The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 82

The Empire’s Thug Swordmaster – Episode 82 (82/105)

< For the Empire >

After Baslord’s death.

The Elven race, their grudge finally settled, held a grand celebration that lasted for days.

The center of the festivities was, of course, Reina.

“I feel like I’m going to collapse from exhaustion…”

After the seemingly endless party finally concluded, Reina sighed and stepped out of the forest.

‘The Elves are certainly talkative.’

Perhaps because it had been so long since she’d spent time with them, she found it hard to adjust to their constant chatter.

However, being with her own kind was, as always, fulfilling.

Reina gazed around the forest, enjoying the pleasant magical energy of the woods.

The Elves would now make their home in this abandoned forest.

With the monster Baslord gone, they could have moved back to the World Tree Forest, but having already transplanted the World Tree’s seed [a young version of their sacred tree], they intended to settle here permanently.

From now on, the Elves would also cooperate with the Empire and embrace change.

Finally, the Elves could live fulfilling lives.

Reina felt immense joy at this prospect.

“Reina.”

Just then, she sensed familiar magic approaching from behind.

Reina turned and immediately embraced the figure.

“Sister!”

“Ah, don’t hug me so suddenly, Reina,” Reine said, smiling as she returned the hug.

She had been worried when she couldn’t find Reina, so she had come looking for her, and thankfully, Reina didn’t seem to be in low spirits.

“Reina, are you really returning to the Empire tomorrow morning?”

“Ah, uh-huh. I have to.”

“The other Elves will be disappointed. Elorin was so happy you came.”

“I know, but…”

Reina gave an awkward smile.

To be honest, she felt overwhelmed by the Elves who apologized with tears in their eyes every time they met her.

Especially those who used to be close to her were practically wailing, making her feel sorry.

“Everyone is still waiting for you, Reina. You’re the hero of the Elves.”

“That’s what makes me uncomfortable…”

Reina didn’t think what she had done was a big deal.

She didn’t understand why the Elves were reacting that way, and she hadn’t yet gotten used to their effusive gratitude.

“Do you really have to go back to the Empire?”

“Yes. I have a contract to assist Yuri until she becomes the Empress. Oh, have I told you about Yuri? She’s the Second Princess of the Empire. Amazing, right!”

“Hehe, I understand. Reina, do whatever you want.”

Reine smiled.

Reina is the hero who saved the Elves.

Supporting her desires is the least the Elves can do.

“But… come back to the forest anytime. I’ll be waiting.”

“I’ll come to see you often, Sister. Don’t worry.”

“Say hello to the Elves who are active in the Empire, too.”

“Of course. Do you think I’m a child?”

Reina nodded, looking at her sister.

Reine still thought of her as a child.

“Give my regards to Rael, too.”

“…Rael? Why him?”

“Why? Rael is a benefactor of the Elves. If you ever need the help of the Elves, let me know anytime. Tell him to come visit sometime.”

“Ah-ha! I understand. Don’t worry.”

Thinking about it, she hadn’t properly thanked Rael.

She should visit Rael as soon as she returns to the Empire.

“Reina.”

“Yes?”

“When you have time, make sure to come to the forest with Rael. Okay?”

Reine smiled at Reina’s reaction.

She had been nodding to everything until Rael’s name came up, and then she was startled. Reine still thought she looked like a child.

“Okay, Sister.”

Reina nodded, oblivious to Reine’s amusement.

*

The orphanage in District 4.

Rael approached the children of the orphanage and opened his arms.

“Hyung-!” [Older brother – term of endearment]

“Oppa!” [Older brother – term of endearment]

“Yeah, yeah. I’m here.”

Hugging each of the children who ran to him, Rael felt alive for the first time in a while.

This is the only place where Rael feels peace of mind in this fucked up world.

“Rael! You’re here! You look tired, should I make you some honey tea?”

“Sure. Where is Sister Raisel?”

Rael also greeted Teacher Sarah and Sister Raisel.

The two of them were like Rael’s parents, so he felt comfortable talking to them.

