Paladin of the Dead God - Chapter 332



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Episode 332. Eyes and Sword (5)

The Code of Light is the world’s greatest and strongest faith that no one can deny.

Since the Lighthouse Keeper took the Stone Tablets of Dawn from the stake, the Code of Light has grown by destroying and devouring its enemies.

Of course, there were crises. Elril’s rebellion, the nameless suicide of Chaos, the seizure of the Immortal Cult’s holy place… all of which were crises that almost brought the Light Code to its knees.

But what these crises have in common is that they all began within the Code of Light.

The only thing that can put the Code of Light in danger is the Code of Light.

Other faiths?

The Olkan Discipline is but a passing pest that ravages for a moment, the Salt Council, the enemy, has been buried, the World’s Furnace cannot even leave the island, and the Red Grail is nothing more than a parasite.

The Code of Light is neither a peaceful faith nor a good faith.

This is the way the Code of Light views the world and other faiths, and it is true. In fact, the Undying Church has been attacked countless times, but apart from occasional terrorist attacks, they do not dare to attack the Code of Light.

In other words, if you are the strongest in the Church of Light’s Law, then you are qualified to talk about being the strongest in the world.

Of course, it would be ridiculous to boast of human strength in front of the authority of angels, but if you have risen to that level of rank, there is a high probability that you are already receiving the love and support of angels.

And Isaac was now bewildered by the weak attitude displayed by Dera Heman, who could be said to be the strongest in the Code of Light.

“Why do you think I’m pretending to be weak?”

Isaac carefully questioned the true meaning of the words.

Dera Heman stared at Isaac.

[So you’re saying that you’re weak because you defeated an angel?]

“… … I have not hidden my skills. Sir Dera Heman is the strongest knight in the Code of Light, and no one can deny it. His words sound as if I have been watching over him.”

Isaac was sincere. Even if you rush in with tentacles out, it would be difficult to guarantee victory against Dera Heman. However, Dera kept pushing him, saying, “Why are you pretending to be weak?”, so he was frustrated.

“Why did you think I was so much stronger? Because my movements were similar to Carlsen’s?”

Tara was silent for a moment at Isaac’s question. It seemed as if he sensed sincerity in Isaac’s words.

He took a moment to catch his breath and thought, wearing his mask. After a while, Dera took his mask off again and began to speak.

[Kalsen was a free spirit. He was not bound like a knight, and he went about freely, cutting down those he wanted to cut down. The angels trusted him and gladly gave him missions. The Sword of May even taught him the sword himself.]

Isaac recalled that Carlsen’s actions were similar to his own. Even the story coming out of Dera Heman’s mouth showed similarities between Isaac and Carlsen.

But Dera Heman muttered with dark eyes.

[But because of that freedom, he fell into arrogance, into the insolence of not being able to control his power. Arrogance. He forgot where his power came from. Uncontrolled power is bound to go astray.]

Carlsen’s apostasy. It must have been a great shock to Dera Heman.

Perhaps that incident was more shocking than the defeat to Carlsen.

But Isaac noticed something new thanks to what Dara said.

‘Don’t you know that Carlsen apostatized at the command of the angels?’

Carlsen was sent to replace the nameless Chaos Seat, hunting the White Owl, the Archangel, and working with the Burning Maiden and the Sword of May.

But the plan failed when Carlsen entered Isaac’s stomach.

In other words, Kalsen did not betray the Code of Light because he was arrogant, but because he was trying to faithfully carry out the angels’ orders. Isaac was worried about whether he should tell Terah about this fact or not, but he had no way of telling him how he knew this.

[I still regret what happened back then.]

“… … .”

[I wish I was stronger than Carlsen and could have guided him, then the Code of Light would have been much stronger and brighter than it is now… … he said.]

Isaac learned a new fact. What moved Dera Heman was not the pain of defeat, nor anger, nor inferiority complex, but regret.

A sense of loss at having lost a precious knight due to one’s own shortcomings.

Only then did Isaac realize with what mindset Dera Heman had come into his confrontation with him.

Dera Heman looked at Isaac with heavy eyes and said.

