Paladin of the Dead God - Chapter 253



Only Krnovel

Episode 253. The Coming Temple (2)

Gebel didn’t know what to do with the sword he had drawn, then awkwardly put it away and hugged Isaac.

“Huh, I didn’t think you’d be treated badly, but I didn’t know you’d be this welcoming. You always seem so calculating and thoughtful, so I thought you were a cold-blooded, emotionless person.”

“Is that what you mean when you say you’re meeting someone after a long time?”

However, Isaac also found it difficult to refute Gebel’s assessment, so he did not bother to deny the words. Whether in the monastery or anywhere else, he lived his life as if he was ‘attacking’, judging only with a focus on profit and achievement.

It was a means of survival, but to him, this world was also a game. However, having lived this long, there were bound to be some people who made him forget about the game. Gebel was one of those people.

“You seem to have grown taller since I last saw you. And you’ve gained some muscle, too… You haven’t gained any, but you still seem to have put in effort. You’ve always had a hard time gaining muscle since you were young.”

Gebel muttered lamentingly. However, he did not pay much attention to it since he knew his power. Isaac turned around and picked up Kachulain, who had been thrown aside. The Calurien in Kachulain grumbled something.

However, Gebel looked at the sword with a dumbfounded expression.

“It doesn’t seem like an ordinary sword. Could it be the Cachulain I’ve heard rumors about?”

“You noticed?”

“You’re a former Paladin, so how could you not recognize such a holy relic… … No, then it seems that the rumor that you were chosen as the Great Warrior of Elril wasn’t just a rumor, but true.”

Gebel shook his head in disbelief.

Isaac chuckled at the sight.

“I don’t know what rumors Mr. Gebel has been hearing, but when he hears which ones are true, he won’t be surprised at all.”

***

Isaac deliberately walked with Gebel to the Isacre Monastery.

Night had fallen and it had become quite dark, but the two had no reason to be afraid of the dark. Furthermore, the road was so crowded that it was easy to walk without having to turn on the lights.

Gebel looked around Isaacrea in admiration.

“I’ve been here before. It was just an ordinary village. I remember the people’s expressions being gloomy, and the lord using the little income he had to build a wall. I heard that you’ve only recently taken control of this territory, but I think there’s no better place to live in the empire.”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

Isaac thought that Gebel was making a joke that wasn’t funny because it had been a long time since he last saw him.

Of course, it has developed a lot compared to before, but it is still far behind big cities like Soerl or Lenheim. It will prosper even more as time goes by, but for now, it is a rural area that is just beginning to develop.

But Gebel shook his head.

“No, I’m not just talking about the roads you see or the flashy buildings on the outside. I’m talking about the facial expressions of people, how well-maintained public facilities are, and the state of security.”

Gebel continued speaking with a dark expression.

“On the way from the Ariet Monastery to Soeur, the road was so bad that I had to wander through the mountains several times, and I think I met robbers about five times. I must have felt easy because I was alone. It’s hard to even get around Soeur at night.”

Isaac listened to Gebel and looked around. Even though it was the middle of the night, there were lamps lit by priests at every intersection, and people were casually going in and out of taverns or continuing their work that they had left off during the day. It was a rare sight in the countryside. However, no one seemed anxious or wary.

“I’ve been to Soerra before. I saw some Barbary bandits roaming around there, but was it that bad?”

“You’re talking about a year ago? In the meantime, the security situation has gotten ridiculously bad. Of course, it’s not because of you, but because of the Yeomyeong Army. You must have been around a lot too. Haven’t you seen the state of the Empire?”

Only then did Isaac realize why there was a difference in perception between himself and Gebel.

Isaac barely set foot on the Gertonian Empire. After receiving Bishop Juan’s summons and going to the Norden Port, he traveled by ship, briefly stopping by Luzberg, where public order was stable, before being dispatched to the Kingdom of Elril. After that, he returned to Ultenheim by ship, and after that, he traveled only by sky on the Nel.

Because of this, Isaac was in a paradoxical situation where he didn’t know how dire the situation of the empire was, even though he had been working so hard.

“The biggest difference is the crematorium. There is no crematorium in this city.”