Thanks to the Rein Knights, he didn’t have to come every day, which made him feel relieved, but he was also a little sad that he couldn’t come every day.

“It’s amazing every time I see it.”

Rein watched Rael with his arms crossed.

“Commander, what’s so amazing?”

“It’s amazing how that thug-like guy is so popular with the kids. I get treated like an old man every time I come here.”

“Hey. Rael Hyung is surprisingly kind-hearted, even though he looks like that.”

Carlson smiled as he looked at Rael.

Thinking about it, Hyung had always been popular with the orphanage kids.

They say kids are good at seeing people for who they are, so Hyung must be kind.

“More importantly, Carlson, is that true?”

“What are you talking about?”

“About killing Baslord. It’s really not Rael?”

A noble of Alheim died in the Empire.

It was something that could immediately become an international issue, so some nobles were making a fuss, saying they had to cut off the tail [cover up the incident].

But the Imperial Family and the Order didn’t react much.

The Order insisted that the appearance of the Saintess meant that a great war was about to happen, and the Imperial Family didn’t mention it either.

“The Empire was expecting it to some extent. Maybe… it was that man.”

Rein thought of one man.

Kamen Knight Commander, Gideon Garcia.

He had been saying that they needed to prepare for war with the demons for a long time.

It was clear that he was the one who moved this time.

The nobles didn’t say anything more because the Imperial Family and the Order were quiet.

‘Now is the chance to show off his power.’

As long as the Empire and the Order remain silent.

There was no problem even if he announced that he had killed the demon.

But Rael kept insisting that it wasn’t him.

“If it’s really not him… does that mean there’s another monster like that? That might be more of a problem…”

It was hard to believe that Rael had killed Baslord alone.

But there’s another guy like that?

Rein fell into deep thought.

As the commander of the knight order representing the Empire, he had to check out any new strong people.

While he was deep in thought, Rael, who had finished greeting the orphanage people, approached Carlson.

“Carlson. Where is Lucas?”

“I’m not sure either. He should be here to learn swordsmanship from Commander Rein…”

Carlson turned his head and looked around.

“I’m sorry!”

Just then, a red-haired man came running from the entrance of the orphanage.

It was Lucas.

“Haa, haa… I’m sorry. My girlfriends wouldn’t let me leave…”

“Girlfriends…?”

Carlson stared at Lucas with wide eyes.

As a paladin, it was hard to just let that pass.

“Girlfriends, you say… Lucas, you…”

“It’s okay. He could be late. Lucas, come over here for a moment.”

“Ah, yes! Sir Rael.”

Lucas followed Rael to the backyard of the orphanage.

He came to learn swordsmanship from Commander Rein today, but he would do anything for Sir Rael.

“Rael, what’s going on?”

Carlson followed, curious, but Rael signaled him to be quiet and looked at Lucas.

“Lucas. What were you doing on the afternoon of four days ago? It was an academy holiday.”

“Four days ago…? I was resting in the dormitory.”

“So, you were in the dormitory all day that day?”

“Yes. My girlfriends came in droves…”

Lucas shuddered as he thought of that day.

He was terrified of the female students who had stormed the dormitory, demanding that he spend his day off with them.

“Girlfriends in the dormitory…?”

Carlson’s eyes widened again.

What kind of life is this guy living?

Carlson, who couldn’t live such a life as a paladin, was very envious of Lucas.

“Lucas. So, there’s no one who can prove your alibi?”

“Ah, alibi? Is something wrong? Sir Rael. I don’t know anything!”

Lucas shook his head in surprise.

“Lucas. You’re the one who killed the demon Baslord!”

“…Pardon? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Lucas tilted his head at the sudden statement.

Is that why he’s talking about an alibi?

No, why is Baslord even being mentioned?

“You didn’t? Then, prove that you didn’t kill the demon.”

“…?”

Lucas blinked and looked at Rael.

He didn’t do anything, but he’s being asked to provide proof?

What does that even mean?

“Rael.”

