Imperial Guard - Chapter 83



Only Noblemtl

An afternoon with the hot sunlight shining on my head.

Rael went to work as a special guard.

Because I had to meet Yuri and I had something to ask Gent.

‘The weather is still hot. This damn continent doesn’t even have spring or fall.’

Summer was slowly coming to an end.

That means a long winter is coming.

The thought of a medieval fantasy winter without padding was fucking horrible.

‘Still, I think the daycare center will be warm this winter.’

As Lael’s circumstances improved, the children at the orphanage no longer had to be cold.

Just that alone made me feel like my life had become richer.

As I was walking through the special guard area, my mind wandering.

“Whoa!”

An elf popped out from next to Rael.

“···?!”

Rael, startled, opened his eyes wide and turned his head.

Next to him stood Reina, laughing hehe.

“Oh my. Reina. Are you crazy?”

Rael blinked at Reina, who had suddenly appeared.

Where the hell did this crazy elf come from?

“How is it? You won’t be able to find me, right? I completely recovered my strength under the real World Tree yesterday! Now I can accept the power of nature and hide my presence. Thanks to you, Rael! Thank you!”

“···Really? That’s great. But Reina. It seems like you learned the wrong way to express gratitude among the elves.”

Whose fault is it, really?

Rael became very curious.

‘If I didn’t even notice it… then it’s definitely amazing.’

The fact that she can fool her own senses means that Reina’s power is also of a high level.

Until now, she had been forcibly separated from the World Tree, but from now on, she will be able to use the power of a true elf.

Rael looked at Reyna and continued speaking.

“Is the elf party over already?”

“Uh-huh. Oh, the elves told me to come play in the forest. They left before I could properly thank you…”

“Really? I’ll go and look for it sometime.”

“Come with me. Sister Reine told me to come with you. You are the benefactor of the elves. I will listen to anything you ask.”

“These guys know business ethics.”

Rael thought of the elf’s face.

In fact, I should have signed a contract right there and then as soon as I killed Basolod… but everyone started crying and clinging to Reina, so I had no choice but to leave.

‘I have to go get something to eat.’

I’ll have to go back and check out the house later.

With that determination, Rael approached the special guard building.

“Then I will go and receive the energy of the forest!”

“Okay. Take care of yourself and get some rest.”

“Thank you, Rael!”

Reina ran into the forest, saying she wanted to receive the forest’s energy.

Rael watched the scene for a moment, then approached the garden.

“Hey. Ghent.”

“Um, Rael. What’s going on?”

Today, too, Rael approached the giant who was crouching in the garden.

I had a favor to ask of Ghent.

“Can you recommend some rare vegetables from your garden that might be worth money?”

“What are you talking about?”

“There are a lot of interesting things in your garden. Is there anything you can grow and sell?”

“Rael. My garden is not for sale.”

“Who said you were selling your garden? Just give me some seeds. We’re colleagues. You don’t think it’s because you’re afraid of losing money?”

“···The giant warrior doesn’t care about money. Then suddenly crops? Are you thinking of farming?”

“I want to teach people I know, no, I want to teach foreign races I know how to farm. If you save me, I have to pay with my life.”

Rael nodded, thinking of the elves.

Since I didn’t know how to use them yet, I thought I’d at least use them for farming.

As a species that grew up in the forest, they would be good at farming.

“Rael, you’re not talking about the elves, are you?”

“Is that right?”

“···Do you intend to immediately exploit the race that barely escaped the clutches of Basolod?”

“Exploitation? What kind of nonsense is that? Since we are alive, shouldn’t we be grateful for life and work harder? I’m giving you a chance to get back on your feet? If you give us seeds, Gent, you can give the elves a chance along with me.”

“···.”

Oh, is that so?

Gent tilted his head for a moment, thinking.

If you think about it, what Rael said seems to be right.

If he were an elf, he would have worked hard to revive his clan as a warrior right away.

“Is it because you don’t like farming? Or maybe you could recommend something. What are elves good at?”

“Um… elves.”

Gent seriously considered Rael’s words.

The elves, devastated by war with Basolod, will need money immediately.

Well then, I guess I should recommend a job that pays well.

“Rael. How about using the elves as gardeners for the nobles? If we could provide one elf to each noble family in the empire, it would be a huge amount of money.”

The forest of the Special Guard has become so dense because of Reina.

It would probably look much better if there were elves in the noble family.

“Ghent. No matter what, that’s not right. Do you think of the elves as objects?”

“···.”

Gent narrowed his eyes at Rael.

Does it make sense to have elves, a noble forest race, do farm work, but not to have them officially employed by noble families?

He couldn’t understand what this human was thinking.

“Anything else? Something healthy and good for preying on elves.”

“Didn’t you say you’d give us a chance to get back on our feet? Well, there’s nothing more lucrative for the elves than the World Tree.”

