Imperial Guard - Chapter 51



Only Noblemtl

The Gaia Church holds a general meeting every month.

It is a time to pray together for Gaia, who has given us the name, and to seek ways for the church to advance further, but it usually becomes a time to listen to the words of the Pope or a cardinal.

Because of the nature of the religious organization, there is no need for them to fight over interests, and even if they do fight, they are people who cannot say anything out loud.

“We must protest strongly to the Imperial Household.”

However, today’s general meeting was different.

A man with as much power as a cardinal, yet with no interest in the inner workings of the religious order.

Because Marco, the Commander of the Silver Cross, opened his mouth.

“···Sir Marco. What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“It’s not just a rumor. The Imperial Capital continues to be invaded by the Demons. Now that the Celestial Festival that the Imperial people should enjoy has been canceled due to the rebellion of the Black Magicians, it is clear that the Imperial security is in trouble.”

“I already protested when the demons appeared, so please calm down for now···.”

“I’m not talking about a showy protest like that. I need to express my anger in the name of the Gaia Church. I can’t just sit back and do nothing since the Knights of the Silver Cross have also been harmed.”

“···.”

Cardinal Bernardo, who was leading the assembly, swallowed hard at Marco’s words.

What he said was an undeniable truth.

‘Why is that man suddenly getting involved in church affairs?’

However, there are things in this world that should not be touched.

Especially for Bernando, who received huge donations from the Knights of Carmen, touching the Empire was quite uncomfortable.

It was fortunate that the opponent was Marco.

Bernando knew how to handle him.

“Sir Marco, I will definitely protest to the Empire. However, there is more important business at hand. I have heard that a demon has appeared in the Baron Reuven household outside the capital. The young lambs need the help of the Knights of the Silver Cross at this time.”

Bernardo made the sign of the cross devoutly.

Dealing with Marco isn’t difficult.

If you tell him where the demon is, he will run.

It was such a simple formula.

“What kind of demon has appeared?”

“yes?”

“I asked what kind of demon appeared.”

“···I heard they are a lower class demon tribe.”

Bernando answered with a strange sense of uneasiness.

Normally, he would have already run out with Battle Axe, but Marco’s reaction was surprisingly ordinary.

“If it’s Baron Reuven, then it’s the fourth largest branch in the Empire. Even if the Knights of the Silver Cross don’t move, they should be able to hold it off without much damage.”

“···yes?”

Bernando looked at Marco with a blank expression.

He lifted up his Battle Axe with a calm expression.

Boom-!

Marco’s massive battle axe fell to the ground.

All the priests attending the general assembly were drawn to that loud noise.

“What matters now is not the mere lower-level demons. No one can ignore the Gaia Church! If Cardinal Bernando does not protest, the Knights of the Silver Cross will protest directly.”

“Okay, just a moment. Okay, then calm down for now···.”

Bernando couldn’t hide his embarrassment.

Marco, who had great strength but only thought about killing demons, suddenly started acting strangely.

‘Oh, how can a person change like that overnight…?’

Bernando paused the meeting for a moment.

Fortunately, the general meeting was extended and overlapped with the prayer time.

“What kind of crazy guy did that to Marco!!!!”

Bernando, who entered the cardinal’s office with several archbishops, started shouting as soon as the door was closed.

It was prayer time, but I didn’t pay any attention to such trivial things.

“I am Cardinal Bernando! How dare you talk back to me, who has experienced all the ups and downs of the Gaia Church!…”

Bernardo vented his anger on the archbishops in his room.

That crazy knight commander was single-handedly trying to destroy all the interests of the sect.

For him, receiving such a huge donation from the Knights of Carmen was a maddening and ecstatic thing.

“Please, hold on, Your Eminence!!”

“Damn it! What the heck! If you protest one more time, I won’t stay still…!”

Boom- Boom-

At that moment, someone knocked on the door of the cardinal’s office.

That dull sound was so loud that I could tell who it was without even having to ask.

“I am Marco, Commander of the Silver Cross. May I come in?”

“Come in, Sir Marco.”

“···?”

The archbishops looked puzzled without realizing it.

The cardinal, who had been angry until just now, was now smiling kindly.

The person who refused to leave Marco alone was nowhere to be seen.

