Paladin of the Dead God - Chapter 132



Only Krnovel

Episode 132 Duke Brandt’s Troubles (5)

Isolde, who was groping Isaac’s cheek, opened her eyes. Only then did she realize that this situation was not a dream or an imagined world, but reality, and she hurriedly pulled her body up.

Unlike in the imaginary world, Isolde was naturally wearing simple indoor clothes. However, perhaps it was an aftereffect of the ritual, or perhaps the energy of blessing still remained, but the strange outfit I had seen in the world of images lingered in my mind.

Isaac felt a stronger urge to see Isolde herself embarrassed than when the red-fleshed prophet imitating Isolde showed coquetry.

Isaac stood up together, trying to remain calm.

Isolde’s eyes were constantly shaking.

“The doctrine of craving has been temporarily suppressed, but it has not been completely eliminated. “It has taken such a long time and the roots have become deeply entrenched, so it will likely take some time to remove it without side effects.”

“Of course, there are much simpler and faster ways to get rid of it.”

Isaac glared at Hesabel as she added needlessly next to him.

Isolde looked around as if she still didn’t understand the situation and then desperately touched her stomach. She was in the spot where Isaac had stabbed her earlier in a cleavage ceremony.

“This is a place that was stabbed in a ceremonial manner of division. It’s fatal to miraculous beings, but to ordinary living things, it’s just an ordinary dagger. The doctrine of craving had become so strong that there was nothing I could do about it. “I’ve treated it, so you don’t have to worry.”

[Carlisle Seonghaepo (A)]

[If it touches a wound, it immediately heals bleeding and injuries in that area, but consumes blood.]

It was a holy relic that Isaac used while treating Isolde’s wounds.

His regenerative power itself was so great that he rarely had to use it, but it was useful when treating other people.

Isolde’s face turned red as if she realized what it meant, ‘I couldn’t help it because the doctrine of craving had become stronger.’

“Oh, so, that… … to me… … that?”

“Nothing happened, so you don’t have to worry.”

The process of having to explain something like this was tiring for Isaac. But she had to explain it again and again so that she wouldn’t have to live with unnecessary misunderstandings.

Isolde’s expression became subtle when she heard that nothing had happened, but Isaac had many things to explain to her.

“As I said, the doctrine of craving has not completely disappeared. The person who gave the blessing is also an angel, so it is not usually harsh. I guess we’ll have to repeat the same process for a while.”

“Um, ah, you mean to perform the ritual of the Red Grail Club.”

As expected of an Inquisitor, Isolde seemed to have realized what had happened in this room when she saw the blood-red pattern and Hesabel drawn on the floor.

The Code of Light is not without rituals to drive out blessings or curses, but they are bound to be as violent as those who believe in heresy. It took a miracle from the Red Grail Club to get rid of it without major side effects.

“yes. Heshabel will help you. “Until the doctrine of craving is completely eliminated, it would be better to refrain from going outside.”

“Uh, then the Holy Grail Knight… … .”

“Ah, now the doctrine of craving has subsided. It’s probably as powerful as the first day the blessing was cast. “This is no problem.”

With this level of power, other men would have strange delusions. It was just cute compared to the charm that violently attracted people earlier.

“As time passes, your strength will grow again, but for now, there will be no problem in seeing your parents again.”

At those words, Isolde opened her eyes wide and then covered her mouth.

Water shimmered around her eyes.

Isolde also knew about the situation of the duke and duchess struggling outside. Isaac didn’t want to be caught up in complicated feelings, so he patted her on the shoulder and prepared to leave.

It was my turn to explain the situation again to Priya, who was waiting outside close to the door, and Dietrich, who was pacing around the garden restlessly.

‘What should I do with Isolde in this situation in the first place? ‘I definitely know what’s going on outside, so I’m sure I’ll be motivated.’

Spending the night with his father-in-law waiting outside the door is an idea worthy of a cannibal who enjoys an orgy.

