Imperial Guard - Chapter 11



Only Noblemtl

Episode 11

butterfly effect

“Meat···. Meat···.”

Swish swish- swish swish-

Reina held a fork in both hands and stuffed meat into her mouth.

He said he would grill the meat for me, but he started eating it all himself every time it was grilled.

‘I don’t like the word ‘eat-and-eat’…’

Rael hates the expression “eat” because it reminds him of what beggars used to crave when he was young.

But, isn’t this the time when you should say “eat it”?

Rael looked at the elf who was greedily putting meat into his mouth with pitying eyes.

Is this really the diet of a 150-year-old intelligent being?

It seems like you eat food with your mouth, but where did your age go?

“Ah… Sorry. I’m just hungry. Rael. You eat too.”

Reina, who noticed Lael’s gaze belatedly, moved the grilled meat to the corner.

“Thank you for taking care of me even now.”

Rael ate meat and talked with Reina.

“So, Reina. What’s your relationship with those elves? And what about the branches of the World Tree?”

Reina, who was embarrassed about having eaten the meat alone, answered Rael’s questions while eating the meat.

Reina’s circumstances were exactly as Rael had expected.

The elves need to constantly have contact with the World Tree, and the artifact that the elves distribute to distant elves is the World Tree Branch.

It is said that trade between ordinary people is strictly forbidden, and that there is a passage through which only elves can purchase.

‘But Reina is a traitor to the elves.’

Since Reina was unable to obtain branches of the World Tree from the elves, she had to obtain them through illegal means.

The rest is obvious. The elven warriors chased and attacked Reina, who had been captured.

“You even went into debt to buy a branch of the World Tree?”

“··· The kids who sell to me keep raising their prices. They know there’s nowhere to get them anyway.”

“That’s a big deal.”

Rael nodded and brought the meat to his mouth.

“I owe you a great debt just for saving my life, so you don’t have to help me anymore. I’ll handle this on my own. It’s shameful to leave internal matters of the race to other races.”

“What are you talking about? Who can help me? Grill some more meat.”

“···.”

Chiiik-

Reina placed the meat on the slab with a dissatisfied expression.

He pouted his lips as if he was about to say something, but Rael was more focused on the meat.

Free food should be eaten while you can.

“Hey. Reina.”

A cheap brazier and stone slab on a cheap wooden table.

Lael stared blankly at the meat cooking on top and spoke to Reina.

“··· why?”

“You didn’t hear the most important thing. Why did you betray the elves?”

Elves have a very strong sense of camaraderie.

The setting of the novel was like that, and so were the elves that Rael actually met.

They loved and cared terribly for their own kind who grew up under the World Tree.

‘In the first place, it’s a race where traitors cannot exist.’

But Reina was a traitor to the elves. And while she was being attacked by her own kind as a traitor, she wanted to save the elf who attacked her.

A pure and kind traitor. Rael felt an inexplicable sense of alienation between them.

“··· It’s personal. There must be something you can’t say.”

“You said something about the debt you owed me for saving your life, but you can’t tell me this either?”

“Well, that’s true, but···.”

Reina looked at Rael’s face in confusion.

To be honest, I think we could have survived even without Rael.

However, since he had to forcibly draw out his magic power without the blessing of the World Tree, he must have had to recuperate for a long time.

An elf who couldn’t use magic would have been useless to ‘him’, so in effect, Rael was a lifesaver.

“If you don’t want to tell me why you betrayed me, how about this. Are you a traitor?”

“What does that mean?”

“Did you really betray the elves? It’s not like that guy Kellen from before, but an elf like you would betray your own kind. No matter how much I think about it, I can’t understand it.”

“······.”

Reina narrowed her eyes and looked at Rael.

Although she may not say it herself… Reina, the elf who betrayed the elves, was quite famous.

However, all the humans who saw Reina were afraid of the elves and avoided them, and no one said anything like that.

If he hadn’t saved her a little while ago, she would have been suspicious that she might be an elf spy.

Although she was so grateful for his warm heart, Reina shook her head.

Still, still… I can’t trust this person.

“The elves are my enemies. They are fools who don’t know what is truly scary and are still buried in the past. That’s why I sided with the stronger side.”

“okay?”

Rael stared at Reyna.

Understanding the other person’s intentions was Rael’s special skill, as he had sharp senses.

Her changed breathing pattern, her downward gaze, and the trembling corners of her lips vividly conveyed her emotions.

‘Do you feel guilty about lying?’

If things go according to the original story, the elves will soon be destroyed.

What on earth is happening to the elves?

I had a feeling I would learn something if I stayed with this stupid elf.

“Okay. Let’s stop talking nonsense and eat meat. Reina. Since you’re the one living.”

“··· This is my weekly food supply, so eat only a little!”

Reina quickly calmed down and began shoving meat into her mouth.