“I had something to say at the general meeting, but since the general meeting will resume at a time that overlaps with the patrol time, I will say it now.”

“Ah, so that’s what happened. Please tell me now.”

“Please allow me to appoint one honorary knight from the Order of the Silver Cross.”

“Knight of Honor···?”

Bernando narrowed his eyes at the unexpected words.

As the name suggests, an honorary knight is a position that only seeks honor.

Since it was a position that allowed one to have rights without having to perform the duties of a Knight of the Silver Cross, it was often desired by nobles.

‘I wonder if I should suddenly get involved in church affairs…’

Could Marco be connected to other political forces?

Bernando looked at Marco with that thought in his mind.

“Are you really thinking of giving an honorary knighthood to a noble family?”

“No. The opponent is a commoner. He is a guard who was of great help when dealing with the demons in District 4 last time.”

“Security guard… I understand.”

Bernando nodded to Marco’s words.

If you are not a noble but a commoner, you can easily be given an honorary knighthood.

“Thank you, Cardinal Bernardo.”

“It’s okay. It’s a shame I couldn’t attend the general meeting. Sir Marco, please tell us what you couldn’t say at the next general meeting.”

“All right.”

Marco, making the sign of the cross, walked out of the cardinal’s office with heavy steps.

Bernando maintained a kind smile, only narrowing his brows after the sound of his footsteps had completely faded away.

“Whew. I guess I won’t have to hear any complaints about this.”

The next general meeting will be held next month.

At that time, the incident of the Demon’s invasion became an ambiguous matter to protest as time passed.

Bernando smiled at his own ruse.

“Your Highness, is it okay for me to give you a title like an honorary knight?”

“It’s okay. If it’s not for political use, I can give 100 honorary knights to commoners.”

It would be better to sell it for money, but at least it’s better than Marco going wild and complaining to the Empire.

Because I couldn’t reduce the donations I received from the Knights of Carmen…

*

Rael stood in front of the arched branch of the church.

It was a branch of the church in District 4.

The church was one of the places Rael hated, but on the day of his reward, it was a different story.

Today, at least, I planned to become a faithful follower of the Gaia Church.

‘The priests’ faces look better now that Felice is gone.’

Bishop Felice was always talking about money, so he had a bad reputation among the people.

They say that if the upper water is clean, the lower water will be clean, so it seems that the priests are finally able to straighten their shoulders.

Rael approached the priest guarding the front of the branch.

“Gaia-men. Priest. Good morning. I have come to see Priest Cecilia.”

“Welcome, brother. Father Cecilia is inside… What brings you here, Father?”

The priest guarding the door stared at Rael intently.

It was a look like someone was looking at a suspicious person.

“···I am this kind of person. I told you in advance, so don’t worry.”

Rael took out a silver shield from his bosom.

It was a joke that I told Cecilia in advance, but the important thing was the silver medal.

‘Come to think of it, the silver medal was also a lie.’

Anyway, the important thing was the name, Captain of the Guard.

“Ah···! Sorry. Please go inside.”

Only then was Rael able to enter the branch.

I couldn’t understand why the religious people only looked at my face and did this.

I’ve heard that you have a prodigal face, but what the heck is that?

It was easy to find Cecilia inside the branch.

She was praying in front of Gaia’s statue.

“Father Cecilia.”

Rael sat down next to her and waited for her to finish praying before speaking.

“Oh, Rael! What brings you to the branch?”

Cecilia smiled and looked at Rael.

Rael was the most faithful person in District 4 as far as she knew.

“I heard that a reward was given at the church today. It was for catching the demon.”

“Oh, really?”

“yes.”

It’s normal for Cecilia not to know.

It was common sense for medieval kids to just barge in without making an appointment.

“A reward? I guess Lael, who caught the demon, will receive something great, right?”

“Father Cecilia.”

“Yes, Lord Rael.”

“Even if you do well in the church later, you must not forget me. You know that, right?”

“No way! Rael will never forget you for the rest of his life.”

“Don’t just say it. Promise me.”

Rael raised his little finger.

It is a time-honored method of making promises that was still used in the Middle Ages.

“Huh? Hehe. Mr. Rael is surprisingly cute.”

“It’s not about being cute, it’s about being important.”

Since you have a firm grip on the next emperor’s rope, you also need to hold on to the next saintess.

