Imperial Guard - Chapter 102



Only Krnovel

“It’s always a good thing when young warriors compete against each other and prove their own path. May Gaia bless you too. Gaia-men···.”

The quarterfinals of the Yongbongjihoe began, and Cardinal Angelo’s congratulatory address was also given.

Seeing all the high-ranking nobles of the empire and the high-ranking clergy of the religious order gathered together, I could once again feel how great this Yongbongjihoe was.

“Gaia-men. Cardinal Angelo’s congratulatory speech was truly moving.”

“That’s right, Sir Carlson. I feel full, too.”

“Haha, Lucas. You really know a thing or two.”

“···.”

Is that it?

Rael was yawning while listening to Angelo’s congratulatory speech.

Having listened to the sermons of elite pastors who had graduated from college in their previous life, the teachings of medieval fantasy religions did not inspire him much.

Although it had its own medieval sensibility, it was logically lacking.

It was a pity that I had to convince myself that I had a bright mind that had completed higher education.

“Brother Rael? How are you?”

“That’s right. How touching. Gaia-men.”

Of course, I was not denying the Gaia that had given me.

Because in this world there actually was a power called divine power.

“I am Damian, the first prince of the Kamen Empire. I would like to express my gratitude to the people from each country who have graced this Yongbongjihoe…”

Even in medieval fantasy, wedding speeches were long and boring.

The next person to appear after Cardinal Angelo was First Prince Damian von Grandia.

“As the threat of the Demons grows, we must work hard to make the people who will take responsibility for the future of the continent stronger. In that sense, before the quarterfinals begin, there will be an event where the participants will face off against the Demons captured by the Empire!”

“Oooooh! Showdown with the Demon!”

“Long live Prince Damian!”

At Damien’s words, the nobles and commoners began to shout.

Rael turned his head at the sight.

“Carlson. A showdown with a demon? This is the first time I’ve heard of it. Is there something like that in the Yongbongjihoe?”

A demon is a beast that lives beyond the forbidden Alheim.

Although they are not intelligent creatures like the Demons, they are equally ferocious monsters.

This means that they are not the type of people you would fight at an event like going out to a neighborhood bar.

“Well, this is my first time hearing about it.”

“I’ve never heard of it either. I think it was decided by the royal family.”

It seems like it’s the first time Carlson and Lucas have heard of it.

Rael frowned in disbelief.

“No, you’re opening an event to fight demons without even giving instructions to the participants? Does that make sense?”

“Brother Rael. What are you talking about? Didn’t Prince Damian just tell you?”

“You told me in advance and not on the day. As expected of Prince Damian.”

“···.”

Rael blinked at Carlson and Lucas’ reactions.

Come to think of it, this was a medieval fantasy.

It is a place where it is natural to criticize when the royal family asks you to.

“All the contestants who made it to the quarterfinals are great, but as the first prince of the Kamen Empire, I have high expectations for Lord Velen. He is the pride of the Empire, having risen to the position of captain of the 1st division of the Kamen Knights at a young age.”

Even as Rael was flustered, Damien’s congratulatory speech continued.

At Damian’s words, the audience’s attention turned to the Knights of Carmen, and Velen, who was in the lead, put his hand on his chest and saluted.

“They’re pushing.”

“That’s right, brother.”

Rael and Carlson shook their heads.

“Push? What does that mean?”

Lucas asked with innocent eyes.

Rael shook his head and clicked his tongue.

It was my duty to teach the red boy, who had not yet been exposed to the world’s ugliness, the shitty things of the world.

“Why would you mention Belen and say something like that? It’s probably to his advantage to catch the demon. Maybe he’ll give Belen a heads up about what kind of demon will appear?”

“Yes?! But the Knights of Kamen are always known for being fair and upright.”

“Hey. Those guys are ruining my career… Tsk. No.”

What does being upright and fair mean?

Those guys are pushing for Belen, who is lying. They must be a very fair group.

“You’re saying you’re catching a demon? It must be a mid-level demon.”

“I don’t know! If it’s the Empire, it wouldn’t be difficult to capture a high-ranking demon.”

