Paladin of the Dead God - Chapter 25



Only Noblemtl

Episode 25. Search and Destroy (2)

Excited.

Isaac felt the pulse in his eyes. When Isaac felt something moving before his eyes, he almost hit his eyes with his hand, but he soon realized that he shouldn’t attract people’s attention. A small, thin tentacle glided past his eyes.

Isaac barely made any response. In fact, to some, the only thing that could be felt was tears welling up in Isaac’s eyes. But Isaac realized what was happening.

Harnessing the nameless power of chaos means pulling its existence out of the world. Tentacles sprouting from under Isaac’s eyelids were waving and giving power to his eyes.

Soon, a familiar status window appeared.

[Isolde Brandt (A+) / Weakness]

[Occupation: Heresy Questioner (B)]

[Abilities: Moth Doctrine, Advanced Interrogation, Crucible Beast]

[“How do I persuade the abbot? Now that they have taken action, we must hurry… … .”]

It was information about Isolde Brandt.

It is said that the eyes of chaos allow one to read the other person’s state and psychology. It seems that the status referred to here is literally information like a status window. Isolde’s state of mind was also displayed in the visible status window at the bottom.

‘Is it still possible to read shallow thoughts? You can know this much without having to use your abilities… … .’

Isaac concentrated more and glared at Isolde. At that moment, I felt the tentacles around my eyes twitch again. The little boy was startled and quickly looked away. I don’t know what to expect when I see tentacles wriggling in front of the Heretic Questioner.

Fortunately, the abbot’s office was dark, and no one saw Isaac in the shadows. Just before he turned his gaze, Isaac was able to read Solde’s deeper thoughts.

[“Should I at least lie? But I haven’t found any evidence or reason yet… … .”]

“Did you find no evidence or reason?”

Isaac opened his mouth. Isol De turned her head.

Isaac was dumbfounded even after saying this and touched his lips. The reason Isolde was unable to provide a proper basis was because she could not find any reason or evidence as to why the Immortal Order was active here.

“You mean there is no evidence? “Isn’t it clear that the dead plague god was targeting the monastery?”

Because of their position, Inquisitors react sensitively to evidence. It was natural that it was a job that could kill not only one or two people, but also mass murder a group. Nevertheless, moving like this goes against basic behavioral ethics.

“Isn’t the reason you need our help because there is no basis for moving the Holy Knights?”

Yebhar sighed at Isaac’s words. Only then did Yevhar understand the situation.

“If you are an Inquisitor, you have the authority to mobilize the Holy Knights. Only when there is a reasonable basis for it. But there is no reason to look for a sword in a monastery.”

In the end, the fact that Isolde is looking for someone to use the sword means that her evidence and logic are weak. She bit her lip and glared resentfully at Isaac. Regardless of Isaac saving her, the situation became frustrating.

Isaac understood how she felt.

In fact, her suspicion that the Immortal Cult was behind this incident was true.

‘I personally saw the Immortal Cult’s henchmen in the basement of the monastery.’

That undead priest who served Jihylet. This guy was a member of the Immortal Order.

But I couldn’t talk about that guy who could be evidence for all of Isolde’s claims. To do that, he would have to tell them where he found it, and that place was currently covered in a pulsating, nameless heart of chaos. In the end, this means that Isolde cannot provide a basis for persuasion.

“I discovered intelligence about the activities of the Immortal Cult, their movements, and traces.”

Isolde spoke desperately as if she was trying to appeal somehow.

“I don’t know why these guys are working so deep into the Baekje Empire, but it’s clear… … .”

“I believe it.”

“I can’t help it even if you don’t believe it, but obviously… … yes?”

“I believe it. “It is clear that the attack on the monastery was the work of the Immortal Cult who wanted to resurrect the ancient gods.”

At those words, Yebhar and Gebel also looked at Isaac. Yebhar asked as if he was fascinated by Isaac’s bold appearance and assertion.

“Why do you think that, Isaac?”

“Because you can do it.”

“what?”

“Maybe because they don’t die even when they grow old, they spend their whole lives devoting themselves to breaking the Code of Light. And actually, that goes for us too. Don’t the soldiers on the border often commit things that can cause trouble to the Black Empire, even if they don’t necessarily act strategically?”

Isaac then glanced back at Gebel.

Gebel, a member of the Holy Knights, would know better. Soldiers in conflict areas often carry out terrible provocations against the Black Empire even without orders from superiors. Gebel didn’t say anything, as if he had something to point out.

“So you’re trying to resurrect an ancient god?”

“From what you said, I don’t think you really thought the Old God would be resurrected. As you said, they are weak and would be at the level of harassing a monastery. Even if it were truly revived, I would have thought it would be subdued quickly.”

Yebhar shook his head as if he was dumbfounded. The resurrection of the ancient gods and the conflict between the two faiths that divide the world are just pranks by the lowest class? It was a difficult story to understand, and actually Isaac didn’t think that was all.

However, after reading Isolde’s inner thoughts, Isaac decided that there was no point in questioning her when she knew nothing.

“The important thing is that they’re really doing it, and it’s on us.”

Isaac slowly shifted the topic to the future. What is important is that the Buddhist Order is intervening, not the evidence or reason.

Isolde looked surprised when she made eye contact with Isaac.

“Then I have to return it now.”

For more detailed information, if you find more people, you can go and ask them.

***

As soon as the meeting ended, Isaac, Gebel, and Isolde immediately packed their bags and headed out of the monastery. Since there was only one donkey in the monastery, they had to travel on foot. However, Yebhar gave the three generous blessings and sufficient food.

Isaac was a little surprised that the abbot and Gebel decided to help him due to his poor logic.

