Paladin of the Dead God - Chapter 165



Only Krnovel

Episode 165 There is a voice calling me to open my eyes (2)

“… … What do you mean? “Do you want me to become a sword master like Lyanna?”

“If you can, you should do that too. But it’s just a process.”

It was not necessary to add that, if necessary, one must follow the path taken by previous kings. That might be too painful for Ethelred.

However, Isaac’s words had an intention as cruel as the Salt Ain massacre.

“But that…” … .”

Ethelred tried to argue, but Isaac cut her off and continued.

“Create a strong absolute monarchy and establish a centralized state. We must create a royal power so strong that no one except the king and his personal guards can lift a sword. No, destroy and disintegrate the knights so cruelly that no one will feel the need to lift a sword.”

A being like Elil becomes king. That was the only way to destroy the system established by Elil.

“You have to be Elil to destroy what Elil has built. “That’s where all change begins.”

Isaac’s words had a strange resonance in Ethelred.

He hesitated for a long time even after hearing it. Isaac’s words sounded plausible, but it was something that countless monarchies that had been established in the Kingdom of Elil so far had not succeeded.

The emergence of a knight king who causes the downfall of the knight class.

In fact, a strong king relies on the military power of powerful knights, so it is no different from destroying his own support base. But Isaac knew that this was possible with just a change of system.

‘A group of warlords and knights can be defeated with just a strong central government and standing army. Of course, the Elil Knights are powerful, but… … In the end, it is right to incorporate him into the army rather than making him a hero like the Sword Master.’

Only by law and administration should one be permitted to wield a sword. Isaac did not think this was against Elil’s doctrine, but he knew that it would ultimately weaken the knight’s presence.

Ultimately, it could not help but lead to the reduction of Elil faith.

‘Actually, it doesn’t matter, right?’

Isaac does not believe in the Elil faith. The Elil Knights will be needed right now during the Dawn Army, but once the expedition is completed, they are a group that must be destroyed. We had to show them that farmers, carpenters, fishermen, and bureaucrats were as important as swords.

Either be at war forever, or enjoy peace by the state.

If it’s one of the two, it’s right to put aside all the bullshit about the romance of swordsmen and choose the latter.

***

Isaac’s thoughts may not have struck Ethelred right away.

Even the Gertonian Empire was only attempting centralization during the reign of Emperor Waldzemer. The Kingdom of Elil was never successful due to repeated mergers and acquisitions of warlords.

“… … I don’t really know what you mean. Holy Grail Knight. But I understand that he needs to be a strong king to bring about change.”

Ethelred smiled bitterly. In fact, that wasn’t something he didn’t know either.

Who doesn’t know that? In the Kingdom of Elil, those who are strong and good at fighting are at their mercy.

If Ethelred hates knights, she can become the most powerful among them.

Of course, Isaac was talking about institutional rooting, not something temporary, but such a process was necessary anyway.

“Then what do you want me to do?”

“First, reorganize the national system… … We need to secure finances. “This is the foundation of all change.”

If I were to say this far, it would be an irresponsible story that anyone could say.

But Isaac also came with a solution.

“First, we must resume trade with the Gertonian Empire. I have a connection to the top of Golden Idol. “He is a merchant with so much faith that I can vouch for him.”

“Resumption of trade. Good. This is what I want too. However, there are people who dislike it… … hmm. That will depend on the future direction of the war with the Georg family. “I will only trust the Holy Grail Knight.”

Then Ethelred frowned and said.

“… … However, the late king did a lot of harm to the followers of the Salt Council. The Salt Council probably has quite a grudge against our kingdom. Will you cooperate with trade?”

Trade in the island kingdom of Elil is impossible without shipping. This was fatal as it antagonized the Salt Council, which controlled most of the sailors.

But Isaac smiled as if he had been waiting.

“I will try to arrange reconciliation. I also have a deep relationship with the leadership of the Salt Council. “If Her Majesty Ethelred shows sufficient sincerity, the Salt Council will also accept our wishes.”