My first impression was that he was a rather strange elf… but I felt like we became closer than I thought.

*

The day after getting a free meal from Reina.

I chatted with Yuri from the special guard unit.

“Mr. Lael, you don’t have work today, do you?”

“Yes. Ghent will take my place today.”

The job of the special guard is to watch over the King.

Since I took care of Ghent’s business last time, it was my turn to receive it today.

Thanks to that, I was able to have fun for about a week without meeting the Ghost King.

“If you don’t have anything special to do, you may go outside the guard post and do personal business without my permission.”

“Really?”

“Mr. Lael has completed his adjustment period and is doing a good job. He has also been promoted to captain of the guard, so I can trust him.”

It was called Nanjungjichu.

The ace of the Central Guard knows how to recognize the next emperor.

So, as soon as I got to work at the special guard unit, I got ready to go out.

Today, since I have time, I plan to help out at the daycare center.

‘I usually go at night. I guess I’ll be able to see Teacher Sarah today.’

As work becomes more comfortable, there are also these advantages.

I heard that Reina and Ghent have a contractual relationship with Yuri, so they have to stay at the guard post during the day even when they don’t have work to do.

“Khaha! As expected, Ghent’s wine has a good flavor.”

“We’ve gathered only the best varieties, so it’s bound to be delicious. Rael, would you like a glass too?”

Of course, I’m not sure if that’s what the guards are tied to.

I approached the two Jang Saeng Jongs who were drinking heavily in broad daylight.

“No thanks for today. I have something to do. No, but Reina, don’t you remember the promise you made with me yesterday? We were supposed to go see the debt collector today. What if you drink too much?”

“Rael! If you go now, I’ll drink it all. Is that okay?”

“··· This doesn’t make sense. Hey. Gent. That idiot is going to sleep at the guard post today. He’ll get kidnapped by slave traders on his way home like that.”

“Take responsibility and take care of it until you get down to work.”

The house was already in ruins, so having them sleep there was a problem.

‘It looks delicious.’

Actually, I don’t dislike alcohol, so I thought about joining for a while, but looking at the empty bottles piled up next to me, I don’t think I’ll be able to join.

As expected from a long-lived species, both of them had strong livers.

“Yes, Gent. I have something to ask you.”

“Ask me anything.”

“You said there’s a Thousand-Sale Sword and a Dragon inside the Special Guard premises. I want to meet them too. What should I do?”

We also need to start gathering information about the special guards.

Aside from the Ghost King, I need to meet the other two.

“Well, that’s not difficult. I’m sure they both like you, so I’ll ask them to do it for you soon.”

“··· Were we supposed to meet because you asked?”

“Unlike the Ghost King, the two of you are under the protection of the Empire. They are kind people, so you will be able to become close with them quickly.”

Judging from Ghent’s reaction, I think we’ll be able to meet sooner than expected.

I thanked Ghent and turned around.

I had to hurry to buy some snacks before going to the daycare.

‘If it weren’t for the ghost king’s surveillance, the working environment would be really good.’

Since the two of them are bound by the contract and are drinking heavily, I guess I can also wander around freely.

I left the guard post and headed to Area 4.

I quickly arrived at the orphanage, my spiritual haven.

“Lael-! What’s going on since noon? Patrol? You didn’t get kicked out because of an accident, did you?”

In the yard of the daycare center, Ms. Sarah was seen hanging up laundry.

I went straight to her and helped her hang the laundry.

“That’s not true. I have a lot of free time on my hands. I’ll stop by during the day from now on.”

“Really? That’s great! The kids will love it. Oh! Sister Cecilia is inside too, so say hello! She came to volunteer with her friend.”

“is it so?”

I entered the daycare center carrying a laundry basket in both hands.

If it were normal, I would have helped hang it on the drying rack, but since I heard that the next saint was inside, I passed the drying task on to Teacher Sarah.

‘The next emperor and the next saintess. If I become close to both of them, my old age will be secured.’

A bright future awaits me, even though I come from the streets.

“Brother Rael! It’s Brother Rael!”

“It’s been a while, Nia.”

“Brother-! Why are you here?!”

“Harry. Why are you here? What do you mean, ‘Here you go, brother!’”

“You’re here, brother!”

“Teacher Sarah! My brother is teaching Harry weird things again!”

Harry and Nia, who came to me, are the most active children in the daycare center.

The two, who had just turned 10, were surprisingly the eldest brother and sister at the orphanage.

‘This scary world thinks you’re all grown up when you turn 10.’

Every year, the church comes and takes in older orphans.

Among them, those who are talented in the law become lower-ranking priests of the religious order, and those who are not…

‘The number of beggars in the city is increasing by one.’

The more I think about it, the more I realize they are trash.

I went inside and said hello to the children.

Although the daycare center was small, the children’s expressions and atmosphere were bright.

