Imperial Guard - Chapter 15



Only Noblemtl

Episode 15

You’re alone

A few days later.

The day to meet Uncle Eric arrived.

Fortunately, Bennett did not return to the orphanage for several days.

Rael was killing time with the special guards and preparing to go out.

‘I tried my best not to interfere with the original novel.’

If I hadn’t beaten up the Count’s scoundrel, this annoying thing wouldn’t have happened.

It feels like my efforts to avoid being entangled with the original story as much as possible have gone down the drain.

“Tsk. But let’s do what we have to do.”

Rael picked up a tomato and brought it to his mouth, taking his sword with him.

The medieval fantasy sun was blisteringly hot, but if nothing else, it didn’t seem like it would cause vitamin deficiencies.

“Ahem-. Let’s sing a song-. Ahem-. Morning in the forest-.”

Haaaak- haaak-

Next to Rael, Reina was lying in a hammock, holding Vermeil III, and humming a tune.

She is a great elf with the ability to lie in a hammock all day.

“Lael. A good wine has been made. Would you like to have a drink?”

Just then, Ghent approached with a bottle of wine.

‘I thought this kid loved nature, but he actually loves alcohol?’

I like drinking too, but I have something important to do today.

Uncle Eric said he finally got the branch of the World Tree.

“I can’t do it today, I’m busy.”

“That’s too bad. Then, Reina? The wine is good, so let’s have a glass.”

“I also have plans with a friend.”

Reina got up from the hammock and placed Vermeil III on the floor.

Ghent blinked at her.

“Raina. Do you have any friends to meet?”

“This stupid Gent! Aaak!”

Reina, who had kicked Gent’s shin, immediately grabbed her foot and cried.

The giant’s body was so strong that it was actually Reina who attacked him that was in pain.

“··· Those aren’t even statues or statues.”

“Rael! What did you just say!”

“It’s nothing.”

Rael avoided Reina’s glaring eyes.

I said something because I felt like I would get hit in the shin if I stayed still.

“You’ve been running around so much these past few days, did you even get a branch of the World Tree?”

“Ah. Ah···. Um. That’s not it···.”

As soon as Reina heard Rael’s words, her shoulders slumped with a sullen expression.

When I saw that sight, I felt sorry for him and sympathy welled up in me.

‘I think I could make a lot of money if I beg.’

In a world where beggars are treated well, even that is considered talent.

“Everyone is gathered here again today.”

While I was playing with the two Jangseong tribe members, Yuri walked out of the special guard building.

She was wearing a baggy cloth dress, the kind that commoners would wear.

Of course, no matter what the attire was, the dignity that came from royal bloodline was still there.

“Yuri. Would you like a drink? This alcohol is really good…”

“I’m fine too. I have work today.”

“Hmm. That’s too bad···.”

Ghent, who had also been rejected by Yuri, slumped his shoulders with a sullen look.

When Reina slumped her shoulders, I felt sorry for her, but when I see that big guy slump his shoulders, I feel more intimidated than sorry.

“Let’s have a drink together later. Gent.”

“Yeah. I’m looking forward to it.”

Rael patted the sullen Gent on the shoulder and gave him a Korean greeting before leaving the special guard.

I guess I’ll have a drink someday.

*

Uncle Eric’s bar was quiet again today.

There was a guy sipping a drink in the corner, he was probably looking for work too.

After I dismissed the man, I naturally sat down at the counter where I could see Uncle Eric.

“Good evening, sir. It seems like we have some guests today.”

“··· The night is always good. Have a drink before you go since it’s been a while.”

“I don’t have time today because I have to go to daycare. What about the stuff?”

“Fortunately, the items arrived safely from the rooftop.”

Uncle Eric pulled a branch out from under the counter.

It was a careful hand movement, as if holding a new item.

“There are light measures in place to prevent the magic from spreading, but you’ll have to cover it up with your magic later. You didn’t forget how to use the sword, did you?”

“Of course. Hey, is this a branch of the World Tree?”

I carefully took the fresh branch with both hands.

It was a magical feeling that my mind became clearer just by holding it in my hand.

“Yes. Since it’s something from the Magic Tower, you have to handle it well. It’s expensive, so don’t drop it on the ground.”

“Thank you. How should I pay? In Imperial gold, as usual?”

“I heard rumors that you were demoted to the special guard unit? It seems that you were also fired as the captain of the guard unit. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“··· That’s not something to brag about. Why are you pouring salt on other people’s wounds?”

shit.

If word got to Uncle Eric, it would quickly spread to the Coast Guard.

My life as captain of the guard is over.

“I’ll give you the branches of the World Tree as a consolation gift. What is the price between us? Use them more for the children in the orphanage.”

“Sir, are you an angel?”

I was touched by Uncle Eric’s kind heart.

Even in this dirty world, there is still something called conscience.

“Haha. Child. You’re saying nice things today.”

“··· This branch isn’t worth as much as I thought, is it? Are you just trying to make a fuss with some change?”

“The closer we get, the more thorough our financial relationship must be. I have to receive it accurately.”

