Paladin of the Dead God - Chapter 373



Only Krnovel

Episode 373. Division (3)

There is no definitive conclusion as to why the territory of the Immortal Church is winter all year round.

The most common theory is that the cold air from the afterlife emitted by the dead brings about winter, and some say that it was fixed at the time when the immortal emperor Beshek brought down the underworld, as it was winter.

However, there was also a somewhat poetic but different opinion that the snowy winter is the time to cover up the dead past and prepare for the spring of revival.

But spring for rebirth does not come here. The undead of the Undead Church live an eternal life in eternal winter. They do not need memorials or tombstones.

What Isaac was fighting against were the remnants of the past.

“… … Let’s sort it out.”

Isaac looked back and forth between the commanders of each army gathered here: Rottenhammer, Tukhalin, and Ethelred.

“Of course, Captain Rottenhammer wouldn’t want to send Gebel alone, right?”

“I have known the Avalanche Knights for a long time. I can’t leave them like that. And do you know how much the soldiers follow Gebel? They would be shaken if they knew that Gebel went to the death alone.”

Isaac also knows this well, of course. That’s why he had no intention of sending him alone, even if he had been forced to hold on to Gebel.

“Your Majesty Aethelred, should you also go and find the stolen bodies?”

“Among the knights who participated, there were quite a few who participated in order to find the remains of their ancestors. As I mentioned before… … .”

“Yes. I remember. I told you that I would join you when the time came.”

Isaac did not forget the promise he had made to Aethelred. Aethelred seemed relieved when Isaac mentioned the promise first.

“But given the circumstances, I understand that we cannot be together. I just hope you understand that we will take different paths for a while.”

Rottenhammer also spoke cautiously, trying to calm his excitement.

“Isaac. You are the patron saint and commander-in-chief of the Knights of Isacrea. I have no intention of denying or opposing that authority. If you tell me not to go, I won’t go. But… … .”

On the other hand, Tukhalin became more and more disgusted as the story progressed.

“I don’t know what kind of crazy talk this is. We still have a long way to go, and we’re already parting ways? Do you know when and where we’ll meet again? Do you think this is some kind of playground? It’s right in the middle of the Black Empire’s territory!”

Only Tukhalin, who was older than even the oldest undead and had no grudge against the Undead Cult, found this situation absurd. Isaac’s head was spinning, but on the other hand, he thought it was natural.

They are not subordinates, they are allies.

An alliance is simply a group of people who are walking together on overlapping paths toward their own goals. Originally, alliances were routinely filled with conflict, division, and opposition. So far, the Isacrea Dawn Army has been strangely accommodating.

Even Tukhalin, who most ardently advocated for the advance, had the faintest motivation to join the Dawn Army this time.

If the Isacrea Knights and the Elril Army decided to split, Tukhalin could have turned around and said, “I can’t be with this rabble.” How many alliances in history have split due to internal strife right before their destination?

‘You Immortal Cult guys, you’ve planned a good strategy… Is this what the Sword of May warned you about?’

I had warned of the Black Split of May. Isaac had thought it would be a betrayal due to death insurance, but there were no signs of such a split, and the split was only caused by the appearance of enemies.

In a way, it was the most efficient way to attack the Isacrea Dawn Army.

There had already been a similar incident in the early days of the Yeomyeong Army, but at that time it was Baekje territory and supplies were not difficult. Now, the situation was much more difficult, both psychologically and practically.

Isaac hesitated for a moment and then opened his mouth.

“As the commander-in-chief of the Isacrea Dawn Army, I hereby give you the order.”

***

Everyone looked nervous at Isaac’s command, which he had never given before. Of course, they were prepared to respond to Isaac’s authority since he had been elected commander-in-chief. However, the decline in morale was another matter.

Isaac looked at Rottenhammer and Gebel first and said.

“Isacrea Knights and Gebel Kranz must identify the Avalanche Knights and, if they are confirmed to be on the wrong path, immediately provide relief.”

Gebel’s eyes widened, but before Isaac could hear his answer, he gave instructions to Ethelred as well.

“Elril, investigate those who carried the flag of the Belin family and collect the remains of our ancestors. It is the duty of the descendants to rescue the old man with dementia who ran away from home and bring him back safely.”

“I will gladly follow.”

A smile appeared on Ethelred’s face, while Tukhalin frowned.

“I repeat, this is the order of the Commander-in-Chief. You are not acting out of your own agenda. The Alliance is not divided, and you are executing special operations under the command of the Commander-in-Chief.”

Isaac said with strict emphasis.

“This operation will only last for one week, and after that, no matter what the outcome, you must rejoin. If any unit does not rejoin, you will be considered a deserter.”

It was an unnecessary warning, but Isaac added it to emphasize the seriousness of the order. Neither Ethelred nor Rottenhammer took it lightly, given the circumstances.

“I will definitely come back.”

“Isaac. Everything is good, but… … .”

Tukhalin opened his mouth anxiously. If this were to happen, only the world’s braziers who had no earnest goal of recovering the Holy Land, Lua, would be thrown into the battlefield. However, Isaac had no intention of sending them to their deaths.

“Don’t worry, Tukhalin. The World’s Hearth Church will be the center that supports the axis of the Isacrea Dawn Army. If Tukhalin hadn’t been a solid pillar, would I have even dreamed of such a plan?”

“I’m not asking to hear sweet words.”

“I am serious. The World’s Hearth Church should move forward with steadfast honesty. You just need to show Tukhalin that the Isacrea Dawn Army is not divided or shaken to this extent. There needs to be a reference point for the army that was conducting special operations to return to.”

