smiled.

“Sister, did you talk to Raelle? What’s he like? Is he nice?”

“Yes, I think so. I’m glad you have a good friend.”

“Are the elves doing well these days? Is the relocation progressing smoothly?”

“Yes, it’s going well.”

“Is anyone in the elven community bullying you? Just tell me if they are. I’ll beat them up.”

Reine offered a bitter smile, sensing Reina’s forced cheerfulness.

She could vividly perceive Reina’s emotions, the difficult feelings masked behind a bright smile.

Even without sight, Reine, being an elf, could sense it.

“…Reina, I’m sorry.”

“Sister? Why are you suddenly like this?”

Reine lowered her head.

Reina’s talent for spirit magic is temporarily holding Bartholomew at bay, but he will never truly give up.

He will invade the elves again, and many more will die.

Frankly, Reine wanted to reveal the truth to the elves immediately.

But that’s not what Reina wants.

“There will be someone who can help. Surely…”

“Hmph, are you talking about Raelle? Sister, he can’t. He’s too kind.”

Reina admired people like Yuri and Raelle.

They were kind souls who offered assistance without expecting anything in return.

Raelle nonchalantly let them go when surrounded by elves, and he handed over the World Tree branch at a low price when he could have charged much more. [World Tree branch: A valuable item with magical properties.]

He dealt with the debtors when she was scammed, and he even connected her with a bar owner who doesn’t overcharge, although she hasn’t seen him lately due to his busy schedule.

If Reina asked for help, he would likely try, even if he initially refused.

“I hate that so much.”

Knowing this, Reina refrained from asking Yuri or Raelle for help.

She couldn’t bear to see anyone else die because of her.

*

His mood was strangely conflicted.

He hadn’t anticipated things unfolding this way when he first met Reine.

He had initially perceived her as a carefree elf, but she was actually shouldering the fate of her entire clan.

The truth about Reina was more troubling than Raelle had imagined.

‘…She wasn’t a pushover elf.’

How could he articulate his current state of mind?

Raelle sighed and began to walk.

He wasn’t a particularly virtuous person, but he couldn’t help but be moved by her story.

‘If it’s the Reinharz Knights [Reinharz Knights: A prestigious order of knights known for their strength and discipline], can they help? No. It would be useless unless Commander Reinharz himself intervened, and if the Commander moves, it would inevitably attract attention.’

Raelle pondered who could potentially aid the elves.

The Empire and the Order were obviously out of the question, as were the Reinharz Knights.

Bagus? Clara is there, but the rest of their combat strength is negligible.

‘The only connections left are Tia or the Thousand Slaughter Sword Master [Thousand Slaughter Sword Master: A legendary swordsman known for his incredible power and unique techniques]…’

Tia has a contract with the Empire and is focused on research, so she can’t enter the Dragon Lair.

The only one readily available is the Thousand Slaughter Sword Master… but isn’t he also affiliated with the Empire?

‘That’s right. They said the Thousand Slaughter Sword Master brokered the truce with the demons.’

Why is there no one around who can offer assistance?

Raelle sighed and approached the long-legged giant he hadn’t seen in a while.

“Hey, Ghent.”

“Hmm? Raelle, what’s wrong?”

“Where’s that old man, the Thousand Slaughter Sword Master? You’re close to him, right?”

Raelle had made his way to the Special Guard.

His shift was approaching, and having reached the realm of Icheon [Icheon: A high level of swordsmanship], he was considering meeting the Thousand Slaughter Sword Master to learn the next step.

Raelle approached the giant who was tending the garden.

“Are you talking about the Thousand Slaughter Sword Master? He hasn’t been visiting the Empire often lately because he’s been dealing with personal matters. Come to think of it, he mentioned he had something to tell you a few days ago.”

“Why doesn’t that old man come to me directly and always tell you?”

“I don’t know either. But the heart of a high-level warrior is inherently difficult to fathom, Raelle.”

“Bullshit. He’s just trying to look cool.”

Raelle sensed it.

From the very beginning, that old man wasn’t normal, starting with creating a sword technique that could only be used by shouting ‘Thousand Slaughter Sword First Form Icheon’.

“…Tch. Tell me anyway.”

“Hmm… I’ll relay his message verbatim. ‘Disciple, you have reached Icheon. The realm of Ascension is both near and far. Prove your sword as if whispering to the sky, the sun, and the moon. And ascend to the sky and cut,’ he said.”

Raelle frowned upon hearing Ghent’s words.

“Ghent, what do you think? Is that genuine advice?”

“Well, a warrior must realize his own sword directly, Raelle.”

“Haa.”

Was it a mistake to seek advice from an ignorant giant?

Raelle sighed and drew his sword.

“Thousand Slaughter Sword Second Form. Ascension.”

And, as a matter of course, he verbally declared ‘Ascension’.

But this time, nothing happened.

“…Is that not it?”

Raelle held his sword and gazed at the sky.

The scorching sun beat down on his face.

‘Ascension… Does it mean to raise the sword to the sky?’

Raelle pondered.

What should he do when this messed-up world is frustrating?

The answer is to become stronger.

First and foremost, power grants a wider range of choices.

