Paladin of the Dead God - Chapter 330



Only Krnovel

Episode 330. Eyes and Sword (3)

“As you know, the members of the Isacrea Dawn Army are not my subordinates, but a coalition of allies. In the face of such insults, I had no choice but to punish the Inquisitor in order to prevent a split in the alliance. However, I apologize for dropping the Pope’s letter on the ground in the process.”

In contrast to Soltna, Isaac, a noble Grail Knight with many accomplishments, impressed the paladins. Along with Dera Heman, he was considered the strongest paladin in the empire, but he greeted them with a frugal attitude. It was truly the attitude of a model paladin.

But Dera Heman gestured indifferently, as if he would not be swayed by such things.

Isaac viewed that attitude positively. At least it meant that he wouldn’t be swayed by the words of the Inquisitor.

“The chairman says he has no authority to make a judgment on the matter.”

The adjutant was also impressed by Isaac, but passed on Dera Heman’s words.

“Your Majesty, you have been ordered to take command and prepare to carry out the operation on your behalf. That is all. I will speak to His Holiness about other matters. Are you ready, Grail Knight?”

“Of course.”

Isaac nodded as if it was obvious.

“But I am not sure if my allies are ready. You have come all this way to lead the Isacrea Dawn Army, which is now nothing more than a shell, with the alliance divided into many parts.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“I propose a match.”

Isaac looked at Dera Heman intently and said.

“Show me, Lord Dera Heman, that you are a better paladin than I am, that you embrace the Alliance in a better, more generous, and fair way. Then everyone will agree.”

Silence fell upon hearing that he was proposing a match.

After a moment of awkward silence, someone couldn’t hold back their laughter and let out a gasp. That sound set off a series of bursts of laughter here and there.

“No, a match? Holy Grail Knight, you’re not talking about something like a ‘duel’, are you?”

“Hahaha! It seems that you have become a Holy Grail Knight after hanging out with the Knights of Elril for so long!”

The laughter they let out was mostly meant as a mockery, saying, ‘Would a brat like you be a match for Dera Heman?’ Isaac liked it when they laughed, so he didn’t get angry or serious, but just smiled quietly.

The only ones who didn’t laugh were Saltna and Dera Heman, who were wearing masks so we couldn’t see their faces.

Saltna saw through Isaac’s sinister plan at once.

It is unclear exactly what Isaac is up to, but it is not worth getting involved. Saltna thought it would be better for Dera Heman to just keep pushing forward and say, “I am just doing my job.”

“Heman, Lord. It’s nothing more than a ridiculous heresy. It’s not even worth dealing with.”

“Your Majesty, Inquisitor, are you worried? At least Sir Dera Heman won’t be beaten like you were, so don’t worry too much.”

Saltna barely managed to hold back her anger at Isaac’s provocative words. Then Dera Heman moved. As Dera Heman slowly rode his horse toward Isaac, the laughter began to die down.

As the large black horse, 1.5 times larger than a normal horse, approached him, Isaac felt his breath catch in his throat. It wasn’t his imagination. Just by Derra Heman standing close, the surrounding divine power was sucked into him, and he felt his lips dry up.

Dera Heman passed Isaac and circled around him. During this time, Dera Heman never took his eyes off Isaac. He looked him over thoroughly, then stood across from him again.

Amidst the embarrassed silence that surrounded everyone, Terah made a gesture.

The adjutant was surprised by the sign language, but calmly relayed it.

“Okay. Where is it?” he said.

“Sir Dera Heman!”

Soltna finally couldn’t hold back and stepped forward. But before he could stand next to Dera Heman, the adjutant and the other paladins grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and threw him down.

Saltna, who was covered in dirt in an instant, groaned in pain.

“What the heck… … !”

The moment Soltna raised her head to protest, she shut her mouth as dozens of paladins looked down at her with sharp eyes. Dera Heman didn’t even look back to see what Soltna was up to.

The adjutant said, glaring at Soltna.

“Your Excellency, your duties are limited to the examination of heresy and the transmission of the Holy Father’s holy words. You keep trying to overstep your authority, so please be modest. We will only follow your decisions.”

Salty sent a shiver down my spine.

The Knights Templar are a small society in themselves.

Unlike priests who study at school and are sent out to various monasteries, churches, and cathedrals, paladins usually stay with one group from a very young age and remain with them as family until they die.

This was also a major reason why, when an apostate occurred in the Knights Templar, the entire group often went over.

In such an order, the existence of the Grand Master is like a father figure in an extremely patriarchal society. There may be internal grumbling, but intervention from the outside is extremely abhorred.

‘These fucking bastards.’

Because of this, Saltna could not help but be angry at both Isaac and Derrah Heman, both of whom were people who did not respond to the authority and fear of the Inquisitor.

If you don’t fear the Inquisitor, does that mean you don’t fear the authority of the Code of Light?

Certainly, at least in this place, no one cared about the burning wrath of the Inquisitor.

Isaac turned his gaze toward the sea, satisfied with Dera Heman’s answer.

“There is a suitable place.”

***

As Isaac had expected, Dera Heman accepted the duel.

Even the members of the Golden Lion Knights who believed in and followed Dera Heman were puzzled by this decision. However, no one believed that Dera Heman would be defeated by a rookie Grail Knight.

Although Dera Heman doesn’t do much outside work, he is already a legend among them.

However, the adjutant, seeing the duel location chosen by Isaac, began to feel worried.

“The Milishar Monastery? Isn’t that place already closed?”

“There is no suitable place where we can duel without any outside interference. And don’t you think the Golden Lion Knights need a place to stay?”