“Aha. So this is the orphanage sponsored by Priest Cecilia.”

“Yes. Aren’t the kids really cute?”

Inside the orphanage, the next saint, Priest Cecilia, was seen.

Standing next to her was a man she had never seen before.

“Hello, Father Cecilia.”

“Huh? Oh! Mr. Rael. It’s been a while! I think this is the first time I’ve seen you at the orphanage at this hour? Did you get kicked out of the guard post altogether…?”

Cecilia approached me with a welcoming smile.

It was a really bright smile, and she liked helping people.

“No, that’s not it.”

I answered with a smile.

What on earth do they think of me that makes everyone who sees me ask if I got kicked out of the guard post?

Anyway, that wasn’t the important thing. Next to Cecilia was a man she had never seen before.

“By the way, who is this person?”

“He is a member of the church. He said he wanted to see District 4, so I am showing him around. Mr. Bennet. This is Mr. Rael. He is a great man who is in charge of the 3rd Guard of the capital.”

Cecilia said with a bashful smile.

It seems like a really happy situation for believers of the church to meet each other.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Lael. This is Bennett.”

Bennett, a cheerful man, greeted us and introduced himself to Cecilia.

“This is Rael. Nice to meet you.”

I greeted him appropriately and looked at his face.

It was clearly my first time seeing you, but strangely enough, the name Bennett seemed familiar.

‘Bennett. Bennett… huh?’

As I was thinking about his name in my mind, it quickly came to mind.

A level 3 villain who appears in the early part of the novel.

A supporting character who attempts to commit terrorism in the Imperial Slums but is stopped by the protagonist.

‘Why is this kid here?’

It’s about time you were caught by the protagonist while making a fuss at the academy… Why are you making a fuss at the classroom?

“By the way, this orphanage has really nice facilities. This must all be Gaia’s grace.”

“That’s right. Let’s all pray to Gaia together.”

Cecilia begins to pray with a serious expression, while Bennett closes his eyes and pretends to pray next to her.

I observed Bennett quietly in the meantime.

*

Cecilia and Bennett return, and it’s time for the kids to have lunch.

After playing with the children, I went out to the backyard of the daycare and caught a beggar.

“Hey. You beggar.”

“Yes, Lord Rael.”

“I told you to report me if you see anyone suspicious. You didn’t. What? Why don’t you report that Bennett guy?”

I said, kicking the beggar’s bucket of money.

The beggar seemed to have a bad leg and was using a cane as a crutch, so I felt bad hitting him on the head.

“Oh, this is your first time here! I was planning on reporting this to Rael anyway!”

“Really? Tsk. It’s a good thing today is your first time here.”

Seeing him begging with his uncomfortable body in this harsh world made me feel bad for no reason, so I threw him a fairy tale and continued talking.

“Hey. Tell Uncle Janis. Bring me everything you know about that kid. Got it?”

“Understood! I will report it right away!”

The beggar who answered my question picked up his cane and ran into the alley like a track and field athlete.

I wonder why he has crutches when he runs so well.

“Fuck. It was a nylon patient. My fairy tale···.”

Tch.

I licked my lips and recalled the information about Bennett.

‘Why is someone who should clearly be in the academy hanging around the classroom?’

I slowly recalled the contents of the novel.

Bennett is a sorcerer who casts spells on people’s lives.

He is currently a member of a religious order, but in the original he infiltrates the academy.

He conspires with the Count’s scoundrel, Paste, who is jealous of the protagonist, to find out the time when the slum guards are absent…

‘··· uh?’

The Count’s scoundrel Paste?

Where have you heard that before?

“Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Wait a minute… Hey! You over there, come here.”

“Yes, yes!”

While talking to the beggar with the crutch, he gestured to a beggar hiding in the corner.

“Do you know the name of the nobleman I beat up at the bar last month? I heard he was a loser who was abandoned by the count’s family.”

“Ah··· I don’t know about the noble that Lord Rael hit··· but the one who is treated as an abandoned child by the Count’s family is Lord Paste···.”

“What the fuck.”

“Eek. Sorry! Sorry!”

I squinted my eyes, ignoring the beggar’s words.

I tried my best not to touch the original story.

There is a reason why there is a saying called the butterfly effect.

I didn’t want the world to turn upside down because of my actions.

However, as I continued to live the life of a faithful captain, a problem arose.

‘Bennett was caught by the protagonist before he could do anything in the slums.’

If he were alive, the slums of the empire would have been devastated.

He even stopped by the daycare today.

I don’t know if it’s just to look good to the church or if they’re targeting daycare centers.

‘We have to stop his spell.’

As long as there is even the slightest possibility that the daycare center will be involved in an incident.

We can’t let that guy live.

“… Ah, this really bothers me.”

I am the only one who knows the inside story of the incident and the true identity of the bastard.

Bennett, I must kill him with my own hands.