Isaac whispered to Tukhalin, trembling.

“I am just a young lady with a pretty face. If you, the elder with great authority, add weight to the Isacrea Dawn Army, wouldn’t everyone believe that the alliance will not waver?”

Tukhalin frowned. He glared at Isaac for a long time before bursting into laughter and muttering.

“Now that I look at it, it looks like you’ve become the commander in chief with that shiny face and snout. Ha, my goodness. I see. I’ll have to show you how the Thunder Master can slice apart the Immortal Cult army with his hammer.”

“I will take that as a compliment. Thank you.”

Isaac was relieved that he had succeeded in persuading Tukhalin, who had been at the most precarious point. However, preventing the division did not mean that the problem had disappeared. The problems were still a mountain, or rather, they were just beginning.

Tukhalin looked at Isaac and asked.

“It’s good that each of us pursues our own goals. But what if we end up getting defeated individually?”

It was the most worrisome situation. But Isaac also had an answer prepared for it.

“I trust my comrades, my allies, my friends.”

***

Isaac’s words about trusting his allies were not a lie.

But if you prepare for ‘what if’, your trust becomes even stronger.

Isaac planned to take every precaution he could before they broke up.

The soldiers were shocked by the news that the Isacrea Dawn Army was split into three groups, but they willingly followed and moved forward, each with trust in their command.

Isaac first gave orders to Hesabel.

‘If that doesn’t work out, take care to protect Ethelred alone, along with Nel. If the undead army from Ethel shows its power, there’s nothing to worry about, but if the Archangel shows up, the situation could change.’

‘Okay, don’t worry!’

Hesabel, who had escaped the realm of the cursed sun, was in good health. Although she could not suck the blood of the undead, it was still not an environment in which she could be active.

Isaac also prepared a gift for Tukhalin.

He took out the sacred relics from his luggage, which he had forgotten where they were. The most eye-catching of them was none other than the ‘Spirit of the Prepared One’, the sacred relic he had taken after defeating the liberator bishop Al Duazad. Tukhalin accepted the ominous spirit that Isaac had offered him and made a trembling expression.

“What the heck is this?”

“Tukhalin. If we continue this way, we will probably come across a fortress. It is called Gertrude. If Tuhalin doesn’t split the walls like lightning, we will probably meet there.”

Tukhalin looked at Isaac with a suspicious expression.

“so?”

“This sword is a trophy taken from the Immortal Order when they invaded our territory. It was originally intended to be used to defend the territory when the Olkan Discipline invaded, but thanks to your presence, I put it away again. I brought it with me just in case. It will be useful in conquering the fortress.”

“Are you telling me to use the relics of the Immortal Order against the Immortal Order right now?”

“Wouldn’t the original relic be more effective for those who believe in that faith?”

The power of miracles and holy relics is proportional to faith.

Angels don’t just look big, authoritative, and bizarre. They can wield great power over people because they ‘look like they deserve it.’

If the Liches knew that this was the staff Beshek used when he was a bishop, they would go into a fit of rage, even if others didn’t.

“You can use the miracles of the Immortal Order as many times as indicated on the tablet. The necessary sacrifices are prepared, and all you have to do is recite the prayer.”

“I don’t know if I’ll ever use such a profane thing instead of a hammer.”

“Well, if you don’t have anything to do with it, why don’t you just strangle Richie to death with it?”

If successful, Tukhalin will go down in history as the first person to strangle an undead. He frowned as Isaac handed him various relics and equipment.

Isaac realized that he was no longer with the world’s Brazier Church, which could be called the ‘main unit’.

“What do you plan to do?”

“I plan to work with the Isacrea Knights first.”

“Why?”

“I was taught by the Avalanche Knights.”

Gebel looked at Isaac with a surprised expression.

Isaac continued speaking to Gebel.

“Gebel, do you remember what you said when you sent me away? That you raised me for revenge. The tip of the sword for revenge has now lost its way, so I think now is the time for me to take action.”

“that…….”

“It’s time to reap the rewards of learning swordsmanship.”

For this moment, I put aside my position as commander-in-chief and spoke.

Tukhalin also seemed to realize that this was not a light matter for Isaac, and sighed as he agreed.

“Good. With the Grail Knights joining us, at least the Knights of Isacrea will return safely.”

From Tukhalin’s words, Isaac thought that he had figured out his true feelings to some extent.

In fact, the reason Isaac chose the Knights of Isacrea was because they were the most vulnerable in this split march.

Of course, this side is the largest in terms of numbers and scale. Because it contains the largest number of regular soldiers. However, numbers are meaningless when fighting the Immortal Cult. No, rather, the pitiful numbers could increase the number of enemies.

Isaac, in particular, smelled a sinister plot in this split.

‘This is not Beshek’s way.’

I don’t know who it was among the Immortal Order’s angels, but at least one of them was intervening in this situation.

What this meant was that someone from the divided army would meet the Angel of Light.

Tukhalin is protected by the Thunder Craftsman, and Ethelred is protected by the Lion Knight. However, the Knights of Isacrea do not have any proper angels or guardians. The Sword of May often helps Isaac, but he is more of a business partner for strategic goals than a true guardian angel.

So, in order to compensate for their strategic vulnerability, Isaac had to help the Knights of Isacrea.

‘And we’ve also achieved our goal of helping Gebel.’

Actually, I think he would have helped Gebel no matter what excuse he made. But wouldn’t it be better if there was a strategic goal added to it?

Even if you don’t know who the angel of death will be, if you choose to attack the weakest unit, Isaac killing them quickly and helping the other units would be a smooth way to proceed.