Imperial Guard - Chapter 10



Only Noblemtl

Episode 10

Traitor Elf

The elven warrior, Kelen, snickered at the human before him.

Elves, blessed by the forest from birth, have excellent magical power detection abilities.

The elves’ specialty was figuring out their opponent’s magical power.

‘It’s just empty boasting.’

No matter how strong the person in front of you is, he is two levels below you.

Knowing that fact, Kelen drew his sword without hesitation.

“They say elves these days are ill-mannered. Man. I liked elves back when they were being beaten by orcs.”

Rael, who was looking at the elves, also placed his hand on the scabbard.

Rael, a pacifist, wants to resolve everything through dialogue, but is quick to give up when things go wrong.

The moment you create an enemy, deal with it immediately.

That was Rael’s way.

Sling-

As the sharp blade appeared, a heavy aura weighed down on the surroundings.

The bodies of the elves who had been laughing at the strong wave of magical power froze like stone.

“This, this is···.”

Something went wrong.

Kelln’s warrior instincts were howling.

It’s hard to believe, but the person in front of me turned into a completely different person the moment he picked up the sword.

“Ra, Rael. You, were hiding your magic powers?”

Reina, who was behind Rael, also opened her eyes wide.

The elves here are not high elves, but they are all elven warriors who have undergone a coming-of-age ceremony.

Rael is only about 20 years old.

At this age, the ability to manipulate magic to the point of fooling an elf… What kind of talent do you have?

Reina swallowed hard at that fact.

“What the hell···!”

Kelen glared at Rael and summoned his magic.

‘I can’t run away now…’

The elf’s pride wasn’t the problem. The problem was the human man in front of him.

The guy was standing with his legs crossed in a rough posture.

Anyone could see that he was ignoring and looking down on the other person, but··· there was no weakness in him.

The moment you turn your back, that sharp sword will cut off your own neck.

“Hey, you little punk. Are you scared?”

In the alleyway that suddenly became silent, Rael, who was smiling, spoke first.

Keln pursed his lips as he looked at Rael.

“··· You were hiding your strength.”

“Hide 30% of your power. It’s a proverb from martial arts novels. Inma.”

“I have never heard of such a thing···!”

Kelen tasted the blood in his mouth and focused his attention on the man in front of him.

It was a tense moment where it wouldn’t have been strange for a sword to fly at any moment, but even in the midst of it all, Kellen felt frustrated.

‘You say there is no end to the magic?’

He knew he was hiding his power, but Kelln still couldn’t read his true power.

That means.

It means that the strength of the human there is on a different level from Kelen.

“Are you attacking the elves as a human? And you’re protecting a traitor? Aren’t you afraid of the elves’ wrath!?”

“Don’t you remember what you just said? If I kill you all here, how will the elves know and come looking for you?”

Rael looked at the elves with pitiful eyes.

No matter how I think about it, elves are really stupid.

“··· Hah! Consider the enemy as a superior monster! Prepare the blessing of the forest immediately!”

“yes!”

Who would have thought that the blessing of the forest would be used in a place like this?

Kelen stared straight ahead, feeling the forest energy leaving his body.

At the same time, a green magical power began to ripple in the center of the elves.

“How dare you protect a traitor to the elves! Die!”

A translucent green magical force shot out toward Rael without warning.

It was so fast that even humans couldn’t react.

‘Okay!’

Kellen raised his sword with a bitter smile.

“Huh?!”

Rael rolled over to avoid the attack, but the green magic had already passed through his body.

“This is the blessing of the forest! After capturing the traitorous year, I prepared to raid the black market and retrieve the branches of the World Tree… I never thought you would use it on a single human.”

The blessing of the forest is like poison to non-elven races.

Elves who are loved by nature will feel their whole body overflow with vitality and their communion with nature will increase the moment they accept the blessing.

But if you are not an elf, the forest’s blessings become a curse.

Vines grow from the ground, entangling the entire body, and the surrounding dirt and water cling to the blessed being, hindering its movements.

The unbearable love of nature is something that humans can never endure.

“Prepare to attack! The vines will start to sprout soon…!”

At that moment, confident Kelln took a step forward.

A flash of lightning cut through the chest of the elf in the lead.

“Ugh···!”

“Hollan!”

The honorable warrior of the elves, Holan, fell to the ground.

Kelen looked at the human before him in astonishment.

“You crazy kids… Where are the guys who blow blessings on others?”

Rael looked at the elves, brushing the dirt off his clothes.

I thought it was a buff that elves would give to each other since it was called a blessing, but it seems that wasn’t the case.

“Yes, yes, you punk! How did you receive the forest’s magic and still be fine?”

“Didn’t you know? I’m actually an elf.”

Rael looked at the dumbfounded elves and said.

Kelen opened his eyes wide at Rael’s words, then shook his head.

“No way… No! That can’t be true! You punk! Are you making fun of the elves!”

“Even if you’re an elf, you’re not that stupid.”

Lael, who was smiling, checked the condition of his body.