The adjutant also knew that this was a deliberate location. As an adjutant who had been assisting Dera Heman for many years, he knew the results of Dera Heman’s confrontation with Carlsen Milter. He was worried that this location would unnecessarily touch Dera Heman’s wounds.

As always, Dera Heman’s expression was invisible.

Soon they arrived near the Milishar Monastery. Ahead were unexpected guests: Sherlock, Leonora, and their escorting mercenaries.

Leonora came over with a smile and said.

“Thank you for visiting such a remote place. Knights of the Golden Lion, I am Leonora Becia, the Vice-Lord of the Golden Idol. I have prepared the facilities and supplies for your convenience during your stay.”

The knights of the Golden Lion Order were surprised and delighted by the unexpected hospitality. They had not prepared enough supplies due to their tight schedule. It was the adjutant’s job to respond to such a welcoming greeting, so he answered on their behalf.

“Well, thank you for your cooperation. The Golden Idol Group has always been a close friend of the Empire.”

“If there is anything that is uncomfortable, please let me know at any time.”

A wealthy merchant should always be friendly with the local military. Leonora greeted him with a friendly attitude, maintaining her usual attitude. After a short greeting, Leonora passed Isaac and whispered.

“You said you were going to sell the next top spot to Sherlock?”

“… … That’s right. Is there a problem?”

“I bought that authority. You have to work hard until I become the top lord, so don’t think about dying or being kicked out of a place like this.”

“… … .”

It was a somewhat expected ending. Even though he sold a huge amount of rights, it seems that he didn’t get the expected value because Sherlock’s expression didn’t look very bright. Still, he must have made a considerable profit.

“The tide is just about to go in. We can go in now.”

The Milishar Monastery was a fortress built on the sea, but it was only connected to the land once a day at low tide. And once the sea route was blocked again, it was difficult to get out again.

The adjutant, unable to dispel his suspicions, asked Dera Heman.

“Master, is it possible that the Grail Knights are trying to tie our order down in the monastery?”

‘Maybe so.’

“Isn’t it possible that they had already set up a trap in the monastery or prepared a means of escape?”

‘Maybe so.’

“… … Are you confident no matter what happens?”

At those words, Dera Heman looked at his adjutant. He made a gesture of negation. The adjutant was taken aback by the sign of uncertainty, but Dera Heman continued to make gestures.

‘It doesn’t matter whether the Grail Knight sets a trap, runs away, or plots evil. That means he is ultimately inferior to Carlsen Milter.’

As expected by Isaac, Dera Heman overlapped him with Carlsen Milter. It wasn’t just because of Isaac’s actions and reputation. Dera, who had met and fought Carlsen in person, felt a sense of déjà vu in many aspects.

It was only natural that Isaac’s swordsmanship talent and habits were largely derived from Carlsen.

‘Once the duel is over, Isaac will be brought before the Inquisition.’

The adjutant’s expression hardened.

‘Whether Isaac was a heretic as the Inquisitor says or not, it is clear that he was at least influenced by the teachings of the apostates.’

The adjutant couldn’t hide his shock at Dera’s words that the most promising paladin in the empire might be an apostate, but if Dera Heman is right, then so be it.

‘If he is unfit to lead the Dawn Army, I will send his head to His Holiness the Pope. Until then, there is no prison more suitable than the Monastery of Milishar to hold him. I will follow the Knights of the Grail.’

It was not yet decided whether the Milishar Monastery would become a net to confine the Golden Lion or a prison for the Knights of the Grail.

***

As Leonora had said, the monastery was quite neatly maintained. Since it had been renovated in just two days, there were limits to how much could be repaired, but it was still a place where people could stay. This was also because the Milishar Monastery was originally a desolate fortress solely for the training of the Knights Templar.

The Golden Lion Knights had unpacked, but they had no intention of staying here for long. Their goal was to take over the Isacrea Dawn Army. However, they also knew that this task would not be accomplished in a day or two.

But instead of unpacking his luggage or finding a room, Dera Heman headed straight to the courtyard. Although it was a courtyard, the trees were completely dried up and dead, and only weeds were growing. Dera, as if he was already familiar with this place, pulled out the Ruaddin key and burned the weeds around it.

“… …Are you saying we should start right away?”

Isaac asked, taken aback by the sight. Instead of answering, Terah just stared blankly at Isaac.

‘It’s not just because he doesn’t have a snout, it’s because he’s naturally a quiet person.’

As Isaac stood opposite him, having no choice but to draw his Kachulainn, the members of the Knights of the Golden Lion surrounded him and watched. Of these, only Hesabel was Isaac’s ally, but countless soldiers across the sea were probably waiting for the results.

Even after Isaac drew his sword, Terah stood still.

‘Are you telling me to jump in first?’

Isaac thought it was strange. The Elril knights say that if the level is similar, it is disadvantageous to attack first. However, that is because they are fair and decide the match with Elril’s ‘swordsmanship’ alone.

In the Code of Light, there is absolutely no reason to be bound by such rules. It means that it is okay to blind people with brilliance and then burn their armor with flames. Here, even miracles are considered skills.

In other words, if the opponent throws an unexpected number into the first round, the one who attacks first always has the advantage.

‘Of course, I can’t use miracles since my opponent is Dera Heman… … .’

Isaac was also confident in his swordsmanship.

‘I can’t give the impression that I’m doing it half-heartedly since I was given the first chance.’

If the opponent is Dera Heman, you should think that there is no next move. Considering that fraudulent ability, you should definitely finish it with the first move.

Isaac lifted Cachulain.

In an instant, his sword turned black, and a sound like the air was torn apart erupted.

It was once again time for the showdown between De La Hemann and Carlsen Milter to unfold.