Gebel muttered as he paused for a moment in the square of the Isacre territory.

“Right now, the Empire is in a situation where the flames of the cremation pyre in every major city are burning without any sign of going out. If there is nothing to burn, they are lighting a holy fire. They say it heightens the mood of the Dawn Army.”

“… … Now that I think about it, I did see a pyre in Siraxa.”

Isaac’s only stays in Rougeberg and Ultenheim were places that the sect had little influence over. In Siraxa, where he had set foot, he had witnessed dozens of pyres.

Gebel was saying that such situations were happening all over the empire.

“Now that you mention it, I understand why you said my estate was a good place to live. It’s not that I’m good at anything, but rather that other places are terrible… … .”

“In a world where everyone is crazy, just trying to stay sane gets you ostracized. You’re doing a good job just by not bringing that madness to this town.”

***

Isaac brought Gebel into the monastery and treated him as a guest of honor. The priests were curious about Gebel’s identity, who was being treated with great respect by the Grail Knights, but Isaac did not say a word.

Gebel refused the luxurious VIP room or the meal, but he did not refuse the high-quality liquor that was brought out from the basement. Isaac and Gebel talked about what had happened while drinking from the bottle in front of the meaningless fire that had been lit.

The main content was to find out the truth about Isaac’s rumors.

“… … Then the rumors were rather humble. That you destroyed the Archangel Calurien and planted it in his sword?”

“To be exact, it was the Sword of May that laid the groundwork and I struck the final blow.”

“Sparring with Elril… … That was a bit much, even for you. You should exaggerate a bit.”

“That’s right. It wasn’t even a duel. I just got beaten up.”

The stories that took place in the Kingdom of Elril were hard to believe, but they could be told as cheerful and enjoyable tales of war. Gebel could not hide his embarrassment at the fact that his disciple, whom he had taught and trained, stood shoulder to shoulder with the mighty men of the empire and even defeated angels.

“Honestly, whenever I heard rumors about you in the monastery, I used to brag a few times that I taught you. But now, I can’t do that. It’s not because I taught you well, but because you’re amazing.”

“I wouldn’t have been able to come this far if Mr. Gebel hadn’t taken care of me.”

“That little rat-eating brat ended up like this, oh my.”

Isaac tried to laugh, but then became serious and looked at Gebel.

“Did you know that I used to catch and eat rats?”

“How could you not know? It’s obvious that they just dug up the ground and pretended to bury it. We already confirmed that there was no body. And there’s no way to cook it, so I still don’t know where or how they ate it.”

Isaac was relieved. It was clear that he still didn’t know about the tentacles. He thought it would be okay to be honest with Gebel, but he chose to keep his mouth shut for now, if only for Gebel’s sake.

If the sect ever takes issue with its tentacles, it will start by capturing those who know the truth. It can’t be helped since Isolde and I have already become a community of destiny, but it couldn’t drag Gebel in as well.

As a knight with a long career, he must have known that Isaac had an uneasy secret, but Gebel did not ask about it either. The two agreed that it was a secret and did not talk about it any further.

The topic changed again and returned to Isaac’s journey. However, things after returning to the Gertonian Empire were not so pleasant. It was mainly about Camille and the nameless chaos. Gebel, who already knew about Cardinal Camille, nodded with a serious expression.

“Yes. Then the rumor was true. So Cardinal Camille studied the nameless doctrine of chaos and became like that… … .”

Isaac did not say that he had done it, but when he saw what had happened in Baelbaden, it was a foregone conclusion that she would self-destruct. Gebel was neither surprised nor saddened by the fact that the Cardinal of the Code of Light had died at the hands of his own disciple. Instead, he smiled, the corners of his mouth twisting.

“Camille was more of an opportunistic politician than a priest. He was a typical blind man. Who among the cardinals today is not like that? It is fortunate that his ugliness has been exposed in this way.”

Isaac, who was supporting and cheering for Cardinal Juan, felt a pang inside, but he didn’t show it. Gebel was an excommunicated knight and a deserter, but his faith was not wrong. Rather, he was closer to a faithful believer like Yevhar. He was just a little more open to revenge.

Isaac felt the need to talk about that revenge too.

“Well, and… …I also met Vaclav Norton.”