“Be quiet, Carlson. We’re having an important conversation.”

“Everyone only has suspicions, but they’re not sure. If you just stay still, it’ll quiet down on its own.”

“Damn it. I’m telling you it wasn’t me.”

Rael, who was about to press Lucas further, felt relieved by Carlson’s words for some reason.

It was indeed a primitive world without CCTV [closed-circuit television, or security cameras].

Thanks to the blue magic tower’s training, which restricted access to ordinary people at the time, there was no evidence.

Even though Rael was the most likely suspect, there was no concrete evidence.

As he continued to deny it, people eventually began to believe Rael’s words.

“Ahem. Okay. Forget what I just said. Lucas. Shall we call Commander Rein and start swordsmanship training?”

“Ah, yes! I understand!”

Lucas quickly erased what Rael had said from his mind.

“Lucas. I think highly of your talent. You can definitely become the best swordsman in the Empire.”

“Sir Rael…! Thank you!”

“You’re doing well with your swordsmanship training with Commander Rein, right?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, Sir Rael!”

“Keep up the good work. Okay? If a demon appears, run and slay it. Got it?”

“Yes!”

Rael smiled as he received Lucas’s promise.

If he keeps working hard like this, Lucas will soon be recognized as a hero.

‘Rael is having a hard time…’

And Carlson, who was watching the situation, shook his head.

He doesn’t know what that guy wants… but it seems like he’s not very smart.

If it were Carlson, he would have announced that he had done it, even if he hadn’t, and received applause from those around him.

‘Ah, should I go gamble?’

Carlson sighed as he thought of Lucas’s girlfriends.

*

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.

Inside the quiet Kamen Knight Commander’s office.

In a room filled with only neat and practical items, Gideon stared at the documents as if something displeased him.

“Rael, huh…”

Gideon frowned as he looked at the information written on the document.

[Rael, Special Guard]

Gideon, who could check information like that of the Imperial Family, was able to obtain information about Rael just before Yuri modified it.

He alone knows the fact that no information guild in the Empire has been able to grasp.

‘Special Guard. He met the Thousand Slayer Sword Lord and Princess Yuri there, huh.’

The Thousand Slayer Sword Lord, who recognized his talent, taught him his sword, and he became acquainted with the Second Princess Yuri, becoming her knight.

There was nothing particularly strange about it.

It was strange that such a great talent was rotting in the guard, but it is not impossible for someone born with the talent of a Sword Master to be born of lowly blood in this vast empire.

Gideon Garcia, he himself rose to this position with many coincidences and luck.

“Everything is going according to plan…”

Gideon felt uneasy in a corner of his heart, even as he spoke.

In fact, the current situation in the Empire is what Gideon wanted.

The Order announced the appearance of the Saintess and began to take a stance that they should prepare for the Great War, and the Order’s followers also began to recall the dangers of the demons one by one.

The Imperial Family is the same.

As Baslord died in the Empire’s territory, words began to emerge from the nobles and Kamen Knights, whom Gideon had worked on in advance, that they should prepare for war with the demons.

“Who do you think has been working for the Empire until now…”

The problem is.

All of this attention is focused on a man named Rael.

The Order was thinking of Rael as the next hero, and the nobles of the Empire were focusing all their attention on the knight named Rael.

If a war with the demons were to break out in this situation, who would represent the Empire?

‘It’s still okay.’

That’s right.

So far, Gideon Garcia is in a much greater position than a mere knight.

But what if that war is in 5 years? Or 10 years?

Gideon frowned, erasing the unpleasant thoughts.

‘…I, Gideon Garcia, am the only one who can represent the Empire.’

He can never forgive another guy for taking the name of the Empire.

He can’t forgive him for catching demons either.

“I must stand at the center of the Empire.”

It is the Kamen Knight Commander, Gideon Garcia, who will clean up the chaotic Empire and start the Great War with the demons.

Only he can bear the weight of the Empire.

Everything is for the Empire.

Crack-

Gideon clenched the paper with Rael’s information, convinced of his thoughts.