It may have been because of the goodwill the two had for Isaac, but Yevhar was a person who even tried to reveal the Inquisitor’s true intentions. However, I was easily taken over by Isaac’s logic. I could only assume that this was the result of the Nephilim’s charm.

‘It’s because I’m so attractive.’

“thank you. Mr. Isaac.”

At that time, Isolde, who was walking ahead, matched the pace with Isaac and spoke to him.

“Actually, it was six months ago that I began to suspect that the Buddhist Order was active in this area. But we couldn’t find any evidence. It was only recently that I realized that this monastery was being touched, and this conclusive testimony… … .”

“it’s okay. “It’s our monastery’s job, so of course we have to help.”

Actually, it’s not just because of Isolde. Isaac was looking for a reason to leave the monastery by making a decent contribution. Isolde views her favorably, so if this matter goes well, she could become a good connection.

‘It is advantageous to be close to the inspector general at any time and in any era.’

Anyway, Isolde smiled gratefully. Isaac looked at her expression and thought that she was quite innocent and innocent for an Inquisitor. Or maybe he’s just a psychopath who wouldn’t mind massacring an entire village.

In fact, if he was competent as a Heretic Questioner, the latter was more likely.

“If this matter is resolved well, I will recommend Mr. Isaac to the church. Mr. Isaac, you are a Paladin-in-training, right? There is a paladin I know… … .”

“Heretic Questioner.”

At that time, Gebel spoke in a stern voice from behind.

“Excuse me, but do you know where we are going? “If it’s far away, it might be better to rent a horse from the village, but this seems to be a road away from the village.”

Isolde was leading the way to a place where she had discovered traces of the Immortal Order’s involvement near the monastery. She spoke hastily, perhaps only then realizing that she had not explained her destination.

“Oh, I’m on my way to the valley near the monastery. I think the locals called it Ariet Valley.”

It was a place that Isaac and Gebel knew well. Because it was the two people who stayed here for a long time, not Isolde. In fact, it was a rough place where it wasn’t strange even if something was hiding.

Isolde told Gebel about what she found there and what evidence she captured. Gebel did not seem to be of much interest to her, but she seemed content to keep her interest in Isaac away from her.

‘Thank goodness.’

Isaac suddenly touched his right eye, which had activated the ‘Eye of Chaos’.

Now the foreign sensation of the tentacles writhing has disappeared, but when I checked before leaving, signs of bloodshot blood remained for a while. Moreover, there was a light purple color in the pupils. Just trying to look a little deeper was enough to change the color of my eyes.

‘It would be difficult to use this ability carelessly.’

Although it was a fraudulent ability, it was still difficult to use it carelessly. It may not be noticeable if you are just lightly detecting shallow thoughts, but the more you use your ability to delve into the other person’s deep psychology, the more tell-tale traces will be revealed.

What if someone notices a tentacle wriggling in your eye?

‘I guess I have no choice but to kill him.’

I was just fortunate to have discovered the side effects early before something like that happened.

***

“Here we go.”

Isolde said as she stepped into the valley with a nervous look. In the valley where sharp rocks were placed irregularly, only traces of a dry river were visible, perhaps because it was winter, the dry season.

Isaac had only seen this place in passing, but it was his first time setting foot there in person. Normally, it would have been so rough that it would have been difficult to even step on it, but thanks to the dry river, the bottom was flat.

“You found traces of the Buddhist Order here?”

“To be exact, we found testimony that they had seen them and traces of the undead. Then, I discovered beasts infected with the plague and ominous traces leading to the monastery… … .”

As Isolde said that, she kicked a large stone placed at the beginning of the valley.

Isaac wondered what the stone meant, but Isolde had a serious expression on her face.

“What is that?”

In the end, Gebel asked first. Then Isol De opened his eyes and said:

“yes? Of course it’s a sign of idolatry, right? “It’s the severed head of a stone statue.”

Isaac looked at the stone again. He listened and it seemed like he was like that. Although there were severe signs of wear, the unnaturally cut cross-section and what might have been the eyes, nose, and mouth were noticeable. Looking at it again, it looked like a rat.

“If you go into the valley, there are more traces like this. “It seemed like it fell from a high mountain.”

“hmm… … .”

Isaac thought that if there were one or two of these things, Isolde might say she was mistaken, but if there were several, it was a different story.

At the very least, it’s worth investigating.

It is still only in the realm of archeology and is not evidence of heresy. However, if beasts infected with the plague appeared at the same time and even the monastery was attacked, this could have been clear evidence of an attack.

“So, I was convinced that if I investigated this valley, there would definitely be a hidden mastermind. “After researching, there was a story that there used to be an entrance to a pagan temple inside this valley.”

Isolde seemed quite confident. Gebel still looked like he was in a daze, but she wanted to hurry up and investigate, even if only to expel Isolde quickly. Instead, it was Isaac who was embarrassed by her explanation.

‘If this continues, the investigation could extend to the sanctuary?’

The sanctuary where Zihilet was hidden had to be climbed down a considerable number of stairs in the monastery. It may be true that it is connected to a valley. Thinking that Isolde’s useless abilities might lead to the discovery of Sanctuary, Isaac had no choice but to put his plan into action early.

‘I was planning to take it a little slowly and spread the evidence when I got tired, but I had no choice.’

Hidden inside Isaac’s bag was evidence that would satisfy Isolde.

But I couldn’t spray it right now. Because it would be strange if evidence appeared in the place where Isolde finished her investigation. And before that, Isaac had to create a plausible situation in which Isolde could be fooled.

‘Move.’

Isaac’s will was transmitted somewhere.

Soon, something deep in the valley began to stir slowly.