Rael held out his little finger with a serious expression.

“Okay, I promise.”

Cecilia smiled and linked pinkies with him.

Although she was briefly surprised by the strong man’s hand, Rael remained still, so it was strange for her to react.

“okay.”

Rael nodded with a satisfied smile.

If it’s not a K-promise to have a meal together later, but a pinky bet, then after Cecilia becomes a saint, even the beans will fall.

Jerk- jerk.

At that moment, a heavy sound of armor was heard from outside.

Rael frowned and got up from his seat.

“···Not Carlson?”

Squeak-

Before Rael could leave, someone opened the door to the branch and came in.

“uh?”

A gleaming plate armor and the symbol of the cult worn on the chest.

And the giant battle axe hanging from the back.

Rael blinked at the familiar face.

“May the peace of Gaia be with you. It has been a long time. Rael. Priest Cecilia.”

There stood Marco, the Commander of the Silver Cross, clad in a massive suit of plate armor.

“Go, may Gaia bless you. I am the lower priestess Cecilia···.”

Cecilia looked at Marco, her shoulders shaking.

As a priest of the church, it was absurd to see Father Marco so often.

“Hello, Captain. What brings you here…?”

Rael straightened his posture while expressing his doubts.

I thought that since they said there was a reward coming, they would at most give me some money, but Marco himself came down.

This was sure to be a huge reward.

“I have come to reward you and Father Cecilia.”

“Oh, what kind of reward is it that the captain came in person?”

Lael looked at Marco with the corners of his lips lowered as he tried to raise them.

‘That’s amazing.’

Marco looked at Rael with curiosity.

It had not even been a month since the Lieutenant Demon was killed.

‘Achievements like this in just one month…?’

But Rael’s momentum changed completely.

His growth was incomprehensibly fast.

Marco felt regret.

I wanted to ask questions about swordsmanship and combat, but now was not the time.

“We should have gone through proper procedures, but since District 4 is far from the main branch, we will proceed in an abbreviated manner. First, Rael. On behalf of the church, I hereby bestow upon you the honorary title of Knight of the Silver Cross.”

“···A knight of honor?”

Rael’s eyes widened at the unexpected reward.

An honorary knight is a position that allows one to obtain the honor without having to belong to the Knights of the Silver Cross.

‘I could use this···.’

Being a Knight of Honor is like having the name of the Knights of the Silver Cross on your back.

If you support the Second Princess in that state, you may be able to gain the support of the nobles who value religion.

‘Of course, there will be complaints here and there···.’

That much is okay.

The moment Yuri becomes the next emperor, such complaints will disappear.

“Take it. From today on, you are an honorary knight of the Knights of the Silver Cross.”

“Thank you, Captain.”

Rael made the sign of the cross and received the token given by Marco.

It was shaped like the symbol of the order attached to the plate armor of the Knights of the Silver Cross.

“And to Father Cecilia… I wrote a letter of recommendation to the Archbishop in my name.”

“yes yes?!”

Cecilia looked at Marco in surprise.

A letter of recommendation from an archbishop, not even a bishop, to Cecilia, a subordinate priest.

“I, I didn’t do anything that great… Lord Rael caught all the demons.”

“Because I saw the priest’s talent. Someone from the religious headquarters will come soon. Then, show your power properly.”

“Understood. Gaia-men···.”

Cecilia made the sign of the cross and thanked Gaia for giving her the gift.

All of this was God’s guidance.

“Okay. This concludes the award presentation for the church···.”

Marco looked around the inside of the branch.

The face that was supposed to be shown here was not visible.

Thud, thud.

At that moment, a knight with a puzzled expression stood behind Marco.

“Carlson? Where have you been?”

“Oh, I was just patrolling the area for a bit. I came back right away when I heard that the captain had arrived.”

Of course it was Carlson.

You could tell he had been playing dice just by looking at the cold sweat running down his forehead.

“I see. How are you doing in District 4? If you cause trouble for the Knights of the Silver Cross, you will have to return immediately.”

“Huh? Hahaha, of course I’m doing well!”

Carlson looked at Rael and gave him a determined nod.

It was a signal for help.

Rael sighed inwardly and took a step forward.

“I’ve never seen a knight work as hard as Carlson, Commander.”

