Imperial Guard - Chapter 54



Only Noblemtl

Nap time for kids.

Bishop Peter looked at the children who were sleeping as if they were used to it and couldn’t help but be astonished.

‘Guaranteing nap time for children at daycare centers…’

I’ve seen children beg, but this is the first time I’ve seen them take a nap.

What is the identity of this daycare center that it is implementing such welfare?

“Bishop Peter.”

“Ah, Sir Carlson. You’re here. It was a great time sharing the law with the children. Oh, and the person next to you is…!”

Peter’s eyes widened as he looked at the mark on Rael’s chest.

It was a badge of honor for the first time in decades.

“Yes. This is Brother Rael, whom I was talking about. He is an honorary knight of the Knights of the Silver Cross.”

“Hello, Bishop Peter.”

“May Gaia bless you. Nice to meet you, Lord Rael.”

“···.”

Rael forced the corners of his lips to twitch.

What should I say?

The word ‘Lord Rael’ resonates quite well.

Most of the humans in District 4 did not recognize the Honorary Knight’s badge, and the Long-lived Cartel of the Special Guard ignored Rael.

Rain, who had some common sense, still called himself Rael, so it was the first time he heard the title ‘Sir Rael’.

It’s been a long time since I’ve met someone who understands the grandeur of the title of Honorary Knight.

“You may not be familiar with Area 4 yet, but the way you are already spreading Gaia’s teachings is a role model for everyone.”

“Ah, Lord Rael. Thank you so much. It makes my face burn to hear such words from an honorary knight of the Order of the Silver Cross.”

“The teachings of the church, Chapter 10, Verse 2, says that believers should not turn away from sheep in need.”

“You even memorized the teachings of the church. You are truly a devout person.”

Rael smiled at Peter’s reaction.

This is a phrase I memorized to use with Cecilia, and since it is a phrase that is good to say anytime, it was very effective whenever I met people from the church.

“The bishops who have been here so far have been more interested in worldly things than in their faith in Gaia, but I am glad that Bishop Peter is not like that.

“I am not interested in material things like money. I am only interested in how I can spread the teachings of the church more widely. That is my job.”

Rael nodded.

Sure enough, it smelled from the start.

It was the smell of a stray dog.

Even so, Rael had something he wanted to do when a new bishop arrived.

‘Getting donations. I can really do it.’

When Felice was in charge of the branch in District 4, Rael had once admired the sect.

Felice took donations as easily as breathing, and it turned out that the bishop of the church was allowed to receive a portion of the donations as an allowance.

There was a reason why that bald guy went to such great lengths to extort donations.

“Bishop Peter. How does it feel to be in District 4?”

“Hmm, since most of the believers here are commoners, the atmosphere here is different from District 2.”

Peter, who first came to District 4, met the believers and realized the difference between commoners and nobles.

First of all, the basic standard of living was different, and the standards for thinking and acting were also different.

Among these, the difference in living standards was the biggest problem.

“The donations are also quite small, right?”

“After all, the amount of donations made by the noble believers is different.”

So the branches above District 2 are usually managed by the Archbishop.

Because there are so many donations, a lot of them fall to the archbishop.

“Bishop Peter, I know a way to dramatically increase donations.”

“You mean donations?”

“That’s right. If donations to the church increase, the number of people suffering will decrease, and isn’t that the way to put Gaia’s teachings into practice?”

“Ah, that’s right. If the donations from the believers increase, we will be able to help more believers who are having a hard time.”

Peter nodded.

If we receive more donations, we will be able to help the struggling believers in District 4.

That is also one of the things a bishop must do.

“But… there is one thing that bothers me. I understand that the bishop receives a portion of the donations received by the branch.”

Rael narrowed his brows with concern.

Carlson, seeing his expression, immediately continued speaking.

“Oh, Brother Rael. What are you talking about? Are you saying that Bishop Peter is embezzling money?”

“It was my first time seeing Bishop Peter… and there was something about the bishop that happened last time….”

“Brother Rael! Didn’t Bishop Peter say he wasn’t interested in money? Bishop. Isn’t that right?”