[Come under me.]

“yes?”

Isaac asked in surprise at this unexpected job offer.

[I already know that you have been deeply influenced by Carlsen. But it is not too late. I will lead you to the right path. I will push you to become the next leader of the Golden Lion Knights.]

The leader of the Golden Lion Knights. If it’s Isaac, he could aim for the position of Chief Knight or Vice-Captain, even if he can’t. Even if he doesn’t push hard, if Dera Heman retires, the position of Knight Commander is guaranteed.

This is the highest position a Paladin can attain.

But it was a path Isaac could not take.

Isaac was silent for a considerable amount of time, trying not to seem like he wasn’t even thinking about it, before he opened his mouth.

“What happens if I refuse?”

[Die.]

‘I guess so.’

Isaac knew it too. Dara said, ‘I won’t make an example like Carlsen.’

That means he will either put Isaac under his thumb and reform him, or he will behead him. There will also be an accusation from the Inquisitor, so it is obvious that the accusation, judgment, and execution will all be done in one go.

Isaac’s answer is already set.

But I opened my mouth to buy a little more time.

“Can you give me a moment to think about it?”

[The trial is tomorrow morning. Finish your thoughts before the verdict.]

***

One of the horrors of the Milishar Monastery was the loud noise of the waves crashing just beyond the walls.

The waves made a strange sound as they roughly slapped against the wall and blew air into the hole. The salt water that splashed on my face as I fell asleep made a fantastic combination.

Because of this, Isaac suffered from a strange insomnia for the first time in a while.

‘You look quite tired.’

Isaac thought as he looked at the other person in the prison cell. Looking at him, he couldn’t tell if he was asleep or awake and hallucinating.

“Well, it’s kind of ambiguous. But what I wanted to talk about was big.”

Carlsen Milter spoke, leaning against the wall opposite the prison cell. Water seeped in through the window above his head as waves crashed, but Carlsen did not get wet at all.

Isaac looked at the sight and asked.

“Is it a fantasy or a ghost?”

“It’s a fantasy in your head.”

Carlsen replied as if he was incredulous.

Isaac wasn’t surprised at all. This was the monastery that was the headquarters of Carlsen Milter, and he was in a complicated situation because of Derra Hemann, who was deeply involved with Carlsen.

It wouldn’t be strange if his ghost reappeared.

“What are you here to say this time?”

Carlsen smiled bitterly at Isaac’s twisted attitude. He stroked the wrinkled corners of his mouth and spoke slowly.

“Accept Dera Heman’s offer, Isaac.”

“why?”

“Dera is an upright man. He is a loyal follower of the Light Code who never doubts anything. It must be because of the Light Code that he is able to live. Every day is a miracle to him.”

Isaac thought about the life of Dera Heman.

An appearance that is unpleasant to anyone who sees it, and a body that cannot survive even for a moment without the help of a high priest and a holy relic.

The only thing that gave him a way and a reason to live was the church.

His religious beliefs are quite understandable.

“Is that a reason for me to follow Dera?”

“Yes. You have to lead Dera. He is too valuable to be used with a sword like that and then die.”

Isaac laughed bitterly.

They say they are talking about completely opposite things. Dera says he will lead Isaac, and Carlsen says Isaac should lead Dera.

Of course, such a relationship is not strange. Originally, teachers and students influence each other. When a teacher teaches a student, he also grows.

The problem is that Isaac has no intention of taking Dera Heman as either his teacher or his disciple.

“It looks like it’s not my imagination, but the real Carlsen.”

“what?”

“I think it is the right thing to do, the knight who was ruined by his pride, Carlsen Milter. Dera is already complete. Neither you nor I have the qualifications to teach or lead Dera. Dera will not change.”

This is the conclusion Isaac reached after teasing Dera Heman dozens of times.

Dera Heman is the standard bearer for the Knights of the Code of Light. He neither breaks nor betrays.

When it’s time to fight, you fight. When it’s time to die, you die. That’s it.

Trying to move him is like trying to change the course of a typhoon.

It means it is impossible.

Carlsen looked at Isaac with a frown.