I don’t know what the blessing of the forest is, but there was nothing wrong with my body.

It was similar to the soul-devouring sorcerer I met last time.

It was a strange feeling, as if the world did not recognize the existence of Rael.

“Ra, Rael. What are you? Are you a real elf···?”

“…You just stay back.”

He pushed Reina back, whose eyes were wide, and raised his sword again.

There was nothing to fear as long as the elf’s prepared secret method did not work.

The sharp sensation from the actual fight spread from the tips of my toes to my entire body.

‘It’s been a long time since I’ve truly swung a sword.’

Rael raised the corners of his lips and breathed magic into his sword.

Rael quite enjoyed this feeling of his senses swelling before battle.

“Damn it! Get Holland! I’ll stop that guy!”

An elf stepped forward.

Jiiing-

The magical power that rose up the sword formed a sword energy.

Rael immediately kicked the ground and exchanged swords with the elf nearby.

Taang-!

“Ugh···!”

It was a clash of the same swordsmanship, but it was the elves who were pushed back.

The black hand that could not withstand the resistance bounced off, and the elf, whose posture had collapsed, barely managed to keep his balance on his right foot.

Of course, Rael didn’t miss the elf’s disturbed posture.

Rael took the opportunity and stepped forward with his left foot, digging into the elf.

“Eww!”

Lael’s sword pierced the elf’s stomach like the teeth of a wild beast.

Immediately after, the swords of the elves, including Kelln, rushed towards Rael, but he immediately rolled on the ground and fell back.

‘Now two.’

Chook-

He wiped the blood on his sword onto the ground and immediately rushed at the guy behind him.

“Die, human!”

Rael swung down at the sword that was coming towards him.

‘You idiot!’

The elf who stabbed the sword smiled and tightened his grip.

It was I who moved the sword first.

Before their swords can touch each other, his own sword will first pierce the human heart.

Kwajik-

But after a moment, the elf opened his eyes wide.

Because his own sword met Rael’s sword and was stuck in the ground.

“Hey, wait a minute···!”

The elf, unable to put down his sword due to the absurd phenomenon, lost consciousness as he looked at the sword in front of him.

“What kind of speed is that···!”

Kelen’s eyes widened as he saw the sword moving so fast that he couldn’t understand it.

Although it was clear that the sword of his own kind moved first, Rael’s sword followed its speed.

“Oh, how can you ignore the blessings of the forest while standing on the ground!”

“This bastard Darion!”

“Cover them all at once! There’s only one of them!”

Rael stepped back as he saw the weapons approaching from all sides.

But Reina is just a few steps behind me, so I can’t run away into the alley.

Rael tightened his grip on his sword and leapt into the midst of the elves.

Boom-!

First, he pierced through the magical power of the charging Kellen.

Kelen, who crossed swords with Rael, swallowed without realizing it.

‘You didn’t know that this kind of person existed…?’

I feel a similar sense of pressure as when I spar with a high elf who has lived for over 500 years.

If he was already a famous person, there’s no way Kelln, who had been active in the Empire for over ten years, would not know.

“Fuck. Fuck…! Kill him!”

Keln forced himself to endure the pain in his hand and lunged forward.

However, his sword was less confident than before.

Rael, sensing that the elves’ confidence had dropped, smiled and swung his sword.

“Those guys are like the same thing. We should have joined forces from the beginning.”

Of course, that wouldn’t have changed the outcome.

*

“That’s ridiculous…”

For a moment, Reina worries about Rael.

In less than ten minutes, all the elves were lying on the floor.

The honorable warriors of the elven race were defeated by a single human.

‘The blessing of the forest… didn’t work.’

Reina was also an elf.

I knew what would happen if other races received the blessing of the forest.

But strangely enough, nature did not respond to Rael.

“ah···!”

Reina’s worries did not last long.

Because Rael tried to cut off the head of the fallen Keln.

“Ugh. Don’t be fooled by a traitorous prostitute who sold her body to the devil. Human… If you apologize to the elves even now, I will forgive you with one arm…”

“You’re being a jerk. I’m telling you, those races have long lives and that’s annoying.”

Lael took a deep breath and brought his sword to the fallen Keln’s neck.

Most of the races are very strong. They will not die unless you directly cut their throats.

I hate meaningless killing, but since things have already gone this wrong, it’s better to avoid any repercussions.

However, just before Rael’s sword pierced Kelln’s neck.

A tender hand grabbed Rael’s arm.

“What are you doing?”

“······.”

I turned my head slightly and saw Reina’s head fluttering with her hands.

She couldn’t bear to look Rael in the eye and kept her head down.

“This, this bitch… kill her….”

“Kelln said, bleeding with shame.

“··· Rael. You don’t need to have the blood of these scum on your hands. Let’s stop.”

“You bitch! Do you think that your betrayal will be forgiven just because you spare your own people every time? If you have such petty thoughts···!”

Crunch-

Rael struck Kelln’s face with the hilt of his sword as he intervened in the conversation.

With a “creak” sound, Kelen fainted.