“If Sir Velen killed a high-ranking demon, wouldn’t he also cut down a high-ranking demon with a single stroke of his sword?”

1st Prince Damien’s remarks were quite effective.

The talk about Belen continued around here.

“Brother Rael. But have you ever met a demon?”

“I wonder if I’ve seen the devil. I think Lucas has seen it too.”

“Yes. I have met them. Last year, there was a rampage at the Imperial Academy.”

“How on earth does that academy secure itself?”

All sorts of things happen at the academy where the empire’s nobles gather.

“I’ve only faced them once, but… Demons can’t be easily killed with sword energy or sword force. They have thick magical energy surrounding their bodies. They are simpler and more instinctive than demons, but their physical abilities are superior to those of demons.”

“Hmm… really?”

Rael nodded.

It wasn’t much different from what he knew from the original.

‘A demon that doesn’t die easily from sword energy or sword strength… Well, that sounds interesting. It could be a hint about Dapcheon.’

Rael grabbed his scabbard.

The Thousand-Slayer Sword is a sword for dealing with monsters beyond the forbidden Alheim.

It was no different just because it was a demon.

*

After the congratulatory speech.

Applause erupted from the Knights of Carmen’s seat.

“As expected, the captain is the pride of the 1st Division, no, of the Kamen Knights!”

“Not even the Knights of Carmen! They are the pride of the Empire!”

“Thank you all.”

Belen looked at the members with a smile.

The Knights of Carmen who believed in him and the people of the Empire were the reason he lived.

“Is there anyone who can defeat Captain Belen? No, it’s ridiculous for the knight who killed Basolrod to compete with someone of the same age!”

“Haha, even the prince acknowledged it. To the captain, the Yongbongjihoe is like eating cold porridge.”

Belen turned his head with a smile.

He couldn’t bring himself to agree with the knights’ words.

‘This is really… embarrassing.’

It’s Basolodrani.

Belen had never seen the face of that demon.

However, Belen could not deny their words.

Because I couldn’t disobey the captain’s order to raise my name value before winning the Yongbong branch.

‘As a member of the Knights of Kamen who serve the Empire and the Imperial Family, this is something I cannot help but do.’

Even if it goes against the chivalry he knew, it doesn’t matter.

The Knights of Carmen move for the Empire.

He must win the Yongbong branch, raise the name of the empire, and gain recognition from the religious order.

“Are the three great men of the empire the only ones who can stand up to Captain Belen?”

“Oh, what about the Three Heroes? Are you ignoring Captain Belen?”

“I heard that Sir Rael is really great. He beat Sir Loren.”

“Tsk. Even so, isn’t he a commoner? Captain Belen is a high-ranking noble.”

Belen turned his head after hearing the knights’ words.

‘Rael···.’

A man with gray hair appeared standing up from the stands.

He broke up with the other three men and was walking somewhere.

‘The captain said to watch out for that guy.’

Belen looked at him with a hard face and shut his mouth.

How great is the man that Captain Gideon warned us to be wary of?

I felt a sense of tension for no reason.

‘I will win this Yongbong branch and prove my skills once again.’

But I didn’t think it was true.

If you prove your skills, you won’t have to lie anymore.

Belen wanted more than anyone else to be recognized as a knight of the Knights of Carmen.

“Kids. It’s good to see you working hard. Hmm.”

Meanwhile, Rael nodded, thinking of the two who had gone back first.

Lucas and Carlson went to learn from the Black Dragon.

Carlson seemed annoyed, but Rael pushed him back forcefully.

He too must become stronger to protect himself in this world.

‘I should stop by again in two days.’

The quarterfinals will begin in a week.

There will be a demon hunting event before that, so there is still time until then.

Thud, thud.

Rael looked around and entered a quiet alley.

And then, feeling a familiar vibe, I opened my mouth.

“Clara.”

“Yeah. Rael.”

“You heard the story? Can you gather information about the demons within two days?”

Rael hated the evils of this world so much.

From the natural discrimination between nobles and commoners to discrimination based on school ties, regional ties, and blood ties.

I didn’t like any of it.

‘So I should do what I can.’