Isaac could never do that.

As he was about to go out, he heard Isolde’s voice muttering.

“thanks… … thank you. “You saved me again.”

Hearing Isolde’s wet voice, Isaac was just trying to express his humility, but he scratched his head roughly and spoke.

“No need to worry. Heretic Questioner. “This situation happened because of me in the first place.”

Isolde looked at Isaac with wet eyes. The child felt her heart becoming heavy from those tears.

“And you saved me a few times too. You also kept my secret. “I know it’s not easy.”

It would be nice to say something nice, but Isaac didn’t have that kind of vocabulary. He just spoke honestly.

“So let’s not count the number of times we saved each other. “It looks like we will have a lot to rely on each other in the future.”

***

“Thank you. This… … “I owe you a lot.”

The Duke and Duchess of Brandt met Isaac again after a long time away from Isolde. Although the doctrine of craving was weakened, it was clear that it still existed, so it would not be good to continue to face Isolde for a long time.

Dietrich spoke with a more relaxed expression.

“To be honest, I thought that if you were a Holy Grail Knight, it would be no problem if you ended up with my child. Actually, I was thinking that was the only way. But you eventually found another way. I don’t know whether to be disappointed or happy here. “Do you have another lover?”

Dietrich even joked that he felt relaxed after seeing Isolde’s condition.

The expression on his face was quite serious, but I hoped it was a joke.

“doesn’t exist. There is no problem with Miss Isolde, and if the problem is that I am lacking, then it is a problem.”

If you are caught up in the doctrine of craving in the first place, your own attractiveness is not a problem. Because you will be attracted to it unconditionally.

“Well, there’s no problem with a beautiful man and woman spending one night together, right?”

“… … “You’re kidding, right?”

“Yes, I’m kidding. Still, I don’t really have any illusions about my children. When I met my now wife and we first had a relationship, she was four years younger than Solde… … .”

Priya Brandt, who was quietly listening from the side, kicked Dietrich in the shin. Dietrich closed his mouth.

Although it was nice to see the human side of the most powerful man in the empire, there were many stories that needed to be told to him.

“Duke. As I said, the doctrine of craving has not completely disappeared. Going forward, we plan to spend time weakening it and then absorb the red flesh inside it into Miss Isolde. Then, you will become resistant to the miracle of the Red Grail in the future.”

Dietrich’s expression shook at the mention of absorbing red flesh. If he were a devout believer, he would have said that he would never go near such unclean things, but he did not say anything like that.

There was no reason to refuse when they said they would not only solve the situation but also prevent it.

“Please do whatever you wish, Holy Grail Knight. Isolde would hope so too.”

Priya answered calmly. She had a much more serious and calm aura than Dietrich, and seemed to have a role in establishing discipline in the family.

“great. “Then we will repeat the same ritual over the next few days, and we will need your help.”

“Please tell me anything.”

“Please hold a banquet to promote Isolde Brandt’s marriage.”

Silence passed. Priya’s expression darkened, and Dietrich looked like his world was falling apart. Isaac felt that his explanation was insufficient and hastily added his own.

“No, rumors about the engagement are enough. There is no need to disturb the princess’s chastity. As far as I know, the princess is slowly getting married, is that correct?”

“Well, I guess so.”

Most people in this era get married before they turn twenty. I tend to think that if you are over the age of 20, you have already fulfilled your married life. Moreover, since great noble families such as the Duke of Brandt have arranged marriages, there will be many potential grooms lined up.

“It must have already been rumored that Miss Isolde returned to Rougeberg. The only daughter of the Brandt family, who worked at the church, returned home when she was fully married. This alone will already create a lot of rumors. “In order to silence unnecessary rumors, we need to hold a banquet and make it ‘as if we really came back for the wedding.’”

“Hmm, I know what you mean. “It’s thoughtful of you to think that far.”