“World Tree?”

“Yes. Think about how whenever Reina was in pain, she would hug a branch of the World Tree. The World Tree has the power of purification. It is often used to purify things like magic and curses.”

“The World Tree purifies magic? But your clan almost perished because of one Basolod?”

“Basolod is a different case. His magic causes living things to wither. It is the opposite of the elves who control the power of nature. If it weren’t for Basolod but another demon race, the elves would have been able to exert their power as well.”

The magic of death possessed by the Demon Basolod is the natural enemy of elves.

If the elves had fought against other races, they wouldn’t have been pushed back to that extent.

“hmm···.”

Rael thought, thinking of the elves.

‘They don’t seem that useful.’

I did as I pleased and saved them, but they were less helpful than I thought.

‘No. If that doesn’t work out, you can just have them do some farming.’

But even if you wring out a dry rag, water comes out.

Rael was determined to destroy the elves at any cost.

“Rael. Now that I think about it, there was something I was wondering.”

At that moment, Gent, who was sitting in the garden, sat up and said.

“Huh? What is it?”

“It is known that humans feel sexual desire even when looking at elves.”

“···What the hell are you talking about all of a sudden. You crazy bastard.”

“Rael. Do you have any romantic or sexual attraction to Reyna?”

“Gent, did you eat something bad?”

Rael frowned at Ghent’s sudden remark.

“Hmm.”

And Gent also stared at Rael.

Of the two men who had been making eye contact for a moment, Ghent was the first to look away.

“Your heartbeat and breathing are regular, so I guess my guess was right.”

“Just play the drums and janggu and do all the talking by yourself.”

“But it would be even more strange if it wasn’t a rational affection. Rael, why are you so kind to Reina?”

“What? Are you jealous? Do you like Reina?”

“That’s not it. As Reina’s comrade, I’m worried about her. I think I’ve said this before, but to the giants, elves are no better than beasts. Don’t insult the giants just because some humans have such peculiar tastes.”

“···You did it first, so why are you so angry?”

Ghent looked angrier than usual.

It seems that the peculiar human taste that I mentioned last time was on his mind.

“As your colleague, I’ll let it slide this time. However, I’m curious as to why you’re being so kind to Reina. You don’t seem like such a nice person.”

“Am I a good person?”

“Rael. There is a slight difference between being good and being kind.”

“Fuck, you talk nonsense so well.”

Rael was heartbroken by the situation where he was being verbally pushed aside by the giants.

“Listen carefully, Rael. What you’ve done for Reyna is too much.”

“I didn’t do that well.”

“No, you saved the lives of your own people who had pointed their swords at you, and you gave the branches of the World Tree to Reina, who was unable to obtain them, at a low price. You also dealt with the mercenary group that was swindling her, and connected her with an informant. And on top of that, you even killed Basolrod for Reina.”

“···You did a lot of things.”

Only then did Rael understand what Gent had said.

Although Gent was a pretty good guy by this world’s standards, he didn’t understand Rael’s feelings.

‘I’m just being nice to you because I feel bad for you.’

The biggest reason was that on the days we went shopping together, I felt bad for him because he only bought the cheapest meat.

It broke my heart to see him being treated like a fool, and I thought it was only natural to help him to that extent.

Rael felt frustrated with this heartless world.

“I’m just saying this because I feel bad for you, so don’t think too strangely.”

“Can you kill Basolrod just because you feel sorry for one elf?”

“That’s… It’s not like I killed him just because of that. There are complex reasons.”

Tch.

Rael began to ponder Ghent’s words.

Well, if you really think about it, there are many reasons.

Because Reina is one of the next emperor’s confidants.

It annoys me to see him being treated so stupidly.

Or, because he is Rael’s friend.

It was all true, so whatever reason was given was fine.

However, Rael looked at Ghent with a serious expression.

Even in times like these, as a human who had completed higher education, I had to say something cool to the giants.

“Ghent. There are two kinds of people in the world.”

“Human nature cannot be divided into just two categories. Rael. Just like nature. Its endless···.”

“I’m going to say something cool, so shut up and listen.”

“i get it.”

Gent focused on Rael’s words with a serious expression.

Although the mood was broken, Rael continued speaking.

“It’s the same everywhere. No matter how difficult the situation is, there are those who take responsibility for what they did, and there are those who find a way to escape and harm others.”

“···I see.”

“Yeah. If I’m going to do it, I want to help someone who’s doing it right. Don’t you think so? Well, Reina isn’t human, and she didn’t do it herself… but it was nice to see her taking responsibility. Someone like that is worth helping.”

It’s true that I became a bit more annoyed because I tried to take responsibility for it on my own… but I didn’t hate the attitude itself.

After all, it is true that the elves survived thanks to her.

‘I feel like I’m being sold.’

I had made up my mind to say something cool, but when I actually said it out loud, I was embarrassed.