“Baschl? Baschlaf Norton? He’s alive? Wait, then.”

Gebel’s face changed into a frightening one, one that even hinted at a kind of desperation.

“Was it him? What did you do with him? Did you kill him?”

“If you ask me if I killed him… … To be honest, when we first met, I was in a situation where I was lucky if I didn’t die.”

Of course, Isaac fought while hiding his secret weapon, the tentacles, but if he had fought purely with his swordsmanship skills, he would have been defeated. At that time, Isaac did not have the ability to deal with the Sword Master who was pulling out sword energy.

“How on earth did you tell me to capture and kill the Sword Master?”

Gebel was visibly taken aback by Isaac’s words.

“Sword Master? Does that mean you’re a follower of Elril? No, that’s impossible. That guy didn’t have the talent to become a Sword Master. He was worse than me.”

“Yes? He was drawing out his sword. He was even the chief knight of the Imperial Guard.”

Gebel closed his mouth. His eyes shook in confusion.

“Is it really Bashel? You didn’t mistake him for someone else?”

“He said he was Bashuul himself, and he confirmed that he used Avalanche Knights swordsmanship. He also knew about Mr. Gebel, and he said that he had circumstances at the time.”

Isaac told Gabel the excuses that Baschl had given him. Baschl had only taken orders from the church to lead the Avalanche Knights to their deaths, and he regretted it himself, sharpening his sword to kill the blind man who had given him the order.

After hearing the story, Gebel fell into silence and was unable to speak for a long time. After a considerable amount of time had passed, Gebel finally gathered his thoughts and opened his mouth heavily.

“I don’t think you’ve mistaken me for someone else. This is definitely information that only Baschul would know.”

“So, do you believe that?”

“If what you say is true, then the one who should be killed is not Baschul. Baschul was not the kind of person who would betray. However, there are still some parts that are questionable. Above all, a sword master… … Even if you are a follower of Elril, it is not something you can become just because you want to.”

Isaac agreed.

The qualities of a sword master are often evident from a young age, but it is also a state that requires a strong belief and confidence in one’s own power without miracles. Isaac realized that rather than being jealous of the growth of an old friend who was inferior to him, he was suspicious of some suspicious parts.

“Come to think of it, during the duel, Baschul also said, ‘I have my own secret weapon.’ Could that have something to do with it?”

“That may be true. There must be a god or an angel behind such absurd and sudden growth. If what Baschul said is true… … he may have gained something in return for becoming a believer of Elril. I will have to think about it when I meet him.”

It would have been quite a blow to Baschl’s pride to hear this, but Gebel said it with conviction. It seemed as if he did not believe in the slightest that this was an achievement he had achieved through hard work and his own abilities.

“I ended up putting you in a dangerous place. I’m sorry. Sword Master, I never thought you would become something like that… … .”

“No, it’s okay. Thanks to you, I was able to see the Sword Master’s skills.”

The duel with Bashuul was truly a great help in the Kingdom of Elril. Just by learning the swordsmanship and methods of the swordsman in advance, Isaac was able to survive on several occasions.

“Come to think of it, wasn’t it dangerous for you to come here, Mr. Gebel?”

Gebel is a deserter and a knight of the Exodus. Few people will recognize him, but if he is caught and investigated by mistake, it will be difficult. Especially when the Empire is being tainted by the madness of the Dawn Army to this extent.

At Isaac’s words, Gebel’s expression became subtle.

“Well, actually, I came here because I wanted to ask you a favor. I could ask someone else, but you’re the only person I can trust to ask you a favor.”

“A favor? Hmm, that’s better. Actually, I had something I wanted to ask you.”

“Really? Then I’ll speak first.”

Gebel looked at Isaac with a serious face and asked.

“If there is any room left in the Isacrea Dawn Army, would you be able to fit me in?”

Isaac’s expression became subtle.

He smiled with an expression that was difficult to read, and then barely opened his mouth.

“Would you be able to become a swordsmanship instructor for the Isacrea Spirit Dawn Army?”

As Isaac’s question replaced the answer, Gebel’s position and title were immediately determined.

Isaac Crea Army swordsmanship instructor Gebel Kranz.