The Bastard Swordsman Of The Imperial Guard [EN]: Chapter 84

Numerous elves stood in formation before the abandoned forest.

They were there to welcome Reina, the hero of their tribe, and Rael, their benefactor, who would be arriving soon.

“Reine, is that really true?”

“Yes. Reina… seems to have feelings for Rael.”

“I see… I understand. If it’s what Reina, the hero of our tribe, desires, I will do my best to help.”

Erengor, the leader of the elves, nodded at Reine’s words.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t understand Reina’s feelings.

When he saw the sword that cleaved Bathold’s body in two,

Erengor himself was amazed by the beauty of the swordsmanship.

‘Moreover, Rael-nim is said to have been a great help to Reina.’

When Reina was struggling,

he said things might have gone very wrong if Rael hadn’t been there.

So, it wasn’t strange that she would feel affection for a human.

‘We must welcome our benefactor properly.’

He only had one job.

To welcome Rael, the tribe’s benefactor, in a grand manner.

He hoped that Reina’s race, the elves, would be perceived as positively as possible by him.

Step. Step.

After a while.

Reina and Rael began to walk towards them from afar.

Erengor, as the leader of the elves, stepped forward to greet the tribe’s benefactor.

“Welcome, Rael-nim.”

“Rael, this is Erengor. He is the leader of the elves.”

“Really? A leader?”

Rael looked at the elf before him at Reina’s words.

Looking at the elves gathered behind him, he could tell his position in the elven tribe.

‘They really know how to appreciate good deeds.’

“You’re Erengor, right?”

“Yes, Rael-nim. The elves have gathered to express our gratitude, which we couldn’t properly convey at the time.”

“Forget the verbal thanks, just hand over a branch of the World Tree.”

“···Pardon?”

Erengor looked blankly at the benefactor.

*

The Magic Disease is a disease that occurs when magical energy that has infiltrated the human body combines with human magic power.

To humans, magical energy is no different from poison.

So, a human afflicted with the Magic Disease was essentially drinking poison every moment.

A terrifying disease that slowly steals life force and eventually buries one in magical energy until death.

Not only commoners but even nobles cannot survive this disease.

“Treat it with a branch of the World Tree? I’ve already tried that!”

Count Akir, a noble of the Empire, slammed his desk in annoyance at the words of his servant, suffering from the Magic Disease.

Having contracted the Magic Disease, all he could do was delay the extinguishing of his life’s flame as much as possible.

He ate all the foods that were said to be good for the body and sought out everything that was said to be effective against the Magic Disease.

The branch of the World Tree was one of them.

He obtained a branch of the World Tree, which was said to purify magical energy, at a high price, but the Magic Disease did not improve.

“Count Akir-nim! This time is different…! Last time, we hired a wizard from the Magic Tower, but this time, we can receive purification directly from a real elf!”

“What? The elven tribe will purify me directly with a branch of the World Tree? You’re talking nonsense! It must be a scam!”

The branch of the World Tree is an item secretly distributed by the elven tribe for their fellow elves who cannot come to the forest.

It is used in secret for magical energy purification or as a medium for curses, but the moment you get caught by the elves, you must be prepared to fight the elven tribe.

“It’s not a scam. The Second Princess has put her name on it.”

“The Second Princess…?”

Only then did Count Akir cool his heated head.

No matter what humans do, they cannot fully utilize the true value of the World Tree branch.

However, if the elven tribe handles it directly, the story is different.

Magical energy purification, as well as purifying impurities accumulated in the body and infusing the power of nature.

That is the true power of the World Tree branch.

“···Did you say Her Highness the Second Princess, Uriel? Prepare the carriage immediately.”

A cure for the Magic Disease that could not be treated even with divine magic had appeared.

That fact began to shake the Empire.

One branch in District 4.

Rael said, looking at Erengor.

“I’m going to select only polite and trustworthy elves and send them to the nobles. If there’s anyone trying to do anything strange to the elves, tell me immediately.”

The Magic Disease did not discriminate between commoners and nobles.

Therefore, there were quite a few nobles in the Empire who were afflicted with the Magic Disease.

However, the nobles who were waiting for death found hope.

The power of the elven tribe, who wielded the branches of the World Tree, was truly great, and healers actually began to appear.

‘The nobles who were waiting for the day they would die must be going crazy.’

The nobles who wanted to receive treatment had to contact the Second Princess, and Rael began treatment sequentially, starting with the nobles who had joined the Second Princess’s faction.

If treatment was urgent, they had no choice but to join the Second Princess’s faction.

“Understood, Rael-nim.”

Erengor nodded at Rael’s words.

At first, he was a little angry when he heard that the branch of the World Tree would be provided to humans, but the elven tribe changed their minds when they heard that it was to treat humans afflicted with the Magic Disease.