“I see. I can believe what you say.”

Marco smiled and patted Rael on the shoulder.

A strong examiner never lies.

“Carlson. Make sure you attend the upcoming training of the Knights of the Silver Cross.”

“yep!”

“Well then, let’s meet again next time. Rael. Father Cecilia.”

“Yes, sir.”

Jerk- Jerk-

After presenting the award, Marco immediately returned to Area 1.

Originally, the new bishop was supposed to bring the awards, but since the honorary knighthood is awarded directly by the grand master, he came before the bishop.

“Hey, I survived thanks to you, hyung.”

After Marco left, Carlson took his seat with a sigh of relief.

“So stop gambling. Are you gambling again?”

“Haha, but you’re really strange, Captain. Why do you trust a punk like you so easily?”

“···This crazy kid saved me, but now he’s acting up.”

“Ahh!”

Rael raised his hand and hit Carlson on the back of the head.

Carlson, who had been covering his head with his hand, opened his eyes wide when he saw the symbol on Rael’s chest.

“Brother! What is that?!”

“This is the badge of honor of the Knights of the Silver Cross. I am now a Knight of the Silver Cross.”

Rael smiled and puffed out his chest.

I was thinking of giving in to authority today.

“···Huh? Then, aren’t you my junior?”

Carlson blurted out the words that suddenly occurred to him.

“You’re being a jerk. You want another hit?”

Rael raised his hand again, and only then did Carlson flinch.

“You two look like you two get along really well.”

Cecilia said a short prayer, wishing for their friendship.

“Father Cecilia. You promised me earlier. I must not forget it.”

“Haha. Don’t worry, Rael.”

“A promise? That’s what it’s like between you and Priest Cecilia, isn’t it? … Aah!”

Rael hit Carlson’s head again.

*

In medieval fantasy, it’s not difficult to show off friendship between nobles.

All you have to do is approach them in front of other people and have a friendly conversation.

“Isn’t there going to be a party or something at the palace in the near future?”

Lael said as he watched Rain from the backyard of the orphanage.

Since we decided to follow the same path as the Knights of Rain, good ideas had to be shared right away.

“Party? Why do you need that?”

“I need to let people know that I support the Second Princess. If I just approach the nobles at the party where they can see me, wouldn’t it spread naturally and quickly?”

Of course, as Rael himself said in the special guard, the special guard is an imperial secret.

The special guards with the Ghost King, Dragon, and Thousand-Sale Sword Master cannot speak carelessly even to Rain.

At least Yuri can tell when she gets close to the Emperor.

“Oh… Certainly, that would be a good thing to get attention. You seem to have more talent for that than you think.”

“···.”

Rael made a trembling expression.

It didn’t feel good to be recognized by the people I cared about.

“But there are no parties scheduled right now. The situation has been tense recently.”

It wasn’t long before District 2 was devastated by the Warlock’s rebellion.

Even in the party hall of District 2 of the capital, all the nobles except the Second Princess were killed.

There was no crazy guy throwing a party at this time of year.

“Then let’s open it.”

“···I told you the situation isn’t good right now?”

“What does that matter? What’s important is increasing the power of the Second Princess as soon as possible.”

“Oh, really?”

Rain nodded.

When I thought about it, that seemed to be true.

It is also important to quickly convey His Highness the Grand Duke’s intentions.

“And boss. If you throw a party, there’s someone you absolutely have to invite.”

“Who? Someone important?”

“···Lucas. There is an academy cadet named Lucas.”

Rael thought of the red-haired protagonist he had seen in the Celestial Realm.

“Lucas…? Are you the top student of the Academy graduating class? I saw you during the Warlock Rebellion.”

“Yes. Let’s call that friend.”

“The current ranking of the knights is good among the knights, but… is that it? It is not good manners between knights to invite them to a party before they even graduate from the academy. We may have to give up all the other graduates while keeping an eye on the other knights.”

“Manners and manners, unconditional. Unconditional. Even if we abandon all the others, we have to make that guy our own.”

Rael admits that he has become caught up in the flow of the world.

But I had no intention of going through this fucking world alone.

The main character of this world is Lucas.

As he leads the story, Rael only has to hold on to the golden rope behind him.

That was the life Rael wanted.