“I’m joking. I’m joking. Dude. The world made me like this.”

I tried it just in case, and Eric was an angel.

To doubt this kind of person, it’s because I’ve met too many scumbags.

“Are you selling the branches of the World Tree to the elves? You can contact that fool, right?”

“··· I’m not selling it to him. Have you heard of the name Bennett? I’m thinking of selling it to him.”

“Bennett… Bennett? Wait a minute.”

Uncle Eric, who had been rummaging around under the bar, soon nodded.

And he held out a piece of paper.

“Is this guy right? There’s a bounty on him? It says he embezzled money from the Academy and ran away.”

“Yes. That’s right… but how did someone with a bounty on their head enter the religious order?”

“It seems that the Academy wanted to keep it as secret as possible, so they only leaked it to some of the Guild Information. Besides, even though they are a religious order, they don’t investigate all of the lower-ranking members.”

“Well, what could those kids possibly be doing right?”

From my perspective, where I spend all my salary on daycare because of the money-crazy religious sect, I can’t help but look favorably upon those religious sects.

“Anyway… you said Bennett? I’ll connect you.”

“I would appreciate it if you would do that. But I feel bad about asking you to do such chores while receiving the World Tree branch for free.”

“Don’t worry. Thanks to you cleaning up District 4, our bar is always quiet.”

“···.”

Are you trying to say that it’s my fault that business isn’t going well?

I glanced at Uncle Eric for a moment, but thankfully he didn’t seem angry.

“The deal can be made tomorrow night, right? I also need to contact the Information Guild, so you should head to the daycare center soon.”

“Oh, yes. Thank you.”

I bowed my head.

Thanks to Uncle Eric and the beggars, things have become easier, but if there’s one thing I regret, it’s that I don’t have a Gaksital mask.

In this scary world, you must always be careful on your way home at night.

Especially on days like today when I go black market trading.

“Sir. Since you’re giving me all this… If there’s a mask lying around, give me one.”

Luckily, there’s nothing that Uncle Eric’s bar doesn’t have.

*

After Rael returned.

The man sitting in the corner of Eric’s bar stood up.

Clank-

As he stood up, the door to the bar locked and Eric put down the rag he was using to wipe his glass.

“Is that the guy you were talking about, Lael? He certainly is a handsome young man.”

“··· I must have told you to turn off before nightfall, but you still have that personality of not listening to people.”

“You deserve this treatment even though I gave you the World Tree branch for free. You’re the only one who would refuse a visit from the Blue Tower Master, Eric.”

The owner of the Blue Tower, the most powerful of the Empire’s towers.

Blue Tower, Perma sat at the bar with a smile.

I went there in person with my heavy body to see the daily life of an old friend, but the treatment I received was not very good.

“Huh. Didn’t I say that my daily life is the same? You’re giving me a branch of the World Tree for free just to see how a middle-aged man lives. You have no talent for bargaining. It seems like you earned your name as a magician by playing tag.”

“I thought it was a joke when I heard that Eric, who is rotten to the core when it comes to money, runs a bar… but I didn’t know it was serious. Don’t the people living in District 4 feel something strange? There’s an all-rounder in this shabby bar.”

“··· How about telling me that it wasn’t the right time?”

“Hmm, yeah. The people in District 4 didn’t get their timing right, and you’re still not having fun. But… it wasn’t a waste of time.”

Fermat turned his head and stared at the closed door.

I couldn’t forget the look in the eyes of the inspector who had just gone out.

‘He noticed me without using any magic, just by feeling.’

As a high-ranking magician, his barrier is completely undetectable even to a graduate level wizard.

So does that kid have a sword master?

“Eric. How old is that guy who just left?”

“I know you’re 25 now.”

“··· Huh.”

A sword master at 25 years old.

It’s better to think that there was something wrong with your own magic than to believe that.

‘Could it be that he’s a half-breed of the Dragon Clan? Damn, I should’ve looked at his magic patterns more carefully…!’

Even if Eric hadn’t opened his eyes wide, he would have approached Rael, grabbed his hand, and read his magic power…!

Eric opened his mouth as he looked into the blazing eyes of the blue tower.

“Fermat. Surely you’re not interested in Rael?”

“Eric! As expected, you knew what talent that guy had!”

“··· Tsk.”

It’s become annoying.

In fact, I was anxious from the moment Rael noticed Fermat when he entered the bar.

I hoped Rael wouldn’t hear what he said, but there’s no way that monster would miss something like that.

“There’s definitely something special about him. Either his senses or his magical powers! How did someone like him end up in the guard unit? If I had found him ten years earlier, I would have kidnapped him to the Magic Tower…!”

“I still enjoy collecting disciples.”

“Outstanding people are always welcome!”

“ha.”

Eric sighed and scratched the back of his head.

Of all people, I ended up getting caught by the most annoying guy.

“Don’t touch Rael. There are more than a few people in this area who live thanks to that bastard.”

“Are you trying to threaten me? If I say just one word, your life on the run will be over.”

“···.”

“I’m joking. Don’t look at me with such scary eyes. I don’t want to be an enemy of the Imperial Giants either.”

