Paladin of the Dead God - Chapter 333



Only Krnovel

Episode 333. Eyes and Sword (6)

The next morning.

The trial took place in the very same court where the duel took place yesterday, before a large crowd of paladins. Inquisitor Soltner Culbane brought the charges against Grail Knight Isaac Isacre, with Derra Heman acting as the judge of the court.

“It has been confirmed that the suspected heretic, Isaac, came into contact with unholy and evil pagan artifacts during the process of retrieving the relics. Instead of immediately destroying or returning the relics, he used them, and in the process, it is clear that he was influenced by paganism and heretical beliefs. There has already been evidence that he has been spreading hardened words about the heretical doctrine of the ‘Teachings of the Owl’… … .”

While Saltna was reviving her unfamiliar knowledge of the Inquisition and giving a passionate speech, Isaac was lost in another thought.

It’s not that he doesn’t want to defend himself. If he were determined to refute, he would be confident that he could control the court. That is, if the court were a normal court.

But the religious trial does not operate rationally.

In most cases, the verdict is a guilty verdict based on evidence planted by the Inquisitor and testimony from witnesses who spring up from the ground. The defendant has only two choices: to refute the charges and die a horrible death, or to confess and die a comfortable death.

And even Derra Heman, who is now acting as the judge, has told them to choose between two options: ‘Come under me or die.’

So Isaac didn’t have to bother trying to refute it.

What he was concerned about was the method proposed by Carlsen.

‘… …Can you really trust that guy?’

Isaac thought it was too risky a method. In fact, the ‘safest way’ for Isaac was to move the alliance, kill all the Knights of the Golden Lion, and then quickly escape to the Holy Land.

But literally, ‘Isaacman’ is the safest method.

In fact, that is not a safe method either. The terrible wrath of the Light Code will come upon the Holy Land and even Isaac. Perhaps an angel himself will come and knock on the door.

On the other hand, the method proposed by Carlsen was the cleanest solution, with low risk and high return, which was to rematch De La Heman and win. The problem was that Isaac had to take a considerable amount of risk in the process.

‘If you can trust Carlsen, everything will be solved… … .’

So far, Carlsen has helped me a lot.

I tried to think that he wasn’t such a bad guy… …but looking back, I realized that he had thrown his comrades who were like family into the Undead Cult, massacred innocent civilians, and even tried to kill Isaac when he was still a child.

In this world, even the undead don’t do this.

‘… … It’s still hard to believe.’

“… … So, Isaac. What do you think?”

Isaac was suddenly shaken out of his thoughts by his name being called and a question being asked.

The one who spoke was the adjutant who was relaying the message on behalf of Dera. Everyone’s eyes, including those of the knights, were focused on Isaac.

Isaac barely opened his mouth.

“no.”

Isaac’s answer drew laughter here and there. He knew that he had given an odd answer, but Isaac tried not to hide the fact that he had been thinking of something else.

Looking at Saltna’s flushed face, it seemed worth it.

The adjutant calmly repeated Dera’s words without showing any irritation.

“Inquisitor Saltna Culbane said that the reason you came all the way to southern Odrif instead of following the main force of the Dawn Army east was because you harbored treasonous intentions. It is a valid question. If you want to go to the Holy Land from here, you have to go back north. What is your intention?”

“… …Why don’t you think about crossing by boat? It’s closer that way.”

“Take a boat? Haa… … .”

The adjutant looked at him in disbelief, then turned to Dera. It seemed as if he was asking if he could explain on his behalf.

As Dara nodded, the adjutant spoke again.

“Do you think that the reason the 7th Dawn Army has become a group of pirates wandering the sea is just because they were unlucky? No one can cross that strait. Even the smugglers of the Golden Idol Group take a large detour to the east.”

Honestly, Isaac didn’t really want to go that route.

There is a reason why the Dawn Army mostly advances by land. It is not only difficult to find ships, but the level of difficulty is also not ordinary.

But Isaac knew a way to get through that crazy strait.

But I didn’t intend to tell you that now.

“If you have faith, you can overcome any adversity. I went down to the depths of the ocean with the angel of the Salt Council, but I returned alive thanks to the guidance of the Code of Light. My life is proof of my words.”

Isaac deliberately pretended to be stupid.

But since he had shown them the journey and background himself, even the most foolish words became plausible testimonies of faith. In fact, some of the knights nodded and murmured as if they had been convinced.

‘It seems that the ones who look stupid are the ones who get convinced first.’

But unfortunately, Soltna and Dera Heman were not among those foolish people. As soon as Soltna tried to retort, Dera raised her hand and stopped her.

He stared blankly at Isaac and then gestured.

The adjutant interpreted.

“You seem to have a lot on your mind. Have you not come to a conclusion yet?”

It was a story about a suggestion on whether to follow oneself or not.

Isaac’s conclusion is set as ‘not to follow’ anyway. However, his worries are focused on ‘how can I save my life without following?’

Isaac sighed and did not answer. Seeing that, Derra Heman remained silent for a while before making a movement that anyone could recognize.

Dera Heman got up from his seat and pulled out the Ruaddin key.

***

A tense atmosphere flowed among the Golden Lion Knights.

They all knew now what that move meant.