Isaac wondered what Carlsen thought of Dera Heman. Isaac had little opportunity to know Carlsen’s inner thoughts. All he knew was that he didn’t think much of defeating Dera Heman, and that he wasn’t particularly proud of it.

“And now I’m three inches behind Dera. What if I follow Dera? You must know what’s inside me. Do you think it’ll be quicker for Dera to find out who I am, or for me to subdue Dera with my devilish charm?”

“… … .”

It seemed like Carlsen had nothing much to say about that. Isaac found it amusing to watch.

‘Do you sympathize?’

Dera Heman, the strongest of the Light Code, said that he was ‘weak’ compared to Kalsen, and Kalsen thought Dera Heman was ‘pitiful’.

If Private 1, who had been caught up in the Siero Dawn Army, heard this, he would be so angry that he would vomit blood.

Isaac suddenly had the idea that he could use this relationship to his advantage.

“But if Dera follows me, it’s a different story.”

“……what?”

“If I were to defeat Dera Heman, it would be a different story. To be honest, I felt at a wall when I fought Dera Heman. It was a swordsmanship that shook my foundation. I couldn’t think of a way to defeat Dera with honest methods.”

If you are prepared to die, you may be able to reach a precarious level. However, the result is always a future where you are narrowly defeated by Dera Heman’s divine power.

“The only way to shake Dera is to take her down, just like you did.”

Isaac said so and looked at Carlsen with calm eyes.

As I said before, Dera Heman is like a typhoon. It is foolish to try to change the course of the typhoon. All you can do is use the wind blowing from the typhoon to move the sails of the ship.

“Can you defeat Dera Heman with just your swordsmanship?”

“……okay.”

Carlsen answered calmly. Carlsen is inside Isaac’s body, but he can perceive everything that is happening and the state of his body.

As expected, Carlsen was confident that he could defeat De La Heman.

“Dera Heman thinks of me as I used to be. At that time, I had already reached the pinnacle of what a Knight of the Code of Light could achieve with a sword. However, I have fought countless times since then, and have grown stronger and advanced. Into a completely different realm.”

“Why didn’t I learn that?”

“Thanks to your teacher.”

Carlsen said with a crooked smile.

“Your swordsmanship is based on the most basic of the basics, the St. Arte style. It is the style I graduated from when I was an apprentice. However, my real swordsmanship is influenced by the swordsmanship of pagans that has nothing to do with the St. Arte style. There are many swordsmen in the Immortal Order who have gone mad because they have too much time on their hands.”

Isaac knows that too.

Madmen who devote themselves to what they love for tens or hundreds of years without eating, sleeping, or getting tired.

Such people are swarming in the Buddhist Order.

“They went a completely different path from the Arte style. There is no room for you, who built your foundation under the paladin Gebel, to learn or be influenced by it. If you had more experience in the East, then I don’t know.”

Isaac tilted his head after hearing Carlsen’s answer.

“… … I think you’re being arrogant again.”

“what?”

“I know how talented you are, but I’m not the only one who’s been fighting. Just because I was influenced by you doesn’t mean that Dera was able to destroy my swordsmanship. I don’t think Dera Heman was the one who gave it his all against me.”

Dera is strong. Maybe more than Carlsen thinks.

Perhaps his scary and strong point is that he doesn’t slow down his efforts because he thinks he’s still weak.

Isaac thought about it and then shrugged his shoulders.

“But even so, there’s no way right now. My confidence has dropped, so I need to learn your arrogance. Teach me some swordsmanship.”

Carlsen was dumbfounded by the attitude as if he was being asked to give up something obvious.

“Right now? In one day? Don’t you think that swordsmanship is like a potato sack that can be inserted if you shove it in?”

“You don’t know how fast I learn.”

To be exact, it was because he ate Carlsen, but Isaac didn’t bother to say anything like that.

Even though Isaac didn’t have to prove it, Carlsen, who had been watching him for a long time, knew how quickly Isaac learned. But because of that, he knew the reality even more.

“Teach me something. Otherwise, I might end up hanging on your neck tomorrow.”

Carlsen was silent for a while before opening his mouth.

“There is one way.”