Ethelred looked at Isaac with admiration.

Isaac’s quick answers as if he had prepared all the questions in advance seemed like a savior to him. In fact, isn’t Isaac solving all the problems right now?

In fact, it was something that had been prepared in advance.

“I think it would be good to refer to the Gertonia Act for institutional improvement. I think we can take note of this by improving our relationship with Emperor Waldzemer. “The laws that Elil brought into this country are 700 years old, so they need to be improved.”

I wanted to bring the rulebook that Isaac created to the Isacrea territory, but that would be too drastic a change.

Isaac thought that it would be a great gain if he could just eliminate the barbaric duel trials.

“Securing finances and improving systems. Good. next?”

“Have a standing army. The army is a money-consuming monster, but you need a strong army to avoid being swayed by a few knights.”

The reason the king is always swayed by the nobles is because he borrows private soldiers from the nobles whenever he needs troops. This was a problem that even Emperor Waldzemer could not completely improve.

But the situation in the Kingdom of Elil was even worse. A small number of knights monopolized military power and conscripted peasants whenever necessary. These conscripts are like a bunch of helpless sheep when dealing with knights.

Therefore, war was solely for the knights.

However, if a trained standing army always stays by the king, a check on the knights is secured. Ultimately, knights will exist only as a position in the military. However, if there was an advantage that the Kingdom of Elil had, it was that there were skilled officers and swordsmanship instructors spread out everywhere.

“standing army… … It’s definitely going to be a waste of money. It may be difficult, but I will refer to it. next?”

“It’s self-discipline. your majesty. “Your Majesty Ethelred must become much stronger than she is now.”

“… … .”

The issues discussed so far, such as institutional improvement, financial security, establishment of a standing army, and improvement of diplomatic relations, were vague and vague. To be realized properly, it is impossible in a short period of time. It was something that would take at least three years or as long as several decades.

To achieve all that, Ethelred had to become strong. At least not now.

“… … I know what you mean. But, um. “Be honest.”

Ethelred said as if she was embarrassed.

“Actually, I’ve never cut someone before.”

Isaac guessed Ethelred’s age. He is much younger than me. He must be between 14 and 16 years old. If it were modern times, he would be at most a middle school student. He was embarrassed by the fact that such a child had never committed murder. I could see how oppressed he was in this crazy world.

“There is no need to be ashamed. “No sword master I know told me to swing my sword with the intention of not killing anyone.”

“Has there ever been a sword master who said something like that? A sword master would have cut down at least hundreds of people.”

“He was a little eccentric. Anyway, I’m not sure if His Majesty will ever cut down anyone in the future. But you will need to train him to protect his body.”

As far as Isaac knew, the late King Alfred Aldeon was a sword master. Of course, Ethelred also inherited that talent.

Isaac recalled Ethelred’s appearance in the game.

‘He looked even more devastated and wounded than now.’

But despite all the hardships that now befall him, Ethelred survives. As a powerful king worthy of the Kingdom of Elil and a knight-hater, he follows the path of previous kings by repeating a civil war that washes away blood.

To the point of finally reaching Sword Master.

‘If you leave it alone, it will become stronger… … .’

Isaac decided to tweak his future a bit. If he’s talented anyway, it’s okay for him to make a little effort and show off.

“I’ll teach you a little bit about swordsmanship. your majesty.”

Ethelred looked at Isaac with wide eyes.

“The swordsmanship of a Holy Grail Knight? “I heard that swordsmanship is something that should not be taught carelessly.”

“A nerdy old man I know said something similar. But I’m not that petty person.”

“Are you the same person as the Sword Master from earlier?”

“We weren’t the same person, but we belonged to the same knighthood. “The two are trying to kill each other.”

“Strange people… … .”

Ethelred was confused, but Isaac stood in front of him, drew his sword and moved slowly.

Ethelred swung her sword and imitated his movements. Ethel Red, who had a violent king as her father, naturally trained herself in swordsmanship for a long time. The basics, as well as the strength, had already been completed to some extent.