“Actually, there is a separate purpose. “We must find the person who fed Miss Isolde the flesh.”

Isolde ate the red flesh.

No matter how much the red-fleshed prophet flies and crawls, the lump of flesh does not voluntarily crawl into the mouth. This means that there are people who cooperate with the Red Grail Club, whether through deception or intimidation.

First of all, there was a high probability that the culprit itself was within the Heresy Inquisition, but since the opponent was the Red Grail Club, it was difficult to imagine how many more spies there would be.

“Whoever fed Miss Isolde the flesh will definitely react to the rumor of a banquet being held in this situation. “Whether he wants to insult Miss Isolde or check on her condition, he will definitely come.”

The mirror maid may not like the decrease in spies, but what can she do?

This is something Isaac never agreed to in the first place.

***

Rumors about the banquet taking place at the Brandt duchy spread quickly.

Rumors had already spread throughout social circles that the duke’s only daughter, Isolde Brandt, had left the church and returned to the estate. After that, all kinds of slanderous rumors followed in Ruzberg, his hometown, but the gossip quickly died down when he heard that he was holding a large banquet to which all the lords belonging to the Brandt territory were invited.

And a new rumor began to circulate in every mouth and ear.

‘Who will be the duke’s son-in-law?’

***

It was one week since Isaac stayed in Ruzberg. The castle was bustling with preparations for the banquet that would take place in a few days.

Meanwhile, the power of the red flesh was constantly weakening, and on the contrary, the amount that Isolde could absorb was increasing. However, since the ceremony could only be performed once a day, the period was becoming quite long. In the meantime, Isaac mostly stayed in the tower where Isolde was, and only occasionally went back and forth to the castle when he was invited by Dietrich.

Meanwhile, Isaac’s ability to meet other people was extremely limited, so the only people he could meet were Dietrich, Friya, and Isolde. However, after completing the ritual, Isolde became extremely drowsy and spent most of the day sleeping, making him not a suitable conversation partner.

Dietrich, who was looking down at the yard where people were busy preparing for the banquet, opened his mouth.

“You know that marriage partners aren’t usually decided this way, right?”

All Isaac knows about social circles is what he has seen in historical dramas and fantasy movies. In his mind, he had a picture of handsome men and women dancing at a fancy banquet, and then a couple who made eye contact, made history, and got married.

“I’m not sure.”

“Usually, marriage talks start early. There’s already a pile of letters in my office requesting marriage, enough to be used as firewood all winter long. If there is a suitable partner, check the balance of each other’s power, how much the dowry is, how much benefit can be gained from marriage, and how inheritance rights are divided… … After going through such a trivial process, the children are notified. ‘I heard that the lord’s son was so handsome.’”

Dietrich smiled and continued speaking.

“Holding a banquet like this only happens during the crown princess selection ceremony. But in fact, they pretend to be fair and follow a pre-planned script.”

“Oh, my. “Your Majesty the Emperor might misunderstand something?”

“I am an uncle who cares for my nephew, so you will understand. “His Majesty Waldsemer.”

When I heard that she was the niece of Emperor Waldzemer, I suddenly realized how high of a position Isolde had. When he first met Solde, he was worried about killing him in the monastery.

‘I almost committed suicide in a troublesome way.’

“Actually, my daughter has no problems anymore. “Now I just have to leave it to Isaac.”

“I will try my best.”

“no. “Actually, the problem lies with Isaac.”

Isaac looked at Dietrich curiously.

“My problem… … “What do you mean?”

“I think you might be feeling a bit frustrated with the current series of circumstances. You only go back and forth between the inner castle and the tower, and it’s practically like being imprisoned. Actually, I don’t want to serve the Holy Grail Knight like this… … .”

“I know that the situation is what it is and there is nothing we can do about it. To that extent… … .”

“no. There is a reason for this, but in reality, it is no different from an excuse. Actually, I have a reason why I have no choice but to tie Isaac up here. “For the empire.”