Rael coughed and added a word.

“···Well, if Reina has a conscience, she’ll do something for me later. Or she doesn’t. Don’t you think so?”

“Hmm, Rael. You really are a good person.”

“I’m just an ordinary person, and this world is strange. Anyway, I’m going to talk to Yuri-san, so when Reina comes, tell her to buy me a meal later.”

Rael ended the conversation and entered the building.

I was just trying to show off, but I felt strange when I received the giant’s warm gaze.

“···Hmm. As expected, Rael is a strange person.”

Ghent nodded as he looked at the building Rael entered.

He was a fascinating person who showed a new side to him every time you saw him.

“Raina, is this enough?”

Ghent whispered into the empty space in the quiet garden.

There was no answer, but Ghent continued.

“You could have just asked Rael directly if he likes me rationally, but I don’t understand why you insist on using me. Still, congratulations on being acknowledged as a proper person by Rael, Reina.”

“I’m so embarrassed I could die, so stop it···.”

Slurp-

The elf, who had been hiding nearby as he entered the forest, closed his eyes and hugged Vermeil III.

For some reason… I had a strange feeling.

‘Well, the problem was on Reina’s side.’

Gent nodded, watching Reina’s reaction.

I think I’ll have to make a harmonious yin and yang soup later to cool down my head.

*

Rael entered the special guard building and headed straight to Yuri’s room.

“Mr. Lael. It’s been a while.”

“That’s right. It’s been a while for you too, Isabelle.”

“Yes, Sir Rael.”

Isabelle bowed her head to Rael and greeted him.

His stock in the Empire had been going crazy lately, so it didn’t feel bad to hear him speak informally anymore.

“By the way, why did you call me?”

Rael said as he sat down.

The reason he came here was because of Yuri’s summons.

“Well, it hasn’t been properly revealed yet. I’m going to talk about the Blue Tower Master, Ferma.”

“···Is this the Blue Tower?”

As soon as Rael heard the name Blue Tower, he felt uneasy.

It was also because I had a feeling that maybe that old man had done something wrong.

“Yes. The Blue Tower Lord sent word through the Archduke that he would support me. Since the Archduke, who is close to the Blue Tower Lord, also said he doesn’t know anything, the only person I can think of to contact him is Lord Lael.”

“···.”

Rael pondered Fermat’s impulsive behavior.

I’m sure your reasons are right.

But, I couldn’t understand.

‘No, did I say to support the Second Princess?’

I don’t think he ever said anything like that, he just said to protect the abandoned forest.

Why do you support the Second Princess?

‘Of course it’s not bad, but···.’

The Blue Tower is the largest tower in the Empire.

If such a place supports Yuri, the possibility of Yuri becoming the emperor steadily increases.

This means that Rael’s future is becoming more solid.

‘Too much attention can be poisonous, but…’

Well, that’s something to think about later.

What has already happened must be dealt with quickly.

“Ahem, I did speak to the Lord of the Tower. He agreed with the second princess’s thoughts. For the Empire, the people of the Empire must come first.”

Rael began to speak naturally about his ball.

First of all, you have to take everything you can.

“This is impossible… It really was Sir Rael.”

Isabelle looked at Rael in surprise.

I wondered what kind of power he had when he was able to persuade the Blue Tower Master, Perma.

“Ah, thank you very much, Mr. Rael.”

Yuri also bowed her head in emotion.

It still felt like a dream.

Just a year ago, no one would have agreed with her ideas.

But now, she too was becoming a part of the empire as a member of the royal family.

The beginning was always Rael.

“No. It’s something that should be done.”

Rael wrinkled his lips.

A smile came to my face as I looked at the growing trust between me and the next emperor.

“By the way, is Sir Rael feeling okay? I know he is a strong knight, but I am worried because he has been in contact with magic so often.”

Then, Isabelle spoke up.

“Isabel, what are you talking about?”

“Recently, as the number of invasions by the Demon Tribe has increased, a demonic disease has spread throughout the empire. It is spreading mainly among civilians who have absorbed demonic energy.”

“Horoscope?”

I’ve heard of it.

It is a disease in which magical energy takes hold in a human body and combines with the body’s magical energy.

The devil, which drains the life from humans and causes them to suffer and die, was a disease that could not be cured even with divine magic.

“That’s right. Recently, the Empire has been plagued by horse diseases, causing suffering for the people. Even the nobles have started to contract horse diseases… It’s a serious problem.”

Yuri had many worries.

The cavalry, which had almost disappeared after the end of the Great War, was now running rampant again.

Although many nobles are also suffering from the disease, it is ultimately the people of the empire who suffer the most.

“Magi… Hmm? Magic purification?”

Didn’t you say earlier that the World Tree has the power to purify magic?

As Rael thought about the horsemen, he thought of the elves who were diligently growing the world tree in the abandoned forest.