It wasn’t for personal gain but for the sake of the human race.

The elven tribe, who had been saved by him, also stepped forward to help.

‘Truly a hero-like move.’

Rael, who pursues justice and strives for good, Rael.

As expected, he was the benefactor of the tribe.

“I’ll leave the leadership of the elves to you. Come find me if there’s a problem.”

“Yes, Rael-nim.”

Rael left the elves to Erengor and went outside.

Outside the District 4 branch, Bishop Peter was shouting to the surroundings.

“This is the branch that Sir Rael, the knight who has recently been making a splash in the Empire, used to attend. Please support his legendary journey, which began as a commoner, with donations…”

Peter was promoting the branch he was in charge of as the Rael-affiliated branch.

He had become a donation-collecting ghost in the meantime, and his appearance looked similar to Fernando, who used to sing about Rael to the citizens.

‘He’s resembling someone he shouldn’t be.’

Rael sighed and passed by Peter.

“I heard that being able to receive treatment is thanks to the Second Princess?”

“Yes. I heard that those who are not nobles can receive treatment for free! She’s truly an amazing person!”

“Long live Her Highness Uriel! Long live!”

The citizens of the Empire were praising Uriel.

Providing free treatment to commoners had a good effect.

The same goes for the nobles.

Those who were suffering from the Magic Disease were joining Uriel’s faction.

“Finally, the world is turning properly.”

Rael smiled contentedly.

At this rate, he could be rewarded for his hard work in saving the elven tribe.

‘I decided to keep the treatment fees I received from the nobles… Huhu, this winter will be warm.’

Uriel, as the next emperor, had no greed.

Rael raised the corners of his mouth, thinking about the money that would come to him.

“Rael.”

“Hmm? Commander. What’s wrong?”

At that time, Rain approached.

He looked at Rael with a dumbfounded expression.

“···If I had known this would happen, I would have told you sooner.”

“Yes?”

“His Highness the Grand Duke needs help.”

Rain sighed and told Rael about the illness tormenting the Grand Duke.

*

The mansion of Grand Duke Eric Grace.

A large house closer to a castle than a mansion.

Rael bowed his head to the owner of the mansion before him.

“It’s been a while, Your Highness the Grand Duke.”

“Rael. You’ve become more polite in the meantime.”

Eric smiled as he looked at Rael.

It was truly a new feeling to see the commander of District 4’s guard shaking the Empire.

“I can’t treat the Grand Duke of the Empire like a bar owner.”

“You can do as you please.”

“Eric Ajusshi [Uncle], really?”

Rael opened his eyes wide and raised his head.

“···Rael.”

Click.

However, the sound of Rain grabbing his sword hilt was heard from behind.

“Ahem. Just kidding.”

Rael politely looked at Eric again.

Having dealt with many patients with the Magic Disease, he had a unique feeling that he could sense from them.

‘Eric Ajusshi also had the Magic Disease.’

Only then could Rael feel the aura of the Magic Disease from Eric.

The magical energy he felt was very weak.

It had already become one with his magic power.

‘I heard he went into seclusion because he was sick, but I didn’t think it was the Magic Disease.’

If I had known, I would have gone to Eric Ajusshi first.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you in advance, Rael.”

“It’s okay. It’s not something to be proud of to be sick. What is there to say.”

Rain frowned at Rael’s words, but Eric waved his hand.

“Thank you, Rael. I would like to be introduced to the elven tribe. If possible, don’t let anyone know.”

“Don’t worry. I heard from Sir Rain and already brought one. The most outstanding elf in the elven tribe.”

At Rael’s gesture, an elf came inside.

“Nice to meet you. Grand Duke. I am Erengor, the leader of the elven tribe.”

Erengor greeted as he entered the room.

“Nice to meet you, Erengor-nim.”

Eric bowed his head and greeted.

He was showing respect to the leader of the elven tribe.

“I rushed here as soon as I heard that you were Rael-nim’s benefactor. Please make yourself comfortable. Now, reach out your hand.”

“Thank you.”

Erengor grabbed Eric’s hand while holding a branch of the World Tree.

And slowly, he stirred up the power of nature.

‘I’m glad I brought Erengor.’

Rael smiled contentedly as he watched Erengor, who was perfectly polite.

In fact, Reina might be more talented in terms of ability itself, but if I brought her, it seemed like there would only be fights.

“Hmm···.”

After a while, Erengor, who was examining Eric’s body, narrowed his eyes.

‘···The Magic Disease has progressed too much. It’s a miracle that he’s alive.’

Eric’s body had been enduring the Magic Disease for over ten years.

In order to survive, his magic power had become one with the magical energy, and now it was impossible to extract only the magical energy.