“Raina.”

“···.”

“These guys are the ones who hid in your house and attacked you. Do you still want to save them?”

Rael couldn’t understand Reina’s thoughts.

If it were me, I would never have let these kids live.

“··· Yes. I have to save you. Please. Rael.”

“But if I let these guys live now, I might get in trouble. I might even get into trouble with the entire elf race.”

“I can get the branches of the World Tree tomorrow. If I regain my strength, the elves will not be able to threaten me. You will not be a bother.”

Rael stared at Reina, who was making an unexpected request.

Instead of her usual fierce expression, she was looking at Rael with determined eyes.

‘What should I do···.’

Rael looked at the elves and thought.

Actually, it didn’t really matter even if I fought with the elves.

Elves mostly live in the forests of the World Tree.

In fact, during the years that Rael served as captain of the guard, the number of times he met elves could be counted on one hand.

But it’s not like we didn’t meet at all, so I still feel uncomfortable…

‘No matter how much I think about it, it seems like being friendly with the next emperor’s entourage would be more important.’

Besides, Rael knows the future of the elves.

The original elven race soon perishes for unknown reasons.

However, the elf traitor Reina still appears in the novel.

So the answer to whose hand to raise was obvious.

Rael relaxed his arm and slowly raised his sword.

“I never normally do such annoying things… Okay. That’s about it.”

“La, Lael···!

Reina looked up, relieved at the unexpected answer.

And Rael got up from his seat and dusted himself off.

“You guys, come here.”

Rael looked back and snapped his fingers, calling out to the guards who were standing there blankly.

The guards of District 2 arrived after hearing the elves’ screams.

Luckily, it was a face Rael knew.

“La, Captain Rael. What is this situation···?”

He’s not the captain anymore.

It seemed like no one knew yet.

Rael gave the order without making a fuss.

“Bring the guards around these kids and move them.”

“Your wound is bad. Should I send you to the temple?”

“··· No. Since they won’t die anyway, just throw them outside the gates. They’re criminals, so don’t worry about the consequences.”

“All right!”

The guard called the surrounding guards and dragged the elves away.

After the area became quiet, Rael quietly looked at Reina.

She bit her lip and clenched her fists as if thinking about something.

“··· Thank you. Rael. You can go back first. I’m sorry for interfering with my work.”

Reina opened her mouth, feeling the awkward flow of air.

My good mood hit rock bottom when I realized that my relationship with the good colleague I finally met had been ruined.

“What are you talking about? I’m done with work now, so I should go in. You said you’d grill some meat for me.”

Reina smiled faintly at Rael’s words, which seemed to be nothing serious.

‘As expected, Rael is a good person.’

He is taking care of himself.

In this atmosphere, Reina was leading the situation.

However, Reina could not accept that goodwill.

She has already chosen the path of betraying her clan. She cannot allow herself to be involved with Rael any longer and cause him harm.

“I’m really grateful that you saved my life. But… getting involved with a dirty elf like me won’t do you any good. I’ll keep my promise and make sure no harm comes to you… So, you can leave now for today.”

Rael’s eyes furrow.

My eyes are becoming increasingly capable of seeing dirty things.

It’s okay.

Because I’m used to this kind of gaze now.

Reina bowed her head to Rael with an apologetic look on her face.

“Raina. Stop talking nonsense and go inside and grill some meat.”

“uh?”

And then, after hearing his words, I raised my head again.

“I promised you free food! Who cares if you sell your body to the devil or not? Why won’t you let me in when I’m starving? Are you just going to order me around and not pay me for the work? Are you one of those elves after all?”

Rael honestly doesn’t sympathize much with Reina’s situation.

It’s a world where it’s natural for public servants to go to the brothel.

Then, wouldn’t there be people who work in the window?

I myself have been living in medieval fantasy for over 20 years.

I don’t discriminate against people, or even elves, for that reason.

The important thing was the free food.

I came all the way here for a free meal, so I couldn’t go back empty-handed.

“···.”

After hearing Rael’s words, Reina opened her mouth with a blank expression.

Rael, who remembered what he wanted to say belatedly, continued speaking.

“Oh, but still, you should wash up extra clean before going to work the day after making a deal with the devil. It’s not like you usually smell weird… You never know what’s going to happen in the future….”

“I won’t sell you! I won’t sell you! You crazy bastard! What kind of rude bastard is this!”

Rael stepped back, blocking the fist flying towards his face.

He waved his hands around in confusion as he saw Reina suddenly start to act wild.

“Why did you hit me! You said you were a dirty bitch with your mouth!”

“Don’t you know pride? Pride? I’m not saying that you’ve been tainted!”

“Does pride feed you? What’s the difference between you and me?”

“That is…! You, you dirty bastard! What are you making me say!”

Reina raised her trembling hand and swung her fist at Rael.

It was a complex anger filled with many emotions.

“Is there such a psychotic elf!”

Rael blinked as he blocked Reyna’s fist.

Consideration was difficult in the primitive medieval fantasy.