He already had a headache, so he sought to clear his mind by swinging his sword.

“Yeah, well, if I swing it until I collapse, something will eventually click.”

Raelle recalled when he learned Icheon.

It was the same back then.

He gained a sense of it by swinging his sword relentlessly, and he deepened his understanding of Icheon while sparring with the Reinharz Knights.

Ultimately, something has to happen to trigger progress.

Whoosh-.

Sword energy erupted from Raelle’s sword.

It was the sword energy of Icheon, amplified by the surrounding magic power to an absurd degree.

‘Hoo… Amazing.’

Ghent, who was tending the garden, admired Raelle, who had begun to swing his sword.

It hadn’t even been half a year since they met, but Raelle was growing stronger with each passing moment.

‘Certainly, he possesses the talent that the Thousand Slaughter Sword Master would seek in a disciple.’

Strangely, the one who seemed least aware of Raelle’s talent was Raelle himself.

Ghent, the great warrior of the giants, felt his heart pounding every time he witnessed Raelle’s progress.

Witnessing the growth of an exceptional warrior was always a gratifying experience.

‘He created sword energy with the First Form Icheon… So, with the Second Form Ascension, is he cutting it down?’

How long had he been swinging his sword?

Raelle recalled the movements of the Thousand Slaughter Sword Master he had witnessed before.

Having reached the realm of Icheon, his comprehension of the swordsmanship he had observed at that time had also deepened.

He distinctly remembered the strong, downward slash.

‘The stance is the upper stance. Focus strength into the stepping foot, and into the sword that strikes down…’

Containing the magic power of the sky.

Clang-!

Raelle opened his eyes as he executed the downward strike.

As expected, he felt a glimmer of understanding from swinging his sword.

Even if it wasn’t perfect, he felt he could improve further next time.

“Hah, I’m going to die from exhaustion.”

Raelle wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked around.

The bright day had faded, and the moon now hung in the sky.

“Raelle, that was a magnificent sword.”

“Huh? What? Ghent, you weren’t gone?”

“Hmm, witnessing the training of an exceptional warrior invigorated me. I swung my axe for the first time in a while.”

Raelle chuckled as he glanced at the massive axe behind Ghent’s back.

He had thought Commander Marco’s battle axe was huge, but compared to Ghent’s, it was merely a child’s toy.

“Ghent, do you know all the details of Reina’s situation?”

Raelle muttered without thinking as he looked at Ghent.

“No, I only know what you’ve told me. Giants don’t doubt their comrades.”

“…If I tell you everything, would you be willing to help Reina?”

Ghent.

He was said to be the son of the giant tribe’s chief and a great warrior in his own right.

He must be incredibly strong.

“I’m sorry, Raelle, but I have no intention of helping Reina.”

“Why? She’s a comrade.”

“Because Reina doesn’t want that. Giants respect the wishes of their comrades.”

“…”

That was undeniably true.

Reina doesn’t want to be helped.

But that was only Reina’s perspective.

“Ghent, I’m your comrade too, right?”

“Of course, Raelle. You’re my comrade.”

“Then, you won’t stop me from doing anything, right?”

“Hmm, I can’t interfere with that.”

“Okay, that’s enough.”

Raelle looked at the sky and clicked his tongue.

Everyone has their own circumstances.

If you want to do whatever you want, you have to become strong enough to do so.

Raelle looked at the dark night sky once more.

The moon in the sky was still bright.

Seeing the bright moon, he suddenly recalled the Thousand Slaughter Sword Master’s advice.

“Prove your sword as if whispering to the sky, the sun, and the moon. And cut…”

Swish.

Raelle held out his sword, gazing at the sky.

It was terrible advice, but he felt like he was on the verge of understanding something.

Whispering to the sky, the sun, and the moon… isn’t that literally what it means?

Raelle raised his sword high and pointed it at the sky.

“Thousand Slaughter Sword Second Form. Ascension.”

Whoosh-.

At that moment, a new power surged into the sword.

“I knew it.”

Raelle swung his sword without hesitation.

Clang-!

A sound like the earth exploding reverberated.

Raelle looked at the ground, which was horribly torn apart as if a bomb had detonated.

A one-hit kill sword technique that concentrates the power of Icheon’s sword energy into a single strike.

Raelle felt like he was slowly beginning to grasp the Thousand Slaughter Sword Master’s words.

Of course, it wasn’t a pleasant realization.

“It’s a new sword… Raelle, what is that?”

“I don’t know either. I have to understand it through practice.”

Swish-

Raelle sheathed his sword.

The Thousand Slaughter Sword is, after all, swordsmanship.

You can’t master it with just one attempt.

He has to familiarize himself with it by sparring with the Reinharz Knights later.

“It’s a pity I can’t see more. It’s getting late. Would you like to have some tea and rest here today? It’s tea brewed with high-quality mandragora [Mandragora: A plant with magical properties].”

“…If it’s expensive, give me a cup.”

“It’s quite expensive.”

Raelle enjoyed free meals, but he also appreciated expensive tea.

Once you taste something expensive, you can’t help but perceive it as delicious.

‘It’s terribly tasteless.’

Raelle savored the tasteless tea and settled into the hammock.

End