‘I can’t purify it with the branch of the World Tree.’

Erengor shook his head and released Eric’s hand.

“Erengor. How is it?”

“The situation is not good. The magical energy and the body have already become one. If you try to purify only the magical energy now, your life may be in danger.”

“Hmm… I see.”

I thought that might be the case.

Originally, the Magic Disease is a disease in which magical energy is combined with human magic power.

The longer you endure, the more severe it becomes.

“Please extend your hand for a moment, Your Highness the Grand Duke.”

“I understand.”

Rael grabbed Eric’s hand as if to shake it.

“Erengor. How is it? Feel the magical energy again.”

“T, this is···.”

Erengor, who placed his hand on Eric’s shoulder, widened his eyes.

Surprisingly, the magical energy in his body was decreasing.

“Yes. The magical energy is decreasing. But… at the same time, the magic power of the body is also decreasing. At this rate, your life will be in danger.”

“Tsk, I thought so.”

Rael released the Grand Duke’s hand.

The Magic Disease is a disease that occurs when magical energy combines with human magic power.

It seems that Rael’s power doesn’t work on Eric, who has completely merged with magical energy and magic power, even if it doesn’t work on others.

“Erengor, then what should we do?”

“There is no way. Unless you are recuperating under the World Tree…”

The World Tree holds the power of purification.

The branch of the World Tree also contains that power, but it is not as good as the real World Tree.

“Erengor.”

“Yes, Rael-nim.”

“Then, guide me to the World Tree.”

“Pardon?”

“Guide His Highness the Grand Duke to the World Tree and let him recuperate there.”

Erengor, who blinked at Rael’s words, shook his head firmly.

“···Rael-nim. I cannot allow anyone other than you, the benefactor of the tribe, to enter the elven territory.”

“Is that such an important thing?”

“I am sorry to have to say this to the benefactor. However, the elven tribe has never allowed outsiders to enter for that long. Giving you that authority alone is something we have carefully considered and decided.”

Rael smacked his lips at Erengor’s firm expression.

I know it’s not a lie.

Each of them has an important area for themselves.

‘What should I do with this···.’

The Grand Duke is an important force for the Second Princess, Uriel.

And, personally, Rael didn’t want Eric Ajusshi to die.

He was a good noble who didn’t fit in with medieval fantasy.

“···.”

Rael also understood Eric Ajusshi’s heart.

But, I couldn’t give up like this when there was a solution.

“Erengor. Do you know that?”

Rael started speaking in a sad voice.

“No matter what you say, it’s not possible···.”

“Reina deliberately spared the elves who attacked her. She said that she didn’t want to kill trash like you with her own hands. Reina’s heart, who had to say such things to her beloved tribe… can you understand it?”

“Keuh···.”

Erengor’s firm expression began to crack.

And his shoulders trembled.

As an elf who loves his fellow tribesmen born under the World Tree, he couldn’t even imagine how painful it would have been for Reina to say those words.

Reina must have shed tears of blood for that one word.

“That’s not all. How hard would it have been for her to be among humans to get the branch of the World Tree? If I hadn’t helped her, Reina might have been in big trouble.”

“Eueut···.”

Erengor also heard from Reina during the party.

That Rael had given her tremendous help.

And, Reine said that Reina had feelings for Rael.

If Reina’s future, the hero of the tribe, is ruined because of him… what face should he show the elves?

“I see you don’t have an answer, so do you want to hear more of Reina’s sad story? Shall I tell you the story of Reina eating food that was thrown away because she had no money?”

“S, stop… I understand. I will guide this person to the forest, so please stop… I will somehow persuade the other elves…”

Erengor bowed his head with a weeping face.

It was his job to persuade the remaining elves.

“It’s okay, Erengor. If persuasion doesn’t work, tell me. I’ll tell the same story to those elves.”

Rael patted Erengor’s shoulder.

As expected, the kind elves communicated well.

“Rain.”

And Eric, who was watching the conversation, whispered to Rain.

“Yes, Your Highness the Grand Duke.”

“I’m really grateful that you’re acting for my sake… but is it really okay to entrust the future of the Empire to Rael?”

Eric knows the truth about the Magic Disease treatment incident.

Other nobles know that the Second Princess is rewarding them for providing a home for the elves, but the truth is that it wasn’t.

Rael.

That one man is manipulating the elven tribe.

Rael was a much greater person than the world knew.

‘This is a concern.’

Eric looked at Rael with worried eyes.

He ran a bar in District 4 and saw countless thugs and violent organizations, but Rael was the best of them all.

Seeing him growing in power next to the Second Princess made him feel uneasy for some reason.

“······.”

The loyal knight Rain quietly bowed his head.

He also liked Rael very much, but he couldn’t say anything about his eloquence.