But… I wanted to meet that kid again.

Fermat got up from his seat, recalling the name and face of the man named Rael.

*

Darkness enveloped the city, and a late night had arrived.

The street lights were brightly illuminating the heart of the city, but in the darkness beyond the alley, there were people who were only just beginning to open their eyes.

The outskirts of District 4.

Rael walked down the alley, relying on the faint moonlight.

Tonight was the night to trade branches of the World Tree.

“Cough, cough. Did you really give me something that was rolling around?”

Rael coughed faintly, his mask pulled back.

A dusty smell emanates from inside the mask.

It seems that Uncle Eric’s warehouse manager is also a slacker like Bagus.

‘But you can still cover your face properly.’

The mask made of black cloth covered everything except the eyes and nose.

With this kind of visual, it wouldn’t be strange if he were to play the role of a criminal in a detective comic.

“Why do you want to meet in a place like this?”

The place where Rael was now was the entrance to the abandoned factory in District 4.

It is said that the factory that produced magic tools was attacked by demons and the aftermath left a cursed mark on it.

In fact, rumors spread within the security forces that a homeless person living inside was found with his whole body rotting.

‘I don’t feel anything in particular… Was this a joke too?’

There was nothing to believe in in this world.

Rael looked around and entered the abandoned factory.

Moonlight through the windows illuminated the rusted machinery and dilapidated facilities.

“The atmosphere is really gloomy.”

Rael held his breath and hid his presence.

It’s a world where there’s no one you can trust.

If there is a trap, you must get out immediately.

Jerk- Jerk-

It wasn’t long before I felt someone approaching.

Rael opened his eyes wide and looked around him, but he felt no sign of anyone else.

It looks like he came alone as promised.

Since it was a deal arranged by the Information Guild, you probably wouldn’t have been suspicious.

‘Bennett.’

The cheerful face I saw at the orphanage was either an act or a look of discontent.

As he approached, Rael also appeared.

Bennett walked towards Rael naturally.

“What about the stuff?”

He glanced at the masked Rael and opened his mouth.

“here.”

Rael showed off the branch of the World Tree he had in his arms and put it back.

At the same time, Bennett’s brow furrowed.

“Do you know what that thing is and just brought it to me?”

“I’ve packaged it well with my magic power, so don’t worry about it and just make a deal. Don’t try to fool people for no reason.”

“Tsk···.”

These kids are proud of their ignorance, and they yell and scream even when they are being taught.

If you catch a fool like this, it’s good, but if not, then it’s not a good idea.

Bennett handed over the money with a disgruntled expression.

“Please wait while I check the money.”

Rael thought after taking his purse.

‘Now, what should we do?’

It would be nice to cut off his head right now, but we need to make sure that the matter is resolved.

It is a lesson for this dirty world.

‘For now, let’s just let them go… and chase after them. If there are any enemies left, the orphanage could be in danger.’

It’s likely that he’ll be alone based on the flow of the original story, but just in case, it’s better to deal with it all at once.

Rael rummaged through his pockets, checking the money.

It was a gesture of taking out a branch of the World Tree so that Bennett would not suspect.

“hmm?”

But at that moment.

Wow!

The windows of the abandoned factory shattered with a sharp noise.

Through the shadows of the glass pieces glittering in the moonlight, a human figure appeared.

The attacker, his face hidden by a mask and hood, silently unleashed his magic towards Bennett.

“Who are you… ugh!”

A pure white magic ball rushed towards Bennett.

Bennett, who barely managed to dodge, shouted at Rael.

“What the heck! Is that your colleague?!”

“I don’t know.”

Rael had already taken a few steps back.

Rael was also taken aback by the sudden attack.

“Then quickly give me the branches of the World Tree!”

“Huh? That won’t work. I can’t give you the item until I check that the payment is correct.”

“Ugh···! Then wait behind me!”

Bennett turned his back on Rael and confronted the masked man.

Anyway, Rael isn’t a strong guy, so he’s not a target for caution.

He knew there was a bounty on his head.

The raid is not a surprise.

“Hey you! I’ll make you regret it!”

Woohoo-

A sickening magic burst from Bennett’s fingertips.

Around him swirled nightmarish, cursed shapes that moved constantly.

‘Is this some kind of internal strife?’

Lael looked at the unknown assailant confronting Bennett.

His sharp eyes scanned the attacker from head to toe.

‘Considering their light steps compared to their size, they must be of a different race… I can feel the freshness of their magical power. Are they elves?’

If it’s an elf, it doesn’t seem to be an internal strife.

They may have come to catch the guy who trades in branches of the World Tree.

‘No, then you should have targeted me.’

The one who now holds the branch of the World Tree is Rael.

If she was an elf aiming for the branches of the World Tree, she should have attacked herself.

Moreover, it was strange that there was only one attacker.

Elves, with their strong sense of camaraderie, do not act alone in situations like this.

Unless there are special circumstances, we will group together with our own kind…

‘uh?’

Rael frowned at the elf.

He knows that he is an elf who has no choice but to move alone.

Only then did the familiar body shape of the attacker come into view.