“This is a movement I called the eight-pronged movement. It feels like sharp fingers are grabbing the enemy… … .”

Isaac had never taught swordsmanship to anyone, but he managed to teach it to Ethelred. Ethelred awkwardly imitated the movement.

Although it was different from the swordsmanship he was accustomed to, it was not common to have the opportunity to learn swordsmanship from a sword master.

Ethelred soon began swinging her sword, sweating in concentration.

“Isaac!”

How long had passed? Ethelred exclaimed in surprise. As Isaac approached, he saw wild grass on one side of the field that was badly damaged, as if it had been torn loosely.

It was not a straight cross section, as if it had been cut with a sword.

Although Isaac had only been imitating for a short time, he was in a dazed mood when he saw Ethelred, who had already started to imitate at least with ‘force’.

‘Is this how Gebel felt when he saw me?’

Of course, Ethelred has completed the basics. Or, as the king and believer of Elil, he may receive an additional buff to his swordsmanship skills.

In fact, if people like Gebel, Bachul, and others who taught him swordsmanship directly or indirectly heard Isaac’s admiration, they would have been astonished. In their eyes, Isaac was an exceptional genius even throughout the history of the continent.

Comparing her to Ethelred was itself a deception.

But what was certain was that another person was about to be born in the world who could use the one-of-a-kind swordsmanship of Isaac.

“Excellent. “Let’s keep trying.”

“Oh, I understand. Ah, but… … .”

Ethelred hesitated for something and then cautiously opened her mouth.

“I accidentally called you Isaac earlier, which was rude. I apologize. However, I am a little reluctant to keep calling myself ‘Holy Grail Knight’, but now that I have had the opportunity to receive such teachings… … .”

Isaac wondered what Ethelred was going to say for her hesitation. Ethel Red, who was looking here and there, finally managed to open her mouth.

“Can I call you teacher?”

“… … “If no one is around, you can do whatever you want.”

After receiving permission, Ethelred was delighted and began to focus on swinging the sword again.

From a position of just watching helplessly until now, the sight of someone telling her what to do and teaching her was enough to make Ethelred excited.

Isaac could also understand how he felt. Because he too felt similarly when he met Geber at the monastery and began training through him.

But at the same time, Isaac felt sorry for Ethelred, who was beginning to have hope.

Because I could see what kind of hope he had.

‘Ethelred, you will have no choice but to become the knight and king you hated so much.’

This was unavoidable. To destroy what you hate, you must become what you hate.

And he had to perish along with the things he hated, and let future generations enjoy that happiness.

But that’s what change is all about.

In this way, Isaac planted a small seed of chaos in the Kingdom of Elil.

***

“Whoa, whoa… … .”

Ethelred, who learned swordsmanship from Isaac, swung her sword until she fainted from exhaustion. Since the night was so deep that it was almost like dawn, I thought I should let Isaac in slowly. Although Ethel Red has not progressed beyond revealing the spirit of chaos, he has already grown beyond expectations.

“Wow, this is something… … “Maybe it’s because it’s been a while since I moved, but I feel hungry right away.”

Ethelred muttered as she wiped her sweat.

Isaac was upset, but he didn’t show it.

“It’s because of the sudden movement.”

Then Isaac turned his head.

‘Western ridge, next to the birch tree, black clothes, three. I guess it’s an Elil knight.’

Suddenly, a warning message came from Hezabel. Isaac was also able to observe the other person through Hezabel’s eyes. There were no signs to identify who was where. However, they were not Aldeon knights, and judging by their clumsy hiding appearance, they were not human hunters.

“Enough for today, go in and rest. “Starting tomorrow, we have to take the long way back to Aldeon Castle.”

“Oh, I understand. Oh, no, I understand. teacher.”

Ethelred looked proud even after saying that. Isaac tried to absentmindedly stroke his head, but barely managed to stop his hand. He’s stroking the king’s head, it’s crazy.

‘Hesabel, I am protecting Ethelred. ‘I’ll deal with them.’

‘yes.’