Peter shook his head at the words of the two Knights of the Silver Cross, who were as heavenly as the sky.

“I don’t think so at all! I only care about the development of the religious order. If you really care, you can take the increased allowance that I receive because of Lord Rael. I really only care about the development of the religious order.”

The previous bishop was kicked out because he was greedy for money and couldn’t find the right people.

Having met such a bishop, it is natural for the two to be suspicious.

Peter struggled to prove his faithfulness.

“I can believe that, Bishop Peter.”

“I believed it from the beginning.”

Rael and Carlson nodded immediately.

“···?”

Peter tilted his head at the sudden change in their stances.

However, I soon breathed a sigh of relief at the thought that I had received the recognition of two Knights of the Silver Cross.

*

What is the Soul Purification Department?

It’s like an indulgence sold at a church.

Usually, if you donate more than a certain amount, you will receive a soul purification badge along with a donation token.

‘The Soul Purification Department said that only one copy is needed… so I need to be careful with the donation token.’

What Rael focused on was the donation token.

Clearly, this sign had infinite potential to extort money.

“It’s something I really wanted to do when the new bishop came, or rather, it’s about the donation token.”

“Oh, yes. Sir Rael.”

Peter sat in the branch and focused on Rael’s words.

As a novice bishop, he was completely confident in his title of honorary knight.

So, I was thinking of cooperating with Rael for now.

“First of all, can’t we give different designs depending on the donation amount?”

“The design decided by the head office cannot be changed at will. It is also written in Gaia-sama’s teachings.”

Gaia, who gave us life, always spoke of equality.

Whether commoner or noble, if you donate you will receive the same mark.

It was also intentional that all branches of the church have the same design.

“···Shit. If Gaia said something like that, I’d be in trouble.”

“Yes? What did you say? Sir Rael?”

“Nothing. Then, let’s do it the way the church does.”

If you keep at it, you will lose a hundred battles.

Rael knows very well the methods of the cult he dislikes.

“Let’s increase the size of the donation token.”

The sect kids in District 2 are also increasing the size of their branches, so what could be a sign?

Rael immediately instructed the priests who were making the sign to increase its size.

Once the donations exceeded ten gold coins, they started to grow bigger and bigger, the largest of which was even designed to be mounted on a carriage.

“Ra, Lord Rael. Is this really okay?”

“Of course. I am a knight of honor.”

Medieval fantasy expert Rael was confident.

This will definitely be a solid income.

“As expected, Brother Rael. You always surpass my expectations.”

Carlson, who was next to Rael, applauded in admiration.

“Carlson. Do you think it’ll work out well?”

“Um, ···First of all, when Captain Marco comes, please tell him that this has nothing to do with me.”

“That crazy guy.”

Rael shook his head.

A guy who gambles with dice wouldn’t know how to make money.

‘Finally, I’ve escaped from the low-paid guard unit.’

Rael clenched his fists.

He had no doubt that his mark would shake the empire.

*

Three days passed like that.

Not a single one of Rael’s signature oversized donation tokens went missing.

No, the existence of the great sign was not even known in the first place.

‘··· Is it possible that you can’t keep up with my aesthetic sense, which is about a thousand years ahead of my time?’

He clearly thought he would be sitting on a pile of money, but things didn’t go as Rael expected.

Should I use Bagger to do some advertising?

‘We should target the rich… Was what the branch in District 4 did a blunder?’

Rael sighed and walked through District 4.

Well, actually, it wasn’t really a problem for him since the only ones who suffered losses were the priests of the church.

However, it was unfortunate that the expected source of income disappeared.

“By the way, why are you two drinking together without Carlson?”

Rael stopped thinking and looked to the side.

Next to him stood the tall, handsome Rain.

“I wanted to talk to you about a party I’m planning. Carlson is a Knight of the Silver Cross, so he can’t attend parties like this.”

“Aha… That’s true.”

“This party will be held on a grand scale to announce His Highness the Grand Duke’s return. I would like to contact the Second Princess before that… but it hasn’t been easy due to the recent tense atmosphere. If His Highness’s name hadn’t been mentioned, it would have been difficult to even hold the party.