The first prince openly supported one person and was informed in advance that he was the first captain of a successful knight order.

I couldn’t stand such unfairness!

“Don’t worry. I’ll bring everything by tomorrow.”

Rael smiled at the confident Clara.

*

The Duke of Belmos is a high-ranking noble of the Kingdom of Vanessa.

In particular, the head swordsman, Sword Dragon, was a master recognized as the best swordsman in the Kingdom of Vanessa.

“Carlson! My head is empty!”

The first sword of the Vanessa Kingdom, Sword Dragon, struck Carlson’s head with its thick blade.

“Ahhh! Don’t hit me!”

Taang-!

Carlson rolled over, blocking the sword that was rushing towards his head.

He looked at the sword dragon with tears in his eyes.

Why on earth did this ordeal come to me?

I followed you because you said it was a map training, but this isn’t map training, it’s simple assault!

“I am a priest! A priest! A priest of the Gaia Church!”

“Carlson! If you say anything weird, I’ll deal with you!”

“No, this crazy family…!”

Carlson chewed his lip as he took Kyle’s sword.

The large Belmosa inspectors were also incredibly strong.

I missed Captain Marco’s training today.

“Your reactions are slow. Lucas, don’t put any fluidity into your sword movements!”

Meanwhile, Lucas and Geomryong’s map duel continued.

Sword Dragon, who came to see his grandson’s participation in the Yongbongjihoe, discovered a rather interesting guy in the Kamen Empire.

Kyaang-!

Lucas was pushed back by the sword of the dragon and fell to the ground.

Lucas swallowed, looking down at his hands.

I simply took the sword and felt a sharp pain.

‘It’s so strong… I can’t see the end.’

Geomryong was one of the strongest swordsmen he had ever met.

Even in a short duel with a master swordsman, there was so much to learn.

“Once again, I beg you.”

“I see your legs are shaking, are you going to attack me again?”

“You can still do it···!”

Lucas’s will burned as he held his sword.

He knew his own body well.

It won’t fall down to this extent.

“That’s amazing. With that level of skill, you should already have no rivals among your peers, so why do you work so hard?”

The sword dragon watched Lucas with curiosity.

He truly deserves to be called a gift from heaven.

No matter where you go on the continent, there are very few masters who have reached the mature graduate level at that age.

It was a high level of achievement, even compared to Geomryong’s own past.

But the child’s eyes still yearned for something higher.

“···I must become stronger. I want to become stronger than anyone else and make this world peaceful.”

There is so much evil in the world.

Lucas wanted to eradicate all such evil.

From the moment he realized his talent, he felt that it was his mission.

“Oh, really, you have such an old-man’s expression.”

The sword dragon looked at Lucas’s upright and righteous eyes with wonder.

These are eyes truly fit for a warrior.

I just wondered how such a young man could have such a deep heart.

“and···.”

Lucas looked up and smiled brightly.

“hmm?”

“There are people I want to jump over.”

Lucas was a genius.

Although he was not the type to boast or show off the fact that he was outstanding, he did not deny the fact that he was outstanding.

That’s why I thought I had to eliminate the evil in this world.

[You’re Lucas, right?]

But one day.

A man appeared in front of him.

Lucas learned a lot from watching the man.

[Keep quiet, and if you’re not going to run away, watch and learn.]

When the upper class demon appeared before his eyes, Lucas felt a high wall behind him.

He was too weak to eradicate the evil of this world.

His back view stimulated Lucas’ pride as an inspector.

‘Someday… I will surpass you, Sir Rael.’

Lucas thought of the gray-haired man with the cheerful smile.

That man, who seemed bad but was kind, and seemed good but had a dirty personality, became a positive stimulus and goal for Lucas.

“Lucas. You’re starting to look like a little kid again.”

The sword dragon raised the corners of his mouth.

Yes, this is youth.

There was nothing more enjoyable than watching great young warriors compete against each other.

It seemed as if something was boiling inside his body too.

“Once again, I will go, Sword Dragon.”

Lucas took up his sword.

Lucas, the hero of the Kamen Empire, the warrior of the sect, and the hope of the continent, was burning with competition for just one man.