Death penalty. Although due process was followed, it is questionable whether the Isacrea Dawn Army will be able to accept all of this. However, Isaac, who was indicted and sentenced by the Inquisitor, could not remain in the position of commander.

Isaac slowly backed away, wondering if this was how it would end up.

As the adjutant approached to grab Isaac, Dera stopped him. The adjutant looked around puzzled, but the moment he did, he realized Dera’s intention.

As Dara took a step closer, Isaac took a step back.

In that strange situation, Isaac’s back finally touched the wall. With nowhere else to run, Dera Heman also readjusted his sword.

“Sir Dera Heman.”

Isaac said with a grin.

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity.”

Isaac turned his head.

Before going to prison, Isaac warned Cachulain about the terrible option attached to him. This was to prevent someone from carelessly touching Cachulain and stabbing himself in the neck.

Because of that, Kachulain has been left stuck to this wall since last night.

Isaac pushed his handcuffs hard against the wall towards Cachulain. Cachulain’s sharp blade, which could easily cut even a famous sword, sliced ​​the handcuffs like tofu.

Saltna shouted when she saw that sight.

“Heresy! Heresy is trying to escape!”

As he tried to agitate the surrounding knights by shaking them, the adjutant shouted sharply.

“The trial is still in progress! Be quiet!”

“what?!”

“Her Majesty Dera Heman has called a trial by combat to prove the defendant’s innocence!”

Trial by combat is the most common practice in Elil, but it is not uncommon in the Code of Light either. It is often handed down by judges when they are too lazy to pass judgment or are too politically burdened to do so.

Because it is not as divine as Elil, nor is there any heavenly intervention.

But I have never heard or seen a judge jump in like this.

Saltna was about to get angry, but then remembered that Dera Heman had won a landslide victory over Isaac yesterday. He didn’t like it, but he figured Dera had simply decided to impose a ‘duel-style execution’.

In fact, Dera was thinking similarly.

He strode toward Isaac, intending to put yesterday’s suggestion into practice.

Kneel down or stick out your neck. Those were Isaac’s only options.

If Isaac hadn’t undergone such a dramatic change yesterday.

There was no such thing as a player giving up his position like yesterday. Isaac and Dera Heman rushed at each other at the same time and clashed swords.

Boom. Isaac’s knees buckled with a loud noise. It was the same as yesterday.

Dera Heman was watching Isaac’s footsteps, his stride, his sense of balance with his sword, his way of releasing and giving strength, and even his breathing. His concentration was frightening. Everything went as he had predicted.

Isaac swung his sword again, even though he knew he was being analyzed. Learning and analyzing swordsmanship was something he could do too. But there was no reversal.

You are weak.

Isaac felt as if Dera was saying that.

So either follow me or die here, before you become like Carlsen.

‘Ah, so this is how it has to be.’

Isaac clicked his tongue, but he knew there was nothing he could do.

I may have to tell you something I couldn’t tell Dera Heman.

Isaac took a moment to catch his breath and focus his consciousness.

After a long breath, Isaac changed his standing posture.

At that moment, Dera felt a strong sense of alienation.

Before he could even realize what the strange feeling was, Isaac quickly ran towards him.

Shh. Dera took a step back, momentarily losing his balance due to the unexpected attack. It was the first time he had stepped back since facing Isaac.

And then Isaac’s offensive continued.

Fast, strong, and varied attacks tried to tear through Dera. Dera Heman was unable to read Isaac’s movements due to the sudden change in swordsmanship. However, it was not that he was any faster or stronger than before.

The problem lay elsewhere.

‘Carlsen?’

Dera Heman let out a silent scream.

It was different from what I had expected, but because it was different, it felt even clearer. In Isaac’s swordsmanship, someone’s appearance was reflected much more clearly than before.

The opponent in front of me was not Isaac.

It was definitely Carlsen Milter.

***

The method proposed by Carlsen was simple.

“Dera Heman will definitely give you another chance. He thinks you haven’t shown your true potential. If you show your potential and beat him, he will believe he can take you down then.”

“I think so too. But I said there’s no way to win?”

“Then hand yourself over to me.”

“what?”

“Do you think you can master the essence of my swordsmanship overnight? I know you can create advanced swordsmanship as you wish, because the foundation you have built up over time is solid. However, the essence of my swordsmanship lies in the next realm.”

Isaac doesn’t know what the ‘next realm’ Carlsen has reached is.

Perhaps it is a realm that only those who can deal with angels can surpass. If it is such a great realm, if Carlsen teaches all night, he may be able to teach some of it.

But it will all definitely be difficult.

‘Hand over your body to Carlsen?’

This was what Isaac had been struggling with until the very end. Isaac didn’t even know that he could hand over his body to someone who entered his stomach. But Carlsen already knew.

Carlsen said, as if he knew Isaac’s worries.

“Don’t worry. I have no intention of taking on all the acrobatic shows you’re putting on among the faiths. If I were you, I’d be dead long ago.”

“… … .”

“I also hope for your success. I think you can do it. In that sense, I hope you and Dera don’t die.”

He was only focused on saving Derra Heman and Isaac.

And now, the legend of the apostate has returned to the Milishar Monastery.