“hmm···.”

I’ve heard that the royal family is hiding due to the recent increase in demon invasions.

However, if I could meet the second princess Yuri, I could meet her as many times as I wanted…

‘Let’s just leave it alone for now.’

It was a secret that she was now in the special guard, so Rael didn’t bother to tell her.

You can ask Yuri for her opinion later.

“And sometimes, guys need to have days like this. When I see you, I think of when I was younger. I have a fun gift for you, so look forward to it.”

Rain smiled happily and patted Rael on the back.

“···.”

Rael, whose body felt creepy for some reason, checked his scabbard with his right hand.

It wouldn’t be strange if homosexuality was strictly prohibited in the church, but… it’s such a crazy world out there, so it can’t hurt to be careful.

Daughter-

The place Rain and Lael headed to was Uncle Eric’s bar.

This is where Carlson and Seth had a great time last time.

‘I got stabbed right after the drinking party ended, but… it was a good time in the end.’

Lael entered the bar and greeted Uncle Eric.

“Uncle Eric. How have you been?”

“Rael? It’s been a while.”

“Yes. But why are you sitting there?”

Eric was sitting where the customers were, not inside the bar table as usual.

“Rael. Sit down for now. You too, Rain.”

“Yes. ···Huh? What did you say? Rain?”

Lael looked back at Rain in surprise.

Is that crazy old man out of his mind? This isn’t the 21st century Republic of Korea, and in a world with a class system, how can he call Commander Rain Rain?

“Come and sit down, Lael.”

But what was stranger was Rain’s reaction.

He was looking at himself as if nothing had happened.

“···What on earth is this situation?”

“Rael. I would like to introduce you to His Highness the Archduke.”

As he said that, Lane raised his right hand and placed it on his chest as a gesture of respect.

Rael opened his eyes wide at the sincere look.

“Meet the Grand Duke of the Empire.”

Lane was saluting Uncle Eric.

“Oh, shit. Don’t joke around.”

Rael blurted out something rude without realizing it.

Because it was a situation that I just couldn’t understand with my head.

“Rael. This is in front of His Highness the Grand Duke. Be careful what you say.”

“no···.”

Lael turned his head away, not believing Rain’s words.

Uncle Eric, who always had a kind smile on his face, was sitting on the chair.

‘···Is this Uncle Eric?’

Although his face was clearly the same as usual, the aura emanating from him was completely different from that of an ordinary bar owner.

It wasn’t talking about strong magic or pressure.

It’s an innate charisma that comes from lineage and confidence.

‘It feels like royalty.’

Rael’s senses don’t lie.

The Eric he knew was fake, and this was the real thing.

“···Is it true, Uncle Eric?”

“I had no intention of deceiving you. It was just a coincidence that I met you in District 4. Since we were all intertwined like this, I thought I had to reveal the truth.”

“Wow, something feels strange···.”

okay.

Actually, I thought it was strange.

The bar owner in District 4 will hand you a branch of the World Tree.

Because the world is so fundamentally absurd, things that I had just passed over began to come to mind one by one.

Eric has done too much for a bar owner in District 4.

“Rael. Pay your respects to His Highness the Archduke.”

“It’s okay, Rain. Don’t be so picky.”

“Understood, Your Highness.”

Only then did Rain lower the hand he had placed on his chest.

He looked at Rael with a smile.

“What do you think, Rael? Do you find my gift quite interesting?”

“···Yes. It’s really interesting, Captain.”

Rael accepted reality.

It was hard to imagine that Uncle Eric was an imperial archduke who had gone into seclusion to receive treatment for a chronic illness, but I couldn’t deny what Lane said.

“Rael. I’m sorry I unintentionally deceived you. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.”

“···.”

Lael stared at Eric.

There were so many things I wanted to ask him, but only one came to mind at the moment.

“Eric, no. Your Highness. You know many nobles, don’t you?”

“There are few nobles who do not know this… but what is the meaning of that question?”

Eric met Rael’s eyes.

His embarrassed expression came into view.

“···Then, can you please promote this a bit?”

Rael took out the oversized church symbol one by one.